Water Resources

The District’s flood control and urban drainage design concept is considered one of the finest in the country. It provides water supply and water quality benefits by capturing an average of 90% of all urban runoff. It also allows a cooperative groundwater recharge program done in partnership with other local water agencies.

Water conservation benefits are a design objective of the flood control and urban drainage systems, which detain and retain stormwater runoff for groundwater recharge. The District also partners with the Fresno Irrigation District (FID) and the Cities of Fresno and Clovis, which provide for dry season delivery of imported surface water into many of the District's local stormwater drainage retention basins. When practical the District will irrigate with surface water to preserve higher quality water for residential, commercial or industrial use.

The District’s system has gained an international reputation for innovation and has been visited by engineering tours from China, Uzbekistan, and Kyrgyzstan.

The District is a guiding force in shaping national and state water and flood control policy through active involvement in groups such as:

• National Association of Flood and Stormwater Management Agencies (NAFSMA)
• Association of California Water Agencies (ACWA)
• And through testimony before the Congress of the United States.

The District has also engaged in future water resource planning in our area through participation with local groups such as:

• International Center for Water Technology (ICWT) at California State University, Fresno
• Association of Metropolitan Water Agencies (AMWA)
• Central Valley Water Awareness Committee (CVWAC)