By Maven’s Notebook

By Lois Henry, SJV Water

A groundwater agency on the western fringes of Kern County has taken the unprecedented step of banning all pumping from wells along the California Aqueduct for a 30-mile stretch.

The move is mainly designed to protect the vital artery that moves hundreds of millions of gallons of water a day from northern to southern California and is threatened by sinking land that could crimp its ability to function.

The ban is also intended to prove whether groundwater pumping is the true culprit. (more)