1. Well Metering Program Faces Technical Conflicts — Compliance Deadline Remains March 31, but Policy Changes Are Coming A local farm manager raised three critical issues with the well metering requirements: (a) the regulation's language prohibiting "outlets or fittings" between the wellhead and meter is physically impossible to comply with, (b) requiring the meter ahead of the backflow device conflicts with Department of Pesticide Regulation rules that mandate the backflow device be the first fitting after the wellhead, and (c) some agricultural properties in the district have zero cell phone service, rendering the required cellular-enabled meter readouts nonfunctional. Staff acknowledged these issues and confirmed policy language revisions are in progress. The board voted to authorize staff to develop and apply administrative interpretations of the technical language so growers can proceed with installations now, with formal amendments to come at the March 11 board meeting.
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