California’s water challenges often dominate headlines, but the most effective solutions are frequently happening at the local level. In a compelling conversation on Ag Meter, Josh Weimer, Director of External Affairs for the Turlock Irrigation District (TID), explains how smart water management, technology, and local control are helping one Central Valley community stay resilient amid ongoing drought, regulation, and uncertainty.
Founded in 1887, Turlock Irrigation District is the oldest irrigation district in California. Today, it delivers surface water to roughly 150,000 acres, serving about 4,700 growers—many of them small, multi-generational family farms. TID is also one of only four irrigation districts in the state that provides retail electricity, making it a rare example of a community-owned utility delivering both water and power.
Why Local Control Matters in California Water Policy
One of TID’s biggest advantages, Weimer explains, is local governance. The district is led by five locally elected board members and operates independently from the State Water Project and Central Valley Project. That independence allows TID to make decisions based on local conditions rather than statewide mandates that often fail to reflect on-the-ground realities…