ACWA News January 22, 2016 by ACWA

ACWANEWS

ACWA’s Member Newsletter • www.acwa.com

The California Water Action Plan 2016 Update was in focus at a special event Jan. 14 presented by ACWA and the Brown Administration. Left: (l-r) State Water Board Chair Felicia Marcus, DWR Director Mark Cowin, Cal/EPA Undersecretary Gordon Burns, and CDFW Director Chuck Bonham discuss advancing integrated solutions during a morning panel. Right: Gov. Jerry Brown offers opening remarks, saying “there’s nothing quite like (the action plan) ever in the history of California.” Photo credits California Department of Water Resources

Water Leaders Look to Future at ACWA’s CA Water 2.0 Event in Sacramento Gov. Jerry Brown, top state officials and a broad audience representing water, local government, business, agriculture, labor and conservation groups drilled into the details of California’s water future Jan. 14 during a daylong event in Sacramento titled “California Water 2.0: What’s Next for the California Water Action Plan?” The event, organized by ACWA in partnership with the Brown Administration, teed up the Administration’s release of the 2016 update to the California Water Action Plan, a five-year roadmap issued by Brown in 2014. Nearly 300 people attended the event at the Sacramento Convention Center, and close to 1,800 more

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joined via webcast. Event materials and an archived version of the webcast are available at www.acwa. com/cawater2.0. In his remarks, Brown said the plan offers a “balanced set of solutions” that will make the state’s water system stronger and more resilient. “It’s integrated,” Brown told the crowd. “And there’s nothing quite like it ever in the history of California.” Brown stressed that climate change and other challenges will require the state’ water system to adapt. He said the approach outlined in the California Water Action Plan is the best strategy.

State Water Board Issues Draft Emergency Regulation for 2016 The State Water Resources Control Board released a draft emergency conservation regulation on Jan. 15 that would extend the requirements of the existing regulation through October and offer “modest adjustments” to reflect climate, growth and significant investments in new, locally developed drought-resilient potable water supplies. Public comment on the draft regulation is due by noon Thursday, Jan. 28. The State Water Board is expected to consider the regulation at its meeting Feb. 2.

CA WATER Continued on page 5

Column: Event Highlights Importance of Comprehensive Water Plan

President Tiegs Encourages Inclusion, Communication, Cohesion

EMERGENCY REG Continued on page 3

Governor’s Budget Includes $5 Million for Save Our Water JANUARY 22, 2016 • 1

ACWA News is a publication of the Association of California Water Agencies Periodicals postage paid at Sacramento, CA. POSTMASTER: send address changes and subscription requests to ACWA News, 910 K Street, Suite 100 Sacramento, CA 95814-3514 Phone: 916.441.4545 Website: acwa.com Executive Director Timothy Quinn Deputy Executive Director of External Affairs & Member Services Jennifer Persike Director of Communications Lisa Lien-Mager Communications Specialist Pamela Martineau Communications Specialist Emily Allshouse Graphic Designer Katherine Causland Outreach and Social Media Specialist Marie Meade Copyright 2015. All Rights Reserved. Call ACWA for Permission to Reprint. USPS 334030

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EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR’S COLUMN • TIMOTHY QUINN

Event Highlights Importance of Comprehensive Water Plan From investments in water storage and stormwater capture to expanded water use efficiency and groundwater management, the value of an “all-of-the-above” strategy to meet the state’s water needs was elevated once again — with Governor Jerry Brown leading the conversation — at a special event Jan. 14 at the Sacramento Convention Center presented by ACWA in partnership with the Brown Administration. The event, titled “California Water 2.0: What’s Next for the California Water Plan?,” provided an update on the array of actions underway to implement the plan. (See story, page 1.) Drawing more than 250 attendees and nearly 1,800 viewers via webcast, the event was part of a broader external affairs effort by ACWA to highlight the need for a comprehensive approach to address the state’s water challenges. Though you might not know it from a few of the headlines and sound bites, Delta conveyance was not the centerpiece of the event. Nor was it a dominant issue in panel discussions and breakout groups that engaged attendees. It was, however, a topic with an important place in the suite of actions necessary for long-term success on California water in the 21st century. As emphasized by speaker after speaker, we need an integrated approach to secure a more reliable water supply, restore ecosystem health and create a more resilient water system for the future. Governor Brown — who has kept water on the policy radar throughout his career — set the tone for the day when he called for a “balanced set of actions” coordinated in a “very careful, thoughtful way” to make real progress on an issue so central to our economy, our environment and our quality of life. One theme that resonated throughout the day was the tremendous value of local and regional investments in drought-resilient water supplies, including recycling, conservation, local storage, groundwater cleanup

and desalination and now ocean desalination. These investments are credited widely with keeping the state’s economy intact through four years of drought, and they are equally critical to the success of the California Water Action Plan. Given the huge level of support for these water supply tools — and their vital role in our future — it’s difficult to fathom why they are minimized in the state’s proposed emergency drought response strategy for 2016. The draft emergency regulation issued by the State Water Resources Control Board staff on Jan. 15 — the day after our event — focuses heavily on mandatory water use reductions, without adequate credit for the significant water supply tools local water agencies have developed specifically to buffer the effects of drought. This regulatory approach is blatantly inconsistent with the wise policy directive outlined in the California Water Action Plan, and ultimately will serve to undermine the value of these important local investments. Clearly there is a place for both water supply tools and demand management tools in the state’s drought response in 2016. Local communities must be allowed to benefit from the preparations their local water agencies have made for multiyear drought such as this one. And we need to encourage more such investments, not hamper them by taking them effectively off the table when they are needed most. ACWA will continue to make this case with the State Water Board in the coming weeks and seek adjustments to the emergency regulation that better align with the balanced approach championed in the governor’s plan. Californians deserve no less.

EMERGENCY REG Continued from page 1

As proposed, the draft regulation would allow urban water suppliers to apply for an adjustment of no more than 8% to their individual state-imposed conservation target. The climate adjustment, where applicable, could reduce a supplier’s target by up to 4% for suppliers located in warmer regions of the state. The growth adjustment, as proposed, would provide a mechanism to account for water-efficient growth since 2013. To qualify for the adjustment, suppliers would have to provide specific data to the State Water Board by March 15. The new local drought-resilient supply credit, as proposed, would allow urban water suppliers that obtain at least 4% of their total potable water production from a qualifying new local, droughtresilient water supply to apply for a 4% to 8% reduction to their target. The credit would be equal to a supplier’s actual percentage of total potable water production that comes from a qualifying source up to a maximum of 8%. The source of supply must have been developed since 2013, and the use of that supply must “not reduce the water available to another legal user of water or the environment.” In order to qualify for the credit, water suppliers would have to submit required certification to the State Water Board by March 15. The draft regulation also clarifies the provision for receiving an exemption for commercial agriculture. Total monthly water production and specific reporting on residential use and enforcement would remain in effect. The draft regulation and a fact sheet are available at www.waterboards.ca.gov/ water_issues/programs/conservation_ portal/emergency_regulation.shtml.

ACWA’s Position ACWA is reviewing the draft regulation, which builds on a draft framework released by the State Water Board staff on Dec. 21.

The fruits of El Niño — much-needed snow — can be seen in the Sierras in this view of Lake Tahoe from Highway 50 on Dec. 30, the morning of the first snow survey of the 2015-’16 season.

In general, ACWA has been calling on the State Water Board to allow locally developed drought-resilient water supplies to play a much more significant role in the state’s drought response in 2016. In comments submitted Jan. 6, ACWA said the framework failed to recognize the importance of local water supply investments and could compel Californians to sustain extraordinary conservation efforts that are disproportionate to the actual need or immediate water supply conditions on the ground. ACWA believes the current approach — and heavy focus on mandatory conservation — is denying communities the benefit of significant investment in local water projects and could provide a disincentive for water suppliers to make additional investments in the future. ACWA’s Jan. 6 comment letter is available at www.acwa.com.

