NEWS
VOL.
45
04 April 21, 2017
In just eight months, San Luis Reservoir has gone from holding a mere 10% of its capacity (right) to a whopping 90% as of March 27 (left). This side-byside comparison illustrates the dramatic recovery of reservoir levels around the state in the wake of record-setting precipitation. That recovery led to a welcome boost in allocations for both the State Water Project and the Central Valley Project.
ACWA 2017 Spring Conference Explores “One Water, One Future” ACWA’s 2017 Spring Conference & Exhibition in Monterey is coming up May 9-12 and offers an array of opportunities to drill down into some of the most critical water issues facing California today — from infrastructure to energy storage to emergency response at Oroville Dam. The conference, themed “One Water, One Future,” will explore California’s shared vision — and challenges — regarding the state’s water future. Several key leaders in the water industry will speak at the conference providing perspectives on topics. Top speakers include Susan
Drought Emergency Lifted; Final Conservation Framework Released
Kennedy, chief executive officer & founder, Advanced Microgrid Solutions, Inc., who will open the conference with a keynote breakfast address Wednesday, May 10 in which she shares insights into the energy storage field from the vantage point as chief of her company.
Gov. Jerry Brown issued an executive order April 7 that lifts the emergency drought declaration for most of the state, retains prohibitions on water waste and monthly water use reporting, and advances other measures on long-term water conservation. In conjunction with the order, the California Department of Water Resources, State Water Resources Control Board and other agencies released the final long-term conservation framework report required by the governor’s May 2016 Executive Order B-37-16. The agencies also released a summary of proposed legislation to implement the framework.
Kennedy, who has served in highlevel roles in two gubernatorial administrations and for Sen. Dianne Feinstein (D-CA), also will discuss pivotal moments in her public service career, including her
Drought Emergency Lifted Citing record rainfall this winter and unprecedented levels of water conservation, the
CONFERENCE Continued on page 13
2
ED Column: Drought Emergency Ends, but Many Breakthroughs Endure
3
Member Agency Resolutions Requested on Bay-Delta Flows
4
Four Valley Agencies Pledge Cooperation on Temperance Flat
GOVERNOR Continued on page 5
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 916.441.4545 | www.acwa.com Executive Director Timothy Quinn Deputy Executive Director of External Affairs & Member Services Jennifer Persike Director of Communications Lisa Lien-Mager Senior Communications Specialist / Editor Pamela Martineau Communications Specialist Emily Allshouse Senior Graphic Designer Katherine Causland Outreach and Social Media Specialist Marie Meade Copyright 2017. All Rights Reserved. Call ACWA for Permission to Reprint. USPS 334030
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 LienMager at lisalm@acwa.com or 916.441.4545.
EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR’S COLUMN • TIMOTHY QUINN
Drought Emergency Ends, but Many Breakthroughs Endure With the stroke of a pen earlier this month, Gov. Jerry Brown ended the drought emergency he declared more than three years ago in the midst of a bone-dry winter and shrinking reservoirs. The original declaration in January 2014 garnered national and even international media coverage. Images of ultra-low Folsom Lake and fallowed fields provided alarming visuals as the drought raged on and water managers hunkered down for some of the most challenging times in recent memory. Today, key reservoirs are spilling and the storms keep coming. Northern California has officially set the record for the most rain and snowfall in a water year. While the emergency is now in our rearview mirror, it’s worth reflecting on some of the lessons and policy breakthroughs that will endure into the foreseeable future. Value of local investments. If the lesson of the 1986-’92 drought was the need to invest in local water resources, the abiding legacy of this drought is the critical value of those investments. As the Public Policy Institute of California and others have noted, California’s urban economy remained relatively unscathed over the past several years because of the planning and investment by local water agencies. These forward-looking investments — to the tune of $20 billon since the last major drought — paid major dividends in drought resilience and preparedness. The investments keep coming, and their values will only grow in the future.
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Proposition 1. Californians approved a $7.5 billion water bond in November 2014, capping years of effort to advance a comprehensive plan to reinvest in the state’s water system and jumpstart implementation of the California Water Action Plan. Though Californians have a history of supporting water bonds, the heightened awareness of water due to drought almost certainly contributed to Proposition 1’s overwhelming 2-1 margin of approval on election day.
