ACWA News January 23, 2015

ACWANews

ACWA’s Member Newsletter • www.acwa.com

Governor Unveils $113 Billion Budget Proposal Gov. Jerry Brown has proposed a balanced $113 billion budget for the 2015-’16 fiscal year that appropriates $532 million from the recently approved water bond and restores funding to schools and health care without raising college tuition.

As California enters its fourth year of drought, the High Sierras display a shocking lack of snow, as revealed in this Jan. 12 photo of Tioga Pass. Photo courtesy of Barshé Miller.

California Braces for Fourth Year of Drought; Officials Develop Plans Setting the stage for a fourth year of drought, state and federal agencies are putting contingency plans in place and calling for close coordination and ongoing conservation as drought conditions evolve.

in the 2015 delivery forecast for the State Water Project, citing early December storms and new management tools. The revised allocation is now 15% of requested supplies, up from the 10% announced Dec. 1.

In a conference call Jan. 15, top officials with the Department of Water Resources, U.S. Bureau of Reclamation, State Water Resources Control Board and Department of Fish and Wildlife briefed reporters on the state’s water outlook and a drought contingency plan submitted to the State Board.

While the state experienced some strong storms in early December, California has not had a major storm since Dec. 21. Cowin said the early storms have improved California’s water outlook only a little, allowing for a small bump in the water allocation.

“Californians should brace for a fourth year of drought,” said Mark Cowin, director of DWR. “This promises to be another difficult year.”

DWR also announced a slight increase

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“You might say we’ve gone from really, really, really bad to really, really bad,” Cowin said.

He said the increase in allocations was possible because early December storms Water Continued on page 8

President’s Column – A Look at 2015: ACWA Embraces Another Big Water Year

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U.S. Supreme Court Lets Delta Smelt Protections Stand

Brown released the proposed budget Jan. 9 during a morning press conference and highlighted the water expenditures, saying the state is “spending money on water, flood protection and combating climate change.”

The balanced budget is a departure from the deficit budgets California faced in recent years. When Brown took office in 2011, the state faced a $26.6 billion deficit.

“This carefully balanced budget builds for the future by saving money, paying down debt and investing in our state’s core needs,” Brown said in a written statement. “Our long-term fiscal health depends on the wise and prudent actions we take today.”

Water Appropriations Align with California Water Action Plan After the governor’s comments to reporters, Michael Cohen, direcBudget Continued on page 6

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BDCP Refined to Lessen Impacts on Landowners Januany 23, 2015 • 1

ACWA News is a publication of the Association of California Water Agencies 910 K Street, Suite 100, Sacramento, CA 95814-3512 Periodicals postage paid at Sacramento, CA. POSTMASTER: send address changes and subscription requests to ACWA News, 910 K Street, Suite 100 Sacramento, CA 95814-3514 Phone: 916.441.4545 Website: acwa.com Executive Director Timothy Quinn Deputy Executive Director for External Affairs and Operations Jennifer Persike Director of Communications Lisa Lien-Mager Communications Specialist Pamela Martineau Communications Specialist Emily Allshouse Graphic Designer Katherine Causland Outreach and Social Media Specialist Marie Meade Copyright 2015. All Rights Reserved. Call ACWA for Permission to Reprint.

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President’s Column • John Coleman

A Look at 2015: ACWA Embraces Another Critical Water Year 2014 was a banner year for California water: 2015 is shaping up to be just as critical Drought is still gripping much of the state and is not expected to let up anytime soon. Water managers throughout California again will be asked to ramp up conservation efforts in their communities and enforce water restrictions.

On the policy side, 2015 will be a big year, too. Key priorities include implementation of new groundwater regulations and disbursement of Proposition 1 water bond funds. Also a high priority: improved headwaters management as outlined in ACWA’s Headwaters Framework document approved by the ACWA Board in November and set for release soon.

Internally at ACWA, we will focus renewed energy on developing non-dues revenue through our newly formed Business Development Committee. Other priorities will be identified at the upcoming Board workshop and meeting Jan. 29-30 as we finalize our ACWA Strategic and Business Plan for the year.

That’s a full agenda by anyone’s measure, but given the track record and intensity ACWA displayed in 2014, I know we’re up to the challenge.

I’ve said it before and I will say it again, because really I can’t say it enough: I am immensely proud of the work our association put forth in 2014 in helping to shape and implement some of the most wideranging — and critical — water policies this state has adopted in decades. Here’s the short list: Passage of a $7.5 billion water bond that contains $2.7 billion for water storage projects; development of groundwater management legislation that leaves most control to local officials and establishing ourselves as a critical leader in messaging — and enforcing — water conservation during one of the worst droughts this state has seen in generations.

It was a full plate in 2014, but as always, ACWA rose to the challenge and led. We will do so again in 2015 as a strong voice for sustainable water policy in California.

Welcome to a Refreshed ACWA News This issue debuts exciting changes to ACWA News. In addition to our new masthead and color scheme, we are enhancing our flagship publication to provide more of the content you can’t find anywhere else. That means more news about ACWA member agencies and the people who constitute California’s water community.

Our vision is to make our publication more crowd-sourced – with you, our members, as the crowd. To that end, we are asking for your story ideas and feedback on a regular basis — particularly for our two new standing features — member Spotlight and member Case Study.

We believe that every district has a story to tell and we want to tell it. So each month we will shine a Spotlight on a district, looking at its history, challenges and uniqueness. Our first Spotlight profiles Western Canal Water District (p. 10).

We’ll also highlight the great work of our member agencies in our new Case Study feature, which will look at how a district grappled with a particular issue or problem.

This month we feature Fresno Metropolitan Flood Control District’s efforts to educate the public about stormwater pollution (p. 12).

Along with these changes, we are moving to a new monthly publication schedule for ACWA News. The digital-only issue, which had been produced and distributed via email each month since 2012, has been phased out and replaced with a beefed up version of ACWA’s weekly emailed eNews and the enhanced monthly printed issue of ACWA News.

So send us those Spotlight and Case Study ideas to ACWANews@acwa.com. And if you have any other ideas or feedback for our newsletter send those too. We hope you enjoy our changes.

U.S. Supreme Court Lets Federal Delta Smelt Protections Stand The U.S. Supreme Court decided it would not hear the appeal of several water agencies and Central Valley farmers who had asked the court to review the March 2014 decision by the 9th Circuit Court of Appeals that upheld federal Delta smelt protections.

The Supreme Court decision was made known Jan. 12 when it released its upcoming cases and the Delta case was not among them.

“The Supreme Court decision was not a surprise,” said Marcia Scully, general counsel of the Metropolitan Water District of Southern California, one of the agencies that filed the appeal. “The water agencies understood the long odds against prevailing even before filing the petition... Metropolitan supports Cali-

fornia’s co-equal goals of restoring the Delta and providing water supplies. We will continue to work with the regulatory agencies to improve the underlying science in the Delta.”

In 2008, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service issued a biological opinion under the Endangered Species Act that concluded pumping restrictions in the Sacramento-San Joaquin Delta were needed to protect Delta smelt. The restrictions were challenged by public water agencies, and in 2011 the Eastern District Court ruled in favor of the water agencies.

However, in March 2014 the district court decision was reversed by the 9th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals, which said that the lower court should have

paid more heed to the biological opinion and that federal wildlife officials had a duty to take “reasonable and prudent” measures to protect the fish. The Dec. 12 decision by the U.S. Supreme Court not to hear the appeal means that the 9th Circuit Court ruling will stand.

In December 2014, the 9th Circuit Court similarly reversed a lower court ruling and upheld a 2009 biological opinion issued by the National Marine Fisheries Service that required water curtailments from the Delta to protect salmon and other species. resource docs.nrdc.org/water/files/ wat_14031301a.pdf www.pacificlegal.org/document. doc?id=1636

California Faces “Investment Gap” in Flood Protection Infrastructure California needs to significantly increase its annual spending on flood protection infrastructure to help close an “investment gap” that places the state’s flood preparedness at risk, legislators were told during an informational hearing Jan. 13.

Lawmakers were briefed on the state’s flood protection needs during a hearing on flood preparedness at the state Capitol that was hosted by the Assembly Water, Parks and Wildlife Committee.

Assembly Member Marc Levine (D-San Rafael), chair of the committee, said the state is “not investing as much as we need to” in flood protection.

“History informs us, flood follows drought,” said Levine.

Legislators listened as flood protection experts discussed the status of the state’s preparedness for flood. Each of the seven experts who testified said state, federal and local agencies need to increase their spending on flood protection infrastructure.

Ellen Hanak, senior fellow with the Public Policy Institute of California,

said recent studies indicate that the state needs to spend $1.4 billion a year to close its “investment gap” in flood protection infrastructure. California currently spends about $600 million annually.

“We need to more than double that,” said Hanak.

Hanak explained that population growth, sea level rise and more extreme weather all place increasing stress on the state’s flood control system.

“We are facing growing risks despite the fact that we are making improvements,” said Hanak. She said that flood risk exists throughout California — not just in the Central Valley — especially as more businesses and people locate behind levees.

Randy Fiorini, chair of the Delta Stewardship Council, said the council has developed a levee investment strategy in the Delta that prioritizes the levees that need improvements.

Gary Bardini, deputy director of the Department of Water Resources, discussed

the disbursement of Prop. 1E bond funds. Gov. Jerry Brown’s proposed 2015-’16 budget includes disbursement of $1.1 billion in Prop. 1E funds for flood protection. Bardini said DWR is prioritizing lists of proposed projects seeking funding, assessing them for project readiness and ability to ascertain federal and local matching funds.

