ACWA
NEWS
ACWA Spring Conference Set for May 6-9 in Monterey
ACWA’s • Member • Newsletter
Beautiful views will be plentiful for the estimated 1,700 attendees expected at ACWA’s 2014 Spring Conference & Exhibition May 6-9 in Monterey. The conference will examine the impact of the drought, look at California’s ongoing water challenges from all angles, and examine some specific actions to address them. For a conference preview of featured keynotes, forums, presentations and program sessions (see pg. 4 and 5).
ACWA Releases Recommendations for Improving Groundwater Management throughout California ACWA on April 7 issued a suite of farreaching recommendations for improving management of groundwater basins throughout California amid growing concerns about potentially unsustainable declines in groundwater levels and degraded water quality in some basins of the state. The recommendations include legislative and administrative changes that strengthen groundwater management and accountability where it is deficient, provide new tools and authorities to accelerate progress by local and
regional agencies, and guide enhanced state support where needed. “Groundwater is a significant water supply source in many parts of California, but there are serious problems with groundwater level declines, local subsidence and degraded water quality in some areas,” ACWA President John Coleman said. “Public water agencies have a strong record of leadership and expertise in managing groundwater basins, but there is a clear need for new tools and authorities and GroundWater Continued on page 7
Capitol Action Heating Up on 2014 Water Bond; Two ACWA-Supported Bills to be Heard April 29 With action heating up on a modified water bond for the 2014 ballot, ACWA is actively supporting two bills expected to be heard April 29. AB 2686 by Assembly Member Henry Perea (D-Fresno) will be heard in the Assembly Water, Parks and Wildlife Committee, while SB 1250 by Sen. Ben Hueso (D-San Diego) will be heard in the Senate Natural Resources Committee.
The bills closely reflect ACWA’s proposal for a modified water bond. AB 2686 would replace the existing $11.14 billion water bond set for the November 2014 ballot with a new measure authorizing more than $9 billion in funding for key water supply reliability and safe drinking water programs. The proposed funding levels in AB 2686 are either identical to those proposed by ACWA or very close. Water Bond Continued on page 10
Volume 42 | No. 4 April 25, 2014
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Save Our Water Launches Social Media Challenge
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Late Rains Bring Slight Increase in State, Federal Project Deliveries
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Viewpoints: It’s Time for a Breakthrough on Groundwater Management
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CDPH Releases Final Regulation Package for Chromium-6 Standard
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
Save Our Water Launches Social Media Challenge New Partner Toolkit Available, Statewide Media Campaign Set to Launch As California readies itself for a summer of drought, Save Our Water — the statewide public awareness program created in 2009 by ACWA and the California Department of Water Resources — has kicked-off a new campaign centered around reducing water use and waste. The “Californians Don’t Waste” campaign launched with a series of public service announcements on the Save Our Water website (www.saveourh2o.org) and a blitz of social media activities aimed at raising awareness of how easy it is to save water. As part of the effort, Save Our Water is holding a “Californians Don’t Waste” challenge on its Facebook page, giving Californians an opportunity to connect with the campaign. The challenge aims to tap into Californians’ can-do spirit and creativity by encouraging the public to join in and share their methods to conserve water. Californians can share their tips, videos and pictures on Save Our Water’s Facebook page, Twitter or Instagram using the hashtag #SaveOurWater. Save Our Water will select videos and photos to share as part of its public awareness campaign. Using additional funding set aside in the emergency drought legislation that Gov. Jerry Brown signed in March, Save Our Water soon will launch a statewide paid media campaign. The paid media push will include a series of “Californians Don’t Waste” radio spots on traditional and digital stations, billboards, digital banner ads
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:
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saveourh2o.org
and Spanish-language media. As an added resource for its partners, Save Our Water also completely revamped its Partner Toolkit with updated materials and content to better reflect the current drought conditions. The new toolkit also includes elements of the “Californians Don’t Waste” campaign. The toolkit is available at http://www. saveourh2o.org/toolkit and is constantly being updated as new pieces are developed, so be sure to check back frequently for new materials. Examples of collaterals in the toolkit: • “Californians Don’t Waste” campaign materials • Infographics & flyers • Billboards • Door hangers • Hotel and restaurant cards • Bill stuffers • Social media graphics • Sample newsletter articles All materials are designed to be customized with your organization’s logo and other key information. Included in the toolkit is the Save Our Water Style Guide, a handy tool to help you customize materials for your audience. As a statewide brand it is vital that Save Our Water maintain consistency on the look, feel and content of information that you send out — so please take some time to review the guide. If you have any questions or have any special requests on content creation, please contact saveourwater@yahoo.com.
The official 2014 California sprinkler Use more efficient watering systems because
Californians Don’t Waste
Drought Watch
Late Rains Bring Slight Increase in State, Federal Project Deliveries Late winter rains have brought limited relief to California’s water delivery system, allowing a small increase — from 0% to 5% — in the state’s initial water allocation estimate from the State Water Project. Federal deliveries from the Central Valley Project north of the Delta will rise from 40% to 75%, state and federal officials announced April 18. The late winter storms also eliminate the immediate need for rock barriers to be constructed in the Delta to prevent saltwater intrusion, officials said, adding that they will continue to seek permits and contracts for the projects in case they are needed later this year. “During February and March, state and federal water agencies worked together to capture storm runoff and increase our water supplies. As a result, the late spring storms have translated into much needed water supplies for communities, farmers and environmental habitat,” said Mark Cowin, director of the Department of Water Resources. “As this drought continues, we need all Californians to remain vigilant and use every drop of water wisely.” The actual delivery of the SWP water allocation won’t be made until September 1, officials said. Some contractors are receiving water now, however, because
they have rights to carryover water that they did not use last year. Speaking during a conference call with reporters, Cowin said he would be “very surprised if there is any change” in the 5% allocation projection later this year. He added that the state will continue to plan for a dry 2015. David Murillo, regional director of the U.S. Bureau of Reclamation’s Mid-Pacific Region, also announced that Northof-Delta Settlement Contractors and wildlife refuges would see an increase in allocation from 40% to 75%. Allocations for all other water contractors serviced by the CVP remain the same, he said. “In light of this year’s lower than average CVP water supply, Reclamation and its federal, state and local partners have been committed to ensuring our water resources are available, not just for today but for the future,” said Murillo. “The low initial allocation announced on Feb. 21, has been difficult for all CVP contractors, however, with the recent precipitation, it is with some optimism that we are able to increase the available supply for these two entities. We also continue to work toward stretching available water supplies as far as possible for all of our water contractors as we manage through the drought.”
