Project to boost groundwater recharge The Packwood Creek Check Structure Project will bring good news to the City's groundwater recharge capabilities which could increase by about 600 acre-feet per month when water is available. The Visalia Water Management Committee oversees the project, made up by the City and the Kaweah Delta Water Conservation District, the lead agency for the project. Increasing the City's ability to manage groundwater recharge is integral to implementing the agreement with Tulare Irrigation District for the exchange of recycled wastewater in return for up to 5,000 acre-feet of water monthly from the Friant-Kern Canal in wet years. Packwood Creek plays a key role in the City's ongoing groundwater recharge program. The creek flows through the eastern and southern portions of the City and its sandy soil allows for good percolation.  The existing structure (pictured above at left) enables the pooling of water into the stormwater layoff/groundwater recharge basin south of Cameron Avenue. The construction of four new water-check structures (similar to the picture above at right), will have automated gates to regulate upstream water levels while maintaining downstream flows, and add about 600 acre-feet per month of recharge capabilities. The project is budgeted at $1.5 million, and is partially funded through an $800,000 WaterSMART grant from the U.S. Bureau of Reclamation. Additional grant funding is being sought by the District. A public meeting will be held to discuss the project and address any questions or concerns residents along Packwood Creek may have. To review the staff report, click here.

Changes to refuse service starts August 7 Friday residential refuse service for City residents who live south of Highway 198 will change to Wednesday, effective Aug. 7. No other changes are being made other than the day of the week for service. This change is being made to provide better customer service and schedule Solid Waste employees and workloads more efficiently and cost effectively. The change also makes Holiday service scheduling easier for customers with service days in the latter half of the week. Your container should be put out no sooner than Tuesday nights after 7 pm and no later than 6 am on Wednesdays in order for it to be serviced. For more information, call 713-4500.