NEWS
ACWA ACWA’s • Member • Newsletter
Volume 42 | No. 2 February 21, 2014
ACWA’s briefing Feb. 14 at the Crest Theatre in Sacramento brought together water officials from across California for a wide-ranging conversation about the impacts of this year’s drought. (Left to right) Dave Brent, director of utilities for the City of Sacramento; Shauna Lorance, general manager of San Juan Water District; Taj Dufour, chief engineer for Soquel Creek Water District; Mike Wade, executive director of the California Farm Water Coalition; and Jeffrey Kightlinger, general manager of Metropolitan Water District of Southern California, join ACWA Executive Director Timothy Quinn for a discussion about managing the drought crisis at the local level.
Impacts and Approaches to 2014 Drought Explored at ACWA-Sponsored Briefing in Sacramento Feb. 14 The drought of 2014 took center stage at the Crest Theatre in Sacramento Feb. 14 as state, federal and local officials explored impacts and the need for a coordinated response at a special half-day briefing.
League of California Cities, California State Association of Counties, California Farm Water Coalition, California Farm Bureau Federation, Metropolitan Water District of Southern California and others.
About 175 people attended the briefing and another 1,400 watched via webcast from around the state and across the country. The briefing was sponsored by ACWA, the California Department of Water Resources,
During the event, speaker after speaker outlined the unprecedented pressures placed on local, state and federal agencies because of the record-breaking dry weather. Drought Briefing Continued on page 6
New Save Our Water Drought Messaging Campaign Reminds Public that “Californians Don’t Waste” Save Our Water launched a new messaging campaign Feb. 14 that aims to inspire Californians to reduce water use as a matter of state pride. The statewide water conservation education program, which is a partnership between ACWA and the California Department of Water Resources, introduced the “Californians Don’t Waste” campaign at ACWA’s 2014 Drought Briefing in Sacramento. “The severe drought that our state is experiencing means that we all must do our part to save water,” said Mark Cowin, DWR director. “Californians have always answered calls
2
Viewpoints: Drought Calls for Extraordinary Response
5
Hearing Examines Impact of Drought on Drinking Water Systems
to conserve, and this new campaign will help remind them of creative ways to save water.” Save Our Water, created in 2009, is a consumer-focused program that works closely with local water agencies to help Californians learn the many ways they can save water inside and outside their homes. The new creative campaign will be marketed via the program’s paid media, social media and website. “With this new creative campaign, Save Our Water continues to be a great resource for many local water agencies as they help their customers find ways to reduce their water use SOW Continued on page 3
8
ACWA Board Holds First Meeting of New Term, Forms Drought Group
9
President Obama Visits Fresno Area for Look at Drought Impacts
ACWA News is a publication of the Association of California Water Agencies 910 K Street, Suite 100, Sacramento, CA 95814-3512 Periodicals postage paid at Sacramento, CA. POSTMASTER: send address changes and subscription requests to ACWA News, 910 K Street, Suite 100 Sacramento, CA 95814-3514 Phone: 916.441.4545 Fax: 916.561.7124 Website: acwa.com Executive Director Timothy Quinn Deputy Executive Director for External Affairs and Operations Jennifer Persike Director of Communications Lisa Lien-Mager Communications Specialist Pamela Martineau Communications Specialist Matt Williams Graphic Designer Katherine Causland Copyright 2014. All Rights Reserved. Call ACWA for Permission to Reprint. USPS 334030 Digital Only
Questions on Classified Ads? ACWA public agency members may post job descriptions, RFPs, items for sale and other miscellaneous classified ads in ACWA News and/ or online at acwa.com. More information is at acwa.com or contact Director of Communications Lisa Lien-Mager at lisalm@acwa.com or 916.441.4545. Connect with us:
President’s Column
By John Coleman
Viewpoints: Extraordinary Times Call for Extraordinary Response Published in The Sacramento Bee, Feb. 9, 2014 Nearly every day brings fresh signs that California is in a drought of epic proportions. Whether it’s the historic announcement of zero deliveries from the State Water Project or the latest survey confirming the lowest Sierra snowpack on record for the date, it’s clear that we are entering uncharted territory.
reservoirs and streams in the spring — is virtually nonexistent. Key state reservoirs, already at record-shattering low levels, have little chance of recovering this spring. In fact, reservoir storage is much lower at this point in the year than it was in the severe drought year of 1977. And our population has more than doubled, from 18 million in 1977 to 38 million today.
If the dry conditions are unprecedented, so, too, are the actions in response. Citing a need to preserve what water remains in key reservoirs, state officials told local water agencies to expect zero water from the project this year. Officials also laid out a series of steps to preserve supplies and provide flexibility to maintain operations and meet environmental needs.
Although this is indeed a statewide drought, some areas are being squeezed more than others. Communities in the Sacramento region that rely directly on rapidly shrinking Folsom Lake, for example, are bracing for potentially dire conditions later this year. Mandatory conservation is almost certainly on the horizon for some communities. At least three counties — Mendocino, Santa Barbara and San Joaquin — have declared local drought emergencies, and others will consider action this month.
The announcement, just two weeks after Gov. Jerry Brown declared a statewide drought emergency, came days after President Barack Obama called the governor to pledge federal support to assist the state. The governor then sat down with water leaders in Southern California to stress the need for water conservation and other actions to manage the crisis. In a year shaping up to be like no other, local water managers from every corner of California are uniting in support of the governor’s call for a statewide response to a statewide problem. We are one state, after all, and residents everywhere can do their part to embrace the governor’s request for all Californians to reduce water use by 20 percent. The Save Our Water program (www. saveourh2o.org), a partnership between the Association of California Water Agencies and the Department of Water Resources, has an array of tools and resources to help consumers reduce their water use. How unprecedented is this drought? The facts on the ground tell the story. The latest snow survey found the Sierra snowpack — so critical to filling our
The Tuolumne Utilities District in Sonora is requiring customers to reduce water use by 50 percent in the face of dwindling storage in its two main reservoirs. Meanwhile, the state Department of Public Health has identified some 17 small communities and drinking water systems that could face severe water shortages in the next 60 to 100 days. In the Central Valley, growers are bracing for cutbacks in surface water supplies. Some water-deprived areas in the San Joaquin Valley are facing surface supply cuts ranging from 50 percent to 100 percent this year. Many will lean heavily on groundwater, which could worsen subsidence in some areas. In many cases, fields will go fallow, affecting jobs not only in these areas, but statewide. State and local officials are moving quickly to get resources and assistance to the hardest-hit pockets of pain. At the Association of California Water Agencies, we are assembling a drought task force to Continued on page 3
2 • ACWA NEWS
Vol. 42 No. 2
Save our water
SOW Continued from page 1
at home,” said ACWA Executive Director Timothy Quinn. “This partnership between the state and local water agencies has really benefitted California as we all work together to help stretch the state’s water supply.”
the official 2014 California shower (wet wipes), the official 2014 California hose (a broom) and the official 2014 California lawn (absolute minimum watering). The tag line “Californians Don’t Waste” accompanies each.
