ACWA News December 18, 2015 by ACWA

ACWANEWS

ACWA’s Member Newsletter • www.acwa.com

State Water Board Hears Input on 2016 Drought Regulation Local water agencies around the state are calling on the State Water Resources Control Board to make adjustments to the state’s emergency water conservation regulation in 2016. (Left) Former Interior Secretary Bruce Babbitt shares his perspectives on water in the West at a Dec. 3 luncheon at the ACWA 2015 Fall Conference & Exhibition. (Right) ACWA President John Coleman hands the gavel to ACWA President-Elect Kathleen Tiegs after the election Dec. 3.

State Water Board Chair Felicia Marcus opened a Dec. 7 public workshop by praising water managers for the water savings thus far. She also stressed the severity of the drought.

ACWA Fall Conference Draws 1,851 Attendees to Discuss 2015 “Game Changers”

“Water suppliers and the public have made extraordinary efforts to save water…,” said Marcus, adding later: “We are still dealing with communities that are out of water.”

ACWA members and others heard updates on a wide range of topics during ACWA’s 2015 Fall Conference & Exhibition in Indian Wells, Dec. 1-4. Kicking off the conference Opening Breakfast on Dec. 2, USGS Research Hydrologist Dr. Michael Dettinger shared his predictions for El Niño. California Natural Resources Secre-

tary John Laird reported on progress made on the governor’s California Water Action Plan, and State Water Resources Control Board Chair Felicia Marcus shared thoughts on next steps in extending or modifying the state’s emergency conservation regulation in 2016. For more conference coverage please see pages 5-7.

Regarded as one of the best shooting backcourt duos in the NBA, Curry

Water managers from throughout the state packed the Dec. 7 workshop and outlined changes they would like to see to the regulation to better reflect California’s diverse conditions. ACWA also provided testimony to supplement written comments submitted Nov. 30 that called for adjustments in 2016. The comment letter also described the fiscal impact the regulation has had on water agencies, citing

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Save Our Water Wraps Up Historic Year with PSA from Golden State Warrior Stars Save Our Water has partnered with Comcast SportsNet and the Golden State Warriors to produce a public service announcement featuring the “Splash Brothers” – reigning NBA MVP Stephen Curry and All-Star guard Klay Thompson of the NBA

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The State Water Board adopted an emergency regulation in May that mandates urban water suppliers to reduce usage by 4% to 36% through Feb. 2016. Cumulatively, Californians have reduced water usage by 27.1% in the five months since the state’s emergency conservation regulation took effect in June.

Champion Warriors. The PSA will help Save Our Water gain some positive attention for continued conservation into the winter months.

Column: Let’s Get the Right Approach to Drought Response in 2016

ACWA Members Elect Tiegs, Hastey as Officers for 2016-’17 Term

Outgoing ACWA President Offers Reflections18, on Two-Year DECEMBER 2015 • 1 Term

ACWA News is a publication of the Association of California Water Agencies 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 Website: acwa.com Executive Director Timothy Quinn Deputy Executive Director of External Affairs & Member Services 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 2015. All Rights Reserved. Call ACWA for Permission to Reprint. USPS 334030

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EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR’S COLUMN • TIMOTHY QUINN

Let’s Get the Right Approach to Drought Response in 2016 There is no question that California is in a drought of epic proportions. By now, the statistics are well known: driest sequence of water years in a millennium; lowest April 1 snowpack in 600 years; hottest temperatures on record. In early 2015, there was broad agreement that we faced a drought emergency that required statewide action. The State Water Resources Control Board — at the direction of Gov. Jerry Brown — responded by implementing the first-ever mandatory statewide reductions in urban water use. ACWA member agencies and their customers stepped up with new and innovative ways to cut back on urban water use – particularly outdoors. Collectively, urban water suppliers have exceeded the governor’s 25% conservation mandate for the months of June-October. But there are some critical lessons to learn from the 2015 emergency regulation experience. We need a major course correction in 2016 to avoid some very negative unintended consequences for local public water agencies and their customers. The emergency regulation adopted by the State Water Board in May focused on one tool – mandatory conservation. While that tool largely achieved the governor’s 25% conservation goal, it came at the expense of devaluing investments in other tools and disrupting local drought preparedness plans. This creates serious risk for our economy in the long term. Since the last major drought ended in the early 1990s, ACWA member agencies have invested close to $20 billion to augment and diversify their water supply portfolios by expanding water recycling and conservation, building local and regional water storage projects, cleaning up contaminated groundwater basins and even bringing ocean desalination facilities online. The investments are widely acknowledged by the Public Policy Institute of California and others as a key reason that the state’s

economy remains largely unscathed today – even in a fourth year of severe drought. Local and regional agencies have doggedly pursued the goal of developing local water supplies and strategies to prepare for multiyear droughts. They have adopted local drought plans that wisely call for an integrated approach that combines demand management and development of local supplies to help “drought proof ” their communities. But as a result of the State Water Board’s current regulatory approach, however, many agencies find themselves unable to utilize water supplies created through those investments. We essentially are being told that mandatory conservation trumps investments in drought preparedness. If this approach continues in 2016, water agencies will have little incentive to invest further ratepayer dollars in local supplies they may not be able to use. The State Water Board has an opportunity to change that. It can make the course correction needed to promote drought protection strategies that take advantage of past local investments and encourage future such initiatives. We are not asking for relief. Nor are we asking to do less. We are asking to do more of what’s already being done to prepare for drought and to utilize water supply assets Californians have helped finance since the last drought. We need to turn the knob up on these kinds of local initiatives, not down. In the coming weeks, we will continue to work with the State Water Board and other stakeholders to advocate a change in direction to meet the goals of the governor’s executive order and complement the state’s broader, long-term water supply reliability objectives. With so much at stake, we must get it right in 2016.

