This notice regards:
ITEMS TO NOTE
Benefit Assessment Statements
.Jessie Xiong: (559) 241-6212
The 2021 Benefit Assessment statements were mailed on June 10, 2021. The charges were due November 18, 2021, and are now delinquent. A 5% penalty will be added after the delinquent date. Contact Jessie Xiong for additional information about Assessments.
Land-Based Charges
District: (559) 241-6250
On August 17, 2021, the Board of Directors approved a revision to the 2021-2022 Land-Based charges. The September installment of the 2021-2022 Land-Based Charges was due on September 27, 2021. A penalty has been added to unpaid charges on the day following the payment due date. Contact the District for additional information about Land-Based Charges.
2022-2023 Agricultural Water Allocation Applications Due January 18, 2022
Water users will receive their 2022-2023 Agricultural Water Allocation Application packets during the first part of December 2021. 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 18, 2022.
Typically, the landowners’ tenant farmers will submit the allocation applications. However, landowners may apply if more direct control of the allocation to their land is desired, or tenants have not been selected. 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 2022-2023 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.
Sustainable Groundwater Management Act (SGMA) Update
Antonio Solorio: (559) 241-6244 or sgma@wwd.ca.gov.
The next Advisory Committee (AC) and the Technical Advisory Committee (TAC) meetings are scheduled for December 7, 2021, at 10:00 am and 11:00 am, respectively. The Committees will provide input on the Groundwater Allocation Program regulations, process to appeal staff’s determinations, approaches for complying with the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA), and use of groundwater within the Westside Subbasin. Contact Antonio Solorio for more information.
Westlands Water District Policy for Unclaimed Monies
The District’s Policy for Unclaimed Monies and a list of unclaimed monies for previous and current landowners and water users are available on both the District’s website and the web users’ login site.
Holiday Office Closures and Water Ordering Procedures
The emergency telephone number for after hours and holidays is (559) 224-1523.
District offices will be closed Thursday, November 25, and Friday, November 26, 2021, in observance of Thanksgiving; Friday, December 24, and Monday, December 27, 2021, for the Christmas holiday; and Friday, December 31, 2021, for New Year’s Day. The affected water ordering deadlines are as follows:
| For Water Use On | Place Water Order By |
|---|---|
| Thursday or Friday – November 25 or 26 | Wednesday, November 24, 9:30 a.m. |
| Saturday, Sunday, or Monday – November 27, 28 and 29 | Wednesday, November 24, noon |
| Friday or Saturday – December 24 or 25 | Thursday, December 23, 9:30 a.m. |
| Sunday, Monday, or Tuesday – December 26, 27 and 28 | Thursday, December 23, noon |
| Friday – December 31 | Thursday, December 30, 9:30 a.m. |
| Saturday, Sunday, or Monday – January 1, 2 and 3 | Thursday, December 30, noon |
2021-2022 Supplemental Water
Customer Service Representative: (559) 241-6250
As of November 15, 2021, the timely requests for 2021-22 Supplemental Water totals 144,525 acre-feet on 360,305 acres. The District is acquiring Supplemental Water from multiple sources for the 2021-2022 water contract year. It is estimated that the District can acquire up to 135,000 acre-feet of Supplemental Water and the delivered price to water users will range from $1,200 to $1,300 per acre-foot.
The District made 108,410 acre-feet available for allocation thus far and will make additional Supplemental Water available as it is confirmed pumped south of Delta. The District will continue to seek opportunities to make additional Supplemental Water available for allocation, but the remaining Supplemental Water will be available in December.
When Supplemental Water is made available for allocation, the quantity is prorated 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 allocations, and the irrigable acres associated with the account will not be factored into subsequent allocations. Accordingly, water users with relatively high per-acre requests will receive the bulk (the 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 water is made available for allocation, while operation and maintenance 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 23, 2021 Landowner Notice, and return it to the Fresno Office. Late requests will be filled on a first-come, first-serve basis after timely requests are filled.
