ACWA News April 17, 2015 by ACWA

ACWANews

ACWA’s Member Newsletter • www.acwa.com

Left: Local agency officials discuss responses to the drought during ACWA’s 2015 drought briefing April 9 in Sacramento. They are: (l-r) Roger Patterson, assistant general manager of the Metropolitan Water District of Southern California; Alexander Coate, general manager of the East Bay Municipal Utility District; John Sweigard, general manager, Merced Irrigation District; Don Nottoli, Sacramento County supervisor; and Paul Olmstead, water and power resource specialist, Sacramento Municipal Utility District. Right: (l-r) Gov. Jerry Brown announces a sweeping new executive order on water conservation during an April 1 snow survey in a dry Sierra meadow. He is flanked by DWR Director Mark Cowin and Frank Gehrke, chief of the California Cooperative Snow Survey.

Drought Briefing Highlights Impacts, Actions All Hands on Deck, Lifestyle Changes Required, Speakers Say California’s historic drought took center stage at ACWA’s 2015 drought briefing in Sacramento April 9 where officials from all levels of government described an all-hands-on-deck approach to the crisis and implored the public to make long-term reductions in water usage. “We all have an obligation to conserve in the midst of this greatest drought in recorded history,” said California Natural Resources Secretary John Laird, adding that officials estimate there is 2.8 million acre-feet less of available water this year than normal. More than 300 people attended the briefing at the Crest Theatre and an additional approximately 3,000 people watched the live webcast from around the state and nation. The event — titled

“2015 Drought, Four Years and Counting: Impacts and Actions” — featured an overview of drought conditions by the state climatologist and updates from state agency leaders as well as fire, agricultural and water agency officials. ACWA Vice President Kathy Tiegs moderated the event. “Northern California got a bit of rain and snow earlier this week, but it was too little too late to put a dent in this historic drought,” Tiegs told the crowd. “And so the drought rages on, and each day brings new signs that we are in uncharted territory.”

Possible Australian-Style, Millennium Drought The overarching theme of nearly every Drought Continued on page 6

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April 17, 2015

All Eyes on State Board As Regulations Take Shape

Gov. Brown Signs $1 Billion Emergency Drought Package

Governor Orders 25% Statewide Water Use Cuts State Board Issues Draft Framework for Reductions PHILLIPS STATION — Standing in a dry meadow where there should have been five feet of snow on April 1, Gov. Jerry Brown announced California’s first-ever mandatory statewide reductions in water use and described a suite of new state actions to conserve water, increase enforcement of water use restrictions and streamline drought response by state agencies. Brown’s sweeping executive order, containing new regulations concerning everything from higher efficiency standards for plumbing Mandates Continued on page 4

Elected Officials, State Water Leaders Confirmed for 2015 ACWA • 1 April 17, Spring Conference

ACWA News is a publication of the Association of California Water Agencies Periodicals postage paid at Sacramento, CA. POSTMASTER: send address changes and subscription requests to ACWA News, 910 K Street, Suite 100 Sacramento, CA 95814-3514 Phone: 916.441.4545 Website: acwa.com Executive Director Timothy Quinn Deputy Executive Director for External Affairs and Operations Jennifer Persike Director of Communications Lisa Lien-Mager Communications Specialist Pamela Martineau Communications Specialist Emily Allshouse

Vice President’s Column • Kathy Tiegs

Drought Briefing Reveals Impacts and Collaboration From wildfires to fallowed fields to the first-ever statewide mandatory cuts in urban water use, impacts of California’s record drought and the array of measures in place to respond were in focus April 9 at a half-day briefing presented by ACWA in cooperation with several other organizations. From my vantage point as emcee of the event, I was impressed by the tremendous level of interest on display by attendees and throngs of media at the Crest Theatre. More than 300 people attended in person, while another 3,000-plus watched via webcast – signaling a real hunger for information on this historic drought. Also striking was the level of collaboration visible among California’s leaders and water managers. They are clearly committed to solutions that work for

the state’s cities, farms, businesses and environment – both in times of drought and longer term. The breadth of people who came together speaks volumes about the collaboration going on behind the scenes throughout this crisis. Silos have come down, and officials are working across agency lines to develop workable, resilient plans for all sectors and regions of the state. We know that if one segment of our economy fails, it will affect our entire state – hitting our farms, food supply, ports, jobs and the environment. If there is any silver lining to this crisis, it is that we are working together for the entire state. Californians deserve nothing less.

Questions on Classifieds? ACWA public agency members may post job descriptions, RFPs, items for sale and other miscellaneous classified ads in ACWA News and/or online at acwa.com. More information is at acwa.com or contact Director of Communications Lisa Lien-Mager at lisalm@ acwa.com or 916.441.4545.

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Executive Director’s Column • Timothy Quinn

All Eyes on State Board As Regulations Take Shape The State Water Resources Control Board certainly captured the attention of water agencies when it released a draft framework on April 7 for implementing a 25% statewide mandatory reduction in water use as part of Gov. Jerry Brown’s latest executive order on drought. (See details on page 4.) The draft framework has triggered lively discussion over the best way to achieve the statewide goal of a 25% reduction in water use. While there is little chance the State Board will move away from a mandatory 25% target, there is reason to believe it will consider adjustments that could make the process more workable and fair. The State Board has said repeatedly that it

is willing to listen to the water community and will entertain approaches to reach the 25% goal. As ACWA noted in comments it submitted to the State Board after receiving input from member agencies, two principles should guide us as this dialogue continues: 1) protect economic uses of water, and 2) ensure fairness for communities statewide. If we keep that in mind and stay focused on a unified response, we may see some of our concerns addressed when the State Board acts issues a formal proposal on April 17 and acts on final regulations May 4 or 5.

MWD Board Approves Allocation Plan to Cut Deliveries by 15% Citing continued drought conditions and reduced district allocations from the State Water Project and Colorado River, the Metropolitan Water District of Southern California Board of Directors on April 14 approved an allocation plan that will cut imported water deliveries to its member agencies by 15% starting July 1. The board approved the plan after considering recommendations by its Water Planning and Stewardship Committee, which met April 13 to formally consider the district’s options during this fourth year of drought. As part of its April 14 actions, the board also passed a resolution endorsing Gov. Jerry Brown’s April 1 executive order calling for a mandatory 25% reduction in urban water use and pledging district cooperation with the State Water Resources Control Board.

MWD says the allocation plan is necessary to help the district meet the governor’s conservation mandate. The district will impose a strict surcharge, ranging from $1,480 – $2,960 per acre-foot of additional water, for any member agency that fails to meet the 15% reduction. “Through this action, we’re looking to build on Southern California’s proven track record of water conservation,” said MWD Board Chair Randy Record in a statement. “Since 1990, per-capita use in the region has declined by about 25%. Today, we use less imported water than we did 25 years ago, even though the region has added about 5 million more people.” According to the district, this is the fourth time it has restricted imported supplies in response to drought condi-

tions, the last being a 10% cutback from July 2009 to April 2011. The allocation plan limits MWD’s 26 member agencies based on their dependency on MWD supplies while considering local supply conditions and past watersaving actions. “We know it will be difficult, but we’re in an unprecedented drought,” said Record. In addition to allocating supplies, the district says it will expand its outreach and continue drought response activities, including $100 million in budgeted rebates and incentives. According to the district, it also will continue to evaluate conditions and conservation in the coming months and make adjustments as necessary. For more on MWD’s drought response please visit www.mwdh2o.com.

Gov. Brown Signs $1 Billion Emergency Drought Relief Package Gov. Jerry Brown signed an emergency legislative package on March 27 that speeds up the disbursement of more than $1 billion in funding for drought relief and water infrastructure projects and allocates an additional $2 million for the statewide water conservation program Save Our Water. The emergency legislation accelerates emergency food aid, drinking water, water recycling, water conservation, water system modeling, species tracking, infrastructure and flood protection funding. It also provides new funding for Save Our Water, the statewide conservation program led by ACWA in partnership with the Department of Water Resources. The drought relief package was announced March 19 during a press conference attended by high ranking Democrats and Republicans. The 2015 emergency drought package would accelerate funding from the

Water Action Plan outlined by the governor and provide direct assistance to workers and communities impacted by drought.

current 2014-’15 state budget as well as the governor’s proposed 2015-’16 budget to address urgent drought needs. According to legislative analyses, the package includes more than $1 billion for local drought relief and infrastructure projects to make the state’s water infrastructure more resilient to extreme weather events. Some of the highlights of the package include: •

Accelerating $267 million from Proposition 1 passed by voters last year for safe drinking water and water recycling identified in the governor’s January budget proposal.

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Accelerating drought-related expenditures from the governor’s January budget and augmenting them with $31 million in targeted additional expenditures for a total of $132 million. The funding would support efforts to implement the California

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Authorizing $31 million in new targeted expenditures that were not included in the governor’s January budget proposal. This includes $17 million in additional funding to support emergency food aid to 29 counties impacted by the drought; $4 million for emergency drinking water in disadvantaged communities; $5 million to the DWR to provide emergency drinking water support for small communities; $1.4 million to DWR for public outreach on drought through the Save Our Water program and other expenditures.

