More than 150 people came out for a talk on how a new water regulation may affect the Central Valley.

The Sustainable Groundwater Management Act requires all California basins to be balanced by 2020, and Eric Averett with the Kern Groundwater Authority told attendees Tuesday the law is a response to farmers over drafting groundwater. Averett thinks the law may result in Kern County losing 15% of its irrigated fields.

Other panelists thought California needs to increase its water storage capacity before raising prices for farmers and everyday consumers.

Kelli Forsch