CWI's 1st Quarter Newsletter

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NEWSLETTER

Message from Interim Director Ramos

Laura Ramos

Happy New Year to you all and welcome to our first California Water Institute – Research and Education Division Newsletter! We have been accomplishing so much in the last few years. We look forward to keeping you updated on our projects, upcoming events, and other related news — as well as an opportunity to meet our staff!

In this issue, you will learn about some of the activities we worked on in 2023, as well as a couple new projects that we are excited to be working on. Water challenges tend to be regional, so we are thrilled to be starting projects to find solutions that will benefit the entire region.

Groundwater recharge has been on everyone’s mind these days, especially because of the high precipitation year we had in 2023. We look forward to working with regional partners to identify how we can take better advantage of wet years, prevent flooding, and recharge for the future. We are also looking forward to creating a unified plan for water in the Valley based on available public data.

Those two big projects will keep us busy but will not slow down our educational activities. Keep an eye out for our Water Bootcamp as part of Water Awareness month in May and something new that will be coming in March. Stay tuned!

Breaking Groundwater Together: CWI Joins Forces with Blueprint on Unified Water Plan for the San Joaquin Valley

The California Water Institute will be developing a unified water plan for the San Joaquin Valley alongside the Water Blueprint for the San Joaquin Valley, thanks to a grant awarded by the Bureau of Reclamation.

This two-year project aims to identify a holistic approach to water management solutions for the Valley by leveraging information and assets from current plans and strategies prepared by local agencies. These water management agencies include but are not limited to groundwater sustainability agencies, local nitrate management zones and local water districts and municipalities.

Through this research initiative, the project team plans to address strategies for water management solutions in the San Joaquin Valley while also focusing on a water plan implementation approach.

CWI Research Report Investigates New Groundwater Management Solution for the Valley

In September, the California Water Institute published a report highlighting the positives of shallow subsurface artificial groundwater recharge (SSAGR) as a water management solution.

The SSAGR report presents an innovative approach to water management, which could completely change the current California water management system.

The report takes time to reduce the challenges posed by overuse of groundwater and offers a strategy to enhance the sustainability of water resources across the state.

This new system, designed to address a loss of groundwater quality and quantity, operates through a leach line system that directs clean water into the groundwater table. This reduces wasted water without disrupting farming operations and seamlessly integrates with existing drip irrigation systems. Additionally, SSAGR spans a considerable amount of land, with the added benefit of the system not leaching legacy pesticides, fertilizers, or herbicides into the groundwater.

All research done was funded by the California State University Agricultural Research Institute, with private donations and contributions from Lidco, Inc. and Grundfos Pumps.

Students Offered New Water Minor at Fresno State

Fresno State is introducing a new minor focusing on water and its impact on society in the American West.

This new water minor is designed for students to learn about all aspects of water resources, such as irrigated agriculture, environmental preservation, as well as water policy, and then apply it to their focus area.

Students will have the opportunity to learn more about a wide variety of professional job opportunities available in the water industry and water management challenges that impact a reliable water supply.

Those who complete this new minor will be able to not only understand and explain the crucial importance of water to everyday life, but also why the existing water resource system has created conflict between various water users.

Students Assist with Study Exploring Groundwater Recharge

In 2023, the California Water Institute at Fresno State conducted a feasibility study identifying and evaluating the feasibility of groundwater recharge basins near small communities in Fresno County.

This study, funded by Bank of California, formally Pacific Western Bank, aims to provide sustainable water management solutions for communities that commonly experience groundwater quality and quantity issues.

Focusing on water for disadvantaged communities, civil engineering students at Fresno State identified four potential sites for groundwater recharge in Kerman, Raisin City, Caruthers and Laton. Each site was evaluated by examining the areas for groundwater quality, soil conditions, current land use, availability of surface water supply, construction costs, ease of maintenance and operation, and community benefit.

Through further research, the positive effects this study can have on future groundwater quality and recharge potential may mark a significant step towards addressing critical groundwater issues in the region.

Employee Spotlight | Jase Trovao

Jase Trovao, born and raised in Tulare, CA, stands as a beacon at Fresno State’s California Water Institute and has been contributing to the team’s success since July 2023. With a history of working other jobs within Fresno, most notably with Matson Alarm and Next-Gen Escape, Trovao finds joy not only in his professional life, but his casual one, too.

“...I always find it nice when you can get to know your coworkers beyond what happens at work. So a couple of times we’ve gone out to lunch with other coworkers and he’s told us about his pets or his plants, or what he and his fiancée like to do on the weekends,” Julissa Zavala, the Grants and Contracts Facilitator at CWI, said of Trovao.

Through pursuing a degree in Mass Communication/Media Studies, he continues to stoke that passion he’s had since he was a kid. As a self-taught photographer and videographer, Trovao’s earliest interest in the field was through making skits with his friends back in 2013.

Now, as the meeting coordinator and facilitator for CWI, Trovao reaches out to meeting attendees, schedules meetings, and takes notes to use as summaries for the rest of the team. On the side, he also helps manage the accounting and budget.

“Since working at CWI, I got engaged to my fiancée Ivana,” he said, “I’ll say CWI gave me good luck.”

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