The legislative package includes AB 91, AB 92, SB 75 and SB 76.

April 17, 2015 • 3

Mandates Continued from page 1

appliances to drought management plans for agriculture, was one of several actions taken by state and federal officials in recent weeks to grapple with California’s fourth year of drought.

void of snow. Statewide the snowpack hovered at about 6% of average for that date. That low figure means there will be little run-off to replenish low reservoirs this summer.

The dry meadow where Brown announced his executive order was a powerful visual image of the severity of California’s fourth year of drought and one Brown used to help press Californians to rise to the challenge and conserve water, since climate change may create frequent weather extremes in the future.

Frank Gehrke, chief of the California Cooperative Snow Survey, said it was the first time he has ever seen the meadow at Phillips Station void of snow since he has been conducting the surveys since 1988.

“As Californians, we must pull together and save water however we can...,” Brown told reporters, adding: “This is the new normal and we’ll have to learn to cope with it.” Brown unveiled the actions during the state’s manual snow survey at Phillips Station in the Sierras. The April 1 snow survey, considered critical to gauging the snowmelt that will fill the state’s reservoirs in summer months, revealed no snow whatsoever at the site. It is the first time since recordings started there 75 years ago that the meadow was

“This blows it out unequivocably,” Gehrke said. “This is the lowest on record...This is bad news for the state’s water picture.”

Sweeping Executive Order Brown’s executive order contained new conservation provisions and mandates for several state agencies. Some of the highlights of the order include: • Requiring the State Water Resources Control Board to implement a 25% overall statewide reduction in water usage through February 2016. The State Board also is directed to prohibit irrigation with potable water of ornamental landscapes on public street medians and require other conservation measures in new developments. • Empowering the State Board to direct urban water suppliers to develop rate structures to maximize water conservation. The State Board is directed to adopt emergency regulations to achieve this objective.

(l-r) Chief Snow Surveyor Frank Gehrke, of the California Cooperative Snow Survey, shows Gov. Jerry Brown the intricacies of surveying snow during the manual snow survey April 1 at Phillips Station. For the first time in the 75 years of taking readings at the site, there was no snow whatsoever in the meadow.

• Tasking the Department of Water Resources with leading a statewide initiative — in partnership with local water agencies — to replace 50 million square-feet of lawn and ornamental turf with water-efficient landscapes. DWR is directed to provide funding assistance for the turf replacement program, which is intended to complement efforts already underway around the state. • Requiring mid to large agricultural

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growers to develop drought management plans. • Streamling government response to allow expedited permitting of some water projects and programs that increase local supplies. Allows the Office of Emergency Services to work jointly with the Department of Housing and Community Development to help people who are moving due to lack of access to potable water.

State Board Moves to Adopt Emergency Regulations Within days of the governor’s executive order, the State Board moved to start the process to adopt emergency regulations for implementing the 25% statewide mandatory reduction. Felicia Marcus, chair of the State Board, said during a call with reporters the day Brown issued the order that the severe drought is causing the state to take actions it has never before taken. “Unfortunately, voluntary efforts haven’t provided the savings we wanted,” Marcus said of the mandatory water reductions. Under the order, areas with higher per-capita water use will be required to achieve proportionally greater reductions in water use than areas with low per-capita use from that time period. The State Board released its proposed framework for implementing the mandate on April 7. After reviewing the public comment received by April 13, the State Board planned to release a draft Emergency Regulation on April 17, an Emergency Rulemaking Notice on April 28, and will consider approval at a State Board hearing on May 5 or 6. Under the proposed framework, water agencies and cities will be asked to reduce water consumption to a specific level based on their gallons per capita daily use from September 2014. The baseline year will be 2013. Mandates Continued on page 9

Images of Historic Drought 1. Top water, environmental and agricultural leaders gather in Gov. Jerry Brown’s office on April 7 to discuss his April 1 executive order on drought. 2. A barren Sierra meadow provides the backdrop as (l-r) Frank Gehrke, chief of the California Cooperative Snow Survey, Gov. Jerry Brown, and Department of Water Resources Director Mark Cowin address reporters during the April 1 snow survey. 3. Save Our Water’s 2015 campaign, “Keep Saving CA,” is showcased at ACWA’s April 9 drought briefing

4. Senate Pro Tem Kevin de León (D-Los Angeles) is flanked by Gov. Jerry Brown and Assembly Speaker Toni Atkins (D-San Diego) at a March 19 press conference announcing emergency drought legislation. 5. Four years into the drought, Yosemite’s Half Dome sits dry and parched in this March 2015 photo. 6. A March 2013 photo shows just patches of snow amid dry ground on Half Dome in the drought’s second year. 7. During the first year of the current drought, the impacts to Yosemite’s Half Dome are barely noticeable in this March 2012 photo.

8. U.S. Bureau of Reclamation Mid-Pacific Region Director David Murillo and California Natural Resources Secretary John Laird provide updates at ACWA’s April 9 drought briefing. 9. ACWA Vice President Kathy Tiegs serves as emcee at the April 9 drought briefing at the Crest Theatre in Sacramento. 10. CalTrans signs implore Californians to save water on the heels of the governor’s April 1 executive order on drought.

Drought Continued from page 1

speaker was that Californians face an immense challenge with this no-end-in-sight drought and residents must work together to conserve water while officials devise equitable and efficient plans to steer the state through the crisis. Finger pointing at other so-called water wasters will not help the state grapple with this crisis, several speakers said. A few speakers took particular umbrage with recent criticisms of the agricultural industry as allegedly not taking its share of cuts. Paul Wenger, president of the California Farm Bureau Federation, detailed the devastating impact the drought has had on farming in California, particularly in the Central Valley. Wenger said that more than 400,000 acres have been idled due to lack of water and about 17,000 agricultural jobs lost. He said California is a “very critical cog in the feeding of the world” and added that farmers practice water efficiency and can “grow the best crop per drop of anywhere in the world.” Felicia Marcus, chair of the State Water Resources Control Board, called the drought the “most serious challenge our generation has ever faced.” Top: The marquee at the Crest Theatre in Sacramento announces ACWA’s drought briefing April 9. Middle: (l-r) Daniel Berlant, chief public information officer for CalFire, and Paul Wenger, president of the California Farm Bureau Federation, discuss the drought’s impact on fires, farms and food. Bottom: (l-r) Kevin Hunting, chief deputy director of the California Department of Fish and Wildlife, and Felicia Marcus, chair of the State Water Resources Control Board, discuss the drought’s impact on the environment as well as emergency water conservation regulations.

“We may well be in an Australian-style Millenium drought,” said Marcus. “Conservation is the cheapest, fastest, surest way to take action.”

Framework for Mandated Reductions Needs to be Fair Marcus outlined the steps the State Board is proposing in meeting Gov. Jerry Brown’s call for 25% statewide mandated reductions in water usage. She said the State Board is taking input on the recently released proposed framework that outlines the reduction targets individual agencies and cities must meet. She said State Board staff is working hard to make sure the mandated reductions are fair and that staff is open to suggestions. “The public wants to know that the system is fair and that others are doing

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their part,” said Marcus. Marcus, as well as Laird and other speakers, stressed that Californians should not point to others as the problem during the drought, but rather should look to themselves to learn what they can do to conserve and come up with solutions. “The message is clear. We have to take action. We have to be fair within the complexity of the system and we are all in this together,” said Laird. “Everybody is a soldier in this fight,” Laird added. State Climatologist Michael Anderson detailed the historical nature of the drought, saying the April 1 snow survey coupled with unseasonably warm temperatures over the past two years have shattered state records. Some parts of the state are in conditions similar to the Dust Bowl, he said. “This isn’t just breaking the record, it’s kicking it to the curb,” said Anderson. David Murillo, director of the U.S. Bureau of Reclamation Mid-Pacific Region, outlined the unprecedented cuts in allocations federal officials have had to make to customers of the Central Valley Project. Both Murillo and Laird stressed that agriculture has been forced to take huge cuts in water allocations.

600 Wells Have Gone Dry in East Porterville Daniel Berlant, public information officer for Cal Fire, outlined the increased fire risk, saying the state already has experienced about 600 wildfires this year, which is 50% more than normal. Eric Lamoureux, of the Governor’s Office of Emergency Services, detailed the steps the state is taking to help communities that now lack running water. In East Porterville, 600 wells have gone dry and residents are taking showers in a facility set up in a church parking lot. A panel of local agency water officials also outlined the challenges and the steps being taken locally to address the drought, including allocation cutbacks, expansion of public education campaigns on conser-

vation, turf rebates and in some cases, tiered water rates. Roger Patterson, assistant general manager of the Metropolitan Water District of Southern California, and other speakers talked about how selling less water to customers actually cuts into district revenues, but district have to plan for that. Patterson estimated that MWD would see a 20% reduction in revenue this year. Alex Coate, general manager of East Bay Municipal Utility District, estimated that EBMUD would see a 25% reduction in revenue. Sacramento County Supervisor Don Nottoli said some local residents are confused about why the cost of water is rising if they are using less. “(They ask) ‘I’m paying more and using less and how does that work?’” said Nottoli. Paul Olmstead, water and power resource specialist with the Sacramento Municipal Utility District, said SMUD is responding to the drought by closely monitoring operations to meet Federal Energy Regulatory Commission guidelines for fish, wildlife and recreation. John Sweigard, general manager of Merced Irrigation District, said “desperation is setting in” among some of the district’s customers because of low allocations.

