NEWS
ACWA ACWA’s • Member • Newsletter Volume 42
09
No.
September 19, 2014
Gov. Jerry Brown signs the Sustainable Groundwater Management Act on Sept. 16 surrounded by legislators and supporters. From left to right: California State Board of Food and Agriculture President Craig McNamara, Driscoll’s CEO Miles Reiter, Assembly Member Roger Dickinson (D-Sacramento), Senate President pro Tem-elect Kevin de León (D-Los Angeles), Sen. Fran Pavley (D-Agoura Hills), The Nature Conservancy External Affairs Director Jay Ziegler, and ACWA Executive Director Timothy Quinn. Photo credit: Justin Short, Office of the Governor.
Groundwater Bills Signed by Governor Brown A three-bill package aimed at advancing sustainable groundwater management throughout California was signed into law by Gov. Jerry Brown on Sept. 16. The legislation, known as the Sustainable Groundwater Management Act, provides a framework for the improved management of groundwater supplies by local authorities. The bills also provide a mechanism for limited
state intervention when necessary to protect groundwater resources. The governor signed the bills during a press event in his Capitol office that included authors of the legislation, legislative leaders, and representatives of several organizations, including ACWA Executive Director Timothy Quinn. Groundwater Continued on page 4
State Board Reports 7.5% Drop in Urban Water Usage Statewide Data for July Shows Trend in “Right Direction,” Board Chair Marcus Says California’s urban water suppliers are making headway in their water conservation efforts, achieving a 7.5% drop in usage statewide this July over last year’s figures, according to data released Sept. 9 by the State Water Resources Control Board (State Board).
“You’ve got good July movement,” said Felicia Marcus, chair of the State Water Board. “I’m optimistic that August will show even better numbers.”
The water savings is welcome news to members of the State Board who in July passed emergency water conservation regulations banning certain types of outdoor water use. Year-over-year savings were greater in July than in June — with June showing a 4.4% drop in water usage — indicating a positive trend in water conservation, said several members of the State Board during the board meeting Tuesday.
The July drop in urban water usage represents more than 17 billion gallons of water. The average level of conservation achieved across each of the state’s hydrologic regions ranged from 2% to 22% during this first reporting period. Of the 362 urban water suppliers that submitted their water production data, 44 suppliers representing 3.2 million Californians reported conservation
Field Poll 2 New Shows Support for Water Bond
Agencies 3 Water Step Up Conservation as Drought Deepens
Marcus added that “... we’re going in the right direction, but we need to do more.”
Conservation Continued on page 8
5 Reclamation Opens Public Comment Period on Temperance Flat
and Golf 6 Cowboy Course Owner Jack Roddy Lassoes Drought with Water Conservation
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New Field Poll Shows Support for Water Bond A Field Poll released Sept. 10 reveals that likely voters support the $7.5 billion water bond slated for the November ballot by a two-to-one margin — 52% to 27%. Another 21% of likely voters say they are undecided. Support for the water bond — which will appear as Proposition 1 on the ballot — expands among voters who al18% Undecided
Phone: 916.441.4545 Fax: 916.561.7124 Website: acwa.com
25% Oppose
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 Emily Allshouse Graphic Designer Katherine Causland Outreach and Social Media Specialist Marie Meade Copyright 2014. All Rights Reserved. Call ACWA for Permission to Reprint.
57% Favor
Agriculture Western Growers Association
Business Bay Area Council Bay Planning Coalition Coachella Valley Economic Partnership Los Angeles County Business Federation Orange County Business Council Silicon Valley Leadership Group Valley Industry and Commerce Association
Consultant/Engineering HDR, Inc.
Environmental
Digital & Print
Audubon Society California League of Conservation Voters California Trout Clean Water Action Community Water Center Defenders of Wildlife Ducks Unlimited Environ International Corporation Heal The Bay Natural Resources Defense Council The Nature Conservancy
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.
2 • ACWA NEWS
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Vol. 42 No. 9
The Field Poll was conducted August 14-28 among 467 voters considered likely to vote in the November 2014 general election. Interviews were administered by telephone using live interviewers in English, Spanish, Cantonese, Mandarin, Korean, and Vietnamese. All voters, regardless of any prior awareness, were read a summary of the official ballot description of Prop. 1 and then asked if their inclination was to vote Yes or No.
Proposition 1 Supporters List Continues to Grow
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ready are familiar with the bond. These voters divide 57% in favor and 25% opposed, with 18% undecided. Among voters with no prior awareness of the measure, supporters still hold a substantial lead, with 48% inclined to vote Yes, 28% inclined to vote No and 24% undecided.
