Tulare County Water Commission Meeting - 07/13/2026

The Tulare County Water Commission held a meeting on July 13, 2026, focusing primarily on water infrastructure and funding challenges. Key procurement-related discussions included the critical status of the California Safer Drinking Water Program, which faces significant funding cuts due to declining greenhouse gas reduction fund revenues and competing state priorities. The commission unanimously passed a motion to recommend that the Tulare County Board of Supervisors support continued funding for the Safer program. Additionally, the Fry Water Authority provided an update on the invasive golden muscle mussel infestation in the Frying Kern Canal, outlining a $3 million treatment plan involving chemical treatments, monitoring, and coordination with partner agencies to control and mitigate the infestation. The commission also received a state funding update highlighting a projected $1 billion funding gap over the next three fiscal years for drinking water and wastewater projects, with several local communities facing water supply and compliance challenges. The county has allocated approximately $12 million in ARPA funds to support some projects, though some remain incomplete. Other agenda items included legislative updates, remote meeting approvals, and ongoing groundwater sustainability efforts. The commission emphasized the need for continued monitoring and funding to address these water infrastructure and environmental challenges.