Reaching Consumers This Year Jennifer Persike, ACWA deputy executive

director for external affairs and operations, closed the briefing with an overview of the 2015 Save Our Water campaign, the public education effort administered by ACWA in partnership with the California Department of Water Resources. The campaign this month launched a new messaging effort — Keep Saving California — intended to both recognize current savings and to encourage continued effort. Persike said Save Our Water has a broad spectrum of public education materials that districts can localize for their regions. The tools are available at no cost at www.saveourwater.com. “The public is our partner in reducing water use, so communication with them is vital,” said Persike. The briefing was presented by ACWA in partnership with the California Department of Water Resources, the California State Association of Counties (CSAC), the U.S. Bureau of Reclamation, the League of California Cities, the California Farm Water Coalition, the California Farm Bureau Federation, the Metropolitan Water District of Southern California, the California Office of Emergency Services and Cal Fire.

“The message is clear. We have to take action. We have to be fair within the complexity of the system and we are all in this together.” — California Natural Resources Secretary John Laird

Resources and materials from the event are available at www.acwa.com/spotlight/2015drought-four-years-and-counting. A recorded webcast of the event will be available soon at the same link.

A scrum of reporters from print, television and radio surround California Natural Resources Secretary John Laird and Felicia Marcus, chair of the State Water Resources Control Board, during a break in the drought briefing. Laird and Marcus answered questions about state responses to the drought.

April 17, 2015 • 7

Elected Officials, State Water Leaders Confirmed for ACWA 2015 Spring Conference & Exhibition, May 5 – 8 in Sacramento State Treasurer John Chiang, Assembly Member Marc Levine (D-San Rafael) and California Water Commission Chair Joseph Byrne are confirmed as keynote speakers at ACWA’s 2015 Spring Conference & Exhibition, set for May 5-8 at the Sacramento Convention Center and surrounding hotels in Sacramento. The conference, themed “Mission: Possible – Taking Charge of Change,” will examine issues ranging from drought to the first-ever statewide mandatory reductions in water use drought to implementation of Proposition 1 and last year’s landmark legislation on groundwater. Top-level state leaders – including State Water Resources Control Board Chair Felicia Marcus, Natural Resources Secretary John Laird, Department of Water Resources Director Mark Cowin and Department of Fish and Wildlife Director Chuck Bonham also will address ACWA members at the conference.

Legislative Outlook on Tap at Opening Breakfast Amid record drought and a suite of new state actions in response, water is once again a hot topic at the State Capitol. Assembly Water, Parks and Wildlife Committee Chair Marc Levine will kick off the opening breakfast on Wednesday, May 6, with his perspective on what the state Legislature will attempt, and what it may accomplish, on water in 2015. Luncheon Program Looks at Finance With the California Water Action Plan outlined by Gov. Jerry Brown and passage of Proposition 1 in 2014, the state has opened a new chapter in water management with a decidedly 21st century vision. Will that new era usher 8 • ACWANEWS

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in new ways to finance water investments in the future? State Treasurer John Chiang will provide a look at the future of financing California water at the luncheon program on Wednesday, May 6.

Water Storage Process in Focus at Thursday Lunch As the California Water Commission begins the important job of allocating $2.7 billion in Proposition 1 funds for water storage projects, CWC Chair Joseph Byrne will outline the commission’s first steps and vision for developing its Water Storage Investment Program at the luncheon program on Thursday, May 7. Friday Breakfast Features New PPIC Water Policy Center Public Policy Institute of California Senior Fellow Jeffrey Mount will discuss the institute’s new Water Policy Center and its first set of policy briefs at the Hans Doe Past Presidents’ Breakfast in Partnership with ACWA / JPIA on Friday, May 8. The set of nine short policy briefs outline the state’s most critical water management challenges and the actions needed to address them. Information-Packed Issue Forums and Programs Here is a partial look at other programs on tap. More details are available at www.acwa.com: Statewide Issue Forum – 10 a.m. Wednesday, May 6 Top state officials discuss how their agencies are moving ahead to implement the governor’s latest executive order on drought as well as plans underway for 2016. Moderated by ACWA President John Coleman, the

panel includes Natural Resources Secretary John Laird, Department of Water Resources Director Mark Cowin, Department of Fish and Wildlife Director Chuck Bonham, and Cal/EPA Secretary Matt Rodriquez (invited.)

Town Hall Meeting – 2 p.m. Wednesday, May 6 An expert panel will explore how water storage and management systems can evolve to meet the state’s challenges and contribute to improved water supply reliability and enhanced ecosystem health. Moderated by ACWA Executive Director Timothy Quinn, the panel includes Jerry Brown, general manager of the Contra Costa Water District; Jay Lund, director of the Center for Watershed Science at UC Davis; and Bill Swanson, water resources practice leader – Americas region for MWH Inc. Headwaters Plenary Session – 8 a.m. Thursday May 7 This special plenary session will provide an overview of ACWA’s recently released Headwaters Framework and related policy recommendations for improving the resiliency of mountain watersheds that are the source of most of the state’s developed water supply. Speakers will present a compelling vision of the Continued on page 9

Continued from page 8

emerging opportunities as California’s water users engage with diverse stakeholders to meet these challenges. Moderated by ACWA Executive Director Timothy Quinn, the panel will include Dr. Martha Conklin, professor of engineering at UC Merced; Steve LaMar, director, Irvine Ranch Water District; Dave Eggerton, general manager, Calaveras County Water District; and Barnie Gyant, deputy regional forester for natural resources, USDA Forest Service (invited).

Town Hall Meeting – 9:30 a.m. Thursday, May 7 With the State Water Resources Control Board set to act on new emergency regulations, this town hall meeting will provide an up-to-the-minute description of the State Board’s activities. Moderated by ACWA Special Projects Manager David Bolland, the program features State Board Chair Fe-

licia Marcus and a response panel including Joone Lopez, general manager of Moulton Niguel Water District and others.

Statewide Issue Forum – 9:30 a.m. Thursday, May 7 Water and the future of farming in California are the topic of this program moderated by California Food and Agriculture Secretary Karen Ross. Panelists include Don Bransford, owner and president of Bransford Farms and president of Glenn-Colusa Irrigation District; James duBois, water resources manager for Driscoll Strawberry Associates, Inc.; William Phillimore, executive vice president of Paramount Farming Company and chair of the Kern Water Bank Authority; and Jake Wenger, vice president of Wenger Ranch, Inc. and director, Modesto Irrigation District.

Mandates Continued from page 4

Also April 7, the State Board released urban water conservation data showing Californians reduced water use by just 2.8% in February compared with the same period in 2013 — clocking the lowest statewide water savings since mandated data collection began last July. Marcus called the February numbers “disturbing,” but added that February also was unseasonably warm and dry. At 2.8%, February’s savings rate also represents a decrease in conservation over water savings in January, which came in at 8%. During the past six months, however, Californians have been saving significant amounts of water overall. From June 2014 through February 2015, Californians saved more than 148 billion gallons of water compared with the same months in 2013. That is enough to supply nearly 2 million Californians with water for a year.

Massive Water Curtailments Likely In other drought-related actions, the State Board on April 3 warned the holders of more than 36,000 water rights across the

state, including some senior right holders, that their rights are likely to be curtailed soon due to California’s ongoing drought and record-low snowpack. The warning is designed to give water right holders advance notice to help them make difficult spring planting decisions.

Bureau Adheres to Low Initial Allocation Estimate Continuing dry conditions also have forced the U.S. Bureau of Reclamation to adhere to its initial zero 2015 water supply allocation for many agricultural users north and south of the Delta, the Bureau announced March 27. The Bureau released the initial water supply estimate in late February. At that time, Bureau officials said senior water rights holders would be receiving some water but at diminished quantities. resource Executive order: gov.ca.gov/docs/4.1.15_ Executive_Order.pdf

Water Commission Forms Advisory Group on Water Storage Program The California Water Commission has convened a stakeholder advisory committee to provide technical expertise and policy recommendations for the commission’s Water Storage Investment Program. The commission’s WSIP is tasked with developing and implementing regulations and guidelines for allocating Proposition 1’s water storage funding. Prop. 1 continuously appropriates $2.7 billion to the CWC for the public benefits of water storage projects, and requires the commission to develop regulations for the quantification and management of the public benefits of water storage projects that can be used in its project funding allocation decisions. On April 1, ACWA Regulatory Advocate Adam Walukiewicz participated in the first meeting of the stakeholder advisory committee in Sacramento. The committee includes members from a wide variety of interest groups, including water supply and flood control agencies, conservation and environmental justice groups, agriculture associations, tribal representative and others. The committee will be meeting monthly through fall 2015. More information on the WSIP is available on the CWC’s website, www.cwc. ca.gov. ACWA members with questions should contact Adam Walukiewicz, at adamw@acwa. com or (916) 441-4545.

