Items to Note

Year-End Meter Readings

The District will begin reading water meters for year-end on February 24, 2025, and will continue until February 27, 2025.

Water users who would like to provide agricultural meter readings for their account as of February 28, 2025, can complete the attached information request form and fax to (559) 241-6276 or email to customeraccounting@wwd.ca.gov. Please verify the proper placement of any decimal points included in the reading.

Readings must be received by 8:00 a.m. on March 3, 2025. All readings received by 8:00 a.m. will be used to determine February water use. Readings received after this deadline will be rejected. Please call Customer Accounting at (559) 241-6250 if you have any questions about year-end meter readings.

No. 768

• Year-End Meter Readings Form (PDF)

Items to Note

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.

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.

1-for-1 Facilitated Transfers

As we approach year-end, 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

The emergency telephone number for after-hours and holidays is (559) 224-1523
District offices will be closed on Monday, February 17, 2025, in observance of President’s Day. The affected water ordering deadlines are as follows:

For Water Use On	Place Water Order By
Saturday or Sunday – February 15 or 16	Friday, February 14, 9:30 a.m.
Monday or Tuesday – February 17 or 18	Friday, February 14, noon

Aquifer Storage and Recovery (ASR) Field Tour/Open House

The District is hosting an Aquifer Storage and Recovery (ASR) field tour and open house on February 11, 2025, to showcase various ASR projects at Westlands Water District. ASR involves using a well to inject surface water into an aquifer for storage, which can later be recovered for use. This event provides water users with a valuable opportunity to learn about the District’s operational plans for developing ASR projects on farms. To participate in this informative tour, please contact Shelly Ruiz: (559) 241-6228 or sruiz@wwd.ca.gov

2024-2025 Supplemental Water Update

The District will include an additional 13,500 acre-feet (AF) of unallocated water in the Supplemental Water pool, bringing the total to 130,200 AF. With this additional supply, the projected price of the Supplemental Water pool is between $355/AF and $375/AF, delivered.

The additional supply is surplus to the Supplemental Water pool and will be allocated as Other Water to all water users who submitted a CVP Allocation Application for 2024-2025. There will be no advance payment required as water users will pay the projected price upon delivery. If Other Water is carried over into the 2025-2026 water year, Other Water will be the first water delivered from an account.

2025-2026 Agricultural Water Allocation Applications Due January 15, 2025

On December 13, 2024, staff mailed the 2025-2026 Agricultural Water Allocation applications to water users throughout the District. Allocation Applications should have been delivered to the District at or before 5:00 p.m., January 15, 2025, to be considered timely.

Applications received after January 15 that are accepted by the General Manager shall only be entitled to receive a proportionate share of contract water made available to the District after the date of such late application’s acceptance.

Typically, the landowners’ tenant farmers submit the Allocation Applications. However, landowners may choose to submit the Allocation Application themselves if they desire more direct control of the allocation to their land or if tenants have not been selected. Landowners are reminded that they are responsible for paying the costs associated with water applied for and allocated, even if the water is not used.

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.

The District is also requesting an estimate of the number of acres you expect to fallow in the 2025-2026 water contract year. Providing this information will not affect your water allocation request. The information will only be used to educate the public on how the continued water supply shortage is impacting water users.

2025-2026 Groundwater Allocation Applications Due January 15, 2025

On December 13, 2024, staff mailed the 2025-2026 Groundwater Allocation applications to landowners throughout the District. Allocation Applications should have been delivered to the District at or before 5:00 p.m., January 15, 2025, to be considered timely.

Applications received after January 15, 2025, shall be considered “late”. A Groundwater Allocation Application and Agreement that is late shall be accepted; provided, the application is received no later than July 31, 2025. Revised applications are also accepted through this date. 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.

New this year is the opportunity to receive your pro-rata share of the District’s Groundwater Credit. If you would like your pro-rata share of the District’s Groundwater Credits dispensed in 2025, please check the box labeled, “Check the box if you want your pro-rata share of the District’s Groundwater Credit at approximately $180 per acre-foot”.

