This notice regards:
Items to Note
2024-2025 Supplemental Water Update
The District will include 5,000 Acre-Feet (AF) of Cushion Water and 5,000 AF of System Gain in the Supplemental Water pool, bringing the total to 101,700 AF, with 44,419 AF still available. The projected price of the Supplemental Water pool is between $455/AF and $465/AF, delivered.
Water Users may request additional Supplemental Water by completing and returning the agreement attached to Notice 733 by September 30th to the Fresno Office. Thereafter, surplus Supplemental Water will be allocated as Other Water to all water users who submitted a CVP Allocation Application for 2024-2025, regardless of whether a Water User has an unfulfilled CVP Allocation Application or previously requested Supplemental Water. The amount of Other Water allocated may be up to 0.097 AF/acre.
The District will allocate Other Water in October. 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.
2024-2025 Land-Based Charges Due
Jessie Xiong: (559) 241-6212
The bills for the 2024-2025 Land-Based Charges were mailed on March 10, 2024, with the second installment due September 25, 2024. A penalty will be added to unpaid charges on the day following the payment due date.
Assessment Equalization Hearing
Jessie Xiong: (559) 241-6212
At the equalization hearing on May 21, 2024, the Board of Directors established the District’s 2024 Benefit Assessment, which constitutes liens on each parcel of land assessed, due, and payable as of May 21, 2024. Assessments become delinquent after November 21, 2024.
Westlands Water District 2024 General Election
Stephen Farmer: (559) 241-6240
On November 5, 2024, the District will conduct an all-mail general election. No polling place will be established.
This election is for the office of Director and five seats must be filled, as follows:
- Five seats expire on December 6, 2024. The term for these five seats runs through noon on December 1, 2028.
The District will update landowner records with information from both Fresno and Kings Counties and finalize the Voter Roster on or about October 1, 2024.
The data from the County Assessor’s office contains only the addresses for primary landowners. To avoid receiving multiple ballots and having to forward them to co-owners, the District requests that primary owners provide the mailing addresses of co-owners. Updating these addresses will allow the District to mail ballots directly to co-owners, thereby avoiding delays and inconvenience.
Please submit the requested information for secondary ownership in writing as soon as possible to the District at P.O. Box 5199, Fresno, CA 93755, or via email at sfarmer@wwd.ca.gov. For additional assistance or information, please contact Stephen Farmer at (559) 241-6240.
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.
Serve as a Committee Member for 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 serve on the District’s Multibenefit Land Repurposing Program (Program) Steering Committee (SC) and/or Outreach Advisory Committee (OAC).
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.
The SC and OAC meetings will be held at least bi-monthly, and SC and OAC members hold term until March 30, 2027, or fulfillment of the Grant Agreement, whichever is later. If you are interested in participating on the SC and/or OAC, please email Shelly Ruiz.
Grant Funding Available through Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS)
Brent Dragomanovich: (559) 241-6245 or bdragomanovich@wwd.ca.gov
The District is pleased to announce that NRCS funding is available to Westlands growers, up to $450,000 per Farm Bill. This WaterSMART Initiative enables Westlands farmers to carry out water conservation and drought resiliency improvements such as installing irrigation pipelines, micro-irrigation systems, reservoirs, and temporary diversion pumping plants. Westlands farmers are encouraged to contact the local Fresno NRCS office at (559) 276-7494 as soon as possible to determine eligibility and start an application. Applications are due November 15, 2024.
The District plans to hold an outreach workshop via Zoom in October to discuss this funding opportunity.
Holiday Office Closures & Water Ordering Procedures
District offices will be closed on Monday, November 11, 2024, in observance of Veterans Day. The affected water ordering deadlines are as follows:
| For Water Use On | Place Water Order By |
|---|---|
| Saturday or Sunday – November 9 or 10 | Friday, November 8, 9:30 a.m. |
| Monday or Tuesday – November 11 or 12 | Friday, November 8, noon |
The emergency telephone number for after hours and holidays is (559) 224-1523.
Annual Fall Groundwater Elevation Readings
Jose Rangel: (559) 241-6220 or jrangel@wwd.ca.gov
District staff and its consultant will begin collecting fall groundwater elevation readings in November. The District requests landowner cooperation in gathering these readings by providing access to wells. If you have recently changed keyed locks or combo locks, please contact Jose Rangel to provide access.
