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. |
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.