Notice

Dear Westlands Water Users,

April 2022 marks my one-year anniversary of becoming President of the Westlands Water District Board of Directors. As I reflect upon the last year, I am reminded of the unprecedented challenges Westlands and farmers have faced as well as the tremendous steps we have taken to better serve the farmers in the District.

Without question, the last year has been difficult. The stress caused by ongoing drought and two successive years of a zero allocation from the Central Valley Project have caused unimaginable difficulties for the farmers served by Westlands, the people employed by those farmers, and the communities that both support and are supported by farming in Westlands. This stress has been compounded by the implementation of the Sustainable Groundwater Management Act (SGMA), which no one could have imagined would become operative in the worst three-year dry period in California’s history. But dry conditions and the uncertainty surrounding our water supply make it all the more important that we continue to push for improvements both in and beyond Westlands. As difficult as the last year has been, there have been a number of successes.

WORKING TO SECURE AN ADEQUATE AND RELIABLE WATER SUPPLY

Westlands’ primary focus is on providing an adequate, reliable water supply for our farmers. During this historic drought and zero percent allocations, doing so comes in the form of acquiring supplemental supplies. In the 2021-22 water year, Westlands acquired more than 150,000 acre-feet of supplemental water. Westlands’ ability to acquire this volume of supplemental water speaks to the constructive, collaborative relationship it has with numerous water agencies throughout the Central Valley. Because of the drought, however, there was a question of whether this water could be moved south-of-the-Delta. Westlands worked closely with Bureau of Reclamation staff to ensure this water would be moved in the fall of 2021, despite restrictions imposed on operations of the CVP.

Westlands has also been pursuing regional solutions. The Storage Treatment Aquifer and Recovery (STAR) Program, for example, is a program Westlands has developed during this past year. The STAR Program includes capturing excess flows, as well as treating water from the unconfined upper aquifer, for storage and injection into the groundwater basin. Westlands is working diligently to advance the STAR Program as well as other recharge and storage projects-including through actions taken by Westlands in its capacity as the Groundwater Sustainability Agency- to improve Westlands’ water supply. These ongoing efforts will not only improve water supply reliability but will also help Westlands comply with SGMA in a manner that optimizes the reasonable and beneficial use of groundwater.

Additionally, in March 2022, Westlands signed the Memorandum of Understanding to advance voluntary agreements as an alternative to the unimpaired flow standard proposed for amendment of the Bay-Delta Water Quality Control Plan. These voluntary agreements represent our best hope of maintaining water supplies restored by the 2019 biological opinions, and they represent a paradigm shift in how water resources will be managed. The voluntary agreements would take a comprehensive approach to restoring healthy rivers and ecosystems, improving the viability of native fish populations, and creating a management structure that ensures actions to protect fish are based on science. The voluntary agreements would also provide water supply reliability to communities and farms in nearly every region of the state. Westlands was a leader in negotiating the voluntary agreements and is committed to advancing them as envisioned.

MANAGING COSTS

I am also keenly aware of the economic hardship created by the ongoing drought. Westlands works diligently to be mindful of costs while working judiciously to maintain services to farmers, particularly during times of drought. During the last year, Westlands has had major successes in pursuing actions to help keep costs down.Chief among these is the $26 million credit Westlands received this past year from the completion of the Bureau of Reclamation’s cost allocation study for capital costs of the CVP. This cost allocation study was a project on which Westlands worked for more than two decades. Westlands’ analysis and comments throughout this process contributed to the creation of this credit, which will be used to offset operations and maintenance rates paid to Reclamation for the foreseeable future.

Additionally, Westlands has been successful in securing grants from the State and Federal governments that will reduce the cost of major projects Westlands is undertaking. In the last year, the California Department of Water Resources has awarded Westlands a $3.96 million grant to fund the Pasajero Groundwater Recharge Project and a $7.6 million grant to fund three elements of the Westside Subbasin Groundwater Sustainability Plan including the STAR Program Phase I, the Westside Subbasin Groundwater Sustainability Plan (GSP) 5-year Update; and the Westside Subbasin Geophysical Investigation for Recharge Potential. Last year, Westlands also received a $1.6 million WaterSmart grant from the Bureau of Reclamation to implement improvements in Westlands’ metering system.

There are a number of cost saving items still underway such as the sale of the Lower Yolo Ranch, which Westlands recently converted into habitat. These efforts, along with the conversion of Westlands’ contract, help control the costs passed on to our farmers.

IMPROVING COMMUNICATIONS AND RELATIONSHIPS

As a farmer in Westlands myself, I understand the importance of receiving timely information regarding our water supply. This communication is never more important than in times of drought. As such, Westlands has increased its communications with our farmers. In the last year, Westlands has held numerous water users calls so our farmers can receive necessary updates and information from District staff on water supply, SGMA, Board actions, and other key issues.

Additionally, Westlands’ relationship with the employee unions is the best it has ever been. In November of 2021, Operating Engineers Local #3 (OE3) printed an article in their newsletter highlighting the contributions of union members and the great relationship between the union and Westlands. During the pandemic, Westlands went above and beyond to protect all employees as well as to ensure safe working conditions. And, recently, Westlands executed two memoranda of understanding between Westlands and OE3, one for the Miscellaneous Non-Supervisory Unit and one for the Westlands Office & Clerical Employee Association. Westlands continues to work hard to maintain its great relationship with District employees and as well as with OE3.

The struggles of the last year, resulting not only from the drought, but also the pandemic, have made clear the important contributions of Westlands’ farmers. A study, commissioned by Westlands that was released last month by Michael Shires, Ph.D., the associate dean for strategy and special projects and an associate professor of public policy at the Pepperdine School of Public Policy, reports that the activities of farmers in Westlands contribute some $4.7 billion dollars of economic activity and nearly 35,000 jobs across the region. The magnitude of these contributions emphasize Westlands’ need for a sustainable water future. Westlands’ Board of Directors and staff are committed to doing everything within their control to sustain farmers’ activities in the District and to preserve irrigated agriculture on the westside of the Valley.

Despite the historic drought we are experiencing, I remain proud of Westlands and proud to be a Westlands’ farmer. Westlands remains solvent, innovative, and dogged in its pursuit of serving District farmers. Our employees work hard to ensure that farmers have affordable and reliable water. While I hope the worst conditions are behind us, I know that everyone at Westlands will continue to work to overcome the challenges thrown our way.