Water Association of California Water Agencies Calleguas Municipal WD Castaic Lake Water Agency Coachella Valley WD Contra Costa Water District East Bay MUD Eastern Municipal Water District Friant Water Authority Helix WD Indian Wells Valley WD La Puente Valley County WD Las Virgenes Municipal WD Metropolitan WD of Southern CA Monte Visa Water District Regional Water Authority Rincon del Diablo MWD San Diego County Water Authority Santa Clara Valley Water District Santa Margarita WD Solano County Water Agency Three Valleys MWD Upper San Gabriel Valley MWD Valley Center Municipal WD WateReuse California West Basin MWD West Valley WD Yuba County Water Agency Updated as of 9/16/2014
(Left) The Sonoma- Marin Saving Water partnership sponsored a “Drought Drive-Thru” in April where about 5,000 people picked up drought kits with water saving promotional items. (Middle) The drought kits included a water efficient faucet aerator, toilet dye tab test, a shower timer, bucket and a low-flow showerhead. (Right) Residents can take up to 300 gallons per visit and can visit as many times as they want at Dublin San Ramon Services District’s free Residential Recycling Refill Station.
Water Agencies Step Up Conservation Efforts as Drought Deepens Public water agencies around the state are stepping up conservation efforts, expanding rebate programs and pursuing an array of innovative programs to reduce water use in response to California’s deepening drought.
across the state as the drought continues. When the map first debuted in February, it showed 22 communities had adopted some form of mandatory conservation or restrictions. As of Sept. 8, it showed 159 agencies with mandatory restrictions.
Nearly 60% of California is now in “exceptional drought,” the most severe on the U.S. Drought Monitor’s fivepoint scale. About 82% of the state is in “extreme drought,” while 95% is now in “severe drought.”
A narrative summary of drought response also is available at www.acwa. com/content/2014-droughtwatch.
As of Sept. 8, at least 159 local water agencies have implemented mandatory restrictions on water use, according to information compiled by ACWA. Others are expected to take formal action soon to align their local conservation measures with new emergency regulations adopted on July 15 by the State Water Resources Control Board (State Board). Some hard-hit communities, including a few on the Central Coast and in Mendocino County, have implemented water rationing with specific allotments per household and penalties for going over. ACWA’s interactive drought map is updated daily to show water use restrictions and other conservation measures adopted by water agencies, cities and counties to comply with the state regulations. The map has reflected the progression from voluntary conservation to mandatory restrictions
Actions Yielding Results Actions taken by water agencies throughout the state to combat drought are yielding results. Many water agencies report double-digit decreases in water use this summer as compared to last summer, and the trend is expected to continue as agencies ramp up conservation programs and education efforts. A report prepared by State Board staff and posted Sept. 9 showed that water conservation efforts in July resulted in a 7.5% drop in urban water use statewide over a year ago. The report highlighted noteworthy conservation efforts by Long Beach Water Department, Golden State Water Company in Claremont, Tri-Valley water agencies (including Alameda County Water District, Dublin San Ramon Services District, Cal Water Service — Livermore, and the city of Livermore), the city of Burlingame, the city of Menlo Park and water agencies in the Sacramento region. In the Central Valley, the cities of Fresno, Modesto, Stockton and Turlock
as well as Cal Water Service — Bakerfield also were highlighted. More on the State Board report is available www.swrcb.ca.gov. ACWA Executive Director Timothy Quinn noted that urban water use has been trending downward for several years as water agencies implement long-term water use efficiency measures, including plumbing retrofits, turf replacement programs and advanced leak detection efforts. The current drought, however, requires extraordinary measures above and beyond efficiencies already built into the system, he said. “Water agencies can and should be proud of what they have accomplished in the past two decades. As a result of significant investments, they are much more prepared for drought than ever before,” Quinn said. “In the face of this unprecedented drought, the State Board for the first time has ordered mandatory actions to reduce water use. Californians are stepping up, and we believe they will continue to do so with the assistance of their local water agencies.” Water agencies have reported a surge in interest in turf replacement and conservation rebate programs this summer. Metropolitan Water District of Southern California (MWD), for example, recently doubled its incentive to replace thirsty turf from $1 to $2 per square foot. In response, requests for the rebates in July Continued on page 8
September 19, 2014 • 3
groundwater Continued from page 1
The bills include AB 1739 (Dickinson), SB 1168 (Pavley) and SB 1319 (Pavley). “A central feature of these bills is the recognition that groundwater management in California is best accomplished locally,” the governor wrote in his official signing message for the legislation. “Local agencies will now have the power to assess the conditions of their local water basins and take necessary steps to bring those basins in a state of chronic long-term overdraft into balance.” In remarks at the bill signing event, Quinn noted the historic nature of the package and said it is designed to empower local agencies to address a groundwater crisis that has been simmering for more than 50 years. Quinn acknowledged that while ACWA supported the legislation, several member agencies remained opposed. “ACWA recognizes there are concerns, particularly in the Central Valley, where water managers are struggling with drought and deep cuts in surface water deliveries. But it is important to keep in mind that this groundwater legislation is but one essential component of a comprehensive water action plan put forth by the Brown Administration and strongly supported by ACWA and its members,” Quinn said. The governor also referenced the comprehensive water action plan in his signing message for the legislation. “These bills accomplish a number of goals described in the California Water Action Plan, a five-year plan to sustainably manage our water resources,” the governor wrote. “When combined with the other elements outlined in the plan — conservation, water recycling, expanded storage, safe drinking water, wetlands and watershed restoration — and the passage of Proposition 1, we can take giant strides to secure California’s water future.” The governor also pledged to work with all affected groups to ensure the package is implemented fairly. 4 • ACWA NEWS
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About the Groundwater Sustainability Act The legislative package empowers local agencies to manage groundwater basins in a sustainable manner over the longterm horizon. It establishes a definition of sustainable groundwater management, prioritizes groundwater basins that are critically overdrafted and sets a timeline for implementation: •
Jan. 1, 2017: Local groundwater sustainability agencies must be formed.