ACWA Members Elect Tiegs, Hastey as Officers for 2016-’17 Term ACWA members elected Kathleen Tiegs as ACWA president and Brent Hastey as vice president during a general session Dec. 2 at the ACWA Fall Conference & Exhibition in Indian Wells. Tiegs and Hastey will assume their new positions Jan. 1. Tiegs is currently ACWA vice president and Hastey is an ACWA Region 2 board member.

Tiegs has served on the Cucamonga Valley Water District Board of Directors since 2005. During her tenure on that board she has served as board president and vice president. Prior to her board service, she enjoyed a career in water resource management for a local wholesale water agency for more than 30 years. Tiegs was elected vice president of ACWA in December 2013 after serving a two-year term as vice chair of the Federal Affairs Committee. She has served on the ACWA Local Government Committee as well as its Region 9 Board of Directors. She also currently serves on the California Special Districts Association Board of Directors

and has served on the ACWA/JPIA Board of Directors. Hastey has served on the ACWA Region 2 board since February 2015. He is a member of the Yuba County Water Agency Board of Directors and a former member of the Yuba County Board of Supervisors, Yuba County LAFCO, Regional Council of Rural Counties, Board of Reclamation District 784 and the Sacramento Area Council of Governments. Following the election of officers, ACWA members approved amendments to the association’s bylaws to be consistent with state law and align with recent organizational changes.

Quinn Receives NWRA Award

ACWA Executive Director Timothy Quinn (left) receives the National Water Resources Association’s Distinguished Service Award on Nov. 5 during NWRA’s 2015 Annual Conference in Denver. The award recognizes significant contributions in water resources management. Pictured with Quinn are (l-r) NWRA President Dave Koland of North Dakota and Awards Chair Tom Knutson of Nebraska.

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an estimated total impact of more than $500 million for the 73 agencies that responded to an informal survey by ACWA and the California Municipal Utilities Association. The impact included both revenue losses and additional costs for conservation-related programs for the 270-day period (June 2015-February 2016) of the regulation. “If the survey responses are representative, total revenue impacts could amount to a combined total of more than $3 billion for the over 400 water suppliers subject to the regulation,” the letter added. “This current level of financial impact is not sustainable for most water agencies.” The comment letter and related information can be accessed at http://www.acwa.com/content/urban-water-conservation.

ACWA Special Projects Manager Dave Bolland testified to the State Water Board that the regulation as written is “not sustainable from a public policy perspective.” “The impacts that these agencies are experiencing from implementing these regulations has been acute….it sets the stage for the need for adjustments now,” said Bolland. An ad-hoc group of water agencies has proposed several changes to reflect local circumstances such as climate and significant growth since 2013. Water agencies also are calling for adjustments to recognize local investments in drought-proof water supplies, including recycled water, desalination, conserved water transfers and groundwater storage projects.

Several representatives from water agencies testified in support of these proposals Dec. 7. Katie Ruark, conservation manager of Coachella Valley Water District, said the average evapotranspiration rate in her district is 54%. She said climate should be considered when setting a conservation target. Representatives from other water districts talked about regional cooperation, use of recycled water and groundwater storage as examples of water stewardship and conservation that should be considered when setting conservation targets. The State Water Board is expected to release a draft framework regulation in late December or early 2016. DECEMBER 18, 2015 • 3

WATER NEWS DIGEST Brown Issues New Executive Order Gov. Jerry Brown on Nov. 13 issued an executive order that intensifies the state’s drought response by extending emergency conservation regulation through October 2016 if drought persists through January, and allowing for the streamlining of permitting for projects that seek to capture stormwater from high precipitation events.

requests from local agencies for basin boundary modifications from Jan. 1, 2016 through March 31, 2016.

In his proclamation, Brown outlines the devastation of California’s four years of drought and says the state needs to prepare for the possibility of a fifth year of drought. The proclamation also directs $5 million from the 2015 state budget to the State Water Resources Control Board to help secure safe drinking water for small water systems.

California’s Conservation Continues to Meet Cumulative Target California remains on target to meet Gov. Jerry Brown’s mandate to cut water usage by 25% through February 2016, despite a slight dip in conservation during October’s dry weather.

DWR Implements New Basin Boundary Regs The California Department of Water Resources on Nov. 16 implemented new groundwater basin boundary regulations, a key provision of the state’s Sustainable Groundwater Management Act of 2014. DWR’s action comes well in advance of the Jan. 1, 2016 SGMA deadline, giving local agencies an additional six weeks to prepare requests for any basin boundary changes. DWR will accept

DWR also unveiled a new web-based reporting system that allows local agencies to submit basin boundary modification requests and provides public access to view basin boundary modification information. The program is at sgma.water.ca.gov/basinmod/.

That is the take-away from conservation numbers released Dec. 1 by the State Water Resources Control Board. According to State Water Board numbers, urban residents reduced water usage over 2013 levels by an average of 22.2% in October, down from 26.4% in September. Cumulatively, Californians have reduced water usage by 27.1% in the five months since the state’s emergency conservation regulation took effect in June. According to the State Water Board, the June through October cumulative savings equates to 913,851 acre-feet (297.8 billion gallons), or 76% of the

1.2 million acre-feet savings goal to be achieved by the end of February 2016. Statewide, the average water use for October was 87 residential gallons per capita per day, a decrease from the 97 R-GCPD reported for September.

Initial SWP 2016 Allocation Set at 10% The California Department of Water Resources on Dec. 1 announced an initial 2016 State Water Project allocation of 10% and cautioned that the actual allocation could rise or fall depending upon the amount of rain and snow California receives this winter. Despite early season storms, California continues to face severe water shortages with record low levels in some reservoirs. Folsom Lake, a federal reservoir, is holding a record low 136,980 acre-feet of its 977,000 acrefoot capacity. The reservoir’s previous low was at the height of the state’s last most severe drought in 1977. DWR announced an initial 10% allocation for 2015, but increased the figure to 20% after a series of early winter storms. The 2015 20% allocation was the second lowest since 1991, when agricultural customers of the SWP got a zero allocation and municipal customers received 30%. In 2014, SWP deliveries were 5% of requested amounts for all customers.

