City briefed on plan to convert Strawberry Valley water for municipal use under 1920 agreement

San Joaquin city officials were briefed Sept. 2 on a regional effort to convert water from the Strawberry Valley Project from agricultural use to municipal and industrial (M&I) use under a conversion approach tied to a 1920-era miscellaneous-purposes agreement. The briefing explained how converted shares could be delivered through the ULS (pressurized) pipeline and used by the city once local approvals and infrastructure exist.

The conversion effort, described by consultant Chris Thompson of Hansen, Allen & Luce, would detach certain Strawberry water rights from specific farm parcels so those water shares can be converted and transferred into municipal systems. Thompson said a near-final agreement under a federal 1920 miscellaneous-purposes mechanism is scheduled for initial signings by participating entities on Sept. 18 and that the agreement will allow conversion of Strawberry water to M&I use where authorized.

Why it matters: Council members were told Strawberry water is relatively abundant and high-quality compared with some local groundwater sources, is delivered at pressure on the ULS pipeline, and could provide “wet water” for…