Your Weekly SGMA Intel (Nov 10 - 16)

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Must Knows this Week

Farm Bureau appeal could further delay probationary pumping fees in Tulare Lake beyond May 2026. El Rico GSA reported that while the State Board announced pumping fees will be due May 1, 2026 (covering July 15, 2024 through September 30, 2025), the Kings County Farm Bureau plans to appeal to the California Supreme Court and challenge fee implementation at the trial court level. These legal actions could further delay or modify fee requirements for growers across probationary basins... Read More

Pixley GSA consultants recommend allocation that could force one-third to 40% of current irrigated land out of production. Consultants at Pixley GSA recommended a maximum groundwater pumping allocation of 1.2 acre-feet per acre to meet 2040 subsidence targets, which could require 20,000-25,000 acres to be taken out of production GSA-wide. Individual farm impacts will vary significantly, with some operations potentially facing 50-60% reductions in pumping... Read More

GSAs Debating Cost-Sharing Structures and Fairness in Kern. The Kern Subbasin (reported by Cawelo Water District) is considering changing from 1-out-of-22 equal sharing to a pool structure based on developed acreage, Semitropic and Shafter-Wasco reported ongoing discussions about moving away from equal splits toward more equitable formulas.

Delta-Mendota Subbasin transitions from planning to implementation (metering + pumping reductions) in 2026. The Delta-Mendota Subbasin Coordination Committee reminded GSAs that starting January 2026, all groundwater wells must be registered and metered as actual pumping reduction requirements begin. With 21 of 23 GSAs committing to the new Joint Powers Authority, the subbasin is moving from planning mode to active management and enforcement... Read More

Salinas Valley faces unprecedented 11-mile seawater intrusion challenge requiring more than water budget balancing. The Salinas Valley Basin GSA board approved a valley-wide demand management framework despite opposition, but staff emphasized that unlike other groundwater issues, seawater intrusion cannot be solved by simply stabilizing levels—it requires actively raising groundwater or capturing seawater before it reaches inland areas. The 11-mile intrusion front (compared to Orange County's 3-mile success story) must be addressed by 2040 under SGMA requirements... Read More

Trends in the Valley

More Allocation and Pumping Reduction Frameworks Under Development Valley-Wide. El Rico GSA discussed a new allocation framework distributing the basin's 360,000 AF sustainable yield across five GSAs (El Rico would receive 35.6% based on historic pumping), Eastern San Joaquin Groundwater Authority is working to address a required 95,000 AF/year reduction (potentially lowered to 56,000 AF through Category A projects), and Modesto Irrigation District presented a significantly revised groundwater replenishment program with automatic triggers eliminating board discretion.

Major Investments in Groundwater Monitoring Networks. West Turlock Subbasin GSA approved $517,420 to install eight new dedicated monitoring wells (out of a planned 33 total), Eastern San Joaquin Groundwater Authority approved at least six new monitoring wells using ARPA grant funds, and Greater Kaweah GSA is equipping three existing wells with pressure transducers for hourly groundwater level monitoring.

Strong Water Supply Outlooks for 2025 Season. Delano-Earlimart Irrigation District is maintaining 100% Class 1 allocation with November storms potentially bringing 6 inches to the San Joaquin watershed, Modesto Irrigation District reported Don Pedro Reservoir at 75% capacity (25,000 AF higher than last year), and Shafter-Wasco Irrigation District expects maximum carryover plus an additional 13,000-16,000 AF through transfer agreements (approximately 60% above base allocation).

Energy Costs Driving Innovation and Budget Pressures. Cawelo Water District reported utility costs $2 million over budget due to increased well usage and PG&E rate increases, while Semitropic took a different approach by approving a $16.9M linear generator facility that will cut power costs in half with a 4-year payback period. Fresno Irrigation District is installing backup generators for $184,000 to maintain critical communications during power outages.