Sincerely,

Ryan Ferguson
President

ITEMS TO NOTE

Assessment Equalization Hearing

Jessie Xiong: (559) 241-6212
The Board of Directors will sit as a Board of Equalization and hold an equalization hearing to establish the District’s 2022 Benefit Assessment on Tuesday, May 17, 2022, at 1:00 p.m. at the District’s Fresno Office located at 3130 N. Fresno Street, Fresno, CA 93703 or via Zoom as follows:

Zoom Meeting Link:
Meeting Code: 829 8100 5295
Passcode: 3130
Dial-in information: (720) 707-2699

Copies of the 2022 Assessment Book are available for review at the Fresno and Five Points offices. The Assessment Book contains the valuation of all District lands and is based on the benefit assessment valuation schedule approved by the voters in August 2017 and the Board at its September 2017 meeting.

Landowners who question their land valuations and wish to petition the Board, must submit a written application for a reduction of the land valuation on or before May 13, 2022. Landowners must include the reasons supporting the claim for reduction and an opinion of the proper valuation.

Sustainable Groundwater Management Act (SGMA) Update

Antonio Solorio: (559) 241-6244 or sgma@wwd.ca.gov
Monday’s April 25, 2022, 9:00 a.m. special Board of Directors meeting will consider adopting certain sections of the Draft Rules and Regulations, Sections 1.1, 1.2, 1.4, 1.10, 1.13 through 1.16, and 1.18 through 1.21 (such as the Metering, Groundwater Recharge Projects, Variance, etc), that support the implementation of the Westside Subbasin Groundwater Sustainability Plan (GSP).

For the 2022-23 Contract Year, the District anticipates that approximately 630,000 acre-feet of groundwater will be pumped and the subbasin could experience an average groundwater level decline of 40 feet. If the forecast proves accurate, and depending on hydrology in the fall, the Subbasin may be left with 20% of the Monitoring Sites classified as green (groundwater levels are 50% greater than the established Minimum Threshold (MT)), and 55% of the Monitoring Sites being classified as yellow (groundwater levels are greater than 15% and up to 50% of the established MT), and approximately 25% being classified in the red (groundwater levels are within 15% or less of the established MT). Based on this forecast and GSP section 4.2, the District plans to proceed with the implementation of the Groundwater Allocation Program in 2023 at 1.3 acre-feet per gross acre.

The District is working with its consultants and the Department of Water Resources to develop and revise the GSP based on DWR’s comment. The District anticipates submitting the revised GSP in June.

The next regular Advisory Committee (AC) and Technical Advisory Committee (TAC) meetings are scheduled for May 24, 2022, at 9:00 a.m.

2022-2023 Supplemental Water Application – Response May Be Required

Customer Accounting Representative: (559) 241-6250
The District is planning to acquire Supplemental Water from multiple sources for the 2022-2023 water contract year. Supplemental Water will be made available for allocation to water users when it is confirmed as available to the District south of Delta. The majority of the Supplemental Water is currently planned to be made available to water users in late summer and early fall.

When Supplemental Water is made available for allocation, the quantity made available to a water user’s account is a proration based upon the water available at that time and the number of irrigable acres associated with accounts that have outstanding requests. When an account’s request has been fulfilled, it will no longer receive allocations, and the irrigable acres associated with that account will not be factored into subsequent allocations. Accordingly, water users with relatively high per-acre requests will receive the bulk (increment above the pro-rata amount) of their request later, if water is available.

Advance payment for acquisition costs of the water is required at the time Supplemental Water is made available for allocation, while operation and maintenance-related costs will be billed when the water is used. The District will notify water users regarding the allocation advance payment when acquisition costs are more certain. The allocation advance payment will apply toward the delivered Supplemental Water rate. If an advance payment is delinquent for 30 days or more, the District may withdraw the water made available for allocation to a water user and reduce the water user’s outstanding request by the same amount.

If you would like to be part of the 2022-2023 Supplemental Water program, please complete the enclosed agreement and return it to the Fresno Office by close of business on April 29, 2022, by one of the following means:

Mail to: Westlands Water District, P.O. Box 6056, Fresno, CA 93703.
You may also hand-deliver the agreement to the District’s Fresno Office, at 3130 N. Fresno Street.
Scan and email: customeraccounting@wwd.ca.gov
Facsimile to: (559) 241-6276

Agreements not received at the District or postmarked by the due date will not be considered timely. Late requests will be filled on a first-come, first-served basis after timely requests are filled.

Westlands Water District Announces Scholarship Application Period

Westlands Water District Westside Scholarship is receiving applications. Seniors from the following westside high schools are eligible to apply for the District’s scholarship: Avenal, Coalinga, Firebaugh, Hanford Joint Union High Schools, Lemoore, Mendota, Riverdale, and Tranquillity. Each scholarship recipient will receive $1,000 to be used for accredited post-secondary education expenses. Applicants will be judged on their academic performance, school activities, essay, and community leadership. The Deadline to apply is May 22nd. For an application and list of instructions, visit the District’s Education & Outreach webpage.

2022-2023 Land-Based Charges Due

Jessie Xiong: (559) 241-6212
The bills for the 2022-2023 Land-Based Charges were mailed on March 10, 2022, with the first installment due March 25, 2022, and the second installment due September 26, 2022. A penalty will be added to unpaid charges on the day following the payment due date.

Allocation of District System Gain

Customer Service Representative: (559) 241-6250
The District will allocate 986 acre-feet of 2021-2022 System Gain supply to water users that delivered water during the period that system gain was generated. These allocations will appear on your April 2022 allocation statements (mailed in early May).

GWMP Meter Installation and Well Modifications

Alex Young: (559) 884-2523 ext. 122 or ayoung@wwd.ca.gov
District staff continues installing meters on groundwater wells and as such will be reaching out to well owners regarding mechanical and pipeline discharge modifications and installation schedules.

The District would like to remind water users that meters installed on groundwater wells for compliance with the approved Groundwater Sustainability Plan are owned by the District and should not be adjusted or moved by water users or their staff. If water users are planning to abandon a well and want to move the meter to a new site, please contact District staff so it can be moved for you.

If water users desire to connect privately owned AMI or monitoring systems to a District-owned meter, then please contact Water Measurement Specialist, John Johnston at 559-884-2523 ext. 131.

Please report meter issues, and do not remove or replace District-owned meters.

