Catch up on the latest GSA board meeting recaps anytime—on the road, on your tractor, or at home.
The water district is finalizing a comprehensive efficiency strategic plan projecting demand through 2050, with full build-out reaching 157,000 dwelling units while maintaining 2007 usage levels despite population growth. New developments are using 25% more water than designed due to customer behavior after occupancy, presenting conservation challenges. The planned Advanced Metering Infrastructure will provide hourly usage data and precise leak detection capabilities, transforming water...
The Board unanimously approved a pilot groundwater extraction fee program that will charge growers for pumping above set thresholds, aiming to reduce the district's water use by 11.4%, or 30,000-40,000 acre feet, annually. They consider satellite-based monitoring systems, IrriWatch or Land IQ, rather than physical well meters to track usage. Additionally, the Board approved redesigning a recharge pond to increase capacity from 25 to 50 acre feet.
The board approved moving forward with a comprehensive domestic well risk assessment using an updated inventory of over 4,100 wells to identify those at risk from declining groundwater levels. New modeling revealed groundwater contributes over 100,000 acre-feet annually to the Sacramento River, with the river gaining water from groundwater consistently. A fee appeals process was established allowing property owners to contest fee classifications within 45 days, though fees must be paid...
The district is evaluating a 4-megawatt natural gas power generation project that could reduce electricity costs from 28-29 cents per kilowatt hour to 9-10 cents, with a 3.5-year payback period. Water rates for 2026 were reduced, with State Water Project charges dropping to $87/AFt. The board approved a conservative 2026 budget projecting an $8.2 million loss based on a worst-case scenario of 50% water allocation and no banking activity.
The board approved a 5-year contract for weather forecasting services to improve water management decisions. They also authorized a major pipeline relocation project at Highway 43, for which Caltrans funds over $2 million. Additionally, they approved hiring a replacement for the retiring Operations Manager with a planned 9-10 month overlap period to ensure knowledge transfer of over 4 decades of institutional experience.
