This notice regards:
Items to Note
Water User Conference Call User ID
Water User call participants can save time by signing up for a unique User ID. Upon calling into the meetings, you will be prompted to enter your 5-digit ID number in lieu of waiting for an operator to capture your name and contact information. To sign up visit Broaddata.com.
LandFlex Grant
The California Department of Water Resources awarded Westlands Water District (District) Groundwater Sustainability Agency (GSA) and three other GSAs a total of up to $12 million through the LandFlex Program (LandFlex). The distribution of funds will be based on eligible applications submitted by growers in each GSA.
To be considered for funding through LandFlex, willing and eligible growers must apply through the Grower Application Portal at landflex.org/apply by the deadline: June 28, 2023, at 5 p.m.
The District held an informational session on June 15th. Growers may view a recording of the presentation. The District encourages all interested growers to review the eligibility requirements and submit an application. Submission of an application is not a binding commitment.
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.
Assessment Equalization Hearing
Jessie Xiong: (559) 241-6212
At the equalization hearing on May 16, 2023, the Board of Directors established the District’s 2023 Benefit Assessment, which constitutes liens on each parcel of land assessed, due, and payable as of May 16, 2023. Statements were mailed on June 8, 2023, and the assessments are delinquent after November 16, 2023.
2023-2024 Land-Based Charges Due
Jessie Xiong:(559) 241-6212
The bills for the 2023-2024 Land-Based Charges were mailed on March 10, 2023, with the first installment due March 27, 2023, and the second installment due September 25, 2023. A penalty will be added to unpaid charges on the day following the payment due date.
Summer Hours of Operation
Effective June 5, 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.
Sustainable Groundwater Management Act (SGMA) Update
Antonio Solorio: (559) 241-6244 or sgma@wwd.ca.gov
The District recommends that water users take advantage of the surplus water by developing a recharge project for the Groundwater Credit Program. The 2023 Recharge Program 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.
The District is beneficially using the abundant supply of surface water available in the 2023-24 water contract year to recharge the Westside Subbasin. The District implemented the Zero Rate Surface Water Agreement and Private Recharge Facility Use for $100/AF Agreement on April 1, 2023. On June 20, 2023, the Board allocated additional water for the District’s recharge programs and combined the budgets for the Zero Rate and $100/AF programs. The Agreements can be found on the District’s website.
Holiday Office Closures & Water Ordering Procedures
The emergency telephone number for after-hours and holidays is (559) 224-1523
District offices will be closed Tuesday, July 4, 2023, for Independence Day. The affected water ordering deadlines are as follows:
| For Water Use On | Place Water Order By |
|---|---|
| Tuesday – July 4 | Monday, July 3, 9:30 a.m. |
| Wednesday – July 5 | Monday, July 3, 12:00 p.m. |
WATER SUPPLY
2023-2024 CVP Contract Allocation
On April 20, 2023, the Bureau of Reclamation increased the 2023-24 Central Valley Project (CVP) allocation from 80% to 100% for south of Delta agricultural water contractors. The District has made allocations to water users and met all requests for 2023-2024 CVP contract allocation from pre-merged, merged, and annexed lands.
With the 100% CVP South of Delta allocation and availability of Delta Division Section 215 Water, Water Users are encouraged to use surface water and refrain from pumping groundwater.
2023-2024 Water Supply Update
The CVP currently has approximately 9,667,000 AF of water stored in northern CVP reservoirs; this represents 125% of the 15-year average. Shasta Reservoir storage is approximately 4,369,000 AF; 129% of the 15-year average. Federal storage in San Luis Reservoir (SLR) is 962,000 AF (deemed full); 202% of the 15-year average. Jones Pumping Plant is operating to meet demands and keep SLR full.
2023-2024 Supplemental Water Update
Customer Service Representative: (559) 241-6250
On June 19, 2023, the District fulfilled all Supplemental Water requests by making 6,469 acre-feet (AF) available for allocation. The District has about 36,000 AF of Supplemental Water remaining. The delivered price is estimated to be $226/AF.
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 you would like to be part of the 2023-2024 Supplemental Water program, please complete the enclosed agreement and return it to the Fresno Office. Requests will be filled on a first-come, first-served basis, so long as Supplemental Water is available.
- Mail to: Westlands Water District, P.O. Box 6056, Fresno, CA 93703. You may also hand deliver the agreement to the District’s Fresno Office, at 3130 N. Fresno Street.
- Scan and email: customeraccounting@wwd.ca.gov
- Facsimile to: (559) 241-6276
2023-2024 Water Rescheduling
Russ Freeman: (559) 241-6241
The District will be limited to rescheduling approximately 120,000 acre-feet into the 2024-25 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:
- 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 0.26 – 0.35 acre-feet per acre remaining, assuming all eligible acres participate in rescheduling water. If the San Luis Reservoir fills, which is highly likely, 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 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 $734.01. 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.
