Catch up on the latest GSA board meeting recaps anytime—at home, on the road, or on your tractor.
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The district's CVP south-of-delta agricultural allocation remains at 25%, with staff planning to advocate aggressively for an increase during an upcoming Washington, D.C. trip. The board approved up to $825,000 for a copper-based golden mussel abatement pilot on Laterals 7R and 4 Left. The board discussed the drought pool arrangement, with some directors urging reevaluation and staff noting the current deal's benefits have not materialized.
Groundwater replenishment assessments were set at $250–$255/acre-foot for 2026–2027. Recycled water rates rise to $0.79/HCF effective July 1, 2026, and domestic water rates were approved to increase from $2.75 to $2.92/HCF on Jan. 1, 2027. McKenna abstained, citing reserves of $344M and a projection of $370M by end of FY 2026–27.
The board adopted the 2025 Urban Water Management Plan (Resolution 2026-39) projecting ~10,827 AF of excess supply through 2050 from groundwater, recycled water, desalination, and potential surface water. Groundwater sustainable yield estimates range 4,400–9,900 AFY depending on neighboring basin conditions. The board also approved a Garney Pacific contract amendment (Resolution 2026-38) for Phase 1 of the Reservation Road Desal Plant renovation, a facility with ~300 AFY capacity.
Staff shared updated geology and water quality analyses for the Forebay and Upper Valley subbasins, finding no statistically significant link between pumping and evaluated water-quality constituents (including nitrate and gross alpha). AEM surveys refined subsurface mapping; no immediate management changes were proposed. Draft GSP amendments are planned for early August Board review and a 90-day comment period, with staff discussing a return around November.
Groundwater depth averaged about one foot lower year-over-year, and Kings River runoff is 52% of average. The board discussed July rate-setting tied to the budget and recharge-basin buildout pace. GEI's canal capacity study should have initial data by July, and land acquisition/project work continues.
