WIIN Act grant supports final steps toward full operation
Sacramento, Calif. — The Regional Water Authority (RWA) announced today it has secured $708,466 in federal funding through the Water Infrastructure Improvements for the Nation (WIIN) Act, advancing the Sacramento Regional Water Bank (Water Bank) toward full implementation.
RWA represents nearly two dozen water providers serving 2.2 million people in the Sacramento region. Administered by the U.S. Department of the Interior, WIIN Act funding will support final planning and technical work needed to bring the Water Bank to operational readiness.
The Water Bank uses the region’s groundwater basin as a natural reservoir, storing water in wet periods for use during dry times. While local agencies have practiced conjunctive use—the coordinated management of surface water and groundwater—for decades, the Water Bank formalizes and expands these efforts using existing infrastructure. The aquifer can hold enough water to fill Folsom Reservoir twice.
In addition, groundwater banking supports flows in the Lower American River year-round and reduces reliance on the river during dry years—leaving more water for fish and habitat.
“This funding puts Water Bank planning within reach of the finish line,” said Jim Peifer. “Local agencies have shown that groundwater banking improves reliability and supports the Lower American River. Now, the region is scaling that success into a fully functioning system.”
WIIN Act funding will help complete key components of the Water Bank’s foundation, including:
- Piloting the bank’s Water Accounting System, a framework for accurately and transparently tracking water movement into and out of the Water Bank
- Developing monitoring plans and evaluating how groundwater use may affect nearby river flows
- Environmental review under the California Environmental Quality Act
These efforts are expected to conclude in 2027 with the environmental review complete and the Water Bank ready for full operation.
“The Sacramento region has spent years building the tools and partnerships needed for groundwater banking,” said RWA Manager of Strategic Affairs Trevor Joseph, who manages the Water Bank program. “This funding builds on that foundation—refining how water is tracked and managed as the Water Bank moves toward full operation.”
Since the 1990s, local providers have stored nearly 900,000 acre-feet of water underground, stabilizing groundwater levels and increasing flows in the Lower American River. In 2024 alone, more than 35,000 acre-feet—about 11.5 billion gallons—was stored, enough to supply more than 100,000 households for a year. Over time, water banking has contributed more than 310,000 acre-feet to the Lower American River and more than 370,000 acre-feet to the American and Sacramento rivers combined.
Learn more at SacWaterBank.com.
The Regional Water Authority (RWA) is a joint powers authority representing nearly two dozen water providers serving 2.2 million people in the greater Sacramento region. Formed in 2001, its primary mission is to help its members protect and enhance the reliability, availability, affordability and quality of water resources. Learn more at rwah2o.org.
