This notice regards:
ITEMS TO NOTE
Assessment Equalization Hearing
Jessie Xiong: (559) 241-6212
At the equalization hearing on May 17, 2022, the Board of Directors established the District’s 2022 Benefit Assessment, which constitutes liens on each parcel of land assessed, due, and payable as of May 17, 2022. Statements will be mailed in June and the assessments are delinquent after November 17, 2022.
Storage Treatment Aquifer Recharge (STAR) Facilities Update
Jose Gutierrez: (559) 241-6215 or jgutierrez@wwd.ca.gov
District staff and consultants updated the Westlands Board of Directors on the proposed STAR facilities. The Board directed staff to continue evaluating the feasibility of building the facilities to recharge the subbasin and create new water supplies for growers. The District is investigating sites in subsidence-prone areas to install recharge wells.
Sustainable Groundwater Management Act (SGMA) Update
Antonio Solorio: (559) 241-6244 or sgma@wwd.ca.gov
Monday, May 23, 2022, at 9:00 a.m. – Special Board of Directors meeting to consider adopting certain sections of the Draft Rules and Regulations; Sections 1.3, 1.5 through 1.9, 1.11, 1.12, and 1.17 (such as the Groundwater Allocation Program, Subsidence Prone Area, and Penalties), that support the implementation of the Westside Subbasin Groundwater Sustainability Plan (GSP).
The District is working with its consultants and the Department of Water Resources to develop and revise the GSP based on DWR’s comment. The District anticipates submitting the revised GSP in June.
The next regular Advisory Committee (AC) and Technical Advisory Committee (TAC) meetings are scheduled for May 24, 2022, at 9:00 a.m.
2022-2023 Supplemental Water Application – Response May Be Required
Customer Service Representative: (559) 241-6250
As of May 17, 2022, the total request for 2022-23 Supplemental Water is 158,248 acre-feet on 389,390 acres. The District is planning to acquire Supplemental Water from multiple sources for the 2022-2023 water contract year. It is estimated that the District can acquire 20,000 to 25,000 acre-feet of Supplemental Water and the delivered price to water users will range from $1,350 to $1,500 per acre-foot. The majority of the Supplemental Water is currently planned to be made available to water users in late summer to early fall.
When Supplemental Water is made available for allocation, the quantity made available to a water user’s account is a proration based upon the water available at that time and the number of irrigable acres associated with accounts that have outstanding requests. When an account’s request has been fulfilled, it will no longer receive water, and the irrigable acres associated with that account will not be factored into subsequent allocations. Accordingly, water users with relatively high per-acre requests will receive the bulk (increment above the pro-rata amount) of their request later, if water is available.
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 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.
If you would like to submit a late request for the Supplemental Water program, please complete the agreement, included in the April 22, 2022 Landowner Notice, and return it to the Fresno Office. Late requests will be filled on a first-come, first-served basis after timely requests are filled. Please direct questions to your Customer Service Representative at (559) 241-6250.
Westlands Water District Announces Scholarship Application Period
Westlands Water District Westside Scholarship is receiving applications. Seniors from the following westside high schools are eligible to apply for the District’s scholarship: Avenal, Coalinga, Firebaugh, Hanford Joint Union High Schools, Lemoore, Mendota, Riverdale, and Tranquillity. Each scholarship recipient will receive $1,000 to be used for accredited post-secondary education expenses. Applicants will be judged on their academic performance, school activities, essay, and community leadership. The deadline to apply is May 22nd. For an application and list of instructions, visit the District’s Education & Outreach webpage.
2022-2023 Land-Based Charges Due
Jessie Xiong: (559) 241-6212
The bills for the 2022-2023 Land-Based Charges were mailed on March 10, 2022, with the first installment due March 25, 2022, and the second installment due September 26, 2022. A penalty will be added to unpaid charges on the day following the payment due date.
GWMP Meter Installation and Well Modifications
Alex Young: (559) 884-2523 ext. 122 or ayoung@wwd.ca.gov
District staff continues installing meters on groundwater wells and as such will be reaching out to well owners regarding mechanical and pipeline discharge modifications and installation schedules.
The District would like to remind water users that meters installed on groundwater wells for compliance with the approved Groundwater Sustainability Plan are owned by the District and should not be adjusted or moved by water users or their staff. If water users observe installation issues, would like to connect their own AMI or monitoring system, or are planning to abandon a well and want to move the meter to a new site, please contact District staff so the issue can be resolved.
To connect privately owned AMI or monitoring systems to a District-owned meter, then please contact Water Measurement Specialist, John Johnston at 559-884-2523 ext. 131.
Please report meter issues, and do not remove or replace District-owned meters.
Holiday Office Closures & Water Ordering Procedures
District offices will be closed on Monday, May 30, 2022, in observance of Memorial Day. The affected water ordering deadlines are as follows:
| For Water Use On | Place Water Order By |
|---|---|
| Saturday or Sunday – May 28 or 29 | Friday, May 27, 9:30 a.m. |
| Monday or Tuesday- May 30 or May 31 | Friday, May 27, noon |
WATER SUPPLY
2022-2023 CVP Contract Allocation
On February 23, 2022, the Bureau of Reclamation announced an initial 2022-23 Central Valley Project (CVP) allocation of 0% for South of Delta agricultural water contractors. Given the very low storage currently in CVP reservoirs, it is likely that the allocation to South of Delta agricultural water contractors will remain at 0%.
2022-2023 Water Supply Update
The Central Valley Project (CVP) currently has approximately 4.67 million acre-feet of water stored in northern CVP reservoirs; this represents 59% of the 15-year average. Shasta Reservoir storage is approximately 1.82 million acre-feet; 52% of the 15-year average. Federal storage in San Luis Reservoir is 351,000 acre-feet; 61% of the 15-year average. Jones Pumping Plant has operated at about 21% capacity this month.
