San Bernardino District recharges 1.5M acre-feet of groundwater

• The San Bernardino Valley Water Conservation District has recharged over 1.5 million acre-feet of water since 1912.
• This volume equals about 489 billion gallons, enough to meet the annual water needs of 6 million households.
• The district diverts local storm flows into 89 basins, allowing water to naturally seep into the aquifer.
• Local partnerships remain essential to long-term regional water resilience.

Friday, July 11, 2025 — This month, the San Bernardino Valley Water Conservation District announced that it has cumulatively recharged more than 1.5 million acre-feet of water, equivalent to approximately 489 billion gallons, into the local aquifer since its founding in 1912. The volume is sufficient to fill approximately 740,000 Olympic-sized swimming pools or meet the annual water needs of 6 million households.

“This milestone reflects what’s possible when low-cost, locally led solutions are sustained through time,” said General Manager Betsy Miller Vixie. She emphasized the enduring value of community-based recharge projects in protecting regional supplies and ensuring long-term water security.

Recharge Efforts Contrast With Global Aquifer Decline.

The announcement comes at a time when global aquifers are in decline. NASA satellite data shows that 21 of the world’s 37 largest groundwater basins are being depleted faster than they are being replenished. Over the last 20 years, excessive pumping has led not only to localized ecological strain, but has also contributed to subtle shifts in the Earth’s axis.

In contrast, the San Bernardino Valley Water Conservation District has implemented a proactive, sustainable model. The District diverts seasonal storm flows from the Santa Ana River and Mill Creek into 89 percolation basins. These basins allow water to seep slowly into underground aquifers, replenishing the supplies naturally. This method ensures that groundwater remains available for use during droughts and dry years.

A Century of Local Collaboration.

Groundwater recharge in the San Bernardino Valley is not a solo effort. It depends on cooperation from cities, water agencies, and public partners throughout the upper watershed. These long-term partnerships have helped maintain water quality, support infrastructure, and protect habitat for native species within the Upper Santa Ana River Wash.

For over 100 years, the district has combined conservation, engineering, and ecological oversight to benefit people, agriculture, and the environment. As aquifer management becomes an increasingly urgent issue globally, the San Bernardino Valley Water Conservation District’s achievements offer a clear example of what consistent, localized stewardship can accomplish over time.

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