In October 2016, the University of California at Santa Cruz (UCSC), the Resource Conservation District (RCD) and the Pajaro Valley Water Management Agency (PV Water) started the Recharge Net Metering program. This is a unique 5-year pilot program that provides a financial incentive to landowners in the form of a rebate issued by PV Water for building a managed aquifer recharge (MAR) system on their property.
The program will be tested for five years to assess the benefits to the Pajaro Valley Groundwater Basin and its residents. The primary focus of the ReNeM program is on stormwater collection from hillslopes linked to infiltration, using a variety of techniques, to improve groundwater supplies. We refer to this as "distributed stormwater collection - managed aquifer recharge," or DSC-MAR. The functional of goal the ReNeM program is to offset some of the on-the-ground costs associated with operation and maintenance of DSC-MAR projects. This project is intended to supplement other efforts in the existing Basin Management Plan.
We are currently seeking program participants. Interested landowners should read the full program description and can request a site assessment by completing and returning the request for assistance form below.
If you have questions, please email This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. OR call 831-464-2950 x15.
Full ReNeM Program Description and FAQ
Stage 1: Landowner Request for Assistance Form
Stage 2: Landowner Access Agreement
Stage 3: Landowner Project Implementation and Monitoring Agreement
Project Under Consideration:
Curtis Infiltration Pond
Kelly Thompson Recharge Basin
Selected Projects:
Bokariza-Drobac Infiltration Basin