Summer Hours of Operation
Effective September 9, the Five Points Shop and Field Office (including TFO, HFO, and PVPP), returned to regular hours, from 7:00 a.m. to 3:30 p.m., Monday through Friday. All other District offices and operations will remain unchanged and will remain open from 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m., Monday through Friday. The emergency telephone number for after-hours is (559) 224-1523.
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
Though additional increases in allocation may be unlikely, the District will continue to advocate for additional increases and will monitor and timely-report any changes to the CVP allocation.
2024-2025 Water Supply Update
The CVP currently has approximately 7,330,000 acre-feet (AF) of water stored in northern CVP reservoirs; this represents 121% of the 15-year average. Shasta Reservoir storage is approximately 2,856,000 AF; 113% of the 15-year average. Federal storage in San Luis Reservoir is 407,000 AF; 119% of the 15-year average. Since September 1, total exports averaged 10,581 cfs with the Jones and Banks Pumping Plants averaging 4,212 cfs and 6,369 cfs, respectively.
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:
- Water rescheduled by the District
- Remaining Rescheduled Water
- 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 several 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 Shutdown Schedule 2024
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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 24L P-Line (24005-24030) | Sept. 23 – Sept. 25 | Painting Pumping Plant | P-Line at 50% Capacity Sept. 26-27 |
| 29L P-Line (29005-29040) | Sept. 30 – Oct. 2 | Painting Pumping Plant | P-Line at 50% Capacity Oct. 3-4 |
| 26L All | Sept. 30 – Oct. 4 | Quinquennial, Capitol Valve Project | 7:00 AM -3:30 PM |
| 1R | October 1 | Check Valve Replacement | 7:00AM -3:30PM |
| 26L Meters (26137-26195) | Oct. 4 – Oct. 11 | Pipeline Replacement | 3:30 PM – 3:30 PM |
| 25R | Oct. 7– Oct. 11 | Quinquennial | 7:00 AM -3:30 PM |
| 17RC | Oct. 9 – Oct. 11 | Removal of Temporary Tanks | 7:00AM -3:30PM |
| 5L | Oct. 14 – Oct. 18 | Quinquennial | 7:00 AM -3:30 PM |
| Coalinga Canal | Oct. 14 – Oct. 18 | Deferred Quinquennial | 7:00AM -3:30PM |
| 14R | Oct. 21– Oct. 25 | Quinquennial | 7:00AM -3:30PM |
| 3L P-Line Meters (3005-3056) | Oct. 21 – Oct. 25 | Replace Transformer | 7:00AM -3:30PM |
| 29R | Oct. 28 – Nov. 1 | Quinquennial | 7:00AM -3:30PM |
| 8L | Nov. 4 – Nov. 8 | Quinquennial | 7:00AM -3:30PM |
| 25R | Nov. 12 – Nov. 15 | Tank Warranty Inspection | 7:00AM -3:30PM |
| 14L | Nov. 18 – Nov. 22 | Quinquennial | 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 | 32L | |
| 10/13/25 | PV4 | |
| 10/20/25 | 23R | |
| 10/27/25 | PV6 | |
| 11/3/25 | 31L | |
| 11/17/25 | 6-1 & 6-2 | |
| 12/8/25 | 3L | |
| 12/15/25 | 7RA, 7RB, 7RC, 7RD | |
| 1/5/26 | 11R | |
| 1/12/26 | 4L | |
| 1/26/26 | 17RA, 17RB, 17RC | |
| 2/2/26 | 33L | |
| 2/9/26 | 22L | |
| 2/23/26 | 24L |
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.
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.
Sustainable Groundwater Management Act (SGMA) Update
Antonio Solorio: (559) 241-6244 or sgma@wwd.ca.gov
At the September Board Meeting, the Board of Directors authorized the use of District owned recharge facilities through the $50/AF and 25/75 programs. In order to participate, water users must submit an agreement to allocate and pay for the surface water delivered to recharge at District owned facilities. If the water user selects the $50/AF program, then the Water User would pay the District $50/AF (net groundwater credit) to recharge at District owned facilities and receive 100 percent of the net groundwater credit. If the water user selects the 25/75 program, then the Water User would pay the District $0/AF to recharge at District owned facilities and receive 75 percent of the net groundwater credit. Agreements will be posted on the website next week and agreement holders may receive their pro rata share based on the acres in their account if requests exceed the District’s recharge capacity.
The next Advisory and Technical Advisory Committee Meetings are scheduled for November 21, 2024 at 9:30am.
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. 754