Catch up on the latest GSA board meeting recaps anytime—at home, on the road, or on your tractor.
Proud Partners of
WY 2027 allocations were discussed as likely staying the same (1.37 AF/acre sustainable yield plus precipitation; Tier 1 at 0.31 and Tier 2 at 0.23 AF/acre). Tiered-water pricing was discussed but not agendized for action. The board ratified a 1,043 AF Class 1 water purchase (~$566.50/AF; just under $600K); staff discussed returning with options on recharge/exchange.
The board approved a just-over-$800K Schuster subsurface recharge pilot (about $8K/acre, far below conventional spreading). Monitoring found an arsenic exceedance at RMW 315 (Primex); 3-mile notifications will be sent and the exceedance was deemed natural. Staff questioned DWR's subsidence analysis inputs and will review data before changing thresholds.
Elevated organics (notably geosmin) in South Bay Aqueduct supply led to taste and odor complaints at Treatment Plant #2; staff said water was safe and the episode appears to have passed for now while monitoring continues. A commenter flagged northern-area hardness nearing 150 mg/L. Staff also briefed the California Water Plan 2028 update targeting 9 million acre-feet of additional supply, conservation, or storage capacity by 2040.
Subsidence thresholds are being used up faster, and staff is developing options that could shift from consumption-based allocations to total applied/total pumped accounting. The board voted on the 2026–2027 assessment after discussion of the CPI-adjusted maximum. Staff reported a July 16 non-public meeting with SWRCB leadership on the Tule Subbasin interim plan and coordination timeline.
Water deliveries are winding down, with Apex shutting off Saturday morning (this weekend) and Riverside expected to run through about late July. The Board directed staff to pursue project funding opportunities (including Prop 4 and a federal appropriations request), subject to cost approval. The FY2025 audit was presented showing ~$8M cash and net position ~$37.3M, with no significant issues identified.