The District may dispense approximately 24,000 AF or 0.046AF/acre by March 31, 2025, if the District projects that the CVP allocation will be twenty five percent (25%) or less. For example, if you check the box and have 1,000 acres in your account, you could be allocated 46 AF of the District’s Groundwater Credit. The District’s Groundwater Credits are estimated to cost $180/AF, and the total will be due prior to the District’s Groundwater Credits being allocated to your account.

Please note: If the full 24,000 AF is not requested, the unrequested amount will not result in a higher allocation per acre and will be retained by the District for future allocation. Unrequested water will not be retained in the name of the landowner who does not request it.

Westlands Water Quality Coalition Members

Kori Frauenheim: (559) 241-6231 or wwqc@wwd.ca.gov
Westlands Water Quality Coalition has recently updated their coalition website that provides a more user-friendly setting for members to submit the Irrigation & Nitrogen Management Plan (INMP). The website is now available for you to submit your 2025 INMP Summary Report for the 2024 crop year. All INMP submissions are required to be completed on the New WWQC Member Portal Website. An email with information regarding the New Coalition Member Portal was emailed out on January 21st, 2025. If you did not receive the email, please contact the Coalition.

The Coalition will be hosting its annual member outreach meeting virtually on February 4th, 2025, to help members submit their INMP by the March 1st, 2025, deadline. Details regarding the outreach meeting will be emailed out in the coming weeks. If you are unable to attend, the meeting will be recorded and posted to the new coalition member portal website.

WATER SUPPLY

2024-2025 CVP Contract Allocation

On June 25, 2024, the Bureau of Reclamation increased the 2024-25 Central Valley Project (CVP) allocation from 40% to 50% for south of Delta agricultural water contractors. Water users are encouraged to use the additional allocation and refrain from pumping groundwater.

2024-2025 Water Supply Update

The CVP currently has approximately 8,225,000 acre-feet (AF) of water stored in northern CVP reservoirs; this represents 123% of the 15-year average. Shasta Reservoir storage is approximately 3,483,000 AF; 124% of the 15-year average. CVP storage in San Luis Reservoir (SLR) is 607,000 AF; 103% of the 15-year average. Since January 1, total exports averaged 5,117 cubic feet per second (cfs) with the Jones and Banks Pumping Plants averaging 3,401 cfs and 1,716 cfs, respectively. The projects have been operating to an Old and Middle River (OMR) Standard of -5,000 cfs, which was recently reduced to -3,500 cfs to protect Delta Smelt and Longfin Smelt. While the -3,500 cfs OMR standard for Longfin Smelt is expected to offramp, it may be re-triggered for protection of Winter Run Salmon. The recent export reductions combined with dry hydrology, make refill of CVP SLR unlikely.

Projected 2025-2026 CVP Contract Allocation

The District expects that Reclamation will announce an initial allocation in February. The hydrology to date has been below normal. Fortunately, storage in CVP reservoirs is above normal. However, it is likely that the initial allocation to South Delta agricultural repayment contractors, which is typically conservative, will be 15-20%, especially if below normal conditions persist between now and the time of the announcement. The final allocation, typically made in April or May, will depend on the actual hydrology, especially in the watersheds that produce runoff in the upper Sacramento River basin.

2025-2026 Water Rescheduling

Russ Freeman: (559) 241-6241
The District will be 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 will be lost according to the District’s Rescheduling Policy.

Water users are reminded that according to the District’s Rescheduling Policy, loss (whether cap or rescheduling) is prorated based on volume per acre, from highest to lowest, and is applied in the following order and manner:

1. Water rescheduled by the District
2. Remaining Rescheduled Water
3. Delivered Rescheduled Water

Although the District’s Rescheduling Policy does not limit how much water may be rescheduled by a water user, staff expects that after Cap Loss is applied, there will be 0.26 acre-feet per acre remaining, assuming all eligible acres participate in rescheduling water. Because San Luis Reservoir is not expected to fill, water users will have until March 10 to complete internal transfers before Cap Loss is applied, and the Rescheduling Period for remaining water will extend until the end of the 2025-26 water contract year.

