This notice regards:
Items to Note
2025-2026 Land-Based Charges Due
Jessie Xiong:(559) 241-6212
The 2025-2026 Land-Based Charges bills were mailed on March 5, 2025, with the first installment was due March 25, 2025, and the second installment will be due September 25, 2025. A penalty will be added to unpaid charges on the day following the payment due date, and interest will accrue on unpaid penalties. Land-based statements are now accessible online through the web user portal under E-Docs.
New Customer Service Text Messaging Testing
Text messaging (SMS) with Customer Service is a capability we will be testing over the next few months. The District will select a small pool of accounts to test the feature with prior to a full District roll out. The SMS feature allows water users and landowners to contact their Customer Accounting Representative or the general Customer Accounting line directly via text message.
2024-2025 Other Water Use Priority
As directed by the Board, carryover 2024-2025 Other Water will be given highest priority of use, meaning it will be used first. This applies only to accounts with a balance of this specific water type.
Assessment Equalization Hearing
Jessie Xiong: (559) 241-6212
The Board of Directors, acting as a Board of Equalization, conducted an equalization hearing for the District’s 2025 benefit assessment and adopted Resolution No. 108-25 equalizing the District’s 2025 benefit assessment and setting the assessment rates. The assessment book was filed with the Tax Collector on May 20, 2025, thereby constituting a lien on each parcel of land assessed, due and payable as of May 20, 2025. 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 $12.87 per acre. The rate of assessment for each acre under the land use category of Eligible for CVP Allocation is $31.33 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 $44.20 per acre. Statements will be mailed in June with a due date of November 20, 2025. Assessments paid after the due date will be considered delinquent.
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, matching 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.
1-for-1 Facilitated Transfers
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 your surface water balance is leading you to recharge, please consider offering to exchange your surface water for groundwater credits. One of the key benefits of this exchange is the elimination of losses for growers who are long on surface water. The District will be facilitating 1-for-1 transfers and will match users under this program. Current-year CVP water is eligible for the program on a 1AF for 1AF basis. Please contact your Customer Service Representative to submit your information.
Holiday Office Closures & Water Ordering Procedures
District offices will be closed on Monday, May 26, 2025, 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 24 or 25 | Friday, May 23, 9:30 a.m. |
| Monday or Tuesday- May 26 or 27 | Friday, May 23, noon |
The emergency telephone number for after hours and holidays is (559) 224-1523.
2025-2026 Budget, Water Rates, Charges and Land-Based Charges Approved
On April 28, 2025, the United States Bureau of Reclamation (USBR) announced an increase in the CVP allocation from 40% to 50% for South-of-Delta contract. The Board approved updated rates at their May 20th, 2025 regular meeting. The updated rates were calculated to reflect this increase in water supply and applied retroactively to March 1, 2025. The new rates were posted to the District’s website and associated adjustments to your account were included in the April billing.
The complete list of 2025–2026 rates, charges, and credits is available on the District’s website. From the homepage, click Water Management, then click Water Rates.
2025-2026 Supplemental Water Update
Customer Accounting Representative: (559) 241-6250
Supplemental Water Applications were due on March 31, 2025. Due to remaining unsubscribed amounts, the District extended the subscription period to April 23, 2025. The final subscribed amount was 19,008 AF. The estimated delivered cost for Supplemental is $500-$600/AF.
In accordance with Board direction the remainder of unsubscribed supplemental water has been allocated to water user’s accounts as 2025-2026 Other Water and will be charged at the standard contract rate.
WATER SUPPLY
2025-2026 Water Supply Update
The CVP currently has approximately 10,094,000 acre-feet (AF) of water stored in northern CVP reservoirs; this represents 121% of the 15-year average and a decrease of 208,000 AF compared to last month. Shasta Reservoir storage is approximately 4,279,000 AF; 117% of the 15-year average. CVP storage in San Luis Reservoir (SLR) is 691,000 AF; 110% of the 15-year average. Since May 1, total exports averaged 1,7088 cubic feet per second (cfs) with the Jones and Banks Pumping Plants averaging 1,172 cfs and 536 cfs, respectively. Exports were limited to 100% of the 3 day running average of flow at Vernalis, which will allow for a 1-2 units operation through May 19. Current exports at Jones PP increased to 3,500 cfs and are expected to maintain a four unit operation through the end of the month.
Projected 2025-2026 CVP Contract Allocation
The hydrology in the San Joaquin and Tulare basins continues to be below normal. Fortunately, hydrology in the Sacramento basin and storage in CVP reservoirs are above normal. The current CVP allocation is 50%. The District expects that Reclamation will announce an allocation increase next week. It is likely that the May allocation to South Delta agricultural repayment contractors, will be 55-60%. The final allocation will depend on the actual hydrology, especially in the watersheds that produce runoff in the upper Sacramento River basin and the accumulated snowpack in the San Joaquin River basin.
