This notice regards:
Items to Note
2024-2025 Land-Based Charges Due
Pang Vang:(559) 241-6222
The 2024-2025 Land-Based Charges bills were mailed on March 10, 2024. The first installment was due March 25, 2024, and the second installment is due September 25, 2024. A penalty will be added to unpaid charges on the day following the payment due date.
Benefit Assessment Equalization Hearing
Pang Vang: (559) 241-6222 or Stephen Farmer: (559) 241-6240
The Board of Directors, acting as a Board of Equalization, conducted an equalization hearing for the District’s 2024 benefit assessment and adopted Resolution No. 107-24 equalizing the District’s 2024 benefit assessment and setting the assessment rates. The assessment book was filed with the Tax Collector on May 21, 2024, thereby constituting a lien on each parcel of land assessed, due and payable as of May 21, 2024. The benefit assessment is charged to each parcel based on its acreage and land use category. The rate of assessment for each acre under the land use category of Eligible for Other Water Supply is $12.56 per acre. The rate of assessment for each acre under the land use category of Eligible for CVP Allocation is $30.58 per acre. Since acreage eligible for CVP Allocation is also eligible for Other Water Supply, the total assessment for CVP Allocation will be the sum of the two, or $43.14 per acre. Statements will be mailed in June with a due date of November 21, 2024. Assessments paid after the due date will be considered delinquent.
2024-2025 Budget, Water Rates, Charges
Water Users delivering Contract Water in Areas 1 and 3 can expect to pay $187.56 per acre-foot (AF) at the end of the month. Water Users taking delivery of Contract Water in Area 2 can expect to pay $191.21 per AF at the end of the month. This is based upon a budget volume of 459,688 AF of water to be delivered in the Contract Year, assuming a 25% allocation. As the anticipated delivery volumes change, the rates charged will be adjusted.
Water Users who lease their well pumps and booster pumps to the District, under the Groundwater Management/ISMP programs can expect to pay an implied rate of $0.17 per kWh that will be charged to the Water User as a variable rate across the AF pumped. This is based upon a pumped volume of 75,000 AF. As the volumes pumped change from the budget, the rates charged may be adjusted.
The complete list of 2024-2025 rates, charges, and credits is available on the District’s website. From the home page, click Water Management, then click Water Rates. The Board will consider revised rates and charges to reflect the most current CVP allocation at the June meeting.
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, May 27, 2024, 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 25 or 26 | Friday, May 24, 9:30 a.m. |
| Monday or Tuesday – May 27 or 28 | Friday, May 24, noon |
2024-2025 Supplemental Water Application – Response May Be Required
Customer Service Representative: (559) 241-6250
The District is planning to acquire Supplemental Water from multiple sources for the 2024-2025 water contract year. The cost of Supplemental Water is estimated to be $500 to $600 per AF and District anticipates that a substantial allocation of Supplemental Water to Water Users could occur in early June.
When Supplemental Water is made available for allocation, the quantity allocated to a Water User’s account is a proration based on 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 allocations, 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 be part of the 2024-2025 Supplemental Water program, please complete the enclosed agreement and return it to the Fresno Office by the close of business on May 31, 2024, by one of the following means:
- Mail to: Westlands Water District, P.O. Box 5199, Fresno, CA 93755. You may also hand deliver the agreement to the District’s Fresno Office, 286 W. Cromwell Ave, Fresno, CA 93711.
- Scan and email: customeraccounting@wwd.ca.gov
- Facsimile to: (559) 241-6276
Agreements not received at the District or postmarked by the due date will not be considered timely. Late requests will be filled on a first-come, first-served basis after timely requests are filled.
Virtual Groundwater Allocation Program Workshop
The District will host a Virtual Groundwater Allocation Program Workshop on May 30, 2024 at 3:00 p.m. to present Article 1. Rules and Regulations and provide the public with an opportunity to ask questions.
The next Advisory and Technical Advisory Committee Meetings are scheduled for June 4, 2024 at 9:00am.
WATER SUPPLY
2024-2025 CVP Contract Allocation
On April 24, 2024, the Bureau of Reclamation increased the 2024-25 Central Valley Project (CVP) allocation from 35% to 40% for south of Delta agricultural water contractors. The allocation is based on operational projections including hydrologic information and conservative estimates for CVP operations going forward. Reclamation will make additional allocation announcements based on updated hydrologic and operational information, as it is available. The timing for Reclamation’s next allocation announcement is uncertain and unlikely to include a substantial increase in supply to south of Delta agricultural water contractors.
The final allocation, is expected by June. District staff projects that the allocation, under a median operational scenario, could be 45-50%. The District will continue to monitor and timely-report any changes to the CVP allocation.
2024-2025 Water Supply Update
The CVP currently has approximately 10,317,000 acre-feet (AF) of water stored in northern CVP reservoirs; this represents 124% of the 15-year average. Shasta Reservoir storage is approximately 4,378,000 AF; 119% of the 15-year average. Federal storage in San Luis Reservoir is 802,000 AF; 127% of the 15-year average. Total exports are 4,100 cfs with the Jones and Banks Pumping Plants operating at 3,500 cfs and 600 cfs, respectively. CVP exports increased after meeting a 100,000 AF export reduction during April and May as required by the Interim Operation Agreement. Jones pumping is now constrained by a -2,500 cfs Old and Middle River (OMR) reverse flow requirement imposed by Agency Directors in response to elevated salvage rates of winter run salmon and San Joaquin River steelhead. Recent increases in San Joaquin flow to 8,000 cfs are supporting the increased CVP export.