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Jan. 31, 2020: Groundwater sustainability plans must be completed for critically overdrafted basins.
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Jan. 31, 2022: Groundwater sustainability plans must be completed in all other high- and medium-priority basins not currently in overdraft.
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Conduct investigations to carry out the requirements of the act.
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Require the registration of wells.
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Require installation of water-measuring devices on groundwater wells within the basin boundaries at the expense of the operator or owner.
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Require annual extraction statements or other reasonable measuring methods to determine groundwater extractions.
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Impose well spacing requirements and control extractions by regulating, limiting or suspending extractions from individual groundwater wells.
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Assess fees to establish and implement local groundwater management plans.
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Request that the Department of Water Resources (DWR) revise the boundaries of a basin, including establishing new subbasins. The request shall include information, to be specified by DWR in regulations by Jan. 1, 2016, to support the request.
By 2040: All high- and mediumpriority groundwater basins must achieve sustainability.
Additionally, the legislation grants broad management authorities to groundwater sustainability agencies and provides tools that local agencies may use to achieve sustainability goals.
Groundwater Sustainability Agency (GSA) Formation • Local agencies have until Jan. 1, 2017, to form a GSA.
Creation of Groundwater Sustainability Plans • GSAs must create and implement a groundwater sustainability plan (GSP) in each high- and medium-priority basin to meet the sustainability goal of the act.
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Any local agency or combination of local agencies overlying a groundwater basin may elect to be a GSA.
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GSAs with basins in “critical conditions of overdraft” must adopt a compliant plan by Jan. 31, 2020.
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Agencies that have been created by statute to manage groundwater shall be deemed the exclusive agencies to comply with the act within their boundaries unless the agency elects to opt out.
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All other high- and medium-priority basins must adopt a compliant plan by Jan. 31, 2022.
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A GSP may constitute a single plan covering the entire basin, a single plan covering the entire basin created by multiple agencies, or multiple plans created by multiple agencies.
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A GSP must include a description of the aquifer system, historical data on groundwater levels, groundwater quality, subsidence, groundwatersurface water interaction, and a discussion of historical and projected
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The GSA may adopt rules, regulations, ordinances, and resolutions for the purposes of the act.
Tools for GSAs The act gives local agencies new tools to manage groundwater sustainably. For example, GSAs may:
ACWA’s Path on Advancing Groundwater Sustainability in California In response to mounting concerns about groundwater overdraft and subsidence in some areas of the state, ACWA’s Board of Directors voted in November 2013 to establish a Groundwater Sustainability Task Force to help identify ways to address the issue. Drawing on the expertise of ACWA Board members from across the state, the task force developed a series of recommendations on groundwater to build on the association’s Statewide Water Action Plan as well as its 2011 Groundwater Framework. The task force’s work led to a suite of recommendations adopted by the ACWA
Board in March of this year as discussions intensified in the regulatory and legislative arenas to address groundwater. ACWA’s recommendations, issued formally on April 7, made a strong policy statement in support of sustainable, locally controlled management of the state’s groundwater basins and called for a suite of new tools and authorities to help local agencies take action. The recommendations also recognized the need for a limited state backstop role in cases where locals cannot accomplish the goal. ACWA’s recommendations, together with recommendations from the California Water Foundation, provided the basis
for many key provisions of the groundwater sustainability legislative package that was the subject of extensive discussion this year. ACWA, its member agencies and other stakeholders provided extensive input on two of the bills – SB 1168 and AB 1739 – since April. The third bill, SB 1319, was added to the package in the final days of the legislative session to include language sought by the Administration in response to issues raised by ACWA members and others. The final package signed by Gov. Jerry Brown on Sept. 16 is substantially consistent with ACWA’s recommendations.
groundwater Continued from page 4
water demands and supplies. Other technical data, maps and information on monitoring are also required. •
DWR may grant two five-year extensions upon a showing of good cause beyond the 20-year sustainability timeframe. Further extensions may be granted upon demonstration of need and progress toward the sustainability goal.
