This notice regards:
Items to Note
Groundwater Allocation Application Workshop
Alma Antuna: (559) 241-6235
All landowners and water users are invited to attend the 2nd virtual workshop hosted by the District on the Groundwater Allocation Application process. The workshop will be held on January 13, 2023, at 1:00 PM. District staff will provide an overview of the Groundwater Allocation Application process and will be available to answer any questions. A recording of the workshop will be posted to the District’s website if you are unable to attend.
Benefit Assessment Statements
Jessie Xiong: (559) 241-6212
The 2022 Benefit Assessment statements were mailed on June 7, 2022. The charges are now delinquent. A 5% penalty will be added after the delinquent date, November 17, 2022.
Westlands Water District 2022 General Election
Bobbie Ormonde: (559) 241-6203
The Westlands Water District 2022 General Election was held on November 8, 2022. Based on the canvass of ballots received, the following is the final vote tally:
| Candidate | Votes |
|---|---|
| Justin Diener | 8,537,149 |
| Ernie Costamagna | 7,907,805 |
| Jeremy Hughes | 7,956,567 |
| Donald Ross Franson III | 7,898,139 |
| Ryan Ferguson | 6,353,049 |
The Board of Directors met on November 28, 2022, and formally declared and certified the results of the election.
Newly Elected Board Officers
Bobbie Ormonde: (559) 241-6203
During a special meeting of the Board of Directors held on December 5, 2022, the Westlands Water District Board of Directors elected Jeff Fortune to serve as President of the District. Mr. Fortune succeeds Ryan Ferguson. The Board also elected Jim Anderson as the new Vice-President. Mr. Anderson succeeds Frank Coelho, Jr.
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.
Sustainable Groundwater Management Act (SGMA) Update
Antonio Solorio: (559) 241-6244 or sgma@wwd.ca.gov
At the December 20, 2022, Board Meeting, the Board of Directors amended Section 1.10I of Article 1: Regulations for the Groundwater Allocation Program and Use of Groundwater within the Westside Subbasin to state “Groundwater Credits developed prior to 2030 will follow the rules set forth in the year the Groundwater Credits were developed.” This language clarifies how Groundwater Credits developed prior to 2030 may be used after 2030.
As you plan your water budget for the next contract year, which begins on March 1, 2023, please review Article 1. Regulations for the Groundwater Allocation Program and Use of Groundwater within the Westside Subbasin, available on the Regulations page of the website. Please note a Groundwater User must apply for voluntary participation in the Groundwater Allocation Program to receive a groundwater allocation. Per Article 1, the transitional allocation cannot be carried over to the following Contract Year or transferred to another water user account.
2022-2023 Supplemental Water Update
Customer Service Representative: (559) 241-6250
As of May 17, 2022, the total timely request for 2022-23 Supplemental Water is 158,248 acre-feet on 389,390 acres. Through September 20, the District made 18,840 acre-feet available for allocation to timely applicants and the delivered price will range from $1,500 to $1,600 per acre-foot. The District will continue to seek opportunities to acquire and make additional Supplemental Water available.
Advance payment for acquisition costs of the water is required at the time Supplemental Water is made available for allocation. 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.
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 Friday and Monday, December 23 and 26, 2022, in observance of Christmas and Monday, January 2 in observance of New Year’s Day. The affected water ordering deadlines are as follows:
| For Water Use On | Place Water Order By |
|---|---|
| Friday or Saturday– December 23 or December 24 | Thursday, December 22, 9:30 a.m. |
| Sunday, Monday or Tuesday – December 25, December 26, or December 27 | Thursday, December 22, 12:00 p.m. |
2023-2024 Agricultural Water Allocation Applications Due January 18, 2023
Water users will receive their 2023-2024 Agricultural Water Allocation Application packets during the first part of December 2022. Landowners will not receive packets unless they are also water users or have requested them previously. Allocation Applications are due at either the Fresno or Five Points offices by 5:00 p.m., on or before January 18, 2023.
Typically, the landowners’ tenant farmers will submit the Allocation Applications. However, landowners may submit the Allocation Application themselves if more direct control of the allocation to their land is desired or tenants have not been selected. Landowners are reminded that the costs associated with water applied for and allocated must be paid, even if the water is not used.
If more than one Allocation Application is received for the same parcel of land, priority will be given to the landowner in accordance with the District’s rules and regulations. If neither entity submitting the Allocation Application owns the land, priority will be given to the water user who provides evidence of the right to occupy the land and receive the allocation.
The District is also requesting an estimate of the number of acres you expect to fallow in the 2023-2024 water contract year. Providing this information will not affect your request for a water supply allocation. The information will only be used to educate the public on how the continued lack of water supply is impacting water users.
