Pixley Irrigation District Water Supply Notices

February 19, 2025

Based on discussions with a group of landowners, the Pixley Groundwater Planning Commission and Pixley GSA Board are in the process of implementing a policy which would allow landowners the option of submitting meter data to the GSA and using that data as the basis for groundwater accounting rather than using ET data. The terms of the policy are outlined below.

If you are interested in opting in to this policy for 2025 contact John Michael Domondon at [email protected], or 559-686-4716.

Meter opt-in policy criteria:

1.     Application and Criteria:

• If landowner opts to use meters rather than ET to account for groundwater use, the landowner will need to apply for approval, and the following criteria and information would need to be provided to the GSA:
•  Annual election to exercise the meter option
•  Well registration forms need to include all parcels served by wells (parcel data will be verified by staff before approving election)

2.     Meter criteria:

•  Manufacturer and Model of flowmeter (see GSA list of acceptable meters, or request GSA review of meter not on accepted meter list)
• Date meter was installed
• Meter size and specs
• Certification and pictures of installation verifying location and installation to manufacturer specs
• Calibration certification on installation and annually per GSA meter policy
• Identification of APNs served by the metered well, including maps
• Type and age of crops on the parcels served
• Irrigation methodology (flood, drip, sprinkler, etc.)
• The landowner allows GSA staff access to inspect the meter, if necessary

3.     Reporting:

• Metered data must be read on the last day of the month and submitted to GSA by 15^th of the following month.
• Meter data submitted through basin safe account with a photo of the meter read uploaded
• Failure to submit data on time, will result in that month’s groundwater use to be accounted for via ET consumption and for repeat offenders the loss of election until the following year.

4.     Accounting:

 GSA will determine groundwater usage for the month in the following manner:

• Calculate Total Applied Water. Total applied water = metered data submitted + Surface water deliveries + actual monthly precipitation
• Calculate Net water applied.  Net Water applied = Total applied water – estimated return flow (based on irrigation method)
•  Compare Net Water applied to monthly ET data
• If there is less than +/- 10% difference, Net Water Applied from based on metered measurement will be used for groundwater accounting purposes.
• If more than 10% discrepancy, GSA staff will notify landowner and meter data will need to be checked and verified (either through flow test, or meter inspection for malfunction, etc.). Once checked and verified, staff will determine whether the meter data can be relied upon, or whether ET will be used for groundwater accounting purposes.

5.     Appeal process:

• The amount of groundwater charged to a landowner account can be appealed, in writing, within 30 days of the monthly groundwater statement date.
• GSA staff will investigate, including consulting with GSA technical consultants if needed and make a determination within 30 days of the appeal.
•  If the landowner is not satisfied with the staff decision, within 10 days of the decision, the landowner may request an appeal of the decision to the GSA Board of Directors, in writing, which will be presented to the Board at their next meeting. All decisions of the Board of Directors are final.

ARCHIVED WATER SUPPLY NOTICES

January 16, 2025
March 15, 2024

Tea Pot Dome Water Supply Notices

January 16, 2025

Below are updates related to the TPDWDGSA and implementation of SGMA;

1. Here is a summary/reference guide to the GSA Rules and Operating Policies: 2025 Reference Guide
2. Also a reminder to read the information below that was sent out on December 20. Here is a spreadsheet we developed to log groundwater usage if you would like to use it: Well Extraction Report. We are still working with the SWRCB to get clarification on the ability of the GSA to report ET on behalf of the landowners, and our request for the landowners to be excluded from reporting and fees. In the meantime, landowners need to measure and record groundwater extractions, per the notices sent to you by the SWRCB.

Please be on the look out for continued updates.

Sincerely,

Eric Limas

General Manager

**************************************************************

12/20/2024

LTRID/PIXID/TEAPOT DOME/VANDALIA landowners,

This is a reminder of the action that the SWRCB at the Tule Subbasin hearing on September 17 of this year.

You should have all received letters from the State Board with the measurement, reporting and fee requirements as a result of them placing the subbasin on probation in September. While we are working with the SWRCB staff to try and get exemption from those requirements, you should all be prepared to meet the requirements in case we are unsuccessful.