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 cost of lost 2024 Contract water is estimated to be $80 per acre-foot. For more detailed information about your specific account, please review the District email titled, “Potential lost water and associated costs.”

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 Customer Website.

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.

Year-End Meter Readings

Customer Service Representative: (559) 241-6250
Water users who would like to provide year-end agricultural meter readings for their account can submit their own reading prior to midnight February 28, 2025. Forms will be sent out via District notice in February and will be available on the District’s website. Forms may be submitted by fax to (559) 241-6276 or emailed to customeraccounting@wwd.ca.gov. All readings received before midnight will be used to determine February water use. Please call Customer Accounting at (559) 241-6250 if you have any questions about year-end meter readings.

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.

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 2024-25

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
16R	Jan 28	Check Valve Replacement	7:00AM-3:30PM
29L	Jan. 30	DWR Dive Inspection	9:00AM-1:00PM
PVPP	Feb. 7	Switchman Training	12:00PM-4:00PM
12L	Feb. 10 – Feb. 14	Division Valve Inspection	7:00AM-3:30PM

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. Please check the District’s calendar for the next SC/OAC meeting.

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 increased the loan amount for the Expanded Irrigation System Improvement or Recharge Program (EISIRP). The District’s EISIRP 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.

Sustainable Groundwater Management Act (SGMA) Update

Antonio Solorio: (559) 241-6244 or sgma@wwd.ca.gov
For water users with private recharge projects, the District recommends that water users consider participating in the Groundwater Credit Program. The Standard Recharge Program Application and supporting guidance document (Attachment 2 of Article 1) can be found on the District’s SGMA Website.

If you operated an approved recharge project last year through the standard application process, not the 2023 expedited recharge application, please return page 6 before recharge commences. Also, if you are operating a recharge project this year, please submit your meter reading online.

The next Advisory and Technical Advisory Committee Meetings are scheduled for February 25, 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.

Effective September 1, 2024, the District will no longer consent 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 or jmontoya@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 prior PG&E meter number or account number. This information may also be included in the GWMP/ISMP application(s).

No. 767

Items to Note

Proposed Increases to Water Rates, Land-Based Charges, and SGMA Charge

Westlands Water District (District) proposes to increase certain water rates, land-based charges, and a Sustainable Groundwater Management Act (SGMA) charge, effective March 1, 2025, upon adoption by the Board of Directors, for the purpose of collecting funds to cover costs related to water service. The District will hold a public hearing on the proposed increases and changes to water rates, land-based charges, and a SGMA charge on Thursday, February 20, 2025 at 9:00 a.m., or as soon thereafter as the matter may be heard, at the District’s Fresno Office, located at 286 W. Cromwell, Fresno, CA 93711. The public may also attend virtually and participate in the public hearing via Zoom at the following link:

Join Zoom Meeting
Meeting ID: 816 0686 4252
Passcode: 3130

At this public hearing, the Board will hear and consider all objections and protests1, if any, to the proposed water rates, land-based charges, and SGMA charge, listed below. Pursuant to Government Code section 53759.1, failure to timely submit a written objection bars any right to challenge the District’s water rates, land-based charges, or SGMA charge in a legal proceeding. Further details about the protest and written objection processes can be found at the end of this Proposition 218 notice (Notice).

The attachments to this Notice provide the proposed increased water rates, land-based charges, and SGMA charge. The written bases for the proposed increases to the District’s water rates, land-based charges, and SGMA charge are available on the District’s website.

