2017 General District Election Results
The District’s all-mail election for the Board of Directors took place on October 24, 2017, and three incumbents, Directors Daniel Errotabere, Donald Peracchi, and Sarah Clark Woolf were re-elected to their positions on the Board of Directors and Ryan Ferguson was newly elected to the Board. Following the election, a recount was requested (Notice #522) and held on November 7, 2017. The requestor was satisfied with the first day of the recount results (Notice #521) and subsequently formally abandoned his request for a recount of the District Election (Notice #523).
2017-2018 CVP Water Supply Update
The CVP currently has approximately 8.34 million acre-feet (AF) of water stored in northern CVP reservoirs. This represents 144 percent of the 15-year average. Storage in Shasta Reservoir is approximately 3.21 million AF; 137 percent of the 15-year average. Federal storage in San Luis Reservoir is approximately 782,000 AF; 179 percent of the 15-year average. Jones Pumping Plant has operated at about 65% of capacity this month, pumping approximately 149,000 AF. The current Agricultural Water Rate for 2017-2018 CVP water is $160.18 per AF. There remains some unallocated 2017-2018 CVP water available.
2018-2019 Rescheduling Outlook
Reclamation established a Rescheduled Water cap of 150,000 AF. The cap will limit the District’s share of Rescheduled Water into the 2018-2019 water contract year to about 100,000 AF. The District forecasts approximately 400,000 AF will be remaining in water users’ accounts at the end of the current water year. Based on the District’s current forecast, at least 300,000 AF would be lost. Losses are applied at the end of the Rescheduling Period, according to the District’s Rescheduled Water Policy.
Please Note: The District modified the application of loss method within the Rescheduling Policy from a loss proration based on volume (acre-feet) to a loss based on volume per acre (acre-feet/acre), from highest to lowest. That loss will be 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.
You are encouraged to log-in to your Westlands Water User account to track supply and plan your use for the remainder of the water contract year to avoid loss of allocated water. You are strongly encouraged to consider delivering surface water in-lieu of pumping groundwater. The Rescheduling Policy provides that for lost water, Water Users shall pay for any costs the District incurs, the San Luis & Delta-Mendota Water Authority O&M rate and any applicable District rates.
Revised 2017-2018 Land-Based Charges
The second installment of the 2017-2018 Revised Land Based Charges was due November 1, 2017. A penalty will be added to unpaid charges on the day following the payment due date. Please contact Deborah Tuggle at (559) 241-6212 for additional information about Land-Based Charges.
2017 Benefit Assessment
Assessment bills for the 2017 Benefit Assessment were mailed on October 31, 2017, and will be delinquent after March 19, 2018. A five percent penalty will be added after the delinquent date, and water service will not be provided. Please contact Deborah Tuggle at (559) 241-6212 for additional information about assessments.
Groundwater Sustainability Plan
The District’s Groundwater Sustainability Plan (GSP) Water User’s Technical Group will meet on December 7, 2017, at 2 P.M. at the District’s Five Points Shop and Field Office, located at 23050 W. Mt. Whitney, Five Points, CA 93624 to discuss the technical side of the District’s GSP development. If you are interested in participating in the District’s GSP development, contact Kiti Campbell at (559) 241-6226 or sgma@westlandswater.org.
2018-2019 Agricultural Water Allocation Applications Due January 16, 2018
Water users will receive their 2018-2019 Agricultural Water Allocation Application packets during the first part of December. Landowners will not receive packets unless they are also water users or have requested them previously. Applications are due at either the Fresno or Five Points Offices by 5:00 p.m. on or before January 16, 2018.
Typically, the landowners’ tenant farmers will submit the allocation applications. However, landowners may apply for allocations, especially if more direct control of the allocation to their land is desired or tenants have not been selected. In these situations, landowners are reminded that the costs associated with water applied for and allocated must be paid, even if the water is not used.
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 rules and regulations. If no applicants own the land, priority will be given to the water user who provides evidence of the right to occupy the land and receive the allocation.
The District is also requesting an estimate of the number of acres you expect to fallow in the 2018-2019 water contract year. Providing this information will not affect your request for a water supply allocation; it will only be used to educate the public on how the continued lack of water supply is impacting our water users.
Landowner Responsibilities
As a courtesy each year, the District reminds landowners of their responsibilities as property owners in Westlands. Landowners are ultimately responsible for the payment of all District assessments, land-based charges and water charges attributable to their property. Any private agreement with tenants for use of the land does not relieve landowners of their responsibility for paying these costs. Landowners must enforce leases between lessors and lessees. Landowners should be aware of the following obligations regarding their property:
Assessments: Westlands uses a “benefit valuation” method in establishing assessments. Lands are assessed annually based on the relative benefits that they receive from the District. If an assessment becomes delinquent, the following actions are taken:
- A 5% penalty is assessed.
- Agricultural water service is discontinued.
- Any remaining water allocation applicable to the water user is not available for transfer, but the cost for such water must still be paid.
- A lien is recorded against each delinquent parcel.
- A $17 or $12 recording fee is imposed against each delinquent parcel.