“This type of water year reinforces the critical need for long-term solutions to drought management and improving California’s water supply reliability,” Murillo continued. “While managing the existing water resources stored in reservoirs across the region, we remain committed to working with our partners to develop a firm water supply for the future.” Chuck Bonham, director of the Department of Fish and Wildlife (DFW) also announced that DFW will launch “surgicial habitat restoration projects” to manage and reduce the drought’s impact on fish. The announcements came following the release April 9 of a joint drought operations plan that provides a framework for water management actions through November, outlining proposed operations to meet water supply needs for health and human safety, salinity control in the Delta and fish and wildlife protection. The plan was released jointly by the DWR and the Bureau of Reclamation and details proposed drought operations of the State Water Project (SWP) and the Central Valley Project (CVP). It was developed in coordination with the State Water Resources Control Board, the California Department of Fish and WildContinued on page 14
Snowpack Rapidly Disappearing as Rainy Season Winds Down The Sierra snowpack is now just 18% of average, down from a seasonal high of 35% on April 7. According to snowpack data tracked by the California Data Exchange Center, some areas — including the Northern Sierra — lost half of the snow water content in a single week, largely due to unusually high temperatures in the West. In California, temperatures were 9-12 degrees above normal, according to the U.S. Drought Monitor. Storage levels in the state’s major reservoirs, however, remained largely unchanged. The rapid loss of snowpack
suggests the effects of California’s ongoing drought will worsen in the coming dry months. As the rainy season nears its end, much of California has received only half of average precipitation for the season. The current water year (October to September) is tracking to be the third-driest on record. It follows two previous years of below-normal and dry conditions. According to the National Climate Data Center, the 30-month period from October 2011 to March 2014 was the
driest 30-month period, statewide, in records dating back to 1895. April 25, 2014 • 3
ACWA Conference
Drought and Groundwater in the Spotlight at 2014 Spring Conference ACWA’s 2014 Spring Conference & Exhibition on May 6-9 is quickly approaching, with more than 80 informative program sessions planned in Monterey. Dry conditions are stubbornly persisting in California, so drought and groundwater management will be two hot topics during the week. During breakfast on Wednesday, May 7, former Las Vegas water chief Pat Mulroy will share her insights about the ever-changing landscape of water management in the West and reflect back on the lessons she learned during more than two decades at the helm of the Las Vegas Valley Water District and the Southern Nevada Water Authority. Kim Marotta, director of sustainability for MillerCoors, is the featured speaker at the May 7 luncheon.
Marotta will talk about the company’s efforts at conserving water in the beer-making process and successes in protecting and preserving local water resources. At the conference luncheon on Thursday, May 8, ACWA Executive Director Timothy Quinn will lead a discussion with Lester Snow, executive director of the California Water Foundation, and Dr. Maurice Hall, senior hydrologist for The Nature Conservancy, about sustainable groundwater management and how it must fit into a broader framework. Snow is a former California Secretary for Natural Resources and director of
the Department of Water Resources. He also has served as executive director of CALFED, regional director for the Bureau of Reclamation, general manager of the San Diego County Water Authority. Prior to joining The Nature Conservancy in 2008, Hall practiced for more than 12 years as a scientist, engineer, and project manager, both as a consultant and at the California Department of Water Resources. On Friday, May 9, at ACWA’s Hans Doe Past Presidents’ Breakfast in Partnership with ACWA/JPIA, Field Research Corp. executive Mark DiCamillo, director of The Field Poll, will discuss new public opinion data on Californians’ attitudes about the drought and what it tells us about actions the public might support and implications for future decisions.
Seven Can’t-Miss Programs to Check Out at Conference in Monterey Wednesday, May 7 10 a.m. — Communications Committee Program: Making the Drought Message Make Sense
As California lurches through drought conditions, water agencies face a gamut of challenges as they communicate drought impacts and call on their customers to conserve water. The panel will explore how agencies can thread the needle and break through confusion during the hot months ahead. 10 a.m. — Statewide Issue Forum: Proposals for Action on Groundwater Sustainability ACWA’s Groundwater Sustainability Task Force has developed recommendations to advance sustainable management of the state’s groundwater resources based on local and regional leadership. Come hear about proposals in progress at the state level and how they could affect how groundwater is managed in California. 4 • ACWA NEWS
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2 p.m. — Region 2 Program: Where’s the Dam Storage? If Not Now, When? If Not Here, Where? Northern California Water Association President David Guy moderates a panel discussion on statewide storage solutions, and how the Sites reservoir project fits into the puzzle. 2 p.m. — Town Hall Meeting: “The Ripple Effects of Drought” We all know drought means there’s water to deliver. We know less about the ripple effects of drought on industries that help fuel our economy. In this town hall program representatives from several different sectors will share their stories.
Thursday, May 8 9:30 a.m. — Statewide Issue Forum: “Getting to the Water: The Future of Water Transfers in California” This expert panel will discuss the state’s water transfer markets, the connection
between transfers and investments in additional storage, and what really needs to happen to provide certainty to transferring parties. 9:30 a.m. — Water Industry Trends Program: New Leadership, New Direction at NWRA A year ago the National Water Resources Association was so moribund that the ACWA Board voted to leave the organization. Since then, NWRA has embraced remarkable changes to improve the breadth and quality of its services, and ACWA rejoined. Come hear about what’s up at NWRA. 2 p.m. — Statewide Issue Forum: The Past, Present and Future of Drinking Water Regulation This program will look at the history of drinking water regulation, examine current developments, and identify future trends in the regulation of drinking water.
ACWa Conference
ACWA Members to Vote on Bylaws at May Conference General Session ACWA members are scheduled to vote on proposed amendments to the association’s bylaws at a General Session Membership Meeting at the ACWA Spring Conference and Exhibition in Monterey. The membership meeting will be held May 7. At the meeting, members will vote on proposed amendments to the bylaws recommended by the ACWA Board of Directors at its meeting on March 28. The bylaw amendments are intended to address needed changes to standing committees in light of recent organizational changes. The changes in the draft amended bylaws include: • Elimination of the Personnel and Benefits Committee, a standing committee with representation on the ACWA Board of Directors. The elimination is recommended because the benefit program functions reviewed by the committee have been fully transitioned to the management of ACWA-Joint Powers Insurance Authority (ACWA-JPIA) with the
dissolution of ACWA-Health Benefits Authority (HBA) in July 2012. • Establishment of the Business Development Committee, a standing committee with representation on the ACWA Board of Directors, to develop and recommend to the Board of Directors programs and activities to be provided or administered by the association that generate non-dues revenues and provide a service or benefit to Association members. ACWA staff is available in advance of the meeting to answer any questions you may have. Daniel Hentschke, chair of the Legal Affairs Committee, also will provide a brief overview of these changes during the General Session Membership Meeting before the item is called for a vote.
