TEHACHAPI, Calif. (KBAK/KBFX) — The ongoing water distribution dispute between the City of Tehachapi and the Tehachapi Cummings County Water District has escalated. The conflict, which began three years ago, centers on the allocation of water from the California State Water Project (SWP).
City Manager Greg Garrett claims that the majority of water from the SWP is being allocated to agriculture, leaving the city with insufficient resources for residents and future developments. “The water that’s pulled up from the hill, State Water Project from the California Aqueduct, it’s going to an overwhelming majority to agriculture,” Garrett said. He argues that the city has a right to purchase 1,150 acre-feet of SWP water annually, but is only seeking a few hundred acre-feet to support local needs.
In contrast, Thomas Neisler, general manager of the water district, insists that the city’s goals can be met without additional SWP water. “We are here to serve all of our customers. Not just the small minority of Tehachapi and their thirst, no pun intended, for growth,” Neisler said. He emphasized that residential customers have never faced cutbacks, even when water supplies are limited.
The dispute has led to multiple lawsuits and accusations of conflicts of interest within the water district’s board. Garrett alleges that some board members have direct ties to the agricultural industry, which he claims benefits disproportionately from the current water distribution system. “They own land. One of them is leasing to Grimway, the other is his own land, but he’s buying water from the district,” Garrett said.
Despite the tensions, both parties express hope for a resolution. Neisler stated, “We look forward to sitting down and discussing these issues with the city and hopefully being able to come to an equitable settlement.” Garrett echoed this sentiment, saying, “We continue with a goal of settlement. The district knows where we want to be, but they continue to change their course. We have a very precise, limited request. It’s not that much.”
The dispute has also impacted local development projects, such as the Sage Ranch development and plans for a larger Cerro Coso Community College campus. Garrett claims the water district is hindering these projects by denying access to necessary water resources. “They met with the college district, and they told the college district, ‘You’re going to have to go get water somewhere. Well, we know where the water is. We just can’t buy it from them. They won’t let us,'” Garrett said.
As the city and water district continue to seek a resolution, the issue remains a topic of discussion in Tehachapi, with the city’s recent “Tehachapod” podcast episode addressing the ongoing dispute.