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

Westlands Water District Achieves Ambitious Groundwater Recharge Goal

Sets Updated Groundwater Recharge Target 

Fresno, California – Westlands Water District (District) has met its ambitious goal of recharging 200,000 acre feet of groundwater and is prepared to capture more.  With water still available for recharge, predictions of a wet “El Nino” for California, and strong enthusiasm from District farmers to prioritize groundwater recharge, Westlands has set a new target of recharging 275,000 af of groundwater by the end of this water year on February 29, 2024.

“This outstanding achievement demonstrates the District’s dedication to ensuring a long-term water future in the heart of the San Joaquin Valley’s prime farmland,” said Allison Febbo, General Manager, Westlands Water District. “This year farmers and the District went from drought to abundance of water supply and quickly pivoted to capture as much water as possible. With over 434 projects approved and a handful more coming online in the next few weeks, the District is in a great position to take advantage or another wet year.”

With increased surface water supply from this past wet winter, Westlands set a goal of recharging 200,000 af of groundwater back into District aquifers. Due to the strong commitment from landowners to implement climate-resilient farming practices and build a sustainable water future, Westlands achieved this ambitious goal early and set a new target of recharging 275,000 af of groundwater by February 29, 2024. Westlands recognizes and appreciates the efforts of dozens of family farms that contributed to achieving our goal and the additional farms coming online soon.

“Farmers in Westlands cautiously recognize that the next drought is only a matter of time and the District’s robust recharge projects will provide a lifeline to hundreds of family-owned farms during periods of prolonged drought,” said Jeff Fortune, Board President. “Updating our target after hitting our goal demonstrates that our farmers’ commitment to sustainability extends beyond rhetoric. We are ‘all-in’ for building a more sustainable water future for the San Joaquin Valley.”

In addition to investing in District projects, since 2019 Westlands has been working with District landowners to establish and invest in on-farm recharge projects, with the goal of using abundant water supply (when available) to improve groundwater levels in the lower and upper aquifers. To date, over 434 recharge projects have been processed and over 285 projects recharged thus far.

With predictions signaling the potential for another wet winter, the District will continue to prioritize groundwater recharge efforts but has also adjusted schedules for select infrastructure projects to ensure efficient water delivery to landowners. While mother nature is unpredictable, the District is doing what it can to be ready for another wet winter.

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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 seven 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 Statement on Senator Feinstein’s Passing

Fresno, CA – Westlands Water District commemorates the life and legacy of Senator Diane Feinstein.

General Manager Allison Febbo offers the following statement:

“Senator Feinstein was a trailblazer who opened up doors and was not afraid to fight for what she believed in. She was a thoughtful, skilled, and passionate legislator, and a friend to the Valley. Her leadership on important water policy will live on as part of her legacy and her expertise and tenacity will be dearly missed.” 

To the family and loved ones of our esteemed Senator, we send our heartfelt condolences.

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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 seven 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 Clears Key Milestone Toward Groundwater Recharge Goal 

Fresno, California – Westlands Water District (District) has surpassed the halfway point towards it recharge goals recharging 127,000 acre feet (af) of groundwater since March 2023. This achievement pushes the District past the midway mark in reaching the ambitious goal of recharging 200,000 af of groundwater by the end of February 2024.  

“This tremendous progress reflects the District’s earnest commitment to building a sustainable water future for the District’s family farms,” said Jeff Fortune, Board President. “The District is committed to utilizing and making the most of the abundance of water we received this past winter to plan for future dry years. The District’s recharge projects will provide a lifeline to hundreds of family-owned farms during periods of prolonged drought.”  

In addition to investing in District projects, since 2019 Westlands has been working with District landowners to establish and invest in on-farm recharge projects, with the goal of using abundant water supply (when available) to improve groundwater levels in the lower and upper aquifers. To date over 300 recharge projects have been processed.  

  With increased surface water supply this year, Westlands set a goal of recharging 200,000 af of groundwater back into the District’s aquifers by the end of this water year (February 29, 2024). Due to the strong enthusiasm and commitment from landowners to implement climate-resilient farming practices and build a sustainable water future, Westlands is well on its way to achieving this goal.  

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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 Announces Departure of Key Personnel 

Fresno, CA – Today, Westlands Water District announces Jon Rubin, the District’s Assistant General Manager and General Counsel, tendered his resignation. Rubin’s final day with the District will be on September 22. The District is incredibly appreciative of Rubin’s service to Westlands and its landowners and grateful for his steady leadership over the years.

“We’d like to thank Jon for his dedication and commitment to Westlands,” said Allison Febbo, General Manager, Westlands Water District. “Jon tirelessly advocated for the District and our landowners by navigating us seamlessly through complicated legal and public policy issues. While he will leave a void, we were fortunate to have him and are grateful for his leadership over the years.”

Rubin was appointed by the District’s Board of Directors in 2018 first as General Counsel and was ultimately promoted to Assistant General Manager and General Counsel in 2021. During his years with the District, Rubin has been responsible for overseeing the District’s legal affairs, providing reliable legal guidance to the Board and District senior management, and public policy.

“Selecting Jon to represent the District as General Counsel, and subsequently adding the responsibilities of Assistant General Manager, was one of the more positive consequential decisions the District made,” said Frank Coelho, Board Member, Westlands Water District. “Under his guidance and leadership, the District faced numerous challenges and has been well-served by his thought-out and knowledgeable approach.”

“The District has been fortunate to have not only a passionate advocate in Jon but also an experienced leader who can tackle complex issues with multiple stakeholders gracefully,” said Dan Errotabere, Former Board Member and Past President, Westlands Water District. “His service is invaluable to Westlands and fellow growers.”

“As a relatively new board member, Jon has been an invaluable resource, providing a wealth of knowledge and experience necessary when dealing with intricate legal matters spanning decades,” said Ross Franson Board Member, Westlands Water District.

“Jon served the District with integrity and with our best interests at heart,” said Jeff Fortune, Board President, Westlands Water District. “His legal expertise was matched with his dedication to our unique, complex and ever-changing water needs. We thank him for his time, his commitment, and his honesty and wish him and his family well.” 

Prior to his time at Westlands, Rubin represented Westlands and other Central Valley Project agricultural water service contractors and served as general counsel for the San Luis & Delta-Mendota Water Authority.

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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 seven 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’ Westside Subbasin Groundwater Sustainability Plan Receives Green Light

Fresno, California – Westlands Water District (District) received official notice from the California Department of Water Resources (DWR) that the Westside Subbasin Groundwater Sustainability Plan (Westside GSP) was approved. Submitted in conformity with the Sustainable Groundwater Management Act (SGMA), the Westside GSP’s approval is a significant step in ensuring a long-term water future in the heart of the San Joaquin Valley’s prime farmland.

In response to the Westside GSP approval, Allison Febbo, general manager of Westlands Water District, issued the following statement:

“DWR’s official stamp of approval reflects a great deal of time and dedication from Westlands’ staff and Board of Directors who worked diligently and collaboratively with DWR to develop a GSP that will serve as a roadmap for achieving the Westside Subbasin’s sustainability goals well before the 2040 deadline. With this milestone, we look forward to continuing the work we’ve already started by implementing groundwater projects that yield the best results for the communities we serve, including the District’s family-owned farms that reliably feed the world and support the San Joaquin Valley.” 

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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 seven 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.