Holiday Office Closures & Water Ordering Procedures

District offices will be closed on Monday, May 30, 2022, in observance of Memorial Day. The affected water ordering deadlines are as follows:

For Water Use On	Place Water Order By
Saturday or Sunday – May 28 or 29	Friday, May 27, 9:30 a.m.
Monday or Tuesday- May 30 or May 31	Friday, May 27, noon

The emergency telephone number for after-hours and holidays is (559) 224-1523.

Bollibokka Reservations

Reservations are being accepted for the Bollibokka McCloud River property. The Bollibokka McCloud River property is very private, located along seven miles of the McCloud River immediately upstream of Shasta Lake. The McCloud River is esteemed for its beauty and is renowned as a premier stream for trout fishing in the world. In order to protect this unique fishery, all fishing is catch and release, fly only,
barbless hooks.

The reservation season begins on April 27, 2022, and ends on November 15, 2022. If you are interested in reserving a week for a fishing trip to Bollibokka, please review the following information and contact the manager listed below. Remember that for reservation purposes, the week begins on Wednesday morning and ends at sunset on the following Monday. The property is closed on Tuesday for cleaning unless reserved for consecutive weeks. There are two accommodations available for rent on the property:

The Way Station is located on the upper two miles of the property. The Way Station can accommodate up to six guests, and that is also the maximum number of rods permitted on this portion of the river. The cost is $5,000 per week.

The Club House and Rock House are located on the lower five miles of the property. The two buildings can accommodate ten and four guests, respectively, and the maximum number of rods on this portion of the river is twelve. The cost is $8,000 per week.

The District is utilizing the experienced fly-fishing services of The Fly Shop in Redding, California to oversee property management activities and coordinate all uses of the property. Additionally, the Fly Shop has associations with many fly-fishing guides familiar with the McCloud River.

For more information, please contact Chris King of The Fly Shop at:
Phone Number: (800) 669-3474
Fax Number: (530) 222-3572
Email: chris@theflyshop.com
Mail: 4140 Churn Creek Road, Redding, CA 96002

For additional information, visit the Fly Shop’s website. The Fly Shop will try to accommodate all reservation requests on a first-come, first-serve basis. Once your reservation is accepted, The Fly Shop will provide a Confirmation Package, which contains directions to the facilities, updated policies, information on cooking and cleaning services and additional contact information. Payment for your stay should be made directly to The Fly Shop.

WATER SUPPLY

2022-2023 CVP Contract Allocation

On February 23, 2022, the Bureau of Reclamation announced an initial 2022-23 Central Valley Project (CVP) allocation of 0% for South of Delta agricultural water contractors. Given the very low storage currently in CVP reservoirs, it is likely that the final allocation to South of Delta agricultural water contractors will be 0%.

2022-2023 Water Supply Update

The Central Valley Project (CVP) currently has approximately 4.3 million acre-feet of water stored in northern CVP reservoirs; this represents 59% of the 15-year average. Shasta Reservoir storage is approximately 1.71 million acre-feet; 54% of the 15-year average. Federal storage in San Luis Reservoir is 317,000 acre-feet; 49% of the 15-year average. Jones Pumping Plant has operated at about 24% capacity this month.

Rescheduled and Carryover Water

Water users will continue to have access to carryover water throughout the 2022-2023 contract water year. Reclamation’s Rescheduling Guidelines impose a 1% per month storage loss factor for evaporation and system losses on remaining rescheduled and carryover water in San Luis Reservoir. This loss factor will be prorated to rescheduled and carried over water remaining in water user accounts each month until the District delivers all remaining carry over water. Neither the types of water in an account nor participation in the Supplemental Water program are factors that affect the amount of water that a water user can carry over under the District’s Rescheduling Guidelines. It is possible due to water users’ use of other water types, when the loss is prorated, the percentage of loss applied will be less than 1%. The District is reviewing all costs associated with this water and will be posting appropriate charges to affected water user accounts.

FINANCE & ADMINISTRATION

Revision to Terms and Conditions for Agricultural Water Service – Advance Payments

The Board of Directors approved a revision to the Terms and Conditions for Agricultural Water Service, Section 10 language. The revision provides the General Manager the authority to offer a payment plan for advance payment required for the acquisition costs of water transferred into the District from other agencies, pump-in water, or any allocation resulting from the District being able to obtain water (excluding Central Valley Project Allocation). The language in Section 10 was revised to include the following:

“The General Manager may offer each of the water users that request the water a payment plan, provided that the plan: (1) provides for payment over no more than three months, (2) includes an interest component that is equal to the District’s rate of return available on its investment vehicles, and (3) requires all payments under the plan be made prior to the allocation of water available to the water user from the transfer(s) or other water.”

Water subject to this provision will not be available to a water user until the payment plan has been satisfied.

Water Ordering and Meter Turn Off

Customer Service Representative: (559) 241-6250
To set up a Westlands online account, please contact your Customer Service Representative.

For Water Use On	Place Water Order By	Method
Tuesday-Saturday	Day before	7:30-9:30 a.m., by telephone or fax, or 10:00 a.m. by website
Sunday-Monday	Friday before	12:00 p.m. by telephone, fax or website

Phone (559) 241-6250 or (800) 266-6574, Fax (559) 241-6276, water user account at Westlands’ Website

Water users should comply with the District’s water ordering procedures. Conveyance capacity through many laterals is constrained and District staff determines lateral demand based on water orders. When demand exceeds the capacity of the lateral, the entire lateral is adversely affected, and water service can be lost for all users on the lateral. To properly operate and maintain the District’s water distribution system, and to a larger extent the Central Valley Project, water users are required to place proper water orders in accordance with the District’s Terms and Conditions for Agricultural Water Service.

Further, water users who are found to be running without an order will have their meter(s) turned off pursuant to Article 2, Section 2.6.H of the District’s Rules and Regulations. In addition, meters found running without a valid water order may be subject to a portion of or entire lateral monitoring fee of $635.53. Accurate water orders are also critical for reference if a meter malfunctions, or varies from a
standard calibration range. Your monthly billing can be directly affected by the accuracy of your water orders.

OPERATIONS & MAINTENANCE

Cross Connections and District Facility Protection

Field Engineering Staff: 559-884-2523
District facilities and adjacent water user property have suffered minor damages due to cross-connections with the District’s distribution system. We understand that flexibility is needed to connect and operate onfarm irrigation systems. Consideration needs to be given to the District’s distribution system when crossconnecting groundwater wells and other sources of water to protect District pipelines, tanks, reservoirs, and adjacent private property from damage. For assistance on proper connections, please contact District Field Engineering staff.