Background on the flood control issue and a list of other people who testified at the hearing is available at awpw. assembly.ca.gov.

Januany 23, 2015 • 3

BDCP Refined to Lessen Impacts on Landowners In an effort to lessen impacts on Delta landowners and preserve sandhill crane habitat, Gov. Jerry Brown’s administration and its federal partners on Dec. 19 announced several significant changes to the water conveyance portion of the proposed Bay Delta Conservation Plan, including eliminating a proposal to build three new pumping plants along the Sacramento River.

“ACWA supports Delta improvements that seek to improve water supply reliability for all Californians as a central component of a comprehensive water plan for the state.” — Timothy Quinn, ACWA Executive Director

Under the proposed changes, gravity — not large pumps — would move water in certain places along the Sacramento River. The changes would reduce the need for power and cut down on operation and maintenance costs, while at the same time preserving habitat for sandhill crane.

The changes are subject to further refinement and will be incorporated into the draft BDCP and its accompanying environmental documents, then recirculated for additional public comment in 2015.

Draft BDCP Recirculated in 2015 According to a press release from the Department of Water Resources, the changes announced would: •

Eliminate three pumping plants on the east bank of the Sacramento River between Hood and Walnut Grove.

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Minimize activity on Staten Island, which provides important sandhill crane habitat, by removing tunnel launch facilities, large reusable tunnel material storage areas, a barge landing site, and high-voltage power lines.

Next Steps for BDCP: Changes

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Increase use of property owned by DWR.

will be refined and

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Eliminate the need for additional permanent power lines to the intake locations in the north Delta, including near Stone Lakes National Wildlife Refuge.

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Eliminate impacts on Italian Slough (near Clifton Court Forebay) by removing an underground siphon.

recirculated for

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Reduce power requirements.

public comment in

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Allow water to flow from the Sacramento River entirely by gravity at certain river stages.

incorporated into draft BDCP. The plan and environmental documents will be

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Reduce tunnel operation and maintenance costs.

Quinn Calls Refinements “Positive” In a statement released Dec. 19, ACWA Executive Director Timothy Quinn called the refinement of the plan a “positive step forward.”

“ACWA views these proposed changes as a positive step forward in crafting a solution to the problems plaguing the Delta,” Quinn wrote. “These refinements to the project show that public and scientific input gathered under the CEQA process is paying off in helping to develop a viable project.

“ACWA supports Delta improvements that seek to improve water supply reliability for all Californians as a central component of a comprehensive water plan for the state,” Quinn continued. “As the BDCP and its environmental documents are recirculated in 2015, we hope interested parties will continue to work together to craft long-term solutions for this vital waterway.”

Single Pumping Plant Now Proposed The changes to the plan would eliminate the need to build three separate two-story pumping plants along a five-mile stretch between Clarksburg and Courtland. Instead, water would be moved from the river into tunnels by a single new pumping plant constructed 40 miles away, at the end of the tunnels on DWR property near Clifton Court Forebay.

Throughout the eight-year development of the BDCP, DWR has sought to minimize potential disruption and dislocation of Delta residents. In 2013, DWR made significant changes to the proposed water conveyance facilities that reduced by 50% the total permanent footprint of the project.

Fact sheets and visual simulations of the proposed changes to the northern intakes and Clifton Court Forebay are available at baydeltaconservationplan.com.

Water Conservation Statewide on Upward Trend, Report Reveals Californians used nearly 10% less water in November 2014 than they did in the same month the previous year, pushing the state back on an upward trend for water conservation after a lull in October.

That was the big takeaway from a report delivered Jan. 6 to the State Water Resources Control Board on water production data from 398 water suppliers statewide. The report indicated that Californians’ water use was 9.8% lower in November 2014 than it was in November 2013. That figure was a welcome uptick from the 6.8% October savings figure that compared usage to October 2013.

Using the same year-over-year comparison each month, Californians have made considerable strides in water conservation as revealed by the water production data that the State Board mandated be reported by water agencies as outlined in emergency regulations passed in July. The first report on June data revealed a 4.3% drop in usage over 2013. Subsequent monthly reports primarily have shown gains: July saw a 7.5% drop, August 11.5% and September 10.2%.

Still short of 20% Reduction The water conservation rates still fall short of the 20% reduction that Gov. Jerry Brown called for last year when he

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4.3%

7.5%

11.5%

declared a drought state of emergency.

Several speakers at the State Board meeting said many parts of the state had already embraced water conservation when that goal was set, making it difficult for them to attain greater savings over earlier years.

The new report also compiles data on gallons per capita per day used in cities and within agency boundaries. In November, average GPCD statewide was 88.97, down from 98.79 last year.

The highest readings in the state were over 400 GPCD and the lowest under 50 GPCD. The data allows for comparisons between municipalities and regions.

The report identified 20 water saving super stars that saw conservation savings of more than 20% and reductions in GPCD of more than 70 gallons in November. Those agencies included: Dublin San Ramon Services District, City of Santa Rosa, City of Napa, Alameda County Water District, City of Santa Cruz, Soquel Creek Water District, East Bay Municipal Utility District and others.

“In many parts of California, it is clear that residents understand we are in a prolonged drought. And many continue to conserve water, even as we enjoy welcome rain and runoff that is beginning to recharge our reservoirs and groundwater supplies,” said State

10.2%

6.8%

9.8%

October ‘14

November ‘14

10 8 6

Water Conservation Trend

4

Compared to Previous Years

2 0

June ‘14

July ‘14

August ‘14

Septemter ‘14

Board Chair Felicia Marcus in a written statement. “That is good news because it will take far more rain and snow to get us back to normal.”

State Board Emergency Regulations Expire in April Overall, State Board officials praised the water savings. Some suggested that elements of the emergency regulations — which expire in April — should be made permanent to help keep California on the track of water savings.

David Bolland, senior regulatory advocate for ACWA, stressed to the State Board that the messaging on drought must continue with the public. He also said that water agencies have worked hard in getting that message out.

“The drought is still on…,” said Bolland. “We need to continue to focus on conservation statewide.”

As part of its efforts to institutionalize conservation statewide, State Board staff is reviewing ideas discussed at a Dec. 17 water conservation workshop in Los Angeles to see if additional conservation measures suggested by water districts, environmentalists and water policy experts should be considered in future rulemaking. resource www.waterboards.ca.gov/waterrights/ water_issues/programs/drought/

“In many parts of California, it is clear that residents understand we are in a prolonged drought.” — State Board Chair Felicia Marcus

Januany 23, 2015 • 5

Updated Federal Guidelines for Water Investments Released The Obama Administration on Dec. 17 released an update to guidelines for federal investments in projects that affect water quality or flows. The new guidelines are meant to give greater weight to environmental concerns stemming from federal investments.

The new guidelines cover several federal agencies including the Interior Department, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, the U.S. Department of Agriculture, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, the Tennessee Valley Authority, Federal Emergency Management Agency, and the Office of Management and Budget. The affected agencies now have to come up with their own specific procedures to implement the federal guidelines.

“By making smart investments in water infrastructure, the federal government can save taxpayer money and promote economic growth while protecting communities against extreme weather and other disasters,” White House Council on Environmental Quality Acting Chairman Mike Boots said in a statement.

“With this update of the 30-year-old principles, requirements and guidelines, we are ensuring that communities have a voice in selecting the water projects that will help them thrive.”

2015 spending measure lawmakers said the corps could use no funds to “develop or implement rules or guidance to support implementation of the final principles and requirements” and directed the agency to continue using the 1983 guidelines. Were the new interagency guidelines to be finalized, lawmakers directed the Corps to report to them within 120 days on their impacts “including specific examples of application to at least one project from each main mission area of the Corps.”

While the administration is supportive of the guidelines, many in Congress are not. Since 2012, lawmakers have slipped riders into omnibus bills to block the Army Corps from implementing any new principles and requirements. Similarly, in a report accompanying the fiscal

The text of the guidelines can be found at www.whitehouse.gov.

flood protection. The budget also proposes $1 billion in cap-andtrade expenditures for the state’s continuing investments in lowcarbon transportation, sustainable communities, energy efficiency, urban forests and high-speed rail.

transfers, provide technical guidance to local water agencies and provide additional public outreach.

resource www.whitehouse.gov/sites/default/ files/docs/prg_interagency_ guidelines_12_2014.pdf

Budget Continued from page 1

tor of the Department of Finance, added that the money from the water bond will be appropriated to all areas outlined in the bond itself, which aligns with the governor’s California Water Action Plan.

“We’ve got a multi-year plan to spend these bond funds consistent with the water action plan we laid out last year…,” said Cohen. “In every area that the voters provided resources, we’re moving ahead as soon as we get an appropriation.”

In a press release issued with the budget proposal, the Brown Administration laid out its proposal for spending on water projects. The press release stated that the first $532 million in expenditures from Proposition 1 would “continue the implementation of the Water Action Plan, the administration’s five-year roadmap towards sustainable water management.”

Flood Protection Funds The governor’s proposed budget also includes the last $1.1 billion in spending from the 2006 flood bond to help strengthen the state’s 6 • ACWANEWS

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In a call with reporters after Brown’s press conference, California Natural Resources Secretary John Laird outlined the proposed appropriations for water and state parks. In addition to the $532 million in water bond funds, Laird said there is proposed a “small amount” of funding for implementing the new groundwater legislation as well as $1.2 billion of existing bond funds that are proposed to be allocated to local flood control.

