This notice regards:
ITEMS TO NOTE
Sustainable Groundwater Management Act (SGMA) Update – Groundwater Sustainability Plan Adopted
On January 8, 2020 at 1:00 p.m., the Board of Directors of Westlands Water District, serving as the Groundwater Sustainability Agency (GSA) of the Westside Subbasin, held a public hearing and adopted the Westside Subbasin Groundwater Sustainability Plan (GSP). The GSP is posted on the District’s website.
The governance chapter of the Westside Subbasin GSP includes the formation of an Advisory Committee (AC) and a Technical Advisory Committee (TAC). If you are interested in participated in the AC or TAC, please fill out an application posted on the District’s website. Applications are due February 25, 2020. For more information regarding the AC and TAC, please contact Kiti Campbell at (559) 241-6226 or kcampbell@wwd.ca.gov.
2019-2020 Rescheduled Water
The District anticipates the amount of water that can be rescheduled into the 2020 water contract year will be limited to about 120,000 acre-feet. Any water in excess of that quantity will revert to Reclamation’s 2020 Central Valley Project (CVP) water.
Additionally, if San Luis Reservoir (SLR) fills on or after March 1, then any Rescheduled Water that is not used when SLR begins sustained drawdown will likely revert to Reclamation, depending on the foregone pumping calculated while SLR is full.
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 an individual water user can carryover under the District’s Rescheduling Guidelines. 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:
- 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
- Although the District’s Rescheduling Policy permits rescheduling in excess of the Acreage Based Cap, staff expects that after Cap Loss is applied, there will be about 0.25 acre-feet per acre remaining, assuming all eligible acres participate in rescheduling water. If the San Luis Reservoir fills and there is a loss due to foregone pumping (Rescheduling Loss), then that loss will be applied in addition to the Cap Loss. However, based on current conditions, the likelihood of SLR filling at the end of February or beginning of March 2020 is very low.
Water users are given until March 10 to transfer water between accounts to reduce exposure to the Acreage Based Cap. If SLR does not fill, losses will be applied on March 10. 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. If you have any questions, please contact Russ Freeman at (559) 241-6241.
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. If you have any questions, please contact Russ Freeman at (559) 241-6241.
Westlands Booth at World Ag Expo
The World Ag Expo is just around the corner (February 11 to 13 in Tulare, CA), featuring seminars, farm equipment, ag technology and delicious food. Westlands will be at Booth 2033 in Pavilion B 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.
WATER SUPPLY
2019-2020 Water Supply Update
On June 14, 2019, the Bureau of Reclamation increased the 2019-2020 Central Valley Project (CVP) allocation to 75% for south-of-Delta agricultural water service contractors. The District does not anticipate any additional increases to the CVP allocation for this water contract year.
The CVP currently has approximately 8.3 million acre-feet of water stored in northern CVP reservoirs; this represents 124% of the 15-year average. Shasta Reservoir storage is approximately 3.3 million acrefeet; 123% of the 15-year average. Federal storage in San Luis Reservoir is 524,000 acre-feet; 84% of the 15-year average. Jones Pumping Plant operated at capacity most of the month.
Projected 2020-2021 CVP Contract Allocation
The Bureau of Reclamation has not announced an initial 2020-2021 allocation for CVP water service contractors. The District expects that Reclamation will make an initial allocation in February.
Based upon current hydrologic conditions, the initial allocation could be from 15% to 20%. 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.
FINANCE & ADMINISTRATION
Public Hearing on Proposed 2020-2021 Water Rates, Charges and Land-Based Charges
The District will hold a public hearing on the proposed 2020-2021 water rates, charges and land-based charges on Tuesday, February 18, 2020, 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 3, 2020.
These rates and charges are proposed to pay the costs of water service, including District operations and maintenance; District water supply debt service; repairs of distribution system pipe; drainage service area costs for representation of landowners; activities of the Westlands Water Quality Coalition; Community outreach and the Sustainable Groundwater Management Act (SGMA). For additional information, please refer to the District’s notice dated January 3, 2020.
If you have any questions, please call the following:
- For water rates and charges, Customer Accounting at (559) 241-6250
- For land-based charges, Jessie Xiong at (559) 241-6212
- For charges of the Westlands Water Quality Coalition, James Reynolds at (559) 241-6231
Water Ordering and Meter Turn Off
It is important water users comply with the District’s water ordering procedures. Conveyance capacity through many laterals is constrained and 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 District’s Terms and Conditions for Agricultural Water Service. Further, 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.