Planned Maintenance Shutdown Schedule 2022

Jimmy Weedin: (559) 884-2523 ext. 108
The District issues a monthly listing of the maintenance schedule for the next 45 to 60 days. Shutdown notices for scheduled work are sent to affected water users in advance of each shutdown. If water users are not receiving these notices, please contact your Customer Service Representative to update your contact information.

Lateral(s) Impacted	Date(s)	Scheduled Work	Notes
13L	April 25 – 28	Pipe Repair	Entire Lateral Affected
1R-4.0C & D Reaches	May 17	Algae Treatment	1R-4.0C Reservoir Treatment 7:00am – 5:00pm
Coalinga Canal	May 18	Algae Treatment	Limit 100 CFS
13R	June 1	Algae Treatment	13R-A Reservoir Treatment 6:00 am – 4:00 pm
2R	June 2	Algae Treatment	2R-A and 2R-B Reservoir Treatment 6:00 am – 4:00 pm
17R	June 9	Algae Treatment	17R-B and 17R-C Reservoir Treatment 6:00 am – 4:00 pm
14RB & C Reaches	June 16	Algae Treatment	14RB Reservoir Treatment 6:00 am – 4:00 pm
Coalinga Canal	June 21	Algae Treatment	Limit 100 CFS
1R-4.0C & D Reaches	June 22	Algae Treatment	1R-4.0C Reservoir Treatment 6:00 am – 4:00 pm
13R	June 29	Algae Treatment	13R-A Reservoir Treatment 6:00 am – 4:00 pm
13R	June 30	Algae Treatment	2R-A and 2R-B Reservoir Treatment 6:00 am – 4:00 pm

Advanced Notice of 2022-2023 Quinquennial Inspection and Repair Shutdown Schedule

Jimmy Weedin: (559) 884-2523 ext. 108
The following table lists the District’s general order and initial dates planned for pumping plant system inspection and repair shutdown schedule for fiscal year 2022-2023.

Week	Division Valves to be inspected	Pumping Plant
September 26, 2022	12-0.5	12L
October 3		21L
October 10	30-1.3	30L
October 17	27-5.0	27L
October 24	28-2.0, 3.0, & 4.0	28L
October 31	PV9-1.5	PV9
November 14		1RA, 1R-2.0B, & 1R-4.0B
December 5		1R-4.0C & 1R-4.0D
December 12		1R-4.0-1.0C & 1R-4.0-1.0D
January 9, 2023		3R
January 23		10L
January 30	29-1.0	29L
February 6		34L
February 13		19L
February 27		1L

RESOURCES MANAGEMENT

Land Available for Lease

Cork McIsaac of Agriculture Industries, Inc.: (916) 372-5595 or (800) 822-1415
The District has several parcels for lease in Fresno and Kings counties. For a list of available land, please contact Cork McIsaac.

Low-Interest Irrigation Equipment Lease Program

Juan Pacheco: (559) 241-6228 or jpacheco@wwd.ca.gov
In October the District amended the Expanded Irrigation System Improvement Program (EISIP) to include recharge project equipment. The District’s EISIP offers low-interest loans, of up to $130,000, to water users for the lease-purchase of irrigation system and recharge project equipment. Water users who plan to install a system on land that is served by a pump enrolled in a District power program may also be eligible for a 35% cost share, up to $45,000, from the District’s EISIP/Public Purpose Program (P3) Grant. Additional information is available on the EISIP and P3 pages on the District’s website.

Water Ordering Procedures for Pumps Enrolled in District Power Programs

The District’s Groundwater Management Program and Temporary Diversion Program provide Western Area Power Administration energy to temporary diversion pumps, groundwater pumps, and drip system booster pumps. The District’s Terms and Conditions for Agricultural Water Service apply to water delivered under the Groundwater Management and Temporary Diversion programs. Accordingly, water users are required to place their water orders three days in advance if they are delivering water through a pump enrolled in the District’s power program. It is critical that water users comply with the ordering procedures to ensure that the District’s request for power to operate these facilities is accurate. Failure to place timely “on” or “off” orders will result in inaccurate power requests and increased power costs, which are then passed on to program participants.

2022-2023 Agreement to Accept and Purchase Supplemental Water

Assignments to Standing Committees of the District Board of Directors

Westlands Water District president Ryan Ferguson today announced revisions to committee assignments for members of the Board of Directors after the appointment of Jeff Fortune to fill a vacancy on the Board. Effective April 1, 2022, the committee assignments will be:

Finance & Administration Committee
Stan Nunn, Chair
William Bourdeau
Jeff Fortune
Ryan Ferguson

Water Policy Committee
Jim Anderson, Chair
Stan Nunn
Ceil W. Howe, III
Ryan Ferguson

Legal Affairs Committee
Kevin Assemi, Chair
William Bourdeau
Ceil W. Howe, III
Ryan Ferguson

Personnel Committee
William Bourdeau, Chair
Stan Nunn
Kevin Assemi
Ryan Ferguson

Field Operations & Maintenance Committee
Frank Coelho, Jr., Chair
Dan Errotabere
Jeff Fortune
Ryan Ferguson

Upon this announcement general manager Tom Birmingham stated: “Each of the standing committees established by the Board of Directors plays an important role in the management of the District’s business and affairs. Staff is very appreciative of the Directors’ willingness and the commitment of time required to serve on these committees.”

ITEMS TO NOTE

Board of Directors Appointment

Bobbie Ormonde: (559) 241-6203.
On Tuesday, March 15, the Westlands Water District Board of Directors appointed Jeff Fortune to fill the vacancy created when Director Todd Neves resigned last month. Mr. Fortune will serve through December 2022, when he will stand for election to fill the remainder of the term.

Mr. Fortune has farmed in Westlands for over four decades. Since he graduated from the University of California at Davis, he has worked alongside his father, and more recently, his two brothers, at their family farm, Fortune Farming Company. Fortune currently grows tomatoes, almonds, and pistachios on his family farm.

The Economic Impact of Westlands Water District

On March 16 the Economic Impact of Westlands Water District (PDF) report written by Dr. Shires was released. Laura Ramos (California Water Institute) and Cordie Qualle (Lyles College of Engineering) along with Dr. Shires are writing an article for Craig’s Central California Business Review magazine based in part on the report. The article will be presented at an event on April 21, at 6 pm at the Craig School of Business at Fresno State, Peters Building Room 191. Attendance is free. Register at Constant Contact Website.