The proposed budget also contains $115 million for drought response, including $600,000 for public outreach through the Save Our Water program, a partnership between ACWA and DWR. The funding for Save Our Water is part a larger $11.6 million increase for DWR to continue to assess current surface and groundwater conditions, expedite water

Finalizing Regulations on Allocation of Storage Funds Laird also stressed that in the coming years, an additional $2.7 billion will be allocated for water storage projects as outlined in the most recent water bond.

DWR Director Mark Cowin added later that the California Water Commission is working to finalize the regulations that would govern distribution of the storage funds based on public benefits of the projects. Cowin estimated that the commission would finish that work in December 2016 and that 2017 is the earliest that allocation of the funds would take place.

“Anyone who wants to propose a project to the Water Commission has a lot of work to do over the next couple years,” said Cowin.

The full summary of the governor’s budget proposal can be viewed at www.ebudget.ca.gov.

Save Our Water Campaign Launches Revamped Website The Save Our Water campaign announced Jan. 7 that it has a totally revamped its website www.SaveOurWater.com to create a more user-friendly experience offering tips for saving water at home — both inside and outside — and at work.

July, more than 105 billion gallons of water have been saved compared to last year – enough to supply 1.37 million California residents for a year.

Save Our Water is California’s official statewide conservation program managed by ACWA in partnership with the Department of Water Resources. The program is intended to help Californians make lasting and permanent reductions in water use every day.

“We’re grateful so many Californians have heeded the call to reduce their water consumption,” said Mark Cowin, director of DWR. “The new Save Our Water website will help more Californians make water conservation a daily habit, not just an extraordinary measure we take in drought. Wise use of water helps the whole state, rain or shine.”

The newly designed website offers a more segmented experience, allowing users to look for water saving tips in specific areas such as at home outdoors, indoors and at work.

In addition to the new website, Save Our Water connects with Californians on its Facebook page, Twitter and Instagram accounts.

Californians made significant strides in 2014 in saving water as they grappled with one of the worst droughts in generations. On Jan. 6, the State Water Resources Control Board reported that statewide residential water savings in November reached a 9.8% reduction in year-over-year water use. Since water production data reporting began in

“Even with the recent rain it is clear that it is going to take a lot more conservation to deal with this drought,” said Timothy Quinn, executive director of ACWA. “California needs to make the resolution that 2015 be the year that we start new habits to save water every day.” .

Voluntary Plan to Prevent Lake Mead Shortage The Metropolitan Water District of Southern California, the Central Arizona Project and the Southern Nevada Water Authority on Dec. 11 agreed to voluntary changes in Colorado River water management practices that would reduce the amount of water used by California, Arizona and Nevada and, it is hoped, prevent a shortage from being declared in Lake Mead.

A 14-year drought in the Colorado River Basin has left Lake Mead about 40% full and only about 10 feet away from the declaration of a shortage. If a shortage were to be declared, Colorado River water users including California would see a dramatic reduction in water allocations.

In an effort to prevent severe reductions in water allocations, the agreement calls for increased conservation and improved system efficiencies that are expected to result in adding as much as 3 million acre-feet — or 30 feet of water — to Lake Mead over the next five years.

“The fact of the matter is that we work together,” said Chuck Collum, Colorado River programs manager for the Central Arizona Project. “A direct and open conflict may create more risk and uncertainty than working collaboratively.” .

Januany 23, 2015 • 7

Water Continued from page 1

boosted storage in Lake Oroville and heightened coordination among agencies allowed more than 450,000 acre-feet of water to be moved into San Luis Reservoir, a key south-of-Delta storage facility.

Officials said the contingency plan submitted to the State Board by DWR and the Bureau outlines possible modifications to water quality rules and water rights permits should changes be needed if drought continues. Officials added that the early submittal of the plan reflects an “unprecedented level of coordination and planning among state and federal agencies” that operate the water projects.

Water Outlook Statewide “We are in slightly better shape than last year when we had no storms,” Cowin said during the call.

The current 15% allocation is the second lowest allocation in SWP history. In 2013, final SWP allocation was 35%, and in 2012, 65%. Last year’s 5% allocation was the lowest.

In a statement released following the Jan. 15 call, ACWA Executive Director Timothy Quinn credited the increased allocation to “proactive planning” and “a high level of coordination” that has put the state in a better position for 2015, but called for continued conservation efforts throughout the year.

“The announcements today confirms this historic drought is far from over.

While we can’t know for certain how the water year will turn out, we must plan for the worst and do all we can to manage through another challenging year,” said Quinn. “The modest increase in State Water Project allocations announced today is certainly welcome, but it is still the second-worst allocation in the project’s history. Local water managers will have their work cut out for them once again to make the most of existing supplies and meet demands this year.”

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Snowpack Readings December’s snows storms did bolster Sierra snowpack to levels higher than last year, but statewide the Sierra snowpack, which typically provides about 30% of the state’s water when it melts in the spring, remains well below average for this date.

CURRENT WATER STORAGE LEVELS As of January 19, 2015, percentage of total capacity at major California reservoirs

The first manual snow survey San Luis of the Sierra snowpack was Reservoir conducted on Dec. 30, 2014, 49%

by DWR. The measurements showed that overall the snowpack was at about 50% of the multi-year average for the state. The readings were better than the first winter survey of 2013, when the snow water equivalent statewide was only 20% of normal, which tied with 2012 as the driest readings on record.

Since late December, however, the lack of precipitation following December’s storms has undermined the snowpack.

Remote readings as of Jan. 15 show the snowpack at about 36% of normal for this time.

The call for continued conservation was reiterated by water officials on the Jan. 15 conference call on statewide drought conditions.

“If the drought lasts four years, or eight years, or over a decade as it did in Australia, you’re going to want to conserve as much water as possible now,” said Felicia Marcus, State Board chair. “The drought is not over.”

Further evidence that the state has a long way to go to recover is a recent NOAA analysis showing that the current rainfall deficit is so severe it would take rainfall amounts ranging from 115% – 293% of normal to bring the state out of the drought.

Reservoir Conditions Storage in key reservoirs has increased due to heavy December rainfall but is

Lake Oroville 40%

Folsom Lake 46%

100 75 50 25 0 100 75 50 25 0

New Melones 23%

100 75 50 25 0

Castaic Lake 35%

100 75 50 25 0

100 75 50 25 0

Shasta Reservoir 43%

100 75 50 25 0

Don Pedro 40%

100 75 50 25 0

still far below normal levels for the date.

As of Jan. 19, Lake Oroville in Butte County, the SWP’s principal reservoir, is at 40% of its 3.5 million acre-foot capacity and 61% of its historical average for the date. Shasta Lake north of Redding, California’s and the federal Central Valley Project’s largest reservoir, is at 43% of its 4.5 million acre-feet capacity and 66% of average for the date. San Luis Reservoir, a critical south-of-Delta reservoir for both the SWP and CVP, is at 49% of its 2 million acre-foot capacity and 65% of average for the date due both to dry weather and Delta pumping restrictions to protect salmon and Delta smelt.

resources Electronic snowpack readings: cdec.water.ca.gov/cdecapp/snowapp/ sweq.action Electronic reservoir readings: cdec.water.ca.gov/cdecapp/resapp/ getResGraphsMain.action Electronic precipitation readings: cdec.water.ca.gov/snow_rain.html Water Conditions www.water.ca.gov/waterconditions/ waterconditions.cfm Drought www.water.ca.gov/waterconditions/ index.cfm

ACWA Regions Explore Creating New Water, Managing Natural Disasters and Other Topics at Fall Conference & Exhibition ACWA regions wrapped up a busy year with a full schedule at ACWA’s 2014 Fall Conference & Exhibition in San Diego where all 10 regions hosted membership meetings and three regions hosted region issue forums.

Region 3 hosted a program Dec. 3 titled “Fire and Water: Managing the Effects of Large Wildfires on Water Supply and Protecting the Watershed.”

Robert Dean, outgoing Region 3 chair and Calaveras County Water District director, moderated the panel discussion that explored the effects of large wildfires on a watershed and water supply in both the short and long term.

The panelists represented a myriad of backgrounds and expertise, and included Sierra Pacific Industries Vice President of Resources Dan Tomascheski, Placer County Water Agency Technical Services Director Brent Smith, The Nature Conservancy’s Sierra Nevada Project Director David Edelson, and Cleveland National Forest’s Forest Supervisor William Metz.

That afternoon, Regions 6 and 7 hosted a joint program titled, “Planning for the Next Flood.” A panel of experts discussed the potential impact of climate change and ground level flood management approaches in the San Joaquin Valley. Bill Taube,

ACWA Region 7 chair, moderated the discussion, which included presentations and commentary from Tule River Water Association Watermaster Richard Schafer, Kaweah Delta Water Conservation District General Manager Mark Larsen, Central California Irrigation District General Manager Chris White, UC Davis Professor of Civil and Environmental Engineering and Center for Watershed Sciences Director Dr. Jay Lund, and U.S. Army Corps of Engineers Sacramento District Hydrology and Hydraulics Branch Chief Greg Kukas.

On Dec. 4, Region 8 hosted its program, “Navigating Success, A Roadmap to Implementing Indirect Potable Reuse Projects.” Stephen Cole, Region 8 chair and Newhall Water District general manager, moderated the program, which explored the hoops and hurdles of implementing a potable reuse project. Experts on the topic presented case studies and interesting angles on how to “create new water.”

