2017-2018 Rescheduled Water
Reclamation established a Rescheduled Water cap of 150,000 (acre-feet) AF. The cap will limit the District’s share of Rescheduled Water into the 2018-2019 water contract year to about 100,000 AF. The District forecasts approximately 400,000 AF will be remaining in water users’ accounts at the end of the current water year. Based on the District’s current forecast, at least 300,000 AF would be lost. Losses are applied at the end of the Rescheduling Period, according to the District’s Rescheduled Water Policy, if the San Luis Reservoir is full on February 28, 2018.
Please Note: The District modified the application of loss method within the Rescheduling Policy from a loss proration based on volume (acre-feet) to a loss based on volume per acre (acre-feet/acre), from highest to lowest. That loss will be applied in the following order and manner:
- Any remaining Rescheduled Water in excess of the Acreage Based Cap (0.5 acre-feet per irrigable acre).
- Water rescheduled by the District.
- Remaining Rescheduled Water.
- Delivered Rescheduled Water in excess of the Acreage Based Cap.
- Delivered Rescheduled Water within the Acreage Based Cap.
You are encouraged to log-in to your Westlands Water User account to track supply and plan your use for the remainder of the water contract year to avoid loss of allocated water. You are strongly encouraged to consider delivering surface water in-lieu of pumping groundwater. The Rescheduling Policy provides that for lost water, Water Users shall pay for any costs the District incurs, the San Luis & Delta-Mendota Water Authority O&M rate and any applicable District rates.
Projected 2018-2019 CVP Contract Allocation
The Bureau of Reclamation has not yet announced an initial 2018-2019 allocation for CVP water service contractors. The District expects that Reclamation will make an initial allocation in February and that it will be in the 10 to 20 percent range. The final allocation, typically made in April or May, could increase to 35 to 45 percent, depending on hydrology, especially in the watersheds that produce runoff on the San Joaquin River.
The CVP currently has approximately 8.5 million acre-feet of water stored in northern CVP reservoirs; this represents 130 percent of the 15-year average. Storage in Shasta Reservoir is approximately 3.3 million acrefeet; 121 percent of normal for this time of year. Federal storage in San Luis Reservoir is full at 965,000 acrefeet; 152 percent of the 15-year average. Jones Pumping Plant is currently operating at about 65 percent of capacity and has pumped approximately 112,000 acre-feet thus far in January.
Public Hearing on Proposed 2018-2019 Water Rates, Charges and Land-Based Charges
The District will hold a public hearing on the proposed 2018-2019 water rates, charges and land-based charges on Tuesday, February 20, 2018, at 1:00 p.m., at the District’s Fresno Office, 3130 N. Fresno Street, Fresno, CA 93703. At this public hearing, the Board will hear and consider all objections or protests, if any, to the proposed water rates, charges and land-based charges. Official notice of the hearing was mailed out on January 5, 2018.
These rates and charges are proposed in order to pay the costs of water service, including District operations and maintenance; repairs of distribution system pipe; drainage service area costs for representation of landowners; and activities of the Westlands Water Quality Coalition associated with the waste discharge requirements general order for the Western Tulare Lake Basin Watershed. For additional information, please refer to the District’s notice dated January 5, 2018.
If you have any questions, please call the following:
- For water rates and charges, Customer Accounting at (559) 241-6250
- For land-based charges, Deborah Tuggle at (559) 241-6212
- For charges of the Westlands Water Quality Coalition, Charlotte Gallock at (559) 241-6244
Reclamation Law Certification/Reporting
Earlier this month, notices were mailed to water users and landowners regarding the Reclamation Law’s annual certification/reporting requirements. The forms are due for filing with the District by February 1, 2018. Lands are ineligible for service in the new water year until the forms are submitted. This filing deadline allows timely processing of the forms and helps to ensure water service is not interrupted. Water users who lease land may want to check with their landowners to make sure the landowner is aware of and will return the form(s) by the deadline. If you have any questions, please call your Customer Service Representative at (559) 241-6250.
Groundwater Sustainability Plan Workshop
The District has scheduled a SGMA workshop for Friday, February 9, 2018, at 1:00 PM at the Five Points Field Office Shop located at 23050 W. Mt. Whitney, Five Points, CA 93624. The meeting purpose is to discuss the Groundwater Sustainability Plan (GSP) development, the conceptual plan outline, and stakeholder assurances. Previous presentation materials are available on the District’s website. For additional information, contact Jose Gutierrez at (559) 241-6215 or sgma@westlandswater.org.
Westlands Water Quality Coalition Members
2017 Farm Evaluations and Nitrogen Summary Reports are due on March 1, 2018. All submissions are required to be completed online at 4Creeks website. If you do not have access to a computer, please contact Nicole Branum at (559) 241-6235 or Debra Dunn at (559) 241-6242 to schedule an appointment for a WWQC representative to assist in the submittal process. For questions regarding your online submittal or use of the system contact wwqc@westlandswater.org.
Westlands Booth at World Ag Expo
The World Ag Expo is just around the corner (February 13 to 15 in Tulare, CA), featuring seminars, farm equipment, ag technology and delicious food. Westlands will be at Booth 2118 in Pavilion B (Ag & Irrigation Area) to help educate attendees and exhibitors on the importance of a reliable agricultural water allocation, the nexus between ag production and economic success, irrigation efficiencies, and current water supply challenges. Be sure to stop by to see our educational materials and talk with staff.
Lease of District Owned Land
The District has several parcels available for lease in Fresno and Kings Counties. For a detailed list of available land, please contact Cork McIsaac of Agriculture Industries, Inc. at (916) 372-5595 or (800) 822- 1415.
Holiday Office Closure & Water Ordering Procedures
District offices will be closed on Monday, February 19, 2018, in observance of President’s Day. The affected water ordering deadlines are as follows:
| For Water Use On | Place Water Order By |
| Saturday or Sunday – February 17 or 18 | Friday, February 16, 9:30 a.m. |
| Monday or Tuesday – February 19 or 20 | Friday, February 16, noon |
The emergency telephone number for after hours and holidays is (559) 224-1523.