Background In May 2015, the State Water Board adopted an emergency regulation for implementing the required 25% reduction in urban water use outlined in the April 1 executive order issued by Gov. Jerry Brown. The regulation requires urban water suppliers to meet mandatory conservation targets ranging from 4% to 36%, as compared to 2013 water use, through February 2016.

On Nov. 13, 2015, Gov. Jerry Brown issued an executive order directing the State Water Board to extend the emergency conservation regulation through October 2016 if the drought persists through January 2016. As a result, the State Water Board on Dec. 7 held a public workshop to gather input on what modifications, if any, should be made if the existing regulation needs to be extended. The regulatory framework released Dec. 21 by the State Water Board staff outlined proposed some modifications to the existing regulation but called for a credits and adjustments to be capped at no more than 4%.

Next Steps and Questions ACWA will review the draft regulation and submit comments to the State Water Board by the Jan. 28 deadline. ACWA appreciates that State Water Board staff has recognized the need for adjustments and proposed some key modifications. However, ACWA and water agencies will continue to advocate that the State Water Board make further adjustments to recognize the importance of water supply tools and address concerns raised by ACWA and water agencies throughout the state. ACWA member agencies with questions may contact ACWA Special Projects Manager Dave Bolland at (916) 441-4545 or daveb@acwa.com. JANUARY 22, 2016 • 3

WATER NEWS DIGEST ACWA’s 2015 Fall Conference Materials and Presentations Available Online Powerpoints and videos from keynote speakers, programs, forums, townhalls and award presentations from ACWA’s 2015 Fall Conference & Exhibition in Indian Wells are now available online. Wednesday’s materials are available at www.acwa.com/content/materialsacwa-2015-fall-conference-exhibition and Thursday’s are available at www. acwa.com/content/materials-andpresentations-acwa-fall-confreenceexhibition-thursday-dec-3.

Conservation for November Dips, But Statewide to Date Still on Target The State Water Resources Control Board on Jan. 5 released urban water conservation data for November 2015 showing that the state’s cumulative conservation continues to exceed the governor’s mandate at 26.3%, despite urban water conservation dropping slightly in November to 20.3%. According to the State Water Board, the dip in monthly conservation was expected since water savings are harder to achieve in the fall and winter when consumption is generally lower. Officials said the numbers do not signal a negative trend. In November 2015, the state saved more than 30 billion gallons of water – double the amount of water saved for the same month in 2014. November’s statewide average for residential gallons per capita per day (R-GPCD) also came in at its lowest figure yet at 75 R-GPCD. The state now sits at 84% of its overall savings goal of 1.2 million acre-feet by February 2016.

Dec. 30 Statewide Snow Water Content 108% of Normal The winter manual snow survey Dec. 4 • ACWANEWS

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30 revealed a snowpack water content at Phillips Station of 136% of average for this time of year, while statewide readings reveal snowpack levels of 108% of normal. While the readings are promising, state officials said it is too early to predict whether California’s drought will be alleviated by winter storms. According to the California Department of Water Resources, the manual survey at Phillips Station found a snow depth of 54.7 inches — 16 inches more than the average depth measured there since 1965 — and 16.3 inches of water content, 136% of the Jan. 1 average for that site. DWR’s electronic readings from 99 stations scattered throughout the Sierra Nevada indicate the water content of the northern Sierra snowpack is 11 inches, 108% of the multi-decade average for the date. The central and southern Sierra readings were 12.1 inches (116% of average) and 7 inches (86%) respectively. Statewide, the snowpack held 10.2 inches of water equivalent, or 105% of the Dec. 30 average. One year ago, the north, central, south and statewide readings respectively were 5.8 inches (57% of average), 4.7 inches (45%), 4.0 inches (48%) and 4.8 inches (50%).

State Water Board Adopts Storm Water Strategy The State Water Resources Control Board on Jan. 5 adopted a statewide Storm Water Strategy that seeks to advance storm water management in California as a water resource. The newly adopted Storm Water Strategy promotes the value of storm water for multiple benefits such as groundwater replenishment and habitat improvement. The goal of the strategy is to use storm water to improve water quality

and supply for local communities and long term state water supply needs. ACWA submitted a comment letter on the draft strategy. In response, officials added water suppliers to the committee they will be forming to advise on implementation. For more information visit the Storm Water Program webpage at waterboards.ca.gov.

State Water Board Approves $3.2 Million for Water Loss Control The State Water Resources Control Board on Jan. 5 approved a resolution authorizing the use of approximately $3.2 million in Drinking Water State Revolving Fund Local Assistance setaside funds to establish a Water Loss Control Collaborative, a statewide water loss control program intended to make the state’s water management system more efficient and resilient. The resolution authorizes $400,000 to assist urban retail water suppliers in preparing and validating water loss audit reports as required by SB 555 (Wolk) and another $2.8 million to implement Phase 1 of the Water Loss Control Collaborative to be led by the California-Nevada Section, American Water Works Association. Implementation of Phase 1 will take place over a three-year period and involve 460 urban water retail suppliers. CA-NV AWWA membership funds will be used to fund future years of the program. RESOURCE Storm Water Strategy Plan: waterboards.ca.gov/water_issues/ programs/stormwater/docs/strategy_ initiative/swsi_fctsht.pdf

Left: (l-r) CDFA Secretary Karen Ross, Cal/EPA Secretary Matt Rodriquez and California Natural Resources Secretary John Laird participate in a panel during ACWA’s CAWater 2.0 briefing on Jan. 14. Center: ACWA President Kathy Tiegs welcomes Gov. Jerry Brown. Right: (l-r) ACWA Vice President Brent Hastey, Gov. Jerry Brown and ACWA Executive Director Timothy Quinn share a moment prior to the governor’s remarks on the 2016 California Water Action Plan Update.

CA WATER Continued from page 1

He noted that no single element will create a more resilient water system. “It’s not one thing,” he said. “Water recycling alone won’t do it. Storage alone won’t do it. Conveyance alone won’t do it. Desalination won’t do it. We need all of it, and we need all of it in a very sophisticated, careful way, and that’s what my goal is.” Speakers throughout the day discussed the update of the California Water Action plan and priority actions for the remainder of the governor’s term. During a panel featuring key cabinet secretaries, California Natural Resources Secretary John Laird cited the Sustainable Groundwater Management Act and passage of Proposition 1 as two accomplishments. “We have achieved some of what we set forth in 2014. Now we must move on and focus on next steps,” he said. California Department of Food and Agriculture Secretary Karen Ross said Californians are focused on water like never before, which provides an opportunity to make changes in the water system. “If it were not for the drought, would we be paying this much attention to the California Water Action Plan?” she asked. Cal/EPA Secretary Matt Rodriquez said the state is not adding new actions with the release of the updated plan. “We got it right the first time,” he said. During a panel discussion with the heads of several state agencies, Depart-

ment of Water Resources Director Mark Cowin said development of the action plan was “about the smartest thing I’ve seen state government do.” He called 2016 a year of opportunity, and encouraged stakeholders to engage. “We all have to work together to make this work,” Cowin said. “Keep one eye on your interests, and one eye on the big picture…. Dig a half-inch deeper.” He urged attendees to help “make our bureaucracies live up to our aspirations.” Cowin credited ACWA for “nudging” the Administration to develop the action plan, and thanked the association for its leadership on SGMA and other issues. Department of Fish and Wildlife Director Charlton “Chuck” Bonham discussed managing the state’s headwaters for multiple benefits. He added: “If you want nature back, you have to go big. I want to go big in 2016.” After lunch, two stakeholder panels shared insights on priority actions and how to align for success in the remaining years of the governor’s term. Jay Ziegler of The Nature Conservancy stressed the need for sustained progress on water conservation and other creative drought responses. “We cannot afford complacency on any level,” said Ziegler. ACWA Executive Director Timothy Quinn discussed the critical role of investments in local water resources and their importance to the longterm success of the California Water