Water Rates

The District proposes to increase water rates for the purposes of recovering the District’s costs to provide water service, including (1) operation and maintenance costs [as specified in the District’s draft Fiscal Year (FY) 2025–26 budget], (2) various outside agency pass-through costs, (3) costs to operate the Groundwater Management Program, including installation of groundwater pumps and integration into the District’s delivery system, (4) costs to acquire additional water supply where water users have exceeded their allocation, (5) costs of temporary facilities where the District’s permanent distribution system has not been completed, and (6) costs to fulfill the District’s water exchange agreement on behalf of water users within the District’s Merged Lands/Area 2.2 The proposed water rates also recover costs of supplying Municipal & Industrial water.

The District’s water rates must be increased over the current year’s rates due to rising costs and inflation in addition to an estimated lower initial Central Valley Project (CVP) allocation than the current year, as the District’s costs per acre-foot of water increase when CVP allocation decreases. Although the United States Bureau of Reclamation (USBR) has not yet issued the District’s CVP allocation, District staff are estimating an initial allocation of 5 percent.3 Therefore, the proposed increased water rates are based on the costs of water supply, conveyance, and other related costs assuming a 5 percent CVP allocation. Last water year, the initial CVP allocation was 15 percent, which rose to 50 percent over a series of increases.

If approved, water users will be charged various combinations of water rates per acre-foot of water delivered, based on the cost to the District of providing water service to the water user. To determine the cost per acre-foot, the costs associated with each rate will be divided by the quantity of water delivered. Water users may also negotiate the purchase of non-District water for their use. In addition to any applicable water rates, these water users may incur additional fees imposed by the transferring agency to which the water users contractually agree. These contractual payments or arrangements are not described within this Notice.

Enclosed is a table listing the proposed water rates. The rate chargeable to any specific water user will depend on the type and quantity of water delivered. The District may set each water rate to be levied at any amount below the proposed maximum amount without conducting another Proposition 218 process. In no event shall water rates collected exceed the actual and proportional cost of service attributable to each parcel.

Automatic Adjustments for Pass-Through Water Rates

As part of the District’s water rates, the District collects fees and charges levied on it by outside agencies, including: the USBR Agricultural water contract rate and restoration fund rate, the San Luis Delta-Mendota Water Authority (SLDMWA) Operations and Maintenance rate, and the State Water Resources Control Board (SWRCB) Water Rights Fee. The District proposes to adopt a schedule of fees or charges authorizing automatic adjustments that pass-through 100% of increases in wholesale charges for water for a period of five (5) years. (Gov. Code § 53756.) The amount of automatic adjustments will be based directly on the incremental difference in costs that the District will incur from other agencies as a result of increases or decreases in the amount such agencies charge the District. Any such adjustments will only be made to the extent such increases or decreases are not already reflected in the schedule of charges then in effect. Data documenting the amount of the increase or decrease in costs and the basis for all adjustment calculations will be made available to the public upon request. The pass-through cost applies only to the four water rates described above and will be assessed on each acre-foot delivered. At least 30 days’ written notice will be provided before any such adjustments will take effect.

Land-Based Charges (Except SGMA Charge)

The District also proposes to increase land-based charges (except the SGMA charge) for the purpose of collecting funds to cover: (1) debt service required as a result of District Water Supply acquisitions related to the Sagouspe settlement agreement; (2) extraordinary repairs and replacements of distribution system pipes; (3) expenses associated with the representation of landowners in dispute with USBR regarding drainage issues; (4) Westlands Water Quality Coalition charges for representative monitoring and reporting under the Regional Water Quality Control Board’s Waste Discharge Requirements General Order for the Western Tulare Basin; and (5) debt service required for prepayment of the District’s remaining obligation for construction costs of the CVP. The increases are necessary due to inflation and general rising costs of labor, materials, and overhead.

If approved, all land-based charges (except the SGMA charge) will be calculated based on a landowner’s irrigable acreage.4 To calculate a landowner’s cost under each land-based charge (except for the SGMA charge), the District’s total cost is divided by the total irrigable acres subject to each specific land-based charge. This amount is then multiplied by a landowner’s total irritable acres to determine the total amount due to the District for each specific land-based charge (except
for the SGMA charge).

