For Immediate Release
Contact: Elizabeth Jonasson
(559) 241-6233

Westlands Water District Secures $2M WaterSMART Grants for Conservation and Drought Resiliency 

Growers are encouraged to apply

Fresno, California – Westlands Water District (District) recently secured $2 million through the Natural Resources Conservation Service’s WaterSMART Initiative (WSI). Awarded funds will be made available to District growers in the form of block grants, up to $450,000 per grower, to carry out water conservation and drought resiliency improvements, such as installing irrigation pipelines, micro-irrigation systems, reservoirs, and temporary diversion pumping plants.

“As the San Joaquin Valley continues to battle the impacts of an unreliable water supply, programs that provide access to grant funding, those like the WaterSMART Initiative, for the District’s family-owned farms are essential,” said Allison Febbo, General Manager, Westlands Water District. “The District is continually working to identify resources like the WaterSMART Initiative to assist our farmers. These resources allow our farmers to continue their hard work maximizing the beneficial use of every drop of water, through use of efficient and sustainable farming practices and substantial investment in modern irrigation technology.”

District farmers are encouraged to apply for WSI grants by contacting their local Natural Resources Conservation Services (NRCS) office as soon as possible to determine eligibility and start an application. Potential applicants must first be cleared through the Farms Service Agency (FSA) or previously registered, then complete the NRCS process. 

To be considered for a WSI block grant, willing and eligible growers must complete applications by the deadline: January 31, 2025.

The District plans to hold an outreach workshop via Zoom on October 8, from 10-11 am to discuss this funding opportunity.

Today’s announcement is in addition to the $1,808,326 in grant funding the District was awarded in August through the WaterSMART initiative to retrofit 1,603 manually read surface water meters with advanced automated metering devices. You can learn more about the WaterSMART Initiative by visiting the program website.

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About Westlands Water District
Westlands Water District is recognized as a world leader in agricultural water conservation and has served the farmers and rural communities on the west side of Fresno and Kings counties for more than five decades. As stewards of one of California’s most precious natural resources, Westlands continually invests in conservation, and champions farmers deploying innovative irrigation methods based on the best available technology. 

For Immediate Release
Contact: Elizabeth Jonasson
(559) 241-6233

Westlands Water District Supports use of Adaptive Management 

Fresno, California – Westlands Water District is encouraged by the recent decision
to employ adaptive management as part of implementing a regulation affecting
our federal and state water projects. The decision was related to the
implementation of the Fall X2 measure, one piece of a set of operational
measures set to enforce the Endangered Species Act. This example of relying on
recent scientific information and real-time monitoring is an encouraging
example of how flexible management can contribute to achieving the co-equal
goals of ecosystem protection and a reliable water supply for the farms that
feed that nation.

Based on the broad body of scientific knowledge, which includes a recent
peer-reviewed scientific assessment of the benefits of implementation of the
Fall X2 action, the California Department of Water Resources (DWR) and the U.S.
Bureau of Reclamation (Reclamation) modified the Fall X2 action using an
adaptive management component of the action. The Fall X2 action is intended to
provide beneficial habitat conditions in the Sacramento/San Joaquin River Delta
for endangered Delta smelt and other native species after a wet or above-normal
water year. Through adaptive management this year, the Fall X2 measure was
implemented in September while adding an action to operate the Suisun Marsh
Salinity Gates, providing much-needed additional food and habitat for the
species.

The Fall X2 action for Delta Smelt has the potential to result in a large water
supply reduction for cities and farms. In 2023 the water cost to implement the
Fall X2 action was greater than 730,000 acre-feet between the Central Valley
and State Water projects. This year’s action demonstrates the ability to use
recent scientific information and monitoring to adaptively manage the
enforcement of the Endangered Species Act while providing similar or better
outcomes for the species. This year’s action also acknowledges the value of
preserving our water resources for future purposes, including fish and wildlife
benefits.

Allison Febbo, General Manager of Westlands Water District, stated, “Water is the
lifeblood of our valley. We are encouraged to see the dedication from both
State and Federal agencies to maximize the value of our limited water supplies
while improving fishery conditions through flexibility and innovation. We
applaud operators of both projects and fisheries agencies for their demonstrated commitment to science-based decision-making and their efforts to make transparent adaptive management a fundamental practice in the Delta.”

Fall X2 action modification aligns with the intended protections outlined in the
2020 Incidental Take Permit (ITP) and the 2019 Biological Opinion while smartly
conserving our water supplies. Westlands looks forward to continuing our
partnership with State and Federal agencies to refine these processes further,
enhancing outcomes for both fisheries and water supply across California.

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About Westlands Water District
Fall X2 action modification aligns with the intended protections outlined in the 2020 Incidental Take Permit (ITP) and the 2019 Biological Opinion while smartly conserving our water supplies. Westlands looks forward to continuing our partnership with State and Federal agencies to refine these processes further, enhancing outcomes for both fisheries and water supply across California.