The program debuts with three somewhat tongue-in-cheek ads touting
Save Our Water will be producing more versions of “The Official 2014
California [fill-in-the-blank]” in the form of sample bill stuffers, billboard arts and more as the drought continues and soon will be releasing short videos to accompany the print creative. For more information about the Save Our Water program and ways to conserve water, visit www.saveourh2o.org.
Electronic Highway Signs Urge Californians to Save Water In an unprecedented response to the state’s severe drought, Caltrans launched a statewide educational campaign on California’s highways, urging all Californians to conserve water. As you drive down the state’s highways, you’ll see electronic highway signs displaying the following water conservation message: Serious Drought – Help Save Water.
Caltrans has committed to reduce roadside watering and other irrigation statewide by at least 50%, delay new landscaping projects and nonessential planting in severely impacted areas, forgo washing most vehicles except when necessary, and expand the department’s use of recycled water and smart irrigation technologies.
in this important effort.”
Caltrans is using the electronic changeable message signs to get the word out as part of a broader effort supporting the Save Our Water program and governor’s call for water conservation.
“Caltrans has taken action to sharply restrict water usage,” said Caltrans Director Malcolm Dougherty. “Using our highway message signs, we are asking California’s 24 million drivers to join us
Save Our Water is a statewide public education program sponsored by ACWA and the California Department of Water Resources.
Many regions have made significant investments in the last decade to expand local surface and groundwater storage, boost water-use efficiency and bring water recycling and other strategies on line to stretch supplies on an ongoing basis. These investments — particularly in water storage — are proving invaluable this year. We need to replicate that success in every region of California and at the statewide level.
the above-mentioned investments. The Association of California Water Agencies strongly supports such a plan and stands ready to work with the governor, the Legislature and others to advance such a plan and needed public financing in the form of a water bond this year.
The electronic signs will be activated with the drought messaging when there are no critical emergency or traffic safety messages or Amber Alerts, Caltrans said.
Continued from page 2
identify short-term needs and measures that will help, and to look at the long term to minimize future droughts of this proportion. Local water managers prepare for dry times by putting contingency plans in place to respond to drought, and also by diversifying their portfolio of source and supply. They have incorporated lessons learned from past droughts and identified appropriate steps to respond as dry conditions emerge. But even the best-laid plans can be overwhelmed by Mother Nature.
Extraordinary times call for extraordinary measures. We can — and must — rise to this challenge and come together as Californians.
The governor has called for a comprehensive action plan that includes FEBRUARY 21, 2014 • 3
Water Bond
Wolk Water Bond Bill Advances in Senate; Assembly Bill Set for March 11 An ACWA-opposed bill that would place a $6.8 billion water bond on the November ballot has cleared two policy committees in the Senate and is expected to be heard in a third committee in late February.
Tuck said the ongoing drought is providing clear evidence that the state must invest in additional water storage so the state can meet needs — including drinking water for communities around the state — during dry periods.
SB 848 by Sen. Lois Wolk (D-Davis) was approved by the Senate Natural Resources and Water Committee on a 6-0 vote Feb. 11 and by the Senate Environmental Quality Committee on a 6-2 vote Feb. 19. It will next be heard in the Senate Governance and Finance Committee, which is chaired by Wolk.
She also suggested that funding for water recycling should be moved to a chapter separate from the Integrated Regional Water Management Plan (IRWMP) program funding and that additional funding should be provided for groundwater cleanup separate from the storage and IRWMP chapters.
ACWA has taken an oppose-unlessamended position on the bill because it would dramatically reduce funding for water storage and Delta sustainability compared to the current version of the bond now set for the November 2014 ballot. The funding areas are seen as critical to achieving the coequal goals of ecosystem health and water supply reliability. SB 848 also fails to provide for continuous appropriation for storage, creating uncertainty for expanded water storage needed to improve water supply reliability.
Sen. Fran Pavley (D-Santa Monica) commented that water recycling as a separate chapter was worth considering. Wolk said she would look closely at the suggestion on recycling.
In testimony before the Environmental Quality Committee, Wolk said the current $11.14 bond slated for the November ballot is too expensive and too controversial, and will not be approved by voters. “Communities and watersheds have critical needs,” Wolk said. “The Legislature needs to provide voters with a sensible alternative.” She said he said her proposed bond addresses priorities, but acknowledged that “need far exceeds what this bond is proposing.” Cindy Tuck, ACWA deputy executive director for government relations, testified against the bill, saying it falls short in two funding areas: Delta sustainability and water storage. She suggested that funding for Delta sustainability should be increased to $2.25 billion, while the storage category should be raised to $3 billion continuously appropriated for needed projects. 4 • ACWA NEWS
Vol. 42 No. 2
In her testimony, Tuck noted that ACWA supports the current $11.14 billion measure set for the November ballot, but is working with the Legislature on changes to aid its passage. ACWA has developed a proposal for an $8.2 billion measure that focuses on key statewide priority areas while maintaining significant funding for local water resources development and other projects. Sens. Ted Gaines (R-Rocklin) and Jean Fuller (R-Bakersfield) voiced concerns with Wolk’s bill, particularly the lack of adequate funding for storage. “This bill does not assure me that (storage projects) can actually move ahead, “Fuller said. The bill also fails to adequately fund Delta ecosystem restoration, which is critical to the bipartisan approach agreed to in the 2009 comprehensive package. “To me, that takes us a step backward.” Several ACWA member agencies and other organizations also called for changes to Wolk’s bill. Sonoma County Water Agency and Solano Irrigation District testified in support of SB 848. Before the vote, committee Chair Jerry Hill (D-San Mateo) noted that Gaines and Fuller had raised important
considerations and encouraged Wolk to work with them. Gaines and Fuller both indicated a desire to work on water bond legislation this year but said they vote no on SB 848 based on their specific concerns with the bill.
AB 1331 Set for Hearing Meanwhile, AB 1331 by Assembly Member Anthony Rendon (D-Lakewood) is set for a hearing March 11 in the Senate Natural Resources and Water Committee. The bill calls for a $6.5 billion bond measure that would be known as the Clean and Safe Drinking Water Act of 2014. ACWA has an oppose-unless-amended position on AB 1331, and has submitted suggested amendments to the author that would allow the association to remove its opposition. The suggested amendments would increase funding for Delta sustainability from the $1 billion currently in AB 1331 to $2.25 billion, consistent with the existing bond set for the November 2014 ballot. ACWA’s amendments also would increase funding for water storage from $1.5 billion to $3 billion and provide for continuous appropriation of the storage funding, consistent with the existing 2014 water bond and the $8.2 billion bond proposal developed by ACWA. In addition to other changes, ACWA’s amendments would increase funding for groundwater cleanup and move $500 million in recycling funds to a separate chapter that is independent of the IRWMP program. All told, ACWA’s suggested amendments would increase the total amount of bond funding authorized in AB 1331 to $8.65 billion, up from the current $6.5 billion proposed in the bill. ACWA continues to work with the author’s office and other lawmakers to build support for the suggested amendments.
Water Hearing
Hearing Examines Impact of Drought on Drinking Water Systems Local and state officials discussed the impact of California’s drought on vulnerable drinking water systems and explored ways to shore up threatened water supplies during an Assembly hearing Feb. 18.
systems to develop new sources of water, connect the systems with other viable systems or treat the threatened system’s water that doesn’t now meet drinking water standards.