The schedule for placing water orders is as follows: water orders for Tuesday through Saturday must be placed the prior day between 7:30 and 9:30 a.m., by telephone or fax. Orders placed over the website are accepted until 10:00 a.m., for the following day. Water orders for Sunday and Monday must be placed by noon the preceding Friday, either by phone, fax or website. Orders may be placed by calling (559) 241-6250 or (800) 266-6574, by Fax (559) 241-6276, or online at wwd.ca.gov.
To set up a Westlands online account, please contact your Customer Accounting Technician at (559) 241-6250.
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, 2020. Lands are ineligible for service in the new water contract 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.
OPERATIONS & MAINTENANCE
Holiday Office Closures & Water Ordering Procedures
District offices will be closed on Monday, February 17, 2020, 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 15 or 16 | Friday, February 14, 9:30 a.m. |
| Monday or Tuesday – February 17 or 18 | Friday, February 14, noon |
Advance Notice of 2019-2020 Inspection and Repair Shutdown Schedule
The following table is provided for water users as a reminder of the District’s planned pumping plant system inspection and repair shutdown schedule for fiscal year 2019-2020. If you have questions regarding these scheduled shutdowns, please contact the District’s Maintenance Scheduler, Jimmy Weedin at (559) 884-2523 x108.
2019-2020 Quinquennial Shutdown Schedule
| Week | Division Valves | Pumping Plants |
| October 7, 2019 | 26-1.7 | 26L |
| October 14 | 25R | |
| October 21 | 5L | |
| October 28 | 14RA | |
| November 4 | 29RA, 29RB | |
| November 12 | 14RB, 14RC | |
| November 18 | 8L | |
| December 2 | 14L | |
| December 9 | 28RA, 28RB, 28R-1.0W | |
| December 16 | 9L | |
| January 6, 2020 | 23L | |
| January 13 | 11L | |
| January 27 | 18R |
Planned Maintenance Shutdown Schedule – 2020
To keep water users apprised of upcoming planned pumping plant and system maintenance, the District issues a monthly listing of the upcoming schedule for the next 45 to 60 days. Please, see list below:
| Lateral(s) Impacted | Dates | Scheduled Work | Notes |
| 18R | 1-27 to 1-31 | PLC Replacement | |
| 21R | 1-27 to 1-29 | PLC Replacement | |
| 1R | 2-3 to 2-12 | PLC Replacement | See Shutdown Notice for Specific Meters |
| 13L | 2-3 to 2-7 | Multiple Repairs | Pipeline Leak, Mult. Ground Valve Repairs |
| 7L | 2-10 to 2-14 | Multiple Repairs | Pipeline Leak, Air Rel. Valve Replacement, Valve Replacement |
| 7-1 | 2-18 to 2-20 | PLC Replacement | |
| 6-1 | 2-24 to 2-26 | PLC Replacement | |
| 6-2 | 2-24 to 2-26 | PLC Replacement | |
| 19R | 3-2 to 3-4 | PLC Replacement | |
| PV8 | 3-4 to 3-6 | PLC Replacement | |
| 22R | 3-9 to 3-11 | PLC Replacement | |
| PVPP | 3-9 to 3-13 | PLC Replacement | |
| 12R | 3-11 to 3-13 | PLC Replacement | |
| 26R | 3-16 to 3-18 | PLC Replacement |
RESOURCES MANAGEMENT
Westlands Water Quality Coalition Members
The Westlands Water Quality Coalition (WWQC) will hold a workshop Wednesday, February 12, 2020 from 10:00 to 11:30 a.m. at the Fresno County Farm Bureau Office, 1274 W. Hedges Avenue, Fresno, CA 93728. The workshop will include a presentation on soil amendments under saline/sodic conditions.
For further information and to RSVP, contact James Reynolds at (559) 241-6231.
Lands Available for Lease
The District has several parcels for lease in Fresno and Kings counties. For a list of available land, please contact Cork McIsaac of Agriculture Industries, Inc. at (916) 372-5595 or (800) 822-1415.
Low Interest Irrigation Equipment Lease Program
The District’s Expanded Irrigation System Improvement Program (EISIP) offers low interest loans at 3.1% to water users for the lease-purchase of irrigation system equipment. The EISIP provides funding up to $130,000 towards the purchase of irrigation system equipment, the design of irrigation system and purchase of portable aluminum irrigation pipe, micro irrigation, linear move and center pivots. Interested water users should contact Nicole Branum at (559) 241-6235 or nbranum@wwd.ca.gov to begin the application process. Additional information is also available on the District’s website.