Panelists included State Water Resources Control Board Senior Engineer and Recycled Water Ombudsman Randy Barnard, Trussel Technologies President Dr. R. Shane Trussel, WateReuse California Managing Director Jennifer West, and Upper San Gabriel Valley

ACWA Region 2 Board presides over the region membership meeting. Left to right: Eric Larrabee, Walter Cotter, Sean Earley, George Barber, David Coxey and Stan Wangberg.

Municipal Water District Assistant General Manager and Chief Engineer Reymundo Trejo.

That afternoon, all 10 regions concluded conference with membership meetings. At the meetings, the regions were updated by their committee reporters, addressed regional governance business and discussed upcoming regional activities. The memberships also were updated on ACWA/JPIA activities, ACWA’s new Storage Task Force, and ACWA’s groundwater legislation implementation plan.

The presentations from region programs and the meeting notes from the membership meetings will be made available online at www.acwa.com.

For more information about ACWA Regions, visit www.acwa.com/content/ acwa-regions.

ACWA Fall Conference Keynote Addresses Now Available on Video Videos and PowerPoints from keynote addresses and programs delivered at ACWA’s 2014 Fall Conference & Exhibition in San Diego in December are now available online.

The conference, themed “Moment of Truth: One State, One Water Future,” featured Professor Stuart White, director of the Institute for Sustainable Futures at the University of Technology Sydney, provided insight and perspective on Australia’s historic “Millennium Drought.”

Other programs included a Dec. 3 luncheon keynote address from Senate President Pro Tempore Emeritus Darrell Steinberg, who played a pivotal leadership role in bringing the Legislature together to pass the modified water bond. On Dec. 4, luncheon keynote speaker Eric Garner, managing partner, Best Best & Krieger LLP, discussed how the newly passed groundwater legislation will change forever how water is managed in California.

Treasurer Bill Lockyer and Tony Krvaric, vice chair of the California Republican Party and chair of the Republican Party of San Diego provided perspective on the 2014 election.

The videos and PowerPoints are available online. resource www.acwa.com/content/materials-acwa2014-fall-conference-exhibition

And on Dec. 5, California State Januany 23, 2015 • 9

Spotlight

Western Canal Water District: Maintaining a Strong Ethic of Environmental Stewardship District

facts

Location Richvale, Butte County Number of Customers Served 125 individual farmers, 60,000 acres of land — mostly agricultural — but also including 9,300 acres of the CA Dept. of Fish and Wildlife Upper Butte Basin Wildlife Area.

Established 1984 Unique Issues Facing District Water supply reliability and groundwater regulations Water Source Feather River Notable Projects Butte Creek Fish Passage Improvement Project, Feather River Regional Ag Water Management Plan, district web cam of area ag fields Website www.westerncanal.com

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Water Operations and Habitat Protection in Working Balance The majestic Sutter Buttes stand like a sentry over Western Canal Water District’s roughly 60,000 acres of serviced land. That land — with its rice fields and wetlands — is a key part of the Pacific Flyway, which serves as a resting stop for about 8 million migratory ducks and other species of water fowl.

Environmental stewardship is a strong ethic for Western Canal, which has worked to strike a working balance between water operations and habitat protection. The district has developed innovative projects to unite the multiple beneficial uses of water, weaving agricultural deliveries with wildlife refuges and ecosystem protection.

“Western Canal Water District has a proven track record of delivering high quality water for agricultural and environmental purposes,” explains Western Canal Water District Board of Directors President Eric Larrabee. “The water supports the economic, environmental and social values of its landowners and the surrounding communities. We are proud to be on the leading edge of ecological and economic sustainability in the Sacramento Valley.”

To illustrate the linkages among water, agriculture and wildlife, district officials even set up a 24-hour webcam outside district

offices – which happen to be in the middle of agricultural fields that double as home to migratory winter waterfowl. The webcam is used by classroom teachers and others to educate the public about the farming, wildlife and water in their midst.

Formed by a vote of landowners in 1984, WCWD purchased the Western Canal water system from PG&E. The canal system was originally developed by Great Western Power Company in 1911. The district holds pre1914 surface water rights of 150,000 acre-feet of natural flows from the Feather River, which are subject to reduction during drought. It also holds surface rights to 145,000 acre-feet from upstream stored water, not subject to reduction. The district also has an adjudicated water right on Butte Creek subject to surface availability. The district’s water conveyance system is comprised of about 88 miles of unlined canals.

The district’s Butte Creek Fish Passage Improvement Project is a prime example of environmental stewardship – in this case the protection of spring-run Chinook salmon.

The project — done in partnership with the Department of the Interior, California Urban Water Agencies, and the Tracy Pumps Mitigation Fund — restored the unimpeded flow of 25 miles of Butte Creek to allow for

“Western Canal Water District has a proven track record of delivering high quality water for agricultural and environmental purposes.” — President Eric Larrabee, Western Canal Water District Board of Directors

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passage of diminishing spring-run salmon. To do so, four diversion dams and 12 unscreened diversions were removed and replaced with more fish-friendly canals, pipelines and pump stations. The project, completed in 1998, not only protects salmon, but improves the overall management of water conveyance in the district. It was honored by ACWA with a Clair A. Hill award as an innovative project.

Western Canal also is one of 10 water districts that partnered to develop the Feather River Regional Water Management Plan. The plan includes an inventory of surface and groundwater supplies and includes analyses to evaluate the interaction between irrigated lands,

underlying groundwater systems and the surrounding environments. Water use in the Feather River region is a “flow through” system in which water diverted at either the farm or district level that is not used by crops or habitat flows is then made available for other uses such as wetlands or aquatic ecosystems.

Larrabee sums up the district’s philosophy of environmental stewardship when — in answer to a question about the number of customers the district serves — he is quick to point out that one should not “forget about the 8 million migratory ducks, plus others, that rest and feed in our Pacific Flyway this winter.” .

Above: Western Canal’s service area includes rice fields and ag land in the Pacific Flyway.

Below: Agricultural fields surround the district’s headquarters in Richvale.

“The water supports the economic, environmental and social values of its landowners and the surrounding communities. We are proud to be on the leading edge of ecological and economic sustainability in the Sacramento Valley.” — President Eric Larrabee, Western Canal Water District Board of Directors Januany 23, 2015 • 11

Case Study

Fresno Metropolitan Flood Control District’s Multi-Pronged Approach to Protecting Stormwater

Problem There’s a link between stormwater pollution and drinking water. That may be a simple truth for folks who work in the water industry, but many in the general public don’t see the connection. Fresno Metropolitan Flood Control District set out to change that.

The stakes were high, since stormwater is especially important to the Fresno district because almost all of its stormwater is sent to 153 basins that recharge the community’s groundwater. Changing some of the public’s habits around stormwater can go a long way toward protecting that groundwater — ­ it also helps to meet the requirements of the district’s National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System permit.

Approach FMFCD adopted a multi-pronged approach to shoring up its public education campaign around stormwater pollution. Its umbrella Clean Stormwater Program includes efforts such as the district’s catchy television and radio campaign dubbed “Protect Your Water… it’s Just Beneath Your feet.” The district also used clean stormwater grants for various school education programs and launched the Central Valley Friendly Landscaping program, which teaches gardening techniques that help to cut down on pollutants in runoff.

FMFCD General Manager-Secretary Alan Hofmann believes that education around changing habits has gone a long way toward protecting water.

“The district’s service area now encompasses one of the larger metropolitan areas in the

state,” explains Hofmann. “As such, the district has recognized that it must educate the public, including children — elementary schoolers are a good audience — to make simple modifications in their daily practices regarding pollutants that will maximize the benefits to our stormwater quality program.”

“Protect Your Water … It’s Just Beneath Your Feet” Campaign In 2013, FMFCD conducted 400 interviews and several focus groups to collect data from Fresno and Clovis area residents on their understanding of storm drains, water runoff, and the contributors to water pollution, as well as their disposal practices for a number of contaminants. The data showed that many area residents did not understand how the district’s stormwater system worked or how their behavior could affect water quality.

FMFCD concluded that it would need to

The district used an animated chalk drawing to illustrate the cycle of pollutants into groundwater.

Have an idea for a case study?

We’d love to hear it. Please email your suggestion to acwanews@acwa.com, and put case study in the subject line.

“The district has recognized that it must educate the public, including children... to make simple modifications in their daily practices regarding pollutants that will maximize the benefits to our stormwater quality program.” — Alan Hofmann, FMFCD general manager-secretary 12 • ACWANEWS

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“start at the beginning” and educate the public about the stormwater system in order to alter pollution-causing behaviors.

To attain that goal, the district developed its “Protect Your Water… It’s Just Beneath Your Feet” campaign, which repurposed a popular slogan the district had used in the past. The campaign involved a series of television and radio PSAs, broadcast in English, Spanish and Hmong. The television PSAs featured an animated chalk drawing to illustrate how rain falls, flows to gutters where it can pick up pollutants, then travels through pipelines to ponding basins, and soaks through the soil before eventually reaching the groundwater aquifer that provides the district’s drinking water.

“We are trying to make sure we are consistent with the message. That’s very important if you want to build awareness,” says Brandi Swisher, a FMFCD analyst. “The goal is to prevent pollution entirely. You don’t have to clean up what hasn’t happened.”

Clean Stormwater Grants FMFCD also took its clean stormwater message directly to nonprofit agencies, schools, other local governments as well as volunteer and environmental groups. The district paid for the outreach projects through its clean stormwater grants. The grants help fund projects that increase public involvement in environmental education activities related to stormwater quality. In 2014, the district awarded $30,107 in funding to local schools and agencies, and over the past 18 years, the Clean Stormwater Grant Program has funded a total of 256 projects that have provided benefits in the district.

