Items to Note
Board Workshop
The District will hold a Landowners Workshop on Wednesday, April 26, 2023, at 2 p.m. at the District’s Five Points Shop and Field Office to discuss the Valley Clean Infrastructure Program (VCIP). Golden State Clean Energy will provide an overview of the VCIP and options for private landowners.
Delta Division 215 Water Allocation
Customer Service Representative: (559) 241-6250
On April 14, 2023, the District pre-allocated 70,000 AF of Delta Division 215 water (DD 215 water) to accounts that had previously submitted 2023-2024 Agricultural Water Allocation Applications. Water users will be able to use their pre-allocated DD 215 water until the Bureau of Reclamation ends the DD 215 period. If required, the District may remove any unused DD 215 water from water user accounts at the end of this period, therefore DD 215 water will be set as the highest delivery priority for all accounts.
2023-2024 Agricultural Water Allocation Applications
Customer Service Representative: (559) 241-6250
On April 20, 2023, the Bureau of Reclamation announced an allocation increase to South of Delta irrigation water contractors to 100% of their contract total for the 2023-2024 water contract year. The District is giving water users until May 5, 2023, to amend their 2023-2024 Agricultural Water Allocation Applications to meet their operational needs for the 2023-2024 water contract year.
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 2023 Benefit Assessment on Tuesday, May 16, 2023, at 9:00 a.m. at the District’s Fresno Office located at 3130 N. Fresno Street, Fresno, CA 93703 or via Zoom. Refer to the May Board of Director meeting agenda for Zoom meeting ID, passcode, and dial-in number.
Copies of the 2023 Assessment Book are available for review at the Fresno and Five Points Shop and Field 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 9, 2023. Landowners must include the reasons supporting the claim for reduction and an opinion of the proper valuation.
Westlands Water District Announces Scholarship Application Period
Westlands Water District Westside Scholarship is receiving applications. Graduating seniors from Reef-Sunset Unified School District, Coalinga-Huron Unified School District, Firebaugh-Las Deltas Unified School District, Hanford Joint Union High School District, Lemoore Union High School District, Mendota Unified School District, Riverdale Joint Unified School District, or Golden Plains Unified School District are eligible to apply. 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 April 23, 2023. For an application and list of instructions, visit the District’s Education & Outreach webpage.
Sustainable Groundwater Management Act (SGMA) Update
Antonio Solorio: (559) 241-6244 or sgma@wwd.ca.gov
The District recommends water users take advantage of the surplus water by developing a recharge project for the Groundwater Credit Program. The 2023 Recharge Program Application and supporting guidance document can be found on the District’s SGMA Website. The District established its policies and procedures for private recharge in its SGMA Rules and Regulations.
The District is beneficially using the abundant supply of surface water available in the 2023-24 water contract year to recharge the Westside Subbasin. The District implemented the Zero Rate Surface Water Agreement and Private Recharge Facility Use for $100/AF Agreement on April 1, 2023. The Board extended the deadline for participation under the Zero Rate Water Agreement through May. The Agreements can be found on the District’s website.
Geotechnical Investigation for Recharge Potential
Zac Just: (559) 241-6245 or zjust@wwd.ca.gov
The District was awarded grant funding to conduct geotechnical testing (Cone Penetration Tests) throughout the District. The area of interest has expanded beyond the initial area. If you are interested in coordinating with the District and receiving free geotechnical testing on your lands, please contact Zac Just.
2023-2024 Land-Based Charges Due
Jessie Xiong:(559) 241-6212
The bills for the 2023-2024 Land-Based Charges were mailed on March 10, 2023, with the first installment due March 27, 2023, and the second installment due September 25, 2023. A penalty will be added to unpaid charges on the day following the payment due date.
Groundwater Well Meter Installation and Well Modifications
Alex Young: (559) 884-2523 ext. 122 or ayoung@wwd.ca.gov
District staff continues to install meters on groundwater wells. Notices were mailed on November 15, 2022, to well owners with locations that require pipe discharge modifications. Staff will contact users who have not modified their pipe and do not have a District-owned meter installed. Well owners that delay the installation of meters by failing to make necessary modifications risk being delayed (or prohibited) from participating in the groundwater allocation program beginning on March 1, 2023, and possibly affect the well owners’ ability to participate in other District programs.
The District would like to remind water users that meters and grounding rods installed on groundwater wells for compliance with the approved Groundwater Sustainability Plan are owned by the District and should not be adjusted, altered, or moved by water users or water users’ staff. If a water user observes installation issues, would like to connect their own AMI or monitoring system, or plans to abandon a well and wants to move the meter to a new site, please contact District staff so the issue can be resolved.
Please report meter issues to the District, and do not remove or replace District-owned meters.
Holiday Office Closures & Water Ordering Procedures
The emergency telephone number for after-hours and holidays is (559) 224-1523.
District offices will be closed on Monday, May 29, 2023, 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 27 or May 28 | Friday, May 26, 9:30 a.m. |
| Monday or Tuesday– May 29 or May 30 | Friday, May 26, 12:00 p.m. |
2023-2024 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 2023-2024 water contract year. The District anticipates that a substantial allocation of Supplemental Water to water users could occur in late spring.
When Supplemental Water is made available for allocation, the quantity allocated to a water user’s account is a proration based on 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 you would like to be part of the 2023-2024 Supplemental Water program, please complete the enclosed agreement and return it to the Fresno Office. The deadline for returning agreements has been extended from May 1, 2023, to close of business on June 1, 2023, 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.