The joint hearing of the Assembly Environmental Safety & Toxic Materials Committee and the Assembly Health Committee featured state and local officials who have been working to solve drinking water shortage problems caused by the drought.
Mazzera said CDPH helped the city of West Goshen link with Visalia and Cal Water because its water supply was impacted by the drought through increased nitrate problems.
Assembly Member Luis Alejo (D-Salinas), chair of the Assembly Environmental Safety & Toxic Materials Committee, said the drought is “posing a real and immediate public health threat.”
Mazzera thanked ACWA and other entities for working with CDPH to coordinate assistance to vulnerable drinking water systems. He said his agency is using some Proposition 84 funds to help the communities, as well as other sources of funding.
Dr. Ron Chapman, director of the California Department of Public Health, told committee members that his agency is “working non-stop” assisting communities that run the risk of running out of water because of the drought.
Holly Madrigal, mayor of the city of Willits, which is listed as having a threatened water supply, discussed how the city is working to develop a second source of water by linking with agricultural water systems.
Small drinking water systems are especially vulnerable to shortages posed by drought, testified David Mazzera, acting division chief for CDPH’s division of Drinking Water and Environmental Management Program. Mazzera said CDPH is working with the threatened
“I am confident we will be able to get off that list,” Madrigal said, adding that the drought has highlighted the city’s drinking water vulnerabilities, forcing it to develop alternatives and plan for the long term.
Cindy Tuck, ACWA deputy executive director for government relations, thanked the Governor’s Office and CDPH for moving forward swiftly to address the drinking water issues related to the drought. Tuck highlighted the need for long-term water system planning, and said California needs more water storage capacity, which would allow the state to bank water for use during dry periods. Tuck said that the state needs to take a multi-pronged approach to shoring up its water system. “There’s no one silver bullet,” said Tuck. “The solution depends on the facts for the community in question.” Tuck stressed the importance of passing a 2014 water bond with adequate funding for storage, water conservation and funding for a broad spectrum of water system improvements. Tuck told committee members that ACWA recently empaneled a Drought Action Group that will develop recommended actions to deal with the drought on the local and statewide levels. The group, made up of ACWA members from around the state, will present its proposals to the Brown Administration in about six to eight weeks.
Rendon, Fuller Confirmed for ACWA Legislative Symposium Assembly Member Anthony Rendon (D-Lakewood) and Sen. Jean Fuller (R-Bakersfield) will discuss the outlook for a 2014 water bond at ACWA’s annual Legislative Symposium March 5 in Sacramento. The two lawmakers will discuss potential changes to the existing $11.14 billion bond measure currently set for the November ballot and key issues guiding the debate. The two will speak as part of a panel moderated by ACWA Executive Director Timothy Quinn.
Other panels will address reorganization of the state’s drinking water program, drought response and special district transparency. Felicia Marcus, chair of the State Water Resources Control Board, will discuss sustainable groundwater management in California during keynote remarks at lunch. The event begins at 9 a.m. March 5 at the Sacramento Convention Center. Registration information is available at www.acwa.com.
2014 LEGISLATIVE
SYMpoSIUM March 5, 2014 Sacramento Convention Center Registration is Open
FEBRUARY 21, 2014 • 5
ACWA Drought Briefing
(Left) Members of the Governor’s Drought Task Force discuss the state’s priorities during ACWA’s half-day drought briefing Feb. 14 in Sacramento: (l-r) Felicia Marcus, chair of the State Water Resources Control Board; John Laird, secretary of California Natural Resources Agency; Mark Ghilarducci, director of the Governor’s Office of Emergency Services. (Middle) A separate panel taks about the drought’s ripple effects: Richard Matteis, administrator of the California Farm Bureau Federation; Fire Captain Scott McLean of California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection; Stephanie McCorkle, director of communications and public relations for California ISO; and Stanislaus County Supervisor Vito Chiesa, first vice president of the California State Association of Counties. Approximately 175 people attended the briefing in person and another 1,400 watched on a webcast. Drought Briefing Continued from page 1
“We’re in a different arena right now. We need to take a new approach..,” ACWA President John Coleman, who moderated the event, told the crowd. “We are one state and we need to work together.” ACWA Executive Director Timothy Quinn stressed how the state needs to add additional water storage capacity to bank water in times of plenty to use during dry spells. He said ACWA members are working to advance storage as part of a comprehensive plan to address the state’s water future. “Storage is absolutely essential… to get through these dry years,” said Quinn, adding that the drought is “waking people up” in California to the state’s long term water needs. California Natural Resources Secretary John Laird echoed the theme of the need for broad cooperation among agencies, regions and industries. “The old divides…don’t and shouldn’t apply anymore,” said Laird. “”We’ve got to come together.” Throughout the morning, officials detailed the impacts of the drought on drinking water systems, wildfires, the power grid, agriculture and individual water agencies.
Governor’s Drought Task Force Leaders Discuss State’s Priorities Members of the Governor’s Interagency Drought Task Force launched the morning panels with a discussion on the state’s priorities during the drought. They highlighted the need for close collaboration among local, state and federal agencies as well as the shifting nature of the crisis. Mark Ghilarducci, director of the Office of Emergency Services and head of the Governor’s Drought Task Force, urged local agencies to work with their local emergency management teams to plan for the worst case scenarios of extended drought. He said Gov. Jerry Brown’s drought emergency declaration issued Jan. 17 “provided direction to state agencies” to move forward to combat the drought. Laird also emphasized the need for cross-agency collaboration. He described how state officials are working with federal water officials to try to conserve water in reservoirs upstream for later use in what is expected to be an abnormally dry year. “We can’t make it rain, but we’re sending water to where we need it more,” Laird added. Laird also listed some of the California
6 • ACWA NEWS
Vol. 42 No. 2
drought disaster aid recently announced by President Obama and other federal officials. It includes 600 summer meal sites to help feed farmworkers who will lose jobs due to fallowed land, as well as $100 million in livestock disaster assistance for ranchers. “This is a disaster that crosses over into employment and food,” Laird said. Felicia Marcus, chair of the State Water Resources Control Board, said the “community of California as a whole is facing a disaster of catastrophic proportions.” Marcus detailed how the State Board is using the “flexibility inherent” in traditional regulatory rules to address the drought, by loosening water quality standards in the Delta and curtailing some junior water rights in the face of drought.
Officials Provide an Overview of Drought Conditions Federal and state officials provided an overview of the just how dry 2014 is shaping up to be during a panel on California’s drought conditions. Maury Roos, a chief hydrologist with the California Department of Water Resources, said the state has now experienced only about a quarter of the rainfall it usually does during the wet months of December through February. He said only 25% to 30% of the precipitation
ACWA Drought Briefing year is left and chances of above average rain to make up for the low precipitation is about “zero.” “The best we could hope for is 75% (of normal precipitation) and I’m not even sure about that,” he said. Pablo Arroyave, deputy regional director for the Bureau of Reclamation’s Mid-Pacific Region, detailed the steps his agency is taking to mitigate the impacts of California’s drought. Arroyave said Reclamation will try to keep as much water in storage as possible to use later on during the year and will utilize operational flexibility to do so. “We’re going to be facing extremely difficult trade-off situations,” said Arroyave. “No one is going to do well in this drought.”
