The Santa Margarita Groundwater Basin (Basin), forms a roughly triangular area between Felton, Ben Lomond, and Scotts Valley. It provides drinking water for the Scotts Valley and San Lorenzo Valley Water Districts, over a dozen small water systems, and roughly 1100 parcels served by private wells. The groundwater table also influences surface water in the San Lorenzo River, a primary drinking water source for the City of Santa Cruz and a home for endangered species. 

Under the Sustainable Groundwater Management Act, one of the key responsibilities of Santa Margarita Groundwater Agency (SMGWA) was the development, adoption, and submittal of a Basin Groundwater Sustainability Plan (GSP) to the California Department of Water Resources (DWR). The Basin GSP was adopted by the SMGWA Board of Directors on November 17, 2021, and submitted to DWR on January 1, 2022. On April 27, 2023, DWR approved the Basin GSP.

The Basin GSP can be downloaded here.

The DWR letter approving the Basin GSP and attachments can be downloaded here.

Additional information:

An 8-page Groundwater Sustainability Plan Summary provides a clear and concise overview of the GSP.

All written comments on the draft GSP received by the Board of Directors prior to the adoption of the GSP can be reviewed here.

The SGMA Portal has information on the status of all GSPs throughout the state.