2023-2024 Water Rescheduling
Russ Freeman: (559) 241-6241, Stephen Farmer: (559) 241-6240
The District was limited to rescheduling approximately 120,000 acre-feet into the 2024-25 water contract year, based on limits set by the Bureau of Reclamation in its Rescheduling Guidelines for San Luis Reservoir (Guidelines). The water remaining at contract year-end in excess of the rescheduling limit was lost according to the District’s Rescheduling Policy. The District considered SLR not full while implementing the District’s Rescheduling Policy and extended the Rescheduling Period to February 28, 2025. Cap Loss was applied after adjusting for internal transfers and posted to accounts on March 19th. Applicable water charges for lost water appeared on April water bills which were made available May 10, 2024.
The Guidelines provide for a 1% per month storage loss factor for evaporation and system losses. This loss factor will be prorated to rescheduled water remaining in Water User accounts on April 1, 2024, and each subsequent month, until the District delivers all of the rescheduled water. It is possible, due to Water Users’ use of other water types, that 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.
2024-2025 Groundwater Allocation
Customer Service Representative: (559) 241-6250
On March 22, 2024, the District allocated 0.6 AF of 2024-2025 SGMA Groundwater, and 0.6 AF of 2024-2025 SGMA Transitional Groundwater to those who applied for it. Groundwater users that intend to pump groundwater during the 2024-2025 water year should submit a Groundwater Allocation Application to the District to avoid penalties. Applications and revisions may be submitted until July 31, 2024.
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.
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 $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.
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.
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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 13RA | May 30 | Algae Treatment | 7:00AM – 3:30PM |
| 2RA | June 3 | Algae Treatment | 6:00AM – 2:30PM |
| 17RA | June 6 | Algae Treatment | 6:00AM – 2:30PM |
| 14RB & C | June 11 | Algae Treatment | 6:00AM – 2:30PM Affected Meters (114075-114180) |
| 7RA & B, C | June 17 | Algae Treatment | 6:00AM – 2:30PM |
| 1R-4.0C & D | June 18 | Algae Treatment | 6:00AM – 2:30PM Affected Meters (101230-101300) |
| Coalinga Canal | June 20 – 21 | Algae Treatment | 6:00AM – 6:00AM |
| 13RA | June 24 | Algae Treatment | 6:00AM – 2:30PM |
| 2RA | July 2 | Algae Treatment | 6:00AM – 2:30PM |
| 17RA | July 3 | Algae Treatment | 6:00AM – 2:30PM |
| 14RB & C | July 10 | Algae Treatment | 6:00AM – 2:30PM Affected Meters (114075-114180) |
| 7RA & B, C | July 17 | Algae Treatment | 6:00AM – 2:30PM |
| 1R-4.0C & D | July 18 | Algae Treatment | 6:00AM – 2:30PM Affected Meters (101230-101300) |
| Coalinga Canal | July 23 – 24 | Algae Treatment | 6:00AM – 6:00AM |
| 13RA | July 24 | 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 |
| 10/21/2024 | 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.
Westlands Water Quality Coalition Members
Kori Peterson: (559) 241-6231 or wwqc@wwd.ca.gov
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 District hosted the Annual Member Outreach Event on February 6th. 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 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
As you plan your water budget for the new contract year, which began on March 1, 2024, please review Article 1, Regulations for the Groundwater Allocation Program and Use of Groundwater within the Westside Subbasin. 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.
At the May Board Meeting, the Board of Directors approved amending Sections 1.9B and 1.21B of the Article 1: Regulations for the Groundwater Allocation Program and Use of Groundwater within the Westside Subbasin. Section 1.9B changes the priority of groundwater use and Section 1.21B streamlines administrative revisions in the future.
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.
Distribution Integration Program
Antonio Solorio: asolorio@wwd.ca.gov
The District is currently offering the Distribution Integration Program (DIP) for Water Users who wish to participate. The DIP provides Water Users with the flexibility to develop and manage groundwater supplies for conveyance throughout the District. To be approved to participate in the DIP, Water Users must submit a DIP pplication, and a water quality report that demonstrates compliance with standards, receive approval from the other users along the respective DIP lateral, and construct an integration facility per District Specifications. Information about the program is posted on the CIP-DIP Page 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.
Water Ordering Procedures for Pumps Enrolled in District Power Programs
Jenny Montoya: (559) 241-6242 or jmontoya@wwd.ca.gov
The District’s Groundwater Management, Irrigation System Management, and Temporary Diversion Programs use lower-cost Western Area Power Administration energy to operate groundwater pumps, drip system booster pumps, and temporary diversion pumps, respectively. The District’s Terms and Conditions for Agricultural Water Service apply to water delivered under 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.
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, and damaged transformers. Before contacting PG&E, you will need the following information available: your prior PG&E meter number or service location. This information may also be included in the GWMP/ISMP application(s). If a power outage occurs at a facility enrolled in the District’s Temporary Diversion Program, please contact District staff for assistance.
No. 741