Membership Voting Process ACWA will issue each member agency present one proxy card for voting purposes based on the designated voting representative identified by the member agency. The designated voting representative will be required to register
and sign as the proxy holder to receive the proxy card. Proxy cards will only be available for pick-up on Wednesday, May 7, between 9:00 a.m. and 12:30 p.m. at the General Session Proxy Desk in the De Anza Foyer area of the Portola Plaza Hotel, outside of the De Anza Ballroom where the luncheon and General Session Membership Meeting will be held. To expedite the sign-in process at the General Session Proxy Desk, please indicate your voting designee on the enclosed proxy form and return it by email (donnap@acwa.com)or fax (916554-2350) at your earliest convenience. If there is a last-minute change of delegate, please let us know before the meeting date by contacting ACWA’s Executive Assistant/Clerk of the Board, Donna Pangborn, at 916-441-4545 or donnap@acwa.com. If you have any general questions about the voting, do not hesitate to contact ACWA by telephone at 916-441-4545. The official notification and proxy form is available at acwa.com.
Exhibitor Technical Presentations on Energy, Automation and Drought Wednesday, May 7 / 10:00 – 11:30 am SolarCity – A solar project success story: A case study with Las Virgenes Water District
Wednesday, May 7 / 3:45 – 5:00 pm Badger Meter – No infrastructure needed — A new fixed based meter reading system
Constellation Energy – Developing and implementing a comprehensive energy strategy using demand response
Thursday, May 8 / 9:30 – 11:00 am U.S. Geological Survey (USGS), California Water Science Center – Drought perspectives: Science-based decision making from the Bay-Delta to the Central Valley
Wednesday, May 7 / 2:00 – 3:15 pm BKi – Efficiency pays: On-bill programs with an offer that works
Water Systems Optimization – Water loss control in times of drought — an
effective way of saving water and energy Thursday, May 8 / 2:00 – 3:15 pm WaterSmart Software – Drought relief and behavioral water efficiency Quad Knopf – Understanding the California Environmental Quality Act — a lay-person’s insight into how and when CEQA would apply to their projects
April 25, 2014 • 5
re
thinking
California
W ter Viewpoints: It’s Time For a Breakthrough on Groundwater Management By Randy Record and David Orth Published in The Sacramento Bee on April 16, 2014 It’s the height of the spring planting season in the San Joaquin Valley. But this year, the sight of well-digging rigs is adding a new dimension to a problem quietly unfolding beneath large swaths of this fertile land. Faced with the prospect of receiving little or no surface water due to drought, growers are relying on groundwater like never before to stay afloat this year. It’s a symptom of a problem that is sparking new levels of concern among the state’s water managers. Three consecutive dry years and two decades of unreliable surface water supplies, along with significant increases in permanent agricultural plantings in some areas, are putting unprecedented strain on groundwater basins in the Valley and elsewhere in the state. In some areas, groundwater levels have dropped so much that the land is subsiding to an alarming degree with potentially catastrophic economic impacts. Though the vast majority of California’s groundwater basins are under sound local and regional management, some are not. The decline of groundwater is becoming unsustainable in some basins, while local subsidence and degraded water quality continue to raise alarm. In some cases, unchecked new demands for groundwater in areas not under active management are stressing the resource to a tipping point. The statewide Association of California Water Agencies recently created a Groundwater Sustainability Task Force to develop a suite of far-reaching recommendations for improving groundwater management throughout the state. The
Author bios: (Left) Randy Record is a director of Eastern Municipal Water District in Riverside County and a past president of ACWA. (Right) David Orth is general manager of the Kings River Conservation District in Fresno County and a member of the ACWA Board of Directors.
recommendations – groundbreaking in scope and nature – spell out our vision for legislative and administrative changes that would strengthen groundwater management and accountability where it is deficient, provide new tools and authorities to accelerate progress by local agencies, and define an enhanced role for the state where the job is not being done. As the chair and vice chair of the task force, we agree with The Bee’s assessment in its April 13 editorial “State must act quickly to protect groundwater.” These recommendations, approved unanimously by ACWA’s statewide board of directors in March, are game-changing. Local water managers have been working for some time to advance real solutions, but getting broad agreement on something as complex and intensely local as groundwater is difficult. Today, however, the conversation is changing. There is a marked shift toward acknowledging problems and a greater willingness to try ideas that can work. The best opportunity to achieve sustainable management continues to be at the local level. Groundwater basins around the state are too diverse and local conditions too varied to make a “onesize-fits-all” state policy workable. The Brown administration’s recent California Water Action Plan acknowledges this fact.
But while groundwater management is best left in local hands, it’s time to raise the bar. We need to recognize there are problems out there, and provide the tools and authorities that can help local and regional entities meet the challenge. It’s also time to acknowledge that state intervention may be warranted in cases where a local agency is unable to protect and manage the basin, or fails to adopt a plan or meet performance measures. There are numerous successes in protecting groundwater around the state. Our vision is to duplicate that in areas that are not yet there. Our recommendations call for the following: • New uniform requirements for groundwater management planning and performance reporting • A clear definition of “sustainable groundwater management” in state law • A menu of best management practices for implementing groundwater management plans • New tools and authorities for groundwater management agencies to restrict pumping where appropriate • New state administrative measures to ensure local groundwater management accountability Continued on page 7
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Groundwater Groundwater Continued from page 1
closer collaboration with state agencies to meet the challenge. “These recommendations are groundbreaking for ACWA, but we believe California must take bold steps immediately to solve this problem and develop a comprehensive solution to long-term groundwater sustainability,” Coleman added. ACWA’s recommendations come as discussions continue in the regulatory and legislative arenas to identify ways to better manage California’s groundwater resources. The association has been actively engaged in recent years on groundwater issues, particularly through the development of ACWA’s 2011 Groundwater Framework. David Orth, general manager of Kings River Conservation District and vice chair of the ACWA task force that developed the groundwater recommednations, said the suggested actions reflect the water community’s desire to put workable solutions on the table and be part of a constructive dialog on groundwater. “Most basins in California are being very well managed at the local level. Some, however, are not there yet,”
Orth said. “We need to acknowledge there are issues out there, and provide the tools and authorities that can help local and regional entities address the challenge.” The recommendations call for the following: •
New uniform requirements for groundwater management planning and performance reporting;
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Adoption of a new definition of “sustainable groundwater management” in state law;
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David Orth (right), general manager of the Kings River Conservation District and vice chair of ACWA’s Groundwater Sustainability Task Force, talks to a Sacramento-area TV news reporter on April 7 about the association’s recommendations for improving groundwater management in California.
A menu of best management practices for implementing groundwater management plans;
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New tools and authorities for local groundwater management agencies;
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New state administrative measures to ensure local groundwater management accountability;
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A funding approach to support local capacity building and implementation; and a
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Comprehensive state action to remove impediments to surface water supply reliability.
The full text of the recommendations is available at acwa.com.