2023-2024 Groundwater Allocation Applications Due January 18, 2023
On December 16, 2022, staff mailed the Groundwater Allocation Applications to landowners throughout the District. The Applications must be received by the District at or before 5:00 p.m., January 18, 2023, to be considered timely. Applications can be faxed to the District at 559-241-6277 or mailed to or dropped off at the District’s main Fresno office, 3130 N. Fresno Street, Fresno, CA 93703, or Five Points office, 23050 W. Mt Whitney, Five Points, CA 93624.
All Groundwater Users are subject to the District’s Regulations. The groundwater allocation is made at the parcel level to all eligible gross acres (also referred to as assessed acres). Landowners must designate an active water user account to receive the groundwater allocation.
If more than one application is received for the same parcel of land, priority will be given to the Landowner in accordance with the District’s Regulations. If none of the applications are from the Landowner, priority will be given to the water user who provides evidence of the right to occupy the land and receive the allocation.
WATER SUPPLY
2022-2023 CVP Contract Allocation
The 2022-23 Central Valley Project (CVP) allocation is 0% for South of Delta agricultural repayment contractors.
Projected 2023-2024 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 Delta agricultural repayment contractors will be 0%. If the 2023 water year hydrology is critical, dry, or below normal, the final allocation to South of Delta agricultural repayment contractors is likely to remain at 0%.
2022-2023 Water Supply Update
The CVP currently has approximately 3,089,000 acre-feet of water stored in northern CVP reservoirs; this represents 56% of the 15-year average. Shasta Reservoir storage is approximately 1,439,000 acre-feet; 64% of the 15-year average. Federal storage in San Luis Reservoir is 228,000 acre-feet; 54% of the 15-year average. Jones Pumping Plant has operated at about 29% capacity this month.
2021-2022 Carryover Water
Water users will continue to have access to carryover water throughout the 2022-23 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 the San Luis Reservoir. This loss factor will be prorated to water remaining in water user accounts each month until the District delivers all remaining carryover water. The types of water in an account and participation in the Supplemental Water program are not factors that affect the amount of water a water user can carry over under the District’s Rescheduling Guidelines. The District is reviewing all costs associated with this water and will be posting appropriate charges to the affected water user accounts.
2022-2023 Carryover Water
Russ Freeman: (559) 241-6241
The District anticipates no cap on the amount of water it can carry over into the 2023-2024 contract water year. Additionally, the chance of refilling the San Luis Reservoir is remote. Accordingly, the District projects no risk of loss based on “foregone pumping” and water users will continue to have access to carryover water throughout the 2023-2024 contract water year, subject to the 1% loss discussed above.
Be aware that neither the types of water in an account nor participation in the Supplemental Water program are factors that affect the amount of water that an individual water user can carry over under the District’s Rescheduling Guidelines. As a reminder, if a water user loses water, the District will bill the water user the San Luis & Delta-Mendota Water Authority O&M, applicable District rates, and any other costs the District incurs.
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 determine 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 $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 and work delays 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 staff, pipelines, tanks, reservoirs, and adjacent private property from damage. For assistance with proper connections, please contact District Field Engineering staff.
Planned Maintenance Shutdown Schedule 2022
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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 3R | Jan. 9 – Jan. 13 | Quinquennial Inspection | |
| 4L | Jan. 17 – Jan. 20 | DWR Slide Gate Repair | |
| 10L | Jan 23 – Jan. 27 | Quinquennial Inspection | |
| 29L | Jan. 30 – Feb. 3 | Quinquennial Inspection | |
| 34L | Feb. 6 – Feb. 10 | Quinquennial Inspection | |
| 19L | Feb. 13 – Feb. 17 | Quinquennial Inspection |
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 | |
| 0/30/2023 | 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
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) on the sections of land listed in Tables 1 and 2 in Attachment 2 of the Rules and Regulations. If you are interested in coordinating with the District and receiving free geotechnical testing on your lands, please contact Zac Just.
Westlands Water Quality Coalition Members
Kori Peterson: (559) 241-6231 or kpeterson@wwd.ca.gov
The Coalition will be hosting a member workshop in early 2023 to help members submit their Irrigation and Nitrogen Management Plans (INMP) by the March 1, 2023 deadline. The final workshop schedule will be announced next month. Contact Kori Peterson if you have any questions.
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.
Canal Integration Program and Distribution Integration Program
CIP contact David Vang: dvang@wwd.ca.gov
DIP contact Antonio Solorio: asolorio@wwd.ca.gov
The District is currently offering the Canal Integration Program (CIP) and Distribution Integration Program (DIP) for water users who wish to participate. The CIP and DIP provide water users the flexibility to develop and manage groundwater supplies for conveyance throughout the District. Information about the two programs is posted on the water supply page on the District’s website.
No. 690