Central Valley farmers will receive more water than initially expected from the federal government.
The big picture: The U.S. Bureau of Reclamation announced an increase to the water allocation for Central Valley Project South-of-Delta contractors from 40% to 50%.
- The allocation was originally set at 35% earlier this year before being bumped up to 40%.
- The 50% allocation is the second year in a row for Central Valley farmers.
What they’re saying: Westlands Water District General Manager Allison Febbo said the increase is welcome news.
- “The families, farms, and communities served by Westlands Water District rely wholly on CVP water supply, which serves as lifeblood to grow food, support local jobs, and sustain the region’s economy,” Febbo said. “The increase comes as a result of plentiful storms in the Northern portion of the state, resulting in full reservoirs and high river flows.”
- She continued, “While we are grateful for the improved hydrology and the Bureau’s dedication to maximizing water supply, this year again reinforces the critical and urgent need to fix California’s broken water system and restore balance. We must do a better job of securing, storing, and managing water during relatively wet periods like these so that it’s available in dry years. We remain committed to continuing to work with state and federal partners to advance durable solutions that improve water supply for all Californians.”
