The nation’s biggest water district may hire the former U.S. Speaker of the House on as an adviser, sources say. Westlands Water District confirmed that preliminary discussions have taken place with Kevin McCarthy, a former Republican congressman from Bakersfield. The agency, which has its headquarters in Fresno, does not have a contract with McCarthy, but the role would be an advisory one. … A move to the world of water would not be major pivot for the lifelong Bakersfield resident. As a congressman, McCarthy helped secure funding to fix and raise Isabella and Schaefer dams in Kern County, SJV Water reported.

Other local water agency news:

• Manteca Bulletin (Calif.): Average Manteca PG&E bill $237 higher than (Modesto Irrigation District)
• Fontana Herald News (Calif.): SGPWA board champions federal, state orders
• Record Gazette (Banning, Calif.): Banning learns about new water regulations​​