Impacts on Local Drinking Water Systems Explored Dr. Mark Starr, deputy director for the Center for Environmental Health at the California Department of Public Health, said that small drinking water systems throughout the state are especially vulnerable to water supply impacts during times of drought. Starr said CDPH has identified a number of small, mostly rural communities that could run out of water within 60 to 100 days. CDPH is working closely with those agencies to find alternative supplies or to link them with larger systems.
Managing the Drought Crisis on the Ground Local officials from throughout California described efforts their respective agencies are taking to ensure water continues to flow to their customers during drought. Dave Brent, director of the City of Sacramento’s Department of Utilities, said Sacramento has implemented a mandatory 20% water reduction requirement of customers that will be enforced with fines and additional enforcement officers. Shauna Lorance, general manager of San Juan Water District, said her agency
may implement drought water rates in April. The district relies on Folsom Lake, which despite a small boost from recent storms is still critically low. Available water is far from adequate to meet typical summer demands for San Juan. “It’s not a drought year for us,” Lorance said. “It’s an emergency year.” Mike Wade, executive director of the California Farm Water Coalition, said he expects about 500,000 acres of farmland to be fallowed this year due to a lack of water. He said that would be 7% of all of California’s agricultural land and would be a $1.7 billion hit to the agricultural economy. Every $1 lost in ag production results in a $3 hit to the economy, he said. Jeffrey Kightlinger, general manager of the Metropolitan Water District of Southern California, said the droughts of 1977 and 1991 served as a “wakeup call,” telling leaders that the region needed to bolster its water storage and conservation. Since then, MWD has spent $3.5 billion on increased water storage and $1 billion in shoring up its water conveyance system. MWD had a capacity of 300,000 acre-feet of water in 1991 and now has a capacity for 6 million acre-feet of water in storage. Nevertheless, the district has adopted a water supply alert and is urging Southern Californians to take additional steps to reduce water use by 20%. It also has doubled its water conservation budget.
Ripple Effects Reach Far and Wide Fire Captain Scott McLean of the California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection (Cal Fire) is extremely nervous for the safety of firefighters and all Californians this year: “I’m not saying the sky is falling, but I’m very, very concerned.” It’s so dry that Cal Fire responded to 519 fire incidents statewide during the first six weeks of 2014, five times last year’s number. Two hundred additional firefighters already have been brought on in Northern California, and the south state is on alert.
Increased fire risk is one of many consequences that spiral outward from the looming drought, a panel of water officials explained. Stanislaus County supervisor Vito Chiesa, first vice president of the California State Association of Counties, said the drought could cause problems for counties with budgets that already are burdened by prison realignment and health-care reforms. Rising unemployment and decreased tax revenue also is likely for counties like Stanislaus that depend heavily on agriculture, he said. Richard Matteis, administrator of the California Farm Bureau Federation, said approximately 600,000 acres has been put out production so far because of the drought, will more likely coming. Farmers are shifting water to permanent crops and ranchers are selling off their stock because pasture land is difficult to find. The ports that ship California’s agricultural products and various supporting industries, such seed suppliers and nurseries, also will be hurt, Matteis said. Stephanie McCorkle, director of communications and public relations for the California ISO, said the drought will force energy users to rely more on natural gas because there will be less hydropower available. About 14% of the state’s energy portfolio is large hydropower, she said.
Reaching the Consumer Jennifer Persike, ACWA deputy executive director for external affairs and operations, closed the meeting by debuting a new water conservation campaign by Save Our Water, the messaging vehicle co-managed by ACWA and the Department of Water Resources. The campaign — dubbed Californians Don’t Waste — encourages conservation by tapping into state pride. (See related story, page 1.) “What we are talking about here is one of the most powerful tools we have, and that is the public,” said Persike. Save Our Water has resources for water agencies and consumers at www. saveourh2o.org. FEBRUARY 21, 2014 • 7
ACWA Board
(Left) The ACWA Board of Directors gathers in the association’s boardroom in Sacramento on Jan. 31 for the Board’s first meeting of the year. (Middle) The Board poses in front of the State Capitol for an official portrait. (Right, left to right) ACWA Immediate Past President Randy Record, Vice President Kathleen Tiegs, President John Coleman and Executive Director Timothy Quinn look on during the Board’s first meeting of 2014.
ACWA Board Convenes First Meeting of New Two-Year Term, Forms Drought Action Group to Recommend Specific Steps to Address Crisis The ACWA Board of Directors convened its first workshop and meeting of the 2014-’15 term in Sacramento Jan. 30-31. President John Coleman welcomed several new Board members and outlined an array of critical issues facing the water community over the next two years. (See www.acwa.com for a complete Board roster.) The Board spent most of Jan. 30 discussing priority actions for inclusion in ACWA’s strategic plan, which will guide association activities over the next two years. ACWA staff presented a suggested outline and structure, and Board members brainstormed further modifications that will be included in the final version expected to go before the Board for approval in March. In a regular business meeting the following day, the Board heard updates on historic drought conditions, discussions surrounding the 2014 water bond and activities related to ACWA’s Statewide Water Action Plan and the Brown Administration’s California Water Action Plan, released in final form on Jan. 27. The Board voted to establish a Drought Action Group as a way to channel expertise and hands-on drought experience to identify needs and poten8 • ACWA NEWS
Vol. 42 No. 2
tial solutions. The group’s work will help guide ACWA’s efforts at the state and federal level to advance actions to reduce impacts this year and in future droughts. “This drought is unprecedented, and we need serious solutions,” Coleman said. “As the water community, it is critical for us to pull together an actionoriented group that can leverage our collective knowledge of drought impacts to identify steps that could be undertaken to address this and future droughts.” The Board also voted to approve $35,000 in additional funding this year to allow ACWA to ramp up drought-related activities and provide statewide leadership, coordination with external groups and critical information clearinghouse functions. The Drought Action Group, appointed by Coleman and chaired by Dave Brent, director of the City of Sacramento’s Utilities Department, is tasked initially with developing a report in the next 60 to 80 days. The report is expected to catalog serious drought conditions in the areas of greatest need, water supply alternatives and critical actions. Taj Dafour, chief engineer with Soquel Creek Water District, serves as vice chair.
The group, which includes water agency representatives with technical and/or policy expertise from all 10 regions of ACWA, held its first meeting Feb. 14 in Sacramento following ACWA’s well-attended drought briefing (See story on page 1). The Drought Action Group’s work will complement state and federal efforts under way to address the drought. In other business, Board members elected Thad Bettner, general manager of Glenn-Colusa Irrigation District; Gary Arant, general manager of Valley Center Municipal Water District; and David Orth, general manager of Kings River Conservation District, to ACWA’s Executive Committee. The Board also approved ACWA sending amicus briefs in support of two local agencies engaged in court cases that could impact local water agencies’ ability to set water rate structures. One is Vagim v. City of Fresno, in which the plaintiffs seek to repeal water rates adopted the city adopted last summer after going through the Proposition 218 process. The other is Capistrano Taxpayers Association v. City of San Juan Capistrano, which similarly involves a challenge to a water rate structure the city adopted in 2010.
