Press release from the Indian Wells Valley Groundwater Authority
The Indian Wells Valley Groundwater Authority board voted unanimously to authorize staff to work with the Indian Wells Valley Water District on developing a program that could provide limited billing relief to residents facing unexpected water losses from concealed leaks, broken water lines or similar events.
The proposed Unanticipated Residential Water Use Relief Program would provide limited relief from replenishment fees associated with verified, one-time residential water losses. Eligible losses would not represent ongoing demand or require long-term replenishment through imported water supplies.
“For us, this is an opportunity to work with the water district on a solution that helps the residents we both serve,” said April Keigwin, general manager of the Indian Wells Valley Groundwater Authority. “By developing the program together, we can establish clear guidelines for providing limited relief when an unexpected water loss leaves a household facing a significant bill.”
Under the concept presented to the Board, IWVGA would provide credit to the water district to support adjustments to replenishment fees tied to qualifying water losses. Staff from both agencies would develop eligibility standards, documentation and reporting requirements, administrative procedures and a safe yield accounting process. Proposed guidelines include verification of the cause and amount of the water loss, confirmation that the underlying issue has been repaired or resolved, and a limit of one adjustment per property owner, per property.
The Indian Wells Valley Water District is currently the only water purveyor subject to replenishment fees. Should other public water purveyors become eligible, their participation and proposed credits would be subject to IWVGA review and approval.
The Board’s action authorizes staff to begin developing the program with the water district. Groundwater uthority staff would return to the IWVGA Board with a recommended sustainability yield credit, final program framework and implementation guidelines for consideration and approval before the program could take effect.
About the Indian Wells Valley Groundwater Authority: The Indian Wells Valley Groundwater Authority (IWVGA) is the groundwater sustainability agency for the critically overdrafted Indian Wells Valley groundwater basin. The basin spans portions of Kern, Inyo, and San Bernardino Counties. It is home to the City of Ridgecrest and the U.S. Naval Air Weapons Station China Lake, a critical low-flight, weapons development, and testing facility. The groundwater basin serves approximately 38,000 residents. IWVGA is a joint powers authority that includes representatives from Kern County, the City of Ridgecrest, Inyo County, San Bernardino County, and the Indian Wells Valley Water District. Two federal agencies, the
United States Navy and the Bureau of Land Management, are also represented as ex-officio members of the IWVGA Board.
