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GSA flags GEERS dataset errors; consultant says some pumpers reported wrong units and GSA will request corrections
Summary
Consultants reviewed GEERS data and found errors; Amer Hussain cited an example where a Hanford church likely reported pumping in gallons instead of acre-feet — "over 2,000,000 gallons" — which could produce erroneous liability if left uncorrected.
Consultants for the Mid Kings River GSA said a preliminary review of GEERS data posted on the California open data portal uncovered errors and unit mismatches. Amer Hussain told the board that, in one case, the First Baptist Church of Hanford appears to have reported pumping in gallons rather than acre-feet. "They probably reported it in in probably gallons, and so it's over 2,000,000, gallons that they reported," Hussain said, adding that staff had contacted the property owner to request a correction "because we don't want them to get a $40,000,000 bill."
Hussain said the GSA is focusing on two important GEERS data pieces: well locations and the reported pumping per well. Staff are cross-checking their well locations against the state's dataset and will contact landowners where obvious anomalies exist so the state dataset can be corrected before regulators or billing calculations rely on it.
Why it matters: inaccurate public datasets can produce flawed analyses, mistaken notices or incorrect fee calculations. The consultants and staff emphasized the need to verify and correct obvious anomalies before finalizing maps, the groundwater model and funding materials.
Next steps: staff will reach out to affected landowners for verification, correct captured errors where possible, and continue data checks during the model update.
