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Recognizing Westlands Water District

Floor Speech

Date: Oct. 21, 2022
Location: Washington, DC

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Mr. VALADAO. Madam Speaker, I rise today to recognize the achievements of the Westlands Water District on their 70th Anniversary.

Located on the west side of Fresno and Kings Counties, the Westlands Water District is home to some of the most fertile and productive farmland on the planet. On September 8, 1952, per the request of farmers on the westside of the San Joaquin Valley, the Fresno County Board of Supervisors officially announced the creation of the Westlands Water District. Initially, the district encompassed approximately 400,000 acres of land. After merging with West Plains Water District in 1965 and purchasing Broadview Water District in 2007, the district reached its current size of approximately 615,000 acres. On average, the district and its farmers provide for over 35,000 jobs and generate over $4.7 billion in economic activity each year.

One distinct aspect of the Westlands Water District is that it remains one of the only water districts in the world that distributes irrigation water exclusively through a highly efficient system of pressurized pipe. With approximately 1,100 miles of buried pipe throughout the district, they are able to track every drop of surface water delivered in the district--from the moment the water enters the system to the moment it reaches the field. Additionally, the district and its farmers have invested millions of dollars each year in its water infrastructure system so the system can continue serving all of the district's water users for future generations.

For seven decades, even while battling droughts, unpredictable climates, and changing regulations, the farmers within the Westlands Water District have been leaders in implementing cutting-edge water conservation technologies and efficient irrigation practices through their hard work, innovative technologies, and commitment to continuous improvements. The district and its farmers have been, and will continue to be, an essential part of developing a robust water infrastructure throughout the Central Valley.

Madam Speaker, I ask my colleagues in the House of Representatives to join me in honoring the achievements of the Westlands Water District on their 70th Anniversary.

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