GAMA - Projects

The Groundwater Ambient Monitoring and Assessment (GAMA) Program includes several projects to meet the statutory requirements of Groundwater Quality Monitoring Act of 2001 and GAMA Program goals. As California’s most comprehensive and state-of-the-art groundwater research program, these projects inform citizens, community water systems, environmental groups, and state and federal agencies.

Priority Basin Project

The Priority Basin Project provides a comprehensive statewide assessment of groundwater quality to help identify and understand the risks to groundwater. »» More About Priority Basin Project.

Safe and Affordable Funding for Equity and Resilience (SAFER)

The SAFER program is a set of tools, funding, sources, and regulatory authorities designed to ensure Californians who currently lack safe and affordable drinking water receive it as quickly as possible. »» More about SAFER.

Effects of Recharge on Groundwater Quality

Flooding, whether managed or naturally occurring, recharges the State’s groundwater aquifers and was identified as a key strategy to manage prolonged periods of drought and intense storm events. »» More about Effects of Recharge on Groundwater Quality.

Special Studies Project

The Special Studies Project, with Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory as the project technical lead, focused on specific groundwater quality studies, using state-of-the-art scientific techniques and methods that help researchers and public policy planners to better understand how groundwater contamination occurs and behaves. »» More About Special Studies Project.

Technical Hydrogeologic and Data Support

The GAMA Program has expanded to include technical hydrogeologic and data support for several Divisions and Programs at the State Water Board, the Regional Water Boards, other state agencies, and non-governmental organizations. GAMA staff is providing support for the following activities:

• Hydrogeologic analyses to evaluate drinking water sources
• Development of geothermal well and water well standards
• Technical support for state actions involving groundwater
• Hydrogeologic analysis for desalination projects
• Technical assistance for developing standard operating procedures for grant projects
• High-level GIS projects
• Source water protection planning
• Antidegradation in groundwater planning

Domestic Well Project

Between 2002 and 2011, the GAMA Program sampled over 1,100 private wells in six California counties (Yuba, El Dorado, Tehama, Tulare, San Diego, and Monterey) for commonly detected chemicals. The voluntary participants received analytical test results and fact sheets, and the water quality data was included in the GeoTracker GAMA online database. The Domestic Well Project is currently on hiatus. »» More About Domestic Well Project.