Conclusion of Emergency Shutdown and Refill Process
The District has received notification from the Department of Water Resources (DWR) that the emergency shutdown has concluded. District staff has begun the recharge and refill process of District laterals. In accordance with the District’s Emergency Response Procedures, laterals with large M&I use will be filled first.
We ask that water users please be patient as the process to return all laterals back to service may take as long as 2 to 3 days. Therefore, it is imperative that users DO NOT deliver water until notified by District staff. Water users are encouraged to call their Customer Service Representative at (559) 241-6250, or the District’s emergency telephone answering service at (559) 224-1523, for a status update regarding a lateral in question.
We understand the severity of this problem and want to assure you that staff took every reasonable step possible to ensure that water users’ equipment was unharmed during the emergency shutdown. Last night’s emergency shutdown was due to an electrical failure at Dos Amigos Pumping Plant. The District had no advance notice when DWR issued an immediate and complete emergency shutdown of all District water users, including all M&I customers, and began closing District lateral head gates.
Dos Amigos Pumping Plant is an integral part of the District’s water delivery system. The pumping plant is located approximately 17 miles south of the O’Neill Forebay in the San Luis Canal and is operated and maintained by DWR. The plant contains six pumps, each with a 2,200 cfs capacity and a vertical lift of 125 feet. The plant’s operation is a critical component for filling the San Luis Canal which affects not only Westlands but all Central Valley Project (CVP) water districts south of Los Banos.
District staff will continue to monitor this situation. Please call your Customer Service Representative at (559) 241-6250, if you have any questions about this notice. The emergency telephone number for after-hours is (559) 224-1523.