WATER SUPPLY
2021-2022 Water Supply Update
The Central Valley Project (CVP) currently has approximately 3.08 million acre-feet of water stored in northern CVP reservoirs; this represents 57% of the 15-year average. Shasta Reservoir storage is approximately 1.1 million acre-feet; 51% of the 15-year average. Federal storage in San Luis Reservoir is 95,000 acre-feet; 26% of the 15-year average. Jones Pumping Plant has operated at about 85% capacity this month.
Projected 2022-2023 CVP Contract Allocation
The District expects that Reclamation will make an initial allocation in February. However, given the very low storage currently in CVP reservoirs, it is likely that the initial allocation to South Delta agricultural water contractors will be 0%. Additionally, if the 2022 water year hydrology is below normal, the final allocation to South of Delta agricultural water contractors is likely to remain at 0%.
2020-2021 Rescheduled Water
The District rescheduled and carried over 137,234 acre-feet into the 2021-2022 contract water year. According to the District’s Rescheduling Policy, the Rescheduling Period will extend to February 28, 2022. Reclamation’s Rescheduling Guidelines impose 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, 2021, and each subsequent month, until the District delivers all rescheduled water. 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.
2021-2022 Carryover Water
Russ Freeman: (559) 241-6241
The District anticipates no cap on the amount of water that it can carry over into the 2022-2023 contract water year. The San Luis Reservoir (SLR) is unlikely to fill under median or lesser hydrology, in which case there will be no loss based on “foregone pumping” and water users will continue to have access to carryover water throughout the 2022-2023 contract water year, subject to the 1% loss discussed above.
However, if SLR fills on or after March 1, then any carryover water that is not used when SLR begins sustained drawdown will likely be lost, depending on the “foregone pumping” calculated while SLR is full.
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 carry over under the District’s Rescheduling Guidelines. If a water user loses water, the District will bill them for San Luis & Delta-Mendota Water Authority O&M, applicable District rates, and any other costs the District incurs. Contact Russ Freeman for more information.
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 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 $647.12. 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
Kelly Vandergon: 559-884-2523 ext. 107
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, refer to the water user handbook or contact Kelly Vandergon.
Planned Maintenance Shutdown Schedule 2021
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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 18R | 10/18 to 11/24 | 18R Tank Painting | |
| 13L | 11/15 to 11/19 | Quinquennial Inspection | |
| 3L | 11/29 to 12/1 | 3L-2.7 Slide Gate Inspection | |
| PV9 | 12/1 to 12/3 | PV9-1.5 E Slide Gate Inspection | |
| 13R | 12/6 to 12/10 | Quinquennial Inspection | |
| 2R | 12/13 to 12/17 | Quinquennial Inspection | |
| 15R | 1/10/22 to 1/14/22 | Quinquennial Inspection | |
| 36L | 1/24 to 1/28 | Quinquennial Inspection | |
| 22R | 1/31 to 2/4 | Quinquennial Inspection |
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. Contact the District’s Maintenance Scheduler, Jimmy Weedin for more information.
| 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.
Westlands Groundwater Recharge Program
Kiti Campbell: (559) 241-6226 or sgma@wwd.ca.gov
The District’s Groundwater Recharge Program is available for all water users and landowners in the District. The Groundwater Credit Pilot Program’s Terms and Conditions were updated to streamline the application process and are located on the District’s SGMA page.
Staff developed the draft Guidance for Processing Groundwater Recharge Project Applications document with input from the AC and TAC to expedite and to clarify the District’s review process. The guidance includes the program’s goals and objectives, typical staff review process, determination of aquifer credit, and a short description of recharge project types. For more information about the draft Guidance for Processing Groundwater Recharge Project Applications, contact Kiti Campbell.
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 fund recharge project equipment. The District’s EISIP offers low-interest loans to water users for the lease-purchase of irrigation system and recharge project equipment. Interested water users should contact Juan Pacheco. Additional information is available on the Expanded Irrigation System Improvement Program (EISIP) page of the District’s website.