Kern County Grand Jury
2026-2027
Findings & Recommendations
2 findings
F1:
The 2026-2027 Kern County Grand Jury finds the current solar contract with the City of Taft is not beneficial to the WWTP.
F2:
The 2026-2027 Kern County Grand Jury finds the 135 acres of alfalfa currently owned by the City of Taft is adequately handling the 800,000 gallons a day discharge from the WWTP. If the discharge exceeds the State permitted 1.5 million gallons a day, extensive improvements must be made to the WWTP to bring the effluent into compliance per the California State Water Resources Control Board. This could permit the possible discharge into Sandy Creek.
Additional Recommendations
2
Not linked to specific findings.
R1:
By January 1, 2028, the Ford City-Taft Heights Sanitation District and the City of Taft should consider advantageous solar options to power the wastewater treatment plant, since the current solar contract will expire in 2031. (Finding F1)
R2:
By January 1, 2028, the Ford City-Taft Heights Sanitation District and the City of Taft should formulate a contingency plan to allow discharge of effluent into Sandy Creek, or alternative options. (Finding F2) COMMENTS: The 2026-2027 Kern County Grand Jury would like to thank the management of the Taft Public Works Department, the Kern Sanitation Authority, and the California State Water Resources Control Board for their valuable information and cooperation. NOTES: • The Kern County Board of Supervisors and the City of Taft should post a copy of this report where it will be available for public review. • People wishing to receive an email notification of newly released reports may sign up at: www.kerncounty.com/grandjury • Present and past Kern County Grand Jury Final Reports and Responses can be accessed on the Kern County Grand Jury website: www.kerncounty.com/grandjury RESPONSE DEADLINE: • REQUIRED WITHIN 90 DAYS FROM: The Kern County Board of Supervisors The City of Taft RESPONSES ARE REQUIRED PURSUANT TO PENAL CODE §§933(c) AND 933.05 TO: • PRESIDING JUDGE SUPERIOR COURT OF CALIFORNIA COUNTY OF KERN 1415 TRUXTUN AVENUE, SUITE 212 BAKERSFIELD, CA 93301 • TRUXTUN AVENUE, SUITE 600 BAKERSFIELD, CA 93301 Reports issued by the Grand Jury do not identify individuals interviewed. Cal. Penal Code §929 requires that reports of the Grand Jury not contain the name of any person or facts leading to the identity of any person who provides information to the Grand Jury.