This notice regards:
Items to Note
Annual Water Users’ Workshop
The Annual Water Users’ Workshop will be held Tuesday, March 18, 2025, at 1:00 p.m. at the District’s Five Points Shop and Field Office. District staff will provide updates on District activities and other matters.
Water Users Web User Login Page – Buy and Sell Offers
Customer Service Representative: (559) 241-6250
The District offers a message board for water users who wish to buy and sell water on its Web User login page. The message board allows water users to post their name, phone number, offers to buy or sell water, and a brief description, matching water users with excess water and those with unmet demands. Please call your Customer Service Representative for assistance in accessing or using the message board, or to set up your Web User profile.
Water users are encouraged to use surface water and refrain from pumping groundwater. If your water budget requires groundwater pumping, please consider offering to exchange groundwater allocation, or credits, for surface water. If your surface water balance is leading you to recharge, please consider offering to exchange your surface water for groundwater credits.
2025-2026 Budget, Water Rates, Charges and Land-Based Charges Approved
At the meeting on February 20, 2025, the Board of Directors adopted the 2025-2026 Recommended Budget, which totals $229,750,100.00. This budget may be revised once the final water supply is determined. It provides funds for water and power purchases, as well as for the operations, maintenance, and administrative activities of the District. Additionally, the budget 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 Unit/Westlands Water District Financing Authority Revenue Bonds, Westlands Water Quality Coalition activities, and the Sustainable Groundwater Management Act.
The Board has approved the implementation of the water rates and charges for the 2025-2026 Water Year. These rates are based on a 20% Central Valley Project (CVP) contract water allocation and other delivered water supplies totaling 397,493 acre-feet. With this total supply, the District’s O&M rate is $54.69 per acre-foot. The adopted O&M water rate of $54.69 may require modification when the final CVP contract water allocation is determined. The Board also approved land-based charges for (1) debt service related to District Water Supply acquisitions from the Sagouspe settlement, (2) extraordinary repairs and replacements of distribution system pipes, (3) representation expenses for landowners in USBR drainage disputes, (4) Westlands Water Quality Coalition charges for monitoring and reporting under the Regional Water Quality Control Board’s General Order, and (5) debt service for the prepayment of CVP construction costs. A Sustainable Groundwater Management Act (SGMA) charge was also approved to cover program administration.
Water users should also note that approved Overuse of Water Supply Charges are $11,745.00 each month when any billed overuse occurs, and $79.00 each month for those who are subject to Advance Payment Monitoring. Additionally, a Meter Turn Off for Use Without Order charge for meters running without a valid water order was approved and is $848.85 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 Service Representative 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 $96.72 to $671.88 depending on the number of parcels involved.
The complete list of 2025-2026 rates, charges, and credits will be uploaded on the District’s website on or about March 1, 2024. From the home page, click Water Management, then click Water Rates.
1-for-1 Facilitated Transfers
As we approach year-end, the district will be facilitating 1-for-1 transfers and will match users under this program. Current-year CVP water is eligible for the program on a 1AF for 1AF basis. Please contact your Customer Service Representative to submit your information.
Holiday Office Closures & Water Ordering Procedures
District offices will be closed on Monday, May 26, 2025, 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 24 or 25 | Friday, May 23, 9:30 a.m. |
| Monday or Tuesday- May 26 or 27 | Friday, May 23, noon |
The emergency telephone number for after hours and holidays is (559) 224-1523.
2025-2026 Supplemental Water Application – Response May Be Required
Customer Accounting Representative: (559) 241-6250
The District plans to operate the Supplemental Water Application process to ensure that the Supplemental Water Application requests match the available water supply, to the greatest degree possible. In order to achieve this objective, the application due date is March 31, 2025. If the total amount of Supplemental Water requests exceeds the District’s current contracts, the District will continue to acquire Supplemental Water from multiple sources to meet requests, otherwise the District will not seek additional Supplemental Water.
The District encourages water users to base their Supplemental Water request on a projected final CVP allocation of 40% to 50% and an estimated delivered cost between $500 to $600 per acre-foot. 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 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 2025-2026 Supplemental Water program, please complete the enclosed agreement and return it to the Fresno Office by close of business on March 31, 2025, by one of the following means.
