Catch up on the latest GSA board meeting recaps anytime—on the road, on your tractor, or at home.
The agency is considering 5-9% annual rate increases for five years to fund $19 million in critical infrastructure upgrades to aging water systems. Current 4% increases only cover half the needed improvements, while wastewater rates may rise 3-5% annually to address 1970s-era system deficiencies. The agency has secured $3 million in grants and is pursuing a WIFIA loan for additional low-interest financing.
The Central Valley Project's 55% water allocation is at serious risk, with San Luis Reservoir projected to reach dangerously low levels by August and only an 11,000 acre-foot buffer above dead pool remaining. Delta water quality issues are already forcing pumping reductions below forecasted levels, threatening the ability to deliver promised allocations to contractors. However, there's hope as the Secretary of Interior made an unprecedented visit to engage directly with California water stakeholders and received priority project recommendations.
The joint committee with the Central Delta-Mendota Region Management Committee approved sharing pumping data among 10 member agencies to develop cost-sharing formulas based on actual usage rather than equal splits. Early implementation of pumping reduction plans shows success, with mandatory well shutoffs when water allocations drop below 45% and some growers prohibited from pumping this year. A new automated dashboard system will track compliance for water quality, groundwater levels, and subsidence in real-time, eliminating manual analysis by individual agencies.
The GSA is moving forward with a well metering policy requiring meters on wells pumping over 2 acre-feet annually, with $500 county grants available for installation assistance. The board approved a new $33,800 per acre-foot water supply impact fee for developments exceeding baseline allocations to fund infrastructure projects. Additionally, the GSA adopted new insurance coverage and approved a 14.7% budget increase to cover rising personnel and legal costs.
Agency reported strong basin recovery with water levels up 100 feet and all zones pumping below sustainable limits. The board debated changing pumping credit expiration periods from 5 years to between 3-50 years to prevent "paper water" accumulation. DWR approved their sustainability report while workshops on credit reforms are scheduled for August and September.
