The GSA will no longer allocate water or charge extraction fees starting in 2026, as all founding member agencies have formed their own exclusive GSAs. A comprehensive Land Subsidence Management Plan was presented with major revisions including an expanded management area, extraction-based allocations, and mandatory well metering. Critical groundwater level thresholds must rise significantly to reduce the risk of exceeding the 3‑foot subsidence limit near the Friant‑Kern Canal by 2040
A groundwater management committee recommended strict new pumping limits starting January 2026, restricting users to 0.27 acre-feet per acre annually in the most critical areas to address severe land subsidence threatening canal infrastructure. The committee expanded the regulated area from 2 to 3 miles from the canal and established a four-tier system with the strictest limits closest to the canal. These dramatic reductions from current pumping levels are necessary to prevent continued ...
ETGSA board approved Resolution 2025-02 setting groundwater extraction fees at $26.60 per acre-foot for October 2025-September 2026. Water year 2026 allocations: sustainable yield 0.98 AF/acre (0.15 native + 0.83 precipitation), Tier 1 remains 0.82 AF/acre. Total Tier 1 volume reduced to 128,499 acre-feet as three irrigation districts withdrew while forming independent GSAs. Board extended Tier 1 pre-purchase deadline to November 14th at existing rates due to ongoing transitions. Payment...
A data correction issue with water usage calculations resulted in higher-than-expected charges for Quarter 3, which will be corrected in upcoming invoices. The Board will consider a hardship case for a residential well user facing financial difficulties with unpaid groundwater extraction fees. Landowners have until September 30th to submit all required forms for the 2025 water year, including pre-purchase allocations and exemption applications.