Revised Water Rates, Charges, and Land-Based Charges Approved

The Board of Directors approved revised rates and charges retroactive to March 1, 2022. These rates are based on a 0% Central Valley Project contract water allocation and other delivered water supplies, totaling 183,982 acre-feet. Please refer to the District’s website for the most current water rates, charges, and land-based charges.

2022-2023 Land-Based Charges Due

Jessie Xiong:(559) 241-6212
The bills for the 2022-2023 Land-Based Charges were mailed on March 10, 2022, with the first installment due March 25, 2022, and the second installment due September 26, 2022. A penalty will be added to unpaid charges on the day following the payment due date.

Allocation of District System Gain

Customer Service Representative: (559) 241-6250
The Finance and Administration Committee authorized allocating up to 1,000 acre-feet of 2021-2022 System Gain supply (subject to final adjustments) to water users that delivered water during the period that system gain was generated. These allocations will appear on your March 2022 allocation statements (mailed in early April).

2022-2023 CVP Contract Allocation

On February 23, 2022, the Bureau of Reclamation announced an initial 2022-23 Central Valley Project (CVP) allocation of 0% for South of Delta agricultural water contractors. Reclamation may make additional allocation announcements based on updated hydrologic information, as it is available. However, given the very low storage currently in CVP reservoirs, it is likely that the final allocation to South of Delta agricultural water contractors will be 0%.

Sustainable Groundwater Management Act (SGMA) Update

Antonio Solorio: (559) 241-6244 or sgma@wwd.ca.gov
For the 2022-23 Contract Year, the District anticipates that approximately 630,000 AF of groundwater will be pumped and the subbasin will experience an average groundwater level decline of 40 feet.

The District will host a Special Board meeting on March 21, 2022 at 2:00 p.m at the District’s Five Points Shop and Field Ofice to consider adopting the Rules and Regulations to support the implementation of the Westside Subbasin Groundwater Sustainability Plan.

The next regular Advisory Committee (AC) and Technical Advisory Committee (TAC) meetings are scheduled for May 24, 2022 at 2:00 p.m.

GWMP Meter Installation and Well Modifications

Alex Young: (559) 884-2523 X122 or ayoung@wwd.ca.gov
District staff continues installing meters on groundwater wells and as such will be reaching out to well owners on needed modifications and installation schedules.

The District would like to remind water users that meters installed on groundwater wells for compliance with the approved Groundwater Sustainability Plan are owned by the District and should not be adjusted or moved by water users or their staff. If water users are planning to abandon a well and want to move the meter to a new site, please contact District staff so it can be moved for you.

If water users desire to connect privately owned AMI or monitoring systems to a District owner meter, then please contact Water Measurement Specialist, John Johnston at 559-884-2523 ext. 131.

Please report meter issues, and do not remove or replace District-owned meters.

Westlands Water District Policy for Unclaimed Monies

The District’s Policy for Unclaimed Monies and a list of unclaimed monies for previous and current landowners and water users are available on both the District’s website and the web users’ login site.

WATER SUPPLY

2022-2023 Supplemental Water Application – Response May Be Required

Customer Accounting Technician: (559) 241-6250
The District is planning to acquire Supplemental Water from multiple sources for the 2022-2023 water contract year. A small amount of Supplemental Water may be made available for allocation to water users in late spring, but the majority of the Supplemental Water is currently planned to be made available in late summer and early fall.

When Supplemental Water is made available for allocation, the quantity allocated to a water user’s account is a proration based upon the water available at that time and the number of irrigable acres associated with accounts that have outstanding requests. When an account’s request has been fulfilled, it will no longer receive allocations, and the irrigable acres associated with that account will not be factored into subsequent allocations. Accordingly, water users with relatively high per-acre requests will receive the bulk (increment above the pro-rata amount) of their request later, if water is available.

Advance payment for acquisition costs of the water is required at the time Supplemental Water is made available for allocation, while operation and maintenance-related costs will be billed when the water is used. The District will notify water users regarding the allocation advance payment when acquisition costs are more certain. The allocation advance payment will apply toward the delivered Supplemental Water rate. If an advance payment is delinquent for 30 days or more, the District may withdraw the water made available for allocation to a water user and reduce the water user’s outstanding request by the same amount.

If you would like to be part of the 2022-2023 Supplemental Water program, please complete the enclosed agreement and return it to the Fresno Office by close of business on April 29, 2022, by one of the following means.

Mail to: Westlands Water District, P.O. Box 6056, Fresno, CA 93703. You may also hand-deliver the agreement to the District’s Fresno Office, at 3130 N. Fresno Street.
Scan and email: customeraccounting@wwd.ca.gov
Facsimile to: (559) 241-6276

Agreements not received at the District or postmarked by the due date will not be considered timely. Late requests will be filled on a first-come, first-served basis after timely requests are filled.

2022-2023 Water Supply Update

The Central Valley Project (CVP) currently has approximately 4.3 million acre-feet of water stored in northern CVP reservoirs; this represents 59% of the 15-year average. Shasta Reservoir storage is approximately 1.71 million acre-feet; 54% of the 15-year average. Federal storage in San Luis Reservoir is 317,000 acre-feet; 49% of the 15-year average. Jones Pumping Plant has operated at about 24% capacity this month.

Rescheduled and Carryover Water

Water users will continue to have access to carryover water throughout the 2022-2023 contract water year. Reclamation’s Rescheduling Guidelines impose a 1% per month storage loss factor for evaporation and system losses on remaining rescheduled and carryover water in San Luis Reservoir. This loss factor will be prorated to rescheduled and carried over water remaining in water user accounts each month until the District delivers all remaining carry over water. Neither the types of water in an account nor participation in the Supplemental Water program are factors that affect the amount of water that a water user can carry over under the District’s Rescheduling Guidelines. It is possible due to water users’ use of other water types, when the loss is prorated, the percentage of loss applied will be less than 1%. The District is reviewing all costs associated with this water and will be posting appropriate charges to affected water user accounts.

FINANCE & ADMINISTRATION

Water Ordering and Meter Turn Off

Customer Service Representative: (559) 241-6250
To set up a Westlands online account, please contact your Customer Service Representative.

For Water Use On	Place Water Order By	Method
Tuesday-Saturday	Day before	7:30-9:30 a.m., by telephone or fax, or 10:00 a.m. by website
Sunday-Monday	Friday before	12:00 p.m. by telephone, fax or website

Phone (559) 241-6250 or (800) 266-6574, Fax (559) 241-6276, water user account at wwd.ca.gov

Water users should comply with the District’s water ordering procedures. Conveyance capacity through many laterals is constrained and District staff determines lateral demand based on water orders. When demand exceeds the capacity of the lateral, the entire lateral is adversely affected, and water service can be lost for all users on the lateral. To properly operate and maintain the District’s water distribution system, and to a larger extent the Central Valley Project, water users are required to place proper water orders in accordance with the District’s Terms and Conditions for Agricultural Water Service.