Other Water Allocation
The District received 19,008 AF in requests for Supplemental Water, which was fulfilled on April 30th. The District allocated 22,752 AF of excess Supplemental Water to Other Water, per the direction of the Board of Directors, which will be priced at the 2025-2026 CVP contract rate. Another allocation of Other Water is expected in June and could range from 12,300 AF to 38,300 AF.
2025-2026 Water Rescheduling
Russ Freeman: (559) 241-6241
The District was limited to rescheduling approximately 119,000 acre-feet into the 2025-26 water contract year. The water remaining at contract year-end in excess of the rescheduling limit was lost according to the District’s Rescheduling Policy. Because San Luis Reservoir did not fill, the Rescheduling Period for remaining water will extend to February 28, 2026. Cap Loss was applied after adjusting for internal transfers and posted to accounts on March 14th. As a reminder, if a water user loses water, the District will bill the water user for all costs associated with the lost water.
The Bureau of Reclamation in its Rescheduling Guidelines for San Luis Reservoir 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, 2025, 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.
2025-2026 Groundwater Allocation
Customer Service Representative: (559) 241-6250
On March 12, 2025, the District allocated 0.6 AF of 2025-2026 SGMA Groundwater, and 0.5 AF of 2025-2026 SGMA Transition Groundwater to those who applied for it. Groundwater users that intend to pump groundwater during the 2025-2026 water year should submit a Groundwater Allocation Application to the District to avoid penalties.
Late and revised applications for the 2025-2026 Groundwater Allocation are being accepted until July 31, 2025. However, the groundwater allocation may not be available until 45 days from the date the late or revised application is accepted.
All Groundwater Users are subject to the District’s Rules and Regulations. The groundwater allocation is made at the parcel level to all eligible gross acres (also referred to as assessed acres). If multiple Allocation Applications are submitted for the same parcel of land, priority will be given to the landowner, in accordance with the District’s Rules and Regulations. If neither applicant is the landowner, priority will be given to the water user who provides evidence of their 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 District Web Site.
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 $848.85. 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 continued 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.
Meter and Valve Access
Operations: 559-884-2523
Emergency situations regarding maintenance and repair of the District’s distribution can require the immediate operation of division valves, ground valves, and in some situations the draining of an entire Lateral. In order to make repairs in a timely manner and protect staff during these repairs it is important to be mindful of accessibility issues and avoid placing chemical tanks and equipment immediately adjacent to ground valves, meters, and above ground appurtenances. If you have questions on the location of the District’s distribution system, please contact your area operator or Supervisor of Operations, Chuck Serrano.
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 Schedule 2025-26
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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Coalinga Canal | May 21 | Algae Treatment | 7:00AM – 7:00AM |
| 13RA | May 29 | Algae Treatment | 7:00AM – 3:30PM |
| 2RA | June 3 | Algae Treatment | 6:00AM – 2:30PM |
| 17RA | June 5 | Algae Treatment | 6:00AM – 2:30PM |
| 14RB, C | June 9 | Algae Treatment | 6:00AM – 2:30PM |
| 16RA | June 10 | Algae Treatment | 6:00AM – 2:30PM |
| 7RA, B, C | June 17 | Algae Treatment | 6:00AM – 2:30PM |
| 29RA | June 18 | Algae Treatment | 6:00AM – 2:30PM |
| 1R-4.0C, D | June 19 | Algae Treatment | 6:00AM – 2:30PM |
| Coalinga Canal | June 23 | Algae Treatment | 6:00AM – 6:00AM |
| 13RA | June 30 | 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 9 | Algae Treatment | 6:00AM – 2:30PM |
| 16RA | July 10 | Algae Treatment | 6:00AM – 2:30PM |
| 7RA, B, C | July 16 | Algae Treatment | 6:00AM – 2:30PM |
| 29RA | July 17 | Algae Treatment | 6:00AM – 2:30PM |
| 1R-4.0C, D | July 21 | Algae Treatment | 6:00AM – 2:30PM |
| Coalinga Canal | July 22 | Algae Treatment | 6:00AM – 2:30PM |
| 13RA | July 23 | Algae Treatment | 6:00AM – 2:30PM |
2025-2026 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 2025-2026.