The Pro Deep Dive

Fee/Allocation Change Tracker

Approved Fee Changes

Fresno Irrigation District - Board has discretion to implement $100 late registration fee per wellhead after November 30 deadline for well registration program
Carpinteria GSA - Approved higher penalty fees for unmetered wells after March 2026 deadline, calculated using conservative usage estimates that typically result in charges well above actual metered water usage
Semitropic Water Storage District - Adopted 2026 water charges through public hearing: $83/acre-foot for State Water Project water, $60/acre-foot for delivered water; total cost example of $639.40/acre (assuming 100% allocation, 3.5 AF/acre contract water, plus $139.40/acre administrative charges)
Wheeler Ridge-Maricopa Water Storage District - Approved 2026 budget with approximately $10 per contract acre increases in both Operations & Maintenance and Fixed Obligation rates, driven by $600,000 increase for equipment inventory and aging infrastructure replacement

Fee Changes Under Development/Discussion

Merced Subbasin GSA - Presented Phase 2 fee development timeline to replace expiring Phase 1 fee; public workshops scheduled February 2026, Board adoption March 2026, Proposition 218 hearing April 2026
Mission Springs Water District - Reviewing proposed grease and sand interceptor enforcement amendments with escalating fines: $1,000/day (first 30 days), $5,000/day (next 30 days), $10,000/day (next 60 days), with potential service termination; public hearing scheduled for November 17, 2025
Madera County GSA Committee - Annual financial review will apply overdraft penalty revenue to well mitigation program, potentially reducing the current $59 per acre fee in future years as penalty dollars increase
El Rico GSA - State Board announced pumping fees due May 1, 2026 for period July 15, 2024 through September 30, 2025; Farm Bureau appeal to California Supreme Court could further delay or modify requirements

Allocation/Management Changes - Approved

Salinas Valley Basin GSA - Approved valley-wide demand management framework establishing potential water use restrictions and efficiency measures across entire valley (not just critically overdrafted areas); described as "work plan" and "living document" that can be modified
Pixley GSA - Approved updated surface water delivery proration policies: cuts recharge water first during capacity shortages, then allocates remaining irrigation water based on acreage served
Estrella-El Pomar-Creston GSA - Approved major changes to Miller fallowing program: extended look-back period from 2 to 5 years for previously irrigated land, eliminated future deadlines for bringing fallowed land back into production
Greater Kaweah GSA - Approved 2026 budget including $3 million for well mitigation, $2 million for water purchases, and $1.5 million for land fallowing program to address sustainability goals
Madera County GSA Committee - Approved moving to single satellite measurement provider (Hydrosat) to save approximately $300,000 annually (10% of GSA admin fees), though roughly half of growers will be forced to switch from current LandIQ or Earwatch systems

Allocation/Management Changes - Under Development/Discussion

Pixley GSA - Consultants recommended maximum groundwater pumping allocation of 1.2 acre-feet per acre to meet 2040 subsidence targets, potentially requiring 20,000-25,000 acres (one-third to 40% of current irrigated land) out of production GSA-wide; individual farms may face 50-60% reductions; recommendation not yet approved
Cawelo Water District - Kern Groundwater Subbasin reviewing cost-sharing structure change from current 1-out-of-22 equal sharing to new "pool" structure based on developed acreage; Cawelo would see costs increase by approximately $3,500
El Rico GSA - Sub-basin water allocation framework under discussion to divide 360,000 acre-foot sustainable yield across five GSAs; El Rico would receive approximately 35.6% based on historic 2022 pumping data (roughly 0.6 AF/acre, slightly higher than current 0.5 AF/acre assumed in rules)
Eastern San Joaquin Groundwater Authority - Working to address required 95,000 acre-feet/year reduction in groundwater pumping; through Category A projects could be lowered to 56,000 AF/year that GSAs must voluntarily allocate; developing non-binding MOU for GSAs to assume responsibility, with December 31, 2026 deadline and enforceable programs by December 2027
Modesto Irrigation District - Presented significantly revised groundwater replenishment program draft with automatic triggers (not yet approved); new "limited implementation year" option allows up to 12,000 acre-feet at $400/acre-foot (double the base rate); final adoption expected late 2025 or early 2026
Delta-Mendota Subbasin Coordination Committee - 2026 implementation requirements approaching: all wells must be registered and metered by January 2026, actual pumping reduction requirements begin; GSAs have until December 31, 2026 to agree on division of overdraft responsibility
Carpinteria GSA - Requiring all agricultural wells to install meters by March 2026 deadline; district hiring outside firm for $9,000 to enhance communications and outreach efforts due to minimal farmer response

