Water Regulations and Sustainability in California: Expert Insights from Laura Ramos
Understanding California’s water regulations is essential for sustainable resource management, especially as the state faces growing climate and water challenges. In a recent conversation hosted by CleanStart, Laura Ramos, Director of Research and Education at the California Water Institute at Fresno State, offered valuable insights into sustainable water practices, groundwater policy, and innovative solutions for California’s water future.
Navigating California Water Regulations
Ramos broke down the complexity of California’s water regulatory framework, emphasizing the need to understand the legal distinctions between surface water and groundwater. Each source is governed by unique doctrines—riparian rights for surface water and appropriative rights for groundwater. Ramos highlighted how these systems have evolved over time and how water usage for public benefit must balance environmental sustainability with legal entitlements.
The Role of SGMA in Groundwater Sustainability
A pivotal topic of discussion was the Sustainable Groundwater Management Act (SGMA), enacted 10 years ago. SGMA requires local agencies to develop groundwater sustainability plans (GSPs) tailored to their region’s needs. Ramos discussed how SGMA has reshaped water management in California and pointed to funding opportunities and state incentives designed to help stakeholders meet compliance goals.
Climate Change and New Water Management Challenges
With California experiencing more rainfall than snowfall due to climate change, traditional water storage systems are under stress. Ramos stressed the importance of adapting to this shift by integrating emerging water technologies. She pointed to solutions like subsurface irrigation systems, which support groundwater recharge without disrupting agricultural productivity.
Collaboration and Community Involvement
Laura Ramos emphasized the need for proactive engagement with local irrigation districts and regional sustainability agencies. She encouraged farmers, business owners, and community stakeholders to participate in advisory boards and embrace data-driven water management technologies to create long-term solutions.
Learn More from Laura Ramos
To explore more about Laura Ramos’ work and water research at the California Water Institute, visit Fresno State’s platform. Don’t miss CleanStart’s full discussion with Ramos for deeper insights into how California can achieve a sustainable water future.
ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Thomas is the Executive Director of CleanStart. Thomas has a strong background in supporting small businesses, leadership, financial management and is proficient in working with nonprofits. He has a BS in Finance and a BA in Economics from California State University, Chico. Thomas has a passion for sustainability and a commitment to supporting non-profits in the region.
Sponsors
CleanStart at Climate Week: Connections, Insights and Opportunities
Diving into the Heart of Climate Innovation
Last week, the CleanStart team dove headfirst into the vibrant ecosystem of Climate Week San Francisco, where groundbreaking ideas and passionate innovators converged to tackle our planet’s most pressing challenges. Executive Director Thomas Hall and entrepreneur-in-residence Tzvi Lev Weber represented our team, navigating through a whirlwind of events that left us inspired and energized.
Water Solutions: California’s Million-Acre Challenge
Perhaps the most thought-provoking session was the water discussion featuring the Pacific Institute and Water Resilience Coalition. Their ambitious goal? Reducing California’s water consumption by a staggering one million acre-feet (325 billion gallons).
This conversation resonated deeply with our recent CleanStart initiatives, particularly our sessions on “The Future of Irrigation Efficiency” with Dr. Charles Hillyer and “Navigating California’s Water Regulations” with Laura Ramos.
While the presenters focused primarily on impressive urban and industrial conservation successes, Thomas seized the opportunity to broaden the conversation:
“What about agricultural water issues, which represent the largest water usage sector in California?”
Their response was surprisingly optimistic. Despite water being California’s most challenging resource issue, the Sustainable Groundwater Management Act (SGMA) is creating unprecedented opportunities for innovation and conservation in the agricultural sector.
Spotlight at “Greener Horizons – Innovations in CleanTech”
Another one of our trip highlights was being featured at the “Greener Horizons” event, where we connected with the dynamic network of Women in Cleantech & Sustainability and engaged with forward-thinking investors eager to fund the next generation of climate-conscious solutions.