Federal Update
President Obama Visits Fresno Area for Look at Drought Impacts President Barack Obama visited Fresno and nearby farms on Feb. 14 to get a first-hand look at the effects of California’s drought.
cultural producer, so what happens here matters to every working American, right down to the cost of food that you put on your table.”
The president attended a roundtable discussion with Gov. Jerry Brown, federal officials, local agricultural leaders and water managers in Firebaugh before touring a farm in Los Banos owned by Joe and Maria Del Bosque.
In conjunction with the visit, the White House announced that the U.S. Department of Agriculture, Department of Interior and other federal agencies are using their existing authorities and working closely with state and local partners to respond to the drought.
In prepared remarks at the Del Bosque farm, Obama announced new actions the Administration will take to help farmers, ranchers, small businesses and communities affected by the drought. He pledged the federal government’s support and said the Administration is committed to staying on top of the issue. “As anybody in this state could tell you, California’s living through some of its driest years in a century. Right now, almost 99 percent of California is drier than normal — and the winter snowpack that provides much of your water far into the summer is much smaller than normal,” Obama said. “While drought in regions outside the West is expected to be less severe than in other years, California is our biggest economy, California is our biggest agri-
Federal assistance includes: • $100 million in livestock disaster aid for California producers in 2014 and up to $50 million for losses in previous years; • $5 million in additional assistance to California farmers and ranchers to implement practices that conserve scarce water resources, reduce wind erosion on drought-impacted fields and improve livestock access to water; • $5 million to help communities and private landowners address impairment of streams and watersheds; • $60 million for California food banks to help families economically harmed by the drought; • a 600-site expansion of the Summer Food Service Program; and
Central Valley water managers and growers greet President Barack Obama, the administration, members of Congress and California Gov. Jerry Brown during the president’s visit Feb. 14 to Fresno and nearby farms. Photo courtesy of Mario Santoyo.
• $3 million to help rural communities experiencing a significant decline in the quantity or quality of drinking water due to drought. “President Obama and I will continue to do everything within our power to support California farmers, ranchers and families living in drought-stricken areas. This assistance, coupled with other aid being made available across government, should provide some relief during this difficult time,” U.S. Secretary of Agriculture Tom Vilsack said in a statement. The president also directed federal facilities in California to curb water use. For more information go to http://www. whitehouse.gov/drought.
Federal Digest
Drought Relief Bill Floated Legislation from U.S. Sens. Barbara Boxer and Dianne Feinstein would provide California and other Western states with $300 million in emergency funds for drought-relief projects and economic assistance, and would order federal agencies to take additional steps to maximize water supplies. Approximately $100 million would go to Department of the Interior projects that rapidly increase water supplies, while another $100 million would be awarded to farmers who fund water conservation measures protecting lands and sensitive watersheds. Pre-Disaster Mitigation
Grants and Emergency Community Water Assistance Grants each would be funded at $25 million, as would grants for private forest landowners and emergency assistance for migrant and seasonal farmworkers who are directly harmed by the drought. Reps. Tony Cardenas (D-29), Jim Costa (D-16), and Sam Farr (D-20) are sponsoring a companion bill in the House.
House Votes to Reauthorize NIDIS The House voted on Feb. 10 by a vote of 365 to 21 on a bill reauthorizing the National Integrated Drought Information System (NIDIS). The bill,
HR 2431, sponsored by Rep. Ralph Hall (R-TX), would extend funding for the NIDIS through 2018 with a $13.5 million annual budget. The passage of this bill follows similar action by the Senate, which approved a similar bill (S. 376) by Sen. Mark Pryor (D-AR) that would cut the program’s annual budget to $12 million. NIDIS was established in 2006 as a means to provide the nation with an early warning drought detection system. One of its most visible features is the U.S. Drought Portal.
FEBRUARY 21, 2014 • 9
ACWA Events
Docents Needed to Monitor Frog Eggs and Tadpoles The Marin Municipal Water District is looking for volunteer docents to monitor the foothill yellow-legged frog (Rana boylii), a federal and state species of “special concern,” at Little Carson Falls on the Mt. Tamalpais Watershed from March to early June. Docent training is Saturday, Feb. 22, from 9 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. at Sky Oaks Watershed Headquarters on Sky Oaks Road in Fairfax. The training includes an orientation and a three-mile, round-trip, strenuous hike to Little Carson Falls. The falls are one of two remaining breeding sites on the watershed for the foothill yellow-legged frog, which has disappeared from more than 45% of its historic range in California and Oregon due to habitat loss and degradation, disease and the introduction of exotic predators, such as bullfrogs and crayfish. Little Carson Falls is a popular destination for hikers and their dogs, especially during the spring when the falls are running, which is also when the frogs are breeding and the eggs are hatching. During the 11 week monitoring period in 2013, frog docents spoke with 350 visitors at the falls. Just one unknowing hiker or off-leash dog could dislodge or trample the delicate egg masses that sit at the water’s edge or the young tadpoles as they mature. Frog docents must be over 18 years old and be available for a minimum of three 4-hour shifts between March and June when the frog eggs and tadpoles are most vulnerable. No previous experience or special knowledge is required. Register by calling MMWD at (415) 945-1128 or emailing volunteerprogram@ marinwater.org. 10 • ACWA NEWS
Vol. 42 No. 2
Reclamation Commissioner Michael Connor to Speak at ACWA DC Conference Feb. 26 Michael L. Connor, commissioner of the U.S. Bureau of Reclamation, is scheduled to address ACWA’s annual Washington, D.C., conference later this month. Connor has led the Bureau since 2009 and has worked there in various capacities for more than two decades. During his tenure he has led Reclamation’s efforts to promote the sustainable use of water to address current and future challenges associated with water supply and power generation in the West. Connor is scheduled to speak the morning of Wednesday, Feb. 26, along with Ken Kopocis, EPA assistant administrator-designate for water; and Nancy Sutley, chair of the White House Council on Environmental Quality. Later that afternoon, the conference is scheduled to hear from members of California’s congressional delegation: Ken Calvert (R-42), Jim Costa (D16), John Garamendi (D-3), Jared Huffman (D-2), Doug LaMalfa (R-1), Tom McClintock (R-4), David Valadao (R-21). Reps. Grace Napolitano (D-32) and Eric Swalwell (D-15) also have been invited.
The conference Feb. 25-27 at The Liaison Capitol Hill hotel is a one-of-akind opportunity to hear from California’s congressional delegation, federal officials and Beltway insiders. Attendees will get the latest information about possible regulatory actions and water-related federal programs, as well as valuable perspective on the priorities of the Obama administration, Congress and California’s elected representatives. A full slate of panel discussions, speaker programs and evening receptions is planned. Online registration is now closed. For more information about the conference go to acwa.com.
ACWA DC2014
Annual Washington D.C. Conference
Feb. 25-27, 2014
Liaison Capitol Hill • Washington D.C.