Continued from page 6
• A funding approach, including local fees on groundwater pumping, to support local capacity building and implementation • Comprehensive state action to restore the reliability of our statewide surface water supply system • Backup regulations by the state, if local water managers are unable or unwilling to get the job done Over the long term, as we better manage the amount of water that is pumped from our groundwater basins, we also
must repair surface water supply systems that were designed, in part, to bring replenishment water to those basins. Those surface water supplies have been sharply reduced in recent years due to drought, regulatory restrictions to protect species, and other factors. Improvements in our statewide water system must be part of the equation, if we are to achieve sustainable groundwater conditions and protect our agricultural and urban economy. As discussions heat up in the regulatory and legislative arenas in the
coming weeks, ACWA is ready to play a leading role in shaping solutions. Is every water user on board? No, but we are moving in the right direction. Groundwater provides more than one-third of California’s water in average years, and much more in drought years. It will only become more critical in the coming decades. These recommendations can pave the way for a breakthrough on protecting and managing our groundwater resources. Let’s move ahead.
April 25, 2014 • 7
Groundwater
What They’re Saying About ACWA’s Recommendations “When the Association of California Water Agencies (ACWA) released recommendations to solve the state’s groundwater crisis, limits and pump taxes were part of the plan… ACWA’s proposals represent a real breakthrough. Lawmakers need to seize the moment.” — San Jose Mercury News, April 9, 2014 “The game-changer today is that the Association of California Water Agencies, with 440 water agencies accounting for 90 percent of water deliveries to cities, farms and businesses in California, last Monday [April 7] put forward a set of recommendations that ... protect groundwater basins.” — The Sacramento Bee, April 13, 2014 “This breakthrough could begin to reverse the decades-long pattern of degradation in the San Joaquin Valley. Hats off to the farmers and water agency leaders behind it. Now it’s up to the Legislature to send a bill to Gov. Jerry Brown this year.” — Oakland Tribune, April 11, 2014 “On April 7, the Association of California Water Agencies — with 440 water agencies accounting for 90% of water deliveries to cities, farms and businesses in the state — put forward recommendations that make sense.” — The Fresno Bee, April 13, 2014
Sustainable Groundwater Management Explored at Sacramento Workshop California water leaders explored proposals to strengthen groundwater management throughout the state on April 16 during a workshop that drew a broad spectrum of stakeholders and focused on supplying local agencies with the tools to manage local groundwater basins.
that one of the first steps toward solid groundwater management is to “define what sustainability looks like.”
ACWA Executive Director Timothy Quinn and Dave Orth, vice chair of ACWA’s Groundwater Sustainability Task Force, presented ACWA’s recently released groundwater management recommendations (See story on pg. 1) at the workshop held at Cal EPA headquarters. Officials — and various water stakeholders — praised the plan, saying it expressed solid ideas to address a critical issue that is gaining widespread attention.
The ACWA groundwater management recommendations were developed by the Groundwater Sustainability Task Force that was empanelled last fall. It was co-chaired by Orth and former ACWA President Randy Record. The proposals spell out ACWA’s vision for legislative and administrative changes that would strengthen groundwater management and accountability where it is deficient, provide new tools and authorities to accelerate progress by local agencies, and define an enhanced role for the state where the job is not being done.
California Secretary of Food and Agriculture Karen Ross, speaking at the end of presentations, said she wanted to “single out” ACWA for commendation. “I think you should be commended … for putting some really bold ideas on the table and fleshing them out,” said Ross. The workshop was sponsored by CDFA, the California Natural Resources Agency and Cal/EPA. In presenting ACWA’s recommendations, Quinn stressed that the groundwater proposals are only viable as part of a comprehensive statewide plan that addresses the full suite of California’s water needs — including surface water reliability, Delta fixes and storage. “The leadership of our organization cares about this issue,” said Quinn, adding that the recommendations were approved unanimously by the ACWA Board. “We’re trying to develop very specific recommendations for how to move forward … (we asked) what tools do we need as local managers?” Orth said local agencies need tools to monitor groundwater and replicate programs that are working. He said
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“In order to move this thing forward, we’ve got to set the speed limit … (and) adopting a state definition is critical,” said Orth.
Workshop speakers drilled down in several areas to uncover ways the state might help to develop a stronger – locally driven—system of groundwater management. Questions raised were what kind of monitoring might be required, how would the programs be funded and what role would the state play in acting as a “back-stop” to step in when local agencies are not doing the job. In January, the Brown Administration released a California Water Action Plan that outlines a broad spectrum of water needs and fixes for the state, including groundwater management. Several speakers praised the plan’s proposals regarding groundwater sustainability. Lester Snow, executive director of the California Water Foundation, laid out a proposal developed by his foundation. It contained similar ideas as those expressed in the ACWA plan — something several speakers said indicated that there is a significant amount of consensus about solutions among stakeholders. Continued on page 9
Groundwater
CDPH Releases Final Regulation Package for Chromium-6 Standard On April 15 the California Department of Public Health (CDPH) released the final proposed regulation package for chromium-6, setting the stage for the nation’s first drinking water standard for hexavalent chromium to take effect as early as July 1. CDPH submitted the regulation package to the Office of Administrative Law (OAL). The regulation will take effect after it has been reviewed and approved by OAL in compliance with the Administrative Procedures Act. This review can take up to 30 working days. Once approved, the regulation is then filed with the Secretary of State and will become effective the first day of the following quarter, which in this case could be July 1. The proposed regulation establishes a Maximum Contaminant Level (MCL) for hexavalent chromium — chromium-6 — at 10 parts per billion (ppb). More than 18,000 comments were received by CDPH regarding the proposed regulation which was released for circulation in August. The proposed final regulation documents include a summary and response to comments received. “The drinking water standard for hexavalent chromium of 10 parts per bil-
lion will protect public health while taking into consideration economic and technical feasibility as required by law,” Dr. Ron Chapman, CDPH director and state health officer, said in a written statement. The filing of the regulation package with OAL complies with timelines imposed by the Alameda Superior Court in Natural Resources Defense Council, Inc. v. California Department of Public Health. The department’s submission to OAL can be found on the CDPH website. Water agencies in California are currently required to meet CDPH’s MCL for total chromium of 50 ppb. This existing MCL is one-half the federal MCL for total chromium of 100 ppb. Once finalized, this MCL will be the first in the nation for chromium-6. It will require some water agencies to undertake major capital improvements to existing infrastructure. Those improvements require planning, design, financing, construction, permitting and testing before they come on line. Unlike the federal Safe Drinking Water Act, which provides for up to a five-year phase-in of MCLs when major capital improvements are required for
systems to comply, water systems may be deemed out of compliance with the state MCL as soon as six months after the new regulation becomes final. Water systems may not be able to make the improvements necessary to comply with the new MCL in that time frame. ACWA continues to advocate for a reasonable compliance framework that preserves the full health benefits of the regulation while giving water agencies time to make the improvements necessary to comply with the new regulation. California water agencies have been leading the effort nationally to identify the most cost-effective treatment solutions for hexavalent chromium. They will continue to provide highquality tap water as they undertake the improvements necessary to comply with this new MCL. ACWA is actively engaged on this issue and provides resources on our website for use by our member agencies in communicating with the public about this proposed new standard. If you have questions please contact Adam Walukiewicz, ACWA regulatory advocate, at adamw@acwa.com or call 916-441-4545.