The California Water Action Plan sets forth 10 overarching actions. 1. Make conservation a California way of life 2. Increase regional self-reliance and integrated water management across all levels of government 3. Achieve the co-equal goals for the Delta 4. Protect and restore important ecosystems 5. Manage and prepare for dry periods 6. Expand water storage capacity and improve groundwater management 7. Provide safe water for all communities 8. Increase flood protection 9. Increase operational and regulatory efficiency 10. Identify sustainable and integrated financing opportunities

Action Plan. He also noted that SGMA “cannot be successful for the state of California except as part of a comprehensive solution.” Later in the afternoon, attendees worked in four breakout groups to provide feedback to the Administration on ways to effectively implement the water plan. The event was part of a broader external affairs effort by ACWA to elevate the importance of a comprehensive plan to meet California’s water needs. Events sponsors included ACWA/Joint Powers Insurance Authority, California Department of Water Resources, California State Association of Counties, Clean Water & Jobs for California, Corporate Staging & Events, and the Sacramento Convention Center. JANUARY 22, 2016 • 5

President Tiegs Encourages Inclusion, Communication, Cohesion Kathy Tiegs was elected President of ACWA at the association’s Fall Conference & Exhibition in Indian Wells in December. She was elected vice president in December 2013. Tiegs has served on the Cucamonga Valley Water District Board of Directors since 2005, having held the positions of both president and vice president of that board. She recently took time out of her busy schedule to answer questions for ACWA News. The questions and responses follow.

1. What do you hope to accomplish during your twoyear term as president of ACWA? I have a great vision for the ACWA of the future, and over the next two years. Consistent with the messaging I began sharing during my vice presidency, it is my intent to encourage “ICC” – inclusion, communication and cohesion. These are foundational concepts that are important to me and, as I have heard over the last two years, are extremely important to the ACWA family. My goal is to ensure that ACWA members are connected and have a sense of inclusion in the organization and share its goals. Belonging to the organization is important because there is strength in numbers, but it is not enough to be a card-carrying member of ACWA; members need to engage, participate and communicate at all levels within the ACWA organization. Communication is vital to the continued success and effectiveness of the organization, and without it, the ACWA staff cannot be responsive to its members. An additional area of focus these next two years will be on cohesion. Geography may separate us, but it should not separate us on issues that are critical to our respective agencies and our ratepay6 • ACWANEWS

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ers. The more we are able to embrace our similarities rather than highlight our differences, the stronger our commitment to one water, one state.

2. Is there an emerging water issue that you will be keeping an eye on? During the past two years ACWA members and staff have addressed numerous critical issues. Our members have done a fantastic job on every front, responding to legislative proposals, providing feedback to regulatory hearings and handling the public’s inquiries and media requests. Some of these trends will continue to spill over into 2016. One issue of particular concern is the continued over-reach of state regulatory agencies and the Legislature, which impedes our ability to operate independently as self-governing bodies. Defending long-standing legal precedents related to water rights, and many other issues, is important to ensure that regulatory agencies do not exceed their respective authority. As an industry we need to do a better job of being proactive in managing our business. We need to address and resolve issues effectively to ensure legislative fixes are not dictated to us by those with limited understanding of the economic impacts to our industry. It is much better to create our own world, rather than have someone create it for us.

3. How do you see the roles of local water agencies and ACWA changing and evolving to meet the water needs of California? There are many wonderful characteristics of our ACWA members, but what I cherish most of all are the diverse perspectives of our members. We have built a collaborative and supportive community that works together resolving issues in ways that have lasting benefit to the regions and areas we serve as elected officials. In addition to the adoption of

landmark groundwater legislation and unprecedented drought conditions and regulations, the inability of the state, as a whole, to address the problems related to improving the reliability of our statewide infrastructure has drawn agencies together on a local level. Making investments to ensure sustainability and reliability for all of California has inspired our members to work collaboratively with agencies around them, building alliances and co-sponsoring projects. I believe this trend will continue to evolve as local agencies continue to innovate and collaborate to meet the water needs of California.

4. What motivated you to seek a leadership position with ACWA? My motivation for seeking the nomination of president was a deep desire to have a positive influence on critical policy issues that challenge our ability to provide a reliable water supply to agricultural and urban customers. Over the past few years, with the assistance of our ACWA staff, we have developed a strong rapport with the Administration and other significant stakeholders throughout California. Although we may not always see eye-to-eye, we have an influential voice and presence in Sacramento that is making a difference. It is my goal to capitalize on the foundation established by my predecessors and provide the leadership necessary to ensure we are prepared to seize future opportunities. 5. Do you have any additional thoughts about the next two years that you would like to share? I am extremely excited to have the opportunity to lead the ACWA organization, and I want to again thank those who have supported me in this endeavor. I welcome your input and I look forward to meeting with all of our members so we can continue to move forward as a vibrant, innovative industry of the future.

Brown’s Budget Proposal Includes $323 Million for Drought Gov. Jerry Brown unveiled a proposed 2016-’17 budget Jan. 7 which would direct $323 million for emergency drought response, including $35 million for urban and agricultural water conservation. The $122.6 billion general fund budget plan also calls for funding increases to education, health care and state infrastructure, including upgrades to the California Natural Resources Agency building. The budget also proposes putting $2 billion into the state’s Rainy Day Fund, boosting it to 65% of its constitutional target. In a letter to the Legislature that accompanied his budget proposal, Brown cautioned against “embark(ing) on a host of new spending only to see massive cuts when the next recession hits.” California Natural Resources Secretary

John Laird held a teleconference briefing with reporters after the governor’s release of the budget. During the briefing, Laird outlined the funding proposal’s impact on the Resources Agency and said officials are “fully budgeting for the drought as if it’s going into the fifth year.” Funding proposals for the drought include $42 million for emergency salinity barriers in the Delta, $16 million for emergency drinking water programs and $77 million for enhanced fire protection. The budget also proposes $5 million to continue Save Our Water, the state’s public education campaign aimed at helping all Californians reduce water use. Save Our Water is run in partnership between ACWA and the California Department of Water Resources. Other funding proposals include:

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$12 million to implement statewide drought actions including operation of the drought management operations center, water transfer support and water supply modeling;

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$5 million to the State Water Resources Control Board for water curtailment;

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$20 million to the California Department of Food and Agriculture for agricultural water conservation; and

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$17 million to the California Department of Fish and Wildlife for the protection of fish and wildlife.

RESOURCE Budget Proposal Summary: www. ebudget.ca.gov/FullBudgetSummary.pdf

OBITUARY

Laguna Beach County Water District Loses Two Longtime Leaders Laguna Beach County Water District in January announced that it has lost two of its longtime board members – Bruce Scherer and Dick Jahraus. Both Scherer and Jahraus passed away in November 2015 having served the board for more than 35 years each. Appointed in 1976, Scherer served the board for 39 years and was passionate about expanding the district’s water portfolio and reducing its dependence on imported supplies. In 2006,

LBCWD honored Scherer for his then 30 years of service with the dedication of a mural depicting the view of Laguna Canyon as a reflection of the district’s past. Jahraus served for board 38 years – including 25 years as board president. His father was one of the original founders of the district and throughout his years of service Jahraus continued his father’s efforts to ensure reliable water for the Laguna Beach

community. The district’s 3-million gallon reservoir located near Alta Laguna Park in Laguna Beach is named in honor of Jahraus. “These gentlemen embodied the mission of the District in working diligently to ensure a safe and reliable water supply for the residents of Laguna Beach,” said LBCWD General Manager Renae Hinchey. “Their dedication and strong passion for water has left an impact on the district and the water industry as a whole. They will be greatly missed.” .

