This notice regards:
Items to Note
Monthly Notice Electronic Only Starting March 2023
Customer Accounting: customeraccounting@wwd.ca.gov
Starting March 2023, the District will only issue electronic versions of the monthly notice. Hard copies will no longer be mailed. Please contact the Customer Accounting department to update water user and landowner records to ensure that you receive notices via email starting in March 2023. Alternatively, notices can be found on the District’s website.
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.
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 January 17, 2023, Board Meeting, the Board of Directors approved submitting an application to the State Water Resources Control Board for a 180-day Temporary Water Rights Permit for the Appropriation from the San Joaquin River Flood Flows. Due to the recent extraordinarily wet conditions and exceptional snowpack, the District anticipates that flood flows and/or Section 215 water could also be available this year.
The District recommends water users take advantage of the surplus water by developing a recharge project for the Groundwater Credit Program. The recharge project groundwater credit application and supporting guidance document can be found on the District’s SGMA Website. The District established its policies and procedures for private recharge in its SGMA Rules and Regulations.
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.
The Groundwater Allocation Applications were due on January 18, 2023, to be considered timely. Landowners with an outstanding Groundwater Allocation Application should submit the application as soon as possible, but no later than July 31, 2023.
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 Monday, February 20, 2023, in observance of Presidents’ Day. The affected water ordering deadlines are as follows:
| For Water Use On | Place Water Order By |
|---|---|
| Saturday or Sunday– February 18 or February 19 | Friday, February 17, 9:30 a.m. |
| Monday or Tuesday– February 20 or February 21 | Friday, February 17, 12:00 p.m. |
2023-2024 Agricultural Water Allocation Applications Due January 18, 2023
Water users received their 2023-2024 Agricultural Water Allocation Application packets during the first part of December 2022. Landowners did not receive packets unless they are also water users or have requested them previously. Allocation Applications were due at either the Fresno or Five Points offices by 5:00 p.m., on or before January 18, 2023. Late applications can be submitted and will be accepted in accordance with the District’s Rules and Regulations.
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.
WATER SUPPLY
Projected 2023-2024 CVP Contract Allocation
The District expects that Reclamation will make an initial allocation in late February. The final allocation, typically made in April or May, will depend on the actual hydrology in the watersheds that produce runoff in the upper Sacramento River basin. District staff projects that the allocation, under a median hydrology, could range from 25-35%. If the hydrology is above average, and if there is significant runoff on the San Joaquin River during the spring, the allocation could be greater. The District will continue to monitor and timely report any changes to the CVP allocation.
2022-2023 Water Supply Update
The CVP currently has approximately 4,972,000 acre-feet of water stored in northern CVP reservoirs; this represents 83% of the 15-year average. Shasta Reservoir storage is approximately 2,393,000 acre-feet; 96% of the 15-year average. Federal storage in San Luis Reservoir is 397,000 acre-feet; 54% of the 15-year average. Jones Pumping Plant has operated at about 83% capacity this month.
2021-2022 Carryover Water
Russ Freeman: (559) 241-6241
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. So, it is anticipated that water users will continue to have access to carryover water throughout the 2023-2024 contract water year, subject to the 1% loss discussed above. However, if San Luis Reservoir fills, then losses would be calculated on the basis of “foregone pumping” and applied at drawdown. Water users are reminded that according to the District’s Rescheduling Policy, the loss is prorated based on volume per acre, from highest to lowest, and is applied in the following 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
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.
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.
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 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 $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
Planned Maintenance Shutdown Schedule 2023
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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 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 | |
| 1L | Feb 27 – March 3 | 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 | |
| 10/30/2023 | 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
Westlands Water Quality Coalition Members
Kori Peterson: (559) 241-6231 or kpeterson@wwd.ca.gov
The Coalition will be hosting a member workshop on January 31, 2023, to help members submit their Irrigation and Nitrogen Management Plans (INMP) by the March 1, 2023, deadline. More information regarding the Annual Member Outreach Workshop will be sent out in the coming weeks.
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. 693