The Spadra Basin is a groundwater basin located in the San Gabriel Valley, in the western portion of the City of Pomona. The basin lies near what used to be the bustling town of Spadra, located on an important historic stagecoach travel route. Today, the Spadra Cemetery and the Phillips Mansion, owned by the Historical Society of Pomona, are all that remain of the town.

The City of Pomona and the Walnut Valley Water District have groundwater wells in the basin. The Walnut Valley Water District has land use responsibilities for parts of the land that overlies the basin. California State Polytechnic University, Pomona, also operates a groundwater well at the basin. Water from the Spadra Basin is used for municipal, industrial and irrigation purposes.

Historically, there has not been a formal groundwater management plan in place. In February 2017, the City of Pomona and the Walnut Valley Water District agreed to collaborate to sustainably manage groundwater at the Spadra Basin, forming the Spadra Basin Groundwater Sustainability Agency (GSA). As key stakeholders, Cal Poly Pomona and Rowland Water District will play a vital role the development of the plan to sustainably manage the basin.

GSA FORMATION

In 2014 California enacted the Sustainable Groundwater Management Act (SGMA) aimed at strengthening local control, management, and sustainability of groundwater basins throughout the state.

In response to SGMA, the Spadra Basin Groundwater Sustainability Agency (Spadra GSA) was formed February 28, 2017 by the Walnut Valley Water District and the City of Pomona.

GSA FORMATION

In 2014 California enacted the Sustainable Groundwater Management Act (SGMA) aimed at strengthening local control, management, and sustainability of groundwater basins throughout the state.

In response to SGMA, the Spadra Basin Groundwater Sustainability Agency (Spadra GSA) was formed February 28, 2017 by the Walnut Valley Water District and the City of Pomona.

GSA OBJECTIVES

California groundwater plays an essential role in protecting water supplies against the impacts of drought and other weather patterns. Groundwater is produced from wells that pump water from underground to the surface. Pumping more than is replenished in a basin can cause low groundwater levels and threaten the supply for communities that rely on that water. Sustainable groundwater management practices are a vital aspect of a reliable and safe water system.

The main objectives of the Spadra GSA are to:

Protect groundwater quality
Manage local water supplies
Expand water storage capacity
Improve sustainable groundwater management
Develop Groundwater Sustainability Plan (GSP)

GSA OBJECTIVES

The main objectives of the Spadra GSA are to:

Protect groundwater quality
Manage local water supplies
Expand water storage capacity
Improve sustainable groundwater management
Develop Groundwater Sustainability Plan (GSP)

MEMBER AGENCIES

CITY OF POMONA

The City of Pomona was incorporated in January 1888, and, today, is the seventh largest city in Los Angeles County with a population of more than 151,000 residents.

WALNUT VALLEY WATER DISTRICT

The Walnut Valley Water District was formed in 1952 and is located about 20 miles east of Los Angeles in the San Gabriel Valley. It serves a population of more than 102,600. The District’s service area includes all of the city of Diamond Bar, portions of the cities of Industry, Pomona, Walnut and West Covina, and the easterly section of the unincorporated area of Rowland Heights. The District has two wells within the Spadra Basin.

EXECUTIVE TEAM

The Executive Committee is comprised of one member and one alternate member from each Agency’s governing body.

The Executive Committee is responsible for the overall management of the GSA. The committee is responsible for directing the Implementation Team and any consultants in connection with the GSA including the development of the Basin’s Groundwater Sustainability Plan. Additonally, the Executive Committee appointed an Administrative Office and Legal Counsel for the GSA.

Executive Committee Members

John Nolte – City of Pomona, President

Jerry Tang – Walnut Valley Water District Representative, Vice President

Victor Preciado – City of Pomona, Alternate

Teresa Lee – Walnut Valley Water District, Alternate

Administrative Officer – Sherry Shaw

Legal Counsel – Jim Ciampa

IMPLEMENTATION TEAM

The Implementation Team is selected by the Executive Committee, and is comprised of staff from each of the participating agencies. The Implementation Team shall oversee and coordinate the development of the GSP. Additionally, the Implementation Team shall develop and implement, with input and oversight from the Executive Committee, a stakeholder participation plan and related outreach.

Implementation Team Members

Joshua Byerrum – Walnut Valley Water District

Chris Diggs – City of Pomona

Jared Macias – Walnut Valley Water District

Damian Martinez – City of Pomona

Sheryl Shaw- Walnut Valley Water District

ADVISORY COMMITTEE

The Advisory Committee shall provide guidance, input and advice in connection with the development and implementation of the Groundwater Sustainability Plan for the Spadra Basin. The Advisory Committee shall consist of representatives of interested stakeholders relating to the Sparda Basin and shall elect a chair and vice chair to assist in organizing the committee and running committee meetings. Additionally, the Advisory Committee shall review and provide feedback on memoranda prepared in connection with the development of the GSP and shall provide input to the Implementation Team regarding issues addressed in the GSP and the eventual actions to implement the GSP.

Advisory Team Members

Richard Hansen – Cal Poly Pomona

Dusty Moisio – Rowland Water District

Silvie Lee – Three Valleys MWD

Bob Bowcock – Forest Lawn