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 new groundwater quality monitoring network covering three aquifers and testing for constituents including nitrate, arsenic, and uranium, at a cost of roughly $17,000 every three years. Subsidence criteria were also approved, limiting ground elevation changes near critical infrastructure to six inches over 20 years (2022–2042), using satellite data rather than groundwater levels as a proxy. Staff reported that GSP updates will be released for public review in October 2026.
The board approved the Patterson Reservoir Remediation Project, which will add berms to restore required freeboard and is intended to support a higher operating level after construction, targeted for spring-summer 2027. Staff referenced 5.0% and 5.5% annual rate increase options from the July 30 workshop, with more workshops set for August 27 and September 24. Incoming Finance Director Rick Bruneau was also introduced and will start August 24.
Board approved procuring Symmetrix mag meters for all active grower wells and tying them into district telemetry for real-time access. Staff said growers would handle ongoing upkeep (calibration/batteries) and discussed coordinating antenna placement. Staff flagged a very strong 2027 El Niño potential and said Franklin Canal may go offline in early Nov., returning in Jan. (with early reopen possible).
The board approved Rincon Consultants' Work Order No. 14 for field monitoring services for Water Year 2026/2027 at a total authorization of $240,691, potentially drawing $15,691 beyond the $225,000 budgeted amount from the agency's contingency funds. Member agency extraction fee invoices for FY 2026/2027 totaled $644,952, while private well invoices for January–June 2026 totaled $15,108 to close out FY 2025/2026.
Growers face a Sept. 1 deadline to commit to surface water, and staff urged use of available surface water. Groundwater pumping is now metered and being monitored, including discussion of the existing $5,000 penalty for unreported active wells. A Friant-Kern subsidence plan is due by year-end; possible tighter pumping/recharge rules were discussed.