Probationary Status In general, the State Water Resources Control Board (State Board) may designate a basin as “probationary” if, after consulting with DWR, it is found that a GSP has not been created, the plan is inadequate or the program is not being implemented in a way that will lead to sustainability. A GSA would have 180 days to remedy any deficiency with additional time provided if the agency is making substantial progress toward remedying the problem. Specifically, the State Board may designate a basin as probationary, if: •
After June 30, 2017, no local agency or a collection of agencies has elected to become the GSA.
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After Jan. 31, 2020, any high- or medium-priority basin in critical
overdraft has not adopted a GSA for the entire basin. •
After Jan. 31, 2020, DWR in consultation with the State Board determines that the GSP is inadequate or the GSP is not being implemented in a manner that will likely achieve the sustainability goal.
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After Jan. 31, 2022, any high- or medium-priority basin that is not in critical overdraft has not adopted a plan for the entire basin.
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After Jan. 31, 2022, DWR in consultation with the State Board determines that the GSP is inadequate or that the GSP is not being implemented in a manner that will achieve the sustainability goal, and the board determines that the basin is in a condition of long-term overdraft.
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After Jan. 31, 2025, DWR in consultation with the State Board determines that the GSP is inadequate or that the GSP is not being implemented in a manner that will achieve the sustainability goal and the board determines that the basin is in a condition where groundwater extractions result in significant depletions of interconnected surface waters.
Failure to respond to the deficiencies could lead to limited state intervention and the development of a State Boardcreated interim plan. The State Board shall exclude from probationary status any portion of a basin for which a GSA demonstrates compliance with the sustainability goal. Interim plans shall not be imposed for situations in which groundwater extractions result in significant depletions of interconnected surface waters until after Jan. 1, 2025.
Other Key Provisions • Preparation and adoption of a GSP is exempt from CEQA. •
Implementation of projects under a GSP is subject to CEQA.
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Formation of a GSA is subject to CEQA. Any deadlines missed due to litigation challenging the formation of the agency would be extended until the litigation is resolved.
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The legislation does not affect existing surface water or groundwater rights.
Members with questions about the groundwater legislation may contact ACWA Senior Legislative Advocate Whitnie Wiley at whitniew@acwa.com or call 916-441-4545. September 19, 2014 • 5
Reclamation Opens Public Comment Period on Temperance Flat Water Storage Proposal, Hearings to be Held in October The U.S. Bureau of Reclamation on Sept. 5 released the Draft Environmental Impact Statement (Draft EIS) for the Upper San Joaquin River Basin Storage Investigation, a study which investigates water storage options for California’s Central Valley.
Downstream view of Temperance Flat.
The Draft EIS describes possible benefits and impacts of increasing water storage through a proposed dam and reservoir project at Temperance Flat on the upper San Joaquin River, about 25 miles northeast of Fresno. The investigation is one of five surface water storage studies included in the 2000 CALFED Bay-Delta Programmatic Record of Decision.
and variable supplies to help meet the challenges of lean water years.”
“Releasing this draft for public comment today is a vital step toward building drought resilience in California,” said Mid-Pacific Regional Director David Murillo. “The unprecedented drought we are facing reinforces the need to do everything we can to develop and manage our limited
Public hearings on the Draft EIS to gather public comments are scheduled for Oct. 14 in Sacramento and Oct. 16 in Fresno.
The proposed alternatives laid out in the document seek to improve water supply reliability and flexibility for agricultural, urban and environmental uses. The alternatives also seek to enhance San Joaquin River water temperature and flow conditions for anadromous and other native fish populations.
The Draft EIS is available on Reclamation’s website: http://www. usbr.gov/mp/nepa/nepa_projdetails. cfm?Project_ID=821.
House Passes Bill to Block Clean Water Act Proposed Rule The U.S. House of Representatives on Sept. 8 passed a bill that would block a controversial Clean Water Act proposal put forward by the Environmental Protection Agency, winning 35 Democratic votes in the process. The bill, H.R. 5078, the Waters of the United States Regulatory Overreach Protection Act of 2014, passed the House 262-152. Every Republican member of the California delegation supported the bill as well five Democratic members. Following the vote, the American Farm
Bureau, which has been critical of the EPA proposal, hailed the bill’s passage as the rejection of a federal power grab. “The House of Representatives today stood with farmers and ranchers and against the regulatory overreach of the EPA,” American Farm Bureau President Bob Stallman said in a statement. “Passage of H.R. 5078 isn’t just a clear rejection of the overreach that lies in the EPA’s proposed Waters of the U.S. rule. Today’s action is an unmistakable signal that the tide is turning against those who ignore the constitutional separation
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6 • ACWA NEWS
Vol. 42 No. 9
of powers in the United States. We will ditch this rule.” House Democrats, on the other hand, while not necessarily supportive of the proposed rule, disagreed strongly with the Republican bill. Rep. Peter DeFazio (D-OR), the ranking member on the House Natural Resources Committee, suggested that both sides go back to the drawing board. The bill now moves to the Senate, where its chances of passage are uncertain.