For Immediate Release
Contact: Roy Sianez
Email: roy.sianez@asm.ca.gov

Assemblywoman Soria’s AB 2661 to Accelerate Clean Energy Development in the Central Valley Signed by Governor Newsom

SACRAMENTO, CA— Today, Assemblywoman Esmeralda Soria announced that her bill, Assembly Bill 2661 was signed into law by Governor Gavin Newsom. AB 2661 advances clean energy development projects in the Central Valley while minimizing the negative impacts scarce water supplies have on farmworker communities and farmers who drive the region’s agricultural economy. The bill authorizes projects to convert fallowed farmland to solar farms which will create jobs, help farmworkers retrain and transition into skilled trades and spur economic development.

“As the daughter of farmworkers, I know first-hand how much Central Valley families rely on a thriving agricultural economy for their livelihoods,” said Assemblywoman Soria. “AB 2661 better positions the Central Valley to play a larger role in helping our state meet our ambitious clean energy goals, while finding productive solutions for water constrained lands and ensuring our farmworkers are not left behind.”

Specifically, AB 2661 would authorize Westlands Water District – an agricultural water district serving farmers and rural communities on the west side of Fresno and Kings Counties – to broaden its current abilities to oversee energy projects to include the generation, storage, and transmission of solar energy. The new law will help California achieve its climate goals while simultaneously providing an
incredible opportunity to uplift disadvantaged communities in places like west
Fresno County where the need for skilled and well-paying jobs is critical.

“We recognize the significant impacts of our changing climate and stand ready to help the state meet our renewable clean energy goals,” said Allison Febbo, General Manager, Westlands Water District. “We are grateful for Assemblywoman Soria’s leadership in recognizing water districts can play a significant role in generating renewable solar power, especially in the Central Valley where fallowed land needs to be repurposed for productive use.”

The bill also directs Westlands Water District to develop a community benefits plan with input from local communities. The Westlands Water District Board of Directors recently adopted a resolution outlining its commitment to adopting a community benefits plan.

“The City of Mendota is grateful to Assemblywoman Soria for ensuring a community benefits plan was included in AB 2661, said Victor Martinez, Mayor, City of Mendota. “We look forward to working closely with Westlands Water District to develop a robust community benefits plan to meet the needs of our community.”

“The Central Valley is poised to play a key role in California’s clean energy production, and AB 2661 brings a vital partner to the equation,” said Bob Dean, Business Manager, IBEW Local 1245. “AB 2661 is a pathway to future projects in the Central Valley creating opportunities to not just generate more clean energy but create hundreds of new clean energy jobs as well.”

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Assemblywoman Esmeralda Soria represents the 27th Assembly District which includes communities in Fresno, Madera, and Merced counties.

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About Westlands Water District
Westlands Water District is recognized as a world leader in agricultural water conservation and has served the farmers and rural communities on the west side of Fresno and Kings counties for more than five decades. As stewards of one of California’s most precious natural resources, Westlands continually invests in conservation, and champions farmers deploying innovative irrigation methods based on the best available technology.  

For Immediate Release
Contact: Elizabeth Jonasson
(559) 241-6233

Westlands Water District Celebrates the Completion of Phase One of the Pasajero Groundwater Recharge Project 

Project will strengthen climate and drought resiliency and improve water quality in the Westside Subbasin

Media availability after the event may be scheduled by emailing media@wwd.ca.gov.

Event Photos and Videos

Fresno, CA – Today, joined with federal, state, and local leaders, Westlands Water District (District) held a formal ribbon cutting to celebrate our Pasajero Groundwater Recharge Project (Project). Today’s event celebrated not only the completion of Phase One of the Project but also the partnerships contributing to the success of this project and others like it in the future.

Phase One of the Project features a new 30 cubic feet per second conveyance turnout from the Coalinga Canal and six basins, and results in up to 21,000 acre-feet (af) per year of recharge capacity. The second phase of the Project will include the addition of up to 10 dry wells with a recharge capacity of up to 5,000 acre-feet to convey surface water directly into the aquifer. Last year Westlands was able to recharge nearly 400,000 af of water, and with projects like this and partnerships, the District plans to nearly double that capacity up to 800,000 af.

“The Arroyo Pasajero Groundwater Recharge Project and other similar projects hit a sweet spot in California water,” said John Watts, Senior Counselor to the Commissioner of Reclamation. “Groundwater recharge provides a mechanism to capture the flood flows from atmospheric rivers and other increasingly concentrated winter storms — and then store that much-needed water for use in droughts to allow the San Joaquin Valley to keep supplying food for the nation.”

This landmark project will revolutionize water management for Westlands but also demonstrates the effectiveness of collaborative partnerships between the U.S. Bureau of Reclamation, California Department of Water Resources, and regional water agencies who have worked together towards a reliable and resilient water future for the San Joaquin Valley.

