This notice regards:
Items to Note
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, and matches 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 the surface water balance is leading you to recharge, please consider offering to exchange your surface water for groundwater credits.
Summer Hours of Operation
Effective June 3, the Five Points Shop and Field Office (including TFO, HFO, and PVPP), commenced summer hours of operation, from 6:00 a.m. to 2:30 p.m., Monday through Friday. All other District offices and operations will remain unchanged and will remain open from 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m., Monday through Friday. The emergency telephone number for after-hours is (559) 224-1523.
Westlands Water District 2024 General Election
Stephen Farmer: (559) 241-6240
On November 5, 2024, the District will conduct an all-mail general election. No polling place will be established.
This election is for the office of Director and five seats must be filled, as follows:
- Five seats that expire on December 6, 2024. The term for these five seats run through noon on December 1, 2028.
To qualify for the position of Director, the person shall be 18 years of age or older and be either:
- A holder of title to land within the District,
- The legal representative of the holder of title to land within the District in accordance with California Water Code Section 34030, or
- A representative designated by a holder of title to land within the District, if the holder of title has filed written evidence of that designation with the District.
Forms for declarations of candidacy for the office will be available for eligible candidates from the District’s Secretary at 286 W. Cromwell Avenue, Fresno, California 93711 on or after July 15, 2024.
The forms for declaration of candidacy must be filed with the District Secretary no later than 5:00 p.m. on August 9, 2024. Forms may be filed in person or by mail. If filing by mail, the form must reach the Secretary no later than 5:00 p.m. on August 9, 2024.
In the event there are no candidates or an insufficient number of candidates for these positions and a petition calling for an election is not filed within the time period prescribed in Section 10515 of the Elections Code, appointment to the Director positions will be made as prescribed by law.
Holiday Office Closures & Water Ordering Procedures
District offices will be closed on Monday, September 2, 2024, in observance of Labor Day. The affected water ordering deadlines are as follows:
For Water Use On | Place Water Order By |
---|---|
Saturday or Sunday – August 31 or September 1 | Friday, August 30, 9:30 a.m. |
Monday or Tuesday – September 2 or 3 | Friday, August 30, noon |
The emergency telephone number for after-hours and holidays is (559) 224-1523.
WATER SUPPLY
2024-2025 CVP Contract Allocation
On June 25, 2024, the Bureau of Reclamation increased the 2024-25 Central Valley Project (CVP) allocation from 40% to 50% for south of Delta agricultural water contractors. Water users are encouraged to use the additional allocation and refrain from pumping groundwater though additional increases in allocation may be unlikely, the District will continue to advocate for additional increases and will monitor and timely-report any changes to the CVP allocation.
2024-2025 Water Supply Update
The CVP currently has approximately 8,999,000 acre-feet (AF) of water stored in northern CVP reservoirs; this represents 122% of the 15-year average. Shasta Reservoir storage is approximately 3,713,000 AF; 117% of the 15-year average. Federal storage in San Luis Reservoir is 580,000 AF; 142% of the 15-year average. Total exports are 4,200 cfs with the Jones and Banks Pumping Plants operating at 2,700 cfs and 5,000 cfs, respectively. Jones Pumping Plant is expected to increase back to 4,200 cfs next week and should continue at that level for most of the summer.
2024-2025 Groundwater Allocation Applications
On December 19, 2023, staff mailed the Groundwater Allocation Applications to landowners. The Applications were due to the District at or before 5:00 p.m., January 18, 2024, to be considered timely. Late applications can still be submitted no later than July 31, 2024, by one of the following means:
- Mail to: Westlands Water District, P.O. Box 5199, Fresno, CA 93755.
- Hand deliver to the District’s Fresno Office, 286 W. Cromwell Ave, Fresno, CA 93711.
- Mail or Hand Deliver to the District’s Five Points Office, 23050 W. Mt. Whitney, Five Points, CA 93624.
All Groundwater Users within the Westside Subbasin boundary 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).
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.
2024-2025 Supplemental Water Update
Customer Service Representative: (559) 241-6250
The District has up to 36,000 acre feet of unrequested 2024-2025 Supplemental Water. Water users may submit late requests for Supplemental water until 5 p.m. on November 1, 2024. If you would like to be a part of the 2024-25 Supplemental Water program, please complete the agreement attached to Notice 733 and return it to the Fresno Office as soon as possible. The delivered price is estimated to be $500/AF.
After November 1, 2024, any remaining unrequested Supplemental Water will be allocated to all Eligible Cropland that was subject to a 2024-2025 Agricultural Water Allocation Application.
Please call your Customer Service Representative at (559) 241-6250 if you have any questions.
2025-2026 Water Rescheduling
Russ Freeman: (559) 241-6241
The District will be limited to rescheduling approximately 120,000 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. 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.
As a reminder, if a water user loses water, the District will bill the water user for all costs associated with the lost water.
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 Customer Website.
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.
