|
Preparing for Drier Years Ahead: Why Aquifer Storage Matters
As California moves through 2026, water managers and communities are facing growing concern about drought conditions returning to much of the state. While California is no stranger to cycles of wet and dry years, long-term trends show rising temperatures, more variable precipitation, and earlier snowmelt—all of which increase the risk of prolonged droughts. Projections show that continued water demands could create severe water scarcity conditions by 2040 due to longer and more frequent droughts. As a State Water Project dependent agency, IEUA faces significant pressure during times of severe drought, especially when water supplies from the northern part of the state are constrained.
One of the most effective tools for building resilience in these conditions is storing water underground in our aquifers. The Chino Basin Program (CBP) will construct a state-of-the-art Advanced Water Purification Facility (AWPF) capable of producing 15,000 acre-feet per year of purified recycled water. This water will be stored in the Chino Basin using aquifer replenishment wells and can be extracted by our partner agencies to continue providing reliable water to customers.
Looking ahead, investing in aquifer storage and recharge will be increasingly critical for our region’s water future. This program will improve groundwater quality affected by salts, nitrates, and other contaminants, enhance long-term sustainability of local water resources, and provide flexibility during extended droughts. By purifying and storing water, IEUA can better prepare for drought years—ensuring greater reliability, flexibility, and resilience in the decades to come.
| 