Office for Lease
(Above) Signs such as “Brown is the New Green” are sprinkled throughout the Golf Club at Roddy Ranch in Antioch to remind visitors that critical water conservation efforts are underway. (Below) Jack Roddy is shown as a young man around the time he won world championships in steer wrestling — in 1966 and 1968 — at the National Finals Rodeo.
Cowboy and Golf Course Owner Jack Roddy Lassoes Drought with Creative Water Conservation at Golf Club at Roddy Ranch in Antioch Lassoing a steer in a rodeo competition takes fearlessness, determination and an ability to adapt quickly. Bay Area cowboy and golf course owner Jack Roddy has applied these same traits to wrestling with California’s devastating drought. The two-time rodeo world champion, rancher and owner of the Golf Club at Roddy Ranch in Antioch, came out of the chute early to rein in water usage on his Bay Area golf course by adopting a “Brown is the New Green” philosophy more than six months ago, well before it became acceptable to let turf lose its emerald hue. “I’m a rancher and we’ve been struggling with three years of drought,” says Roddy, who turns 77 in October and continues to rope steer in competitions. “I’m very aware of water…and we have to be ahead of the curve, not behind it, with water conservation.” For Roddy and Club Manager Kevin Fitzgerald, staying ahead of California’s
drought meant letting some areas of the golf course go brown. It was a risk, since it was unclear how golfers would accept the change. But Fitzgerald says the brown areas have been “well-received all the way around.” “We want to do our part as a business to stand by the basic homeowner and support what they are being asked to do,” says Fitzgerald. “We all can make a big dent in this drought situation.” Fitzgerald brainstormed early with other managers at the golf club to come up with ideas on ways to scale back water usage. Ultimately, they seek to save 40 million gallons of water annually. Golf courses can use as much as 1.4 million gallons of water per day, he said. Signs of the drought-busting efforts abound at the golf course, literally and figuratively. Signs stating “Brown is the New Green” adorn the golf course. Drought tolerant plants have been planted to replace more thirsty plants, including Bermuda grass to replace the perennial rye grass. “This corridor can be extremely hot, windy and dependent on water,” Fitzgerald says of the area in Antioch where the golf course operates.
Golf course managers have shut off about 700 irrigation heads and are focusing scaled-back watering efforts on tees, fairways and greens. Other areas go without water. Marc Connerly, executive director of the California Golf Course Owners Association, says golf courses throughout California are working to scale back water usage. Connerly says working groups and task forces have been formed throughout the state where representatives from water agencies, golf courses and community leaders come together to develop best practices for irrigation at golf courses. Connerly stresses that each golf course is unique in its design with different watering requirements. “It is by far the single most significant issue facing golf courses in California right now,” Connerly says of reducing water usage on the courses. Roddy, who is a master at adaptation in the rodeo ring (he’s included in five different rodeo halls of fame), says some golfers on his course claim the drier fairways make the ball go farther. Perhaps necessity really is the mother of invention — as well as a better golf game.
September 19, 2014 • 7
Continued from page 3
alone amounted to 2.5 million squarefeet of turf removal — the equivalent of removing 1,665 typical Southern California front yards, according to MWD. Businesses also are responding, with rebates requested in July that amount to 4.7 million square-feet of turf. ACWA is aware of turf rebates offered by at least 26 water agencies around the state. Such programs generate real water savings not only during drought, but on an ongoing basis. A roundup of turf rebate programs can be found at http://www.acwa.com/content/water-supply-challenges/turf-rebateprograms-see-surge-interest.
Innovative Efforts Help Reduce Use As the drought continues its grip, local water agencies are using innovative ways to stretch supplies and improve reliability for the cities, farms and businesses they serve. Santa Clara Valley Water District, for example, has a new free mobile app to help enforce new mandatory conservation regulations. The district, which recently added $500,000 to its enforcement budget, now offers the
Access Valley Water app for residents to report water wasters. More information is available at www.valleywater.org. The city of Santa Cruz’s “Water School” is another example. The city implemented mandatory rationing in May 1 with strict water allotments per household and steep surcharges for going over. Those who exceed the limit can face penalties of up to $50 per unit, but can have their fines waived by attending “Water School,” a two-hour water conservation class similar to traffic school. The waiting list is a month long. More information is available at www. cityofsantacruz.com. Dublin San Ramon Services District opened a residential recycled water fill station in June to help customers’ gardens and landscaping survive the drought. Residents can take up to 300 gallons per visit and can visit as many times as they want. The recycled water is free. Since June, 203 residents have become card-carrying participants and hauled 229,000 gallons of recycled water to irrigate their yards, gardens, and trees. The district also operates a separate recycled water fill station for commercial
customers, who must purchase an annual permit and pay $10 per load. Since early May, commercial trucks have hauled 4.7 million gallons of recycled water for construction grading, dust control and golf course irrigation. More information is available at www.dsrsd.com.