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Governor’s Budget Includes $5 Million for Save Our Water Program Gov. Jerry Brown proposed $5 million in funding for Save Our Water in his 2016-’17 budget proposal released Jan. 7. The funds will be available in July if they remain in the budget that is passed by the Legislature. The infusion of funding will allow the program to build on its public education successes of 2015. Save Our Water messaging is currently focused on encouraging Californians to keep their sprinklers off and continue conserving inside their homes despite the recent rain and slightly above average snowpack. As winter continues, the program will fully update its website and social media properties with the most current and up-to-date information regarding California’s drought. The program is prepared to shift messaging as conditions — and State Water Resources Control Board actions — warrant. Even though the program does not have a statewide paid media campaign running this winter, Save Our Water is currently airing a public service announcement in the Bay Area featuring the Splash Brothers, Golden

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State Warriors stars Steph Curry and Klay Thompson. Local water agencies have been invited to join the media buy and also will be featured in the PSA. The spots are currently airing during Warriors games on Comcast SportsNet. Save Our Water also has expanded its public education efforts with two educational videos targeted to children that are produced in partnership with the award-winning show Curiosity Quest. The interstitial segments were completed and bundled for distribution to PBS stations in December and have had more than 8,500 views on the Save Our Water Vimeo page and Facebook page since they were released. The spots are at vimeo.com/149215337 and vimeo.com/149223003. Thus far, 10 PBS stations have committed to airing the segments as well. They are: • • • • • •

Eureka PBS San Bernardino PBS San Diego COX cable Los Angeles PBS Chico/Redding PBS San Bernardino City

CALL FOR ENTRIES

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Rialto City Culver City Mojave Desert Colton City .

CLAIR . Hill Water Agency Award for Excellence

Entries are now being accepted for ACWA’s 2016 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/clairhill-water-agency-award-excellence-0.

DEADLINE

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Bartkiewicz, Dublin San Ramon Honored at 2015 Fall Conference Paul Bartkiewicz and the Dublin San Ramon Services District each captured honors at ACWA’s 2015 Fall Conference & Exhibition in Indian Wells. Bartkiewicz was honored with ACWA’s Emissary Award, which recognizes individuals for remarkable contributions to California water through voluntary service to ACWA. Dublin San Ramon won the Huell Howser Best in Blue Award, which honors stellar communications and outreach programs developed and run by California water agencies. Bartkiewicz has a long record of service and leadership through ACWA’s State Legislative Committee. As chair of the committee, he has guided ACWA’s engagement on some of the most important legislation in recent times – including the 2014 water bond, the Sustainable Groundwater Management Act of 2014, the 2009 legislative package on water and numerous other measures. “Paul Bartkiewicz has a long record of leadership on some of the most critical issues facing California water,” said ACWA outgoing President John Coleman. In addition, Bartkiewicz has been a major contributor to ACWA policy initiatives of lasting statewide importance – including the ACWA

Blueprint, the Water Finance Task Force, the Water Marketing Policy Task Force, the Statewide Water Action Plan and others. He is a founding partner in the law firm of Bartkiewicz, Kronick & Shanahan in Sacramento. Dublin San Ramon Services District was honored for its hard-hitting conservation campaign across numerous media channels. Its conservation effort included popular recycled water fill stations that captured intense media buzz. Other finalists for this year’s award were: •

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Desert Water Agency for its “Check Yourself, Check Your Water Use” campaign, which included targeted workshops for industry groups, associations and others that offered audiencespecific water-saving tips. Rancho California Water District for its “Managing Water Demand at the Customer’s Fingertips” campaign, which put water consumption data into people’s hands in near real-time. Sonoma-Marin Saving Water Partnership with its “There’s a Drought On. Turn the Water Off.” campaign. The partnership utilized on-the-ground, face-to-face outreach events.

Top: ACWA President John Coleman (left) presents Paul Bartkiewicz (right) with ACWA’s 2015 Emissary Award. Bottom: Dublin San Ramon Services District is recognized with ACWA’s 2015 Huell Howser Best in Blue Award.

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The City of Santa Cruz Water Department for its “Help Out – We’re in a Drought” campaign that tapped into the city’s strong activist culture. Local residents received information at bookmobile stops, food pantries, grocery stores and churches.

Monterey Conference Center Renovation Project Now Underway ACWA’s 2016 Spring Conference & Exhibition is May 3-6 at the Monterey Marriott and Portola Hotels. Exhibit Hall and meeting space previously held at the Monterey Conference Center will be relocated to the Monterey Marriott and Portola Hotel and a temporary plaza pavilion.

Registration and information is available at www.acwa.com. The change of venue for the Exhibit Hall and some meeting space is due to a complete renovation of the Monterey Conference Center. The $50 million renovation project responds to customer needs for more flexible and usable meet-

ing space, upgraded technology and systems, and a modernized building that meets ADA and LEED certification requirements. ACWA looks forward to joining the City of Monterey in celebrating the completion the Monterey Conference Center renovation project in early 2017.

JANUARY 22, 2016 • 9

CASE STUDY

CVWD: New Chromium-6 Standard Spawns Unique Challenges That Prompt Creativity and Innovation

Problem: California’s new drinking water standard for chromium-6 is particularly challenging for the Coachella Valley Water District, since the valley has a significant amount of naturally occurring chromium-6. Meeting the new standard has required the district to embark on its most costly public works project to date as it brings online new approaches, technologies, and facilities to comply with California’s new drinking water standard for chromium-6. Over the next five years, the district expects to spend approximately $200 million. The new standard of 10 parts per billion, approved in 2014, is the nation’s first drinking water standard solely for chromium-6. The new regulation has touched off a wave of assessment, planning, and activity for water providers across California but in the Coachella Valley in particular, where the financial impacts of meeting the standard will be felt acutely in the years ahead.

Solution: Meeting an Unprecedented Challenge It is fairly commonplace for chromium-6 to be naturally occurring in some regions. The Coachella Valley is one such place, with naturally occurring chromium-6 levels up to 21 ppb detected in wells across the groundwater basin. About one-third of the district’s 96 active wells have observed chromium-6 levels above the limit, with another 20% of the wells close to the limit. The widespread distribution of the mineral in the region’s aquifers posed extraordinary questions to district officials. With impacted wells scattered over a 150 square-mile service area often in residential areas, how could CVWD achieve compliance with the new standard with the lowest possible impact to water rates? Recognizing the magnitude of the challenge, what was the best possible compliance plan that could be implemented in the most costeffective manner? And how could the communities CVWD serves best be informed about the issue and given a voice in the process? 10 • ACWANEWS

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“Providing local families and businesses with safe, healthy water that meets all state and federal guidelines is a key commitment at CVWD, but we are also dedicated to meeting our customers’ needs as affordably as possible,” said CVWD Board Member G. Patrick O’Dowd. “Balancing these important commitments as we address the chromium-6 issue has driven the district to new levels of innovation and vision.”

