- Groundwater remains a primary drinking water source for millions of Americans.
- California events in February will focus on well management and groundwater policy.
- A one-day workshop on February 17 will be held in Lakewood, California.
- A two-day groundwater conference is set for February 18-19 in Ontario, California.
Monday, January 26, 2026 — As western states continue to manage extended drought and tightening surface water supplies, groundwater has become more central to regional water planning. In February 2026, the American Ground Water Trust
(AGWT) is hosting two California-based events that bring scientific, technical, legal, and management perspectives together in the heart of the state’s groundwater belt.
Why Groundwater Matters More Than Ever.
Groundwater supplies drinking water for more than 150 million people in the United States and supports key agriculture and industrial sectors. As surface reservoirs fall and mountain snowpack becomes more variable, underground aquifers often supply water when rivers and lakes decline.
Practical Focus: Lakewood Workshop on February 17.
A one-day California Water Well Workshop is scheduled for February 17, 2026, at The Centre at Sycamore Plaza, 5000 Clark Avenue, Lakewood, California. This workshop offers hands-on instruction covering water well drilling methods, well design, pump choice and rehabilitation, troubleshooting common well problems, and basic water treatment approaches. Approved for six hours of continuing education for drinking water operators, this session aims to help practitioners and well owners reduce costs and improve system reliability.
Policy and Science Exchange: Ontario Conference, February 18-19.
Following the workshop, a two-day California AGWT-American Ground Water Association Conference will be held February 18 through February 19, 2026, at the Ontario Airport Hotel, 700 N. Haven Avenue, Ontario, California. This longer event brings together landowners, regulators, scientists, engineers, lawyers, and water managers to share information on regional groundwater issues. Approved continuing education hours vary by day for drinking water operators.
Discussions are expected to include recent science on aquifer conditions, regulatory developments, data needs for sustainable groundwater planning, and coordination across local, state, and federal levels.
