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Fiercely dedicated to the valley, a one-time housing assistance nonprofit emerges as a major player in water solutions

• by Lisa McEwen, SJV Water
In a state where there seems to be no middle ground on water, one entity has proudly planted a flag of neutrality. Self-Help Enterprises’ focus is apolitical and purely practical — getting water to people in need.  The Visalia-based nonprofit is known for both its quick response in emergencies as well as sticking around to…
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Two new laws aimed at protecting drinking water for small town residents

• by Jesse Vad, SJV Water
Two bills aimed at protecting small towns mired in debt, drinking water contamination and dropping groundwater levels have become law.  Senate Bill 3, authored by state Senator Bill Dodd (D-Napa,) extends water shutoff protections to households in communities with less than 200 water connections. That includes a handful of towns in the San Joaquin Valley…
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Tule River tribe suffers chronic water problems, even in record wet year

• by Lisa McEwen, SJV Water
Despite a record snowpack that has kept the South Fork of the Tule River flowing at a steady clip, residents of the Tule River Reservation – who get 60 percent of their supplies directly from the river – were recently without water for eight days. The problem, ironically, was too much water. Specifically, from Hurricane…
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East Orosi residents protest what they say is abusive, dysfunctional water district

• by Jesse Vad, SJV Water
Just as residents in rural East Orosi are getting some traction on drinking water issues, they are dealing with what they call abusive treatment over sewage services and they’ve had enough. At a recent protest during the East Orosi Community Services District meeting, about 40 residents laid out charges of mistreatment. They alleged the district…
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New administrator assigned to help with Teviston’s water woes

• by Jesse Vad, SJV Water
The state has assigned an engineering company to take control of, and improve, the water system in the small Tulare County town of Teviston.  Teviston, a rural community of about 460 people, has been hard hit by water problems for years. The town well broke down in the drought of 2021, leaving families without water…
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Who’s in charge? Unanswered questions spark frustration as weeks of water disruption have dragged into months for residents of Springville

• by Jesse Vad, SJV Water
Since the devastating floods of March 10, a community of about 1,000 people has been paying, on average, $150 a month for undrinkable water that is only available intermittently. So far, no government agencies have stepped up to take control of the situation, or give clear answers to residents. Aside from wanting water, residents want…
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Funding for water projects takes $200 million bite

• by Jesse Vad, SJV Water
The state’s money problems are taking a $200 million bite out of funding for drinking and wastewater projects. The state Water Resources Control Board voted Tuesday to approve the cuts as part of a statewide belt tightening effort.  The state was flush with surplus cash back in 2021 which led to $1.3 billion allocated to…
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Domestic wells still going dry in San Joaquin Valley towns as historically low groundwater levels are slow to rebound

• by Jesse Vad, SJV Water
The small town of Tooleville ran out of water and started receiving water hauled in by truck on June 5. It’s the first time the town has needed hauled water since October of 2022. Despite the historic snowpack and storms this year, groundwater levels in some areas are still low and wells are still going…
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How did two valley groundwater plans win recommendations for approval from the state?

• by Jesse Vad, SJV Water
Most groundwater plans covering the San Joaquin Valley got a big, fat thumbs down from the state. There were two glaring exceptions. Plans by the Westlands Water District and Kings subbasin, which together cover most of the valley portion of Fresno County, got recommendations for approval from the Department of Water Resources. Those areas face…
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Farm town residents block water rate hike but are still stuck with a massive water debt

• by Jesse Vad, SJV Water
Residents of the small town of El Porvenir in western Fresno County successfully blocked a water rate hike Tuesday at the Fresno County Board of Supervisors meeting.  The western Fresno County community, where nearly half the residents live in poverty, is already carrying a water debt of  $400,000. That debt has been incurred over the…
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