A Comprehensive Approach Before the new standard was ever adopted, CVWD began exploring wide-ranging water source uses and treatment technologies. The district also worked with state legislators to develop legislative solutions that would provide the time necessary to meet the new standard. When it was signed into law on Sept. 4, 2015, SB 385 (Hueso) provided agencies across the state time to implement compliance plans to meet the state’s regulation. As a result, CVWD was free to focus on long-term, sustainable solutions, and customers would be spared the expenses resulting from potential regulatory fines. Meanwhile, solutions were being proposed, explored, and vetted on a parallel track. The district established metrics taking into account key considerations, including: water quality benefit, cost, operational complexity and flexibility, public and environmental acceptance, potential for diversification of water

CVWD has extensive experience removing chromium-6 from drinking water. This arsenic treatment plant, which also removes chromium-6, has been in operation since 2006.

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.

supply, and implementation complexity. Public outreach efforts invited the community to rate their preferences in terms of water quality, cost, taste, groundwater levels, and increased reliability. Compliance options were evaluated for their ability to address these factors.

A Wide Range of Potential Solutions A number of possible treatment strategies were identified and considered for CVWD’s compliance plan, including point-of-use treatment, groundwater treatment, surface water use, or a blend of options. The district also examined and tested best available technologies for chromium-6 removal, evaluating their effectiveness and initial capital cost, as well as the complexity and expense of ongoing operation and maintenance. Options included: •

Reverse osmosis, which uses a semipermeable membrane to filter chromium-6 from water;

•

Weak-base anion exchange and strong base anion exchange, in which ions of chromium-6 attach to specially coated resin beads;

•

Reduction coagulation filtration, in which a coagulant is added to influent water enabling large particles containing reduced chromium-6 to be filtered out.

The Way Forward Ultimately, treatment at individual groundwater well sites using two different ion exchange technologies was selected as the most efficient way to achieve compliance. Cost effectiveness — both in initial capital outlay and in ongoing operation and maintenance

expenses — was a decisive factor. Ion exchange also uses less water compared to other accepted technologies. Construction of new treatment facilities is scheduled to begin in summer 2016 with the conclusion of the environmental review process, and expected to be completed in fall 2019. In addition to installing facilities at impacted well sites, three existing ion exchange treatment plants used to remove arsenic and chromium-6 since 2006 will be upgraded, and additional infrastructure will be built to optimize the delivery system. CVWD also will construct a central support facility, which will enable cost savings, redundancy, increased reliability, and reduced waste production by consolidating the regeneration of treatment materials. This facility may also serve other impacted water agencies in the region. Throughout the compliance planning process, CVWD has worked to educate and engage its customers. The district has offered digital resources on the web, videos and online presentations, community meetings hosted across its vast service area, facilities tours, and regular compliance updates via mail, resources for Spanish speakers, and tools for two-way dialog, all in an effort to ensure that the community is well-informed every step of the way. “Developing a comprehensive compliance plan for chromium-6 has been a remarkable test for this district,” said CVWD General Manager Jim Barrett. “The sheer magnitude of the task and its aggressive timeline are challenges, but CVWD has tackled them by embracing innovative approaches, planning for the long term, and giving our community an informed voice in the process.” .

Left: CVWD Director of Environmental Services Steve Bigley gives a community presentation on the district’s progress in complying with the new chromium-6 drinking water standard. Right: Well site concept for Strong-base Anion Exchange facility.

JANUARY 22, 2016 • 11

FEDERAL RELATIONS

Looking Back at the 2015 Fall Conference 1.

ACWA Vice President Kathy Tiegs and ACWA Board Member Joone Lopez enjoy the Welcome Reception on Dec. 1.

ACWA President John Coleman presents Sen. Ben Hueso with ACWA’s Legislative Leader Award.

3-4. Conference attendees enjoy the Exhibit Hall.

5. ACWA Deputy Executive Director for External Affairs/Member Services Jennifer Persike and ACWA President John Coleman chat at Thursday’s luncheon.

6. Region 10 Chair Larry McKenny is honored for his service on the ACWA Board. He is joined by Region 10 Vice Chair DeAna Verbeke. 7. (l-r) League of California Cities’ Jason Rhine, CSAC’s Karen Keene, and ACWA Deputy Executive Director for Government Relations Cindy Tuck and ACWA Executive Director Timothy Quinn discuss local government challenges during Friday’s breakfast.

8. Santa Ana Watershed Project Authority General Manager Celeste Cantú shares a moment with Cindy Tuck. 9. Former Interior Secretary Bruce Babbitt and ACWA Vice President Tiegs confer after Thursday’s luncheon.

10. Mark Weston, of San Diego County Water Authority, and Jim Murtland, of Rincon Del Diablo Municipal Water District, unwind at the Outreach Reception. 11. Water Education Foundation Deputy Executive Director Sue McClurg and Timothy Quinn peruse the Exhibit Hall.

12. ACWA staff meets Company B following a performance during Thursday’s dinner at the Palm Springs Air Museum.

Three Valleys Municipal Wins Top Outreach Award; Three New Outreach Categories Awarded at Fall Conference & Exhibition Three Valleys Municipal Water District captured ACWA’s top outreach award for making the most legislative and regulatory contacts in 2015 through the ACWA’s Outreach Program. The award was presented Dec. 3 at the Fall Conference & Exhibition in Indian Wells.

The following agencies were the top ACWA Outreach Winners in each region for 2015.

Four new outreach award categories were added this year, with three agencies being honored in December. The new categories are: Most Active Small Agency, Most Compelling Case, Most Effective Agency on Federal Issues and Rising Star.

Region 3: South Tahoe Public Utilities District

Region 1: McKinleyville Community Services District Region 2: Bella Vista Water District

Region 4: Rio Linda/Elverta Community Water District Region 5: Soquel Creek Water District

Coachella Valley Water District won Most Compelling Case for its outreach activities on chromium-6 compliance. Eastern Municipal Water District won Most Effective Agency on Federal Issues for advocacy on numerous issues such as the Clean Water Act and the U.S. Forest Groundwater Directive. Rio Linda/ Elverta Community Water District won Most Active Small Agency for all of its outreach responses, especially on SB 385 (Hueso), the ACWA-sponsored bill on chromium-6 compliance.

Region 6: Kings River Conservation District Region 7: A tie between Wheeler Ridge-Maricopa Storage District and East Niles Community Services District Region 8: Three Valleys Municipal Water District Region 9: Cucamonga Valley Water District Region 10: Valley Center Municipal Water District

Top: Three Valleys Municipal Water District receives the 2015 Overall Outreach award at Fall Conference Bottom: ACWA leaders present new outreach categories at fall conference. Winners are: (l-r) Rio Linda/Elverta Community Water District for Most Active Small Agency, Eastern Municipal Water District for Most Effective Agency on Federal Issues and Coachella Valley Water District for Most Compelling case.

Feb. 1 Deadline for ACWA Scholarship Applications Approaches Know a hardworking graduate or undergraduate student majoring in a water resources-related field? ACWA has several scholarships available to assist the industry’s best and brightest and the Feb. 1 deadline for the scholarships is fast approaching. The Clair A. Hill Scholarship Award deadline, previously Dec. 31, has been extended to Feb. 1. Full-time junior or senior college students in a water resources-related field of study for the 2016-’17 academic year are eligible for this prestigious $5,000 scholarship.

$CHOLARSHIP OPPORTUNITIES

Graduate students with an eye toward water resources may be eligible for the Stephen K. Hall ACWA Water Law & Policy Scholarship. The $7,000 scholarship is presented annually to a qualified graduate student majoring in law, policy or public administration with a focus or concentration in California water resources. Undergraduate students majoring in engineering, irrigation technology, environmental sciences, public administration and other waterresources related fields may be eligible

CLAIR A. HILL

$5,000 • DEADLINE FEB. 1

for one of two ACWA Scholarships. The $3,500 scholarships are awarded to California residents attending a four-year, publicly funded college or university full-time as a junior or senior during the year the scholarship is awarded. All scholarship applications must be postmarked by Feb. 1. Contact ACWA Outreach and Social Media Specialist Marie Meade at (916) 441-4545 or at mariem@acwa.com for more information.

