Water Information
Fresno’s Water
In 1931, the City of Fresno purchased the water system from the California Water Service Company. It was first operated as a municipal utility, but is now a Division of the Public Utilities Department. The source of water was from groundwater. See Historical Overview & Facts.
Groundwater
Fresno's primary source of water is groundwater. This water is stored below ground in a natural basin, called an aquifer. This aquifer was filled over hundreds of thousands of years with geologic material washed down from the Sierra-Nevada. Using nearly 250 wells, the Water Division pumps about 146 million gallons of water per day (mgd) out of the aquifer. See Historical Water Level.
Artificial Recharge
Rainfall and stream flow replace about half of the water we pump each year. Fresno holds entitlements to surface water from Millerton Lake and Pine Flat Reservoir. This water is used to replace the other half of the pumped groundwater. Once released from each reservoir, surface water is delivered through canals to flood control basins and "Leaky Acres", a city-owned intentional recharge facility. Without this surface water, more groundwater is pumped than is replaced naturally, causing long-term overdraft. See Groundwater Recharge.
Treated Surface Water
While groundwater has been the sole source of water for Fresno, the treated surface water supplements our system with water delivered direct from the Sierra to the Surface Water Treatment Facility. The SWTF supplies about 20 million gallons of water per day. During the peak demand season the facility supplies approximately 15% of Fresno's potable water. During the low demand periods the facility supplies over 30% of the community's supply. See Surface Water Treatment Facility.
Water Conservation
Another water source is water that is not used. Water conservation is the beneficial reduction in water use, waste and loss. Conservation is a resource management tool which is the most economical and environmentally protective means of meeting the challenges of water supply management. See Water Conservation.
Metropolitan Water Resources Management Plan
In response to groundwater contamination, groundwater overdraft and increasing water demands, the City of Fresno invited other local water agencies to develop the Fresno Metropolitan Water Resource Plan to ensure the Fresno metro area has a reliable water supply through 2050. The plan, which was adopted by the Fresno City Council in 1996, called for a conjunctive use program, combining groundwater, treated surface water, artificial recharge and an enhanced water conservation program.
Urban Water Management Plan
- Adopted by the Fresno City Council 8/19/08
Cover - Title Page
Signature Page - Acknowlegements
Table of Contents - Executive Summary
Chapters
Chapter 1 - Chapter 2 - Chapter 3
Chapter 4 - Chapter 5 - Chapter 6
Chapter 7 - Chapter 8 - Chapter 9
Chapter 10
Appendices
Appendix A1 - Appendix A2
Appendix B1 - Appendix B2
Appendix C
Appendix D1 - Appendix D2 - Appendix D3
Appendix E
Appendix F
Appendix G
Appendix H
Appendix I
Appendix J
Information asked by customers about water source, schedules, quality, etc.