Tulare County · issues
Civic issues
Topics getting the most attention in Tulare County public meetings, ranked by how frequently they come up.
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
About $2.25 million in disaster recovery mitigation money will standardize and replace failing storm pumps — at least four have already 'self-selected' for replacement this year. Implementation is expected around 2028.
Strathmore flooding at Friant-Kern Canal crossing
A new calibrated study found the Strathmore storm drain system is dramatically undersized where the creek crosses the Friant-Kern Canal, recommending upsized pipes, expanded ponding basins, and possibly more Success Lake capacity. Cost estimates are the next step.
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.
Drought conditions and well permits
California is officially out of drought for the first time in recent memory, but 142 Tulare County households still get hauled water and about 1,600 rely on bottled water deliveries.
SGMA implementation and Tule subbasin probation
The County is lending up to $500,000 to the newly reorganized Tule East GSA, repayable over about five years, after the East Thule GSA dissolved quickly. Groundwater banking opportunities discussed could eventually bring new water to southwest Tulare County.
Earlimart water system failures
Well malfunctions left the community of Earlimart without reliable water, briefly keeping kids out of school and stalling commercial growth. Repairs are done and the main well is back online, with state funding help being pursued.
Delinquent water and sewer fees placed on tax roll
Residents of County Service Areas 1 and 2, East Orosi CSD, and Terra Bella who haven't paid water and sewer bills by July 31 will see the charges, penalties, and auditor fees added to their 2026/2027 property tax bills. About 198 accounts totaling roughly $93,000 are delinquent across CSA 1 and 2, and East Orosi runs a 15-16% delinquency rate.
Woodlake growth and Antelope Creek maintenance responsibility
The district pays Woodlake $27,000 a year to maintain a channel that mostly benefits the city, while collecting only $7,500 in taxes. Commissioners want the growing city to take on responsibility as it annexes county land.
Drought conditions and drinking water assistance
The county's bottled water program is still serving households whose wells have run dry or gone contaminated — about 1,890 enrollments since the program started, mostly contamination-related. If your private well has water problems, the drought hotline can get you enrolled.
Declining state water infrastructure funding
State drinking water and sewer funds are shrinking, with a nearly $1 billion gap projected over three years. Local communities like Tipton, Tooleville, Plainview, Allensworth and Woodville still have wells out of compliance or failing.
Nitrate management zones and emergency water supply
Commissioner Kiel Taylor asked for an update from the Kaweah and Tule management zones, which track nitrate contamination and provide emergency water supplies to qualifying households. This affects residents in nitrate-affected areas of both subbasins.
Failed special districts in Plainview and Poplar
Supervisor Micari says the private Plainview water company has collapsed — broken pumps, no board — and the elected Poplar CSD is feuding with a nonprofit after a grand jury inquiry. The county says it has no legal authority over either but is trying to help anyway.
Yettem and Seville water system improvements phase 2
The state-funded water improvement project serving Yettem and Seville got a deadline push from late 2025 to May 2028.
East Orosi Water System Consolidation Financing
The county ratified an amended state agreement to refine the scope of the East Orosi Community Services District water supply and infrastructure project.
East Orosi sewer system administration
The county took over the East Orosi sewer system in June 2025 and faced a $75,000 lift station emergency a month later. The long-term fix is years away, so the county is using ARPA money to pump holding tanks and fence the lift station against vandalism.
Friant-Kern Canal capacity correction funding
Friant Water Authority got $200 million in non-reimbursable federal money to rebuild pumping plants and extend the canal project north to the Tule River. Construction will interact with county bridges, rights-of-way, and Highway 190, so close coordination is needed.
Earlimart Interceptor Sewer Project award
The Board awarded the ARPA-funded Earlimart sewer project to 99 Pipeline for $1.4 million — well below the $2.1 million engineer's estimate — with $83,000 set aside for contingencies.
PFAS sampling at Road Yard 2/3 water system
The Board received sampling results for PFAS — so-called 'forever chemicals' — in Well 02 at the county's Visalia road yard water system.
Terra Bella Sewer Maintenance District annexation
About 60 acres of Setton Pistachio parcels move into the Terra Bella Sewer Maintenance District, converting a 2019 outside-service agreement into district governance.
Flood Control District procurement modernization
The Flood Control District's 1969 founding act capped purchases at $5,000; a new ordinance would align it with modern state informal-bidding limits and add emergency purchasing authority, speeding up district projects. Adoption is set for March 31, 2026.
Tuleville drinking water crisis
Tuleville's water has nitrates and hexavalent chromium at or near unsafe levels, so residents rely on bottled water deliveries. The long-term fix is consolidating with Exeter's water system, backed by a $7.7 million grant.
Pharmacy costs and GLP-1 drugs
Pharmacy spending rose 6% in Q4, with GLP-1 weight-loss drugs a major driver. Rebates came in higher than projected, and members asked whether federal drug-price efforts could bring costs down.
106-foot cell tower near Earlimart
A new wireless monopole was approved on farmland near Avenue 4 and Road 184, which should mean better cell service for the Earlimart area.
Tule East Groundwater Agency Expansion
The City of Porterville officially joins the Tule East Groundwater Sustainability Agency alongside Hope Water District, Ducor Water District, and the county.
Allensworth Meter Project funding increase
The Board passed through an extra $65,680 in state disadvantaged-community water funding to Allensworth, bringing the meter project to just over $430,000.
Kings River flood study
A FEMA-funded hydrology study of the Kings River is halfway done and will recommend flood-fighting alternatives, setting up future design and construction funding.
Lewis Creek flood mitigation on hold
Lewis Creek, a mess after the 2023 storms, has no funded fix — FEMA flood mitigation money dried up, and a $5 million Antelope Creek siphon study drew skepticism from a commissioner who'd rather spend the money elsewhere.
Sultana Area Stormwater & Recharge Project contract award
After Ares Eng LLC withdrew its bid, the Board awarded the construction contract to MAC General Engineering Inc. of Exeter for up to $485,465, plus $36,773 in contingency funding. The project builds local stormwater and groundwater recharge capacity.
Success Reservoir Enlargement funding
Supervisor Townsend reported a $14.6 million federal appropriation for the Success Reservoir Enlargement Project has passed through House energy and water appropriations, sponsored by Congressman Fong and co-sponsored by Congressman Valadao.