Civic Issues
Topics getting the most attention in Tulare County public meetings, ranked by how frequently they are discussed.
6 issues in water utilities
Matheny tract water and sewer consolidation
East Orosi's tap water is contaminated with nitrates, so residents rely on bottled water while the county runs the system as administrator. The $13 million project to connect East Orosi to the Orosi PUD finally broke ground after 20+ years.
Aging flood pumps and capital improvement program
Most of the county's flood pumps are over 40 years old, and a five-year replacement plan from years ago never got done. Roughly 30 grant applications are pending with the state to standardize and replace them — and pumps keep breaking in the meantime.
Strathmore flooding at Friant-Kern Canal crossing
Avenue 196 where it meets the Friant-Kern Canal is a known flooding point. Fixing it needs upstream storage, bigger storm pipes through Strathmore, and more storage at Success Lake — now waiting on the Friant Water Authority to partner on a solution.
Tipton Well No. 6A Completion Project
No bids came in for the Tipton well project, so the county awarded the construction contract to Travioli Construction for up to $750,570 using American Rescue Plan Act funds.
GSA well registration program
A new groundwater agency is registering wells — both irrigation and domestic. Registering your domestic well helps the agency know where you are and protect you.
SGMA implementation and Tule subbasin probation
Well registration in the Greater Kaweah area is about halfway done (roughly 2,000 of 4,000), Tulare subbasin GSAs are reorganizing, and agencies are exploring pumping retirement and water purchase tools.