Resident urges city help after multiple summers of low irrigation water on Canyon Hill

At the start of the Aug. 4 meeting Carmen Hernandez, who said she has lived in Caldwell for 19 years, told the council she and other Canyon Hill residents have experienced low irrigation flows that hampered household and garden watering for extended periods this past summer. “Over the past several years, we've experienced a lack of volume of water... this past summer, we went through a full month with basically no water or very limited amounts,” Hernandez said.

Hernandez told the council the irrigation “water master” often does not respond to calls. Mayor and council members said irrigation districts are separate elected entities and the city’s regulatory power is limited, but that the city can work to strengthen communication and relationships. The mayor asked Hernandez to provide the water master’s name and phone number and agreed public‑works director Rob McDonald would follow up with the irrigation district board and contact Hernandez.

City staff context Justin (city staff) explained that irrigation districts are separate, elected entities that the city cannot compel to act but that the city can attempt to coordinate and facilitate communication. Rob McDonald, Public Works Director, said he would contact the district board and follow up with the resident.

Outcome The council did not take formal action but asked staff to follow up: Hernandez will provide the water‑master contact details to Public Works Director McDonald, who will attempt outreach to the Canyon Hill Irrigation District and report back to the resident and council as appropriate.