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New Save Our Water Campaign Urges Consumers to “Keep Saving California” as Record Drought Continues Grip on State On the heels of the lowest April 1 manual snowpack reading on record and the announcement by Gov. Jerry Brown of the state’s first-ever mandatory statewide water reductions, Save Our Water is out of the gate and on the airwaves with a new statewide public education campaign designed to help Californians make permanent reductions in the water they use every day. The “Keep Saving CA” campaign acknowledges efforts already made to conserve water and implores residents to do even more to make a difference in this fourth year of drought. Through the end of June, Keep Saving CA artwork and messaging will be carried statewide on billboards, outdoor media, traditional and digital radio, digital and

social media, and on-the-street events that will be seen and heard throughout the state. Save Our Water is led by ACWA in partnership with the California Department of Water Resources. As part of the new campaign, the program unveiled a robust new website at SaveOurWater.com filled with tips, tools, and inspiration to change every Californian›s water lifestyle. Among the features on the website is a new tips section allowing users to visually explore how they can save water both inside and outside the home. Jennifer Persike, deputy executive director for external affairs and operations for ACWA, provided

an overview of the new campaign during ACWA’s drought briefing in Sacramento April 9. Persike unveiled the new concepts and stressed the importance of communicating with the public during the state’s drought. “The public is our partner in reducing water use, so communication with them is vital,” said Persike. Throughout the drought, Save Our Water has aimed to give Californians tools and tips to help everyone easily conserve at home and at work, every day. Save Our Water also connects with Californians on its Facebook page, Twitter and Instagram accounts.

Left: ACWA Deputy Executive Director for External Affairs and Operations Jennifer Persike provides an overview of the 2015 Save Our Water campaign during ACWA’s April 9 drought briefing. Top: A billboard displays Save Our Water’s new messaging campaign – Keep Saving CA. Bottom: The new home page of the Save Our Water website features its new Keep Saving CA theme.

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Current and Past California Droughts Detailed in New DWR Report In-depth comparisons of California’s most significant droughts — past and present — are detailed in a new report from the California Department of Water Resources, DWR officials announced March 25. The report, “California’s Most Significant Droughts: Comparing Historical and Recent Conditions,”compares the severity and impacts of California’s most significant droughts, which stretched from 1929 to 1934, 1976 to 1977 and 1987 to 1992. The report also details the current drought, which began in 2012. The report presents information on California’s climate; federal, state, and local water systems; surface and groundwater resources; and historical precipitation. It also provides a summary of lessons learned from previous droughts and highlights the need for better data about groundwater conditions, improved drought prediction capability, and better drought preparedness for small water systems, according

to a press release from DWR.

FEBRUARY 2015

The report was prepared by DWR Deputy Drought Manager and Interstate Resources Manager Jeanine Jones.

California’s Most Significant Droughts:

“The water years of 2012-14 stand as California’s driest three consecutive years in terms of statewide precipitation,” said Jones, “and we do not know how long this drought will last. It’s important for Californians to remember that drought is a part of life in California and we can learn from history as we try to emerge from each drought better prepared for the next.”

Comparing Historical and Recent Conditions

S t a t e o f C a l i f o r n i a | C a l i f o r n i a D e p a r t m e n t o f Wa t e r R e s o u r c e s

The appendix of the report includes copies of each gubernatorial executive order or emergency proclamation issued related to drought since 1977. Charts, maps, and graphs in the report illustrate such information as the at-risk small water systems around the state, a comparison of storage in key reservoirs during various drought years, changes in the Colorado

River total system storage over time, changes in California’s statewide mean temperature departure since 1900, and maximum salinity intrusion into the Sacramento-San Joaquin Delta in previous droughts. resource www.water.ca.gov/waterconditions/ docs/California_Signficant_ Droughts_2015_small.pdf

DWR Presents Public Listening Sessions on Basin Boundary Revisions as Part of Sustainable Groundwater Management Act The California Department of Water Resources is hosting public listening sessions regarding the development of Emergency Regulations on Groundwater Basin Boundary Revisions as part of the Sustainable Groundwater Management Act. These listening sessions are in addition and prior to the required public meetings that will occur once the draft regulations are developed. DWR will present information and welcomes input on basin boundary issues that could create potential difficulties with SGMA implementation. These meetings will include an introduction presentation and follow with an open house format. Please register for the meetings online.

Note: Registration is not required but is appreciated to ensure suitable accommodations for all attendees. A webinar presentation will be held for those who are unable to attend a meeting in person. The sessions are at the following dates and locations:

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SAN BERNARDINO – Thursday, April 30 1 p.m. – 3 p.m. Feldheym Central Library – Bing Wong Lecture Hall 555 W 6th Street San Bernardino, CA 92410

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WEBINAR – Friday, May 1 12 p.m. – 2 p.m. Details to Follow

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WILLOWS – Tuesday, April 28 3 p.m. to 5 p.m. Willows Memorial Hall 525 West Sycamore Street Willows, CA 95988 VISALIA – Wednesday, April 29 3 p.m. – 5 p.m. Visalia Convention Center – Charter Oak Ballroom, C/D 303 E Acequia Avenue Visalia, CA 93291

For more information or special accommodations, please contact Lauren Bisnett, DWR public information officer, at (916) 653-7564. resource Meeting Registration: www.eventbrite. com/e/public-listening-sessionsbasin-boundary-revisions-regulationstickets-16337662388

April 17, 2015 • 11

Spotlight

Laguna Beach County Water District: “Duck Hunting Club” Paves Way for 90-Year Legacy District

facts

Location Laguna Beach Number of Customers Served About 20,000 Water Source Colorado River and Northern California Notable Projects • Top-of-the-World and Zitnik reservoirs • Multiple year winner of National Mayor’s Challenge for Water Conservation Website www.lbcwd.org

Five men posing as a nascent duck hunting club set off in 1924 to find a reliable water supply to serve the residents of the Laguna Beach area. The group found 120 acres of water-bearing land about 20 miles north in Huntington Beach. The purchase of that land — after the men paid the $1,000 down payment out of their own pockets — led to the formation of the Laguna Beach County Water District on May 5, 1925, by a vote of 359 to 0. Next month — May 5 to be exact — marks the 90th anniversary of LBCWD. District officials are immensely proud of their unique history and are telling their story every chance they get. Historic photos are displayed on the district’s website and community events are being planned for the fall. “We are proud of our long and rich history in serving the residents of Laguna Beach,” says Kelly Boyd, president of the LBCWD Board of Directors. “We’ve come a long way from hauling drinking water by horse-drawn wagons in the late 1800s for 50 cents a barrel or 10 cents a bucket for necessity of life.”

Moving from Groundwater to Imported Surface Water The wells in Huntington Beach in the Santa Ana River Basin on the land purchased by the

so-called “duck hunting club” were the initial sole source of LBCWD’s water. The idea to look for water under the guise of a duck hunting club arose during committee meetings community members held to discuss how to find a reliable water supply. After the purchase of the land and the formation of the district, a 13-mile pipeline — the Coast Supply Pipeline — was built to carry the water into newly constructed reservoirs, and the new system became operational in 1927. The pumping and transport of the basin water survived a court challenge in 1933. As the years went on, however, pumping from the basin increased and groundwater elevations dropped. The resulting seawater intrusion led the district to search for new sources of water. To meet that goal, the district helped to form the Coastal Municipal Water District in 1943 through which it could purchase Colorado River water from the Metropolitan Water District of Southern California. By 1948, all of the wells in the Santa Ana River Basin were closed. Today, all of the district’s water is imported from the Colorado River or Northern California. The district is hoping to someday resume pumping in the Santa Ana River Basin. All of the water imported by the LBCWD is stored Left: Three members of the original “duck hunting club” that ostensibly set out to look for water supply for their club but found water for the community of Laguna Beach instead. Right: The Laguna Beach County Water District’s original headquarters on Third Street as it looked shortly after it was built in 1927.

in 21 reservoirs with a combined capacity of 33.5 million gallons. The district’s system is comprised of 135 miles of distribution pipelines ranging from four to 16 inches. After the devastating 1993 fire in Laguna Beach that razed about 300 homes, the district bolstered its emergency water supply by 8 million gallons, building two new reservoirs in the system. The Top-of-theWorld reservoir holds 3 million gallons and the Zitnik Reservoir holds 5 million. “Water has always been a matter of great concern in Laguna Beach for the simple reason that there has always been so little of it around,” says Renae Hinchey, general manager of LBCWD. “We are committed to pursuing a resource mix of water supplies and looking at all possible ways to ensure future water reliability for Laguna Beach.”

