Wheeler Ridge-Maricopa Water Storage District
Date: April 10, 2024
Agenda and Packet: CLICK HERE
Main topic: Concern over proposed new well permitting regulations
Steve Torigiani, the district’s attorney, said Assembly Bill 2079, which would add new requirements to agricultural well permitting, could pose problems for the district. Torigiani expressed three main issues with the bill.
First, he said, Kern County would not be able to issue a well permit if the well is located near a domestic well. Second, if the well is near an area that has subsided (or sunk) more than half a foot since Jan 1, 2015, a permit could not be issued. Third, new wells must be screened for their potential impacts on the area’s “minimum threshold.” Under the Sustainable Groundwater Management Act, water agencies must set minimum water table levels, called minimum thresholds, in order not to over pump aquifers.
Torigiani said the Association of California Water Agencies (ACWA) and the Valley Ag Water Coalition (VAWC) as well as other organizations oppose AB 2079.
However, he noted that since the Department of Water Resources had a hand in crafting the bill, there is an effort to propose amendments.
Torigiani also spoke against the Assembly Member who wrote the bill, Steve Bennett, saying he has put forth many well permitting bills, but this one is worse than all the others.
How to attend: Wheeler Ridge meets at 8 a.m. on the 2nd Wednesday of each month at its office, 12109 Hwy 166, or online at https://www.gotomeet.me/WRMWSD
Cawelo Water District
Date: April 11, 2024
Agenda: CLICK HERE
Main Topic: Recycled Oilfield Produced Water
Background: Cawelo and several other agricultural water districts on the east side of Kern County, have been using water produced from oil extraction for ag irrigation for about two decades. For every gallon of oil, wells bring up approximately 15 gallons of water, which is known as “produced water”.
Oil companies filter the oil out of produced water, which is then delivered to the ag water districts, where it is blended with regular irrigation water and used on crops. Multiple years of testing has shown this water to be safe for use on crops that are consumed by people.
Report: Cawelo General Manager David Ansolabehere reported on produced water deliveries to the district from Chevron and California Resources Corporations (CRC).
From Chevron there were deliveries of approximately 34 cubic feet per second, per day or a total monthly supply of 2,023 acre feet. To date this year the district has received 5,765 acre feet. Testing found sodium at 110 milligrams per liter; boron at .7 mg per liter; and arsenic was not determined.
From CRC there were deliveries of approximately 7.4 cfs per day or a total monthly supply of 438 acre feet. To date this year the district has received 1,308 acre feet. Testing found sodium at 190 mg per liter; boron at 1 mg per liter; and arsenic at 54 mg per liter.
How to attend: Cawelo Water District meets at 9 a.m. on the 2nd Thursday of each month at their district office located at 17207 Industrial Farm Road. You can also join online via Zoom using the Meeting ID: 813 8284 0698 and Passcode: 424688, or via this link.
Rosedale-Rio Bravo Water Storage District
Date: April 9, 2024
Agenda and Board packet: CLICK HERE
The board took action on two closed session items.
One was the execution of a solar services agreement that will allow the district to purchase energy at a reduced cost in exchange for permitting the solar company to build facilities on district property.
The second was executing a sale agreement for its remaining interest in the so-called “James Ranch” property, also known as the McAllister Ranch water bank.
How to attend: Rosedale-Rio Bravo meets at 8 a.m. on the 2nd Tuesday of each month at their district office located at 849 Allen Road.