- Mail to: Westlands Water District, P.O. Box 5199, Fresno, CA 93755. You may also hand deliver the agreement to the District’s Fresno Office, at 286 W. Cromwell Ave, Fresno, CA 93711.
- 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.
2025-2026 Agricultural Water Allocation Applications Due January 15, 2025
On December 13, 2024, staff mailed the 2025-2026 Agricultural Water Allocation applications to water users throughout the District. Allocation Applications should have been delivered to the District at or before 5:00 p.m., January 15, 2025, to be considered timely.
Applications received after January 15 that are accepted by the General Manager shall only be entitled to receive a proportionate share of contract water made available to the District after the date of such late application’s acceptance.
Typically, the landowners’ tenant farmers submit the Allocation Applications. However, landowners may choose to submit the Allocation Application themselves if they desire more direct control of the allocation to their land or if tenants have not been selected. Landowners are reminded that they are responsible for paying the costs associated with water applied for and allocated, even if the water is not used.
If multiple Allocation Applications are submitted for the same parcel of land, priority will be given to the landowner, in accordance with the District’s Rules and Regulations. If neither applicant is the landowner, priority will be given to the water user who provides evidence of their 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 2025-2026 water contract year. Providing this information will not affect your water allocation request. The information will only be used to educate the public on how the continued water supply shortage is impacting water users.
2025-2026 Groundwater Allocation Applications Due January 15, 2025
On December 13, 2024, staff mailed the 2025-2026 Groundwater Allocation applications to landowners throughout the District. Allocation Applications should have been delivered to the District at or before 5:00 p.m., January 15, 2025, to be considered timely.
Applications received after January 15, 2025, shall be considered “late”. A Groundwater Allocation Application and Agreement that is late shall be accepted; provided, the application is received no later than July 31, 2025. Revised applications are also accepted through this date. However, the Groundwater Allocation may not be available until 45 days from the date the late or revised application is accepted.
All Groundwater Users are subject to the District’s Rules and Regulations. The groundwater allocation is made at the parcel level to all eligible gross acres (also referred to as assessed acres).
If multiple Allocation Applications are submitted for the same parcel of land, priority will be given to the landowner, in accordance with the District’s Rules and Regulations. If neither applicant is the landowner, priority will be given to the water user who provides evidence of their right to occupy the land and receive the allocation.
New this year is the opportunity to receive your pro-rata share of the District’s Groundwater Credit. If you would like your pro-rata share of the District’s Groundwater Credits dispensed in 2025, please check the box labeled, “Check the box if you want your pro-rata share of the District’s Groundwater Credit at approximately $180 per acre-foot”.
The District may dispense approximately 24,000 AF or 0.046AF/acre by March 31, 2025, if the District projects that the CVP allocation will be twenty five percent (25%) or less. For example, if you check the box and have 1,000 acres in your account, you could be allocated 46 AF of the District’s Groundwater Credit. The District’s Groundwater Credits are estimated to cost $180/AF, and the total will be due prior to the District’s Groundwater Credits being allocated to your account.
Please note: If the full 24,000 AF is not requested, the unrequested amount will not result in a higher allocation per acre and will be retained by the District for future allocation. Unrequested water will not be retained in the name of the landowner who does not request it.
Westlands Water Quality Coalition Members
Kori Frauenheim: (559) 241-6231 or wwqc@wwd.ca.gov
Westlands Water Quality Coalition has recently updated their coalition website that provides a more user-friendly setting for members to submit the Irrigation & Nitrogen Management Plan (INMP). The website is now available for you to submit your 2025 INMP Summary Report for the 2024 crop year. All INMP submissions are required to be completed on the New WWQC Member Portal Website. An email with information regarding the New Coalition Member Portal was emailed out on January 21st, 2025. If you did not receive the email, please contact the Coalition.
The Coalition hosted its annual member outreach meeting virtually on February 4th, 2025, to help members submit their INMP by the March 1st, 2025, deadline. If you have not fulfilled the Annual Outreach requirement, the “2025 WWQC Annual Outreach Meeting” video is now available to watch on the New WWQC Member Portal Website.
