A Precious Resource

WHERE IS THE GROUNDWATER?

Not all areas of California have equal access to groundwater; groundwater can be a “savior” when local surface water or other water is not available.

MARIN MUNICIPAL WATER DISTRICT

75% from local protected watersheds; 25% from Russian River, provided by a neighboring agency. Both dependent on rainfall. Little or no groundwater available.

SAN FRANCISCO

Snowmelt from pristine Tuolumne River in Yosemite, plus local rainwater collected in reservoirs in Alameda, Santa Clara and San Mateo counties. No groundwater.

SAN DIEGO

85% from Northern California and Colorado River; 15% from local rainwater collected in reservoirs. Little or no groundwater.

FRESNO

87% from groundwater, 13% from Sierra Mountain runoff.

LOS ANGELES

77% Northern California and Colorado River water, 11% Sierra Mountain runoff, 10% local groundwater.

SACRAMENTO

89% from American and Sacramento Rivers fed by Sierra snowpack; 11% groundwater.

RIVERSIDE–SAN BERNARDINO

100% groundwater.

WHAT ARE THE ALTERNATIVES?

DESALINATION

Desalination is the removal of salt and minerals from brackish or seawater, usually through semi-permeable membranes, to produce drinking water and brine. Energy consumption in the process makes desalination more expensive than fresh water.
$6.00 (per 1,000 gallons)

SIERRA SNOWMELT

The Sierra Mountain snowpack provides natural water storage that is about half of the capacity of the state’s major human-made reservoirs. The melting snowpack releases water in spring and summer, when natural precipitation decreases and water supplies are most in need.
$2.00 (per 1,000 gallons)

WATER RECYCLING

Water recycling processes can vary, but a common process begins with the removal of solids, then dirt-eating microorganisms consume particles and are later removed. The process finishes with filtering the water through coal, sand and gravel.
$3.75 (per 1,000 gallons)

LOCAL GROUNDWATER

Groundwater is water found underground in cracks and spaces in soil, sand and rock. It is stored in and moves slowly through aquifers—geologic formations of soil, sand and rock. Groundwater is replenished by rain and snowmelt; supplies vary geographically.
$0.50 (per 1,000 gallons)

Source: Annual Consumer Confidence and Water Quality Reports