California Groundwater Protection Regulations [2025]

OVERVIEW

California Governor Jerry Brown signed the Sustainable Groundwater Management Act (SGMA) on September 16, 2014.

As the name implies, the legislation created a framework for sustainable groundwater management, defined as: Management and use of groundwater in a manner that can be maintained during the planning and implementation horizon without causing undesirable results. This course was updated for 2019 to reflect current regulations.

Course Features

Lectures 15
Questions 20
Duration 1.5 h (approx)

COURSE OUTLINE
- Introduction
  
  9 min.
- The Hydrologic Cycle
  
  1 min.
- History
  
  9 min.
- California Groundwater Basics
  
  5 min.
- California Topography
  
  5 min.
- Sustainable Groundwater Management Act (SGMA)
  
  4 min.
- Groundwater Sustainability Agencies/GSAs
  
  5 min.
- Groundwater Protection Areas
  
  3 min.
- Pesticide Use in a GWPA
  
  10 min.
- Wellhead Protection Measures
  
  3 min.
- Artificial Recharge Basins
  
  3 min.
- Chemigation
  
  5 min.
- Salinity and Nitrates in Groundwater
  
  4 min.
- The Future
  
  8 min.
- Conclusion/Resources
  
  1 min.

CREDIT INFORMATION

This course is accredited by:

California Department of Pesticide Regulation (0.5 Laws and Regs, 0.5 Other)
Certified Crop Advisers (CCA) Accredited in U.S. and Canada (1 hour Soil and Water Management)

It is accredited for licensing categories: PCAs, Qualified Applicators, Private Applicators, Aerial Applicators, and County Permit Holders.

CONTRIBUTORS

Our sincere appreciation goes to Rick Bergin, Environmental Scientist, California Department of Pesticide Regulation, for contributions and expert review to ensure the accuracy of the information presented in this course.