WATER SUPPLY
2024-2025 Water Supply Update
The CVP currently has approximately 8,813,000 acre-feet (AF) of water stored in northern CVP reservoirs; this represents 122% of the 15-year average. Shasta Reservoir storage is approximately 3,505,000 AF; 115% of the 15-year average. CVP storage in San Luis Reservoir (SLR) is 695,000 AF; 107% of the 15-year average. Since February 1, total exports averaged 6,568 cubic feet per second (cfs) with the Jones and Banks Pumping Plants averaging 4,088 cfs and 2,480 cfs, respectively. Previous export reductions combined with increasing demands, make refill of CVP SLR unlikely.
Projected 2025-2026 CVP Contract Allocation
The District expects that Reclamation will announce an initial allocation the week of February 24th. The hydrology in the San Joaquin and Tulare basins continues to be below normal. Fortunately, hydrology in the Sacramento basin and storage in CVP reservoirs is above normal. It is likely that the initial allocation to South Delta agricultural repayment contractors, which is typically conservative, will be 20-30%. The final allocation, typically made in April or May, will depend on the actual hydrology, especially in the watersheds that produce runoff in the upper Sacramento River basin. Under a median hydrology going forward, a final allocation of 50% is possible.
2025-2026 Water Rescheduling
Russ Freeman: (559) 241-6241
The District will be limited to rescheduling approximately 119,000 acre-feet into the 2025-26 water contract year. The water remaining at contract year-end in excess of the rescheduling limit will be lost according to the District’s Rescheduling Policy.
Water users are reminded that according to the District’s Rescheduling Policy, loss (whether cap or rescheduling) is prorated based on volume per acre, from highest to lowest, and is applied in the following order and manner:
- Water rescheduled by the District
- Remaining Rescheduled Water
- Delivered Rescheduled Water
Although the District’s Rescheduling Policy does not limit how much water may be rescheduled by a water user, staff expects that after Cap Loss is applied, there will be 0.26 acre-feet per acre remaining, assuming all eligible acres participate in rescheduling water. Because San Luis Reservoir is not expected to fill, water users
will have until March 10 to complete internal transfers before Cap Loss is applied, and the Rescheduling Period for remaining water will extend until the end of the 2025-26 water contract year.
As a reminder, if a water user loses water, the District will bill the water user for all costs associated with the lost water. The cost of lost 2024 Contract water is estimated to be $80 per acre-foot. For more detailed information about your specific account, please review the District email titled, “Potential lost water and associated costs.”
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 District Web Site.
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 $771.81. 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.
Year-End Meter Readings
Customer Service Representative: (559) 241-6250
Water users who would like to provide year-end agricultural meter readings for their account can submit their own reading prior to 8:00 a.m. March 3, 2025. Forms will be sent out via District notice in February and will be available on the District’s website. Forms may be submitted by fax to (559) 241-6276 or emailed to customeraccounting@wwd.ca.gov. All readings received before midnight will be used to determine February water use. Please call Customer Accounting at (559) 241-6250 if you have any questions about year-end meter readings.
OPERATIONS & MAINTENANCE
Cross Connections with District Facilities
Field Engineering and Planning: 559-884-2523
With over 1,000 miles of pipe, operating and repairing the District’s distribution system can present unique challenges. Staff understands the need for flexibility when connecting and operating on-farm irrigation systems, however continued instances of damage and delayed work over the past year highlight the need to follow existing standards. 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 questions regarding new and/or existing connections, please contact the Field Engineering and Planning Department.
Groundwater Well Maintenance
Quinn Manning: 559-884-2523 ext. 131
The District would like to remind Water Users that the meters installed on groundwater wells for compliance with the approved Groundwater Sustainability Plan are owned by the District and should not be removed, relocated, or adjusted by Water Users, their staff, or contractors. If a meter needs to be removed during regular maintenance or emergency repairs of the well and/or its discharge piping, please contact District staff so the meter can be removed during the work to avoid any damage to the meter.
