A proposal to merge the Modesto Irrigation District with the Turlock Irrigation District has reemerged as a study has shown that the two agencies and their customers could save in the long run. This isn’t the first time the proposal has come forward, but now it has some support from the board of the MID.

A study, which was endorsed by a seven-member advisory committee, places the cost of merging the two agencies at $106 million, however, improving efficiencies and upgrading infrastructure to limit water loss could recoup that cost. It is estimated that 36,000 acre-feet of water are lost each year.

Together, a unified irrigation district would serve more than 200,000 electric customers, 208,000 acres of agricultural land, and 8,000 farmers. Those customers, under a unified structure, would only have to pay for one administrative structure and benefit from shared resources.

Read the full article at the Modesto Bee.