With an average annual Rainfall of just over 15 inches a year, San Bernardino welcomes methods that will help it store significant quantities of water for future use. Leach wells (also known as injection or reverse wells) inject rather than take water out of the aquifer. Watson and Associates are the first in the city of San Bernardino to implement the most modern form of this technology.  Watson & Associates has installed 32 dry water wells at a total cost of $275,000.

The wells are capable of capturing rain water and storing it in the existing aquifer. The amount of water that may be stored is equivalent to what could be expected from a theoretical "40 year flood". A 40 year flood is expected to occur on the average of once every 40 years. Without this technology, much of the ground water would be lost as runoff, and not be available within the aquifer.

Injection wells are not a new technology. The first documented managed recharge program was implemented in Los Angeles in 1899. Water agencies added recharge systems in the San Joaquin Valley in the early 1900s. The east side of the San Joaquin gained this capability as far back as 1940.

Modern recharge methods include scrubbers to remove impurities from the water before injection. Scrubbers are maintained by the water agencies having authority over the aquifer being supplemented.

By bearing the cost of installing a number of these modern injection wells, Watson and Associates are doing their part in helping to assure a better water source for the City of San Bernardino.