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New Mid-Kings River GSA looking for diverse committee members, among its new actions as re-formed agency

• by Monserrat Solis, California Local News Fellow
Editor’s note: Monserrat Solis covers Kings County water issues for SJV Water through the California Local News Fellowship initiative. A newly relaunched groundwater agency is looking to form a diverse, 11-member committee made up of land owners to provide input on future water decisions for a large chunk of northern Kings County. The Mid-Kings River Groundwater Sustainability…
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Extreme, prolonged heat is straining drinking water wells throughout the San Joaquin Valley

• by Jesse Vad, SJV Water
Despite back-to-back good water years, domestic wells are still drying up all across the valley as record breaking heat waves pummel the region.  The state saw slightly above average runoff for the 2023-2024 water year with significant precipitation and major reservoirs largely above average levels. That’s on top of an epic 2022-2023 water year. The…
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Visalia-based nonprofit swamped by requests for help from San Joaquin Valley groundwater agencies

• by Lisa McEwen, SJV Water
Self-Help Enterprises, a nonprofit that works with rural valley residents whose wells go dry, may need a little help of its own as more and more groundwater agencies are hoping to use it as a pillar in their plans to reach sustainability. The nonprofit already has a $5.8 million annual contract with groundwater sustainability agencies…
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Protecting domestic wells a key piece of southern Fresno County groundwater agency’s planning

• by Jesse Vad, SJV Water
CONTENT USE: Republication, or broadcast, of SJV Water content is allowed with use of the reporter’s byline and publication name, SJV Water, and the following tagline: SJV Water is an independent, nonprofit news site covering water in the San Joaquin Valley, www.sjvwater.org. Reach us at sjvwater@sjvwater.or                  …
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New program to help Kern residents with nitrate-tainted water

• by Jesse Vad, SJV Water
A new water quality initiative in Kern County is gearing up to go live in the next few months to help residents whose water is contaminated with nitrates. The state’s nitrate control program launched in 2021. It offers free well testing and water deliveries for residents whose wells test over the limit for nitrates. The…
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Madera farmers and groundwater agency in limbo waiting for court decision on fees

• by Hannah Frances Johansson, freelance for SJV Water
Clarification: The farmers’ lawsuit alleges the county conducted a Proposition 218 election improperly. The original version of this article was unclear on the lawsuit’s main complaint.   The end of a two-year legal fight over who should pay, and how much, to replenish the groundwater beneath Madera County could be in sight. A motion to…
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Kings County farmers frustrated with water district’s latest move worry it will hasten state pumping takeover

• by Lisa McEwen, SJV Water
Ignoring a letter signed by more than 200 landowners that requested their resignation, the Kings County Water District board of directors not only kept their seats but voted unanimously to remove the district from the Mid-Kings River Groundwater Sustainability Agency within 60 days. That throws another curveball into an already confusing situation in the Tulare…
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Kern agencies prepare to submit third groundwater plan in hopes it’s the charm that wards off state pumping takeover

• by Lois Henry
In an effort to avoid the fate of their neighbors to the north, Kern County water managers are putting the finishing touches on a new groundwater plan they hope will stave off probation in order to keep state bureaucrats from taking over local pumping. The county’s 20 groundwater agency boards began approving final changes to…
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State Water Board reduces pumping fees by half but some say it’s still too high

• by Jesse Vad, SJV Water
Members of the state Water Resources Control Board voted unanimously on Tuesday, March 19, to reduce pumping fees for groundwater users in subbasins that come under state control, known as “probationary status.” The controversial fee was lowered from $40 per-acre-foot of pumped water to $20 per acre foot.   The board will hold its first probationary…
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