Monday May 11, 2026
SJV Water —
The Kern County Board of Supervisors on Tuesday will consider whether to declare a local emergency in response to the rapid infestation of local water facilities by the invasive golden mussel.
Local agricultural water districts have already spent millions dosing their systems with various copper-based chemical treatments in an attempt to kill off the mussels.
And one of the county’s key canals that supplies ag and municipal districts had to be “de-watered” for workers to find and scrape out the tiny mollusks, which can quickly build up on surfaces, clogging pipes and rendering equipment unusable.
“Kern County must stand with our farmers and water districts to combat this emerging threat,” wrote Supervisor Jeff Flores in a text to SJV Water. Flores asked county staff to research the issue at the board’s April 28 meeting.
Declaring a local emergency won’t necessarily kick any money loose from state or federal agencies, but will position Kern agencies for assistance, including regulatory approvals, according to a report by the County Administrative Office, which is recommending approval of the declaration.
If approved, the emergency declaration will follow a similar emergency declaration by the San Joaquin County Board of Supervisors made on April 28.