Jan. 14 Event to Highlight Progress on California Water Action Plan ACWA is partnering with the Brown Administration to present “California Water 2.0: What’s Next for the California Water Action Plan?” on Thursday, Jan. 14 in Sacramento. The full-day briefing at the Sacramento Convention Center will highlight what has been accomplished to date in the

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California Water Action Plan and what needs to move ahead next to maximize investments and create a more resilient water system for California.

To register, go to www.acwa.com and click on the calendar listing for the CA Water 2.0 event on the left side of the homepage.

Speakers will include top-level Administration officials, stakeholders and others. There is no charge to participate, but registration is required.

What’s Next for the California Water Action Plan?

Statewide Forums Focus on Drought, Water Financing and More Here are some highlights from programs at ACWA’s 2015 Fall Conference & Exhibition.

Drought on the Colorado Coping with drought on the Colorado River was the subject of a Dec. 2 statewide issue forum moderated by Coachella Valley Water District General Manager Jim Barrett and featuring federal, state and local water managers. U.S. Bureau of Reclamation’s Daniel Bunk explained how water storage on the Colorado River has played a critical role in meeting water needs without cutback despite 16 years of drought. Tanya Trujillo with the Colorado River Board of California discussed how legal agreements also have helped avoid water shortages and provide a higher level of operating certainty despite uncertain water conditions. Metropolitan Water District of Southern California’s Bill Hasencamp, Imperial Irrigation District’s Tina Shields and San Diego County Water Authority’s Dan Denham provided local operations perspectives including the need for more flexibility for using stored water in dry years, carryover provisions, and practical long-term management.

Financing Water System Improvements Later on Dec. 2, ACWA Executive Director Timothy Quinn moderated a statewide issue panel on financing water projects and the potential for a new statewide water tax to fund water system improvements. During the session, the Public Policy Institute of California shared its findings on California water spending showing that local agencies make the vast majority of investments in the state annually. PPIC research also showed that local investment in safe drinking water, flood protection, and stormwater management is more difficult due to the constraints of Propositions 13, 218 and 26.

“Any conversation about how we’re going to have a more sustainable water future for California likely has to include how we’re going to reform these measures,” said PPIC’s Caitryn Chappelle. “The key takeaway here is that we still need to go beyond bonds… we need to think about new funding sources including new fees or taxes.” California Water Foundation Executive Director Lester Snow also called for a new funding source to help pay for water projects, specifically with regard to paying for operation and maintenance. Padre Dam General Manager Allen Carlisle also weighed in on the topic: “We can’t tag on an assessment to a local water bill and think that it’s not going to affect the local agency’s ability to fund projects.”

(Above) (l-r) Elsinore Valley Municipal Water District’s Greg Morrison, State Water Resources Control Board Drinking Water Division’s Cindy Forbes and ACWA Deputy Executive Director for Government Relations Cindy Tuck discuss safe drinking water issues. (Below) (l-r) NASA JPL Senior Scientist Jay Famiglietti, San Diego County Water Authority General Manager Maureen Stapleton, State Water Board Chair Felicia Marcus, California Farm Bureau Federation President Paul Wenger, and ACWA Executive Director Timothy Quinn discuss whether California was prepared for the drought.

Affordable Drinking Water ACWA Deputy Executive Director for Government Relations Cindy Tuck moderated a statewide issue forum titled “Affordable Safe Drinking Water for All: What Works and What’s in the Works.” State Water Resources Control Board Drinking Water Division Deputy Director Cindy Forbes discussed legislation establishing a “human right to water” and the current challenges the state faces in disadvantaged communities. She also said the State Water Board intends to use its authority to order water system consolidations in a “strategic, surgical” way and will facilitate voluntary consolidations wherever possible. Elsinore Valley Municipal Water District’s Greg Morrison shared his experience working with the State Water Board, Eastern Municipal Water District and the County of Riverside on the district’s current system consolidation.

Was California Prepared for the Drought? Ongoing investments in local water supplies and strategies were the topic

of a lively statewide issue forum Dec. 3. Moderated by ACWA Executive Director Timothy Quinn, the program included NASA JPL Senior Scientist Jay Famiglietti, San Diego County Water Authority General Manager Maureen Stapleton, California Farm Bureau Federation President Paul Wenger and State Water Resources Control Board Chair Felicia Marcus. Stapleton said some regions of the state have made significant progress to prepare for drought, but more needs to be done. “It’s been a 20year journey for us to prepare for this drought,” Stapleton said. “As a public water industry, we have had repeated warnings about our vulnerability. We have an obligation to address them. If we haven’t, shame on us.” STATEWIDE FORUMS Continued on page 10

DECEMBER 18, 2015 • 5

USGS Research Hydrologist Dettinger: “El Niño Too Big To Fail” Dr. Michael Dettinger, a research hydrologist with U.S. Geological Survey, told attendees at ACWA’s Opening Breakfast Dec. 2 that media reports claiming El Niño “is too big to fail” this winter are accurate. Dettinger shared insights on whether California will experience a Godzilla of an El Niño this winter or be stymied by the warm water “blob” off the West Coast. “We’ve got a very strong El Niño already sitting out there,” Dettinger told those gathered for the opening breakfast. Dettinger cautioned, however, that the state would need 200% to 300% of normal precipitation to end the drought, and that is not likely to happen. “Chances are we’re not going to get out of the drought by that measure,” said Dettinger.

Dettinger added that the so-called “blob” of warm water off the coast of Mexico is a “wildcard” whose impact on winter weather is unknown. As of now, the El Niño predicted to hit California appears to be as big as — or perhaps bigger than — the three biggest El Niños of the 20th century — 1941, 1983 and 1998. Dettinger said the “blob” of warm water could result in less snowpack this year, even if the state receives lots of precipitation. He added that researchers don’t have the historical data on the “blob” to venture a strong hypothesis on what impact it will have. “We don’t have a good sense historically what to make of this blob,” said Dettinger. “The blob’s influence this winter may be what it does to temperatures,” Dettinger added.

