What We Do:
Water for Tomorrow is a California-based 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization focused on protecting and restoring groundwater systems by acquiring and retiring water credits issued under the Sustainable Groundwater Management Act (SGMA). Our core model centers on incentivizing landowners, agencies, and companies to donate groundwater credits, which are then permanently removed from circulation.
This simple act of "retiring" credits creates massive downstream benefits:
- Reduces groundwater pumping
- Slows aquifer depletion and subsidence
- Preserves water quality
- Reduces energy use and carbon emissions
- Protects the integrity of natural waterways and ecosystems
We offer donors a tax-deductible contribution, encouraging stewardship while helping achieve compliance with groundwater sustainability targets in California’s most vulnerable regions.
II. Problem Statement
California faces a severe groundwater crisis:
- Groundwater overdraft: More water is extracted than recharged, lowering the water table.
- Aquifer degradation: Aquifers are being irreversibly compacted due to overpumping.
- Sea water intrusion: Coastal regions face saltwater entering fresh groundwater systems.
- Poor water quality: Overdraft concentrates nitrates, salts, and other pollutants.
- Subsidence: Land is sinking due to groundwater withdrawal, damaging infrastructure.
- Energy inefficiency: Pumping from deeper wells uses more electricity, raising emissions and costs.
- Ecosystem damage: Streams and wetlands go dry when groundwater is depleted.
SGMA was created to address this—but compliance often leans on technical fixes. Water for Tomorrow introduces a permanent conservation-based solution: reducing demand through voluntary, incentivized credit retirement.
III. Objectives
- Stop the decline of groundwater levels by reducing withdrawals.
- Preserve aquifer integrity and ensure long-term recharge potential.
- Prevent seawater intrusion in coastal basins by maintaining freshwater pressure.
- Improve water quality by reducing over-extraction and pollution mobilization.
- Reduce land subsidence through reduced groundwater stress.
- Lower energy costs and emissions by reducing the depth and frequency of pumping.
- Preserve natural waterways and habitats connected to groundwater systems.
IV. Programs and Services
1. Water Credit Retirement Program
- Acquisition: Solicit donations or purchases of SGMA-regulated groundwater credits.
- Destruction: Formally retire (destroy) credits through relevant GSA registries.
- Verification: Ensure documentation for permanent retirement.
- Donor Incentives: Provide tax-deductible donation letters (valued per IRS guidelines).
2. Educational & Outreach Campaign
Develop community awareness tools explaining:
- Why groundwater sustainability matters.
- How credit retirement works.
- Environmental and climate co-benefits.
3. Science & Impact Reporting
Track and publish data on the environmental impacts of retired water:
- Acre-feet saved
- Nitrate load avoided
- Energy and GHG emissions avoided
- Subsidence impact zones