2023-2024 Groundwater Allocation
Customer Service Representative: (559) 241-6250
On March 14, 2023, the District allocated 0.6 AF of 2023-2024 SGMA Groundwater, and 0.7 AF of SGMA Transitional Groundwater to those who applied for it. Groundwater users that intend to pump groundwater during the 2023-2024 Water Year should submit an allocation application to the District to avoid penalties. Applications and revisions may be turned in to the District until July 31, 2023.
Bollibokka Reservations Details
The reservation season begins on April 26, 2023, and ends on November 13, 2023. If you are interested in reserving a week for a fishing trip to Bollibokka, please review the following information and contact the manager listed below. Remember that for reservation purposes, the week begins on Wednesday morning and ends at sunset on the following Monday. The property is closed on Tuesdays for cleaning unless reserved for consecutive weeks. There are two accommodations available for rent on the property:
The Way Station is located on the upper two miles of the property. The Way Station can accommodate up to six guests, and that is also the maximum number of rods permitted on this portion of the river. The cost is $6,050 per week.
The Club House and Rock House are located on the lower five miles of the property. The two buildings can accommodate ten and four guests, respectively, and the maximum number of rods on this portion of the river is twelve. The cost is $9,350 per week.
The District is utilizing the experienced fly-fishing services of The Fly Shop in Redding, California to oversee property management activities and coordinate all uses of the property. Additionally, the Fly Shop has associations with many fly-fishing guides familiar with the McCloud River.
For more information, please contact Chris King of The Fly Shop at:
Phone Number: (800) 669-3474 Fax Number: (530) 222-3572
Email: chris@theflyshop.com
Mail: 4140 Churn Creek Road, Redding, CA 96002
For additional information, visit the Fly Shop’s website. The Fly Shop will try to accommodate all reservation requests on a first-come, first-serve basis. Once your reservation is accepted, The Fly Shop will provide a Confirmation Package, which contains directions to the facilities, updated policies, information on cooking and cleaning services, and additional contact information. Payment for your stay should be made directly to The Fly Shop.
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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 31L | June 19-June 21 | Pipeline Repair | 3 Day Shutdown |
| 29RB | June 19-June 23 | Pipeline Repair | 5 Day Shutdown |
| Coalinga Canal | June 2 | Algae Treatments | Limit 100 cfs |
| 29L | July 3 – July 6 | NASL Butterfly Valve Installation | 4 Day shutdown |
| 17RA Reservoir | July 5 | Algae Treatments | 17R-A Reservoir Treatment 6:00 am – 2:30 pm |
| 30L | July 1 – July 14 | NASL div. VLV Replacement | 5 Day Shutdown |
| 14RB & C | July 11 | Algae Treatments | 14-RB and 14-RC Reservoir Treatment 6:00 am – 2:30 pm |
| Coalinga Canal | July 19 | Algae Treatments | Limit 100 cfs |
| 1R-4.0C & D | July 20 | Algae Treatments | 1R-4.0C Reservoir Treatment 6:00 am – 2:30 pm |
| 13R | August 2 | Algae Treatments | 13R-A Reservoir Treatment 6:00 am – 2:30 pm |
| 2R | August 3 | Algae Treatments | 2R-A Reservoir Treatment 6:00 am – 2:30 pm |
| 17R | August 9 | Algae Treatments | 17R-A Reservoir Treatment 6:00 am – 2:30 pm |
| 14RB & C | August 17 | Algae Treatments | 14-RB and 14-RC Reservoir Treatment 6:00 am – 2:30 pm |
| 1R-4.0C & D | August 23 | Algae Treatments | 1R-4.0C Reservoir Treatment 6:00 am – 2:30 pm |
| Coalinga Canal | August 24 | Algae Treatments | Limit 100 cfs |
| 13R | August 30 | Algae Treatments | 13R-A Reservoir Treatment 6:00 am – 2:30 pm |
| 2R | August 31 | Algae Treatments | 2R-A Reservoir Treatment 6:00 am – 2:30 pm |
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 wwqc@wwd.ca.gov
In January, the Coalition hosted the Annual Member Outreach Workshop. 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 31st, 2023. If you have not fulfilled the Annual Outreach requirement, the “2023 WWQC Annual Outreach Event” video is now available to watch on the Coalition Website.
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.
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).
Water Ordering Procedures for Pumps Enrolled in District Power Programs
The District’s Terms and Conditions for Agricultural Water Service apply to water delivered under the Groundwater Management, Irrigation System Management, and Temporary Diversion programs. Accordingly, water users are required to place their water orders three days in advance if they are delivering water through a pump enrolled in these District programs. It is critical that water users comply with the ordering procedures to ensure that the District’s request for power to operate these facilities is accurate. Failure to place timely “on” or “off” orders will result in inaccurate power requests and increased power costs, which are then passed on to program participants.
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 EISIRP and P3 pages on the District’s website.
Irrigation Evaluation Cost Share Rebate
Kori Peterson: (559) 241-6231 or kpeterson@wwd.ca.gov
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.
No. 709