Enclosed is a listing of proposed land-based charges (the SGMA charge is listed separately) which identifies each landowner of record’s parcel, the irrigable acres for each parcel, the charge per irrigable acre, and the total calculated charge per parcel. Payment may be made by the landowner or the tenant.

Landowners with parcels that generate less than $2.00 in land-based charges (not including the SGMA charge) will not be charged, as the cost to the District to collect those funds exceeds the value. Therefore, if the parcel’s irrigable acreage is too small to generate a bill, a listing of proposed land-based charges will not be enclosed.

The District may set each land-based charge to be levied at any amount below the proposed maximum amount without conducting another Proposition 218 process. In no event shall landbased charges collected exceed the actual and proportional cost of service attributable to each parcel.

SGMA Charge
The District proposes to impose a SGMA charge to recover the District’s costs of ongoing implementation costs of the GSP, including but not limited to annual Department of Water Resources (DWR) reporting, groundwater monitoring, land subsidence monitoring, water quality monitoring, public outreach, and the preparation of the San Joaquin Valley Westside Subbasin, Department of Water Resources Bulletin 118 Basin No. 5-022.09 (Basin) Groundwater Sustainability Plan’s (GSP) required five-year evaluations and updates.5 These costs are included in the District’s draft FY 2025–26 budget pursuant to its role as the Groundwater Sustainability Agency (GSA) for the Basin. The increases are necessary due to inflation and general rising costs of labor, materials, and overhead.

The District is not seeking to increase the SGMA meter installation charge adopted on February 22, 2024 pursuant to Board Resolution No. 102-24. If approved, the SGMA charge will be calculated based on a landowner’s gross acres located within the boundaries of the Basin. To calculate a landowner’s per acre cost under the SGMA change, the District’s total GSP implementation costs will be divided by the total gross acres within the Westside Subbasin. If approved, all landowners within the Westside Subbasin, except de minimis users, will be charged on a per acre basis.6 The District will account for costs accruing to de minimis users, as well as District-owned land, via permissible funding sources.

Enclosed is a listing of the proposed SGMA land-based charge which identifies each landowner of record’s parcel, the total acres for each parcel, the charge per acre, and the total calculated charge per parcel. Payment may be made by the landowner or the tenant.

Landowners with parcels that generate less than $2.00 in SGMA charges will not be charged, as the cost to the District to collect those funds exceeds the value. Therefore, if a parcel’s gross acreage is too small to generate a bill, a listing of the proposed SGMA charge will not be enclosed.

The District may set each land-based charge to be levied at any amount below the proposed maximum amount without conducting another Proposition 218 process. In no event shall the collected SGMA charge exceed the actual and proportional cost of service attributable to each parcel.

Automatic Inflationary Adjustments

To enable the District to recover its costs each year, each water rate, land-based charge, and SGMA charge is subject to an annual automatic inflationary increase each March 1 for the next five (5) years based on the Consumer Price Index (CPI) for all urban consumers in the Pacific Division, series ID CUUR0490SA0. (See Gov. Code § 53756.)

Protests and Written Objections

Written objections and protests against any or all proposed water rate(s) and/or land-based charge(s) must be filed with the District Secretary before the close of the public hearing scheduled for 9 a.m. on February 20, 2025. Failure to submit a timely written objection bars any right to challenge the District’s water rates or land-based charges in a legal proceeding. (See District’s Rate Adoption Policy, dated January 6 2025; Gov. Code §§ 53759.1, 53759.2.)

All written protests and objections must identify the water rate(s), land-based charge(s), and/or SGMA charge being opposed and include a description of the land owned sufficient to identify it. If the name on the written protest or objection does not appear on the last equalized assessment roll of the District as the owner of the land, the signer of the protest must also submit written evidence of ownership. Written objections must also specify the grounds for alleging noncompliance.

Written protests and objections may be mailed to:

District Secretary
Westlands Water District
P.O. Box 5199
Fresno, CA 93755

If written protests against a proposed water rate, land-based charge, or SGMA charge are filed by a majority of the affected landowners, the District shall not impose the water rate, land-based charge, or SGMA charge.