Mediterranean Revival-Style Headquarters The district didn’t waste any time in building its first headquarters in 1927 at 306 Third Street in Laguna Beach. Designed by Aubrey St. Clair, known for Mediterranean Revival -style architecture, the headquarters grew over the years through multiple add-on structures. It even housed city staff in its early years and a jail once was located behind it. In 1989, the district launched a formidable remodel and demolished all of the add-ons but kept

most of the original building, maintaining its architectural style. As part of its public education campaign around water conservation, the district maintains a water-wise garden that surrounds its headquarters with dozens of varieties of drought tolerant plants that are both aesthetically pleasing and low maintenance. Christopher Regan, assistant general manager of the district, says the district organizes “smartscape expos” at its site, bringing in experts to educate the public about water wise landscaping during hands-on workshops. The district also has won the National Mayor’s Challenge for Water Conservation for cities of its size. The challenge, sponsored by the Wyland Foundation and other agencies including the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, takes place in April each year and asks residents to take an online pledge that they will embrace certain water conservation techniques. “It brings people together and gets them talking about water conservation,” says Regan. The district also remains committed to bringing education about water and conservation into the schools, developing teaching resources for teachers including lesson plans, games and labs. Additionally, the district performs water wise house calls that involve visiting customers in their homes and providing them with specific advice on how to save water.

Left: The district headquarters today after its extensive remodel in 1989. The headquarters is surrounded by beautiful water-wise gardens as part of an effort to educate the public about water-efficient landscaping. Right: Laguna Beach County Water District staff proudly display the certificate the community earned for winning the 2013 National Mayor’s Challenge for Water Conservation. The community also won in 2012. (l-r) Christopher Regan, assistant general manager; a representative from the mayor’s challenge contest; Bruce Scherer, chair of the district board; and Renae Hinchey, general manager.

“We are committed to pursuing a resources mix of water supplies and looking at all possible ways to ensure future water reliability for Laguna Beach.” — Renae Hinchey, general manager of LBCWD April 17, 2015 • 13

Case Study

Hetch Hetchy Seismic Retrofit: Retooling A Massive Water System to Withstand a Massive Earthquake

Problem The Sierra snowmelt that fills the Hetch Hetchy Reservoir must traverse three of the nation’s most active earthquake faults to reach the 2.6 million people in the San Francisco Bay area who drink the pristine waters. What would happen to that liquid lifeline if the proverbial “big one” — a massive earthquake — hit the Bay Area, rupturing a portion of the labyrinth of water pipelines that carries the waters of Hetch Hetchy? That’s a question that haunts — and drives — civil engineers working to seismically shore up the Hetch Hetchy Regional Water System. It’s also one of the issues that helped to convince Bay Area voters in 2002 to approve a bond measure to pay for the $4.8 billion Hetch Hetchy Water System Improvement Program — one of the largest water infrastructure programs in the nation. The Hetch Hetchy Regional Water System is operated by the San Francisco Public Utilities Commission.

Approach Construction on the Hetch Hetchy Water System Improvement Project — also known as WSIP — launched in 2004. The WSIP is a compendium of 83 construction and retrofit projects — large and small — between the Central Valley and San Francisco along the Hetch Hetchy Regional Water System. The overarching goal of WSIP is to reduce the vulnerability of the water system to damage from earthquakes and to increase water system reliability by providing the redundancy needed to accommodate outages. The program also seeks to provide improvements related to water supply, quality and drought protection, and to enhance environmental sustainability.

“Even though they are distinct projects, they all work together to meet these goals,” said Dan Wade, WSIP director for the SFPUC, adding that the suite of water system improvements is about 85% complete. “It’s exciting and a privilege to be associated with a program that has such a meaningful and significant impact on our customers,” added Wade. The projects themselves are varied and range from the largest project — the $700 million replacement of the 90-year-old earthen Calaveras Dam in southern Alameda County — to construction of the new Bay Division Pipeline, a regional pipeline that will extend for 21 miles, including a five-mile section bored under the San Francisco Bay. The last time a regional water pipeline had been added to the Hetch Hetchy system was in 1973. Projects also include new pump stations, the seismic strengthening of control centers and replacement of filters at water treatment plants.

“This is one of the lifelines that will actually survive an earthquake on the Hayward fault.” — Bryan Dessaure, WSIP project manager

The seismic upgrade of Bay Division Pipelines No. 3 and No. 4 along the Hayward fault in Fremont is a critical piece of the overall seismic retrofit of the Hetch Hetchy Regional Water System. Above: Reinforcing cages for secant pipes lay at a staging area waiting to be installed as part of the pipelines retrofit.

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 history of the Hetch Hetchy water system is long and controversial because it involved damming the Tuolumne River in the Hetch Hetchy Valley in Yosemite National Park. After years of lobbying, Congress passed the Raker Act in 1913, which allowed San Francisco to dam the Tuolumne River in 1923 to provide water to San Franciscans and residents of more than 20 other Bay Area cities. The controversy over the Hetch Hetchy Valley has cropped up from time to time over the decades. In 2012, San Francisco residents voted on whether to launch a study to determine whether the Hetch Hetchy Valley could be restored to its original state and how that would impact the Hetch Hetchy water system. Voters overwhelmingly rejected the measure. Throughout that controversy, the SFPUC continued to work diligently to upgrade the Hetch Hetchy water system through its WSIP program. The program is garnering increased national attention — especially from engineers — for its innovative elements. One of the WSIP’s most unique — and crucial — projects is the $75 million upgrade to a pair of water pipelines that cross the Hayward Fault in Fremont. The upgrade of Bay Division Pipelines No. 3 and No. 4 is a technical feat intended to enable the pipelines to withstand a 7.1 earthquake along the Hayward Fault. Most seismologists say an earthquake along the Hayward Fault is overdue and can occur at any time. The goal of the upgrade of pipelines No. 3 and 4 is to ensure that within 24 hours of a major earthquake, one of the pipelines would remain intact so water would be able to flow to more than 2.6 million customers. To achieve that end, one of the pipelines must

survive a horizontal offset of up to 6.5 feet. Engineers grappled with the puzzle by building a new section of pipeline No. 3 that rests on supports that slide within a concrete “vault” box. The “vault” box is built to flex in the direction of the fault movement. Inside the box, two gigantic ball joints — 72-inches and specially manufactured — rotate to allow the box to shift. This portion of the project was extensively stress tested through models and full-scale tests to ensure it could withstand the massive shakes. “This is one of the lifelines that will actually survive an earthquake on the Hayward fault,” said Bryan Dessaure, project manager with WSIP.

Results The WSIP program is expected to wrap up in 2019. Already, more than 11,000 construction jobs have been created by the project. At the peak of the program, about 1,000 engineers, planners, consultants and other non-construction workers were fast at work on the WSIP. These days that number is about 300. To date, about 7.5 million construction hours have been logged on the project and the safety incident rate is half the industry average. “It’s a privilege to work with a fantastic project team that includes our city staff, our consultants and contractors, as well as our partners in labor and our wholesale partners represented by the Bay Area Water Supply and Conservation Agency,” said Wade. Time — and an earthquake — will ultimately determine whether the massive engineering project met its overarching goal — seismic reliability. In the meantime, the projects are being built using the most up-to-date engineering and technological know-how.

Top: Workers install a 50-foot-long continuous pipe between a ball joint and a slip joint, which will allow the pipe to slide with minimal friction during a seismic event. Bottom: The 72-inch diameter Bay Division Pipeline 3X is sliplined under the I-680 freeway in oversized corrugated metal pipe. The corrugted metal pipe was installed when the I-680 was built in the 1970’s in anticipation of future use.

Right: “Ensuring a Reliable Water Supply” Panelists (l-r) Vanessa De La Piedra, groundwater management unit manager, Santa Clara Valley Water District; Katherine Oven, deputy operating officer, Water Utility Capitol Division, Santa Clara Valley Water District; Don Ridenhour, general manager, Sunnyslope County Water District; Michael Hurley, water resources manager, Bay Area Water Supply and Conservation Agency. Center: Keynote Speaker Mike Mielke, senior vice president, Environment & Energy, Silicon Valley Leadership Group. Right: Attendees tour Santa Clara Valley Water District’s Silicon Valley Advanced Water Purification Center.