The grants have been well received in the community and have included projects like canal cleanup days and school field trips to the San Joaquin River Parkway.

“It’s a great tool for public engagement,” says Swisher.

Central Valley Friendly Landscaping Additionally, the district is one of the founders of the Central Valley Friendly

Landscaping program, an effort launched inMission partnership Cooperative Statement with the UC More to Learn Extension in Fresno. Participants can apply for a Central Valley Friendly Landscaping Award if their landscape meets the program’s Award Recipients Receive: requirements, which include protecting local watersheds and minimizing pollution, as well Acknowledgment and Thanks as nine required practices such as conserving water and ensuring water quality.

The Central Valley Friendly Landscaping Committee’s mission is to recognize landscapes that inspire the community to protect and conserve our water and other natural resources.

• Public recognition at an awards ceremony • Landscape award sign

• Residential Margaret Hudson quail sculpture

• Commercial Artist designed recognition plaque

The Central Valley Friendly Landscaping program offers information to help create and maintain healthy and beautiful landscapes. Visit http://ucanr.org/CVFriendlyLandscaping for in-depth information on the importance of the seven landscape principles as well as links to much more.

In the future, our hope is to extend this program to the rest of Fresno County’s cities, but for now it is available in the Fresno/Clovis metropolitan area.

The Committee wishes to express its great appreciation to the Bay-Friendly Landscaping and Gardening Program of the Alameda County Waste Management Authority & Alameda County Source Reduction and Recycling Board, and the Florida-Friendly Landscaping Program of the University of Florida. These programs provided the template for the Central Valley Friendly Landscaping Program.

Swisher counsels other agencies to look for Important Dates to to Remember partnerships leverage resources and spread your message.

Program Sponsors Application Period: February – July Evaluations: July – August

These organizations make up the Committee:

“Partnerships are key to our success,” says Swisher. “Don’t create your program in a vacuum. Find out who else has the same or similar messages and figure out practical ways For more information visit http://ucanr.org/CVFriendlyLandscaping you can work together to make your resources or call 559-621-5480 information@water.fresno.gov go further and meet everyone’sEmail: needs.”

Notification of Award Recipients:

By September

Award Presentation: To be announced at http://ucanr.org/CVFriendlyLandscaping

To see if your garden qualifies, download an application and checklist, or if you would like to become more Central Valley Friendly in your garden practices, please visit http://ucanr.org/CVFriendlyLandscaping.

Landscape Awards Program Residential and Commercial

DPU-49483 / 01.13 / 2500 / WTP

Results While the PSAs’ impact on public awareness will not be definitively known until the next public awareness survey in 2016-’17, informal feedback shows a unanimously positive opinion of the “Protect Your Water… It’s Just Beneath Your Feet” campaign. Compliments on the program include the clarity of the message, the cleverness of the chalkboard animation and the overall informative effect.

The landscaping program also has been effective in its efforts to reduce urban runoff pollution and promote conservation and protection of water through more environmentally-friendly gardening practices.

The program illustrates how strategic partnerships with community stakeholders can lead to a greater public understanding.

“The district is fortunate to have many high-quality, ongoing partnerships with other local agencies and organizations in spreading the message and keeping our community’s stormwater clean,” says Hofmann.

As for the impact of the public outreach to school kids – time will tell. They will be our next homeowners and perhaps even our future water quality engineers.

The district launched a popular landscaping awards program.

“Don’t create your program in a vacuum. Find out who else has the same or similar messages and figure out practical ways you can work together to make your resources go further and meet everyone’s needs.” — Brandi Swisher, FMFCD analyst

Throughout the year ACWA regions hold an assortment of educational events from programs on the latest issues in the water industry to tours of water facilities. These photos capture some of the 2014 events.

It’s Midterm. Do you know your Region Board Members?

We’re midway through the 2014-2015 term. Since the term began, there have been a number of new appointments to the ACWA region boards, and a few vacancies are still left.

Region 1 Chair: Judy Mirbegian, Hidden Valley Lake Community Services District Vice Chair: Dennis Mayo, McKinleyville Community Service District Board Members: David Bentley, North Marin WD; Grant Davis, Sonoma County Water Agency; David Guhin, City of Santa Rosa; and Krishna Kumar, Marin Municipal WD Vacancies: One. Interested candidates must return the necessary paperwork to ACWA by Feb. 28.

Region 2 Chair: Eric Larrabee, Western Canal WD Vice Chair: Stan Wangberg, AndersonCottonwood ID Board Members: Sandy Willard Denn, Glenn-Colusa ID; George Barber, Paradise ID; David Coxey, Bella Vista WD; and Sean Earley, Richvale ID Vacancies: One. Interested candidates must return the necessary paperwork to ACWA by Feb. 12.

Region 3 Chair: Bill George, El Dorado ID

Arthur Toy, Amador Water Agency

Conservation District

Vacancies: One. Interested candidates must return the necessary paperwork to ACWA by Feb. 12.

Vice Chair: Matthew Hurley, Angiola WD

Region 4 Chair: Mike Hardesty, Reclamation District #2068 Vice Chair: Robert Roscoe, Sacramento Suburban WD Board Members: Glen Grant, Solano Irrigation District; Thomas McGurk, Stockton East WD; John Mensinger, Modesto ID; Tim O’Halloran, Yolo County Flood Control & Water Conservation District; and Pamela Tobin, San Juan WD

Region 5 Chair: Dick Quigley, Zone 7 Water Agency Vice Chair: David T. Hodgin, Scotts Valley WD Board Members: Polly Holcombe, Carpinteria Valley WD; Lesa McIntosh, East Bay Municipal WD; Anson B. Moran, San Francisco Public Utilities Commission; and John H. Weed, Alameda County WD

Vice Chair: Joshua Alpine, Placer County Water Agency

Vacancies: One. Interested candidates must return the necessary paperwork to ACWA by Feb. 28.

Board Members: Dennis Cocking, South Tahoe Public Utilities District; Remleh Scherzinger, Nevada ID; and

Region 6 Chair: Dave Orth, Kings River

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Board Members: Rick Gilmore, San Luis & Delta Mendota Water Authority; Chris Kapheim, Alta ID; Sheri McBee, Firebaugh Canal WD; Martin Querin, City of Fresno; and Aldo Sansoni, Henry Miller Reclamation District #2131

Region 7 Chair: William A. Taube, WheelerRidge-Maricopa Water Storage District Vice Chair: David Bixler, Kaweah River Power Authority Board Members: Tom Barcellos, Lower Tule River ID; Scott Edwards, LindsayStrathmore ID; Sean Geivet, Terra Bella ID; Paul Hendrix, Tulare ID Vacancies: One. Interested candidates must return the necessary paperwork to ACWA by Feb. 28.

Region 8 Chair: Steve Cole, Newhall County WD Vice Chair: Michael Touhey, Upper San Gabriel Valley Municipal WD Board Members: Bill Cooper, Castaic Lake Water Agency; Greg Galindo, La Puente County WD; Sandy Olson, Walnut Valley Municipal Water Continued on page 15

2014: Banner Year for Water, ACWA Accomplishments From drought to groundwater to passage of a long-sought water bond, 2014 was a huge year for California and a banner year for ACWA. The association’s revitalized organizational structure as well as clear policy direction and leadership by the Board of Directors contributed to the year’s successes. Here is a look at some key 2014 achievements:

Leadership • California Water Action Plan: Built support for the Brown Administration’s California Water Action Plan and worked to advance its elements.

• Water bond: Led efforts to shape and secure passage of water bond legislation and conducted extensive research, outreach and member education on Proposition 1.

• Groundwater: Developed Boardapproved recommendations that laid the foundation for the Sustainable Groundwater Management Act of 2014.

• Drought response: Produced Drought Action Group report, managed the statewide Save Our Water campaign’s $4 million effort in partnership with the Department of Water Resources, coordinated statewide messaging and served as an information clearinghouse on

drought impacts.

• Headwaters: Developed Boardadopted Headwaters Framework to promote sustainable management of California’s headwaters.

• Business development: Established Business Development Committee to improve service to members and increase non-dues revenue.

Advocacy and Policy • Drinking water: Represented member interests during transition of the state’s Drinking Water Program to the State Water Resources Control Board and obtained changes to Drinking Water Discharge Permit.

• Disadvantaged communities: Negotiated amendments to AB 1429 (Salas) and blocked unfavorable amendments to AB 1527 (Perea) regarding consolidations.

• Water-Energy Nexus: Secured commitment from Air Resources Board not to seek a loading order for water.

• Chromium-6: Developed framework for 2015 ACWA-sponsored bill on compliance.

• Financing: Advocated for Water Infrastructure Financing Innovation Act in federal legislation.

• NWRA: Led positive changes to the National Water Resources

Association’s priorities.

External Affairs and Member Services • Communications and Outreach: Provided strategic message development and support such as op-eds to enhance the success of key ACWA initiatives, including Proposition 1 and groundwater legislation.

• Information: Kept members and other audiences informed through dozens of high-quality information products and proactive outreach and response to nearly 200 media inquiries.

• Member Engagement: Facilitated more than 100 region meetings and events, and 80+ in-person visits by executive director and / or regional affairs representatives.

• Events and programs: Executed two quality statewide conferences and several stand-alone events. Conducted training for ACWA Board and region boards.

Organizational Effectiveness • Technology: Completed technology overhaul and rebuilding of internal organization and policies.

• Finance: Implemented automated finance and budgeting systems and increased operational efficiencies.