Any judicial action or proceeding to attack, review, set aside, void, validate, or annul an ordinance, resolution, or motion adopting a water rate, charge, or land-based charge, or modifying or amending an existing water rate, land-based charge, or SGMA charge shall be commenced within 120 days of the effective date, or the date of the final passage, adoption, or approval of the ordinance, resolution, or motion adopting, modifying, or amending the water rate, land-based charge, or SGMA charge, whichever is later. (See Gov. Code § 53759.)

If you have questions about the proposed water rates, land-based charges, or SGMA charge, please call Dalia Lopez at (559) 241-6227.

No. 766

• Proposed Water Rates and Charges (PDF)

Items to Note

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.

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.

Holiday Office Closures & Water Ordering Procedures

The emergency telephone number for after-hours and holidays is (559) 224-1523
District offices will be closed Tuesday, December 24, and Wednesday, December 25, 2024, for the Christmas holiday; Wednesday, January 1, 2025, for New Year’s Day; and on Monday, January 20, 2025, in observance of Martin Luther King Jr. Day. The affected water ordering deadlines are as follows:

For Water Use On	Place Water Order By
Tuesday – December 24	Monday, December 23, 9:30 a.m.
Wednesday or Thursday – December 25 or 26	Monday, December 23, noon
Wednesday – January 1	Tuesday, December 31, 9:30 a.m.
Thursday – January 2	Tuesday, December 31, noon
Saturday or Sunday – January 18 or 19	Friday, January 17, 9:30 a.m.
Monday or Tuesday – January 20 or 21	Friday, January 17, noon

2025-2026 Agricultural Water Allocation Applications Due January 15, 2025

The Agricultural Water Allocation Applications for 2025-2026 were mailed on December 13, 2024.

Allocation Applications are due by 5:00 p.m. on or before January 15, 2025, at either the Fresno or Five Points office.

Typically, the landowners’ tenant farmers submit the Allocation Applications. However, landowners may choose to submit the Allocation Application themselves if they desire more direct control of the allocation to their land or if tenants have not been selected. Landowners are reminded that they are responsible for paying the costs associated with water applied for and allocated, even if the water is not used.

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.

The District is also requesting an estimate of the number of acres you expect to follow in the 2025-2026 water contract year. Providing this information will not affect your water allocation request. The information will only be used to educate the public on how the continued water supply shortage is impacting water users.

2025-2026 Groundwater Allocation Applications Due January 15, 2025

The Groundwater Allocation Applications for 2025-2026 were mailed on December 13, 2024. Allocation Applications are due at either the Fresno or Five Points offices by 5:00 p.m. on or before January 15, 2025.

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).. 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.

New this year is the opportunity to receive your pro-rata share of the District’s Groundwater Credit. If you would like your pro-rata share of the District’s Groundwater Credits dispensed in 2025, please check the box labeled, “Check the box if you want your pro-rata share of the District’s Groundwater Credit at approximately $180 per acre-foot”.

The District may dispense approximately 24,000 AF or 0.046AF/acre by March 31, 2025, if the District projects that the CVP allocation will be twenty five percent (25%) or less. For example, if you check the box and have 1,000 acres in your account, you could be allocated 46 AF of the District’s Groundwater Credit. The District’s Groundwater Credits are estimated to cost $180/AF and the total will be due prior to the District’s Groundwater Credits being allocated to your account.

2024-2025 Supplemental Water Update
The District will include an additional 15,000 acre-feet (AF) of System Gain in the Supplemental Water pool, bringing the total to 116,700 AF. With this additional supply, the projected price of the Supplemental Water pool is between $400/AF and $415/AF, delivered.

The additional supply is surplus to the Supplemental Water pool and will be allocated as Other Water to all water users who submitted a CVP Allocation Application for 2024-2025. There will be no advance payment required as water users will pay the projected price upon delivery. If Other Water is carried over into the 2025-2026 water year, Other Water will be the first water delivered from an account.