Continued from page 8
“I am encouraged by the convergence I see,” said Felicia Marcus, chair of the State Water Resources Control Board. Snow also stressed that there is concern that the state will exercise too broad of powers in acting as a back-stop. He said Governor Jerry Brown’s notion of subsidiarity should be applied. That notion states it is best not to manage centrally what can be managed locally. Robert Reeb, exeuctive director of the Valley Ag Water Coalition, presented highlights of his coalition’s legislative proposal regarding groundwater management. Another issue raised at the hearing was whether LAFCOs should be used to
develop regional authorities to monitor groundwater in so-called “white spots” — areas where groundwater usage does not fall under the purview of an existing agency — or whether such authorities might be leveraged using Joint Powers Authorities (JPAs) or Memorandums of Understanding (MOUs). Jonas Minton, water policy advisor for the Planning and Conservation League, commented on the “unprecendented consensus” among stakeholders about the problem and the proposals to address it. “This is the year to do it,” Minton said of advancing proposals when drought is at the forefront of the public eye. “But this is not a dry-year-only problem.”
Twitter Buzz: Paul Rogers, April 7: Top CA water player @ACWAWater calls for tough new rules on groundwater pumping, including tiered rates, limits. Water at Princeton, April 8: Tough new rules for groundwater pumping in CA proposed by @ACWA Water. Tom Knudson, April 9: CA water agencies call for action to prevent groundwater overdraft, land subsidence. Justin Ewers, April 14: @SacBeeEditBoard praises @ACWAWater gwater plan, says gov #caleg & #cawater stakeholders “speaking same language.” April 25, 2014 • 9
Drought Watch
State and Federal Officials Release 2014 Drought Operations Plan State and federal officials on April 9 released a joint drought operations plan that provides a framework for water management actions through November, outlining proposed operations to meet water supply needs for health and human safety, salinity control in the Delta and fish and wildlife protection.
plan that detail water management when precipitation is at 50% exceedance probability – meaning it is just as likely to be drier or wetter this year. That model is more likely to be used than the dire 90% exceedance model, which means there is a 10% chance of actual conditions being as dry as they were as of March 1 or drier.
The plan was released jointly by the Department of Water Resources and the Bureau of Reclamation and details proposed drought operations of the State Water Project (SWP) and the Central Valley Project (CVP). It was developed in coordination with the State Water Resources Control Board, the California Department of Fish and Wildlife, National Marine Fisheries Service, and the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service.
Cowin added that despite recent rains, the “reality of the drought” is expected to become much more apparent moving forward.
with the Endangered Species Act. The plan defines human health and safety needs in terms of water supply to include drinking water, sanitation, and firefighting. The definition does not include other urban water uses such as outdoor landscape irrigation.
Representatives from each of the contributing agencies spoke to reporters on a conference call April 9, and discussed the purpose and development of the plan.
To support endangered fish operations in the Delta, the plan calls for the conservation of water in upstream reservoirs to create cold pools of water that can be released during the coming warmer months for species needs. The plan also includes detailed projected operations for upstream tributaries, which are focused in part on protecting fish species that use these rivers.
David Murillo, regional director of the Mid-Pacific Region of the U.S. Bureau of Reclamation, called the plan “a framework that establishes a balanced approach” to meeting the state’s water needs. He said state and federal officials will “continue to work with our stakeholders and try to minimize their concerns.”
Under one example, Reclamation is working with Sacramento River Settlement Contractors on ways to shift a significant portion of their diversions this year out of the April and May period and into the time frame where Keswick releases are higher to achieve temperature objectives on the upper Sacramento River.
Maria Rea, of the West Coast Region division of NOAA, said her office has declared the plan to be in concurrence
The drought operations plan and an FAQ on the plan is available at http:// www.ca.gov/drought/.
For example, the bill proposes $3 billion for water storage, continuously appropriated, and $2.25 billion for Delta sustainability. It also proposes $1 billion for Integrated Regional Water Management Projects, just under the $1.1 billion ACWA has proposed for that category. Funding amounts for recycling/desalination and groundwater are unspecified for now.
those categories are based on the current version of the bond set for the November 2014 ballot. The bill also includes chapters on groundwater and recycled water that are consistent with ACWA’s proposal. ACWA is urging its members to send support letters on AB 2686 and SB 1250 to the committees that will hear the bills on April 29.
•
Include $3 billion, continuously appropriated, for additional water storage (both above and below ground);
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Provide adequate funding for Delta restoration;
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Eliminate “earmarks” that allocate funds for specific projects without a competitive process;
SB 1250 by Sen. Ben Hueso, as proposed to be amended, would replace the existing $11.14 billion water bond with a $9.4 billion measure that is highly consistent with ACWA’s proposal.
ACWA’s Direction on the Bond ACWA has been working over the past several months to build support for a water bond that can be approved by the necessary two-thirds vote in both houses, signed by the Governor and then approved by California voters in November 2014.
The framework was developed using hyrdrologic information as of March 1 and does not reflect the later March storms. Mark Cowin, director of DWR, said the modeling will be updated using information from the April 1 snow survey. He added that he expects the recent rains to achieve the conditions outlined in the water bond Continued from page 1
The measure proposes funding levels that are consistent with ACWA’s proposal for the critical funding categories of Delta sustainability ($2.25 billion) and water storage ($3 billion, continuously appropriated). The chapters that include 10 • ACWA NEWS
Vol. 42 No. 4
ACWA believes any bond that advances must meet the following criteria:
Provide substantial funding for: •
Local resources development projects, including Integrated Regional Water Management programs;
•
Groundwater cleanup;
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Safe drinking water for disadvantaged communities;
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Watershed protection.
Drought Watch
Q&A: How to Apply for Funding through Drought-Response Legislation Is your agency planning to apply for some of the $200 million in expedited Proposition 84 bond funds being made available for projects that help alleviate drought conditions? If so, DWR has released some draft guidelines for grant solicitation packages. The money is part of $687 million allocated through drought-response legislation signed by Gov. Jerry Brown. DWR has released draft guidelines and a proposed solicitation package for $200 million of the funds to be used for projects and programs that help alleviate drought conditions. After a public comment period on the draft guidelines, formal applications for the funds are expected to be due by early July, with funds going out to agencies in the fall. The grants will be given to local public agencies and non-profit organizations that promote regional drought preparedness and are participating in California’s 48 IRWM planning efforts.
