News Release Archive

Reclamation Awards $533,875 through the Water Conservation Field Services Program for Conservation Projects in California

Media Contact: Pete Lucero, 916-978-5100, plucero@usbr.gov

For Release: November 10, 2009

The Bureau of Reclamation, Mid-Pacific Region, awarded $533,875 in Federal grant funds for the Water Conservation Field Services Program in fiscal year 2009 (FY09). When combined with local cost-share contributions, more than $1.8 million in water management improvements will be implemented within the next 2 years. It is estimated that these projects will either conserve or better manage 34,000 acre-feet of water per year.

Projects were selected through a competitive process, and Reclamation awarded a total of 16 projects, covering the agricultural and urban sectors. These projects range from Northern California to South-Central California. The FY09 grant recipients are:

Cal Poly Corporation - The Irrigation Technology and Research Center at Cal Poly in San Luis Obispo, California, will provide technical assistance to Central Valley Project water contractors in the San Joaquin Valley and conduct on-farm irrigation evaluations for distribution uniformity.

Citrus Heights Water District - The District will purchase portable large and small water meter testing equipment to ensure the accuracy of residential water meters. The District will also purchase leak detection equipment in an effort to decrease water loss within the distribution system.

East Bay Municipal Utility District - This project involves the installation and testing of approximately 100 fixed network acoustic leak detection technology "loggers". These "loggers" detect leaks on pipelines and will provide early detection of pipeline leaks before they become main failures.

Fair Oaks Water District - The funds will be used to purchase new meter testing equipment and test large District meters resulting in repair or replacement of inaccurate meters. The District will also perform water audits, leak detection, and other water management improvements using data from the improved meters.

Fresno Irrigation District - The District will purchase and install automatic canal gates and necessary equipment for remote flow rate monitoring at a critical location on the Washington Colony Canal.

James Irrigation District - The District will install a flow control structure near the head of the District's main canal to control the flow of water supplied wells in the Eastside Well Field.

Madera Irrigation District - The District is developing a meter replacement program for its aging open-flow propeller meters located at farm turnouts. The funds will be used to upgrade old mechanical read-out meters, which frequently fail, with new electronic read-out meters.

Natomas Central Mutual Water Company - The Company is currently working to complete the first phase of their Supervisory Control and Data Acquisition Implementation Program. The purpose is to improve management practices for five freshwater diversions in the Sacramento River and recycle tailwater which will result in better water management. The first phase will provide water level monitoring at 12 key locations throughout the company's service area.

North West Kern Resource Conservation District - The District sponsors The Mobile Irrigation Laboratory which provides technical assistance for landowners to aid them in efficient use of irrigation water. The on-farm irrigation evaluation provides observations and valuable information to aid in water system management and maintenance. Landowners can also attend workshops that provide information on water conservation.

Placer County Water Agency - The Agency will increase the 2009 High Efficiency Appliance Rebate Program to assist customers in saving water. They will also increase the Waterless Urinal Rebate Program, Commercial and Residential High Efficiency Toilet Rebate Program, and the High-Efficiency Washing Machine Rebate Program.

Reclamation District No. 108 - The District will reduce applied water and tailwater for a 10,000 acre-area of non-rice crops by providing irrigators with irrigation scheduling information. The scheduling information will use applied water, weather, and crop data to make soil moisture projections aimed at assisting farmers with irrigation scheduling decisions.

Roseville City, Environmental Utilities Department, Roseville Electric - The Utilities Department will expand their Commercial/Multi-Family High-Efficiency Toilet Rebate Program and will continue the LivingWisetm program. This is a comprehensive program aimed at increasing residential resource efficiency and community awareness about water conservation.

San Benito County Water District - The District will offer training classes and demonstrate innovative technologies in irrigation efficiency to agricultural and residential customers. The District is implementing this program with the aim of increasing uniformity, decreasing over-application, and reducing runoff within the District.

San Juan Water District - The District will implement a High-Efficiency Clothes Washer Rebate Program and continue their Irrigation Conversion Efficiency Program.

Solano County Water Agency - This Agency is the regional water wholesaler serving Solano County. The Agency has partnered with other Bay Area water agencies and PG&E to implement a High-Efficiency Washer Rebate Program.

Southern San Joaquin Municipal Utility District - The District will replace measuring devices with more accurate flow meters. The increased accuracy will reduce losses from inaccurate meters and allow better management of 3,600 acre-feet of water per year. The District will also be able to increase the accuracy of their water balance and water accounting and deliver more accurate delivery information to the farmer to assist in irrigation scheduling.

For more information on the Water Conservation Field Services Program, please contact Ms. Sheri Looper at 916-978-5219 (TDD 916-978-5608), or e-mail slooper@usbr.gov.

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The Bureau of Reclamation is a federal agency under the U.S. Department of the Interior and is the nation's largest wholesale water supplier and second largest producer of hydroelectric power. Our facilities also provide substantial flood control, recreation opportunities, and environmental benefits. Visit our website at https://www.usbr.gov and follow us on Twitter @USBR; Facebook @bureau.of.reclamation; LinkedIn @Bureau of Reclamation; Instagram @bureau_of_reclamation; and YouTube @reclamation.