Frequently Asked Questions
Why was the Weldon Regional Water District created?
There are four permitted community drinking water systems and two transient non-community drinking water systems in the Weldon area with increasing water quality regulatory issues related to the Maximum Contaminant Levels (MCL) for Uranium and/or Nitrates. Small drinking water systems face many challenges related to long-term compliance since infrastructure projects become more costly, technical complexity of water system operation grows, and economic constraints remain a challenge. The Weldon Regional Water District was established with the goal of consolidating the drinking water systems into an inter-connected system that meets all drinking water standards for long-term viability.
What water systems will be included in the new Weldon Regional Water District?
Long Canyon Water Company
Connections
67
Population
197
System classification
Community Water System
Water Quality Issue
Uranium above MCL in Well 1 (stand by well) only.
Rainbird Valley Mutual Water Company
Connections
83
Population
188
System Classification
Community Water System
Water Quality Issue
Uranium MCL violation for both wells, Nitrate violation in one well
Tradewinds Water Association
Connections
236
Population
470
System Classification
Community Water System
Water Quality issue
None
Bella Vista Mutual Water Company
Connections
47
Population
74
System classification
Community Water System
Water Quality issues
None
Lake Isabella K.O.A.
Connections
1
Population
4
System Classification
Transient Non-Community Water System
Water Quality Issue
MCL violation for Nitrates in only well
Sierra Vista Restaurant
Connections
1
Population
2
System Classification
Transient non-Community Water System
Water Quality Issue
MCL violation for Nitrates in only well
When was the Weldon Regional Water District established?
· Beginning in 2017, a majority of the landowners in the four community drinking water systems signed a petition for formation of the Weldon Regional Water District.
· The Local Agency Formation Commission (LAFCo) presented a resolution of application to the Kern County Board of Supervisors for the formation of the Weldon Regional Water District on April 29, 2020, Resolution No. 20-08, Proceeding No. 1770.
· LAFCo presented Weldon Regional Water District: Formation Protest Hearing Results to the Kern County Board of Supervisors May 27, 2020, Resolution No. 20-15, Proceeding No. 1770.
· LAFCo and Kern County Counsel provided a waiver for Prop. 218 to be handled after entity formation.
· Weldon Regional Water District Special Election was held April 29, 2022.
· Yes votes: 5,573,822.
· No votes: 5,228,059.
Who is currently serving on the new Weldon Regional Water District Board?
· Susan Marches, Rainbird Valley Mutual Water Company.
· Brian Howell, Long Canyon Water Company.
· Three vacancies.
How do I attend the Weldon Regional Water District Board meetings?
Meetings are open to the public and held every other month on the third Thursday at 6:00 p.m. at the South Forks Women’s Club, 6488 Fay Ranch Road, Weldon, CA 93283.
Where are meeting agendas posted?
Regular Meeting agendas are posted 72 hours prior to the meeting and Special Meeting agendas are posted 24 hours prior to the meeting at the following locations: South Forks Women’s Club, the local post office, and on the Weldon Regional Water District website, http://weldonregionalwater.org/
What if I want to serve on the Weldon Regional Water District Board?
To serve on the Weldon Board, please contact the Weldon Regional Water District directly. The position requires attendance of Board Meetings; Ethics Training for Local Officials (AB 1234); and all Board Members must fill out Form 700 annually.
How do I contact the Weldon Regional Water District?
· Address: P.O. Box 1626, Weldon, CA 93283
· Website: http://weldonregionalwater.org/
How is the drinking water system consolidation project being funded?
There are multiple funding sources directing grant funds to the drinking water system consolidation, including the Department of Water Resources and the State Water Resources Control Board. The Weldon Regional Water District is eligible for broader grant funding primarily because of incentives in place to promote consolidation. Consolidation is a promising solution to the many difficulties that small drinking water systems face when confronting compliance-related problems with limited resources.
Who is managing the grant funding?
All grant funding is managed through a funding agreement between the funding agency and the Weldon Regional Water District or a local agency overseeing the funding on behalf of the Weldon Regional Water District. The grant funding will be disbursed from the funding agency to the Weldon Regional Water District only after reimbursable costs are incurred and verified through invoicing.
Who is supporting the Weldon Regional Water District through the project implementation?
Self-Help Enterprises provides critical, technical and administrative support to the Weldon Regional Water District, including project planning, funding management, and regulatory process navigation.
How will the consolidation impact my water utility rates?
Self-Help Enterprises is developing a water rate study that will be informed by the existing water rates from each community and the anticipated long-term water system operational expenses to provide recommended monthly water rates. The recommended water rates will be considered by the Weldon Regional Water District, and a selected water rate structure will proceed through the formal Proposition 218 water rate adoption process.
What improvements are completed to date? What improvements will be constructed next?
A new 230’ deep well was drilled on a parcel west of the Rainbird community and south of Highway 178. A contract will be awarded soon to install surface improvements at the new well and a pipeline will be installed that initially connects the new well to the Rainbird Valley Mutual Water Company distribution system.
How do I find more information?
The Weldon Regional Water District was recently awarded a grant to design and host a new website (http://weldonregionalwater.org/) that will be used to provide detailed information regarding Board meetings, project status, funding information, drinking water regulatory history, and additional relevant information.