Lindsay-Strathmore Irrigation District Board (6/12/23)

June 12, 2023 — Lindsay-Strathmore Irrigiation District Board

Documented by Esteban Solis Loya

Here’s what you need to know

• Beginning on July 7, 2023, a pipeline replacement project will require a shutdown of residential water along Avenue 216 east of Lindsay for 1-3 days. Board members said that residents will be notified in advance.
• A total of 400 acre-feet of water will be transferred into Lewis Creek due to high levels of rain received this past winter.

The Scene

The Friant Water Authority meeting held at the Lindsay-Strathmore Irrigation District was held on June 12, 2023. The meeting began at 1:30 p.m. and was adjourned at 3:15 p.m. The meeting was open to the public as an in-person event.

Documenting the meeting was difficult, as the District is attempting to operate a very old system built in the early 20th century while accommodating growth, new technologies and ever-evolving state/local water policies. Even though most of the water programs, allocation, collection, storage and engineering data were difficult to interpret and document, the board members were exceptional in accommodating me as a Documenter and were excited to have me share their work with the broader San Joaquin Valley.

Follow-up questions

• How are water allocation levels in 2023 compared to previous years?
• How many residents will be impacted by the pipeline project? 
• What resources will be provided for the residents impacted by the water shutdown? 
• What is the fiscal/economic impact on Lindsay and Strathmore due to higher levels of rain during the winter of 2022-2023?

Names of Officials and Attendance

• President Tienken: Present
• Vice President Imoto: Present
• Director Warson: Present
• Director Loeffler: Present
• Director George: Present
• Controller Thomas: Present
• Operations and Maintenance Superintendent Cosenza: Present
• General Manager/Secretary/Treasurer Wallace: Present

President Tienken called the meeting to order at 1:30 p.m.

Public Comments

• Amy Camacho has been a resident of Lindsay for about 10 years. She spoke during the meeting and said that her household was on city water, but is now on Irrigation District water. She explained that her current situation has been very difficult, as she has four kids – one of which has special needs. She often doesn’t have any water to bathe her kids, do laundry or do the dishes and feels like there has never been a resolution to this issue. She can’t run her washing machine or other appliances, and she and her husband had to let their crops die to keep some indoor water available. She further explained that the water availability for her residence and land is worse in the summer. She sometimes needs to go to a family member’s house outside of town to do simple things like bathe her kids.
  • Warson: The board is familiar with her situation, as her residence’s system is an old one that hasn’t been maintained in a while. This residence is listed as a high-priority issue we’re trying to address. Warson thanked her for coming to remind the board about her difficult situation.
  • Due to an old pump system at her residence, the pump becomes waterlogged.
  • The board has been attempting to address the issue after fixing the pump five to six times this year so far. They are working on determining the best solution for this specific residence, as the home uses an underground tank with power and easement accessibility considerations. The homeowner is also running her water for domestic and agriculture (citrus) uses, which further strains the system, so a long discussion about possible engineering solutions followed.

Approval of the Agenda

• The agenda was unanimously approved.

Actions

• Approve minutes of regular meeting held May 16.
  • Unanimous approval of the minutes.

• Authorize payment of claims for May.
• Review income statement and balance sheet.
• Review and consider documents of the district’s pipeline replacement project – 2018.
  • A pre-construction meeting will take place soon and construction should start July 7 on an intersection on Avenue 216. Construction will take place until completed and could run longer than 24 hours, so residents will be notified in advance to prepare for their water needs for approximately one to three days.
• Review and consider Resolution No. 2023-08 Continuing Emergency for Repair and Replacement of District Facilities.
  • Members unanimously approved the continuation of this existing emergency order.
• Review and consider designation of district’s ACWA voting representative.
  • Online voting is now available and is more accessible. The default vote goes to the general manager if no votes are cast.
• Review and consider declaring property as surplus
  • Old equipment and excess property is taking space in rooms/areas of the facility. Efforts are underway to keep the facility efficient and clean.
  • The facility is kept in compliance by preventing demerits under OSHA law.
  • Unanimous approval of declaring surplus property to be stored, sold or disposed of.
• Review 2023 Water Supply Outlook.

Water Report

• As of May, 250 acre-feet of water has been transferred into Lewis Creek. A total of 400 acre-feet will be transferred for the remainder of the year because of heavy rain activity this previous winter.

Review/discuss/take action on Friant Water Authority (FWA) Board actions and/or various FWA committee actions and recommendations

• 20 megawatts of power are currently being generated as a result of lake and canal levels.

Sustainable Groundwater Management Act.

• Kaweah Subbasin DRAFT Mitigation Program and East Kaweah Groundwater Sustainability Agency Draft Mitigation Plan
  • This update allows for a better chance of approval by the state board.
  • Public draft available at Eat Kaweah’s June meeting. A 30-day public review will be made available with a period of amendment afterward, if necessary.
  • Domestic wells and small community water systems will be the focus on this update.
  • The Friant Water District will rely on Self-Help Enterprises for small community water systems and low-income domestic well work.

If you believe anything in these notes is inaccurate, please email us at fresnodocs@fresnoland.org with “Correction Request” in the subject line.