ACWA Co-Sponsoring New Workshop and Tour on Small Hydropower Development ACWA is hosting a new workshop and tour this year on small hydropower. A half-day workshop March 21 in Rancho Cucamonga at the Cucamonga Valley Water District Frontier Project will include programs on site selection, permitting, financing and small hydropower technologies. Breakfast and lunch will be provided. Attendees then will have the option in the afternoon of touring Fontana Water Company’s Sandhill Small Hydro Facility in Rialto.
This workshop may qualify toward the Certified Energy Manager (CEM) continuing education credit. Please visit acwa.com to register and view a detailed agenda and tour schedule. The registration deadline is March 14 and space is limited. Questions? Please call ACWA’s Melanie Medina at 916.441.4545.
Newswatch
Metropolitan Declares Water Supply Alert, Boosts Conservation Budget for 2014 Metropolitan Water District’s Board of Directors on Feb. 11 formally declared a water supply alert and doubled its water conservation budget. The moves were anticipated since Gov. Jerry Brown visited Metropolitan late last month and urged Southern California and the rest of the state to continue conserving water. The governor declared a drought emergency on Jan. 17 and called on California to voluntarily reduce water use by 20%. Metropolitan, the primary supplier of imported water for a 5,200-mile service area within six counties in Southern California, will increase its annual conservation and outreach budget from $20 million to $40 million in order to provide additional rebates for Southern Californians to purchase low-flow toilets, sprinklers and other water-saving devices. The water district says it also will explore
ding a Wo Buil rld
erence ® Diff of
erence ® Diff of
ding a Wo Buil rld
Call For
how it might be able to help other parts of California. “We are taking an aggressive approach to lowering water use because Southern California must lead by example and take a statewide approach to this challenge,” Metropolitan General Manager Jeffrey Kightlinger said. “California is one state. We all have an obligation to do our part and conserve water.” In declaring a regional water supply alert, Metropolitan is asking cities, counties, local public water agencies and retailers to focus once more on water conservation. “In declaring this Water Supply Alert, we are confident that consumers and businesses throughout the Southland will take additional steps to reduce water use,” said Metropolitan Board Chair John V. Foley. ACWA Excellence in Water Leadership Award ACWA Excellence in Water Leadership Award
NoMiNAtioNs
Deadline March 3rd 2014
Nominatioins are now being accepted for the 2014 ACWA Excellence in Water Leadership Award – Building a World of Difference®. The award recognizes people (individuals or groups) who have made a remarkable and visible contribution to the enhancement, protection or development of water resources in California. For more information go to http://www.acwa.com/content/acwaexcellence-leadership-award.
Sponsored by Black & Veatch Corporation
DWR, Reclamation Seek Flexibility in Managing Water The California Department of Water Resources (DWR) and the Bureau of Reclamation are seeking permission to exchange water within areas served by the State Water Project and the federally managed Central Valley Project. Due to the ongoing drought, DWR and Reclamation have filed a “temporary change petition” with the State Water Resources Control Board. The oneyear waiver would cover exchanges not exceeding 277,863 acre-feet. According to DWR, the requested change would provide “operational flexibility” for the federal and state water projects and would not result in a net increase in the amount of water diverted from the Delta or a net loss of Sacramento and San Joaquin river flows. The petition would authorize water exchanges for Santa Clara Valley Water District, the Metropolitan Water District of Southern California, Kern County Water Agency, Westlands Water District, Arvin-Edison Water Storage District, Kern Tulare Water District, the Oak Flat Water District, the Del Puerto Water District, Musco Olive Products, and the Veterans National Cemetery. In the case of Santa Clara Valley Water District, DWR said the petition would allow the district to change the delivery point for up 130,000 acre-feet of supplies. “The district buys water from both the CVP and SWP, and the exchange would help address problems with conveyance facilities. Drought threatens the availability and quality of the federal water the Santa Clara Valley Water District would otherwise take from San Luis Reservoir, so under the petition filed, the water district could exchange its federal water for state water delivered from the Delta through the South Bay Aqueduct.” The State Water Board is expected to act on the petition by March 28. FEBRUARY 21, 2014 • 11
Acwa Preferred providers
Water Loss Management Brings Many Benefits in Times of Drought California water agencies are currently facing dynamic challenges: droughts and dwindling water resources, regulatory pressures, tightening budgets, rising costs for treatment and operations, and increasing prices for raw and treated water. Water utilities large and small, such as the Los Angeles Department of Water and Power and the city of Folsom, have benefited from designing and implementing water loss reduction strategies. The potential savings can be substantial. Real water losses — physical losses from the distribution network — in California water agencies range from 4% to 36% of the total water supplied. Water loss management helps minimize water losses specifically “non-revenue” water, within an agency’s distribution system by: 1) determining the extent of water losses; 2) developing a proactive approach for reducing water losses; and 3) evaluating the potential for economically viable reduction of water losses.
A well-designed water loss management plan can bring a range of benefits, helping achieve California’s“20 by 2020” goal of reducing per capita water demand 20% by year 2020; enabling compliance with AB 1420, state legislation requiring demand management measures and best management practices to be eligible to receive funding; and optimizing resources during times of drought. Statewide energy conservation efforts are beginning to utilize water loss control. For example, in 2008 Southern California Edison selected Water Systems Optimization (WSO) to implement the Agency Leak Detection project as part of the California Public Utilities Commission (CPUC) WaterEnergy Pilots, a comparison program that initiated nine pilots to isolate the most cost-effective approach toward saving embedded energy in water. Each pilot quantified the water and energy savings for a unique water conservation scheme — such as consumer toilet retrofits, using less energy-intensive water and improving the efficiency of distribution or treatment.
WSO, an ACWA Preferred Provider, implemented a pilot focusing on water agency leakage, loss control strategies and the potential for costeffective interventions to reduce water losses for the Las Virgenes Municipal Water District, Apple Valley Ranchos Water Company and Lake Arrowhead Community Services District. Of the nine water-energy pilots reviewed, the CPUC concluded a leak detection program offers the greatest energy savings potential at a relatively low cost. For more information about a water loss management plan for your agency, contact Reinhard Sturm with Water Systems Optimization at 415.538.8641 or reinhard.sturm@wso.us.
Study: Neighborhood Data Sharing Can Reduce Home Water Use A new independent study completed for the California Water Foundation, East Bay Municipal Utility District (EBMUD) and WaterSmart Software indicates that providing information that helps households compare their water use to neighborhood averages can reduce residential water use by 5%. During the one-year pilot from June 2012 to June 2013, 10,000 EBMUD residential customers were provided visual, easy-to-understand water use reports developed by WaterSmart Software. The individualized reports provided customers with their personal water use data, compared their water use to similar sized 12 • ACWA NEWS
Vol. 42 No. 2
homes in the area, and made personalized recommendations on ways to save water.
of such a program by a large urban water utility.
A control group helped ensure that factors affecting water use, such as weather and other market or consumer behaviors outside the pilot, were taken into account when estimating water savings.
In addition to the average 5% reduction in residential water use, study findings showed that customers were more than twice as likely to participate in other EBMUD water conservation programs than customers who were offered the same programs but not told how their water use compared to the average. They were also more than six times as likely to request a home water audit to help them identify ways to save water.
Social psychologists call data sharing among neighbors a “social norms-based (SNB) efficiency program.” According to the report authors, SNB efficiency programs have been broadly adopted by energy utilities but are new to water utilities. In fact, the EBMUD pilot is believed to be the first large-scale example
The full study is available at http:// californiawaterfoundation.org.
