From KCRA 3:
TRACY, Calif. — A century-old pump station near Tracy, operated by the Byron-Bethany Irrigation District, is grappling with failing infrastructure and power challenges, jeopardizing water delivery to over 6,500 acres of farmland.
“This is an urgent need, and we’ve been working on this as quickly as we can. Unfortunately, we’re not working quickly enough. We have emergencies on top of emergencies right now,” said BBID General Manager Ed Pattison.
The Wicklund Cut Pump Station, built in 1918, plays a crucial role in pumping water from nearby canals to sustain agricultural operations.
However, many of its pumps, aged over 100 years, are no longer repairable because parts are obsolete. The pump failures are exacerbated by the breakdown of the facility’s primary power source, forcing operations to rely on diesel generators.
“We’re operating on diesel backup generators. This is not a normal operation,” Pattison said.
Watch the full story here: https://www.kcra.com/article/tracy-pump-station-failures-threatening-water-supply/64986297