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SGMA. At the height of the drought, Cali-
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fornia enacted the most significant water legislation in a generation – the Sustainable Groundwater Management Act (SGMA) of 2014. Spurred by deepening concern about groundwater overdraft and subsidence in some areas of the state, a task force of ACWA members developed recommendations that ultimately provided the basis for many key provisions of SGMA. While the overdraft crisis had been brewing for over half a century, there is no question the drought created urgency that brought stakeholders to the table. This is a tough issue, but all around the state water agencies are implementing SGMA to chart a path toward sustainable groundwater basins with healthy economies overlying them. The resilience of agriculture. Faced with massive cuts in surface water deliveries, agricultural water managers responded with resilience. Many turned to groundwater, which added to overdraft in some areas, but they also made effective use of the water market. In addition, they advanced creative solutions such as the North Valley Recycled Water Program, a collaborative partnership that will send treated wastewater from Turlock and Modesto to productive farmland in Del Puerto Water District in the very near future. Public attitudes toward water. ACWA member agencies and their customers stepped up in a huge way in response to the drought emergency. A permanent shift in the way Californians think about and use water is apparent up and down the state as lawns are replaced with water-wise landscapes and consumers switch to more efficient appliances. The Save Our Water Program managed by ACWA in partnership with Department of Water Resources assisted hundreds of member agencies. Throughout the drought, ACWA and its members worked to highlight the need for comprehensive solutions and investments in drought resilient supplies. We will continue that work regardless of what Mother Nature delivers next.
Member Agency Resolutions Requested on Bay-Delta Flows In an effort to demonstrate broad support for a comprehensive, collaborative approach to setting new water quality objectives in the Bay-Delta watershed, ACWA is asking its member agencies to adopt resolutions in support of the association’s policy statement on Bay-Delta flows. ACWA’s Board of Directors on March 10 adopted a strong policy statement urging the State Water Resources Control Board to set aside its problematic “unimpaired flow” approach to setting new water quality standards in the Delta. The statement asks the State Water Board to instead heed Gov. Jerry Brown’s call for negotiated agreements, which have proven successful in achieving positive ecological outcomes while maintaining water supply reliability – both pillars of the state’s coequal goals.
More information on the State Water Board’s flow proposal and ACWA’s policy statement is available at www.acwa.com/ spotlight/acwa-policy-statement-baydelta-flows. Sample resolutions also are available at that site. ACWA also held two webinars for members to provide more details on the ACWA Board position and the staff proposal from the State Water Board. Recordings of the webinars are available to members at the above website. ACWA asks that copies of your agency’s approved resolution or other action be emailed to ACWA Region & Member Services Specialist Ana Javaid at anaj@acwa.com. Members also are encouraged to educate key audiences and local leaders on the policy statement.
Natural Resources Agency Releases 10-Year Plan for Salton Sea The California Natural Resources Agency on March 16 released a 10-year plan for the Salton Sea, detailing targeted habitat and dust suppression projects aimed at improving air quality and bird and wildlife populations.
was created by Gov. Jerry Brown to develop a comprehensive plan to meet short- and long-term goals to respond to air quality and ecological threats at the Salton Sea caused by declining water levels and increased salinity.
“Under this plan, we’ll build the backbone infrastructure we need to limit airborne dust and create lower-salinity zones that sustain tilapia,” said Natural Resources Secretary John Laird in a statement.
The 10-year plan describes the first phase of the Salton Sea Management Plan created under the governor’s direction. It will take a total of $383 million to complete the habitat and dust-suppression projects needed over the next decade, according to the Natural Resources Agency.
According to the Natural Resources Agency, water levels in the Salton Sea, located in Riverside and Imperial counties, have receded sharply in recent years for a variety of reasons but will shrink significantly after 2017 when mitigation water deliveries stop under previous agreements. In May 2015, the Salton Sea Task Force
Specifically, the plan estimates that a total of 48,300 acres of lakebed will be exposed by 2028, and proposes dust-suppression projects for at least 29,800 acres of that exposed land. Along with dryland dust suppression projects, the phase one plan proposes the construction of a series of river outlets and ponds along
the lake to create wildlife habitat zones that will also serve to suppress dust. Phase one projects are being targeted at the northern and southern ends of the lake where the exposure is most severe. Public comment on the plan will be solicited through several regional workshops to be announced on the Salton Sea Management Program website at www.resources.ca.gov/salton-sea/.