Continued from page 14

District; Melvin Matthews, Foothill Municipal WD Vacancies: One. Interested candidates must return the necessary paperwork to ACWA by Feb. 12.

Region 9 Chair: Harvey R. Ryan, Elsinore Valley Municipal WD Vice Chair: Craig Ewing, Desert Water Agency

Board Members: Joe Kuebler, Eastern Municipal WD; Mary Ann Melleby, San Gorgonio Pass Water Agency; James Morales, East Valley WD; Ed Pack, Coachella Valley WD; and Ed Ventura, Mojave Water Agency

Region 10 Chair: Peer Swan, Irvine Ranch WD Vice Chair: DeAna Verbeke, Helix WD Board Members: Cathy Green, Orange County WD; Harold Martin, Val-

lecitos WD; Richard Vasquez, Vista ID Vacancies: One. Interested candidates must return the necessary paperwork to ACWA by Feb. 12.

For more information about ACWA’s regions or if you are interested in a vacant position on a region board, please contact ACWA’s Regional Affairs Representatives Katie Dahl at katied@acwa.com, or Brandon Ida at brandoni@acwa.com, or visit www. acwa.com for more information.

Januany 23, 2015 • 15

Member News

A golfter tees off on a desert-friendly golf course that features drought-tolerant plants. Coachella Valley Water District offers financial incentives to golf courses that replace grass with desertfriendly landscaping.

CVWD Tees Off Rebate Program for “Desert-Friendly” Courses Coachella Valley Water District is now offering financial incentives to golf courses to replace grass with desertfriendly landscaping.

A new program launched in early January by CVWD offers eligible golf courses a rebate of $15,000 per acre of grass removed, up to seven acres.

“We are excited about the opportunity to offer golf courses a program that will help them remove grass in non-play areas and reduce their water use,” said CVWD General Manager Jim Barrett.

“The rebates won’t cover the entire cost of turf removal, but hopefully they will be enough incentive to encourage projects with significant water saving.”

As much as $1.3 million in golf course turf rebates will be awarded on or before March 17, but will not be paid until after projects are completed. Applicants must submit plans in compliance with CVWD landscape ordinances and meet other application requirements, such as working with the Golf and Water Task Force, which is comprised of representatives from the water district, recreation industry and other stakeholders committed to reducing the amount of water used by golf courses in the Coachella Valley.

The deadline to apply is Feb. 27 at 5 p.m. Applications will be reviewed and ranked according to the total amount of water that will be saved as a result of

the removal project. Lake removal also may qualify for the rebate.

Funding is part of a $5.24 million California Proposition 84 Integrated Regional Water Management Implementation Grant, which was awarded recently to the Coachella Valley Regional Water Management Group. The group is a collaborative effort of five water purveyors and one sanitation agency in the region: CVWD, the City of Coachella, Desert Water Agency, Indio Water Authority, Mission Springs Water District and Valley Sanitary District. The group works with stakeholders to identify and prioritize regional water-related needs in the Coachella Valley, and to seek funding.

Contest Winners Recognized in “Water is Life” Competition Eighth grader Jianni Destine was among 36 students honored for their award-winning art posters in the “Water is Life” annual student art contest sponsored by Metropolitan Water District of Southern California.

The students’ posters were selected for recognition from among 201 entries of artwork from students in kindergarten through grade 12. The entries were submitted by water agencies in Metropolitan’s six-county service area.

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The 36 award-winning posters are featured in a 2015 calendar published by MWD and were unveiled at a special event held in December at the agency’s headquarters in Los Angeles.

The art exhibit will be on display at Metropolitan’s headquarters until early January, after which it will begin a six-month tour among various water agencies.

San Diego Water-Saving “Superstars” Honored for Conservation Six San Diego County residents and their families were recognized as WaterSaving Superstars by the San Diego County Water Authority for their efforts to save water inside and outside their homes.

Grand-prize winners Steven and Susanne Tait shared that they make numerous efforts to “save every day, every way” – the theme of the promotion run by SDCWA in partnership with U-T San Diego.

The Taits save 80 gallons of water a week by using water flushed through their water purifier to irrigate plants.

This allows the family to shut off some of their irrigation stations, which is a significant water-saving

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measure. The Taits also participated in the SDCWA’s WaterSmart Turf Replacement Program, which provides rebates for replacing grass with waterefficient landscaping. To conserve water indoors, they installed low-flow faucet aerators and showerheads throughout their home. For their efforts, the Taits received two round-trip tickets donated

by Southwest Airlines.

Other Water-Saving Superstar winners are Cardiff Park Homeowners Association Board Member Janet Becker, La Mesa resident Jesus Calleros and his family, Oceanside resident Joshua Dowdell and San Diego resident Jennifer Gary.

Event Highlight

SDCWA encourages residents and businesses to continue sharing their water-saving successes at www. whenindrought.org.

“We congratulate the Water-Saving Superstars and thank all those who took the time to submit their stories as drought conditions continue into a fourth consecutive year,” said Mark Weston, chair of the SDCWA Board of Directors. “Sharing ideas provides a great opportunity for us to learn conservation strategies from each other.

Every San Diego County resident can be a superstar when it comes to water conservation.”.

ACWA DC2015

Annual Washington D.C. Conference

Registration Open for ACWA DC Conference and Sacramento Legislative Symposium Registration is open for ACWA’s 2015 Washington, D.C. conference Feb. 2526 as well as ACWA’s 2015 Legislative Symposium March 4 at the Sacramento Convention Center.

ACWA’s DC Conference at the Liaison Hotel in Washington, D.C. is themed: The 114th Congress – New Directions Require New Strategies. The conference seeks to give attendees an opportunity to learn firsthand the priorities of the 114th Congress and the Obama Administration. The programs will offer the latest on the budget and funding for programs of interest. Attendees will be given the opportunity to meet and join fellow water agency leaders to show the importance of California water issues and develop federal legislative and regulatory strategies.

The conference also will offer attendees an opportunity to hear from new Congressional leaders, top officials at U.S. Environmental Protection Agency,

U.S. Army Corps of Engineers and U.S. Bureau of Reclamation. Meet the newest members of the California Congressional Delegation and hear from “DC Insiders” about the regulatory avalanche. Programs are subject to change.

ACWA’s Legislative Symposium is scheduled March 4 and will feature programs on groundwater, stormwater funding and Proposition 218. There will be a lively, bipartisan discussion with members of the Assembly Water, Parks, and Wildlife Committee on their perspective on what the Legislature will accomplish on water in 2015. Invited guests include: Sen. Fran Pavley, (D-Agoura Hills); Gordon Burns, undersecretary of CalEPA; Assembly Member Marc Levine (D-San Rafael); and Assembly Member Frank Bigelow (R-O’Neals). Programs are subject to change.

Registration and information are available at www.acwa.com.

Feb. 25-26, 2015

Liaison Capitol Hill • Washington D.C.

Register Today at www.acwa.com

2015 LEGISLATIVE

SYMpoSIUM March 4, 2015 Sacramento Convention Center

Januany 23, 2015 • 17

People News ACWA Vice President Tiegs Selected for Prestigious Program Leadership California has selected ACWA Vice President and Cucamonga Valley Water District Board Member Kathleen J. Tiegs as a member of its 2015 California Issues & Trends Program – a prestigious, yearlong program for 60 women leaders from throughout California.

The California Issues & Trends Program provides focused programming for women leaders, exposing them to critical public and private sector issues and enhancing their competitive knowledge of California from state, national and global perspectives. It connects women leaders from across the state with each

Tiegs was elected to the Cucamonga Valley Water District Board of Directors in 2005.

She was elected vice president of ACWA in Dec. 2013 and currently serves as chair of ACWA’s Sustainable Groundwater Management Act Implementation Policy Group. She also serves on the executive committee of the ACWA/JPIA. Tiegs also is a member of the board of directors for the California Special Districts Association.

In 2011, she was the recipient of the 63rd Assembly District Women of the Year for her contributions to the community and local government.

Marcus Reappointed Chair of State Water Resources Control Board Gov. Jerry Brown has reappointed Felicia Marcus to serve as chair of the State Water Resources Control Board, it was announced Jan. 2.

2008 and was executive vice president and chief operating officer at the Trust for Public Land from 2001 to 2008. She served as the administrator for the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, Region 9 from 1993 to 2001.

Marcus, 58, was first appointed to the State Board in May 2012. She became chair in April 2013.

The five-member board is responsible for protecting water quality and water supplies in California. It also sets statewide water quality, drinking water, and water rights policy, hears appeals of local regional board water quality decisions, decides water rights disputes, and provides financial assistance to communities to upgrade water infrastructure.

Prior to her appointment, Marcus had been a member of the Delta Stewardship Council since 2010. She served as western director at the Natural Resources Defense Council since

Sue Sims Hired by MWD Sue Sims, who has served as executive officer of the California Water Commission for the past three years, will begin her new role with the Metropolitan Water District of Southern California as group manager of external affairs starting Feb. 2, 2015. In this position, Sims will assume the responsibility for day-to-day operations of the group, including management of the legislative,

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other and with top decision-makers, thought leaders and practitioners.

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media, conservation and community services sections.

Before working for the Water Commission, Sims served as chief deputy director of the Department of Water Resources and helped manage California’s statewide policies and programs related to various water supply, environmental and infrastructure issues. She has held various other positions throughout her career.

November Elections Bring News Faces and Officers to District Boards Many ACWA member agencies throughout the state kicked off 2015 with newly constituted boards of directors following changes brought by the November election.