State Board Emergency Regulations Emergency regulations adopted by the State Board on July 15 prohibit certain outdoor water-wasting activities and require water agencies to implement mandatory outdoor water use restrictions as part of their water shortage contingency plans. The regulations also require water agencies to report monthly water production data and, beginning Oct. 15, provide an estimate of per-capita water use each month in their service areas. More on the restrictions is available www.waterboards.ca.gov. ACWA’s interactive drought map is updated daily to show water use restrictions and other conservation measures adopted by water agencies, cities and counties to comply with the state regulations.
Conservation Continued from page 1
gains above 20% for the month of July over the preceding year. Part of the emergency regulations adopted by the State Board in July required mandatory reporting of water usage by urban water suppliers. July’s 7.5% drop in water usage represents numbers reported by 87% of urban water suppliers which have responded to the survey thus far, representing 97% of the population served. The June and July water production data and the staff presentation to the board is also available on the State Board website at http://www.swrcb.ca.gov/. Data on August water production is due to the board on Sept. 15. 8 • ACWA NEWS
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Beginning on Oct.15, water suppliers also will be required to provide an estimate of gallons per-capita per-day for residential customers. The Department of Water Resources will be providing guidance to water suppliers to help calculate gallons-per-capita, per-day of water used by within their service areas. Following the release of the August water production reports in mid-September, the State Board is expected to discuss next steps, including whether more aggressive actions are needed to reach the Governor’s 20% reduction target. The State Board also will consider whether steps to enforce compliance with the reporting are needed.
“We are glad to see the progress that many more California urban communities have made to conserve water,” Marcus added in a press statement. “Every action, from taking a shorter shower, to putting a lawn on a water diet, to replacing turf with drought-tolerant landscaping, contributes to every community’s water security. While this initial report is an improvement, we hope and trust that it is just a start. Countless Californians see and feel the effects of this drought and know that we still are facing a drought that may be far from over – others still do not and can and should step up. Wasting precious potable water today imperils our communities’ future.”
Newswatch
New Study Summarizes Pesticide Occurrence and Trends Over 20 Years Although pesticide levels seldom exceeded human health benchmarks, levels of pesticides continue to be a concern for aquatic life in many of the nation’s rivers and streams in agricultural and urban areas, according to a newly released study by the U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) which spans two decades – 1992-2011. According to a press release from the USGS that summarizes the study, over half a billion pounds of pesticides are used annually in the U.S. to increase crop production and reduce insect-borne disease, but some of these pesticides are occurring at concentrations that pose a concern for aquatic life.
The release stated that the proportion of streams with one or more pesticides that exceeded an aquatic-life benchmark was similar between the two decades for streams and rivers draining agricultural and mixed-land use areas, but much greater during the 2002-2011 for streams draining urban areas. Fipronil, an insecticide that disrupts the central nervous system of insects, was the pesticide most frequently found at levels of potential concern for aquatic organisms in urban streams during 2002-2011. Fipronil registration and subsequent use in the U.S. began during the late 1990s and it was used as an alternative to organo-
phosphate insecticides for residential and commercial applications during the early-2000s. Since 1992, there have been widespread trends in concentrations of individual pesticides, some down and some up, mainly driven by shifts in pesticide use due to regulatory changes, market forces, and introduction of new pesticides, the report found. The article outlining the study and additional information including data, reports, and maps of pesticide status, trends, and use is available at http:// water.usgs.gov/nawqa/pnsp/pubs/peststreams/.
Moulton Niguel WD Helps Bring Artificial Turf to Local High School Laguna Hills High School students returned to school this fall to find brand new artificial synthetic turf athletic fields, thanks to a strategic partnership between Moulton Niguel Water District (MNWD), Saddleback Valley Unified School District (SVUSD), and the City of Laguna Hills. Utilizing MWND’s Water Use Efficiency Rebate Program, Turf Removal Rebates and Synthetic Turf Installation Rebates, all 247,000 square feet of Laguna Hills High School’s upper athletic fields were converted to artificial synthetic turf, representing a unique opportunity to conserve a significant amount of water and decrease future water supply needs to the high school. All active MNWD customers within the district’s service area, including residential, commercial, and commercial landscape customers, are eligible to participate in the district-wide Water Use Efficiency Rebate Program for the purchase and installation of water efficient devices.
LHHS athletic fields groundbreaking event – Left to right: Dennis Walsh, Dr. Clint Harwick, Dolores Winchell, Larry McKenney, Don Froelich, and Randal Bressette.
For additional information about MNWD’s Water Use Efficiency Rebate Program, please visit www.mnwd.com/
rebates/ or contact the MNWD Conservation Department at (949) 448-4025.
September 19, 2014 • 9
Newswatch
DWA Partners with Local High School to Promote Conservation Desert Water Agency (DWA) and the Palm Springs High School football team have kicked off a new partnership to help remind football fans to save water. Over the course of the 2014 season, conservation announcements and program inserts will promote DWA’s “Check Yourself, Check Your Water Use” campaign. The team also will be filming a public service announcement.
