• Skip to primary navigation
  • Skip to main content
  • Skip to primary sidebar
California Government Logo
  • Log In
  • Contact Us
  • Calendar
  • Notices
  • Employment
Westlands Water District

Westlands Water District

Fresno, CA

  • Home
  • About
        • History
        • Board of Directors
        • Financials
        • Mission/Goals
        • Organization/Staff
        • Additional Information
          • Rules & Regs
          • Fact Sheets & Infographics
          • FAQ
        • Maps
        • Human Resources
          • Class Descriptions
        • We Are Westlands Videos
  • Sustainability
        • Agricultural
        • Environmental Restoration
  • Water Management
        • Irrigation Guide
        • Water Use Efficiency
          • Expanded Irrigation System Improvement Program (EISIP)
          • Expanded Irrigation System Improvement Program (EISIP)/Public Purpose Program (P3) Grant
        • Groundwater Management
          • Groundwater Management Program
          • Temporary Diversions
          • SGMA
        • Additional Water Management
          • Water Management Plan (5 Year Update)
          • Water Management Plan 2017
          • Water Management Handbook 2013
        • Water Supply
          • Annual Water Use and Supply
          • Municipal & Industrial
          • Rescheduled Water Forecast
          • Water Transfers
          • Water Rates
  • Resource Management
        • Land Management
        • Power
          • ISM Program
        • Irrigated Lands Regulatory Program
          • Worksheet Document Templates
        • Drainage
          • Drainage Settlement Docs
  • News & Reports
        • Meetings
        • Media Center
          • Education & Outreach
          • Newsletters & Blogs
          • Fact Sheets & Infographics
        • Drought Info
        • Crop Reports
        • Notices
          • Prop 218 Info
        • Presentations
        • Environmental Docs
        • Economic Reports
        • Relevant Links
  • Investor Relations
  • Show Search
Hide Search

November Monthly Notice (#596)

November 22, 2019

*Note: The emergency telephone number for after hours and holidays is (559) 224-1523.

This notice regards:

  • ITEMS TO NOTE
    • Sustainable Groundwater Management Act (SGMA) Update – Groundwater Sustainability Plan Adoption December 17
    • Aquifer Storage and Recovery (ASR) Workshop
    • 2019 Benefit Assessment
    • 2019-2020 Rescheduled Water
    • 2020-2021 Agricultural Water Allocation Applications Due January 15, 2020
  • WATER SUPPLY
    • 2019-2020 Water Supply Update
  • FINANCE & ADMINISTRATION
    • Water Ordering and Meter Turn Off
  • OPERATIONS & MAINTENANCE
    • District Pumping Plant Power Outages
    • Advance Notice of 2019-2020 Inspection and Repair Shutdown Schedule
    • Planned Maintenance Shutdown Schedule – 2019
  • RESOURCES MANAGEMENT
    • Westlands Water Quality Coalition Members
    • Lands Available for Lease
    • Low Interest Irrigation Equipment Lease Program

ITEMS TO NOTE

Sustainable Groundwater Management Act (SGMA) Update – Groundwater Sustainability Plan Adoption December 17

On December 17, 2019 at 1:00 p.m., the Westlands Water District Groundwater Sustainability Agency (GSA) will hold a public hearing at Westlands Water District’s Fresno Office, 3130 N. Fresno St. Fresno, CA 93703. The Board of Directors of Westlands Water District serving as the GSA will consider adopting the Westside Subbasin Groundwater Sustainability Plan (GSP).

At the November 19, 2019 Board Meeting, District Staff presented Draft GSP Frequently Asked Questions. As a reminder, materials concerning SGMA implementation, including the effort to prepare the Draft GSP, are available on the District’s website.

Aquifer Storage and Recovery (ASR) Workshop

The District plans to hold a second ASR workshop in January 2020. The workshop will focus on implementation of the District’s Aquifer Storage and Recovery (ASR) program and provide an opportunity for the District’s water users to ask technical experts questions about ASR. For more information regarding this workshop, please contact Kiti Campbell at 559-241-6226 or kcampbell@wwd.ca.gov.

2019 Benefit Assessment

Assessment payments are due now and delinquent after November 21, 2019. A five percent penalty will be added after the delinquent date and water service will not be provided. Please contact Jessie Xiong, at (559) 241-6212 for additional information about assessments.