Stephen K. Hall ACWA Water Law & Policy

$7,000 • DEADLINE FEB. 1

JANUARY 22, 2016 • 13

Member News

Tulare ID Breaks Ground on Groundwater Recharge Basin Project Tulare Irrigation District broke ground Dec. 17 on its Cordeniz Basin Project, a groundwater recharge basin project that is part of the San Joaquin River Restoration Program. “This project is the very first groundbreaking for the San Joaquin River Restoration Program — period — and I’m very happy to be here,” said Bureau Deputy Director for the Mid-Pacific Region Pablo Arroyave during the groundbreaking ceremony. “Expansion of the Cordinez recharge basin is a perfect example of what I think districts need to be doing aggressively to help manage drought, no matter what the future holds.” The project will expand groundwater

recharge efforts and improve monitoring of groundwater levels. It requires TID to expand the Cordeniz Basin from 20 acres to 80 acres, install supervisory control and data acquisition equipment, relocate a segment of the Serpa Ditch, and construct five groundwater monitoring wells. The project is estimated to cost about $3.9 million. TID received $1.9 million in grant funding from the Bureau and will use matching district funds to complete the project and related groundwater conjunctive-use studies. The project is expected to be completed in late 2016. More information about the project is available at www.restoresjr.net.

TID breaks ground Dec. 17 on the Cordeniz Basin project, the first project to begin under the U.S. Bureau of Reclamation’s San Joaquin River Restoration project. (l-r) Don Cordeniz, former basin property owner and TID Board Members Scott Rogers , Mike Thomas, Dave Martin and David Bixler shovel dirt at the groundbreaking event.

CCWD Board Approves Comprehensive Water Transfer Policy In recognition of the increasing importance of water transfers in California, the Calaveras County Water District Board of Directors on Dec. 9 proactively adopted comprehensive water transfer policy principles intended to set “responsible” and “sustainable” guidelines for future district water transfers. Although CCWD has never transferred water to another agency, the district adopted the policy principles to ensure that future water transfers protect the district’s water rights and provide the maximum benefit to the local community. Among the 20 policy principles outlined in the document are the following directives:

14 • ACWANEWS

Vol. 44 No. 1

• Transfers should only be made when the demand for all serviceable, reasonable and beneficial uses for water, within the CCWD service area will be met in any single-year, or sequence of years of a transfer; • Transfer revenues should include… general investment objectives of… improving the regional self-sufficiency of CCWD… improving the affordability of basic water service supply to CCWD’s most financially disadvantaged customers… improving the condition of CCWD’s headwater watersheds so as to reduce the frequency of catastrophic wildfires and improve forest health… improving the environmental conditions within CCWD’s watersheds; and

• The first priority will be to transfer water within the geographic area of Calaveras County, or those counties sharing a common border with Calaveras County. “We want these principles to be lasting and set a high bar,” CCWD General Manager Dave Eggerton said in a statement. “We will only make transfers that meet our standards, and we want to build partnerships that are beneficial to our customers, our community and our region that will last well into the future.” . RESOURCE Water transfer policy principles: ccwd.org/wp-content/ uploads/2013/12/12.09.15-CCWDWater-Transfer-Policy-Principles_ Resolution-2015-62.pdf

Member News

Sacramento Reclamation District 1000 Conducts Flood Drill Working to ensure its staff is properly trained to respond to any flood emergency, the Sacramento Reclamation District 1000 on Dec. 18 conducted a four-hour emergency response drill on the Natomas Cross Canal levee. The district regularly conducts canal maintenance and levee inspections but began extra work earlier this year in anticipation of El Niño storms. Nine staff members including the district superintendent, foreman and general manager Paul Devereux participated in the drill which consisted of responding to a simulated “boil.” A boil occurs naturally when water wells up through sand or dirt.

The drill required field staff to assemble at 4 a.m. and report to the levee by 5 a.m. Once on site, staff set up portable lights and equipment and used sandbags and plastic to contain the boil. “Given that major floods do not happen regularly, it is even more important we test our readiness and response through exercises like this. With the continued El Niño conditions and forecast for higher than average precipitation through the winter, we want to make sure the district is ready to respond and meet our public safety mission,” said Devereux. The district also participates in annual flood fight training and preseason flood

Sacramento Reclamation District 1000 field staff conduct an emergency response drill on the Natomas Cross Canal levee Dec. 18.

coordination sponsored by the California Department of Water Resources.

Rio Lindo/Elverta G.M. Henrici Receives RWA Service Award In December, the Regional Water Authority honored Rio Linda/Elverta Community Water District General Manager Mary Henrici with its 2015 Distinguished Service Award for her work during her tenure at the agency. Henrici has announced plans to retire in June 2016. During the award ceremony, Henrici thanked her staff and RWA members for their help and support during the many years it took to bring RLECWD

to its current award-winning standard. The district was honored during ACWA’s Fall Conference & Exhibition in Indian Wells with the Region 4 Outstanding Outreach Award and the Most Active Small Agency Award. It also was recognized by ACWA/JPIA for both its liability and property insurance programs. “I feel this is a great honor to receive this award as this award is voted on by a committee of my peers,” said Henrici in a statement.

Henrici receives RWA’s 2015 Distinguished Service Award during a celebration in December.

Desalinated Water From Carlsbad Plant Delivered to Vallecitos WD Desalinated water from the recently completed Claude “Bud” Lewis Desalination Plant in Carlsbad is now being delivered to Vallecitos Water District thanks to the district’s direct connection pipe in San Marcos.

nation plant. According to the district, the pipe will deliver as much as 4,083 acre feet of desalinated water annually — about 27% of its annual supply needs — or enough to supply 8,100 families for one year.

VWD is one of two water providers with a direct connection to the desali-

“It’s exciting to be a major participant in this effort,” said VWD Board

Vice President Craig Elitharp. “The Carlsbad Desalination Plant is the largest, most technologically advanced and energy-efficient seawater desalination plant in the nation.” To learn more about the Claude “Bud” Lewis Desalination Plant visit www. carlsbaddesal.com.

JANUARY 22, 2016 • 15

New Year Brings Board Officer Elections and Changes to Water Districts It’s a new year and that means that many local water agencies kicked off 2016 with changes to their boards of directors. Here is a round-up of some of the changes in board officers and committee assignments from ACWA member agencies for 2016.

Dublin San Ramon Services District In mid-December the Dublin San Ramon Services District elected D.L. Pat Howard as president Pat Howard and Richard Halket as vice president for 2016. The five-member board also includes Edward Duarte, Georgean VonheederRichard Halket Leopold and Madelyn Misheloff. Both Howard and Halket were first elected to the board in 2004. They both also have previously served the board as president, with Howard serving as president in 2007 and 2011 and Halket in 2008. Mission Springs Water District Mission Springs Water District has reelected Nancy Wright as president of its board and welcomed incoming vice president Russ Martin in December. The five-member MSWD board also includes Jeff Bowman, Randy Duncan, and John Furbee. Wright has served on the board since 1988. She represents MSWD on the Coachella Valley Association of Governments Energy and Environmental Resources Committee and the Coachella Valley Conservation Commission. Martin has been a board member since June 2010 and served two previous terms as the MSWD board president. He chairs the MSWD Public Affairs Committee and is a member of the MSWD Finance Committee.