The research hydrologist also said that El Niño years don’t produce the huge storms of other wet years that contribute to massive floods. He said big El Niño years produce “largish floods, but not the largest floods,” which likely is welcomed news to emergency response officials planning this year for flooding.

Laird Outlines Progress to Date on California Water Action Plan California Natural Resources Secretary John Laird on Dec. 2 updated ACWA conference attendees on the California Water Action Plan and the state’s future water needs, while praising ACWA as a unifying force. “You are the organization that covers the entire state on water,” said Laird. “You have done a great job of trying to speak with one voice on these issues.” Speaking at the general luncheon Dec. 2, Laird opened by saying there is “an amazing amount going on” right now in California water. Laird described the 20-page California Water Action Plan put forth by the Brown Administration. The document, he said, “puts in one place” the programs and projects that would strengthen California’s water system with an “all-of-the-above strategy.” Laird said the water action plan “was the basis for the water bond that was 6 • ACWANEWS

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put together” and approved by voters in November 2014. Laird added that “in many ways, (the bond) was a ratification of the water action plan that we put together.” Laird counseled water managers gathered at the luncheon to do their “due diligence” to get their projects ready for funding from the bond. The secretary also talked of the severity of the drought and its impacts. “Last year for the first time in history federal and state government had a zero allocation (of water),” he said. He said water conditions were so bad that in summer, the Sierra had a zero percent reading of snowpack. CalFire trained crews on how to fight fires with little or no water, he added. Laird also cautioned that the state’s water infrastructure needs upgrading, especially in light of climate change.

“Our infrastructure is designed for a climate we are moving out of, and not a climate that we are moving into,” said Laird. Laird also highlighted the intensity of the El Niño predictions and said “it is time to get ready for flood,” stressing that “it is the local jurisdictions that are the first responders on El Niño.” .

Bruce Babbitt Applauds ACWA Members for Their Water Leadership Former Interior Secretary Bruce Babbitt on Dec. 3 applauded ACWA’s leadership on California water issues including its actions on urban water conservation and the Sustainable Groundwater Management Act of 2014.

“That says something important, not just about the water saved, but about the capacity and spirit that can be evoked when a challenge is put forward,” said Babbitt. “It’s an incredible demonstration of working together.”

Speaking during a keynote address at the Thursday luncheon at the 2015 Fall Conference & Exhibition, Babbitt said ACWA is “bringing much-needed understanding to the need for comprehensive statewide, interconnected water solutions.”

Speaking about California’s groundwater legislation, Babbitt shared his experience with the adjudication process and called for better water data to inform statewide water management decisions.

Babbitt’s address covered the gambit of water topics including the passage of Proposition 1, the Sustainable Groundwater Management Act of 2014, above and below ground water storage, Delta issues, and the state’s ongoing drought. He also praised ACWA and its member agencies for extraordinary progress on urban water conservation.

“Without reporting data you begin to lose the ability to construct sound plans moving forward,” said Babbitt about SGMA. “The data that is not collected today is lost forever.” According to Babbitt, the need for judicial and regulatory intervention is reduced when better water use data is available. He urged ACWA members to “think carefully, creatively and cooperatively” when implementing SGMA.

Babbitt also discussed the importance of the Delta to the comprehensive statewide water action plan for California which includes components on drinking water, storage, groundwater, and ecosystems. “The Delta must in some way be brought into a more clearly focused reliable central piece…. everything is connected,” he said.

Town Hall Looks at Next Steps in Emergency Drought Regulation State Water Resources Control Board Chair Felicia Marcus shared her thoughts on the next steps in the state’s emergency conservation regulation at a standing-room-only town hall session Dec. 3 at ACWA’s 2015 Fall Conference & Exhibition in Indian Wells. Marcus said the State Water Board may release an informal proposal for extending or modifying the regulations in the coming weeks to provide more opportunities for water agencies to comment. Formal action likely will be taken in February, when the current emergency regulation is set to expire. “I am trying to be open to all the various points of view,” Marcus said. “The trick is to figure out what to do in February and then make any adjustments that might be needed. We don’t yet know what the world is going to look like in April, but even if we get a lot of rain the

drought won’t necessarily be over.” She acknowledged the current regulation — adopted on an emergency basis — is not perfect. “I don’t wrap myself in the flag about what we did,” Marcus said. “Someone had to make a choice, and we made a choice. I’d like to take a shot at fixing it as much as we can so it’s intelligible, it’s fair, and people feel heard.” After her initial comments and stagesetting remarks by ACWA Executive Director Timothy Quinn, Marcus fielded questions from numerous water agency representatives. Several focused on the need to adjust the regulation to better reflect local conditions such as climate and growth, and past investments in local resources such as recycled water, groundwater storage and desalination.

State Water Board Chair Felicia Marcus and ACWA Executive Director Timothy Quinn discuss approaches to modifying the State Water Board’s emergency conservation regulation during a Dec. 3 town hall session.

“We do want to be rewarding and recognizing the investments people are making,” Marcus said. “We are in the fourth year of drought and the economy is still doing well. That wouldn’t have happened in the early ‘90s.” She noted that the State Water Board is looking for as much feedback as possible.

Look for more ACWA conference coverage in January 2016 issue. DECEMBER 18, 2015 • 7

Outgoing ACWA President Offers Reflections on Two-Year Term As his term winds down, ACWA President John Coleman shared his thoughts with ACWA News regarding recent accomplishments, the challenges ahead and what makes ACWA such a strong organization.