2019-2020 Rescheduled Water

The District anticipates the amount of water that can be rescheduled into the 2020 water contract year will be limited to about 120,000 acre-feet. Any water in excess of that quantity will revert to Reclamation’s 2020 Central Valley Project (CVP) water.

Additionally, if San Luis Reservoir (SLR) fills on or after March 1, then any Rescheduled Water that is not used when SLR begins sustained drawdown will likely revert to Reclamation, depending on the foregone pumping calculated while SLR is full.

SLR could fill at the end of February or beginning of March 2020, in which case water users would potentially experience a similar loss of Rescheduled Water. For these reasons, water users should manage their water use between now and the end of the water contract year to reschedule an amount they can use in the March through early April time period.

In 2019, water users delivered 70,000 acre-feet from the time SLR filled on March 9, until water levels began a sustained drawdown on April 12. Reclamation declared that any unused Rescheduled Water was lost because the amount of calculated foregone pumping exceeded the amount of remaining Rescheduled Water.

If water users reschedule more than they can use in this time period and SLR fills, then any unused Rescheduled Water will likely revert to Reclamation’s 2020 CVP water. Be aware that neither the types of water in an account, nor participation in the Supplemental Water program are factors that affect the amount of water that an individual water user can carryover under the District’s Rescheduling Guidelines.

As a reminder, if a water user loses water, the District will bill the water user the San Luis & Delta-Mendota Water Authority O&M, applicable District rates, and any other costs the District incurs. If you have any questions, please contact Russ Freeman at (559) 241-6241.

2020-2021 Agricultural Water Allocation Applications Due January 15, 2020

Water users will receive their 2020-2021 Agricultural Water Allocation Application packets during the first part of December 2019. 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 15, 2020.

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 2020-2021 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.

WATER SUPPLY

2019-2020 Water Supply Update

On June 14, 2019, the Bureau of Reclamation increased the 2019-2020 Central Valley Project (CVP) allocation to 75% for south-of-Delta agricultural water service contractors. The District does not anticipate any additional increases to the CVP allocation for this water contract year.

The CVP currently has approximately 7.9 million acre-feet of water stored in northern CVP reservoirs; this represents 135% of the 15-year average. Shasta Reservoir storage is approximately 3.2 million acre-feet; 137% of the 15-year average. Federal storage in San Luis Reservoir is 263,000 acre-feet; 64% of the 15-year average. Jones Pumping Plant has operated at about 26% capacity through the first half of month, approximately 1,163 cubic feet per second. Pumping has been reduced to comply with the fall X2 standard under the Biological Opinion for protection of Delta Smelt.

FINANCE & ADMINISTRATION

Water Ordering and Meter Turn Off

It is important that water users 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 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.

The schedule for placing water orders is as follows: water orders for Tuesday through Saturday must be placed the prior day between 7:30 a.m. and 9:30 a.m., by telephone or fax. Orders placed over the website are accepted until 10:00 a.m., for the following day. Water orders for Sunday and Monday must be placed by noon the preceding Friday, either by phone, fax or website. Orders may be placed by calling (559) 241-6250 or (800) 266-6574, by Fax (559) 241-6276, or online at District’s Website. To set up a Westlands online account, please contact your Customer Accounting Technician at (559) 241-6250.

OPERATIONS & MAINTENANCE

District Pumping Plant Power Outages

As part of the District’s scheduled Annual Inspection and Maintenance Shutdown of District pumping plants, staff coordinates outages with PG&E. Water users are reminded that PG&E has occasionally delayed shutting off and/or restoring power to our facilities which has resulted in either delaying, canceling, or extending these shutdowns. Although this is beyond the District’s control, staff will continue to communicate our concerns to PG&E and advocate for the requested schedule. We ask for your patience as the District works to address these issues.

Holiday Office Closures & Water Ordering Procedures

District offices will be closed on Thursday, November 28, and Friday, November 29, 2019, in observance of Thanksgiving; Tuesday, December 24, and Wednesday, December 25, 2019, for the Christmas holiday; and Wednesday, January 1, 2020, for New Year’s Day. The affected water ordering deadlines are as follows:

For Water Use OnPlace Water Order By
Thursday or Friday – November 28 or 29Wednesday, November 27, 9:30 a.m.
Saturday, Sunday or Monday – November 30 or December 1 and 2Wednesday, November 27, noon
Tuesday – December 24Monday, December 23, 9:30 a.m.
Wednesday or Thursday – December 25 or 26Monday, December 23, noon
Wednesday – January 1Tuesday, December 31, 9:30 a.m.
Thursday – January 2Tuesday, December 31, noon

Advance Notice of 2019-2020 Inspection and Repair Shutdown Schedule

The following table is provided for water users as a reminder of the District’s planned pumping plant system inspection and repair shutdown schedule for fiscal year 2019-2020. If you have questions regarding these scheduled shutdowns, please contact the District’s Maintenance Scheduler, Jimmy Weedin at (559) 884-2523 x108.