“The Palm Springs High School football program, along with all of the teams in the PSHS athletic program, is already a model for conservation because they water every sports field with recycled water,” said DWA Vice President Jim Cioffi. “This new partnership is a fun and exciting new way to remind that community that we should all be thinking about water conservation.”
“We are really excited for this partnership because it reminds our players to be good citizens while reminding our fans that water conservation is incredibly important during this time of drought,” said Dennis Zink, assistant principal and athletic director. “We are proud to be working with Desert Water Agency on this important issue.”
Regional Cooperation and Water Transfers Provide Water Supply Reliability for Bay Area Water Agencies and Communities Bay Area water officials are using a pilot project of water transfer agreements and regional cooperation to help endure ongoing drought conditions. The agreement between the Contra Costa Water District (CCWD) and the Alameda County Water District (ACWD) illustrates how regional cooperation and targeted water transfers can increase water supply reliability. Under the pilot project approved early this year by both agencies, ACWD is allowed to purchase and store 5,000 acre-feet of water in CCWD’s recently expanded 160,000 acre-foot Los Vaqueros Reservoir for delivery this summer. CCWD Board President Joseph L. Campbell said the agreement between the water districts demonstrates how local agencies can work cooperatively to meet the region’s water needs during extended drought conditions. “CCWD is pleased to see efforts aimed at testing Los Vaqueros for regional benefits,” Campbell said in a press
release. “Successful water-storage and cost-sharing agreements such as this one can provide benefits to CCWD customers and water customers throughout the region in reduced costs and increased water-supply reliability.” Under the agreement, 5,000 acre-feet of water has been delivered to ACWD this summer through transfer agreements approved by state and federal agencies. This represents approximately 15% of the water to be delivered to ACWD customers in 2014, and provides a costsavings for ACWD ratepayers as the district avoids the need to purchase more costly sources of supply. “During one of the worst droughts in California’s history, the ACWD-CCWD regional partnership, combined with our customers’ outstanding water conservation efforts, have truly made a difference in our community’s water supply,” said Paul Sethy, ACWD board president stated in a press release. ACWD is reimbursing CCWD for supply, storage,
and conveyance costs associated with the project. The agreement does not affect any of the benefits that Los Vaqueros provides to CCWD customers. A continued ACWD-CCWD partnership to store water at Los Vaqueros could be a cost-effective way to increase watersupply reliability for ACWD, according to Sethy. “The use of Los Vaqueros could provide many benefits to ACWD customers and this pilot project has allowed our agencies to test this partnership on a limited scale,” he said. CCWD continues to explore additional agreements for short-term water storage with other Bay Area water agencies. This regional approach provides more flexibility for water agencies to navigate multiple dry years, regulatory restrictions, and emergencies. To find out more about the CCWD, visit www.ccwater.com. To find out more about the ACWD, visit www.acwd.org.
ACWA Region 1 and Region 4 Boards Look to Fill Vacancies ACWA’s Region 1 and Region 4 boards have opened a call for candidates to fill vacancies on their boards for the 20142015 term. The leadership of ACWA’s 10 geographical regions is integral to the leadership of the association as a whole. The members of the region boards
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Vol. 42 No. 9
determine the direction and focus of region issues and activities. If you, or someone within your agency is interested in serving in a leadership role with ACWA by becoming a member of the Region 1 or Region 4 board, please return the candidate nomination form and a
resolution of support from your district to ACWA by the Oct. 31 deadline. For more information contact ACWA Regional Affairs Representative Katie Dahl at katied@acwa.com.
CALENDAR September 19
October 6 – 7
Steve Hall Fierce Competitor Golf Tournament is set for Sept. 19 at Darkhorse Golf Club, Auburn. Tournament entry forms due Sept. 12. For more information contact ACWA’s Member Services and Events Department at events@acwa.com or 916.441.4545.
CalDesal 3rd Annual Conference is Oct. 6 – 7 in Monterey. The conference will be attended by desalination industry professionals, CalDesal member agency representatives, local and state/federal agency staff and decision makers, California legislators, nongovernmental organizations and other special guests. For more information contact Ron Davis at rond@ caldesal.org, or by phone at (916) 492-6082.
14 The Santa Ana River Watershed Conference for the 6th Annual OWOW event is set for Oct. 14 at the Riverside Convention Center, Riverside. For more information go to http://www.watereducation.org/ sawpa2014. 17
ACWA Regions 6 & 7 are co-hosting a forum to discuss San Joaquin Valley policy issues in Visalia on Oct. 17. Registration deadline is Oct. 10 and is available online at http://www.acwa.com/ ACWARegions6_7. For more information please contact Regional Affairs Representative Katie Dahl at katied@acwa.com.
19 – 20
ACWA Region 5 is hosting a program on outsidethe-box approaches to watershed sustainability in the Tri-Valley on Oct. 19-20 in Livermore. Registration is available online at http://www.acwa. com/ACWARegion5. For more information please contact Regional Affairs Representative Katie Dahl at katied@acwa.com.