- A publication fee is imposed against each delinquent amount (in the past this amount has varied from $30 to $300).
- Interest charges accrue against the delinquent amount at 9% per annum.
- Neither contract water nor any other water will be allocated to any land for which assessments have been delinquent for 30 days or more at the time the water is allocated.
Land-Based Charges: Land-based charges may be imposed by the Board of Directors, after a hearing is held and absent written protest from a majority of affected landowners. The hearing is typically held in February, although additional hearings may be held if new charges are implemented or if warranted by other circumstances. Landbased charges anticipated for next year are for costs related to District water supply, extraordinary repairs of pipe and certain litigation. Land-based charges are normally due March 25 and September 25, and if they become delinquent the following actions are taken:
- A penalty ranging from 2% to 10% is assessed and interest charges of 1.5% per month are applied.
- Agricultural water service is discontinued.
- Any remaining water allocation applicable to the water user is not available for transfer, but the cost for such water must still be paid.
- If left unpaid, charges are transferred to the District’s assessment roll and become a lien against the land.
- Neither contract water nor any other water will be allocated to any land for which charges have been delinquent for 30 days or more at the time the water is allocated.
Water Charges: Landowners are financially responsible if their tenants do not pay their water bills. Water users have approximately 25 days to pay for water charges billed for the previous month. Bills not paid by the due date are considered delinquent. Landowners are notified of the delinquent account by mail. These bills may include charges for:
- CVP water, District water supply or long-term water allocated to the land, and any other water transferred into the water user’s account. Other water may come from a variety of sources with costs substantially higher than CVP water.
- Water delivered to the land.
- Reduction in future year’s water supplies for overused water, unless the water user purchases additional water to replace the overused amount.
- Unused water, if the water user does not reschedule it or does not find a buyer for the unused amount.
- Miscellaneous charges for M&I water costs, CVP Improvement Act Restoration Fund Costs, or other service charges.
If water charges become delinquent, the following actions are taken:
- A penalty ranging from 2% to 10% is assessed and interest charges of 1.5% per month are applied.
- Agricultural water service is discontinued.
- Any remaining water allocation applicable to the water user is not available for transfer, but the cost for such water must still be paid.
- If left unpaid, a Certificate to Secure Delinquent Water charges is filed against the water user on all lands owned within Westlands Water District.
- If the account remains unpaid, charges will be transferred to the District’s assessment roll in May of each year and a Certificate of Sale will be filed against the land where the water was used if delivered or allocated if unused.
- Neither contract water nor any other water will be allocated to any land for which charges have been delinquent for 30 days or more at the time the water is allocated
The information listed above summarizes the financial obligations landowners and water users have to the District. If you have any questions regarding this information, please do not hesitate to contact the Customer Accounting Department at (559) 241-6250. We look forward to working with you in the upcoming water year.
The District is offering water users a rebate for mobile lab services. Mobile lab services perform irrigation system evaluations by measuring water rate application, system distribution uniformity and by providing efficiency improvement recommendations. The amount of rebate per field evaluation is limited to 25 percent of the invoice or $500, whichever is less. Funds are limited, and availability is on a first come, first serve basis. An application and information are available on our website or call Israel Sanchez at 559-241-6237 for additional assistance.
Lease of District Owned Land
The District currently has approximately 15,000 acres of land available for lease. For a detailed list of available land, please contact Cork McIsaac of Agriculture Industries, Inc. at (916) 372-5595 or (800) 822-1415.
Holiday Office Closures and Water Ordering Procedures
District offices will be closed on Friday, December 22, and Monday, December 25, for the Christmas holiday; and Monday, January 1, for New Year’s Day. The affected water ordering deadlines are as follows:
| For Water Use On | Place Water Order By |
| Friday or Saturday – December 22 or 23 | Thursday, December 21, 9:30 a.m. |
| Sunday, Monday or Tuesday – December 24 or 25 and 26 | Thursday, December 21, noon |
| Saturday or Sunday – December 30 or 31 | Friday, December 29, 9:30 a.m. |
| Monday or Tuesday – January 1 or 2 | Friday, December 29, noon |
The emergency telephone number for after hours and holidays is (559) 224-1523.
Revised Advance Notice of 2018-2019 Inspection and Repair Shutdown Schedule
The following table has been revised which provides water users with one-year advance notice of the District’s planned pumping plant and system inspection and repair shutdown schedule for fiscal year 2018-2019.
| Week | Division Valves | Pumping Plant |
| October 1, 2018 | 4R | |
| October 8 | 18L | |
| October 15 | 26L | |
| October 22 | 19R | |
| October 29 | 30R | |
| November 5 – November 12 | 16RA, 16RB &16 RC | |
| November 26 | 20R | |
| December 3 | 15L | |
| December 10 | 38L | |
| December 17 | 20L | |
| January 7, 2019 | PVPP | |
| January 14 | 17L | |
| January 28 | 35L | |
| February 4 | 16L | |
| February 11 | 37-0.3 | 37 |
| February 25 | 2-0.5 | 2L |