Orange County Water District 16 • ACWANEWS

Vol. 44 No. 1

Cathy Green

Denis Bilodeau

On Dec. 16, the Orange County Water District Board of Directors unanimously voted to reelect its 2015 officers for 2016. Cathy Green will remain in place as president, Denis Bilodeau as first vice president and Philip Anthony as second vice president.

Green was first elected to OCWD board in November 2010 to Philip Anthony represent division 6, which includes parts of Foundation Valley and Huntington Beach. Bilodeau has served on the OCWD board for 15 years and represents division 2, which includes Orange, Villa Park and parts of Tustin. Anthony, who is OCWD’s longest standing board member, was elected to the board in 1981. He represents division 4, which includes Los Alamitos, Seal Beach and portions of six additional Orange County cities. In December, OCWD also welcomed Anaheim City Council Member Jordan Brandman to its Jordan Brandman board. He represents the city of Anaheim in division 9. He was elected to the Anaheim City Council in 2012.

of Reclamation District No. 1000 for the 2016 term. Harris has served on the board of trustees since 1998. He has extensive experience in facilities and fiscal accountability and received national recognition in 2012 from the Center for Green Schools and the U.S. Green Building Council. Barandas has served on the board of trustees since 2004. His previous experience includes service to the Board of Directors of the California Tomato Growers Association and the Sacramento County Farm Bureau. He has also been a member of the Sacramento County Water Forum. Smith has served on the board of trustees since 2008. He is a civil engineer, with an emphasis on water resources planning and design.

Vallecitos Water District Vallecitos Water District in December elected Mike Sannella as president and Craig Elitharp as vice Mike Sannella president. Sanella and Elitharp both were elected to the VWD board in 2014.

Reclamation District No. 1000

Sannella represents VWD division 4. He has 17 years of business and security experience including as vice president of the San Marcos Economic Development Corporation. Elitharp represents VWD division 3. He recently retired from Rancho California Water District after 24 years and for the past 10 years has served on ACWA’s Groundwater, Energy and Water Quality Committees.

During its November 2015 meeting, the Sacramento County Board of Supervisors reappointed Frederick Harris, Thomas Barandas and Jerome (Jeff ) Smith to the Board of Trustees

Western Municipal Water District In January, the Western Municipal Water District Board of Directors

Craig Elitharp

Continued on page 19

EMPLOYMENT Assistant General Manager Engineering & Operations Rancho California Water District Located in the southwestern part of Riverside County, the Rancho California Water District delivers reliable, high quality water, sewer, and reclamation services to a population of approximately 145,000 people in a service area that covers 150 square miles. Reporting to the General Manager, this at-will position is an integral part of the District’s executive management team. The Assistant General Manager – Engineering & Operations directly oversees the District’s Engineering, Operations, Wastewater, and Maintenance functions staffed with 95 staff (20 engineering staff; 75 maintenance and operations staff ) and is responsible for the planning and execution of programs and projects for capital programs, system upgrades, infrastructure improvements, and operations. The ideal candidate will have broad based knowledge of utility related issues and strong technical skills complemented by outstanding management skills. Ideally, the selected candidate will also have a thorough knowledge of water rights and issues in Southern California. Requires the equivalent of a Bachelor’s degree and 7 years of increasingly responsible senior management level work experience that includes supervisory experience as well as experience in the water, wastewater, and/or utility industry. An advanced degree is desirable; valid registration as a professional Civil Engineer is strongly preferred. The annual salary is up to $210,000 plus a comprehensive executive benefit package that may include relocation/moving assistance. Interested candidates can apply via email to apply@ralphandersen.com. For optimal consideration, apply by February 1, 2016. Confidential inquires welcomed to Heather Renschler or Gary Peterson, Ralph Andersen & Associates, (916) 630-

ding a Wo Buil rld

® ference Dif of

ACWA Excellence in Water Leadership Award

Sponsored ACWA by Black & Veatch Corporation Excellence

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4900. Detailed brochure available at www. ralphandersen.com.

General Manager South Feather Water and Power Agency

This is an excellent career opportunity to join and lead SFWPA’s highly functional and productive executive management team. The position is available due to the pending retirement of the current General Manager after 24 years of service. The General Manager: • Serves as the Agency’s Chief Executive Officer; • Manages the South Feather Power Project, comprised of four hydroelectric powerhouses, having a combined capacity of 120 megawatts; • Manages the Agency’s domestic water treatment and distribution system that delivers the cheapest and highest quality water in the nation to its 6,700 customers with 141 miles of pipeline in its domestic water distribution system; • Manages the Agency’s irrigation water distribution facilities that deliver raw water to over 600 accounts through a conveyance system that includes over 100 miles of open channels. Applicants are encouraged to review the full position description at www. southfeather.com. SFWPA (originally known as OrovilleWyandotte Irrigation District – “OWID”) was established in 1919 as an irrigation water purveyor. Today, with an elected five-member board of directors and 60 employees, it is an efficient, cost-effective and service-oriented water agency. SFWPA has a pristine water source (South Fork of the Feather River) that supplies two water treatment plants, six reservoirs,

nine dams, and four powerhouses (South Feather Power Project). The capacity of the four powerhouses combine to a total of 120 megawatts, and the average annual generation is about 500 gigawatt-hours. The Agency has a 10-year Power Purchase Agreement with Pacific Gas and Electric Company for the power generated by the South Feather Power Project, which began in 2010. Candidates for this position should possess strong experience regarding project management, budget development and expenditure control, public personnel and employer-employee relations, customer service, as well as experience in working with elected officials and relevant State and Federal agencies. The selected candidate will possess knowledge of the functions, authorities and responsibilities of water districts, water treatment and distribution principles and practices. A Bachelor’s degree in Business or Public Administration, Engineering, or a related field, and five years of increasingly responsible upper-level management experience in a public-sector (preferably with a California water district) are required. A Master’s degree is desirable. The starting salary will be $180,000 or higher, depending on qualifications. The Agency also offers an attractive benefits package. If you are interested in this outstanding opportunity, visit the Agency’s website (www.southfeather.com) for an application form. The filing deadline for your completed application form and résumé is April 1, 2016. If you have questions or need additional information, contact Michael Glaze at: 530-533-4624 glaze@southfeather.com or 2310 Oro-Quincy Hwy., Oroville, CA 95966

CALL FOR NOMINATIONS

Nominations are now being accepted for the 2016 ACWA Excellence in Water Leadership Award – Building a World of Difference®. The award recognizes people (individuals or groups) who have made a remarkable and visible contribution to the enhancement, protection or development of water resources in California.

Deadline March 1 2016

For more information go to www.acwa.com/content/acwa-excellence-leadership-award.

JANUARY 22, 2016 • 17

People News West Basin MWD Board Member Williams Recognized as 2015 Top Elected Official Citing his leadership on infrastructure projects for the past 40 years, West Basin Municipal Water District Board Member Harold C. Williams was recognized last month by the Southern California Chapter of the American Public Works Association (APWA) as its 2015 Top Elected Official. Williams received the award during an awards ceremony Dec. 9.

Williams, a practicing civil engineer, has held public works leadership positions in numerous cities including Gardena, Carson, Hermosa Beach, Lawndale, and Lynwood. He also has served on various city commissions including recent service to the Carson Utility Users’ Tax Citizens Oversight Committee, which he chaired for two years.

KRCD Appoints Peschel as New General Manager Kings River Conservation District has appointed Paul G. Peschel to serve as its new general manager. He will begin his post on Jan. 25, replacing David Orth who resigned last August.

department manager, executive program manager/general services manager and most recently planning and engineering manager.

