Sustainable Groundwater Management
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Overview of the Sustainable Groundwater Management Effort
Recent drought conditions in California compelled the State Legislature to enact the Sustainable Groundwater Management Act in 2014 to establish a statewide framework for sustainable local groundwater management.
Although Hayward does not use groundwater as a regular water supply, the City maintains groundwater wells that are critical to the City’s ability to provide water service during an earthquake or other water supply emergency. The City is taking on responsibility for ensuring the long-term sustainable management and protection of its groundwater resources under the provisions of this historic legislation.
Sustainable Groundwater Management Act (SGMA)
SGMA requires the formation of local Groundwater Sustainability Agencies (GSAs) to develop and implement Groundwater Sustainability Plans for groundwater basins designated by the State as medium or high priority. Local agencies with water service responsibilities and/or land use authority are eligible to become the GSA for groundwater basins that overlie their service area.
Groundwater Management in Hayward
The City of Hayward is situated over portions of two medium priority groundwater basins: the East Bay Plain and the Niles Cone. In February 2017, after providing public notice and conducting a public hearing, the Hayward City Council elected to become the GSA for the portion of the East Bay Plain Basin which underlies the Hayward city limits. Following a 90-day public comment period, the City became the exclusive GSA, with management and regulatory responsibilities for that portion of the East Bay Plain Basin. The Niles Cone, including the portion underlying Hayward, is covered under Alameda County Water District's GSA.
Groundwater Use in Hayward
For over a century, Hayward relied on groundwater for day-to-day water supplies. Beginning in the early 1960s, when the City entered into an agreement with San Francisco Public Utilities Commission, use of groundwater as a normal supply ceased. Following the Loma Prieta earthquake, the City accelerated its plans and constructed five emergency groundwater wells in the 1990s and early 2000s. With a total maximum design capacity of over 10 million gallons per day, the emergency wells are critical to the City’s short-term supply reliability.
Groundwater Sustainability Plan (GSP)
Sustainable groundwater management is the management and use of groundwater in a manner that can be sustained without causing undesirable conditions. GSPs include a description of the groundwater conditions, criteria for sustainable management, projects and actions that will be implemented, and a monitoring plan to ensure continued sustainability. A key component in developing a GSP is stakeholder communication and participation.
Annual Reports
California Code requires all GSAs to submit Annual Reports to the California Department of Water Resources every year on April 1 to document GSP implementation progress over the previous water year (October through September).
- East Bay Plains Subbasin GSP Annual Report for Water Year 2023
- East Bay Plains Subbasin GSP Annual Report for Water Year 2022
Partnership with EBMUD
Hayward shares the East Bay Plain Basin with EBMUD, which serves as the GSA for the portion underlying its service area. Together, we are working cooperatively to establish a framework for jointly preparing a single GSP for the entire Basin, in collaboration with other stakeholders.
Information about EBMUD groundwater activities can be found here.
Announcements
4/10/24 - The GSP Annual Report for Water Year 2023 was published. View the report here.
4/3/23 - The GSP Annual Report for Water Year 2022 was published. View the report here.
3/6/23 - A Stakeholder Communication and Engagement meeting was held virtually to give stakeholders an update on GSP implementation activities and a demonstration of the DMS. A pdf of the presentation can be downloaded here.
2/25/22 - The East Bay Plain Subbasin Data Management System (DMS) is available for public use. The DMS is a joint effort between the City of Hayward and EBMUD and allows the public to view and access information regarding groundwater conditions. The DMS can be found here.
1/26/22 – The final GSP was published. View the final draft here.
9/7/21 – The City of Hayward and EBMUD have notified the cities and counties within the East Bay Plain Subbasin of their intent to adopt a GSP for the Subbasin pursuant to California Water Code section 10728.4. A copy of the Notice of Intent can be downloaded here.
8/16/21 – A Stakeholder Communication and Engagement meeting was held virtually to discuss the sustainable management criteria evaluation for each of the six sustainability indicators, the future scenario, and the proposed implementation activities and estimated costs. A pdf of the presentation can be downloaded here.
7/14/21 – A Technical Advisory Committee meeting was held virtually to discuss the results of the future groundwater scenario and to discuss the draft Sustainable Management Criteria (SMC) evaluation. A pdf of the presentation can be downloaded here.
6/22/21 – A Stakeholder Communication and Engagement meeting was held virtually to discuss the status of the GSP development, key SGMA definitions that will be used to define the sustainable management criteria, the future groundwater scenario, and potential management actions. A pdf of the presentation can be downloaded here.
2/17/21 – A Stakeholder Communication and Engagement meeting was held virtually to update stakeholders with completed milestones in the GSP development and outline upcoming activities.
1/27/21 - A Technical Advisory Committee (TAC) meeting was held to discuss calibration results of the East Bay Plain Subbasin groundwater model.
Events
No upcoming events.
Stakeholder Participation and Outreach
2023
2020 - 2021
- 8/16/21 - General Stakeholders Meeting Presentation
- 7/14/21 - Technical Advisory Committee Meeting Presentation
- 6/22/21 - General Stakeholders Meeting Presentation
- 1/27/21 - Technical Advisory Committee Meeting Presentation
- 11/19/20 - Technical Advisory Committee GSP Update
- 5/2/20 - East Bay Plain GSP Progress Update Presentation
- 10/20/21 - General Stakeholders Meeting Presentation
2019 & Earlier
Hayward GSA Formation Documents
- 3/6/17 - Hayward GSA Application
- 2/7/17 - Hayward City Council Agenda Report
- 2/7/17 - Hayward City Council Resolution
Other Hayward GSA Documents
Other SGMA Resources
- Sustainable Groundwater Management Act
- Department of Water Resources Groundwater Management
- State Water Resources Control Board Groundwater
For additional documents, visit the EBMUD website.