Here is a reminder of the actions taken by the Board:

• Placed the Tule Subbasin on probation – which means landowners are required to measure and report groundwater use annually to the State Board.
• The reporting period for the first year goes from January 1, 2025 through September 30, 2025, and Oct 1 through Sep 30 thereafter.
• Reports for the first year are due on February 1, 2026
• The State Board will then create invoices for the fees and send them to the landowners for payment back to the SWRCB.
• Fees are $300 per well and $20 per acre foot – paid to the State Board.
• There are 2 options for reporting: 1) by the GSA on a parcel basis (using ET) on behalf of the landowners (we have not received confirmation or approval for this, so be prepared for Option 2), or, 2) on a well basis (using a meter) by the landowner themselves. Once we get confirmation from the SWRCB on Option 1, we will be having landowner meetings to discuss the option and to allow landowners to sign up with the District if the landowner chooses Option 1.
• SWRCB staff is currently working with the Lower Tule and Pixley GSAs to finish reviewing the revised GSPs and bring a recommendation back to the State Board for exclusion of the reporting, fees and metering requirements. Unfortunately, they have yet to commit to a guaranteed schedule to get that done, and landowners must be prepared on January 1, 2025, to meet the SWRCB requirements in case we do not receive the exclusion.
• The Teapot Dome and Vandalia GSPs were approved by the GSAs and submitted to the Stater Board last week. We have requested exclusions based on the fact that we are sustainable already. However, it is likely to be well into next year before we hear back on those. So, Teapot and Vandalia landowners should be preparing to meet the measurement and fee payment requirements for the time being.

Again, until we get SWRCB approval that you do not have to report usage to them, you should all be preparing to do so.

January 13, 2025

Due to the 15th landing on a Wednesday. We are going to keep the the system on until Friday the 17th.

As always, please call the office, 559-686-4716, if you have any questions.

Sincerely,

Kirk Masters

Water Resource Superintendent

January 9, 2025

Vandalia Water District Water Supply Notice

January 16, 2025

Below are updates related to the VWDGSA and implementation of SGMA;

1. Here is a summary/reference guide to the GSA Rules and Operating Policies: 2025 Reference Guide
2. Also a reminder to read the information below that was sent out on December 20. Here is a spreadsheet we developed to log groundwater usage if you would like to use it: Well Extraction Report. We are still working with the SWRCB to get clarification on the ability of the GSA to report ET on behalf of the landowners, and our request for the landowners to be excluded from reporting and fees. In the meantime, landowners need to measure and record groundwater extractions, per the notices sent to you by the SWRCB.

Please be on the look out for continued updates.

Sincerely,

Eric Limas

General Manager

**************************************************************

12/20/2024

LTRID/PIXID/TEAPOT DOME/VANDALIA landowners,

This is a reminder of the action that the SWRCB at the Tule Subbasin hearing on September 17 of this year.

You should have all received letters from the State Board with the measurement, reporting and fee requirements as a result of them placing the subbasin on probation in September. While we are working with the SWRCB staff to try and get exemption from those requirements, you should all be prepared to meet the requirements in case we are unsuccessful.

Here is a reminder of the actions taken by the Board:

• Placed the Tule Subbasin on probation – which means landowners are required to measure and report groundwater use annually to the State Board.
• The reporting period for the first year goes from January 1, 2025 through September 30, 2025, and Oct 1 through Sep 30 thereafter.
• Reports for the first year are due on February 1, 2026
• The State Board will then create invoices for the fees and send them to the landowners for payment back to the SWRCB.
• Fees are $300 per well and $20 per acre foot – paid to the State Board.
• There are 2 options for reporting: 1) by the GSA on a parcel basis (using ET) on behalf of the landowners (we have not received confirmation or approval for this, so be prepared for Option 2), or, 2) on a well basis (using a meter) by the landowner themselves. Once we get confirmation from the SWRCB on Option 1, we will be having landowner meetings to discuss the option and to allow landowners to sign up with the District if the landowner chooses Option 1.
• SWRCB staff is currently working with the Lower Tule and Pixley GSAs to finish reviewing the revised GSPs and bring a recommendation back to the State Board for exclusion of the reporting, fees and metering requirements. Unfortunately, they have yet to commit to a guaranteed schedule to get that done, and landowners must be prepared on January 1, 2025, to meet the SWRCB requirements in case we do not receive the exclusion.
• The Teapot Dome and Vandalia GSPs were approved by the GSAs and submitted to the Stater Board last week. We have requested exclusions based on the fact that we are sustainable already. However, it is likely to be well into next year before we hear back on those. So, Teapot and Vandalia landowners should be preparing to meet the measurement and fee payment requirements for the time being.

Again, until we get SWRCB approval that you do not have to report usage to them, you should all be preparing to do so.

Please be on the look out for continued updates.

Sincerely,

Eric Limas

General Manager