As you look back on your term, what was the organization’s greatest accomplishment? There are several areas that I am very proud that we have achieved over the last two years: 1) Passage of the $7.5 billion water bond in November 2014 was huge. After several years of delays, ACWA, Governor Brown and the Legislature were able to drive the message to the voters of the importance of its passage. Prop. 1 was the first water bond in years that authorized the spending of funds on storage projects. 2) The Sustainable Groundwater Management Act, although controversial, is critical to the future water supply for millions of people, agriculture and industry. SGMA was and is still controversial, but had ACWA not played a key role in its development, I firmly believe a bill would have passed during the drought that would have had long-term negative impacts on our members. 3) The development of the Headwaters Framework and future legislation will have a positive impact on protecting the source of much of our water. 4) The Board of Directors stepped up to support the numerous ad-hoc committees and initiatives. 5) Finally, the staff at ACWA has done

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a tremendous job over the last two years advocating, educating and being the voice of reason in the world of California water.

What are some of the challenges ahead for ACWA? 1) If the drought does not end this year or next, making certain that our members are protected from the overreach of the State Water Board, the Legislature and Congress will be a challenge. Future legislative or rulemaking actions could have a severe impact on the ability of local agencies to raise the necessary funds to diversify and expand new water resources. 2) When the drought ends, it will still be incumbent on local, regional, state and federal agencies to continue to look at new sources of water and storage. My concern is that some will say we made it through this current drought, and in future droughts only conservation will be needed. The political will of elected officials will be tested, and they need to have the backbone to keep pushing for new sources and storage of water. 3) The ability of local agencies to raise their rates to meet future demands, whether it is new sources of water, storage or infrastructure, is another challenge. What do you believe are ACWA’s greatest strengths? ACWA is the only association in the state that has one clear and strong voice on the development of a coherent water policy. When we work together as an association, nothing can stop us from reaching our goals. In what areas could ACWA improve? We ask a lot of ACWA staff; they need the financial resources to do more

for our members. The size of staff is smaller than in the past, yet I believe we are asking for staff to do even more. We cannot afford to have staff burned out, or hired away by other associations or agencies.

What advice would you give the next president? First, I believe Kathy Tiegs will do a tremendous job as president of ACWA. The role of ACWA president is to lead the organization, but to lead you to need to listen to all sides and sometimes put aside your own perspective for the good of the organization. Other times you need to take the position of healer and work toward a compromise to get unanimous support. What’s your next big challenge as an individual? As a new grandfather for the first time, I will get the opportunity to teach, joke and just have fun. I also will be spending more time with my job as CEO of the Bay Planning Coalition, and time with my wife at our new house in the mountains. Can you give an example of something you learned that you didn’t know at the beginning of your term? That is hard to determine. In the vice president role for two years, you develop a pretty good idea and sense of ACWA. I guess I still have a hard time understanding why our agencies are often at odds with each other, and, in the end, we all end up losing rather than increasing the chance of success.

Looking Back at 2015: A Game-Changing Year for ACWA Members With California’s multiyear drought deepening and key policy decisions unfolding, the stage was set in 2015 for a number of game-changing challenges for ACWA and its member agencies. Throughout the year, ACWA and its members continued to work cooperatively and collaboratively to advocate for comprehensive statewide solutions and sensible long-term policies. ACWA also continued to refine its organizational performance to increase efficiencies and better meet member needs. Here is a look at some top-line results from 2015.

Responding to Unprecedented Drought Extensive Engagement with State Water Resources Control Board – Had impact on 2015 emergency conservation regulation, coordinated water agency caucus and advocated for changes in 2016 to recognize local conditions and past investments. Dramatic Expansion of Save Our Water – Executed greatly expanded $7 million program with three campaigns featuring paid media (TV, radio, digital, billboards and social media) and corporate partnerships. Provided extensive support to water agencies and other organizations. Statewide Drought Briefing – Executed a high-profile Drought Briefing in partnership with the Brown Administration in April and co-sponsored Drought Technology Summit in July. Special Webinar Series – Held webinar series for water agencies on the State Water Board’s emergency conservation regulation. Member Assistance – Developed drought toolkits and resources and showcased member outreach and conservation efforts.

Advancing Comprehensive Solutions SGMA Implementation – Led an

SGMA Implementation Policy Group that provided assistance to members and implementation guidance to the California Department of Water Resources. Headwaters Framework –Released a comprehensive policy framework calling for improved management of headwaters and watersheds areas and help form the California Forest Watershed Alliance (CAFWA) to advance federal legislation on the topic. Water Storage Recommendations – Presented comprehensive water storage recommendations to the California Water Commission intended to guide the development of the commission’s Proposition 1 Water Storage Investment Program and launched a Water Storage Integration Work Group to provide further guidance. More Effective Water Marketing – Issued a bold statement on the role of the water market, launched a technical advisory committee to develop specific recommendations and established a partnership with the Brown Administration for action in 2016. Alternative Funding Process – Joined coalition efforts to develop a proposal for an optional funding method to finance local stormwater and flood control projects and pursue conservation-based rates or lifeline rates. Submitted as potential statewide ballot initiative in December.

Successful State and Federal Relations ACWA-Sponsored Legislation – Sponsored SB 385 (Hueso) to aid compliance with chromium-6 drinking water standard; signed into law by Gov. Jerry Brown Sept. 4. Leadership on Budget Trailer Bills and Public Good Charges – Provided leadership to oppose trailer bills on drinking water fees, water system consolidation and led opposition to potential public goods charge.

Federal Relations Positive Train Control – Obtained support for “positive train control” deadline extension to protect ability to ship vitally important water treatment chemicals. Groundwater – Successfully lobbied for withdrawal of the U.S. Forest Service groundwater directive.

Elevating External Affairs and Members Services California Water 2.0 Effort – Launched effort to elevate California Water Action Plan with a statewide briefing planned for Jan. 14, 2016 in partnership with the Brown Administration. New Business Development Activities – Instituted website advertising, new online ACWA Marketplace for products and services and restructured sponsorship program to increase value. Increased Region Activity – Held 300 region meetings, programs, forums, region webinars and tours, expanded Regional Affairs Representatives time in the field to 40% and instituted regular webinars for region chairs and vice chairs. Integrated Marketing, Communications and Outreach Plan – Developed plan for implementation in 2016 to refresh and better integrate efforts on marketing, communications and outreach.