WATER SUPPLY

2024-2025 CVP Contract Allocation

On June 25, 2024, the Bureau of Reclamation increased the 2024-25 Central Valley Project (CVP) allocation from 40% to 50% for south of Delta agricultural water contractors. Water users are encouraged to use the additional allocation and refrain from pumping groundwater

2024-2025 Water Supply Update

The CVP currently has approximately 7,269,000 acre-feet (AF) of water stored in northern CVP reservoirs; this represents 122% of the 15-year average. Shasta Reservoir storage is approximately 2,917,000 AF; 119% of the 15-year average. Federal storage in San Luis Reservoir is 509,000 AF; 112% of the 15-year average. Since December 1, total exports averaged 10,291 cfs with the Jones and Banks Pumping Plants averaging 3,611 cfs and 6,680 cfs, respectively. However, exports will be curtailed for 14 days, beginning on December 19, because elevated Delta inflow has triggered a Delta Smelt protective action, per the 2019 Biological Opinion. The action limits the reverse flow in Old and Middle Rivers to -2,000 cfs. As such, Jones and Banks pumping will be reduced to 1,800 cfs and 500 cfs respectively and will remain at low levels for the duration of the action.

2025-2026 Water Rescheduling

Russ Freeman: (559) 241-6241
The District will be 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 will be lost according to the District’s Rescheduling Policy.

Water users are reminded that according to the District’s Rescheduling Policy, loss (whether cap or rescheduling) is prorated based on volume per acre, from highest to lowest, and is applied in the following order and manner:

1. Water rescheduled by the District
2. Remaining Rescheduled Water
3. Delivered Rescheduled Water

Although the District’s Rescheduling Policy does not limit how much water may be rescheduled by a water user, staff expects that after Cap Loss is applied, there will be 0.26 acre-feet per acre remaining, assuming all eligible acres participate in rescheduling water. If the San Luis Reservoir fills and there is a loss due to foregone pumping (Rescheduling Loss), then that loss will be applied in addition to the Cap Loss.

As a reminder, if a water user loses water, the District will bill the water user for all costs associated with the lost water.

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 Customer Website.

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.

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.

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 2024-25

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
18R	Jan. 6 – Jan. 10	Quinquennial	7:00AM -3:30PM
23L	Jan. 13 – Jan. 17	Quinquennial	7:00AM -3:30PM
7RC Meters Affected (107115-107235)	Jan. 13 – Jan. 14	Transformer Maintenance	7:00AM -7:00AM
21R	Jan. 14 – Jan. 15	Transformer Maintenance	7:00AM -7:00AM
17R	Jan. 15 – Jan. 16	Transformer Maintenance	7:00AM -7:00AM
9L Meters Affected (9005-9025)	Jan. 16 – Jan. 17	Transformer Maintenance	7:00AM -7:00AM
13L Meters Affected (13005-13052	Jan. 17 – Jan. 20	Transformer Maintenance	7:00AM -7:00AM
15L Meters Affected (15005-15013)	Jan. 20 – Jan. 21	Transformer Maintenance	7:00AM -7:00AM
13R	Jan. 21 – Jan. 22	Transformer Maintenance	7:00AM -7:00AM
3R	Jan. 21 – Jan. 23	Deferred Electrical Maint.	7:00AM -3:30PM
6-1PP	Jan. 22	Transformer Maintenance	TBD
12L	Feb. 10 – Feb. 14	Division Valve Inspection	7:00AM-3:30PM

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. Please check the District’s calendar for the next SC/OAC meeting.

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 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 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.

Sustainable Groundwater Management Act (SGMA) Update

Antonio Solorio: (559) 241-6244 or sgma@wwd.ca.gov
The Westside Subbasin Groundwater Sustainability Plan 2025 Amendment (GSP) was adopted on December 17, 2024 and posted on the district website.

For water users with private recharge projects, the District recommends that water users consider participating in the Groundwater Credit Program. The Standard Recharge Program Application and supporting guidance document (Attachment 2 of Article 1) can be found on the District’s SGMA Website.

