Byron, CA (May 17, 2025) – At approximately 4 p.m. on Friday, the Byron-Bethany Irrigation District (BBID or District) received a call from representatives of the Western Area Power Administration (WAPA) notifying BBID of the loss of a transformer at the PG&E West Side Electrical Substation. This substation serves as the primary power source for pumping water from the Wicklund Cut Pump Station that serves approximately 6,500 acres of irrigated farmland in the District’s West Side Service Area (WSSA) surrounding the City of Tracy, CA.
WAPA reported that one of the three single-phase transformers is exhibiting signs of internal gassing — a clear indication of a developing internal fault. PG&E is currently working on a contingency plan to perform diagnostics and necessary repairs. Based on preliminary assessments, this issue could result in a power outage affecting the WSSA for seven or more days.
BBID immediately expressed to both WAPA and PG&E the severity of this outage and the potential impacts it would have on BBID’s West Side Service Area growers, particularly given peak growing season when a variety of crops are at critical stages of growth. BBID staff recognizes a prolonged outage could have serious impacts on agricultural operations, and therefore, the following immediate steps are being taken to mitigate potential impacts to the greatest extent possible:
- Upper Main Canal (UMC): BBID is coordinating the use of available Central Valley Project (CVP) water supplies to support deliveries through the UMC. Additionally, the District is preparing to operate a standby generator, which will allow limited water deliveries to the upper pipeline portion of the UMC. Due to limited pumping capacity under generator power, these deliveries will need to be made on a restricted, rotational schedule, coordinated by operations staff.
- Lower Main Canal (LMC): The standby generator will also support limited operations in the LMC. As with the UMC, deliveries in this area will also be made on a restricted, rotation schedule to ensure fair and efficient distribution of available water.
Although this PG&E transformer failure is outside of BBID’s control, the District is actively exploring all feasible options to maintain water service to minimize disruption to farmers. BBID staff is also working closely with WAPA, PG&E, and regional partners, to evaluate both immediate and long-term strategies to enhance system reliability.
We will continue to provide timely updates as the situation evolves. Please contact water operations staff to schedule water deliveries or if you have any questions regarding the emergency response efforts.