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 several 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 Shutdown Schedule 2024
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 |
---|---|---|---|
29R-A | July 22 | Algae Treatment | 6:00AM – 2:30PM |
Coalinga Canal | July 23 – 24 | Algae Treatment | 6:00AM – 6:00AM |
13R-A | July 24 | Algae Treatment | 6:00AM – 2:30PM |
2R-A | August 1 | Algae Treatment | 6:00AM – 2:30PM |
17R-A | August 6 | Algae Treatment | 6:00AM – 2:30PM |
21R | August 7 – 8 | Transformer Maintenance | 6:00AM – 6:00AM |
14R-B & C | August 8 | Algae Treatment | 6:00AM – 2:30PM Affected Meters (114075-114180) |
17R | August 8 – 9 | Transformer Maintenance | 6:00AM – 6:00AM |
9L P-Line | August 9 – 10 | Transformer Maintenance | 6:00AM – 6:00AM |
13L P-Line | August 12 – 13 | Transformer Maintenance | 6:00AM – 6:00AM |
15L P-Line | August 13 – 14 | Transformer Maintenance | 6:00AM – 6:00AM |
13R-A | August 14 -15 | Transformer Maintenance | 6:00AM to 6:00AM |
7R-C | August 15 – 16 | Transformer Maintenance | 6:00AM – 6:00AM |
6-1 | August 16 | Transformer Maintenance | 6:00AM –2:30PM |
7R-A & B, C | August 19 | Algae Treatment | 6:00AM – 2:30PM |
29R-A | August 20 | Algae Treatment | 6:00AM – 2:30PM |
1R-4.0C & D | August 21 | Algae Treatment | 6:00AM – 2:30PM Affected Meters (101230-101300) |
Coalinga Canal | August 22 – 23 | Algae Treatment | 6:00AM – 6:00AM |
13R-A | August 29 | Algae Treatment | 6:00AM – 2:30PM |
2024-2025 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 2024-2025.
Week | Division Valves to be inspected | Pumping Plant |
---|---|---|
9/30/2024 | 26-1.7 | 26L |
10/7/2024 | 25R | |
10/14/2024 | 5-6.0 | 5L |
10/14/2024 | PVPP | |
10/21/2024 | 14RA, 14RB, 14RC | |
10/28/2024 | 29-0.1 | 29RA, 29RB |
11/4/2024 | 8-5.0 | 8L |
11/18/2024 | 14-3.5, 14-5.5, 14-7.5, 14-10.5 | 14L |
12/2/2024 | 28R-1.0 | 28RA, 28RB, 28R-1.0W |
12/9/2024 | 9L | |
12/16/2024 | 11-2.0 | 11L |
1/6/2025 | 18R | |
1/13/2025 | 23L |
RESOURCES MANAGEMENT
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.
Westlands Water Quality Coalition Members
Kori Peterson: (559) 241-6231 or wwqc@wwd.ca.gov
In February, the Coalition hosted the Annual Member Outreach Event. As part of the General Order, WWQC members are required to attend an outreach event on an annual basis. The deadline to complete this requirement is July 31, 2024. If you have not fulfilled the Annual Outreach requirement, the “2024 WWQC Member Outreach Event” video is now available to watch on the Coalition Website.
The 2023 crop year Irrigation and Nitrogen Management Plan (INMP) Reports were due on March 1, 2024. All INMP submissions are required to be completed on the Coalition Website.
The Coalition prohibits agricultural discharges into the westside creeks, including discharges due to filtration system backflushing, irrigation leaks, and tailwater runoff. These discharges are also considered a waste of water and are violations of the District’s “Article 2 – Regulations for the Allocation and use of Agricultural Water Within Westlands Water District”. Members are required to implement Best Management Practices to ensure there are no discharges to the westside creeks.
Sustainable Groundwater Management Act (SGMA) Update
Antonio Solorio: (559) 241-6244 or sgma@wwd.ca.gov
Please review Article 1, Regulations for the Groundwater Allocation Program and Use of Groundwater within the Westside Subbasin. The District hosted a Virtual Groundwater Allocation Program Workshop on May 30, 2024 to present Article 1. Rules and Regulations and is available to view on the Water User Portal under workshops.
Please note that Groundwater Users must apply for voluntary participation in the Groundwater Allocation Program to receive a groundwater allocation. Per Section 1.4 of the Rules and Regulations, installation of groundwater flow meters is mandatory on all wells regardless of participation in the Groundwater Allocation Program.
The next Advisory and Technical Advisory Committee Meetings are scheduled for August 27, 2024 at 9:00am.
Low-Interest Irrigation or Recharge Equipment Lease Program
Kori Peterson: (559) 241-6231 or kpeterson@wwd.ca.gov
The District increased the loan amount for the Expanded Irrigation System Improvement or Recharge Program (EISIRP). The District’s EISIRP now 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.
Irrigation Evaluation Cost Share Rebate
Kori Peterson: (559) 241-6231 or kpeterson@wwd.ca.gov
Cal Poly’s Irrigation Training & Research Center (ITRC) received funding from the California Department of Water Resources (DWR) to bring back the Summer Irrigation Evaluation Program. ITRC will be hosting Ongoing Irrigation Evaluations throughout the Central Valley from June 24th to September 6th, 2024. The link to ITRC’s website and a flyer with more information are available on the Water Use Efficiency page of the District’s website.
The District is offering Water Users a rebate for mobile lab services. Mobile lab services perform irrigation system evaluations by measuring water rate application, and system distribution uniformity, and by providing efficiency improvement recommendations. The amount of rebate per field evaluation is limited to 25% of the invoice or $500, whichever is less. Funds are limited, and availability is on a first-come, first-served basis. Applications and information are available on the Water Use Efficiency page on the District’s website.
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, damaged transformers, and damaged or missing meters. Before contacting PG&E, you will need the following information available: your prior PG&E meter number or account number. This information may also be included in the GWMP/ISMP application(s).
No. 746