• •
Billington added that DWR is looking for agencies to take “a regional approach to conservation, rather than agency by agency.”
Q: Are there any specific projects that would be given higher priority for funding? Why? A: The projects that could be funded are limited to those project types listed below. So we are narrowing/limiting the types of projects, versus prioritizing. DWR also will look to grant funding to areas hardest hit by the drought. The Governor and Legislature have directed DWR to expedite the solicitation and award of $200 million in IRWM funding to support projects and programs that: •
Here are some questions and answers from Tracie Billington, chief of the financial assistance branch in DWR’s division of Integrated Regional Water Management (IRWM) regarding the grant process and criterion:
•
Q: What is meant by projects that provide “regional drought preparedness”? Can you give examples? A: Proposals must contain projects that effectively address long-term drought preparedness by contributing to sustainable water supply and reliability during water shortages. Drought preparedness projects do not include drought emergency response actions, such as trucking of water or lowering well intakes. Desirable proposals will achieve one or more of the following:
•
• • •
Promote water conservation, conjunctive use, reuse and recycling Improve landscape and agricultural irrigation efficiencies Achieve long-term reduction of
water use Efficient groundwater basin management Establish system interties
•
Provide immediate regional drought preparedness Increase local water supply reliability and the delivery of safe drinking water Assist water suppliers and regions to implement conservation programs and measures that are not locally cost-effective Reduce water quality conflicts or ecosystem conflicts created by the drought
Q: Some of the funding will go to conservation programs and measures that are not locally cost effective. Can you describe what “not locally cost effective” means and give examples of what types of programs might apply? A: For the purposes of the 2014 IRWM drought solicitation, “not locally cost-effective” means the present value of the local benefits of implementing a water conservation program or measure is less than the present value of the local costs of implementing that program or measure (CWC Section 10631.5 (a)
(4)(B)). An example of a conservation project that may not be locally cost effective can be a leak repair program. Leak detection might be cost effective, but not the actual leak repair.
Q: What are some of the upcoming deadlines for agencies to meet in applying for the funds? A: May 15 – The public comment period on the draft guidelines and the PSP will close that day at 5 p.m. DWR will host three public meetings to provide an overview of the expedited grant applications process and to solicit public comments on the draft guidelines and PSP: •
May 7, 2014 at 1:00 p.m., County of Ventura, Hall of Administration, Board of Supervisors Room 800 South Victoria Avenue, Ventura
•
May 9, 2014 at 10:30 a.m., California State Building, Assembly Room 1036, 2550 Mariposa Mall, Fresno
•
May 12, 2014 at 1:00 p.m., CalEPA Building, Byron Sher Auditorium, 1001 I Street, Sacramento. This meeting will be webcast at http:// www.calepa.ca.gov/broadcast/
The Draft Guidelines and PSP and additional materials are posted http://www.water.ca.gov/irwm/grants/ implementation.cfm Early June – DWR releases final guidelines and PSP Early July – Applications due (30 days after release of final guidelines Late August early September – DWR announces awards; grantees must submit detailed work plans and supporting documentation within 30 days of DWR notification; grants executed within 60 to 90 days after receipt of above materials Early 2015 – Agreements executed and work commences
April 25, 2014 • 11
Federal Update
Comment Period Opens for Proposed Clean Water Act Rule Change The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency published in the Federal Register on April 21 the proposed rule revising the definition of “waters of the United States” under the federal Clean Water Act. This formalizes the proposed changes released in draft form on March 25 and marks the beginning of a 90-day comment period that ends July 21, 2014. ACWA plans to join numerous other organizations, including the National Water Resources Association (NWRA) and Western Coalition of Arid States, in seeking an additional 90-day extension for the comment period in order to have the necessary time to understand and evaluate the rule and what it means for the management and delivery of water in the arid West.
The proposed rule appears to expand protections by categorizing most intermittent and ephemeral streams as well as wetlands located near rivers and streams as protected under the Clean Water Act. The move potentially could put more waterways under federal jurisdiction. ACWA has provided input on Clean Water Act issues for several years. In 2011 the association provided comments on the draft guidance document similar to the proposed rule. At that time, ACWA and several other organizations asked the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers to withdraw draft guidance on waters protected by the Clean Water Act and proceed to a formal rulemaking process. The agencies did so in September 2013 and immediately submitted a draft rule to the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) for review without
further public input. In October, ACWA, along with the Family Farm Alliance and others, submitted comments objecting to EPA’s submission of a rule to OMB for review before the scientific study justifying the rule was completed. On March 4, ACWA and the Western Coalition of Arid States sent a letter to EPA seeking more time for the Science Advisory Board (SAB) panel to complete a consensus document. Although the scientific study remains under review, EPA proceeded to release the proposed rule for public comment. EPA officials indicate they plan to incorporate the scientific review recommendations into the final rule along with the agency’s consideration of public comments. ACWA plans to review the proposed rule and provide comments.
House Democrats Introduce Bill to Expand Los Vaqueros Reservoir House Democrats from California introduced legislation April 10 that would take steps to expedite another expansion of Los Vaqueros Reservoir, which the bill sponsors say would aid the two major water projects in the state. H.R. 4456 by U.S. Reps. George Miller (CA-11) and Jim Costa (CA-16) and eight other co-sponsoring California Democrats seeks to expand an existing pilot program allowing the Bureau of Reclamation to lease excess storage capacity in Los Vaqueros and other non-federal reservoirs in order to provide more operational flexibility for the Central Valley Project. The legislation’s authors say a longterm commitment from Reclamation would help Contra Costa Water District, which built and operates Los Vaqueros, to secure local financing to expand the reservoir in Brentwood to a capacity of 275,000 acre-feet. The water district completed a $120 12 • ACWA NEWS
Vol. 42 No. 4
Photo courtesy Contra Costa Water District
million dam raise and facility expansion in fall 2012 that increased Los Vaqueros to 160,000 acre-feet from its original size of 100,000 acre-feet. The reservoir was completed in 1997 to augment the
region’s off-stream storage, drawing in Delta water via the Old River Pump Station and helping to dilute supplies when inflow from the Delta is saltier.