| Week | Division Valves to be inspected | Pumping Plant |
|---|---|---|
| 9/29/25 | 25L | |
| 10/6/25 | 32-2.0 | 32L |
| 10/13/25 | PV4 | |
| 10/20/25 | 23R | |
| 10/27/25 | PV6 | |
| 11/3/25 | 31-1.5 | 31L |
| 11/17/25 | 6-1 & 6-2 | |
| 12/8/25 | 3-2.7 | 3L |
| 12/15/25 | 7RA, 7RB, 7RC, 7RD | |
| 1/5/26 | 11R | |
| 1/12/26 | 4-0.5 | 4L |
| 1/26/26 | 17RA, 17RB, 17RC | |
| 2/2/26 | 33-2.0 | 33L |
| 2/9/26 | 22L | |
| 2/23/26 | 24L |
RESOURCES MANAGEMENT
Westlands Multibenefit Land Repurposing Program
Shelly Ruiz: (559) 241-6228 or sruiz@wwd.ca.gov
There is an opportunity for growers and interested parties to attend the District’s Multibenefit Land Repurposing Program (Program) Steering Committee (SC) and/or Outreach Advisory Committee (OAC) meetings. The next OAC/SC Meetings are scheduled for Wednesday, June 18, 2025, at 11:00am and 1:00pm, respectively.
The Program vision is to develop a Subbasin-wide land repurposing program to implement projects that repurpose agricultural land to reduce reliance on groundwater while providing community health, economic well-being, water supply, habitat, and climate benefits. The purpose of the SC is to provide advice and recommendations to the District GSA regarding the Program Plan, and to evaluate potential repurposing projects for feasibility and their ability to provide lasting benefits in the Westside Subbasin. The purpose of the OAC is to promote collaboration and develop an outreach and communication approach in the development of the Program Plan, support Program engagement events and activities, and address comments.
Low-Interest Irrigation or Recharge Equipment Lease Program
Kori Frauenheim: (559) 241-6231 or kfrauenheim@wwd.ca.gov
The District’s Expanded Irrigation System Improvement or Recharge Program (EISIRP) offers low-interest loans of up to $200,000, to water users for the lease-purchase of irrigation systems and recharge project equipment. At the March 2025 meeting, the Board of Directors reauthorized use of additional Public Purpose Program (P3) funding for cost share under the EISIRP. Accordingly, 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 EISIRP/P3 Grant. Additional information is available on the EISIRP and P3 pages on the District’s website.
Westlands Water Quality Coalition Members
Kori Frauenheim: (559) 241-6231 or wwqc@wwd.ca.gov
The 2024 crop year Irrigation and Nitrogen Management Plan (INMP) Summary Reports were due on March 1st, 2025. All INMP submissions are required to be completed on the New WWQC Member Portal Website.
The Coalition hosted its annual member outreach meeting virtually on February 4th, 2025. If you have not fulfilled the Annual Outreach requirement, the “2025 WWQC Annual Outreach Meeting” video is now available to watch on the New WWQC Member Portal Website.
The Coalition prohibits agricultural discharges into the westside creeks, including discharges du 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.
Irrigation Evaluation Cost Share Rebate
Kori Frauenheim: (559) 241-6231 – kfrauenheim@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 Drip Irrigation Evaluations within the District from June 23rd through June 27th and throughout the Central Valley through mid-September. 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.
Sustainable Groundwater Management Act (SGMA) Update
Antonio Solorio: (559) 241-6244 – sgma@wwd.ca.gov
As you plan your water budget for the new contract year, which began on March 1, 2025, 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 2025-26 Contract Year Groundwater Allocation is 1.1 AF per Gross Acre.
The next Advisory and Technical Advisory Committee Meetings are tentatively scheduled for May 29, 2025, at 9:00am.
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.
The District no longer consents to irrigate, from any source, leased District land. All new leases will be non-irrigable.
Groundwater and Irrigation System Management Program Outage Information
Jennifer Montoya: (559) 241-6242 – jmontoya@wwd.ca.gov; or
Brent Dragomanovich: (559) 241-6245 – bdragomanovich@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, and damaged transformers. Please contact the District for any damaged or missing meters. Before contacting PG&E, you will need your service location, for example NW NW Section-Township-Range. This information may also be included in the GWMP/ISMP application(s).
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 application, 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.
Water Ordering Procedures for Pumps Enrolled in District Power Programs
The District’s Groundwater Management Program, Irrigation System Management and Temporary Diversion Program 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.
Bollibokka Reservations Details
Reservations are being accepted for the Bollibokka, McCloud River property. The Bollibokka McCloud River property is very private, located along seven miles of the McCloud River immediately upstream of Shasta Lake. The McCloud River is esteemed for its beauty and is renowned as a premier stream for trout fishing in the world. To protect this unique fishery, all fishing is catch and release, fly only, and barbless hooks.
The reservation season begins on April 23, 2025, and ends on November 10, 2025. 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 $6,671.00 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 $10,309.00 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 Bryan Quick of The Fly Shop at:
Phone Number: (800) 669-3474
Fax Number: (530) 222-3555
Email: bryan@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.
No. 774