26 – 27
ACWA Region 8, 9, and 10 joint tour and program is Oct. 26-27 in San Diego. Registration is available online at www.acwa.com. For more information please contact Regional Affairs Representative Katie Dahl at katied@acwa.com.
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Groundwater Land Use Symposium scheduled for Oct. 29 in Clovis will present a statewide panel of experts to provide thought-provoking discussions about the correlation between land use and groundwater. Registration deadline is Oct. 17. To register and more information go to https://events. r20.constantcontact.com/register/eventReg?oeidk=a0 7e9l1cvr9b89e61f6&oseq=&c=&ch=.
ACWA Events
Other Events
November 6 – 7
The Water Education Foundation is hosting a tour of the San Joaquin River Restoration on Nov. 6 – 7. Tour stops include Friant Dam, Interim San Joaquin River Salmon Conservation and Research Facility, Chowchilla Bifurcation and Canal, Mendota Pool, Sack Dam, Sand Slough Control Structure, and the Merced National Wildlife Refuge. Participants learn about water project operations, salmon spawning and rearing, flood management, agricultural diversions, and gravel mining impacts. The tour begins and ends in Fresno. For more information go to http://www.watereducation.org/tour/sanjoaquin-river-restoration-tour-2014.
December 2 – 5
ACWA’s 2014 Fall Conference & Exhibition is Dec. 2 – 5 at the Manchester Grand Hyatt, San Diego. Registration available online at www. acwa.com. Deadline for online registration is Nov. 7. For more information contact ACWA’s Member Services and Events Department at events@ acwa.com or 916.441.4545.
September 19, 2014 • 11
classifieds
Positions Open District Manager San Lorenzo Valley Water District The San Lorenzo Valley Water District seeks a District Manager. Bachelor’s Degree in Business or Public Administration, Engineering, or a related field and five years of increasingly responsible upper-level management experience in a public sector setting (preferably in the area of water treatment and distribution) are required, as is possession of a valid Class C California Driver’s License and a safe driving record. A master’s degree is desirable. Salary under review and DOQ. Apply online at www.bobmurrayassoc.com. Contact Regan Williams at (916) 784-9080 with questions. Brochure with full details available on website. Closing date October 10, 2014.
Regulatory Analyst I-II Turlock Irrigation District ($6508.00 – $10,096.00 PER MO) Under the direction of the Director of External Affairs, perform a variety of professional and technical analysis in support of legislative and regulatory activities in connection with District operations; and to serve as a resource to District employees on regulatory matters. Position requires a Bachelor’s degree from an accredited college or university with major coursework in Political Science, Public Administration, Communications or a related field. Experience with a Federal and State Government, or trade organization is desirable. At time of hire, physical exam, drug & alcohol screen, background check & a valid appropriate CA driver’s license is a prerequisite for employment. Resumes are encouraged, but will not be accepted in lieu of a TID online application. Completed applications are currently being accepted until Friday, October 17, 2014 at 4:30 p.m. For the complete job description and to apply online, please visit our website www.tid.org or call (209) 883-8253. EOE Turlock Irrigation District Human Resources 333 East Canal Drive Turlock, CA 95380
Association of California Water Agencies 910 K Street, Suite 100 Sacramento, CA 95814-3577
Periodicals Postage Paid at Sacramento, CA
Time Valued Material
Mission Springs Water District Director John Brown Resigns From Board to Take New Job John Brown, twoterm director of the Mission Springs Water District (MSWD), resigned from his position on the district board in August to take a new job which requires him to relocate from Mission Springs. Brown, who has served as president and vice president of the MSWD Board, recently accepted the position of executive director for the San Diego-based Human Dignity Foundation, a LGBT community foundation. Brown was elected to the Board in 2007. Brown served as chair of the MSWD Human Relations Committee and as member of its engineering committee for 2014. He also served as a member of the ACWA Federal Affairs Committee. Brown has been an executive director for a variety of non-profit organizations over the last 25 years. He has a Master’s degree in Educational Administration and a Special Education Teaching Credential along
with a Bachelor’s degree in Recreational Therapy. His interest in special education began when he worked as an orderly at Angel View Crippled Children’s Foundation in the early 1970s. After completing his education he served as the executive director of a private special education school. He also headed an alcohol and drug abuse treatment agency for 13 years, served as the executive director of Desert AIDS Project for five years, and Family Services of the Desert for six years. Brown was named outstanding single father of the year in 2002 by the National Association of Single People. He was the founding board president of the AIDS Healthcare Foundation which is the largest provider of HIV services in the world. He served on the board of Cabot’s Museum Foundation, where, during his presidency, the Trading Post was opened and its annual barbecue was founded. The event has become the most successful annual fundraising effort in Desert Hot Springs. Brown has also served as the president of the board of Food Now.