Here’s a round-up of some of the newly elected and re-elected board members, changes in board officers and committee assignments:

Orange County Water District The Orange County Water District Board of Directors officially swore in new board member Dina Nguyen, who Dina Nguyen fills the vacancy left when OCWD’s longest standing board member Kathryn Barr retired last year. The OCWD board also Cathy Green voted to elect its 2015 board leaders, selecting Cathy Green to serve as president, Vincent Sarmiento to serve first vice president Vincent Sarmiento and Philip Anthony to serve as second vice president for 2015.

Nguyen, an attorney, joins the board with 18 years of Philip Anthony experience with the Orange County Superior Court.

Green was first elected to the board in November 2010 and represents Division 6 which includes parts of Fountain Valley and Huntington Beach. She served as OCWD’s first vice president in 2014. Her previous experience includes two terms as Huntington Beach mayor.

Contra Costa Water District The Contra Costa Water District Board of Directors unanimously approved Connstance Holdaway in December Connstance Holdaway to fill the board vacancy left by the passing of Director Karl Wandry. Holdaway participated in her first board meeting representing Division 5 on Jan. 7.

Holdaway lives with her family in Oakley and currently works as a paralegal. She will represent residents in Oakley, Brentwood and Antioch.

Rowland Water District The Rowland Water District Board of Directors re-elected Szu Pei Lu-Yang as president and Robert Lewis as vice president. Each will serve two-year terms ending in 2016.

Lu-Yang is a member of the Regional Chamber of Commerce of San Gabriel Valley, President of the Rowland Unified School District For Us Foundation and serves on the Rotary Board of Directors. Lewis represents RWD on the Rowland Heights Community Coordinating Council and the Regional Chamber of Commerce of San Gabriel Valley, Government Affairs Committee.

Lewis also serves as a Commissioner on the Puente Basin Water Agency.

The five-member board also includes Teresa Rios, Anthony Lima, and John Bella.

District. Incumbent Director Betty Evans was appointed president and incumbent Director Mike Sannella was appointed vice president.

Evans, Division 1 Vallecitos representative, has been a resident of San Marcos for more than 30 years and has been a community leader and former member of the City of San Marcos Council from 1992 through 1996.

Vice President Mike Sannella, Division 4 Vallecitos representative, served as a city planning commissioner and vice president of the San Marcos Economic Development Corporation.

Craig Elitharp, the new representative of the district’s Division 3, retired from the Rancho California Water District in June 2014. For the past 10 years, he has served on ACWA’s Groundwater, Energy, and Water Quality committees.

Jim Hernandez, Vallecitos Division 2 representative, has served as an alternate to the ACWA Joint Powers Insurance Authority; a member of the ACWA Groundwater Committee and a delegate to the Local Agency Formation Commission Special District Advisory Committee.

Evans, Sannella, Elitharp, and Hernandez are joined by Hal Martin, Division 5 representative, to form the District’s five-member board.

Continued on page 20

The 2015 committee assignments are available of RWD’s website at www. rowlandwater.com.

Vallecitos Water District Craig Elitharp, James Hernandez and Mike Sannella have been sworn in as directors of the Vallecitos Water Betty Evans

(l-r) Mike Sannella, Craig Elitharp and James Hernandez take the oath of office at the Vallecitos Water District board meeting Dec. 10.

Januany 23, 2015 • 19

Continued from page 19

Vista Irrigation District The Vista Irrigation District Board of Directors on Jan. 14 unanimously voted to appoin Randy Reznicek as the new representative for division 4. He immediately fills the seat that became vacant when John Franklin was elected to serve on the Vista City Council. Reznicek’s appointment as a director will last until the November 2016 election.

Reznicek, a retired insurance broker and agency owner, has been a Vista resident for 28 years. He is a Professional Golfers’ Association (PGA) of America professional and golf instructor and coach at the National University Golf Academy.

Vista’s new 2015 board officers are Jo MacKenzie, who will serve as board president and Richard Vásquez, who will serve as vice president. The fivemember board also includes Marty Miller and Paul Dorey.

West Basin Municipal Water District The West Basin Municipal Water District Board of Directors welcomed newly elected board members Scott Houston and Harold Williams and elected its 2015 officers. Gloria Gray was elected to serve as board president, Carol Kwan as vice president, Williams as treasurer and Houston as secretary.

Gray represents Division II. She has served as vice chair of the Metropolitan Water District of Southern California Board of Directors, and was recently reappointed to serve as WBMWD’s representative on the National Water Research Institute Board of Directors.

Kwan represents Division III and also serves on the Cal Desal Board of Directors.

Williams represents Division I which includes Carson. He has held leadership positions in numerous civic organizations and most recently served as the chair of the Carson Utility Users’ Tax Citizens Oversight Committee.

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Houston also was elected to the board in 2014 and represents Division IV. He currently serves as a board member on the board of the Tree Musketeers, an environmental organization in El Segundo, and previously served on the City of El Segundo Public Works Committee.

Dublin San Ramon The Dubin San Ramon Services District Board of Directors selected Edward Duarte to serve as president and D.L. (Pat) Howard as vice president. The five-member board also includes board members Dawn Benson, Richard Halket, and Georgean VonheederLeopold.

Board President Duarte also announced the 2015 committee assignments which are available on DSRSD’s website at www.dsrsd.com/Home/Components/ News/News/64/185.

Hi-Desert Water District The Hi-Desert Water District Board of Directors swore in three incumbent officers and elected a new president and vice president for 2015. Directors of the five-member board are elected by district residents and serve for four-year terms.

Jim Ventura, director of Division 2 for the Mojave Water Agency, officially swore in incumbents Dr. Sheldon Hough, Roger Mayes, and Daniel “Dan” Munsey. Robert “Bob” Stadum was elected to serve as president and Hough was elected to serve as vice-president for 2015.

Las Virgenes Municipal Water District The Las Virgenes Municipal Water District Board of Directors swore in incumbent board members Glen Jay Lewitt Peterson and Lee Renger for new four-year terms following their re-elections. The board

also reorganized its offices, electing Peterson to serve as president, Renger as vice president, Charles Capary as secretary and Jay Lewitt as treasurer for two-year terms.

Peterson represents LVMWD on the Metropolitan Water District of Southern California board and serves as the chair of MWD’s Bay Delta Committee.

He is also a past president and current board member for the ACWA Board of Directors and serves on the ACWA/ JPIA Board of Directors.

Renger has prior experience with NASA including work on the Mariner Venus probe, experience in the biomedical field and is named as an inventor or co-inventor on 22 different patents.

Capary’s prior experience includes ownership of Atlas Refuse Removal and Las Virgenes Disposal, and service to the California Refuse Removal Council, the Los Angeles Solid Waste Management Association and the Santa Monica Bay Restoration Commission board.

Western Municipal Water District The Western Municipal Water District welcomed new board member Bob Stockton and swore in Bob Stockton two returning incumbent board members Tom Evans and Brenda Dennstedt. For the 2015 term, board member Donald Galleano will serve as board president, S.R. “Al” Lopez as vice president, and Thomas Evans as secretary-treasurer.

Newly elected board member Stockton represents Division 1, formerly held by Charles Field, which includes a portion of the city of Riverside located north of Highway 91. Stockton is a seasoned civil engineer, has more than 31 years of experience designing infrastructure projects.

Avon Alfaro Named ACWA 2014 Employee of the Year Following a vote of her colleagues, ACWA graphic designer Avon Alfaro was honored as Employee of the Year for 2014 at the staff holiday party Dec. 11.

Alfaro joined ACWA in 2005 and has consistently provided top-notch visual materials ranging from brochures, PowerPoints, posters, conference guidebooks, fliers and script visuals. Alfaro’s designs are creative and smart, garnering accolades from ACWA members and staff. In addition to her artistic talent, co-workers say Alfaro is a joy to work with – always professional, calm and friendly.

Here are some of the comments her co-workers made in voting for her as Employee of the Year: • “She has a positive attitude, produces high quality work and is a strong team player.”

• “She was very active in the implementation of the events side of ACWA’s new customer relations system. She has carried more than her weight in responsibility and continually showed a desire for the product to work.”

• “This individual goes above and beyond the scope of her duties to assist staff not only when asked but when she sees the need

Call for

Entries

arise… She is very positive with other staff and has never spoken badly about anyone.”

• “I have witnessed, on more than one occasion, this nominee take the time to walk a member through the registration process, providing the kind of customer service any organization can be proud of.”

• “I cannot think of an employee more deserving than this person…. Her ACWA first attitude is rare and should be recognized accordingly.”

ACWA employees nominated co-workers for Employee of the Year. Staff then voted on an employee without knowing the employee’s name, instead voting based on a description of their attitude and duties.

RWA Recognizes Regional Leadership At its annual Holiday Social in December, the Regional Water Authority (RWA) presented its Distinguished Service Award to three regional leaders to honor their contributions: Dave Breninger, general manager of Placer County Water Agency; Dave Brent, former director of utilities of the City of Sacramento; and Ed Kriz, director of environmental utilities for the City of Roseville.

RWA also awarded the Water Statesperson of the Year Award to two individuals for their significant contributions in 2014: Sean Bigley, government relations analyst for the City of Roseville; and Rob Swartz RWA’s manager of technical services.

CLAIR . Hill Water Agency Award for Excellence

Entries are now being accepted for ACWA’s 2015 Clair A. Hill Water Agency Award for excellence. The award recognizes exemplary programs developed by ACWA member agencies in water resource management.

An official entry form and further details about the award, eligibility and selection process are available at www.acwa.com/content/clair-hill-water-agency-award-excellence-0.