Improved Organizational Performance Organizational Performance – Conducted in-depth assessment and implemented improvements. Updated Policy and Bylaws – Completed updates to the ACWA Board Policy Manual; bylaws changes approved by members at Fall Conference. Efficiencies – Cut costs with new payroll system and revised vendor contracts. DECEMBER 18, 2015 • 9

Region 5 Program Focuses on Lake Cachuma Project By Region 5 Chair Dick Quigley ACWA Region 5 hosted a program in Buellton Oct. 25 – 26 that focused on one of Santa Barbara County’s major surface water supplies — Lake Cachuma. The program, which attracted more than 70 attendees, started with a visit and boat tour of Lake Cachuma. Later, attendees headed to a local winery for a program and networking opportunity where ACWA/JPIA CEO Andy Sells gave an update on members’ insurance benefits. The program continued on Oct. 26 at the Santa Ynez Valley Marriott with a

ACWA members pose for a photo while visiting Cachuma Dam to learn about the project operations during Region 5’s event Oct. 25-26.

welcome by City of Buellton Mayor Holly Sierra and remarks by ACWA Executive Director Timothy Quinn. Panels that day included a discussion on Lake Cachuma operations moderated by Carpinteria Valley Water District General Manager Charles Hamilton. Another panel discussion moderated by Tom Fayram, deputy director for water resources at Santa Barbara County Department of Public Works, explored water supply and demand strategies if the drought continues or ends.

Special thanks to Region 5 Board Member Polly Holcomb for taking the lead on this program. And thank you to all of those who drove the extra distance to join us at our 2015 Region 5 fall event in Buellton. And finally, I’d like to thank our sponsors – Cardno and Water Systems Consulting, Inc. For upcoming Region 5 activities, please visit www.acwa.com.

San Joaquin Valley Forum Tackles Big Issues By Region 6 Chair Matt Hurley Regions 6 and 7 jointly hosted their annual San Joaquin Valley Water Forum in Visalia on Oct. 16. The event garnered 70 attendees from throughout the Valley who heard updates from the Capitol and the latest details on issues facing the San Joaquin Valley. ACWA State Relations Director Wendy Ridderbusch moderated a panel that included Assembly Members Adam Gray (D-Merced) and Devon Mathis (R-Visalia). The dialogue touched on the next governor’s race, CEQA reform, disadvantaged communities’ issues, groundwater, and ways to expand the regions’ water portfolios. Next was a practical conversation with John Austin, author of “Floods and Droughts in the Tulare Lake Basin.”

Austin shared his studies on the Tulare Lake Hydrologic Region and made some predictions on the risk of floods in the basin this coming winter. After lunch, attendees heard an update on drought management and advancing comprehensive statewide solution and participated in a town hall-type discussion on managing San Joaquin Valley water that featured Dorene D’Adamo, a member of the State Water Resources Control Board, and David Orth, a member of the California Water Commission. Special thanks to our event sponsor, Byron Bethany Irrigation District. The materials and presentations from the program are available at www.acwa. com.

(Top) Region 6 Chair Matt Hurley moderates a roundtable discussion with State Water Resources Control Board Member Dorene D’Adamo and California Water Commission Member Dave Orth. (Bottom) Assembly Members Adam Gray (D-Merced) and Devon Mathis (R-Visalia) discuss the drought.

STATEWIDE FORUMS Continued from page 5

Marcus said there is a need for more water literacy. “We have to have people not take water for granted, and be OK with paying a little more for it.” 10 • ACWANEWS

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Wenger said the drought is bringing growers to the table to talk about longterm solutions. Agriculture is working hard to produce more “crop-per-drop”

than ever before. “We can do it better here in California than anywhere else in the world,” Wenger said.

SOW Continued from page 1

and Thompson got the nickname “Splash Brothers” for their ability to shoot the basketball and “splash” the net from long-range. The Warriors have started the 2015-’16 season in historic fashion, making the release of the PSA even more timely. The PSA is available at: www.csnbayarea.com/warriors/ splash-brothers-psa-save-our-water. “We know California is in a serious drought and our hope with this PSA is to help raise awareness to encourage more Californians to conserve water,” said Thompson. “As a community we all need to do our part to help the cause.” The PSA began airing during Warriors games on Comcast SportsNet in the Bay Area the first week of December and are slated to run through the

end of the season. Save Our Water is offering the opportunity for Bay Area agencies to partner on paid, cobranded versions of the PSA to be run on broadcast stations in the Bay Area media market in January. “We are thrilled the ‘Splash Brothers’ have joined the growing chorus of Californians spreading the word on the need to save water, even during a wet winter,” said Jennifer Persike, ACWA deputy executive director of external affairs and member services. “Save Our Water thanks the Golden State Warriors and Comcast SportsNet for their contributions in raising awareness that even with some storm activity, the drought continues and so must conservation efforts.”

The “Splash Brothers” PSA caps a landmark year for the program. As California’s official statewide conservation education program, Save Our Water was a centerpiece of the state’s outreach efforts. Hundreds of partners, including water agencies, organizations and corporations joined the effort, utilizing Save Our Water materials and tools and plugging into activities and opportunities.

ACWA Launches Marketplace for Water-Related Services, Products ACWA launched a new online marketplace Dec. 1 that is geared towards helping member agencies find water industry-related products and services. The ACWA Marketplace launch coincided with the start of ACWA’s 2015 Fall Conference & Exhibition in Indian Wells. The ACWA Marketplace is available at acwa.officialbuyersguide.net. The ACWA Marketplace is an online public directory available to consumers but designed to help ACWA member agencies make informed decisions when purchasing new products and services or considering professional services. Users can search by key word or browse listings by category. As part of the Associate Friends of ACWA Program, ACWA Associates now receive a complimentary listing in the online buyer’s guide that includes an “ACWA Associate” icon.

