Catch up on the latest GSA board meeting recaps anytime—at home, on the road, or on your tractor.
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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.
Growers using remote sensing received an additional 1-inch effective precipitation credit for WY2026 (total 11 eligible inches). The board changed the inactive parcel designation deadline from January 31 to May 1, with a one-time reopening through August 31, 2026 for parcels with no irrigation for the year. A grower raised concerns about gauge accuracy and the board discussed having staff/TAC look into potential use of other stations.
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.