To connect privately owned AMI or monitoring systems to a District-owned meter, please contact Water Measurement Specialist, Quinn Manning.
Planned Maintenance Schedule 2025-26
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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 12L | Mar. 3 – Mar. 7 | Division Valve Inspection | 7:00AM-3:30PM |
| 3L | April 12 – April 24 | Pipeline Repair |
2025-2026 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 the fiscal year 2025-2026.
| Week | Division Valves to be inspected | Pumping Plant |
|---|---|---|
| 9/29/25 | 25L | |
| 10/6/25 | 32-2.0 | 32L |
| 10/13/25 | PV4 | |
| 10/20/25 | 23R | |
| 10/27/25 | PV6 | |
| 11/3/25 | 31-1.5 | 31L |
| 11/17/25 | 6-1 & 6-2 | |
| 12/8/25 | 3-2.7 | 3L |
| 12/15/25 | 7RA, 7RB, 7RC, 7RD | |
| 1/5/26 | 11R | |
| 1/12/26 | 4-0.5 | 4L |
| 1/26/26 | 17RA, 17RB, 17RC | |
| 2/2/26 | 33-2.0 | 33L |
| 2/9/26 | 22L | |
| 2/23/26 | 24L |
RESOURCES MANAGEMENT
Westlands Multibenefit Land Repurposing Program
Shelly Ruiz: (559) 241-6228 or sruiz@wwd.ca.gov
There is an opportunity for growers and interested parties to attend the District’s Multibenefit Land Repurposing Program (Program) Steering Committee (SC) and/or Outreach Advisory Committee (OAC) meetings. Please check the District’s calendar for the next SC/OAC meeting.
The Program vision is to develop a Subbasin-wide land repurposing program to implement projects that repurpose agricultural land to reduce reliance on groundwater while providing community health, economic wellbeing, water supply, habitat, and climate benefits. The purpose of the SC is to provide advice and recommendations to the District GSA regarding the Program Plan, and to evaluate potential repurposing projects for feasibility and their ability to provide lasting benefits in the Westside Subbasin. The purpose of the OAC is to promote collaboration and develop an outreach and communication approach in the development of the Program Plan, support Program engagement events and activities, and address comments.
Low-Interest Irrigation or Recharge Equipment Lease Program
Kori Frauenheim: (559) 241-6231 or kfrauenheim@wwd.ca.gov
The District increased the loan amount for the Expanded Irrigation System Improvement or Recharge Program (EISIRP). The District’s EISIRP offers low-interest loans of up to $200,000, 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 $70,000, from the District’s EISIP/Public Purpose Program (P3) Grant. Additional information is available on the EISIRP and P3 pages on the District’s website.
Sustainable Groundwater Management Act (SGMA) Update
Antonio Solorio: (559) 241-6244 or sgma@wwd.ca.gov
If you are operating a recharge project this year, please submit your meter reading online, https://arcg.is/1mnyvK0. Please note that End-of-Month Meter readings for February Recharge are due on February 28.
The next Advisory and Technical Advisory Committee Meetings are scheduled for February 25, 2025, at 9:00am.
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.
Effective September 1, 2024, the District will no longer consent to irrigate, from any source, leased District land. All new leases will be non-irrigable.
Groundwater and Irrigation System Management Program Outage Information
Jennifer Montoya: (559) 241-6242 or jmontoya@wwd.ca.gov
If a power outage occurs at a facility enrolled in the District’s Groundwater or Irrigation System Management Programs (GWMP/ISMP), please call the PG&E Business Customer Service Center (BCSC) at 1-800-468-4743. The BCSC will address downed poles/lines, blown fuses, and damaged transformers. Please contact the District for any damaged or missing meters. Before contacting PG&E, you will need your service location, for example NW NW Section-Township-Range. This information may also be included in the GWMP/ISMP application(s).
Distribution Integration Program
Antonio Solorio: asolorio@wwd.ca.gov
The District is currently offering the Distribution Integration Program (DIP) for water users who wish to participate. The DIP provides water users the flexibility to develop and manage groundwater supplies for conveyance throughout the District. Information about the program is posted on the water supply page on the District’s website.
No. 769