To help member agencies identify certain types of products and services, listings may also include “Preferred Provider” or “Water Saver” icons. A “Preferred Provider” icon indicates a business that has been fully-vetted and endorsed by ACWA while a “Water Saver” icon indicates a business that offers conservation related products or services. The ACWA Marketplace also includes an Automated RFP generator that allows users to upload an RFP and receive bids from businesses and organizations that use the website.

information to fall conference exhibitors on how to purchase or upgrade business listings for the online buyer’s guide. ACWA receives a portion of the income from listing sales and upgrades as non-dues revenue. ACWA members are encouraged to use the marketplace which currently has more than 300 listings. Naylor Association Solutions will continue to expand the marketplace over the coming months.

ACWA’s marketplace administrator, Naylor Association Solutions, presented

DECEMBER 18, 2015 • 11

Nation’s Largest Desalination Plant Operational in Carlsbad Following three years of construction and numerous legal challenges, the now-operational Carlsbad Desalination Plant was officially dedicated and named in honor of former Carlsbad Mayor Claude “Bud” Lewis during a ceremony held Dec. 14. According to the San Diego County Water Authority, the $1 billion project already has produced more than 1.5 billion gallons of water and is expected to produce approximately 10% of the water supply for the San Diego region. Monday’s ceremony drew more than 600 elected officials, community leaders and project partners, including California Assembly Speaker Toni Atkins (D-San Diego). Atkins praised the project for creating a “drought-proof ” water supply for San Diego County to meet future needs. Under the 30-year Water Purchase Agreement between SDCWA and the plant’s developer and owner, Poseidon

Water, the Claude “Bud” Lewis Carlsbad Desalination Plant will produce up to 56,000 acre-feet annually to meet the needs of approximately 400,000 people. According to SDCWA, the desalinated water will cost customers an additional $5 per month, costs that have already been factored into SDCWA’s 2016 rates. As the nation’s largest and most technologically advanced seawater desalination project, the plant also will be the first water infrastructure project in the state to have a zero net carbon footprint, according to SDCWA. “Dedication of the Carlsbad Desalination Plant marks a major milestone in California water history,” said SDCWA Board Chair Mark Weston. “The Water Authority and its member agencies have been aggressively diversifying the region’s water supply for decades, and the Carlsbad Desalination Plant is a major component of that effort. We crafted a strategy of conservation and

San Diego County Water Authority General Manager Maureen Stapleton (at podium) congratulates family members of the late Carlsbad Mayor Claude “Bud” Lewis during a ceremony on Dec. 14 to dedicate the Carlsbad Desalination Plant and name it in his honor.

innovation in the early 1990s, and today it is protecting our $218 billion economy and the quality of life enjoyed by 3.2 million residents.” For more information about how SDCWA is incorporating seawater desalination into its diversified water supply portfolio, please visit www. sdcwa.org/seawater-desalination.

Local Government Coalition Files Constitutional Amendment A coalition including ACWA, the California State Association of Counties and the League of California Cities has filed a constitutional amendment that would create a new, optional funding method local agencies could use at their discretion to finance stormwater, flood control and other water and sewer-related projects and pursue conservation-based water rates or lifeline rates for low-income households. The measure, which was submitted to the Attorney General’s office on Dec. 14 for title and summary as a potential statewide ballot initiative, is designed to enhance the ability of local agencies to finance stormwater capture and flood control infrastructure, provide more flexibility for the voluntary establishment of conservation-based rates, and to allow agencies, at their discretion, to implement lifeline rates for low-income households. 12 • ACWANEWS

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Specifically, the measure would amend Article X of the California Constitution to create the optional mechanism, which local agencies would not be required to utilize. It includes strict accountability and transparency requirements for any local agency that chooses to avail itself of the new funding method. Article X of the state Constitution deals specifically with management of the state’s water supplies. The proposed amendment seeks to create an optional funding method in Article X while at the same preserving the ability for public agencies to continue establishing rates under existing law found in Article XIII D. The proposal is structured to maximize the discretion of local agencies to set rates that work for their constituencies.

Next Steps Now that the proposed measure has

been filed, the coalition has 30 days to submit any changes. Coalition members will make a determination in the coming months whether to proceed with the measure. The coalition also intends to pursue a legislative strategy in early 2016 as well to preserve all options. ACWA’s State Legislative Committee will review and consider any legislative proposals that emerge in early 2016. In addition, an ACWA Board-level advisory committee is providing guidance to staff on the proposed initiative. The State Legislative Committee’s Article X Measure Working Group has been reviewing language.

Questions ACWA members may direct questions to ACWA Deputy Executive Director for Government Relations Cindy Tuck at (916) 441-4545 or cindyt@acwa. com.

Member News CVWD Adopts New Measures to Help Meet Conservation Mandate On Nov. 10, the Coachella Valley Water District Board of Directors adopted new measures aimed at helping the district meet its state mandated urban water use reduction of 36%. The CVWD board approved $2 million in additional funds. According to the district, the majority of those funds will be dedicated to customer rebate programs. A consultant also will be

hired to conduct water audits for the district’s largest water users. The district also banned outdoor irrigation on Mondays and Thursdays from Dec. 1 through March 31, and increased drought penalties for water users in tiers 3-5. For more information on these measures, please visit www.cvwd.org.

ETWD Earns Special District Leadership Foundation Transparency Award The El Toro Water District announced in November it has been awarded the District Transparency Certificate of Excellence by the Special District Leadership Foundation in recognition of its excellence in governance and management of its special districts located in Orange County. In order to receive the award, ETWD

was required to demonstrate eight essential governance transparency requirements including board member ethics training, conducting open and public meetings and filing financial and compensation data with the State Controller. ETWD also ensured that its board agendas, past minutes, current budget, and most recent financial audit were available to the public.

