Recharge net metering (ReNeM) is a novel, cost-effective management strategy to incentivize groundwater recharge
Overview
Groundwater basins are mismanaged throughout California and the world, with dire economic, social, and environmental consequences. Managed aquifer recharge is emerging as an important method for bringing groundwater budgets into balance. However, although the best sites for recharge are often located on private property, property owners typically are not incentivized to invest in groundwater projects for the benefit of the basin. To address this gap, our team is supporting the development of recharge net metering (ReNeM), a new incentive structure that compensates private entities for operating groundwater recharge projects on their land.
CLEE led a team of co-authors from UC Berkeley and UC Santa Cruz to publish an economic analysis of ReNeM in Nature Water, titled “Recharge net metering (ReNeM) is a novel, cost-effective management strategy to incentivize groundwater recharge.” The article showcases ReNeM’s affordability and cooperative promise; it provides water managers with a method for understanding ReNeM’s financial implications; and it enables expansion of this new approach to groundwater management elsewhere.
Suggested Citation: Bruce, M., Sherman, L., Bruno, E. et al. Recharge net metering (ReNeM) is a novel, cost-effective management strategy to incentivize groundwater recharge. Nat Water 1, 855–863 (2023). https://doi.org/10.1038/s44221-023-00141-1
Funding for this research project was provided by the Gordon and Betty Moore Foundation (GBMF #5955 and 9964), USDA/NIFA award (#2021-67019-33595), the USDA/NRCS Resource Conservation Partnership Program (2019-CSA-03), US EPA (award #RD-84086301-0), the Recharge Initiative (http://www.rechargeinitiative.org/), USDA Secure Water Future (AFRI NIFA award #2021-69012-35916) and the Water Foundation (award #10069).
Additional Authors: Luke Sherman, Ellen Bruno, Andrew T. Fisher