learn about the mcmullin area's water bank project
AQUATERRA WATER BANK
Strategically located between the Kings and San Joaquin Rivers in California’s Central Valley, the Aquaterra Water Bank increases the resiliency and flexibility of water suppliers across the State while improving sustainability of local groundwater resources.
1.8 million acre-feet storage capacity
Generous aquifer storage
The McMullin Area Groundwater Sustainability Agency has the potential to store 1.8 million acre feet of water in the underlying aquifer, close to San Luis Reservoir's 2 million acre feet capacity.
208,000 acre-foot recharge capacity
Ideal soil type and location
Nearly 3,480 acres of recharge sites located in areas ideally suited for water percolation into the groundwater aquifer. The area features highly porous sands supporting high infiltration rates and recovery ease.
770 cubic feet per second of new conveyance
Import and export capacity
Conveyance inputs/outputs will deliver water to the Mendota Pool from multiple major water systems into the Aquaterra Water Bank recharge sites. Extraction wells will recover up to 146,000 acre feet per year.
Ideally situated near major water systems
Multiple potential users
Between two rivers and with connections to the State Water Project and Central Valley Project, the Aquaterra Water Bank is ideally located to be a strategic storage facility for users throughout the state.
NOTICE OF AVAILABILITY OF DRAFT ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACT REPORT
A Notice of Availability (NOA) was prepared to notify agencies and interested parties that the McMullin Area Groundwater Sustainability Agency (MAGSA), as Lead Agency, has prepared a Draft Environmental Impact Report (DEIR) pursuant to the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) for the Aquaterra Water Bank Project (Proposed Project). The DEIR evaluates the potential environmental impacts of the Proposed Project and alternatives. The NOA and DEIR are available for review below.
Public Review Period: The issuance of this NOA begins a 45-day public review period, which begins on November 5, 2025, and ends on December 20, 2025. Due to the 45-day period ending on a Saturday, we are extending the period to December 22, 2025. Comments may be submitted any time during the public review period. All public and agency comments must be received or postmarked by 5:00 p.m. on December 22, 2025. Due to the time limits mandated by state law, MAGSA recommends that your feedback be provided as soon as possible, but not later than 45 days after the start of the public review period. If applicable, please include the name of a contact person for your agency. All comments should be directed to:
McMullin Area Groundwater Sustainability Agency
ATTN: Matthew Hurley, General Manager
275 S. Madera Avenue, Suite 301
Kerman, California 93630
Comments may also be emailed to comments@mcmullinarea.org. All comments received, including names and addresses, will become part of the official public record. A Final EIR will be prepared and will include responses to comments received during the public review period.
Public Meeting: A public meeting to address questions and receive comments on the adequacy of the Draft EIR will be held at the following location:
Date: Tuesday, December 9, 2025
Time 5:30 PM – 7:00 PM
Place: Kerman Senior Center, located at 720 S. Eighth St., Kerman, CA 93630.
how aquaterra water bank works
Groundwater banking is similar to financial banking. A water bank uses the empty space in groundwater aquifers for partners to “deposit” water, storing the water during wet periods, allowing them to “withdraw” it for use during dry years. Accurate accounting of deposits and withdrawals is maintained. There are two basic methods for putting water into water bank storage:
Direct recharge: adding surface water supplies for recharge in basins or on-farm to percolate water into the aquifer
In-lieu agreements: surface water supplies are provided to overlying landowners to be used “in lieu” (instead of) of groundwater pumping. The amount of water that otherwise would have been pumped becomes the banked water.
The groundwater that is stored is later recovered from the aquifer when needed through extraction wells.
aquaterra conveyance
Water entering Aquaterra Water Bank canals will be pumped to MAGSA’s east side as ground elevations increase. Gravity flow conveyance will bring water from the east back west.
McMullin Expansion Project intermediate pump stations like the one modeled below will move water east to recharge locations. The McMullin Expansion Project canal and pump stations are the second phase of an existing flood capture and recharge project completed in early 2019. The Expansion Project will increase conveyance at the James Bypass from 150 cubic feet per second (cfs) to 450 cfs and expand groundwater recharge potential on farmlands to an estimated 15,000 acres.
News
Updates
RESOURCES
Water Bank Draft Subscription Agreement and Feasibility Study
Submit this form below to download the Aquaterra Water Bank Draft Subscription Agreement and Feasibility Study.
Environmental Review Documents
Public Scoping Session: November 10, 2021
MAGSA is dedicated to providing its landowners and stakeholders ample time and opportunity to comment on the proposed Aquaterra Water Bank project. Landowners and other interested stakeholders were able to submit comments a number of ways during the 30-day public scoping period beginning November 3, 2021 and ending December 3, 2021. Stakeholders were invited to learn more and comment on the project becoming a federally approved water bank at a Public Scoping Webinar on Wednesday, November 10, 2021. View the webinar recording and presentation slides below.
Draft Initial Study/Mitigated Negative Declaration: March 19, 2024
The Aquaterra Water Bank Draft Initial Study/Mitigated Negative Declaration was available for public comment from March 19, 2024 through April 18th, 2024. Under the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA), an Initial Study is conducted to determine the environmental impacts of a proposed project. Click the link below to review the Aquaterra Draft Initial Study/Mitigated Declaration (IS/MND).
Notice of Preparation of Environmental Impact Report: September 4 – October 5, 2024
A Notice of Preparation (NOP) was prepared to notify agencies and interested parties that the McMullin Area Groundwater Sustainability Agency (MAGSA), as Lead Agency, is preparing an Environmental Impact Report (EIR) pursuant to the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) for the Aquaterra Water Bank Project (Project). MAGSA requested input from reviewing agencies and the public regarding the scope and content of the EIR. The NOP, which includes a project description, maps, and the project’s Initial Study, is available below.
- Notice of Preparation (NOP) Notice of Intent
- ਕਿਸੇ ਦੀ ਕਿਆਰੀ ਦਾ ਨੋ ਕਿਸ ਵਾਿਾਵਰਣ ਪ੍ਰਭਾਵ ਕਰਪ੍ੋਰਿ
- Aviso De Preparación de Informe de Impacto Ambiental
MAGSA sought comments from residents, property owners, and concerned citizens regarding issues they believe should be addressed in the EIR. In accordance with CEQA, MAGSA requested that agencies review the description of the Project provided with the NOP here and provide comments or guidance on the scope of environmental issues related to the statutory responsibilities of the Lead Agency.
Public Scoping Meeting: September 18th at 6 PM
A scoping meeting was held on Wednesday, September 18th, 2024, at 6:00 pm at the Kerman Senior Center, at 720 S 8th St, Kerman, CA, 93630. The scoping meeting included a presentation describing the Project and a preliminary review of potential environmental effects. The scoping meeting also included a time for the public and stakeholders to provide input on the scope and content of the EIR, including any input regarding potential mitigation measures or possible alternatives to the Project. The scoping meeting recording and presentation slides are linked below.
The issuance of this NOP triggered a 30-day public scoping period. The scoping period began on September 4th, 2024, and ended on October 5th, 2024. MAGSA accepted comments during the public scoping period through mail and email