Earlier this year Westlands signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with Metropolitan Water District and Friant Water Authority, agreeing to work towards solutions to shared interests such as water storage and banking. Westlands is a member of the San Joaquin Blueprint which also entered into an MOU with Metropolitan Water District. In addition to the agreements amongst water districts, Westlands has been actively involved in the creation of the framework for a South-of-Delta Long-Term Drought Plan which culminated in an MOU with the U.S. Bureau of Reclamation and South-of-Delta Central Valley Project contractors. The Plan includes the creation of a “drought pool” where South-of-Delta water users contribute water to be stored for future use in dry years. These MOUs advance collaboration on goals, including water banking and conveyance, and have laid the foundation for the development of pilot programs with both Valley Water and Metropolitan Water District.

The Pasajero Groundwater Recharge Project increases the flexibility for storing water outside of the San Luis Reservoir and will provide groundwater banking and exchange opportunities for the District and partners.

“The Pasajero Groundwater Recharge Project is a great example of what can occur when the state and agricultural communities come together and work towards a common goal,” said Department of Water Resources Director Karla Nemeth. “Increasing groundwater storage is crucial in strengthening our state’s water stability and meeting our water needs. This project will be an effective way to improve groundwater quality in the San Joaquin Valley.”

The Project received nearly $4 million in funding assistance from the California Department of Water Resources’ Sustainable Groundwater Management Proposition 68 Implementation Grant Program and more than $2.6 million from the District. Westlands was recently awarded $25 million from the the federal Inflation Reduction Act to fund similar recharge projects that would help advance the implementation of additional collaborative drought resiliency efforts.

“Our changing climate and unpredictable water supply requires Westlands to remain innovative in how we secure and store water, the technologies we offer our landowners, and the partnerships we build,” said Allison Febbo, General Manager, Westlands Water District. “Strengthening water security in California isn’t something that can be done by just one water district, one water agency, or one region. The Pasajero Groundwater Recharge Project demonstrates the importance of prioritizing collaboration to develop comprehensive solutions to advance California’s water goals.”

Phase Two of the project will begin with the construction of the dry wells in the first half of 2027.

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About Westlands Water District
Westlands Water District is recognized as a world leader in agricultural water conservation and has served the farmers and rural communities on the west side of Fresno and Kings counties for more than five decades. As stewards of one of California’s most precious natural resources, Westlands continually invests in conservation, and champions farmers deploying innovative irrigation methods based on the best available technology. 

For Immediate Release
Contact: Elizabeth Jonasson
(559) 241-6233

Westlands
Water District Awarded Nearly $2M to Increase Water Management Efficiency and
Conservation throughout the District 

Grant will be used to install advanced automated metering devices. 

Fresno, CA – The U.S. Bureau of Reclamation (Reclamation) recently awarded Westlands Water District $1,808,326 in grant funding through the federal WaterSMART program in support of projects designed to increase water management efficiency and conservation. Awarded funds will be used to retrofit Westlands’ buried distribution system that delivers metered water to hundreds of family-owned farms.

“Westlands takes pride in investing in innovative distribution system methods and the best available technology to efficiently use every drop of water,” said Allison Febbo, General Manager, Westlands Water District. “This grant will allow the District to track Westlands’ water deliveries more accurately and efficiently – producing sustainable water savings to the tune of 9,600 acre-feet of water per year.”

Westlands is the only agricultural water district in the world that distributes water through an entirely enclosed system which is comprised of approximately 1,100 miles of buried pipeline and over 2,400 water meters. Westlands continually invests in and updates this sophisticated system, which measures every drop of water and minimizes losses caused by seepage and evaporation.

In 2021, Westlands began the first phase of implementing the Westlands Advanced Metering Infrastructure Project (Project), which included installing approximately 760 groundwater meters with advanced automated metering devices.

Grant funds from the WaterSMART grant program will be used to complete phase two of the Project which entails retrofitting 1,603 manually read surface water meters with advanced automated metering devices. The Project will assist the District’s water management activities by increasing data collection frequency, improving real-time data to determine if meters are experiencing inaccuracies that can contribute to overirrigation so corrections can be made more efficiently, dramatically improving the accuracy of lower flow rates often used for blending in years the District receives little allocation, and assisting in timely and reliable meter reads to better identify potential leaks. The Project is expected to conserve 9,600 acre-feet of water, avoid nearly 6,000 vehicle miles traveled, reduce 20,223 kilowatt-hours in energy consumption, and decrease associated greenhouse gas emissions reductions every year.

Febbo added, “The District is committed to implementing innovative water conservation technology tactics to help build an even more efficient water future for the hundreds of family-owned farms in the San Joaquin Valley. We thank the U.S. Bureau of Reclamation for this important funding and can’t wait to begin implementing this project in September.”

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About Westlands Water District
Westlands Water District is recognized as a world leader in agricultural water conservation and has served the farmers and rural communities on the west side of Fresno and Kings counties for more than five decades. As stewards of one of California’s most precious natural resources, Westlands continually invests in conservation, and champions farmers deploying innovative irrigation methods based on the best available technology.