The southern SAN joaquin municipal utility district, located in kern county, california, will improve existing conveyance facilities and construct 75 acres of recharge ponds to increase recharge…

The Southern San Joaquin Municipal Utility District (SSJMUD) will receive $6,107,566 under a Project Grant from the Department of the Interior Bureau of Reclamation's Reclamation States Emergency Drought Relief program (CFDA 15.514) to improve water supply resilience. SSJMUD will enhance existing conveyance facilities, construct 75 acres of recharge ponds to increase groundwater recharge capacity by an average of 6,120 acre-feet annually, and connect a recovery well to its conveyance system. The project aims to bolster operational flexibility in Kern County, California by capturing excess surface water supplies in wet years for subsequent return in dry years, like the exceptional drought conditions currently being experienced. Supporting the regional drought contingency planning assisted by a prior Watersmart grant, this award funds infrastructure improvements to build long-term drought resiliency for SSJMUD and its service area. Performance is expected to conclude by December 31, 2024.

The southern SAN joaquin municipal utility district, located in kern county, california, will improve existing conveyance facilities and construct 75 acres of recharge ponds to increase recharge capacity by an average of 6,120 acre-feet per year. The project will also expand the recovery of recharged water by connecting the existing well at the project site to the district's conveyance system. The project will improve operational flexibility by capturing excess surface supplies in wet years and providing a conveyance mechanism for subsequent return in dry years. Located in the SAN joaquin valley, ssjmud is currently experiencing exceptional drought conditions and significant surface water supply reductions. This project is supported by the poso creek integrated regional water management group's drought contingency plan, which is being developed with assistance from a watersmart drought contingency planning grant.