Kern’s golden mussel fight expected to cost $36 million annuallyNo silver bullets to eradicate golden mussels were revealed at a symposium on the invasive species held Wednesday by the Water Association of Kern County and Kern County Farm Bureau. That would potentially kickstart the California Office of Emergency Services’ process of reimbursing water districts for what they’ve spent to date. L-R: Dave Hampton, General Manager North Kern Water Storage District; Sam Blue, Resource Manager Arvin-Edison Water Storage District; Justin Rowe, Assistant General Manager Westside Water Authority; Stacy Kuwahara, Assistant County Administrative Officer; Monica Tennant, Water Resources Planner Kern County Water Agency. Lois Henry / SJV WaterThe Westside Water Authority, which covers 412 square miles irrigated almost exclusively by water from the aqueduct, discovered golden mussels in its system in October 2025. Cost so far for the Westside Water Authority is $3.8 million.