Rescheduled and Carryover Water
Water users will continue to have access to carryover water throughout the 2022-2023 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 rescheduled and carried over water remaining in water user accounts each month until the District delivers all remaining carryover water. Neither the types of water in an account nor participation in the Supplemental Water program are factors that affect the amount of water that a water user can carryover under the District’s Rescheduling Guidelines. It is possible due to water users’ use of other water types, when the loss is prorated, the percentage of loss applied will be less than 1%. The District is reviewing all costs associated with this water and will be posting appropriate charges to affected water user accounts.
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 Westlands’ Website
Water users should 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 the 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. In addition, meters found running without a valid water order may be subject to a portion of or entire lateral monitoring fee of $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
Cross Connections and District Facility Protection
Field Engineering Staff: 559-884-2523
District facilities and adjacent water user property have suffered minor damages due to cross-connections with the District’s distribution system. We understand that flexibility is needed to connect and operate on-farm irrigation systems. Consideration needs to be given to the District’s distribution system when cross-connecting groundwater wells and other sources of water to protect District pipelines, tanks, reservoirs, and adjacent private property from damage. For assistance on proper connections, please contact District Field Engineering staff.
Planned Maintenance Shutdown Schedule 2022
Jimmy Weedin: (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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Coalinga Canal | May 24 | Algae Treatment | Limit 100 CFS |
| 13R | June 1 | Algae Treatment | 13R-A Reservoir Treatment 6:00 am – 4:00 pm |
| 2R | June 2 | Algae Treatment | 2R-A and 2R-B Reservoir Treatment 6:00 am – 4:00 pm |
| 17R | June 9 | Algae Treatment | 17R-B and 17R-C Reservoir Treatment 6:00 am – 4:00 pm |
| 14RB & C Reaches | June 16 | Algae Treatment | 14RB Reservoir Treatment 6:00 am – 4:00 pm |
| 12R | June 20-22 | DWR Dive Inspection | 6:00 am – 3:30 pm |
| 16L | June 20-22 | DWR Dive Inspection | 6:00 am – 3:30 pm |
| Coalinga Canal | June 21 | Algae Treatment | Limit 100 CFS |
| 1R-4.0C & D Reaches | June 22 | Algae Treatment | 1R-4.0C Reservoir Treatment 6:00 am – 4:00 pm |
| 13R | June 29 | Algae Treatment | 13R-A Reservoir Treatment 6:00 am – 4:00 pm |
| 2R | June 30 | Algae Treatment | 2R-A and 2R-B Reservoir Treatment 6:00 am – 4:00 pm |
| 17R | July 7 | Algae Treatment | 17R-B and 17R-C Reservoir Treatment 6:00 am – 4:00 pm |
| 14RB & C Reaches | July 19 | Algae Treatment | 14RB Reservoir Treatment 6:00 am – 4:00 pm |
| Coalinga Canal | July 20 | Algae Treatment | Limit 100 CFS |
| 1R-4.0C & D Reaches | July 21 | Algae Treatment | 1R-4.0C Reservoir Treatment 6:00 am – 4:00 pm |
Advanced Notice of 2022-2023 Quinquennial Inspection and Repair Shutdown Schedule
Jimmy Weedin: (559) 884-2523 ext. 108
The following table lists the District’s general order and initial dates planned for pumping plant system inspection and repair shutdown schedule for fiscal year 2022-2023.
| Week | Division Valves to be inspected | Pumping Plant |
|---|---|---|
| September 26, 2022 | 12-0.5 | 12L |
| October 3 | 21L | |
| October 10 | 30-1.3 | 30L |
| October 17 | 27-5.0 | 27L |
| October 24 | 28-2.0, 3.0, & 4.0 | 28L |
| October 31 | PV9-1.5 | PV9 |
| November 14 | 1RA, 1R-2.0B, & 1R-4.0B | |
| December 5 | 1R-4.0C & 1R-4.0D | |
| December 12 | 1R-4.0-1.0C & 1R-4.0-1.0D | |
| January 9, 2023 | 3R | |
| January 23 | 10L | |
| January 30 | 29-1.0 | 29L |
| February 6 | 34L | |
| February 13 | 19L | |
| February 27 | 1L |
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.
Low-Interest Irrigation Equipment Lease Program
Juan Pacheco: (559) 241-6228 or jpacheco@wwd.ca.gov
In October 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 system and recharge project equipment. Water users who plan to install a 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 $45,000, 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.
Water Ordering Procedures for Pumps Enrolled in District Power Programs
The District’s Groundwater Management Program and Temporary Diversion Program provide Western Area Power Administration energy to temporary diversion pumps, groundwater pumps, and drip system booster pumps. The District’s Terms and Conditions for Agricultural Water Service apply to water delivered under the Groundwater 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 the District’s power program. 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.
Canal Integration Program and Distribution Integration Project
The District is currently offering the Canal Integration Program (CIP) and Distribution Integration Program (DIP) and it planning to update its website to include information for water users who wish to participate. The CIP and DIP provide water users the flexibility to manage water supplies throughout the District. Information of the two programs will be posted here on District’s Website.
For more information regarding the CIP please contact David Vang at dvang@wwd.ca.gov. For more information regarding the DIP please contact Antonio Solorio at asolorio@wwd.ca.gov.
Westlands Water Quality Coalition Members
Kori Peterson: (559) 241-6231 or kpeterson@wwd.ca.gov
Zac Just: (559)241-6245 or zjust@wwd.ca.gov
The deadline for members to complete the Member Outreach requirement is July 31, 2022. If you have not completed your outreach requirement, please log on to the Coalition website and watch one of the recorded videos District’s Ilrpdb Website.
Please contact the Coalition with any questions.