Newswatch
ACWA-Sponsored Bill on Recycled Water Pipeline Projects to be Heard On April 28 the Assembly Natural Resources Committee will hear AB 2417, ACWA-sponsored legislation that would cut red tape for local communities to install, maintain and operate recycled water pipelines, also known as “purple pipes.” Authored by Assembly Member Adrin Nazarian (D-Sherman Oaks), AB 2417 would exempt new and existing pipeline projects — so long as they are eight miles or shorter and distribute recycled water within a public street, highway or rightof-way — from California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) processes, helping local water agencies bring recycled water projects online more quickly. A similar CEQA exemption already exists for oil and gas pipelines. Recycled wa-
ter pipelines would continue to be subject to strict California Department of Public Health implementation guidelines. ACWA and the bill’s other co-sponsors, the California Municipal Utilities Association and WaterReuse California, believe expediting the development of water recycling pipelines is one way California can augment its water supply, increase water conservation and preserve potable water for human consumption amid the state’s current drought. The legislation also would help California reach its goal of an additional 1 million acre-feet of recycled water by 2020 and reduce energy costs and consumption incurred from importing water. The state has set a goal to recycle
2.5 million acre-feet of water annually by 2030 and is mandated to recycle approximately 1.1 million acre-feet by that same year. According to 2009 data from the State Water Resources Control Board, only 669,000 acre-feet of treated municipal wastewater was being reused in California.
Photo courtesy of John Loo
California’s Water System Funding Examined at PPIC Conference The state’s role in financing local water projects and the impacts of Proposition 218 on local water agencies were examined in depth April 10 at a conference sponsored by the Public Policy Institute of California (PPIC). Titled “Paying for Water in California” the conference held in Sacramento opened with an overview of the recently released PPIC study of the same name which examined California water finance. The study found that of the about $30 billion a year spent on California’s water system, only $1 billion of that is derived from state general obligation bonds. About 85% of the funding for the state’s water system is derived locally through fees, local bonds, customer rates and other local measures. Overall, the state pays for about 11% of water infrastructure and programs and the federal government about 4%. Ellen Hanak, senior fellow with PPIC and co-author of the report, outlined some of the report’s recommendations for improving financing for water systems throughout the state. The recommendations include encouraging the consolidation of small water districts in
rural areas, allowing portfolio-based water pricing and lifeline rates and lowering the voter approval rates for local special taxes back to 50%. The recent PPIC report estimates that each household in the state would need to increase spending on water systems from $150 to $230 a year — or about $12 to $20 a month — to fill the annual water system funding gap of $2 billion to $3 billion in California. Speaking during a panel discussion titled — “Beyond Bonds: How Else Can the State Help Fill the Gap?” — ACWA Executive Director Timothy Quinn stressed that state general obligation bonds are a small, yet critical, element of the California’s water system funding. “General obligation bonds need to be one tool of many...,” said Quinn. “General bond financing has a role to fill to the extent that you are paying for something which is a true public good.” Quinn added that the bonds help to fund the policy of the coequal goals of water supply reliability and ecosystem restoration that the Legislature approved in 2009. Lester Snow, executive director of the California Water Foundation, said the
state could help local agencies by streamlining the permitting process for water projects. “One-stop type of permitting is an incentive that could move programs,” Snow said. During a panel discussion on possible constitutional reforms for water finance, panelists focused on the impacts of Propositions 218 and 26 on local water agencies. Kelly Salt, of Best, Best & Krieger LLP, said that while Proposition 218 has increased transparency around rate setting, it has harmed water agencies in several ways. Specifically, the proposition disallows lifeline pricing and tiered rates and has cost local agencies money because of its notice requirements and the need to defend the agency against ratepayer challenges when they don’t like a particular project. Salt added that local agencies need to carefully collect the data that support rate increases and “show why you are designing the rate you are and (detail) what are the goals and objectives.” A copy of the PPIC report “Paying for Water in California” is available at http:// www.ppic.org/. April 25, 2014 • 13
Newswatch
Students Get Hands-On Education at Cucamonga Valley Water District Students from San Bernardino Valley College (SBVC) are able to get valuable real-life experience and school credit by participating in a unique internship program offered by Cucamonga Valley Water District (CVWD). The CVWD internship was developed as a field training course to supplement the Water Supply Technology Program offered at SBVC. Students apply their classroom education to their internship at CVWD, rotating through different divisions including Water Maintenance, Sewer Maintenance, Field Service, Engineering, Production and Treatment. The program began with 15 participants in January 2014 with an
18-week session that will be offered twice a year. The unpaid internship earns students one school credit for each 60 hours volunteered at CVWD. “The students gain hands-on knowledge and experience while with CVWD, working with our employees to learn more about the water industry,” said Roberta Perez, CVWD human resources administrator. “They come from a wide variety of age groups and backgrounds; many work full-time elsewhere and are looking to enter the water industry.” “I have been attending SBVC for over a year, taking classes through the Water Supply Technology Program and learning everything I can about the water indus-
try,” said David Carraway, a second-year student at SBVC. “Having the opportunity to work with CVWD in the field, with employees who have been on the job for 10, 20, or 30 years, has allowed me to put into action what I have learned in the classroom.”
Continued from page 3
life, National Marine Fisheries Service, and the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service. The drought plan defines human health and safety needs in terms of water supply to include drinking water, sanitation, and firefighting. The definition does not include other urban water uses such as outdoor landscape irrigation. To support endangered fish operations in the Delta, the plan calls for the conservation of water in upstream reservoirs to create cold pools of water that can be released during the coming warmer months for species needs. The plan also includes detailed projected operations for upstream tributaries, which are focused in part on protecting fish species that use these rivers. The drought operations plan and an FAQ are available at http://www.ca.gov/ drought/.
DWR had set its initial water allocation estimate from the SWP at an historic 0% this year. On April 1, manual snowpack readings in the Sierra revealed a statewide snowpack water content at just 32% of normal for that date. An earlier January reading was just 12% of average. Despite late winter rain, the state’s key reservoirs remain well below normal levels. Lake Oroville in Butte County, the SWP’s principal reservoir, is at 52% of its 3.5 million acre-foot capacity (66% of its historical average for the date). Shasta Lake north of Redding, California’s and the federal Central Valley Project’s (CVP) largest reservoir, is at 53% of its 4.5 million acre-foot capacity and 63% of its historical average for this time of year. San Luis Reservoir, a critical south-ofDelta pool for both the SWP and CVP, is
at 46% of its 2 million acre-foot capacity (52% of normal for the date). The final SWP allocation for calendar year 2013 was 35% of requested water amounts. In 2012, the final allocation was 65%. It was 80% in 2011, up dramatically from an initial allocation of 25%. The final allocation was 50% in 2010, 40% in 2009, 35% in 2008, and 60% in 2007. The last 100% allocation — difficult to achieve even in wet years because of Delta pumping restrictions to protect threatened and endangered fish — was in 2006. The final allocation in 1991 is still the record low, not only for agriculture at zero but for others at 30% of requested amounts.