Region 5 Event Highlights Silicon Valley Innovation and Leadership By Dick Quigley ACWA Region 5 partnered with Santa Clara Valley Water District to host a region event in San Jose on March 22 and 23. The event attracted more than 50 attendees and highlighted Silicon Valley’s leadership in local water management and its investments to ensure a reliable water supply. The program started on March 22 with a tour of SCVWD’s Advanced Water Purification Center. It was fascinating to learn how this state-of-the-art facility takes treated wastewater that would otherwise go out into the San Francisco Bay and purifies it through microfiltration, reverse osmosis, and ultraviolet light. After the tour, attendees gathered in downtown San Jose for a program and networking opportunity. Tuolumne River Trust Policy Director Peter Drekmeier gave a presentation about collaboration between water agencies and environmental groups. Next, SCVWD Chief Operating Officer Jim Fiedler led a roundtable discussion about water district drought response efforts and the impact on water rates. We reconvened the following morning at SCVWD headquarters. After a warm welcome from the district Chief Executive Officer Beau Goldie, ACWA Executive Director Timothy Quinn provided an update on ACWA activities. The first panel discussion of the day 16 • ACWANEWS

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was moderated by ACWA Vice President Kathy Tiegs. SCVWD’s Vanessa De La Piedra, groundwater management unit manager, and Katherine Oven, deputy operating officer, Water Utility Capital Division, kicked off this discussion. De La Piedra gave an overview of the district’s groundwater management program, followed by Oven’s presentation that highlighted several district projects that create a reliable water supply for its customers. Next we heard from Sunnyslope County Water District General Manager Don Riddenhour and Bay Area Water Supply and Conservation Agency (BAWSCA) Water Resources Manager Michael Hurley. Riddenhour presented an overview of the Hollister Urban Area Water Project, a joint project among Sunnyslope CWD, City of Hollister, and San Benito County Water District that will provide reliable and high quality water for Hollister area and nearby agricultural customers. Hurley’s presentation summarized BAWSCA’s study to diversify water supplies to create a more reliable water source for its member agency customers. Region 5 Board Member and San Francisco Public Utilities Commissioner Anson Moran moderated the next panel about disaster preparedness. PG&E’s Malloy spoke

first about the utility’s Napa Quake operational response efforts and the lessons learned. SCVWD Engineering Unit Manager Hemang Desai followed with a presentation about the district’s Dam Safety Program. Joubin Pakpour, district engineer at Purissima Hills Water District, gave an overview of the district’s Neary Tank Utilization Project. Next, we took a short walk out to see SCVWD’s percolation ponds (which are dry due to drought conditions) and to see the district’s Water Quality Lab. The state-of-the-art lab houses specialized test equipment used to meet increased water-quality testing needs and respond to emergency contaminants and stringent water quality standards. San Jose Mayor Sam Liccardo dropped by after lunch to welcome attendees to San Jose and talk about the strong partnership between the City and SCVWD. Wrapping up the program, we heard from Mike Mielke, senior vice president for environment and energy, at Silicon Valley Leadership Group. His presentation highlighted the importance of water reliability to sustaining the economy and quality of life for the Silicon Valley. Continued on page 17

ACWA Board Approves Water Storage Policy Paper, Strategic Plan With historic drought providing new urgency to address water supply challenges, ACWA’s Board of Directors was briefed on the findings of a recent statewide poll commissioned by ACWA and approved a water storage policy paper with recommendations to help guide investments in surface and groundwater storage under Proposition 1. The Board also approved an update of the 2014-’15 Strategic and Business Plan that identifies priority actions for the year in the areas of leadership, advocacy and public policy, external affairs and information, member services and education, and organizational governance and stewardship. The water storage policy paper is the product of a task force appointed by ACWA President John Coleman in September 2014 to articulate the association’s vision for the future of water storage in California. In addition to describing the role surface and groundwater storage can play in achieving the coequal goals of improved water supply reliability and ecosystem health, the paper offers a

series of recommendations for the California Water Commission to consider as it undertakes its process to allocate $2.7 billion in Proposition 1 funding for water storage projects. Water Storage Policy Task Force Chair Paul Kelley said a key takeaway from the document is that water storage needs and opportunities are diverse in scale, location and function, but all regions of California share a universal need for additional storage capabilities. Proposition 1 funds for storage should be allocated in a way that best leverages local funds, allows so-called CALFED projects to move forward, supports other types of projects, and encourages integration. ACWA Executive Director Timothy Quinn said the policy paper is another example of ACWA members coming together to provide a statewide perspective on a critical issue. “We are making a powerful statement about the future of water storage and our broader vision for the role it needs to play in the 21st century,” he said.

its May 20 meeting. A highlights document on the policy paper and recommendations will be available soon on ACWA’s website at www.acwa.com. Jennifer Persike, ACWA’s deputy executive director for external affairs and operations, briefed ACWA Board members on the statewide public opinion poll that found the vast majority of Californians — some 90% — are willing to make significant changes to conserve water. The poll, commissioned by ACWA in partnership with the Save Our Water program, also found that 80% of Californians view the drought and water shortages as “extremely” or “very” serious problems. (See March 20 issue of ACWA News for more details on the poll.) A summary of the findings is available at www.acwa.com/spotlight/ attitudes-water-conservation. The Save Our Water program is using the findings to improve outreach to consumers this summer and to help local water agencies develop their own outreach programs.

Quinn is set to present the recommendations to the CWC at

Continued from page 16

Of behalf of ACWA Region 5, I would like to thank Santa Clara Valley Water District for cohosting this regional event. Our event speakers also deserve a big thank you for volunteering their time to participate in this program. All presentations from this event are available on the ACWA website at www.acwa.com. I also would like to thank our sponsors – CDM Smith and Black & Veatch. Our next Region 5 meeting will take place at ACWA Spring Conference on May 7.

Region 10 Opens Call for Candidates ACWA Region 10 has opened a call for candidates to fill a vacancy on its board from Orange County for the remainder of the 2014-2015 term. The leadership of ACWA’s 10 geographical regions is integral to the leadership of the association as a whole. The members of the region boards determine the direction and focus of region issues and activities. If you or someone within your

agency is interested in serving in a leadership role with ACWA by becoming a member of the Region 10 Board please return the candidate nomination form by the May 1st deadline. For more information about ACWA’s Region Board vacancy please contact ACWA’s Regional Affairs Representative Brandon Ida at brandoni@acwa.com.

April 17, 2015 • 17

ACWA Region Elections: Call for Candidates Kicks Off at ACWA Spring Conference & Exhibition The official call for candidates to serve on the region boards for the 2016-’17 term will be announced May 4, at ACWA’s 2015 Spring Conference & Exhibition in Sacramento. The region elections will determine the boards of each region, including the region chair, vice chair and board members for the 2016-’17 term. Nominating committees have been appointed by the current chairs of each region and are posted at www.acwa. com. These committees are tasked with identifying and reviewing qualifications of eligible region chair, vice chair and board member candidates for the 2016’17 term.

Election materials will be sent to ACWA member agencies general managers and board presidents electronically on May 4. Interested candidates must submit a nomination form and a signed resolution of support from their agency’s board of directors to ACWA no later than June 30, 2015. The election begins on July 31, 2015, when the region nominating committees announce their recommended slate for each of the 10 Region Boards. An official electronic ballot identifying the recommended slate and any additional candidates for consideration will be sent to all ACWA member agencies on that date. Only one ballot per agency

will be accepted. All region election ballots must be received at ACWA by September 30, and election results will be announced on October 5, 2015. Region election information and materials are available at www.acwa.com/ content/region-elections. If you have questions, please contact Regional Affairs Representatives Katie Dahl at katied@acwa.com, Brandon Ida at brandoni@acwa.com, or call (916) 441-4545.

Energy Commission Approves New Standards on Water Efficiency The California Energy Commission on April 8 approved higher water efficiency standards for some appliances as allowed under Gov. Jerry Brown’s emergency drought proclamation.

year, as well as 30.6 million therms of natural gas and 218 gigawatt hours of electricity. Over 10 years, water savings could total 730 billion gallons, officials estimated.

The standards, approved unanimously by the commission, will reduce water flow by as much as a half for some appliances sold after Jan. 1, 2016

Faucets, toilets and urinals are among the appliances that must meet the new regulations.

Officials said the changes could save 10.3 billion gallons of water in the first

Under the new regulations, bathroom faucets sold after Jan. 1, 2016 could use no more than 1.2 gallons per minute,

down from the 2.2 gallons per minute they can use now. Kitchen faucets would be reduced to 1.8 gallons per minute from 2.2 gallons per minute. Public bathroom faucets would be reduced from 2.2 gallons per minute to a half-gallon. Toilets maximum water flow cannot exceed 1.28 gallon per minute and wall-mounted urinals could use no more than .125 gallons of water per minute.

“Save the Drop” City-Wide Conservation Campaign Launched in L.A. Los Angeles Mayor Eric Garcetti on April 9 announced a new city-wide effort to unite the conservation campaigns of various city departments under one umbrella — Save the Drop LA. The campaign seeks to meet a 20% reduction in water use by 2017. “Because we acted strategically and acted early, we have powerful tools in place to respond to this historic drought. Now through this unprecedented outreach campaign, we are taking action to make sure every Angeleno is informed and encouraged to harness those tools to lower 18 • ACWANEWS

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their water use and their water bills,” said Garcetti in a statement. Under the direction of officials within the mayor’s office and in partnership with the Los Angeles Department of Water and Power, Save the Drop will utilize everything from signage on buses and sanitation trucks to information distributed by the city at events and educational programs at city libraries. Save the Drop messaging also will be projected on movie screens and featured in television and radio spots. The Mayor’s Fund for Los Angeles also has partnered with the campaign to

help enhance the program and will provide staffing, raise funds for advertising purchases and coordinate donated creative content and media — such as pro bono services from LA creative company Omelet. The city’s Neighborhood Councils are also collaborating with the mayor’s staff to achieve Save the Drop conservation goals. “The Save the Drop campaign is the ideal opportunity to coordinate private resources with city-assets to address one of the most pressing needs facing Los Angeles and its residents — its water,” said Deidre Lund, president of the Mayor’s Fund for Los Angeles.

