Industry Alert

SGMA Affects ~88% of California’s Irrigated Acres

If you farm in those basins, your GSA sets reporting rules you must meet every year

References include DWR’s SGMA Best Management Practices, basin‑prioritization results, GSP annual‑report guidance, and State Water Board reporting/fees and enforcement materials.

Affects 88% of CA Farms

Fines can reach $500/day

The Problem:

$500 per day

That’s the potential penalty for unreported or inaccurate groundwater extraction in some California GSAs

California’s Sustainable Groundwater Management Act (SGMA) demands accurate water extraction data, strict reporting schedules, and long-term documentation. Challenges include:

Missing GSA/Board reporting deadlines risks penalties or state intervention

Manual logs lead to inaccurate extraction data vs. required electronic reporting.

Uncalibrated/out‑of‑spec meters jeopardize reporting accuracy under BMP protocols.

Many growers aren’t sure which GSA/basin rules apply. (DWR provides the SGMA Portal/Data Viewer to check.)

SGMA implementation is ongoing; probation and reporting can expand

Finally, a proven SGMA compliance process built for California agriculture.

This free checklist breaks SGMA compliance into seven clear, actionable steps that align with state and GSA rules

Identify your GSA and basin obligations

Meet meter accuracy and installation standards

Track water use daily to prevent overages

Automate annual GSA reporting

Maintain 5+ years of records for audits and GSP updates

$6,650/year Saved

Typical ROI comes from eliminating compliance penalties, preventing over-pumping, and reducing admin hours — savings can reach thousands annually.

Get Your Free SGMA Compliance Checklist

Step-by-step SGMA compliance guide.

Problem