Catch up on the latest GSA board meeting recaps anytime—on the road, on your tractor, or at home.
GSA continues facing a tight financial situation with only $8,300 remaining and requires ongoing loans from a local irrigation district until voter-approved funding can be secured. The board approved a domestic well mitigation program limited to wells under 50 years old, despite concerns about potential liability for older wells. Groundwater levels show strong recovery with some areas seeing 40-foot increases from 2022 lows, demonstrating successful recharge management programs.
The board approved a $1.52 million pipeline repair contract and directed staff to proceed with a $48 million water treatment plant financing strategy through a federal WIFIA loan. Staff identified significant cost savings of $18-20 million in the treatment plant projects while still meeting capacity and safety requirements. The board also supported state legislation for low-income water rate assistance to help ratepayers manage infrastructure improvement costs.
The Groundwater Sustainability Agency is finalizing an allocation policy that would assign 0.66 acre-feet per acre for properties 5 acres and larger, with transitional pumping allowances stepping down through 2040. Subsidence remains a major concern and could trigger pumping restrictions before groundwater level thresholds are reached, especially given the basin’s limited monitoring equipment. Well registration has reached about 66% of parcels, with continued outreach underway and domestic...
The Kern County Subbasin avoided state intervention after its 20 groundwater sustainability agencies made substantial improvements to their management plans, including enhanced monitoring, robust dry well mitigation programs offering up to $90,000 per well, and more protective water quality thresholds. The basin has already achieved 31% of its planned demand reduction and added 2.75 million acre-feet of groundwater storage, demonstrating significant progress toward sustainability.
The board approved over $273,000 in consultant agreements to conduct a comprehensive rate setting process for FY 2025-26, establishing an ad hoc committee to oversee community engagement efforts. The College Lake water treatment facility is now operational and producing water but faces turbidity issues requiring ongoing adjustments, with some customers experiencing filter clogging from polymer residue. Additionally, the board authorized $100,000 for vegetation management at College Lake...