Major Funding Approvals

Water Infrastructure Projects

Fresno Irrigation District - Approved $200,000 Kennedy-Owens pipeline project to replace 420 feet of existing 30-inch CIP with 27-inch DCIP; approved $184,000 for backup generators for server room and radio room at headquarters to maintain critical communications during power outages
Calaveras County Water District - Completed Copper Cove water tank project for $6.8 million (nearly $100K under budget); approved $238,944 Arnold Sewer Master Plan contract with Verdantis; approved $317,788 for new CCTV inspection system to replace aging equipment
Consolidated Irrigation District - Approved up to $200,000 additional funding for $1.3 million measurement weir project to potentially remove old sand trap structure; moving forward with acquiring 100 acres for recharge basins using reserve funds with reverse auction process
Chowchilla Water District - Approved $29,029 purchase of new Kaufman equipment trailer; approved full replacement of Number 13 pipeline with materials estimated at $20,000-$32,000 plus excavation and labor
Amador Water Agency - Approved up to $100,000 emergency authorization for Preston Pipelines leak repair work in Quail and Robin Lane areas

Energy & Efficiency Projects

Semitropic Water Storage District - Approved $16.9M contract with Mainspring Energy for 4-megawatt linear generator facility at North Plant with 4-year payback period; will cut power costs in half from current 26 cents to 14 cents per kilowatt-hour; approved $19,750 contract with EMP Inc. for electrical engineering services
Alameda County Water District - Approved $151,828 for electric vehicle charging station construction at headquarters and Treatment Plant 2 to comply with California Air Resources Board's Advanced Clean Fleet mandate
Mission Springs Water District - Presented $80,227 amendment to Kenwood Energy for solar construction management support across three sites; estimated total District solar costs near $1 million with approximate three-year payback

Groundwater Sustainability Programs

West Turlock Subbasin GSA - Approved $517,420 contract with ABC Liovin Drilling to install eight dedicated monitoring wells across seven sites (part of planned 33 total monitoring sites); construction beginning January or February with May completion target
Madera County GSA Committee - Approved contract with Davids Engineering not to exceed $514,000 to manage Domestic Well Mitigation Program in 2026; approved resolution adopting program rules offering up to $35,000 per property for well replacement or municipal connections
Merced Subbasin GSA - Approved $290,000 five-year contract with Environmental Science Associates to continue Groundwater Accounting Platform ($48,000 annual subscription starting January 2026 plus $50,000 for customizations); approved submitting $1 million conservation easement Project 9 to Department of Conservation covering 77 acres
Eastern San Joaquin Groundwater Authority - Approved $71,232 contract amendment with Kleinfelder to proceed with monitoring well contractor selection and installation management; at least six new wells to be installed by December 2026
Greater Kaweah GSA - Approved 2026 budget totaling $9.97 million, including $3 million for well mitigation, $2 million for water purchases, and $1.5 million for land fallowing program; approved 5-year lease agreement with Lisa Ann Cardoza for 11.82 acres at $1,000/acre annually for Hypericum recharge basin
Carpinteria GSA - Approved $9,000 consultant engagement for well metering outreach communications; approved $55,341 Pueblo Water Resources contract for groundwater permitting assistance; approved $65,618 for hydrogeologic testing services on El Carro #2 well and headquarters well
Pixley GSA - Approved $30,000 canal operations feasibility study for gate automation; approved equipment financing for $550,000 grader replacement and $257,000 loader replacement

Water Supply & Environmental Programs

Santa Clara Valley Water District - Approved spending up to $618,500 to acquire additional Sites Reservoir storage capacity from Wheeler Ridge Maricopa Water Storage District, tripling participation from 0.2% to 0.66% (9,351 acre-feet total); approved $5.9 million amendment to GEI Consultants agreement for dam seismic retrofits
Alameda County Water District - Approved $414,000 additional funding for fish ladder operations and environmental services contract, bringing five-year total to $1.886 million
Shafter-Wasco Irrigation District - Approved purchasing 2,700 acre-feet of water at $450/acre-foot through MA-2 program using available $1.6 million in reserves
Amador Water Agency - Approved $10,000 contribution to Upper Mokelumne River Watershed Authority's Phase I Fuel Reduction Project, to be matched by East Bay Municipal Utility District funding

