News Release Archive

Reclamation Awards $610,313 in Water Use Efficiency Grants

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

For Release: August 30, 2010

The Bureau of Reclamation has awarded $610,313 in federal funds for the Water Conservation Field Service Grants Program in fiscal year (FY) 2010. With the combined local cost-share contribution, more than $1,664,406 in water management improvements will be implemented within two years. It is estimated that these projects will either conserve or better manage over 3 million acre-feet of water per year, thus significantly contributing to the program's objectives. These objectives cover ecosystem health, water supply reliability and water quality.

Projects were selected through a competitive basis, and priority consideration was given to projects that addressed the program goals of supporting activities that promote the preparation of water management planning and conservation plans and to implement activities identified in water management plans. Reclamation awarded a total of 16 projects, covering both the agriculture and urban sector. These projects range from northern California to south central California. FY10 grants include:

Anderson-Cottonwood Irrigation District, $50,000 - The district sponsors the Sacramento Valley Mobile Irrigation Laboratory which provides technical assistance for land owners to aid them in efficient use of irrigation water. This on-farm irrigation system evaluation provides observations and valuable information to assist in water system management and maintenance. Landowners are also provided with workshop classes that provide information for better water conservation.

Delano-Earlimart Irrigation District, $20,200 - The district will be expanding the newly constructed, 80-acre Turnipseed Basin groundwater bank to include 80 additional acres.

James Irrigation District, $50,000 - The district will install and construct a lift pump, pipeline, and appurtenances to the newly-constructed "A" regulation basin. The purpose of this is to better manage irrigation water that would be temporarily stored in the recently constructed regulation basin.

East Bay Municipal Utility District, $50,000 - The district will develop an automated landscape water budget reporting tool to assist customers in meeting the recently enacted Maximum Allowable Water Allowance within the California Model Water Efficient Landscape Ordinance. The proposed water budget report will automate the presentation of target water efficiency levels along with estimated water bill savings for residential and non-residential accounts.

Fresno Irrigation District, $50,000 - The district will purchase and install canal gate actuators, measurement devices and the necessary telemetry equipment required to remotely control and monitor flow rates at two critical locations on the Central Canal system. The automation and measurement at the two canal headings will allow for better water management by regulating the flow rate and delivering the required flow thus eliminating any unexpected flow fluctuations due to changes in the Central Canal. The telemetry will allow the gates to be remotely operated and monitored thus reducing the need for operational staff to manually operate and regulate the headgates which may occur several times per day.

Madera Irrigation District, $29,500 - The district will develop a comprehensive geographical information system (GIS) mapping program for the district's distribution and delivery system infrastructures. The GIS-based mapping capabilities will enable the district to better facilitate future water resources planning and management as well as the implementation of more efficient water management and conservation measures. It is also envisioned that the GIS capabilities will enable improvements in the maintenance of canals, pipelines, and other miscellaneous appurtenances in an efficient and cost-effective manner.

Madera Irrigation District (MID), $47,790 - The district will install flow level sensors and implement the use of hand-held data records to monitor canal spills throughout the district. By monitoring the amount of spills and when spills are occurring, MID can better manage water delivery and increase system efficiency. In addition, improving water-use data accounting procedures would greatly enhance MID's system efficiency.

Madera Irrigation District, $50,000 - The district will continue an existing grant to implementing a meter replacement program for its aging and under-performing open-flow propeller meters located at farm turnouts.

Mt. Gate Community Services District, $10,063 - The district will research and write their first water conservation plan. The plan will support conservation and efficiency efforts district-wide. The plan will conform to Reclamation's "2008 Standard Criteria for Evaluating Water Management Plans."

Placer County Water Agency, $24,875 - The agency is continuing their High Efficiency Appliance Rebate Program in 2010 to assist their customers in saving water. They have also implemented the Waterless Urinal Rebate Program, Commercial and Residential High Efficiency Toilet Rebate Program, and the High Efficiency Washing Machine Rebate Program.

Reclamation District 2035, $16,500 - The district will construct and install approximately 300 notched flash boards to conserve water by reducing spill during the maintenance season. These boards will reduce drainage flows by approximately 50 percent.

San Juan Water District, $49,760 - The majority of the district's customer base is made up of larger single-family homes with large landscapes. The district will be continuing their Irrigation Efficiency Improvement Reimbursement Program; the High-Efficiency Clothes Washer Rebate Program, and the On-Demand Hot Water System Rebate.

Solano County Water Agency (SCWA), $50,000 - SCWA is the regional water wholesaler serving Solano County. The agency plans to install approximately 350 water efficient plumbing fixtures such as high efficiency toilets and urinals.

Solano County Water Agency (SCWA), $11,625 - The agency will provide residential water surveys at selected single-family and multi-family accounts throughout the service area. The program will involve contacting water accounts that were identified as being the top 10-20 percent water users.

Solano Irrigation District, $50,000 - The district will implement the Weyand Canal Headworks Modernization and Automation Project that includes installing new gates and actuators, constructing a new control structure, SCADA integration to allow remote monitoring and operation, debris control facilities and a solar power system. The project will provide accurate water level control and accurate flow measurement capability.

West Stanislaus Irrigation District, $50,000 - The district plans to automate their main canal to improve water management, improve power usage and reduce water losses. They will utilize the Irrigation, Training and Research Center to perform a system evaluation, and based on the recommendations, will integrate a SCADA system and flow measurement devices.

For more information on the Water Conservation Field Services Program, please contact Ms. Laurie Sharp, at lsharp@usbr.gov or 916-978-5232.

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