2019-2020 Quinquennial Shutdown Schedule

WeekDivision ValvesPumping Plants
October 7, 201926-1.726L
October 1425R
October 215L
October 2814RA
November 429RA, 29RB
November 1214RB, 14RC
November 188L
December 214L
December 928RA, 28RB, 28R-1.0W
December 169L
January 6, 202023L
January 1311L
January 2718R

Planned Maintenance Shutdown Schedule – 2019

To keep water users apprised of upcoming planned pumping plant and system maintenance, the District issues a monthly listing of the upcoming schedule for the next 45 to 60 days. Please, see list below:

Lateral(s) ImpactedDatesScheduled WorkNotes
13RB11-18 to 11-20Tank Paint – Remove
Temporary Tanks
Lateral back in full service after 11-20
20R11-18 to 11-20PLC Replacement
23R11-20 to 11-22PLC Replacement
21R12-2 to 12-4Tank Paint – Remove
Temporary Tanks
Lateral back in full service after 12-4
27R12-2 to 12-4PLC Replacement
30R12-4 to 12-8PLC Replacement
25R12-9 to 12-11PLC Replacement
PV212-16 to 12-18PLC Replacement
PV412-18 to 12-20PLC Replacement
7R1-6 to 1-10PLC Replacement – Repair
By-Pass Valve
PV31-13 to 1-15PLC Replacement
PV61-13 to 1-15PLC Replacement
PV91-15 to 1-17PLC Replacement
PVPP1-13 to 1-17PG&E to set New Switch
Pole in Switchyard
18R1-27 to 1-31PLC Replacement
21R1-27 to 1-29PLC Replacement
1R2-3 to 2-12PLC ReplacementSee Shutdown Notice for Specific Meters

RESOURCES MANAGEMENT

Westlands Water Quality Coalition Members

The Westlands Water Quality Coalition (WWQC) is seeking coalition volunteers with wells screened above the Corcoran Clay, varying in depth from 200 to 800 feet below ground surface, to participate in the Groundwater Quality Trend Monitoring (GQTM) Program.

The GQTM Program is required by the Western Tulare Lake Basin General Order (GO) R5-2014-0001and participation will involve minimal commitment with no cost. Water quality constituent sampling will occur once per year, in the fall. If you have an Upper Aquifer well that might be a candidate or have any questions about the GQTM Program, please contact Edith Ramirez at 559-241-6242 or eramirez@wwd.ca.gov.

Lands Available for Lease

The District has several parcels for lease in Fresno and Kings counties. For a list of available land, please contact Cork McIsaac of Agriculture Industries, Inc. at (916) 372-5595 or (800) 822-1415.

Low Interest Irrigation Equipment Lease Program

The District’s Expanded Irrigation System Improvement Program (EISIP) offers low interest loans at 3.1% to water users for the lease-purchase of irrigation system equipment. The EISIP provides funding up to $130,000 towards the purchase of irrigation system equipment, the design of irrigation system and purchase of portable aluminum irrigation pipe, micro irrigation, linear move and center pivots. 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. Interested water users should contact Nicole Branum at (559) 241-6235 or nbranum@wwd.ca.gov to begin the application process. Additional information is also available on the District’s website.

Primary Sidebar

Skip to the Next Page

Employment Application Testing Next Page

Search the Site

PDF Accessibility

One or more of the PDF files on this site fall under E202.2 Legacy Exceptions and may not be completely accessible. You may request an accessible version of a PDF using the form on the Contact Us page.

Copyright © 2021 · Westlands Water District · Developed by Bet Hannon Business Websites

  • Privacy Policy
  • Conditions of Use/Disclaimer
  • Voter Registration
  • WWD Accessibility
  • Sitemap
  • Contact Us
  • Intranet
  • Facebook
  • Twitter
  • LinkedIn