WATER SUPPLY
2023-2024 CVP Contract Allocation
On April 20, 2023, the Bureau of Reclamation increased the 2023-24 Central Valley Project (CVP) allocation from 80% to 100% for south of Delta agricultural water contractors.
With the 100% CVP South of Delta allocation and availability of Delta Division Section 215 Water, Water Users are encouraged to use surface water and refrain from pumping groundwater.
2023-2024 Water Supply Update
The CVP currently has approximately 8,291,000 AF of water stored in northern CVP reservoirs; this represents 103% of the 15-year average. Shasta Reservoir storage is approximately 4,247,000 AF; 119% of the 15-year average. Federal storage in San Luis Reservoir (SLR) is 963,000 AF (full); 141% of the 15-year average. Jones Pumping Plant is operating to meet demands.
2022-2023 Carryover Water
Russ Freeman: (559) 241-6241
San Luis Reservoir filled on April 6th. With flood flows into the Mendota Pool expected to continue beyond May, and increased Delta inflows expected in April and May, Jones Pumping Plant pumping will meet demands and the CVP share of SLR should stay full through most of May. The District expects to deliver all the carryover water by the end of April, thereby eliminating the risk of its loss.
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; 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.
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 lateral monitoring fee of up to $734.01. 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.
2023-2024 Groundwater Allocation
Customer Service Representative: (559) 241-6250
On March 14, 2023, the District allocated 0.6 AF of 2023-2024 SGMA Groundwater, and 0.7 AF of SGMA Transitional Groundwater to those who applied for it. Applications and revisions may be turned in to the District until July 31, 2023.
OPERATIONS & MAINTENANCE
Planned Maintenance Shutdown Schedule 2023
Alex Garcia: (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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 28R-0.01 Subline | April 24 – April 28 | Pipeline Repair | |
| 32L | April 24 – April 28 | Pipeline Repair | Line closed after the 6.0 Division Valve |
| 1R-4.0C & D | May 17 | Algae Treatment | 1R-4.0C Reservoir Treatment 7:00 am – 3:30 pm |
| Coalinga Canal | May 18 – May 19 | Algae Treatment | Limit 100 cfs |
| 13R | May 31 | Algae Treatment | 13R-A Reservoir Treatment 7:00 am – 3:30 pm |
| 2R | June 1 | Algae Treatment | 2R-A Reservoir Treatment 7:00 am – 3:30 pm |
| 17R | June 7 | Algae Treatment | 17R-A Reservoir Treatment 7:00 am – 3:30 pm |
| 14RB & C | June 12 | Algae Treatment | 14R-B & 14R-C Reservoir Treatment 7:00 am – 3:30 pm |
| Coalinga Canal | June 21 – June 22 | Algae Treatment | Limit 100 cfs |
| 1R-4.0C & D | June 22 | Algae Treatment | 1R-4.0C Reservoir Treatment 7:00 am – 3:30 pm |
| 13R | June 30 | Algae Treatment | 13R-A Reservoir Treatment 7:00 am – 3:30 pm |
| 2R | June 29 | Algae Treatment | 2R-A Reservoir Treatment 7:00 am – 3:30 pm |
2023-2024 Quinquennial Inspection and Repair Shutdown Schedule
Alex Garcia: (559) 884-2523 ext. 108
The following table lists the District’s general order and initial dates planned for the pumping plant system inspection and repair shutdown schedule for fiscal year 2023-2024.
| Week | Division Valves to be inspected | Pumping Plant |
|---|---|---|
| 9/25/2023 | 4R | |
| 10/2/2023 | 18L | |
| 10/9/2023 | 26R | |
| 10/16/2023 | 19R | |
| 10/23/2023 | 30R | |
| 10/30/2023 | 16R A, B, C | |
| 11/13/2023 | 20R | |
| 12/4/2023 | 15L | |
| 12/11/2023 | 38L | |
| 1/8/2024 | 20L | |
| 1/22/2024 | PVPP | |
| 1/29/2024 | 17L | |
| 2/5/2024 | 35L | |
| 2/12/2024 | 16L | |
| 2/19/2024 | 37-0.3 | 37L |
| 2/26/2024 | 2-0.5 | 2L |
RESOURCES MANAGEMENT
Westlands Water Quality Coalition Members
Kori Peterson: (559) 241-6231; Zac Just: (559) 241-6245, or wwqc@wwd.ca.gov
The 2022 crop year Irrigation and Nitrogen Management Plan (INMP) Reports were due on March 1, 2023. All INMP submissions are required to be completed on the Coalition Website.
The Coalition hosted the Annual Member Outreach Workshop on January 31, 2023. If you have not fulfilled the Annual Outreach requirement, the “2023 WWQC Annual Outreach Event” video is now available to watch on the Coalition Website.
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
Kori Peterson: (559) 241-6231 or kpeterson@wwd.ca.gov
In 2021, 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 systems and recharge project equipment. Water users who plan to install an irrigation 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 $45,500, 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.
Irrigation Evaluation Cost Share Rebate
Kori Peterson: (559) 241-6231 or kpeterson@wwd.ca.gov
The District is offering water users a rebate for mobile lab services. Mobile lab services perform irrigation system evaluations by measuring water rate application, system distribution uniformity, and by providing efficiency improvement recommendations. The amount of rebate per field evaluation is limited to 25% of the invoice or $500, whichever is less. Funds are limited, and availability is on a first come, first served basis. Applications and information are available on the Water Use Efficiency page on the District’s website.
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