The Community Groundwater Level Monitoring Program is a voluntary, locally driven effort designed to strengthen drought resilience and fill critical groundwater data gaps across the region. The program is built around three complementary components: domestic wells, schools, and small water systems. Community members with domestic wells can participate by collecting simple water-level measurements using equipment and training provided free of charge by the Department of Water Resources (DWR). In exchange, participants agree to submit their data to DWR’s public groundwater databases, helping create a more complete and transparent picture of groundwater conditions in areas where monitoring is limited.

The school and small water system components support implementation of SB 552, which requires improved drought planning and early warning capabilities for vulnerable water supplies. By partnering with schools and small water systems to install dedicated monitoring equipment and collect consistent data, the program provides timely information that can be used for drought preparedness, resource planning, and community outreach. Together, these three components form a flexible, community-centered network that expands groundwater understanding and supports long-term water reliability for all.