“This award means a great deal to our organization. It recognizes our dedication, commitment and hard work to serving the public and governing in an open and transparent manner. We’re committed to empowering the public by keeping them informed,” said El Toro General Manager Robert Hill.

MWD Approves Study on Largest Regional Recycled Water Program in Nation The Metropolitan Water District of Southern California Board of Directors on Nov. 11 approved an agreement that could lead to the development of the largest recycled water supply program of its kind in the nation. The board authorized an agreement with the Sanitation Districts of Los Angeles County to develop a 1-million-

gallon-per-day demonstration plant and also to establish terms for future development of a large-scale regional treatment project to purify wastewater currently discharged into the ocean. Under the partnership, MWD would build a new purification plant to produce up to 68,000 acre-foot per year at the sanitation district’s Joint Water

Pollution Control Plant in Carson. The partnership also would build about 30 miles of distribution pipelines to move water from the plant to replenish groundwater basins in Los Angeles and Orange counties. The MWD board’s action authorizes $15 million for the demonstration plant and feasibility studies.

Padre Dam Awarded Funds to Expand Water Recycling Facility Padre Dam Municipal Water District announced in November it has been awarded more than $6 million dollars in state and federal funding to expand its Ray Stoyer Water Recycling Facility. Of that funding, $6 million was awarded to the district by the State Water Resources Control Board from Proposition 84 Integrated Region Wa-

ter Management funds and $200,000 was awarded under the U.S. Bureau of Reclamation’s Desalination and Water Purification Research Program.

water per day. The amount of recycled water produced needs to be increased to create an additional water supply for Padre Dam and its project partners.”

“The money from Prop. 84 couldn’t have come at a better time,” said Padre Dam CEO and General Manager Allen Carlisle. “Currently, our water recycling facility treats two million gallons of waste-

The East County Advanced Water Purification Program is a partnership between Padre Dam, Helix Water District, City of El Cajon and the County of San Diego. DECEMBER 18, 2015 • 13

People News Governor Brown Appoints Torgersen as DWR Chief Deputy Director Gov. Jerry Brown on Nov. 25 announced the appointment of Carl Torgersen as chief deputy director of the California Department of Water Resources. Torgersen has served as acting chief deputy director since 2015 and has extensive water

Castaic Lake Water Agency Announces Matt Stone as Next GM The Castaic Lake Water Agency announced Dec. 10 that Matt Stone will serve as the agency’s next general manager. Dan Masnada, who has served as CLWA’s general manager for 13 years, will turn over the position to Stone on Dec. 28, but will remain with the district to work on special projects until his official retirement in October 2016.

Stone has more than 30 years’ experience in the water industry with experience as general manager for Rancho California Water District and associate general manager of the Municipal Water District of Orange County.

Lizotte Celebrates 45 Years of Service with Moulton Niguel Water District The Moulton Niguel Water District Board of Directors in November honored Larry Lizotte for his 45 years of service to the board, including 33 years as board president. Lizotte joined MNWD in 1970.

President Donald Froelich.

“Larry brings a wealth of institutional knowledge and experience to the Board of Directors. Over the years, he has not only helped me, he has helped every member who has served on this board,” said MNWD Board

Moulton Niguel GM Joone Lopez Receives Award for Water Industry Leadership Moulton Niguel Water District General Manager and ACWA Board Member Joone Lopez was awarded Coro Southern California’s Meaningful Impact Award in recognition of her “empowering managerial style, innovative approach to public service, and extensive community engagement,” according to the conference planning committee. 14 • ACWANEWS

industry experience including service within DWR as deputy director of the State Water Project, acting deputy director, chief of the Operations and Maintenance Division, chief of the State Water Project Operations Control Office, chief of the San Luis Field Division, chief of the Engineering Branch, chief of the Power Plants Section and staff mechanical engineer in the Design and Construction Division.

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“Dan Masnada has done a tremendous job in leading our agency and, as we congratulate him on his well-deserved retirement, we are excited to welcome Matt Stone as the agency’s new top executive,” said CLWA Board President Tom Campbell.

During Lizotte’s tenure with MNWD, he served on subcommittees with the Aliso Waste Management Authority, South East Regional Reclamation, and South Orange County Reclamation Authority and as the first chairman of the South Orange County Wastewater Authority. “We have come a long way – the future of our water supply depends on all of us working to conserve water together,” said Lizotte during the meeting. Coro is a non-profit, non-partisan educational institute that specializes in leadership training. Its statewide Meaningful Impact Award is given to individuals who demonstrate leadership and innovation in the water industry and other areas. “Congratulations to Joone for this wonderful honor,” said MNWD Board President Donald Froelich. “Our customers and the entire California water community benefit from her leadership. We’re grateful for the extraordinary work carried out by her great staff.” .

ACWA/JPIA Prepared to Assist Members with El Niño Related Emergencies property appraisers, and public relations assistance to help agencies effectively share crisis information. In the event of a large-scale emergency requiring additional coordination, hydrologists, geo-tech engineers, soils engineers and water quality experts also will be available.

In advance of predicted El Niño storms this winter, ACWA/JPIA has assembled a team of professionals ready to immediately assist ACWA members in the event of flooding or other storm-related emergencies. This early preparation will assure that ACWA members receive the fastest service possible during an emergency.

For more information about available assistance for ACWA members, please contact ACWA/JPIA at (916) 786-5720 or (800) 231-5742.

Services that will be available to ACWA members in the event of a damage claim include: emergency 24-hour restoration services, local on-scene damage assessment and relocation coordination, personal

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CALL FOR

ACWA Excellence in Water Leadership Award ACWA Excellence in Water Leadership Award

NOMINATIONS

Deadline March 1 2016

Nominatioins are now being accepted for the 2016 ACWA Excellence in Water Leadership Award – Building a World of Difference®. The award recognizes people (individuals or groups) who have made a remarkable and visible contribution to the enhancement, protection or development of water resources in California. For more information go to www.acwa.com/content/acwa-excellenceleadership-award.