Laws Governing Background Checks Changing, Employers Need to Know the New Terrain Employee Relations Inc. to Provide Presentation on New Rules at ACWA Spring Conference Recent changes in law and a series of class action lawsuits have underscored the importance of performing proper background checks on prospective employees. And these days, making the right decision about hiring new employees is more critical than ever, particularly since more than 30% of job applicants provide false or misleading information. That fact, coupled with the increasing liability of employers for not properly screening out “bad actors,” makes knowing the legal terrain of proper background checks crucial. Employee Relations Inc., an ACWA Preferred Provider that provides consulting on background checks and employee relations, will provide a presentation at ACWA’s Spring Conference & Exhibition on the latest developments in the background check process. The presentation will cover the limitations placed on public employers, including water districts, on what they can ask applicants. Employee Relations, Inc. offers services that guide employers every step of the way with up-to-date, compliant, and easy to use forms, documents and processes. In the past, many employers used credit reports as indicators of how a prospective employee handles his or her economic affairs, and therefore, how the employee might handle the affairs of the employer. But users of credit reports have long been admonished by the Fair Credit Reporting Act (FCRA) to look beyond the numbers to ascertain if a poor report was due to negligent management or to circumstances such as major medical expenses

or loss of job and wages that were beyond a prospective employee’s control. Now, many state laws prohibit the use of credit reports for employment purposes, with exceptions for those professions where they are mandated, such as law enforcement agencies, management positions having access to customer and employee non-public information, and positions having access to large amounts of cash. Legislation also is now in force in California and many other states, counties and cities, that prohibits employers from asking prospective employees about their criminal records before it is determined that the applicant meets the minimum qualifications for the job. This so-called “ban the box” legislation is a requirement of all public agencies in California, including water agencies and other special districts. The idea behind the legislation is that it will help reduce recidivism if public employers must look at applicants’ qualifications rather than just ruling out those with criminal pasts. The new law does not bar criminal background checks, but stipulates they should be conducted after assessing the applicant’s qualifications.

An increasing number of class action lawsuits also highlight the importance of getting things right when performing background checks on prospective and existing employees. On Dec. 4, 2014, a class action lawsuit was filed in a Florida federal court alleging that grocery store chain Whole Foods Market Group, Inc. performed illegal background checks in violation of the FCRA. The plaintiff, Colin Speer, alleges Whole Foods violated the FCRA by failing to make proper disclosure and failing to obtain proper authorization for the pending background checks. Background checks are especially important to screen job applicants having access to and control of, the nation’s water supply. The ACWA/Employee Relations, Inc. background check program provides water agencies and special districts of all sizes with this service. Employee Relations, Inc. will make a special presentation covering the permissible and impermissible uses and components of background checks at a presentation that addresses adverse action, credit reports, “ban-the-box,” and more, at the ACWA Spring Conference & Exhibition in Sacramento, May 6 at 2:00 p.m.

April 17, 2015 • 19

Member News

CVWD Celebrates 60 Years of Service, Dedicates Founders Garden In celebration of its 60th anniversary, the Cucamonga Valley Water District on March 24 kicked-off a planned yearlong celebration with a commemorative board meeting and dedication of a new Founders Garden to honor CVWD’s original leaders. The dedication event featured a performance by Joel Greene, host of PBS’ Curiosity Quest, who told the water story of Cucamonga. The event also paid tribute to Lloyd W. Michael, who is recognized as one of CVWD’s most significant leaders. Michael served on the CVWD Board of Directors and later served as the district’s general manager from 1972 to 1990. The event was attended by Michael’s widow, Marian Michael, and his

son Dennis Michael, who is mayor of the City of Rancho Cucamonga. Local legislative representative, city employees, current and former CVWD employees and friends of the district also attended.

committed to these users and to residential needs second. Only when the bell was rung did the community know they could use water in their homes.

“Without water, this region would not be what it is today, and CVWD is so proud to be a part of that history,” said CVWD Board President James V. Curatalo, Jr. The board meeting concluded with the ringing of a replica bell by Vice President Luis Cetina. Similar bells were used in the 1900s to let urban water users know when they could use water for bathing, cooking and other necessities. As an agriculturallydominant region, water was first

CCWD original board of directors in 1955. From left to right: Galer Royer, Joseph Grass, Jr. Harold B. Blatz, John S. Ingalls, and Royer Nesbit.

Desert Water Agency Files Petition to Appeal Court Ruling The Desert Water Agency on March 30 filed a petition with the Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals seeking review of a recent federal court ruling that found the Agua Caliente Band of Cahuilla Indians has a reserved right to the region’s groundwater – water that is used to supply drinking water to all Coachella Valley residents. The DWA is concerned that the ruling could hand over virtually exclusive use of the public’s water supply to the tribe, which it believes is attempting to take ownership of the water and prevent the water agencies in the valley from delivering water to their customers. “To protect the public’s access to an affordable and reliable water supply and prevent unnecessary rate hikes, Desert Water Agency will remain vigilant in our efforts to appeal this ruling,” DWA General Manager David Luker said in a statement. “The public has always — and should always — own, coop20 • ACWANEWS

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eratively manage and share the region’s water supply.” The tribe filed a lawsuit in 2013 against DWA and Coachella Valley Water District claiming both reserved and aboriginal rights, above all other water users, to the region’s groundwater. A federal court ruled the tribe does not have an aboriginal right to the groundwater in the Coachella Valley. Although the court ruled the tribe has a reserved right to the region’s groundwater, the ruling acknowledges that there is legitimate room for disagreement over whether the law currently supports the tribe’s claim. Therefore, the court certified the ruling for interlocutory appeal, which now requires permission from the Court of Appeals since the case is not yet concluded. Previous case law provides that a federally reserved water right only exists if necessary to fulfill the primary purpose of the reservation. DWA asserts that

the tribe fails to demonstrate — or even argue — that a reserved right to groundwater is necessary to accomplish the reservation’s purpose. Reservation lands have always received an ample water supply from the water agencies who serve all of the water users in the Coachella Valley, DWA argues. “We firmly believe that everyone, including the tribe, should have equal access to a clean, affordable and reliable water supply — one group should not have the right to carve up the groundwater basin, taking supplies as it pleases and leaving the rest of us to make do with the leftovers,” added Luker. The recent ruling potentially kicks off an expensive, lengthy and complicated legal process — known as adjudication — to divide up the water resources and storage space in the aquifer underlying the western Coachella Valley.

TUD Launches Project Aimed at Involving Community in County Water Management The Tuolumne Utilities District in March launched a new citizen engagement project aimed at involving county leaders and local residents in water supply decisions for Tuolumne County. The project is funded by a public engagement grant from the Davenport Institute, part of Pepperdine University’s School of Public Policy. As part of the new project, TUD created a new advisory group, the Community Water Council for the Tuolumne County Region, launched a new outreach website, and plans to hold a series of public forums this summer. “The district is thrilled and honored to be selected by the Davenport Institute to move forward on such an important and critical issue facing our county,” said Lisa Westbrook, TUD public relations staff, in a statement. “We look forward to educating the public about the history and facts about our water supply. The goal is to have the community decide the future of their water supply.”

The Community Water Council is made up of Cal Fire, Tuolumne County, Tuolumne Utilities District, and Twain Harte Community Services District. The council held meetings in March and April to discuss county water supply issues, water supply alternatives, and determine recommendations to address these issues. The council will hold its next meeting on May 1 at 9 a.m. at TUD’s office. For more information on the project or future public forums, please visit www.yourwaterchoices.com. For more information on the district, please visit www.tudwater.com.

Central Basin Takes Actions to Address Drought The Central Basin Municipal Water District Board of Directors in March took two decisive steps in response to the current drought, adopting updates to its Water Supply Allocation Plan and approving an extension to its partnership with the California Department of Water Resources through the High-Efficiency Living Program (HELP). In February CBMWD completed installation of more than 9,000 high-efficiency toilets with funding from a HELP grant. The district estimates the installation project will save more than 2 billion gallons over the next 25 years. The recently approved extension of the program will allow CBMWD to install 300 more highefficiency toilets in its service area and increase water conservation.

According to CBMWD, the updates made to its Water Supply Allocation plan were in response to anticipated supply reductions from its water supplier, the Metropolitan Water District of Southern California. (The MWD Board on April 14 approved a plan to cut delieveries to member agencies by 15% starting July 1.) “The water supply challenges before us require foresight and action,” said Central Basin Board President Robert Apodaca in a statement. “As the region’s water wholesaler, we will work in partnership with out purveyors to address the impacts of the drought with the long-term goal of protecting our region’s water supply reliability.”.