Environmental Science Associates Aquires San Rafael-Based Firm “Friend of ACWA” Environmental Science Associates (ESA), a West Coast-based environmental science and planning firm, announced that Dr. Stuart Siegel and his firm Wetlands and Water Resources, Inc. (WWR) has joined with ESA. 14 • ACWA NEWS
Vol. 42 No. 4
WWR is a San Rafael-based professional restoration design firm specializing in wetlands restoration and natural resource management. This merger continues to build ESA’s restoration, water resources management and coastal resiliency planning practice that includes
the recent acquisitions of other firms in San Francisco and Portland. Stuart Siegel and WWR have worked on scientific-based environmental analysis, habitat restoration, and strategic policy-level planning and advising in the Sacramento-San Joaquin Delta.
CALENDAR May
6 – 9
16
ACWA Events
ACWA’s 2014 Spring Conference & Exhibition is May 6-9 at the Portola and Marriott Hotels, Monterey. This year’s conference theme is “Running on Empty: Investing to Move the Needle.” Online registration is now closed. Please register onsite. For more information contact ACWA’s Member Services and Events Department at events@acwa.com or 916.441.4545. 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.
OFFICE SPACE FOR LEASE
More information on the conference is http:// iwa2014sanfrancisco.org/. Questions may be directed to Chelsea Spier at 209.946.2595, iwa2014wrbm@gmail.com.
October 5 – 6
P P P P P P
ACWA Region 5 & 6 joint program is Oct. 5 – 6 in Livermore. For more information please contact Regional & Member Services Specialist Ana Torres at anat@acwa.com.
910 K STREET
ACWA Region 6 & 7 joint program is Oct. 17
17
SACRAMENTO, CALIFORNIA in Visalia. For more information please contact Regional & Member Services Specialist Ana Torres at anat@acwa.com.
TWO SUITES December 2 – 5
Move-in ready office space. One block from the State Capitol. June 6 SUITE 300 SUITE 350 RATE
Other Events
AVAILABLE
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.
MCWRA & ACWA Region 3 Joint Program is set for
±2,200 SF June 6Rentable at Wedgewood Sequoia Mansion, Placerville. For more information ±1,850 Rentable SF please contact Regional Affairs Representative Katie Dahl at katied@acwa.com or $1.65 per RSF, FSG
Regional & Member Services Specialist Ana Torres at anat@acwa.com. Great Downtown CBD location, only one block to
State Capitol August Perfect for lobbyists and professional firms 13 – 14 distance ACWA’sto2014 Regulatory Summit is set for Aug. Walking restaurants, hotels, and professional 13-14. Location is to be determined. For more services information contact ACWA’s Member Services Beautiful historic building and Events Department at events@acwa.com or Wired for alarm service 916.441.4545. 2/1000 on-site parking
18 – 20 The Local Government Commission and the State of California arebroker organizing the first California full fee to procurring
Office for Lease
Adaptation Forum in the state capital, to be held Aug. 19-20. This two-day forum will build off last year’s successful National Adaptation Forum in Colorado. The attendance of many California leaders there underscored the need for a California-focused event, which will be held every other year to complement the biennial national forum. More information available at www.californiaadaptationforum.org.
September 9 – 12
one block to Capitol!
The International Water Association is holding a specialists’ conference for water basin science and management Sept. 9 to 12 in San Francisco.
ê
Prime Downtown Location
Three suites available in Sacramento, one block from the State Capital (910 K Street). • 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
April 25, 2014 • 15
Public Member Agency Foothill Municipal Water District On March 31 Richard W. Atwater was appointed to serve as Foothill Municipal Water District’s representative to the Metropolitan Water District of Southern California Board of Directors. He replaces James T. Edwards, who served for 15 years (1999-2014). Atwater has worked in various capacities for more than 35 years in government and water resources management, currently serving as executive director of the Southern California Water Committee. Atwater was formerly CEO and general manager of the Inland Empire Utilities Agency. Some of his other past positions include president of Bookman-Edmonston Engineering, general manager of West Basin Municipal Water District, general manager of Central Basin Municipal Water District, and manager of the Water Resources Division at the Metropolitan Water District of Southern California. He is also a former board member of the Crescenta Valley Water District. “I believe the current statewide drought
Association of California Water Agencies 910 K Street, Suite 100 Sacramento, CA 95814-3577
Time Valued Material
highlights the importance to the economy to have reliable water supplies. I look forward to working with other regional water leaders on initiatives to drought proof our region through increased conservation, stormwater capture and recycled water development,” Atwater said in a statement. Atwater and his family have lived in La Cañada Flintridge for nearly 30 years.
Water Boards Plan Upcoming Workshops on Drinking Water Discharge Permits The State Water Resources Control Board (State Board) will hold a workshop May 12 to provide information to stakeholders on the development of a statewide drinking water discharge permit. Additionally, the Central Valley Regional Water Quality Control Board will hold a workshop April 29 on a similar — but region-specific — permit. The proposed statewide permit will be a new statewide general National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System (NPDES) permit as required by the Clean Water Act, section 402 for point source discharges to surface waters. The State Board workshop will be held May 12 from 1 p.m. to 4 p.m. at San Diego Water Authority Office, 4677 Overland Ave., San Diego. A workshop announcement, fact sheet and proposed language excerpts are available at http://www.waterboards.ca.gov/. The Central Valley Board workshop will be held April 29 from 1 p.m. to 4 p.m. at the offices of Sacramento Suburban Water District, 7800 Antelope Rd., Antelope.
Periodicals Postage Paid at Sacramento, CA
The draft NPDES permit and information sheet are available on the Central Valley Water Board Website. Register: If you plan on attending the Central Valley workshop, register via email to David Kirn at David.Kirn@ waterboards.ca.gov, by April 22. Indicate how many people will be attending. For those who cannot attend the workshop, the workshop will be available online at www.webmeeting.att.com. For further informational updates, visit our State Water Board website at www.waterboards.ca.gov.
classifieds
Position Open General Manager Utica Water & Power Authority UWPA, located in the Sierra Nevada foothills, delivers the raw water to Murphys and Angels Camp. Its two powerhouses generate green energy revenues which sustain the maintenance of the 27-mile flume and ditch system. There are currently eight full-time employees. The General Manager reports to a fivemember board and is responsible for water and power operations, administration, budgeting, contracting, public relations. The ideal candidate will be a civil engineer with electrical and mechanical experience familiar with water delivery and water issues with hydroelectric operations supervisory experience, including experience with the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission. UWPA is seeking a results-oriented leader who will bring human resource and accounting experience as he serves the board and leads the staff. He will be required to represent the UWPA in collaborating with local water districts and complying with county, state, and federal agencies. Must reside within a 30-minute distance. Applicant please state requested salary which will be dependent upon qualifications and experience. Benefits include an excellent health package, dental/vision/life, SIMPLE IRA, holidays and PTO. Submit cover letter, resume, three letters of reference to: Utica Power & Water Authority, Karen Rojas, Admin Secretary at admin@ uticapower.net or P.O. Box 358, Angels Camp, CA 95222 by May 23, 2014.