To the editor: This text (“Central Valley householders are watching property values sink with the land,” Aug. 13) makes clear subsidence isn’t just an environmental disaster. A long time of unreliable floor water left San Joaquin Valley farmers no selection however to pump groundwater — with extreme penalties. Sinking land, cracked infrastructure and decreased capability to the California Aqueduct that delivers water to tens of millions in Southern California.
The excellent news: Subsidence might be slowed — and probably reversed.
Since 2023, Westlands’ farmers recharged over 470,000 acre-feet of groundwater, restoring water ranges by 200 ft in some areas. Injection wells have lifted land by half a foot. In a single vital location, subsidence stopped fully.
These beneficial properties strengthen water provides and help Valley farms that produce a lot of the nation’s fruits, nuts and greens, however Westlands can not do it alone. California ought to advance Proposition 4 investments to revive aquifers, safeguard the California Aqueduct and safe the meals and water tens of millions rely upon.
Allison Febbo, Fresno
The author is common supervisor of the Westlands Water District.
