The Bureau of Reclamation and Friant Water Authority have broken ground on the first phase of a project to replace aging pump stations along California’s Friant-Kern Canal.
The initial phase will replace five stations, with 13 scheduled for upgrades under the two-phase project. Improvements to pumps, motors and control systems are expected to reduce maintenance costs, lower energy use and improve water reliability. The canal carries water from Millerton Lake near Fresno to farms and communities across four San Joaquin Valley counties.
The project is expected to improve drinking water reliability for approximately 250,000 residents in underserved communities.