If you operated an approved recharge project last year through the standard application process, not the 2023 expedited recharge application, please return page 6 before recharge commences. Also, if you are operating a recharge project this year, please submit your meter reading online.

The next Advisory and Technical Advisory Committee Meetings are scheduled for February 25, 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.

Effective September 1, 2024, the District will no longer consent to irrigate, from any source, leased District land. All new leases will be non-irrigable.

Westlands Water Quality Coalition Members

Kori Peterson: (559) 241-6231 or wwqc@wwd.ca.gov
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.

Groundwater and Irrigation System Management Program Outage Information

Jennifer Montoya: (559) 241-6242 or jmontoya@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, damaged transformers, and damaged or missing meters. Before contacting PG&E, you will need your prior PG&E meter number or account number. This information may also be included in the GWMP/ISMP application(s).

No. 765

Items to Note

2025-2026 Agricultural Water Allocation Application and Purchase Agreement

Enclosed are your Agricultural Water Allocation Application and Purchase Agreement form(s) for the new water year. Applications are due on or before January 15, 2025. Postmark dates will not be accepted.

Applications received after January 15, 2025, will not receive an initial 2025-2026 Central Valley Project (CVP) Contract water allocation.

Applications may be mailed to:

• Westlands Water District, P.O. Box 5199, Fresno, CA 93755

Or hand-delivered to either of the District offices listed below:

• Fresno Office, 286 W. Cromwell Ave., Fresno, CA 93711
• Five Points Office, 23050 W. Mt. Whitney Ave, Five Points, CA 93624

All water users are subject to the District’s Regulations for the Allocation and Use of Agricultural Water and the Terms and Conditions for Agricultural Water Service. Terms and Conditions and Regulations are available on the District’s website at wwd.ca.gov under the About, Additional Information, Rules & Regs menu item. A water user may still apply for a lesser amount than the pro-rata allocation to which his land is entitled. Blank application forms can be obtained on the District’s website by logging into your web user account, selecting Menu, Forms, then selecting Water Allocation Application and Purchase Agreement.

The District has projected that the initial 2025-2026 allocation for south-of-Delta CVP agricultural service contractors will be 20-40%. District staff will continue to monitor conditions and will provide additional notice to water users if the allocation estimate changes.

Allocation Application Form Instructions

• Complete and sign both sides of the form.
• Update the water user name and address.
• List all land within Westlands’ boundaries for which allocation of CVP contract water is being requested.
• Using whole acre-feet, indicate the maximum amount of CVP contract water you would like to receive for each field. Actual allocations will be determined by the amount of water available to the District. If the amount requested is less than the ratable share, the amount requested will be the amount allocated to the water user.
• Using whole acres, indicate a number of estimated fallowed acres for each field. Providing this information to the District will not impact your request for a water supply allocation. This information will only be used to educate the public on how the continued lack of water supply is impacting our water users.
• The District uses acreage records from the U.S. Farm Service Agency (FSA) or District measurements to determine your allocation. You must provide verification from the FSA for any changes. FSA determinations dated after March 1, 2025, will not result in an adjustment to your initial 2025-2026 allocation but will be used for allocations made subsequent to the change.
• If you are increasing or decreasing the total acreage you farm prior to March 1, 2025, you must submit a revised 2024-2025 application in addition to your 2025-2026 application.

Account Contact Information Form Instructions

• Please review the list of authorized contacts associated with your account and make any necessary changes. It is imperative District staff has current contact information for all individuals within your organization who are authorized to manage your account. This information will be used to contact you in the event of an emergency lateral shutdown, overcapacity condition, or other issues that could affect water service to your farm.
• Sign, date, and return the contact form along with your allocation application.
• Allocation applications missing the account contact information form will be considered incomplete and are subject to processing delays.

Please contact your Customer Service Representative at (559) 241-6250 if you have any questions regarding the allocation application or contact information form.

No. 763(a)