On October 30, 2024, the East Kaweah GSA’s Board of Directors approved updates to the rules for water credits and overdraft fees, impacting how landowners can manage their remaining allocation from previous years.

Changes to Rules for Remaining Credits

Remaining Allocation Year 2022 Tier 1 and Tier 2 Overdraft Credits:

• Current Rule: Unused water credits must be applied by September 30, 2027, without any charges.
• Updated Rule: Optional Extension to extend the life of these credits to September 30, 2030 if the landowner pays an extension fee by February 28, 2025. The extension fee is:
• Tier 1: $150 per acre-foot
• Tier 2: $250 per acre-foot

Remaining Allocation Year 2023 Tier 1 Overdraft Credits

• Current Rule: Water credit must be used by September 30, 2028 and costs $500 an acre foot when used
• Updated Rule: Optional price reduction and life extension – If a landowner prepays a reduced fee of $250 an acre foot by February 28, 2025 for any unused AY2023 Tier 1 Credit, East Kaweah GSA will extend the credit life to September 30, 2030.

Allocation Year 2024 Reminder

Starting with Allocation Year 2024, and going forward, groundwater pumped in excess of landowners’ allocation credits will cost the landowner $500 an acre foot and a 1:1 reduction in allocation will be assessed in the following allocation period.

Example: overdraft 10 acre feet in Allocation Year 2024, pay $500 per acre foot ($5,000) and have an allocation reduction of 10 acre feet in Allocation Year 2025.

Purchase Credits to Increase Available Water and Extend the Life of Your Remaining Supplies

East Kaweah GSA has secured surface water and placed it in recharge facilities around the basin. This “Mitigation Tier” water is offered to landowners as a credit to purchases for $500 an acre foot. 

While landowners will not receive actual physical water they purchase, they will receive a surface water “credit”, meaning the landowner can pump additional water up to the purchased amount, without future deductions and no expiration date for the credit. Landowners can purchase this water by calling Scott Maskell at 559-697-6095 or email groundwater@ekgsa.org.