The event delivered a powerful message that resonated with CleanStart’s mission: entrepreneurs need to step beyond their comfort zones to discover truly transformative opportunities. By changing the social dynamics around discussing clean-tech, we can create a strong community where boundary pushing is encouraged. Involving local communities in discussions on business development and climate action will inevitably lead to better product-market fits for entrepreneurs, and greener horizons for all of us.
Building Bridges at 9zero
Our team also visited 9zero, a cleantech innovation space with a mission remarkably similar to our own. This vibrant hub provided the perfect setting to connect with emerging businesses and investors focused on sustainability solutions.
Throughout these interactions, we maintained our focus on identifying opportunities that could benefit California’s Central Valley – a region with immense potential for cleantech innovation and implementation.
What’s Next?
As we return from Climate Week, we’re bringing back not just business cards and new connections, but fresh perspectives on how CleanStart can continue to foster cleantech innovation in our region. The insights gained from these conversations will shape our upcoming initiatives and help us better serve our entrepreneurial community.
Stay tuned for announcements about how we’ll be implementing these learnings in the coming months!
Did you attend Climate Week? We’d love to hear about your experiences and the innovations that caught your attention. Share your thoughts in the comments below or reach out to us directly.
ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Thomas is the Executive Director of CleanStart. Thomas has a strong background in supporting small businesses, leadership, financial management and is proficient in working with nonprofits. He has a BS in Finance and a BA in Economics from California State University, Chico. Thomas has a passion for sustainability and a commitment to supporting non-profits in the region.
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April Newsletter 2025
Expanding Mobility in Sacramento
Surprise! There’s a lot more happening to improve mobility options in the Sacramento region than you might think. At our Cleantech Meetup on March 27, an overflow crowd learned about exciting transportation initiatives that SacRT and the Sacramento Metropolitan Air Quality Management District (SMAQMD) led.
We welcomed three expert speakers:
Anthony Adams, Director – Sacramento Regional Transit
Angelina Moradzadeh, Founder– Aura Planning
Jaime Lemus, Director – Sacramento Metro Air District
A New Vision for Sacramento’s Mobility Hubs
A key highlight of the discussion was the plan to create 52 multi-functional transportation hubs across the city, primarily using existing RT properties. The first hub is already live, with two more launching soon. These hubs will feature:
- Rental e-bikes and e-scooters
- Public EV charging stations
- Pick-up/drop-off points for shared ride vehicles
- Seamless transfers to bus and light rail networks
An innovative proposal even includes allowing Public Libraries to serve as bike and scooter rental locations. These initiatives aim to make it easier to travel without owning a car, while also encouraging electric vehicle (EV) adoption.
Business Opportunities in Mobility Innovation
This transformation opens huge opportunities for businesses and entrepreneurs. Success depends on:
- Software development – Integrating scheduling, dispatch, and reservations across services like Uber, Lyft, and shared ride options.
- Infrastructure growth – Building and maintaining transportation hubs, chargers, and payment systems.
- User accessibility – Making mobility services easier for people who struggle with app-based reservations.
If you have a clever idea or a solution that aligns with this vision, now’s the time to act!
A Shift in Transportation Planning
Traditional urban planning has often focused on expanding roads, but Sacramento is embracing a multi-modal approach that supports:
- Residents who prefer car-free living
- Affordable alternatives to car ownership
- Sustainable transportation options
This shift presents a rare opportunity for entrepreneurs to introduce new mobility products and services.
Get Involved: Attend Our Next Meetup
Want to learn more? Check out Presenter Slides here for additional insights.
- Next In-person Event: The Science of Startup Success
- Topic: Avoid wasting time and money in your startup journey.
- Bonus: Great food and drinks provided!
Be part of the conversation—register on Eventbrite and join us in shaping the future of sustainable mobility!
ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Gary Simon chairs the CleanStart Board, bringing with him a wealth of experience from over 45 years in business, government, and non-profit sectors. Gary applies his deep understanding and experience to support the growth of clean energy initiatives and startups. His work is instrumental in guiding the organization towards achieving its goals of promoting sustainable energy solutions.
Sponsors
Revrnt, Witanlaw, Eco-Alpha, Momentum