(l-r): Ed Kriz, Rob Swartz, Dave Breninger, Sean Bigley and Dave Brent receive honors from the Regional Water Authority in December.

Deadline March 2, 2015

Januany 23, 2015 • 21

ACWA Employees Recognized for Service Milestones in 2014 Seven ACWA employees were recognized at the association’s holiday luncheon Dec. 11 for hitting significant milestones of service ranging from 25 to five years.

25 Years Jennifer Persike joined ACWA in 1989, as manager of public affairs.

In 1993, she became director of communications and in 2006 she was promoted to director of strategic coordination and public affairs. In 2012, Persike became deputy executive director for external affairs and operations, with responsibility for coordinating strategic planning and communication across the organization and overseeing outreach for external efforts, partnerships and coalitions with members and key stakeholders. She oversees Finance and Business Services, Communications, Member Services and Events, and Human Resources.

15 Years Teresa Taylor started at ACWA in 1999 in the administration department as Support Services I. Today, Taylor is a Business Services Support II. She constantly goes beyond the call of duty to ensure that staff and members are adequately fed at meeting events. She has provided strong assistance with the data migration with new customer relations management system.

Senior Regulatory Advocate Dave Bolland has been instrumental in guiding key projects and policies for the

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association in areas that include water conservation and water use efficiency regulations and BMPs, the Integrated Regional Water Management Plan program, aquatic weeds and anadromous species. He also has served as a technical expert on a vast number of regulatory issues. He is known for his technical expertise, commitment and friendly demeanor.

10 Years Donna Pangborn started with ACWA in 2004 as an executive assistant to former Executive Director Steve Hall.

In addition to this key post, Pangborn has supported the ACWA Board of Directors and Executive Committee over the past 10 years. Her title was modified in 2007 to Executive Assistant and Clerk of the Board. Pangborn has brought tremendous professional skills and talents to her role and is known as the “keeper and caretaker” of ACWA’s critical institutional archives. She also has played an instrumental role in the biannual election of officers and has organized and executed general membership meetings at conferences.

Dan Gumpert started at ACWA in 2004 in the accounting department as an Accountant I. He has worked his way up from the Accountant I position to Finance Manager in the Finance and Business Services Department.

Gumpert was a key player in the accounting for HBA and has been responsible for ACWA’s payroll for many years. Gumpert is integral in the financial data interface between the new CRM and Intacct.

Paula Currie has served two tours of duty with ACWA. 2014 marked her 10 year anniversary since rejoining ACWA in 2005 as a senior meetings and membership specialist. In 2006, she became the acting director of meetings and membership, becoming official director in 2007. Currie has been instrumental in raising the bar on all aspects of event and conference execution from marketing to bringing in high profile speakers and implementing innovative ideas to meet the latest needs of our members.

5 Years Katie Dahl joined ACWA in 2009 as region coordinator.

In 2012, under ACWA’s reorganization, Dahl progressed to ACWA’s region and Member Services Specialist II. Under this new role Dahl served as the staff liaison to ACWA Region 4. In 2013, Dahl was promoted to regional affairs representative. Dahl is considered a positive and committed team member in the Member Services Group.

Employment General Manager Humboldt Bay Municipal Water District The Humboldt Bay Municipal Water District (HBMWD) is seeking a general manager to lead a well-run and highly-regarded agency on the beautiful north coast of California.

HBMWD is a regional wholesaler that provides drinking water to seven municipal agencies and untreated water to industrial customers in and around the Humboldt Bay region of Humboldt County. HBMWD has a reliable, locally-controlled source of supply (Ruth Lake, which filled to capacity last year and this year, despite the severe drought).

Requirements include a Bachelor’s Degree from an accredited university or college, plus ten-to-fifteen years of increasingly responsible and broad experience in administration, management, engineering, utility, municipal government, or water resource fields.

The ideal candidate must possess excellent communication skills, and an inclusive management style that emphasizes teamwork and collaboration. The ideal candidate must also be an effective manager; possess strategic, analytical and creative problem solving skills; and be a proven leader who garners the trust and respect of employees, the Board of Directors, customers, regulatory agency staff and community groups. HBMWD is a small agency. A successful GM must be able to

perform a variety of work activities, and be adept at managing and directing multiple projects and assignments. The GM must enjoy a dynamic environment in which “what you did today will be different than what you do tomorrow.”

Salary is under review and DOQ. HBMWD provides an excellent benefit package. For position description, recruiting brochure, and employment application, please visit our website at www.hbmwd.com. You may also call our office at 707-443-5018 to discuss the position or request an application packet.

Closing date is February 25, 2015.

Legislative Analyst Turlock Irrigation District Under the direction of the Director of External Affairs, perform a variety of professional and technical analysis in support of legislative 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. Work experience with the water and power utility industry is desirable.

At time of hire, physical exam, drug & alcohol screen, background check & a valid appropriate CA driver’s license is a

Send us your feedback!

What are you doing to prepare for a dry 2015?

Email your answer to acwanews@acwa.com

by February 9, 2015. Please put in subject line “Feedback Jan. 2015.”

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 position is filled. For the complete job description and to apply online, please visit our website www.tid.org or call (209) 8838253. EOE

Sites JPA General Manager The Sites Project Joint Powers Authority (Sites JPA) is seeking proposals for a General Manager on a time and materials basis, for a one-year probationary period with the option to renew.

Sites JPA is located in the Sacramento Valley, primarily in Glenn and Colusa Counties. Sites JPA consists of seven member agencies, which include Reclamation District 108, Tehama Colusa Canal Authority, Yolo County Flood Control and Water Conservation District, Maxwell Irrigation District, GlennColusa Irrigation District, County of Colusa and County of Glenn.

With the passage of the California Water Bond, $2.7 billion will be available for new storage and the Sites Reservoir Project is configured so as to be competitive for public benefits funding of the project. The bond also requires that private funds be secured in order to obtain funding from the Water Bond.

The General Manager should be selfmotivated and is responsible for the successful leadership and management of the Sites JPA according to the plans and directions set by the Board of Directors.

The General Manager is expected to work and travel within the Sacramento Valley; however, travel in other parts of the state and to Washington DC may be required in order for the General Manager to serve as an advocate for the Sites Reservoir Project.

Primary roles and responsibilities of the General Manager are leadership, operational planning and management, human resources planning and management, financial planning and management, and community relations/advocacy.

A detailed Request for Qualifications and Proposal (RFP) is available at www.sitesjpa. net. Sites JPA is an equal opportunity employer. Questions regarding this RFP should be directed to Thaddeus Bettner at (530) 934-8881.

Proposals must be postmarked by April 3, 2015, and sent to the attention of Kim Vann, Secretary/Treasurer at Post Office Box 1266, Willows, California 95988.

Januany 23, 2015 • 23

Most Clicked Here are some of January’s mostclicked stories on ACWA’s website, www.acwa.com. Be sure to subscribe to ACWA’s eNews to get the latest news in your email box each week.

See www.acwa.com/newsletters/ ACWA-eNews for more.

Periodicals Postage Paid Sacramento, CA

Association of California Water Agencies 910 K Street, Suite 100 Sacramento, CA 95814-3577

Time Valued Material

California Faces an “Investment Gap” in Flood Protection, Legislators Told — 1/13/2015 Water Conservation Statewide on Upward Trend, New Report Reveals — 1/6/2015

Upcoming Events Visit acwa.com for complete listing

NOAA Analysis Shows Near- and Above- Record Rain Needed to Lift Drought — 1/14/2015 Supreme Court Upholds Delta Smelt Protections, Will Not Hear Appeal — 1/12/2015 Save Our Water Campaign Launches Revamped Website — 1/7/2015

Twitter Chatter Recently Trending on Twitter

ACWA @ACWAWater • Jan. 5 | Progress made in #CAwater planning says Gov Brown in inaugural address today.

ACWA @ACWAWater • Jan. 8 | Beards save water! Regional Water Authority just might put yours on a billboard.

SoquelCreekWater @ SoquelCreekH2O • J an. 14 | Cambria’s desalinization plant is expected to go online early this month after 6 quick months of building.

Water in the West @ WaterintheWest • Jan. 16 | 2014 now surpasses 2010 as the warmest year in a global temperature record w/out an El Nino pattern.

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February 2015 2 – 3

California Irrigation Institute Annual Conference will be held at the Hilton Sacramento Arden-West in Sacramento. For more information and to register, visit www.caii.org.

25 – 26

ACWA’s 2015 DC Conference will be held at the Liaison Hotel in Washington, D.C. Online registration deadline is Feb. 6. For more information and registration, visit www.acwa.com/events/ dc-conference or contact ACWA’s Member Services and Events Department at events@acwa.com or 916.441.4545.

March 2015 4

ACWA’s 2015 Legislative Symposium will be held at the Sacramento Convention Center in Sacramento. For more information contact ACWA’s Member Services and Events Department at events@acwa.com or 916.441.4545.

11 – 13

The Water Education Foundation is hosting a lower Colorado River tour. This follows the course of the lower Colorado River through Nevada, Arizona and California, and includes a private tour of Hoover Dam. To register or for more information, visit www.watereducation. org/tour/lower-colorado-river-tour-2015.

May 2015 5 – 8

ACWA’s 2015 Spring Conference & Exhibition will be held at the Sacramento Convention Center and surrounding hotels in Sacramento.

For more information contact ACWA’s Member Services and Events Department at events@acwa.com or 916.441.4545.

ACWA DC2015

Annual Washington D.C. Conference

February 25–26

The Liaison Capitol Hill