California cracks down on groundwater usage

05:46

April 24, 2024

A groundwater pump supplies water to Quechan tribal land at the Fort Yuma Indian Reservation, along the long-depleted Colorado River, on May 26, 2023 near Winterhaven, California. (Mario Tama/Getty Images)

California's state board that regulates water recently voted to impose fees for farmers using groundwater in one of the state's largest farming areas.

We speak with Grist reporter Jake Bittle about the implications of this new regulation and whether it will solve the region's water issues.

This segment aired on April 24, 2024.

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