Groundwater Banking with Cadiz Inc.: A Climate-Resilient Solution for the Southwest
Written by Dan Jordan
As megadroughts persist across California and the American Southwest, water security has become one of the most urgent environmental challenges of our time. The region's dependence on snowpack and surface reservoirs has proven increasingly unreliable in the face of climate change. But a new solution is rising from beneath the surface: groundwater banking.
Unlike traditional reservoirs that sit exposed to the sun and elements, groundwater banking stores water underground, dramatically reducing evaporation and land-use conflicts. The concept is simple: capture surplus surface water during wet years, store it in natural aquifers, and recover it in times of drought. When paired with smart infrastructure, this method can provide a flexible, sustainable backup system that supports both urban and rural communities.
The Mojave Groundwater Bank: A Game Changer
At the center of this movement is Cadiz Inc., a California-based water infrastructure company focused on building climate-resilient systems. Their flagship initiative, the Mojave Groundwater Bank, represents one of the largest renewable groundwater storage projects in the United States.Strategically located and connected to key regional aqueducts, the Mojave Groundwater Bank allows for large-scale water storage and access when it matters most. The project is designed not just to store water, but to do so in a way that promotes long-term environmental balance and fair distribution. In a region where every drop counts, this kind of progress is essential.
Partnerships That Prioritize People and Place
Under the leadership of CEO Susan Kennedy, Cadiz has adopted a public-purpose model rooted in environmental responsibility and community partnership. A former state regulator and climate policy expert, Kennedy brings a unique perspective that reframes water access as a matter of climate justice.Cadiz is not just storing water; they are rethinking how it can be shared. One of their most impactful initiatives is commitment to tribal water partnership, aligning the company’s infrastructure with the water rights and development goals of tribal nations. A key example is their collaborations with the Lytton Rancheria of California and the Torres Martinez Desert Cahuilla Indians, both of which aim to strengthen tribal sovereignty while offering new access to clean water for underserved and tribal communities.
Infrastructure That Moves With the Need
Water storage is only part of the equation. Getting that water to where it's needed is just as critical. Cadiz is advancing a multi-user pipeline project designed to do exactly that. Their pipelines including conversion of old oil and gas lines complement existing state and federal systems while introducing a more nimble, responsive alternative to aging infrastructure.This system can help connect growing urban centers and underserved rural areas, enabling a more balanced distribution of resources. By linking storage and conveyance, Cadiz offers a model for regional resilience.
A Vision for the Future
With Susan Kennedy at the helm, Cadiz is proving that private infrastructure can serve a public purpose. Their integrated approach, combining groundwater banking, multi-user conveyance, and tribal partnerships, demonstrates how progress, equity, and climate adaptation can work together.For those looking to understand what the future of water infrastructure might look like in the American Southwest, Cadiz offers a compelling example. Groundwater banking isn’t just a technical fix. It’s a strategy rooted in collaboration, long-term thinking, and the recognition that water security is a shared responsibility.
Learn more about Cadiz Inc.’s solutions at cadizinc.com/solutions.