Peschel has served Imperial Irrigation District for nearly 30 years in various positions including chief civil engineer/assistant water

Montecito Water District Selects Turner as General Manager Montecito Water District on Dec. 14 selected Nicholas Turner as its next general manager following the retirement of Thomas Mosby. Turner will assume the role Feb. 2. Turner has more than 15 years of water industry experience and previously served

CCWD Board President Campbell Announces Retirement After 24 years of service to the Contra Costa Water District, Board President Joseph L. Campbell on Jan. 6 announced his plans to retire by March 2016. Campbell was elected to the board in 1991 and has never missed a single board meeting. Campbell has served as board president for the majority of his tenure and has represented residents of eastern Concord, Clayton and part of Walnut Creek and Pleasant Hill. 18 • ACWANEWS

Vol. 44 No. 1

Williams was elected to WBMWD in November 2014 as its Division I representative and currently serves as the board treasurer.

“My goal will be to continue the past leadership success while being committed to helping KRCD’s board and staff effectively meet current and upcoming water resource, flood control, power supply, and environmental challenges as stewards of our resource management responsibility,” Peschel said in a statement.

as Lamont Public Utility District’s general manager and worked as an engineer with AECOM, a global engineering design services firm specializing in water and wastewater infrastructure projects for public agencies. Mosby, who has been with the district for 25 years, will assist with the transition before retiring this year.

“I am especially proud to have been part of the hard work and dedication to build and expand Los Vaqueros Reservoir,” Campbell said in a statement. “Storage is such a key component of a sustainable water supply and the community was wise to invest in a local reservoir.” Following Campbell’s announcement, CCWD General Manager Jerry Brown thanked Campbell for “his years representing the community and helping to build a strong an efficient organization.” .

People News Phillips Named CEO of Friant Water Authority Friant Water Authority on Jan. 11 announced that Jason Phillips has been selected as the authority’s chief executive officer. Phillips’ selection follows an internal reorganization at Friant last year and the resignation of Ron Jacobsma as general manager, who served the authority for 11 years. “Jason’s experience with the Bureau of Reclamation and his vision strategy and track record are exactly what Friant needs. He has a proven ability to inspire, energize and connect with employees, partners, customers and lead-

Engineers Association Selects NID for Project and Engineer of the Year Awards The Engineers Association of Nevada County on Dec. 16 named Nevada Irrigation District’s mercury remediation project its 2015 Project of the Year and NID’s Assistant General Manager Tim Crough its 2015 Engineer of the Year for his management of the project. NID Asst. General Manager Tim Crough (left) accepts Project of the Year Award from Steve Sarantopoulos of the Engineers Association of Nevada County.

NID has been conducting mercury removal effort since 2007. Its mercury remediation project is part of the district’s work to remove sediment that washes down the Bear River and takes up valuable water storage space in Combie Reservoir. Members of the EANC

ers,” Eric Borba, chair of the FWA Board of Directors, said in a statement. Phillips, who most recently served as U.S. Bureau of Reclamation Deputy Regional Director of the Mid-Pacific Region has been with the Bureau since 2001. He has helped lead many of the Bureau’s programs, including the Klamath Project, the San Joaquin River Restoration project, the Upper San Joaquin River Basin Storage Investigation and the San Luis Drainage Feature Reevaluation. Before joining the Bureau he also worked as a civil engineer and project manager for the Army Corps of Engineers.

toured the mercury remediation project which removes buried Gold Rush-era mercury from the watershed. “We were very impressed by NID’s collaborative effort with the Sierra Fund and others to plan and develop funding for the project,” said EANC President Richard Peevers. “Mercury is a fairly significant issue in many areas. The NID project will not only remove mercury but it will allow NID to reclaim valuable water storage space.” The Engineers Association also recognized NID and project manager Brian Powell in 2012 for the district’s Banner Cascade Pipeline Project.

Continued from page 16

welcomed newly confirmed board President S.R. “Al” Lopez, who has served on the board since 2001. The S.R. Lopez board also confirmed, Thomas P. Evans as vice president and Brenda Dennstedt as secretary-treasurer. Bob Stockton and Don Galleano also serve on the board. Lopez represents WMWD’s Division 5, which includes the city of Corona as well as the communities of Home Gardens, El Cerrito and a portion of

Temescal Canyon. He also represents WMWD on committees for several agencies, including the Chino Desalter Authority and ACWA’s Local Government and its Joint Powers Insurance Authority committees. Evans has served on the board since January 2007 and represents Division 2, which includes of a portion of the city of Riverside, all of March Air Reserve Base as well as other areas. He serves as WMWD’s commissioner on the Santa Ana Watershed Project Authority and on joint committees of WMWD and

Eastern Municipal Water District, and WMWD and the City of Riverside. Dennstedt began her board service in January 2007. She represents Division 3, which includes Lake Mathews, City of Lake Elsinore, Murrieta and other areas. She represents WMWD on several committees, including Eastern Municipal Water District and Elsinore Valley Municipal Water District. Dennstedt also is the representative for the Western Riverside Council of Governments and ACWA’s Joint Powers Authority. JANUARY 22, 2016 • 19

MOST CLICKED Here are some of the latest 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

State Water Board Issues Draft Emergency Conservation Regulation for 2016 — 1/15/16 Governor Calls for “Balanced Set of Solutions” for California Water at CA Water 2.0 Event — 1/14/16

UPCOMING EVENTS

Sac Bee Runs Quinn Op-Ed Calling for Credit for Local Water Supply Investments — 1/12/16

VISIT ACWA.COM FOR COMPLETE LISTING 31

State Water Board Adopts Storm Water Strategy — 1/6/16 Monthly Conservation for November Dips, But Statewide Cumulative Water Savings at 26.3% — 1/5/16

TWITTER CHATTER

FEBRUARY 2016 23

California Department of Water Resources and Water Education Foundation are sponsoring a one-day free briefing on the challenges for state and federal water project operations. The briefing will be held at the Sacramento Convention Center, Room 204. More information available at www.watereducation.org/conferences.

23 – 25

ACWA DC2016 Conference will be held at the Mayflower Hotel in Washington, D.C. Learn firsthand the priorities of Congress and the Obama Administration. Get the latest on the budget and funding for your programs of interest. Online registration and cancellation deadline is Feb. 5. More information available at www.acwa.com/events/acwadc2016.

CalRecycle @CalRecycle • Jan 7 | #ElNino slowly fills Folsom Lake to 25% capacity ACWA @ACWAWater • Jan 7 | Gov.’s budget proposal includes $323 M for drought response

MARCH 2016

ACWA 2016 Legislative Symposium will be held at the Sacramento Convention Center. Online registration and cancellation deadline is Feb. 26. For more information go to www.acwa.com/events/2016legislative-symposium.

Las Virgenes MWD @LVMWD • J an 7 | Statewide cumulative water savings at 26.3% AusInCalifornia @AusConsulateLA • Jan 14 | Great to join @ JerryBrownGov @CAgovernment @ ACWAWater for #CAWaterUpdate and drought discussions in Sacramento. SanGabrielBasin WQA @SGBWQA • Jan 14 | Gov. Brown at CAWater 2.0: “Now is not the time to shirk from responsibility” #CAWaterUpdate Gov. Brown Press Ofc @ GovPressOffice • Jan 14 | @ JerryBrownGov: ”We must think differently & act boldly – & that’s exactly what CA is doing”

MAY 2016 3 – 6

ACWA 2016 Spring Conference & Exhibition will be held at the Portola and Marriott Hotels in Monterey.

ACWA DC2016

Annual Washington D.C. Conference

FEBRUARY 23-25 2016

The Mayflower Hotel, Washington D.C.