Further, water users who are found to be running without an order will have their meter(s) turned off pursuant to Article 2, Section 2.6.H of the District’s Rules and Regulations. In addition, meters found running without a valid water order may be subject to a portion of or entire lateral monitoring fee of $635.53. Accurate water orders are also critical for reference if a meter malfunctions, or varies from a
standard calibration range. Your monthly billing can be directly affected by the accuracy of your water orders.

OPERATIONS & MAINTENANCE

Cross Connections and District Facility Protection

Field Engineering Staff: 559-884-2523
District facilities and adjacent water user property have suffered minor damages due to cross-connections with the District’s distribution system. We understand that flexibility is needed to connect and operate onfarm irrigation systems. Consideration needs to be given to the District’s distribution system when crossconnecting groundwater wells and other sources of water to protect District pipelines, tanks, reservoirs, and adjacent private property from damage. For assistance on proper connections, please contact District Field Engineering staff.

Planned Maintenance Shutdown Schedule 2022

Jimmy Weedin: (559) 884-2523 ext. 108
The District issues a monthly listing of the maintenance schedule for the next 45 to 60 days. Shutdown notices for scheduled work are sent to affected water users in advance of each shutdown. If water users are not receiving these notices, please contact your Customer Service Representative to update your contact information.

Lateral(s) Impacted	Date(s)	Scheduled Work	Notes
4L	March 21-24	Pipe Repair	Entire Lateral Affected
4-6.5 Subline	March 28-April 1	Pipe Repair	Subline Only

Advanced Notice of 2022-2023 Quinquennial Inspection and Repair Shutdown Schedule

Jimmy Weedin: (559) 884-2523 ext. 108
The following table lists the District’s general order and initial dates planned for pumping plant system inspection and repair shutdown schedule for fiscal year 2022-2023.

Week	Division Valves to be inspected	Pumping Plant
September 26, 2022	12-0.5	12L
October 3		21L
October 10	30-1.3	30L
October 17	27-5.0	27L
October 24	28-2.0, 3.0, & 4.0	28L
October 31	PV9-1.5	PV9
November 14		1RA, 1R-2.0B, & 1R-4.0B
December 5		1R-4.0C & 1R-4.0D
December 12		1R-4.0-1.0C & 1R-4.0-1.0D
January 9, 2023		3R
January 23		10L
January 30	29-1.0	29L
February 6		34L
February 13		19L
February 27		1L

RESOURCES MANAGEMENT

Westlands Water Quality Coalition Members

Zac Just: (559) 241-6245 or zjust@wwd.ca.gov.
Kori Peterson:(559) 241-6231 or kpeterson@wwd.ca.gov
The 2021 Crop Year Irrigation and Nitrogen Management Plan (INMP) Reports were due March 1, 2022. All submissions are required to be completed on the Coalition Website. If you have not submitted the INMP Report, please contact the Coalition as soon as possible to fulfill this requirement.

Land Available for Lease

Cork McIsaac of Agriculture Industries, Inc.: (916) 372-5595 or (800) 822-1415
The District has several parcels for lease in Fresno and Kings counties. For a list of available land, please contact Cork McIsaac.

Low-Interest Irrigation Equipment Lease Program

Juan Pacheco: (559) 241-6228 or jpacheco@wwd.ca.gov
In October the District amended the Expanded Irrigation System Improvement Program (EISIP) to include recharge project equipment. The District’s EISIP offers low-interest loans, of up to $130,000, to water users for the lease-purchase of irrigation system and recharge project equipment. Water users who plan to install a system on land that is served by a pump enrolled in a District power program may also be eligible for a 35% cost share, up to $45,000, from the District’s EISIP/Public Purpose Program (P3) Grant. Additional information is available on the EISIP and P3 pages on the District’s website.

Water Ordering Procedures for Pumps Enrolled in District Power Programs

The District’s Groundwater Management Program and Temporary Diversion Program provide Western Area Power Administration energy to temporary diversion pumps, groundwater pumps, and drip system booster pumps. The District’s Terms and Conditions for Agricultural Water Service apply to water delivered under the Groundwater Management and Temporary Diversion programs. Accordingly, water users are required to place their water orders three days in advance if they are delivering water through a pump enrolled in the District’s power program. It is critical that water users comply with the ordering procedures to ensure that the District’s request for power to operate these facilities is accurate. Failure to place timely “on” or “off” orders will result in inaccurate power requests and increased power costs, which are then passed on to program participants.

2022-2023 Agreement to Accept and Purchase Supplemental Water (PDF)

Wine, Water & Land (PDF)

ITEMS TO NOTE

Board of Directors Vacancy

Bobbie Ormonde: (559) 241-6203.
Todd Neves will resign from the Board of Directors effective Wednesday, February 23, 2022. Applications for appointment to this pending Board vacancy are now being accepted. To serve on the Board, you must be a landowner, a legal representative of a landowner, or designated as a representative of a landowner. Applications must be filed with the District no later than 5:00 p.m. on Friday, March 4, 2022, at the District’s Fresno Office, 3130 N. Fresno Street Fresno, CA 93703. More information is provided in the notice issued on February 16, 2022.

Annual Water Users’ Workshop

The Annual Water Users’ Workshop will be held Tuesday, March 15, 2022, at 1:30 p.m. at the District’s Five Points Office. District staff will provide updates on District activities and other matters.

2022-2023 Budget, Water Rates, Charges and Land-Based Charges Approved

At the February 15, 2022, meeting, the Board of Directors adopted the 2022-2023 Recommended Budget. The budget totals $287,377,900 and may be revised when the final water supply is determined. The budget provides funds for water and power purchases and the operations, maintenance, and administrative activities of the District. The budget also includes funding for coordination with other agencies and contractors on water supply matters, legal challenges to our water supplies, debt service on the San Luis/Westlands Water District Financing Authority Revenue Bonds, Westlands Water Quality Coalition activities, and the Sustainable Groundwater Management Act.