Obituaries
Water Community Mourns Passing of Former ACWA President, MWD Chair Lois Krieger The California water community is mourning the passing of Lois B. Krieger, 96, a pioneering water leader who served as the first female president of ACWA before being elected the first female chair of the Metropolitan Water District of Southern California. Krieger, who was elected vice president of ACWA in 1985 and then president in 1987, passed away Feb. 10 in Arizona. She served as chair of MWD’s Board of Directors from 1989 to 1992 and as an MWD board member for 25 years. She replaced her father, Howard Boylan, on the MWD Board in 1976, representing Western Municipal Water District. During her term as ACWA president, Krieger led development of a comprehensive water policy to unite the water community. The policy, known as “Water for All Californians,” was adopted by ACWA members at the association’s fall conference in 1988. In a statement released after her
Call foR
EntriEs
passing, ACWA Executive Director Timothy Quinn said Krieger made it her focus to “unite the water community from north to south.” “Lois made an indelible mark on the water industry and will not be forgotten,” Quinn wrote in his message. Jeffrey Kightlinger, general manager of MWD, issued a statement calling Krieger a “trailblazer with a passionate commitment to solving the state’s water problem.” Krieger was presented the U.S. Bureau of Reclamation’s Citizen Award for her “commitment to the needs of the water community in Southern California and her long partnership with the Bureau of Reclamation.” Krieger also served as a board member for the California Water Resources Association, the Water Education Foundation and the board of trustees of the University of California at Riverside. She was preceded in death by her husband Jim Krieger, a founding partner in the water law firm of Best Best & Krieger.
CLAIR . Hill Water Agency Award for Excellence
Entries are now being accepted for ACWA’s 2014 Clair A. Hill Water Agency Award for excellence. The award recognizes exemplary programs developed by ACWA member agencies in water resource management. An official entry form and further details about the award, eligibility and selection process are available at http://www.acwa.com/content/clair-hill-water-agency-award-excellence-0.
Deadline March 3, 2014
Passing of Respected Water Quality Expert Leaves Void at ACWA Dr. Pankaj Parekh, an authority on water quality and a nationally and internationally recognized public health advocate, passed away Jan. 29 from complications related to a serious motorcycle accident in 2011. Parekh worked for 28 years at the Los Angeles Department of Water & Power (LADWP), serving as manager of water quality regulatory affairs for 10 years and director of water quality for 14 years before his final position as assistant to the assistant general manager of the water system. Before joining LADWP, he spent 13 years in Africa working to provide safe drinking water. From the beginning, ensuring clean and safe drinking water was Parekh’s mission in life. Following his undergraduate studies in public health, he completed master’s and doctoral degrees in environmental science and engineering at UCLA and went on to be actively involved in a number of statewide and national water organizations, including ACWA. He was chair of the association’s Water Quality Committee from 2006-’14. During the years after his accident, he continued to work and to share his vision for improving water quality for Los Angeles residents — even while undergoing countless hours of tiring physical rehabilitation. He is survived by his wife Anne and her two children. Parekh chronicles his efforts to provide safe, clean water and his personal journey following his tragic accident in a short documentary by Phillip Montgomery titled “Today.” It can be viewed at http:// phillipmontgomery.net/TODAY. A public memorial for Parekh is scheduled for March 6 from 2 to 4 p.m. at the LADWP building at 111 North Hope Street on level A in the main cafeteria. FEBRUARY 21, 2014 • 13
People news
Public Member Agencies Metropolitan Water District Fullerton City Council Member Jennifer Fitzgerald was seated Feb. 11 as a member of the board of directors of the Metropolitan Water District of Southern California. Fitzgerald succeeds Thomas S. Babcock as the city’s representative on the 37-member Metropolitan board. Babcock had served on the board since September 2012. Elected to the city council in November 2012, Fitzgerald is past president of the Fullerton Chamber of Commerce and former member of the board of directors of the Fullerton Historic Theater Foundation. She served previously on the Fullerton Planning Commission and the Fullerton General Plan Advisory Committee. She is the founder and chief executive officer of CL7 Communications, a strategic communications firm specializing in political fundraising.
Orange County Water District The Fullerton City Council has appointed Council Member Jan M. Flory to the Orange County Water District (OCWD) effective Jan. 22. Flory replaces Bruce Whitaker, who recently served 16 months on OCWD’s Board. Not a newcomer to OCWD, Flory previously served on the board from 1999 through 2002. “I am honored to represent the residents of Fullerton,” said Flory. “I look forward to serving on the board again
and being a part of this internationally acclaimed organization that has maintained its legacy as a leader in groundwater management and water reuse,” said Flory. Flory is a long-time public servant and resident of Fullerton. In November 2012, she was re-elected to the council on which she previously served from October 1994 through December 2002. She was mayor of Fullerton in 1998-99, and mayor pro tem in 1997-98 and 2001-02. She has also served on the city’s Planning and Community Services Commissions and was a former appointee to the Santa Ana River Flood Protection Agency and the Sister City Association. Flory is a family law attorney and has maintained her law office in Fullerton since 1986.
United Water Conservation District Edwin T. McFadden III has been appointed to serve as a board director of the United Water Conservation District. McFadden lives and farms over 500 acres of citrus and avocados in the Bardsdale area of Ventura County. McFadden has served on the California Avocado Commission since 2010, and currently serves as its chair. He has been a director of the Ventura County Farm Bureau since 2000 and a director of Associates Insectary since 2003, and is a graduate of the California Agricultural
Leadership Program.
Western Municipal Water District Western Municipal Water District has restructured its comunications staff. Michele McKinney Underwood was promoted to director of community and government affairs by General Manager John Rossi. She has worked at the district since 2001, most recently serving as the community affairs manager. Rachel McGuire was promoted to community affairs supervisor; she previously served as the district’s senior-level community affairs representative. McGuire joined the district in 2011 and has a decade of public-sector communications experience. The recent addition of Lana Haddad, a government affairs professional, rounds out the streamlining of the district’s community and government affairs office. Haddad recently joined the department as Western’s government affairs liaison. Haddad’s previous experience includes work for the City of Glendale Department of Water and Power as a senior administrative analyst.
DWR Awards $153 Million in Grants for IRWM Projects The California Department of Water Resources (DWR) has awarded nearly $153 million in grants for integrated regional water management projects around the state, the department announced Feb 12. Several ACWA member agencies, such as San Diego County Water Authority, Coachella Valley Water District and Merced Irrigation District, are among 14 • ACWA NEWS
Vol. 42 No. 2
the grantees. The funding is made possible through Proposition 84, which authorized the Legislature to appropriate $1 billion for integrated regional water management (IRWM). According to DWR, this funding round is supporting 138 separate IRWM projects, including 20 water conservation projects and 15 recycled water projects. Many of the projects will provide long-
term drought relief, the department said. The total cost of the projects is approximately $800 million, so the DWR grants will leverage approximately $647 million in local and federal support. Projects include extending pipelines for recycled water, installing water-saving devices in homes and businesses, constructing water storage tanks and developing groundwater recharge basins.
