California Construction News staff writer
The City of Stockton officially broke ground on a $17 million Groundwater Recharge Project at the Delta Water Treatment Plant (DWTP) Sept. 25, marking a significant step toward enhancing the city’s water supply resilience. The project will bolster Stockton’s ability to manage water resources through conjunctive use, integrating surface water and groundwater to ensure a reliable supply during dry periods.
GateWay Pacific Contractors, Inc. was awarded the contract to design and construct the facility, including construction of three recharge basins adjacent to the DWTP, which began operations in May 2012 and currently provides up to 30 million gallons per day of treated potable water from the San Joaquin Delta and Mokelumne River to nearly 200,000 customers. The new basins will facilitate the direct infiltration of treated water into the underlying aquifer, allowing for storage and retrieval during drought conditions.
Stockton’s broader strategy is in place to balance groundwater levels in the critically over-drafted Eastern San Joaquin Groundwater Subbasin, aligning with the requirements of the Sustainable Groundwater Management Act (SGMA). By enhancing the city’s conjunctive management capacity, the project aims to improve water supply reliability and sustainability for the region.
Work is expected to be completed by late 2028, contributing to Stockton’s long-term water resilience and serving as a model for other communities facing similar challenges.