The Board approved implementation of the water rates and charges, which were noticed to all land owners and water users on December 30, 2021. These rates are based on a 0% Central Valley Project contract water allocation and other delivered water supplies totaling 183,982 acre-feet. With this total supply, the District O&M rate is $128.21 per acre-foot. The adopted O&M water rate of $128.21 may require modification once the final CVP contract water allocation is determined. The Board also approved land-based charges for District water supply debt service, and extraordinary repairs of distribution system pipelines. A land-based charge was approved for debt service on the San Luis Unit/Westlands Water District Financing Authority Revenue Bonds. In addition, a Westlands Water Quality Coalition charge and a Sustainable Groundwater Management Act (SGMA) charge was approved to cover the costs associated with administering these programs.

Water users should also note that approved Account Monitoring Charges are $10,854 each month when any billed overuse occurs, and $1,249 each month for those who are subject to Advance Payment Monitoring. Additionally, a new Account Monitoring Charge for meters running without a valid water order was approved and is $635.53 per lateral. Water users can avoid these charges by discontinuing water use when their water supply is exhausted, making timely payments and placing valid water orders in compliance with District regulations. Tools are available on the customer section of the District’s website to help water users determine when they will run out of water. Contact your Customer Accounting Technician if you need assistance with website data or to establish a secure login.

The District will impose a processing fee for parcel information requests or bank assurance letters. The fees will range from $82.29 to $571.64 depending on the number of parcels involved.

The District will impose a USBR Capital Repayment Debt Service rate of $31.68 per acre-foot on all water delivered in the District. There is also a Well Reconfiguration fee of up to $3,100 per well site for SGMA. The complete list of rates, charges and credits may be found on the District’s website. From the home page, click Water Management, then click Water Rates.

Allocation of District System Gain

Customer Service Representative: (559) 241-6250
The Finance and Administration Committee authorized allocating 3,500 acre-feet of 2021-2022 System Gain supply to water users that delivered water during the period that system gain was generated. These allocations will appear on your February 2022 allocation statements (mailed in early March).

Projected 2022-2023 CVP Contract Allocation

The District expects that Reclamation will make an initial allocation in February. However, given the very low storage currently in CVP reservoirs, it is likely that the initial allocation to South of Delta agricultural water contractors will be 0%. Additionally, if the 2022 water year hydrology is below normal, the final allocation to South of Delta agricultural water contractors is likely to remain at 0%.

Westlands Water Quality Coalition Members

Zac Just: (559) 241-6245 or zjust@wwd.ca.gov.
Kori Peterson:(559) 241-6231 or kpeterson@wwd.ca.gov
The 2021 Crop Year Irrigation and Nitrogen Management Plan (INMP) Reports are due March 1, 2022. All submissions are required to be completed on the Coalition Website. The Coalition developed several tutorial videos to guide members through the submission process and are located on the Coalition website under the Member Outreach tab. If you need assistance with submittals, resetting your password,
or other Coalition items, please contact us.

Sustainable Groundwater Management Act (SGMA) Update

Antonio Solorio: (559) 241-6244 or sgma@wwd.ca.gov
The next Advisory Committee (AC) and the Technical Advisory Committee (TAC) meetings are scheduled for February 22, 2022.

GWMP Meter Installation and Well Modifications

Alex Young: (559) 884-2523 X122 or ayoung@wwd.ca.gov
District staff has resumed installing meters on groundwater wells and as such will be reaching out to well owners on needed modifications and installation schedules.

The District would like to remind water users that meters installed on groundwater wells for compliance with the approved Groundwater Sustainability Plan are owned by the District and should not be adjusted or moved by water users or their staff. If water users are planning to abandon a well and want to move the meter to a new site, please contact District staff so it can be moved for you.

If a water user desires to connect a privately owned AMI or monitoring system to a District owner meter, please contact Water Measurement Specialist, John Johnston at 559-884-2523 ext. 131.

Please report meter issues, and do not remove or replace District-owned meters.

Public Affairs Survey

District staff is frequently contacted by people who want to learn more about activities in the District. Growers often have the answers and are in the best position to respond. For that reason, the District is reaching out to see if you would be willing to (a) answer a few questions about your farm or ranch and (b) participate in presentations, tours, media releases/editorials, interviews, etc., when the opportunity arises. The survey can be found on the water user site and by visiting https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/BBZDBZC .

Westlands Water District Policy for Unclaimed Monies

The District’s Policy for Unclaimed Monies and a list of unclaimed monies for previous and current landowners and water users are available on both the District’s website and the web users’ login site.

Holiday Office Closures and Water Ordering Procedures

The emergency telephone number for after-hours and holidays is (559) 224-1523. District offices will be closed Monday, February 21 in observance of President’s Day. The affected water ordering deadlines are as follows:

For Water Use On	Place Water Order By
Monday or Tuesday – February 21 or 22	Friday, February 18, noon

WATER SUPPLY

2022-2023 Supplemental Water Application – Response May Be Required

Customer Accounting Technician: (559) 241-6250
The District is planning to acquire Supplemental Water from multiple sources for the 2022-2023 water contract year. The District anticipates that a partial allocation of Supplemental Water to water users could occur in late spring, but the majority of the Supplemental Water is currently planned to be allocated in late summer and early fall.

When Supplemental Water is made available for allocation, the quantity allocated to a water user’s account is a proration based upon the water available at that time and the number of irrigable acres associated with accounts that have outstanding requests. When an account’s request has been fulfilled, it will no longer receive allocations, and the irrigable acres associated with that account will not be factored into subsequent allocations. Accordingly, water users with relatively high per acre requests will receive the bulk (increment above the pro-rata amount) of their request later, if water is available.

Advance payment for acquisition costs of the water is required at the time Supplemental Water is made available for allocation, while operation and maintenance related costs will be billed when the water is used. The District will notify water users regarding the allocation advance payment when acquisition costs are more certain. The allocation advance payment will apply toward the delivered Supplemental Water rate. If an advance payment is delinquent for 30 days or more, the District may withdraw the water made available for allocation to a water user and reduce the water user’s outstanding request by the same amount.

If you would like to be part of the 2022-2023 Supplemental Water program, please complete the enclosed agreement and return it to the Fresno Office by close of business on April 29, 2022, by one of the following means.

• Mail to: Westlands Water District, P.O. Box 6056, Fresno, CA 93703. You may also hand deliver the agreement to the District’s Fresno Office, at 3130 N. Fresno Street.
• Scan and email: customeraccounting@wwd.ca.gov
• Facsimile to: (559) 241-6276

Agreements not received at the District or postmarked by the due date will not be considered timely. Late Requests will be filled on a first-come, first-serve basis, after timely requests are filled.