CALENDAR February 25 – 27
March 5
ACWA DC2014, the annual Washington D.C. conference, is Feb. 25-27 at the Liaison Capitol Hill, Washington, D.C. ACWA DC2014 provides a unique opportunity to meet with members of Congress and the Obama administration. Highlights will include learning about key Congressional committee agendas, understanding the direction of federal agencies and developing insight into where the Congress will be headed. For more information, contact ACWA’s Member Services and Events Department at events@ acwa.com or 916.441.4545.
ACWA 2014 Legislative Symposium, an annual event on water-related issues facing California and the State Legislature, is March 5 at the Sacramento Convention Center. For more information, contact ACWA’s Member Services and Events Department at events@ acwa.com or 916.441.4545.
21 A Small Hydro Workshop and Tour hosted by ACWA is set for March 21. A half-day workshop at the Cucamonga Valley Water District Frontier Project will include programs on site selection, permitting, financing and small hydropower technologies. Breakfast and lunch will be provided. Attendees have the option in the afternoon of touring Fontana Water Company’s Sandhill Small Hydro Facility in Rialto. This workshop may qualify toward the Certified Energy Manager (CEM) continuing education credit. For more information, contact ACWA’s Member Services and Events Department at events@acwa.com or 916.441.4545. 26 – 27
April 3 – 4
ACWA Events
May
Other Events
6 – 9
ACWA’s 2014 Spring Conference & Exhibition is May 6-9 at the Portola and Marriott Hotels, Monterey. For more information contact ACWA’s Member Services and Events Department at events@acwa.com or 916.441.4545.
16
O.C. Water Summit on May 16 will bring together more than 500 Southern California business professionals with international, national and state water industry stakeholders, elected officials, environmentalists, scientists and community leaders to discuss ongoing global water issues and how water supply challenges impact our economy and public safety. Prominent authors, world-renowned experts and distinguished speakers also will be a part of this critical dialog. Visit www.ocwatersummit.com for more information.
December 2 – 5
ACWA’s 2014 Fall Conference & Exhibition is Dec. 2 – 5 at the Manchester Grand Hyatt, San Diego. For more information contact ACWA’s Member Services and Events Department at events@acwa.com or 916.441.4545.
ACWA DC2014
Annual Washington D.C. Conference
Children’s Water Education Festival presented by the Orange County Water District, Disneyland Resort, National Water Research Institute and the OCWD Groundwater Guardian Team on March 26-27. The festival presents a unique opportunity to educate Orange County’s third, fourth and fifth grade students about water and the environment. More than 7,000 students are expected to attend. Volunteers, presenters and sponsors are needed to support this educational event. Learn more at www. childrenwaterfestival.com.
The California Water Policy conference is set for April 3-4 at The Roberts Environmental Center at Claremont McKenna College. For more information and registration go to http://www.cawaterpolicy.org/ index.htm.
Feb. 25-27, 2014
Liaison Capitol Hill • Washington D.C.
FEBRUARY 21, 2014 • 15
classifieds
Positions Open
Association of California Water Agencies 910 K Street, Suite 100 Sacramento, CA 95814-3577
Manager of Regulatory Planning and Analysis
Periodicals Postage Paid at Sacramento, CA
Time Valued Material
East Bay Municipal Utility District $107,100 – $154,692 Excellent Benefits East Bay Municipal Utility District seeks a water quality expert. The Manager of Regulatory Planning and Analysis for Water Quality will provide a broad range of professional and analytical work to various project teams and decision-makers, and represent EBMUD to the community, state and federal regulatory groups and other agencies. The ideal candidate will have familiarity with drinking water legislation and regulations; experience with drinking water quality research; excellent communication skills; experience working closely with members of an agency’s senior management in a technical advisory capacity; and experience working within and among utilities, professional organizations, the research community and regulatory agencies. For detailed application materials, please visit www.ebmud.com. Deadline to apply is Friday, February 21, 2014. EBMUD Recruitment and Classification www.ebmud.com. EEO/AA
District Accountant/Treasurer Rosamond CSD Salary: $74,521 – $95,110 annually plus excellent benefits. The District Accountant/ Treasurer performs advanced level professional accounting duties; which includes general ledger, payroll, accounts payable, work order management/cost accounting, and accounts receivable. Bachelor’s degree in Accounting and CPA is required, seven 910 (7) years’ experience in the K STREET SACRAMENTO, public sector, four (4) ofCALIFORNIA which will have been in a supervisory/managerial capacity. APPLY BY: March 31, 2014. Applications are TWOatSUITES AVAILABLE Please available www.rosamondcsd.com. send completed application to: Rosamond Community Services District, Attn: Director of Administration, 3179 35th Street West,
Rosamond, CA 93560. Further information can be obtained by visiting the District website at: www.rosamondcsd.com. EEO/AA
Treatment and Distribution Supervisor I Alameda County Water District The Alameda County Water District located in Fremont, California, is seeking to hire a Treatment and Distribution Supervisor I. This position under direction from the Water Production Manager will supervise, schedule, and coordinate the installation, repair, operation and maintenance of water treatment plants, blending and pumping facilities and related distribution and storage facilities; respond to unplanned facility shutdowns and other significant operational problems as appropriate; coordinate work activities with appropriate District personnel, outside agencies and contractors; establish, revise and implement operating procedures to meet changing conditions; prepare the annual budget request for the work unit, estimating staffing and capital equipment needs; monitor and control unit expenditures after budget adoption; assist in planning and coordinating capital projects associated with plant or distribution facilities; and perform other related work as required. Education and Experience – Any combination of education and experience
Office for Lease Prime Downtown Location
that would likely provide the required knowledge, skills, and abilities is qualifying. A typical way to obtain the knowledge, skills, and abilities would be the equivalent of: High school diploma or its equivalent supplemented by college or technical school course work in a field related to the job; and Three (3) years of experience as either (1) an operator in responsible charge of a conventional water treatment plant, (2) an engineer or other professional with responsible charge over water treatment and distribution projects and/or operations, or (3) an equivalent combination of education and relevant current experience which would enable the candidate to take full responsibility for the scope of occupational functions required; and with at least two (2) years in a lead capacity directing the work of others. Additional Requirements: Must possess a California Department of Public Health Water Treatment Plant Operator Certificate, Grade T4 at time of appointment; must obtain California Department of Public Health Water Treatment Operator Grade T5 and California Department of Public Heath Water Distribution Operator Grade D3 certifications within 18 months of appointment to the classification. Possession of a valid California Driver’s license and satisfactory driving record is also required. Please visit the District’s website in order to submit a District application and Supplemental Questionnaire by Monday, March 3, 2014 at www.acwd.org.
Three suites available in Sacramento, one block from the State Capital (910 K St.). • Suite 350 – 1,850 sq. ft. | Suite 300 – 2,200 sq. ft. | Suite 340 – 578 sq. ft. • Move-in ready office space • Immediate access to Interstate 5 and Interstate 80 • Walking distance to Westfield Downtown Shopping Center, restaurants, and hotels • Centrally located in the heart of the Sacramento Central Business District For more information, contact Mark Tabak: 916.288.4818 or mark.tabak@ cushwake.com