Federal/State Grant Receipts

Fresno Irrigation District - Received $2 million in federal community-directed funding through Congressman Fong and Senator Schiff for Upper Kings Water Resiliency project, in addition to $1 million previously awarded for Crumb Basin land purchase
Delano-Earlimart Irrigation District - Successfully received $1.6 million in federal grant funds (primarily from Phase 6 Smart Grant program) before recent federal shutdown, demonstrating successful timing and compliance

Administrative & Operations Support

Mission Springs Water District - Presented three-year CivicPlus agreement for website design/hosting and agenda management services for amount not to exceed $118,856.83 (including 10% contingency)

Upcoming Projects

Infrastructure Planning & Design

Mission Springs Water District - West Yost design/permitting amendment proposed for percolation pond relocation to accommodate future service center; Resolution 2025-20 for street improvements around regional facility (Initial Study/Mitigated Negative Declaration)
Consolidated Irrigation District - Canal capacity study underway with two engineering proposals under review (costs differ by $200,000 depending on survey methodology); Walnut and Kamm basin project awaiting county approval for parcel splits before going to bid in January
Chowchilla Water District - Cree Pond and Avalon Pond construction projects with one bid received and second pending; High-Speed Rail utility and master agreements nearing completion with special meeting planned for approximately November 25th
Shafter-Wasco Irrigation District - Southeast recharge pipeline construction documents prepared by SED Incorporated as of November 13th; Caltrans roundabout pipeline relocation agreements signed with construction expected late 2026
Amador Water Agency - McKay's Reservoir dredging project to remove 100,000 cubic yards of sediment from mudslides, with spoils to be placed at Arnold Wastewater Treatment Plant property

Seawater Intrusion & Recharge Projects

Salinas Valley Basin GSA - Multiple feasibility studies for seawater intrusion projects expected in early 2026, including brackish groundwater restoration project; CSIP optimization studies identified three capital improvement projects ranging from $650,000 to $33 million
Madera County GSA Committee - Two Prop 68-funded recharge projects along Chowchilla Eastside Bypass covering approximately 900 acres with five points of diversion; construction bid processes beginning soon

Monitoring & Data Systems

West Turlock Subbasin GSA - EKI developing basin-wide dashboard to help GSAs implement GSP and track progress toward sustainability goals; fall groundwater level measurements with special attention to "watch list wells"
Eastern San Joaquin Groundwater Authority - Between 10-15 new subsidence monitoring sites to be installed using grant funds; technical consultants conducting parcel-by-parcel reviews to validate groundwater model inputs
Merced Subbasin GSA - New SIMS weather station installation at Merced College to replace old station for improved agricultural weather data
Carpinteria GSA - Monitoring wells to be relocated to private farmland, requiring property owner agreements and coordination with active farming operations

Regulatory & Planning Documents

Fresno Irrigation District - Water Allocation Framework for Kings Sub-basin nearing completion, with final draft document expected imminently for individual GSA board approval processes; solar project pending Department of Interior approval potentially affecting April 2026 interconnection deadline
Chowchilla Water District - Public hearing December 10, 2025 at 1:30 PM to review and adopt 2025 Water Management Plan Update (five-year Bureau of Reclamation requirement)
Modesto Irrigation District - Long-term groundwater replenishment program final adoption expected late 2025 or early 2026; another public meeting scheduled for December 2025 or January 2026
Estrella-El Pomar-Creston GSA - LAFCO conducting Municipal Services Review of the district in December, examining operations, budgeting, and viability

Wastewater & Treatment Facilities

Calaveras County Water District - $10.2 million Arnold Wastewater Treatment Plant improvements requiring interim financing due to new USDA requirements; additional $700,000 in interest costs expected
Carpinteria GSA - Advanced water purification facility ($55+ million project) finalizing operating agreement with Carpinteria Sanitary District; will require specialized staffing with new certifications