2021-2022 Supplemental Water

Customer Service Representative: (559) 241-6250
As of February 7, 2022, the timely requests for 2021-22 Supplemental Water totals 155,418 acre-feet on 362,364 acres. The District is acquiring Supplemental Water from multiple sources for the 2021-2022 water contract year. It is estimated that the District can acquire up to 153,500 acre-feet of Supplemental Water and the delivered price to water users is $1,075 per acre-foot.

The District made 144,265 acre-feet available for allocation thus far and anticipates the remaining Supplemental Water will be available this month.

2021-2022 Water Supply Update

The Central Valley Project (CVP) currently has approximately 4.3 million acre-feet of water stored in northern CVP reservoirs; this represents 64% of the 15-year average. Shasta Reservoir storage is approximately 1.67 million acre-feet; 59% of the 15-year average. Federal storage in San Luis Reservoir is 331,000 acre-feet; 53% of the 15-year average. Jones Pumping Plant has operated at about 40%
capacity this month.

Rescheduled and Carryover Water

The District anticipates no cap on the amount of water that it can carry over into the 2022-2023 contract water year. The San Luis Reservoir (SLR) is unlikely to fill under median or lesser hydrology, in which case there will be no loss based on “foregone pumping” and water users will continue to have access to carryover water throughout the 2022-2023 contract water year.

Reclamation’s Rescheduling Guidelines impose a 1% per month storage loss factor for evaporation and system losses on remaining rescheduled and carryover water in San Luis Reservoir. This loss factor will be prorated to rescheduled and carried over water remaining in water user accounts each month until the District delivers all remaining carry over water. Neither the types of water in an account nor participation in the Supplemental Water program are factors that affect the amount of water that a water user can carry over under the District’s Rescheduling Guidelines. It is possible due to water users’ use of other water types, when the loss is prorated, the percentage of loss applied will be less than 1%. The District is reviewing all costs associated with this water and will be posting appropriate charges to affected water user accounts.

FINANCE & ADMINISTRATION

Water Ordering and Meter Turn Off

Customer Service Representative: (559) 241-6250
To set up a Westlands online account, please contact your Customer Service Representative.

For Water Use On	Place Water Order By	Method
Tuesday-Saturday	Day before	7:30-9:30 a.m., by telephone or fax, or 10:00 a.m. by website
Sunday-Monday	Friday before	12:00 p.m. by telephone, fax or website

Phone (559) 241-6250 or (800) 266-6574, Fax (559) 241-6276, water user account at wwd.ca.gov

Water users should comply with the District’s water ordering procedures. Conveyance capacity through many laterals is constrained and District staff determines lateral demand based on water orders. When demand exceeds the capacity of the lateral, the entire lateral is adversely affected, and water service can be lost for all users on the lateral. To properly operate and maintain the District’s water distribution system, and to a larger extent the Central Valley Project, water users are required to place proper water orders in accordance with the District’s Terms and Conditions for Agricultural Water Service.

Further, water users who are found to be running without an order will have their meter(s) turned off pursuant to Article 2, Section 2.6.H of the District’s Rules and Regulations. In addition, meters found running without a valid water order may be subject to a portion of or entire lateral monitoring fee of $647.12. Accurate water orders are also critical for reference if a meter malfunctions or varies from a
standard calibration range. Your monthly billing can be directly affected by the accuracy of your water orders.

OPERATIONS & MAINTENANCE

Cross Connections and District Facility Protection

Field Engineering Staff: 559-884-2523
District facilities and adjacent water user property have suffered minor damages due to cross-connections with the District’s distribution system. We understand that flexibility is needed to connect and operate on-farm irrigation systems. Consideration needs to be given to the District’s distribution system when cross-connecting groundwater wells and other sources of water to protect District pipelines, tanks, reservoirs, and adjacent private property from damage. For assistance on proper connections, please contact District Field Engineering staff.

Planned Maintenance Shutdown Schedule 2022

Jimmy Weedin: (559) 884-2523 ext. 108
The District issues a monthly listing of the maintenance schedule for the next 45 to 60 days. Shutdown notices for scheduled work are sent to affected water users in advance of each shutdown. If water users are not receiving these notices, please contact your Customer Service Representative to update your contact information.

Lateral(s) Impacted	Date(s)	Scheduled Work	Notes
PV2	2/14 to 2/28	Quinquennial Inspection
2R	2/22 to 2/23	Electrical Repairs
21R	2/28 to 3/4	Quinquennial Inspection
26R	3/7 to 3/11	By-pass Valve Replacement

Advanced Notice of 2022-2023 Quinquennial Inspection and Repair Shutdown Schedule

Jimmy Weedin: (559) 884-2523 ext. 108
The following table lists the District’s general order and initial dates planned for pumping plant system inspection and repair shutdown schedule for fiscal year 2022-2023.

Week	Division Valves to be inspected	Pumping Plant
September 26, 2022	12-0.5	12L
October 3		21L
October 10	30-1.3	30L
October 17	27-5.0	27L
October 24	28-2.0, 3.0, & 4.0	28L
October 31	PV9-1.5	PV9
November 14		1RA, 1R-2.0B, & 1R-4.0B
December 5		1R-4.0C & 1R-4.0D
December 12		1R-4.0-1.0C & 1R-4.0-1.0D
January 9, 2023		3R
January 23		10L
January 30	29-1.0	29L
February 6		34L
February 13		19L
February 27		1L

RESOURCES MANAGEMENT

Land Available for Lease

Cork McIsaac of Agriculture Industries, Inc.: (916) 372-5595 or (800) 822-1415
The District has several parcels for lease in Fresno and Kings counties. For a list of available land, please contact Cork McIsaac.

Low-Interest Irrigation Equipment Lease Program

Juan Pacheco: (559) 241-6228 or jpacheco@wwd.ca.gov
In October the District amended the Expanded Irrigation System Improvement Program (EISIP) to include recharge project equipment. The District’s EISIP offers low-interest loans, of up to $130,000, to water users for the lease-purchase of irrigation system and recharge project equipment. Water users who plan to install a system on land that is served by a pump enrolled in a District power program may also be eligible for a 35% cost share, up to $45,000, from the District’s Expanded Irrigation System Improvement Program (EISIP)/Public Purpose Program (P3) Grant. Additional information is available on the EISIP and P3 pages on the District’s website.

2022-2023 Agreement to Accept and Purchase Supplemental Water