PURCHASE, NY - Groundwater serves as a critical resource for the agricultural industry, especially as California continues to experience the impacts of extreme drought. Many efforts have been made to preserve our water resources, and we recently learned of a new initiative implemented by PepsiCo Beverages North America (PBNA). Yesterday, the company announced a $1.5 million grant given to the Water Replenishment District of Southern California (WRD).

"Partnering with the Water Replenishment District of Southern California will not only help enable long-term, sustainable water security for local communities who depend on an accessible and reliable supply of clean, safe water," said Johannes Evenblij, President of West Division at PBNA, "but it will also be critical in the advancement our pep+ (PepsiCo Positive) Net Water Positive ambition to reduce absolute water use and replenish back into the local watershed more than 100 percent of the water we use. As a food and beverage company, we're acutely aware of the critical role water plays in the southern California ecosystem and our community."

Through this partnership, the WRD will pilot its first inland injection well for utilization of in-ground storage. When complete, the project will store an average of 325,851 gallons of water per year for municipal and indirect use, drought resiliency, and mitigation, a press release explained.

"The Water Replenishment District is proud to be the first public agency to receive a water sustainability grant from PepsiCo," said WRD Board President John D.S. Allen. "This grant will help build our region's drought resilience for years to come. The WRD Board of Directors commend and applaud PepsiCo for their commitment to protecting our watershed."

For more information regarding PepsiCo's water strategy, click here.

The news of PBNA's grant comes at a critical time, as the subject of groundwater recharge is on the brain in California's San Joaquin Valley. According to Bakersfield.com, groundwater managers are quickly building new recharge sites in an effort to replenish aquifers with excess water during wet seasons. The efforts are especially crucial as local agencies work toward bringing groundwater back into balance by 2040 in compliance with the Sustainable Groundwater Management Act.

As more news comes to light, we at ANUK will keep you informed on the latest developments in groundwater replenishment.

PepsiCo Beverages North America Water Replenishment District of Southern California