Inland Empire Regional Composting Facility Recognized The Inland Empire Utilities Agency announced on March 25 that the Inland Empire Regional Composting Facility has received the Santa Ana River Basin Engineering Achievement Award. The award, administered by the California Water Environment Association, recognizes outstanding projects in the wastewater field that demonstrate conservation of resources. The Inland Empire Regional Composting Facility is a joint powers agreement established in 2002 between the IEUA and the sanitation districts of Los Angeles County. Its Rancho Cucamonga facility uses one of the world’s largest biofilters to create soils that are used locally in landscapes and to help conserve water. The facility also is fully compliant with the South Coast Air Quality Management District’s air standards. “We are proud of our composting project and thrilled to be recognized for this award,” said IERCA Board Vice Chair and IEUA Director Gene Koopman. “This project takes over 200,000 wet tons of waste and turns it into valuable compost that is used locally, saving precious water and creating beautiful landscapes. It also saves thousands of miles of truck traffic while utilizing clean energy.” .

April 17, 2015 • 21

March Feedback

Will your agency need to adopt changes to your drought contingency plan following the State Board’s March 17 action mandating outdoor watering restrictions?

Here are excerpts from replies sent to acwanews@acwa.com. WATER REPLENISHMENT DISTRICT OF SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA

Laguna Beach County Water District – At this time, the district does not anticipate having to change or add restrictions to its drought contingency plan, however we are waiting to see what, if any, additional regulations the State Board will adopt to implement Executive Order B-29-15. The district’s drought contingency plan has three mandatory levels of potential response to escalating water supply conditions, which the district implements during times of shortage. Staff anticipates our board moving to the next level in our plan to meet the 25% reduction. Indian Wells Valley Water District – At its April 13 meeting, the district board of directors will be considering an emergency conservation ordinance with the staff recommendation to adopt an even/odd watering schedule where addresses ending in an even number may irrigate landscape on even days and addresses ending with an odd number may irrigate landscape on odd days.

Employment General Manager United Water Conservation District Headquartered in Santa Paula, California, United Water Conservation District (United) is now seeking a General Manager to oversee the District’s staff of 55 with an annual budget of $18-21 million. Candidates must possess a bachelor’s degree in engineering, business, geology or a related field and a combination of management and leadership experience in an organization of comparable size and complexity; a master’s degree is desirable. The salary range is $205,674 – $249,998 annually and benefits. Apply online www. bobmurrayassoc.com. Contact Fred Freeman (916) 784-9080 Deadline May 15, 2015.

Sweetwater Authority – On April 22, the authority’s governing board will vote on a revised drought response plan that includes changes to the base period upon which Target Water Allocations are set and incorporation of new state mandated water use prohibitions… Authority staff anticipates again revising the drought response plan after the State Board takes action in the coming weeks in response to the governor’s April 1 executive order. Mesa Water District – With the governor’s executive order on April 1, the district is awaiting the State Board’s adoption of new regulations in early May and will then consider options for updating its drought contingency plan to meet the state’s water-restriction requirements. In any case, residents have been cutting back as some 100,000 square feet of turf has been removed from our service area since November 2014, and the district has reduced cumulative water use since June 2014 by 3.7%.

Prime Downtown Location Suite available in Sacramento, one block from the State Capital (910 K St.). • Suite 350 – 1,850 sq. ft. • Move-in ready office space Send us your feedback!

What question do your customers ask most frequently about the drought? Email your answer to acwanews@acwa.com by May 8, 2015. Please put in subject line “Feedback April 2015.”

22 • ACWANEWS

Vol. 43 No. 4

• Immediate access to I-5 and I-80 • Centrally located in the heart of the Sacramento Central Business District For more information, contact Mark Tabak: 916.288.4818 or mark.tabak@cushwake.com

Office for Lease

People News ACWA Associate Brownstein Hyatt Farber Schreck Adds Ryan Waterman to Firm’s Water Group The law firm of Brownstein Hyatt Farber Schreck, an ACWA associate member, on March 31 announced the expansion of the firm’s Water Group with the addition of Ryan Waterman as shareholder of the firm’s San Diego office.

Waterman’s practice focuses on land use, CEQA/NEPA environmental review, and water and natural resources issues. Waterman’s addition expands the firm’s Water Group, which includes nearly 30 attorney’s and handles a broad range of water issues in California including implementation of the Sustainable Groundwater Management Act of 2014.

West Valley Water District GM Araiza To Retire After 52 Years of Service The West Valley Water District announced on April 1 that General Manager Anthony “Butch” Araiza will retire on June 10 after 52 years of service with the district. The WVWD Board of Directors plans to recognize Araiza’s career at its May 21 board meeting.

treat drinking water and has lead efforts to implement both traditional and innovative drinking water treatment technologies for residents of the Rialto-Colton Water Basin.

Araiza was first hired to perform field and landscaping maintenance at the district in 1963 and steadily worked his way up, serving in multiple roles, before being appointed general manager in 1995. Under his leadership, the district obtained substantial grant funding for new technologies to

In addition to his participation in many community and charity organizations, Araiza’s long career also includes work with ACWA, American Water Works Association, Lytle Creek Water Conservation Association, Inland Counties Water Association, Inland Empire Perchlorate Task Force, Upper Santa Ana Water Resources Association, Rialto Groundwater Basin Association and City of Rialto Planning Commission.

East Valley Water District Transitions to Budget-Based Rate Structure After conducting a thorough analysis and wide-ranging public outreach on the issue, the East Valley Water District Board of Directors announced in March that it will transition to a budget based rate structure by June 1. At its March 25 meeting, the board also approved a three-year schedule of changes to the district’s water rates. “The district recognizes the importance of spending ratepayer dollars wisely, and we appreciate all of the public input we received on this critical issue,” said EVWD Board Chair James Morales, Jr. in a statement. “Looking forward, budget based rates create an opportunity to provide our customers with more information about their water use along with a new level of service.”

In early 2014, the district began evaluating the costs of providing water and conducted a rate analysis, which included the consideration of a budget based rate structure. The district also conducted a number of public workshops and meetings and formed a rate study working group to engage customers in discussions about budget based rates. The district shared information from this process on the district’s website and through direct mailing to customers.

To help customers with the new rates, for the next two months the district says it will send a “shadow bill” showing what that month’s bill would be with the new rates. EVWD is also providing customers with bill comparison data using 2014 actual usage available at www.eastvalley.org/ billcompare.

According to the district, these outreach efforts led the board to make the changes to the rates in order to promote conservation with a three-tier structure based on the cost of providing three different sources of water.

April 17, 2015 • 23

Most Clicked Here are some of April’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

Drought Unprecedented and So Must Be the Response, Speakers Stress at ACWA Drought Briefing — 04/09/2015 State Board Releases Draft Framework for Meeting 25% Water Use Reduction in Urban Areas — 04/08/2015

Upcoming Events Visit acwa.com for complete listing

Urban Water Conservation Dips in February; Warm Temperatures Cited as a Factor — 04/07/2015 Snowless Snow Survey Highlights Extreme Drought; Governor Mandates First-Ever Statewide Water Reductions — 04/01/2015

Twitter Chatter Recently Trending on Twitter

Antonio Castano @savethedrop •A pr 9 | “This resource [water], most valuable that we have, has been undervalued due to its abundance.” — Don Nottoli, ACWA @ACWAWater • A pr 9 | “Nature will rule at the end of the day” — Paul Wenger, CA Farm Bureau Federation at #CADroughtBriefing Peter Yolles @yolles · • Apr 9 | “East Porterville is ground zero, where 600 wells have run dry.” Eric Lamoureux, CA Emergency Services. CA Farm Water @farmwater · • Apr 9 | “People need to realize that food doesn’t just come from grocery stores, it comes from CA farms” — Felicia Marcus Sara Reid Herman @sohereSara · • Apr 9 | “Everyone is a soldier in this fight” John Laird, CA Natural Resources, re: #cadrought & water conservation at @ACWAWater Drought Briefing.

April 2015

28 – May 1 CWEA Annual Conference 2015 will be held at the Town & Country Resort, San Diego. For registration and more information, go to myac15.com.

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.

21 – 22

Water Education Foundation Integrated Regional Water Management 2.0: The Next Generation will be held at the Hilton San Diego Resort. More information available at www. watereducation.org.

June 2015 7 – 10

American Water Works Association Annual Conference will be held at the Anaheim Convention Center, Anaheim CA. For more information, visit www.awwa.org/conferences-education/ conferences/annual-conference.aspx.

August 2015 17 – 19

Smart H2O Summit will be held at the San Francisco Marriott. More information available at www.smarth2osummit.com/attend.html.

September 2015 10 – 11

ACWA’s 2015 Continuing Legal Education will be held at the Waterfront Hotel in Oakland, CA. More information coming soon.

ACWA 2015 Spring Conference & Exhibition May 5 – 8, 2015 • Sacramento