APRIL 21, 2017 • 3
Four Valley Agencies Pledge Cooperation on Temperance Flat Four agencies representing water users in the San Joaquin Valley have signed a joint letter pledging collaboration to develop the Temperance Flat Reservoir project on the San Joaquin River northeast of Fresno. The joint letter was signed March 31 during a news conference at Fresno City Hall. Signatories included representatives from the San Joaquin Valley Water Infrastructure Authority, San Joaquin River Exchange Contractors Water Authority, San Luis & DeltaMendota Water Authority and Friant Water Authority. San Joaquin Valley Water Infrastructure Authority Executive Director Mario Santoyo, in explaining the letter agreement’s significance to reporters, noted that the authority was organized last year by five valley counties, many cities, special districts and an Indian tribe to pursue Proposition 1 state bond funding for Temperance Flat. The authority is pushing to submit a water storage funding application to the California Water Commission before the Aug. 14 deadline. Fresno City Councilman Steve Brandau, who presided over the news conference, noted the Temperance Flat project’s importance to improve water supply reliability in many parts of the central San Joaquin Valley. Rep. Jim Costa (D-Fresno) called the project an “investment in our future.” “The future viability of the San Joaquin Valley is dependent upon a reliable water supply,” said Costa. “Efforts to store water must be improved, both below and above ground, during wet years so water is available during the dry years.” Temperance Flat is viewed as a critical tool in the valley’s efforts to meet mandates under the new Sustainable
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A letter pledging cooperation among four valley agencies in pursuing funding and development of the proposed Temperance Flat Reservoir project on the San Joaquin River is signed by Mario Santoyo, San Joaquin Valley Water Infrastructure Authority Executive Director. Looking on (from left in front row) are the other three agency leaders who signed, Steve Chedester of the San Joaquin River Exchange Contractors Water Authority, Jason Phillips of the Friant Water Authority and Ara Azhderian of the San Luis & Delta-Mendota Water Authority.
Groundwater Management Act by capturing and storing flood water for use in the groundwater recharge process. In the joint letter addressed to California Water Commission Acting Executive Officer Taryn Ravazzini, the agencies pledged to work with the U. S. Bureau of Reclamation and contribute equally on staff, funding, support, and other resources to support the Temperance Flat project. Currently, the four agencies are collaborating on technical analyses and an operations plan that would build upon previous Temperance Flat studies. A new reservoir in the upper San Joaquin River watershed has been considered
for decades to improve operational flexibility, water supply and reliability for the San Joaquin Valley’s water users. Temperance Flat Reservoir, which would have a capacity of 1.3 million acre-feet, is proposed on a site several miles upstream from Friant Dam. “The limitations of California’s aging water infrastructure to meet present and future challenges have never been more apparent than today. Recent extremes we’ve experienced — back-to-back drought and flood years — demonstrate the challenges that new storage could help address,” said Jason Phillips, chief executive officer of the Friant Water Authority.
DWR Announces Community Meetings on Oroville Dam Repair The California Department of Water Resources has announced it is hosting seven public meetings in multiple locations to update community members in the region about the ongoing Oroville spillway recovery effort. The meetings will provide opportunities for members of the public to hear from DWR leaders and experts about the status of the Oroville spillway and to ask questions and comment on the recovery process. The meetings will have similar agendas, formats and content.
At each meeting, the information session begins at 5:30 p.m., and is followed by a 6:30 p.m. presentation and Q&A period. Date
City
Location
April 27
Gridley
Butte County Fairgrounds, Butte Hall Room, 199 E Hazel St.
May 2
Oroville
Oroville Municipal Auditorium, 1200 Myers St.
May 3
Marysville
CA Department of Transportation District 3, Sierra Nevada Room, 703 B St.
May 4
Oroville
Oroville Church of the Nazarene Fellowship Hall, 2238 Monte Vista Ave.
May 9
Yuba City
Yuba-Sutter Fairgrounds, Franklin Hall, 442 Franklin Ave.
May 11
Chico
May 15
Chico Masonic Family Center, 1110 W East Ave.
Sacramento Tsakopoulos Library Galleria, 828 I St.
GOVERNOR Continued from page 1
governor lifted the drought emergency in all California counties except Fresno, Kings, Tulare and Tuolumne, where emergency drinking water projects continue to be needed to address depleted groundwater supplies.
The framework specifies that proposed standards and implementation are not intended to “affect or otherwise limit any rights to water conserved under applicable law,” including California Water Code Section 1011.
The order calls on the State Water Board to adjust the emergency conservation regulation that was extended in February of this year to rescind the emergency requirement for a water supply “stress test” or mandatory conservation standard for urban water suppliers. The State Water Board is directed to continue the monthly reporting requirements and prohibitions on water waste as a “bridge” to permanent requirements that will be developed through implementation of the framework.
ACWA submitted extensive comments on both urban and agricultural elements of the draft framework that was released in November 2016. The comments, signed by 114 water agencies and associations, voiced concern that state agencies would be given broad authority to determine future water-use budgets or performance measures without stakeholder input.
Long-Term Conservation Framework The final framework calls for the state agencies to adopt new urban water use standards and a methodology for determining new urban water use targets. Urban water suppliers will be required to calculate their individual water use targets based on those standards and local conditions. The timeline calls for the state agencies to adopt provisional standards to take effect in 2018 and then adopt final standards by 2021, with full compliance and enforcement beginning in 2025.
The final report makes several recommendations for how to implement long-term water conservation and permanent changes to water management practices statewide.
Key Recommendations The state’s long-term conservation framework includes the following key recommendations: • Replacing the current “stress test” approach with new water use targets, based on an urban water use target methodology and local conditions, to be reported monthly to the State Water Resources Control Board.
requirements and also permanent water use prohibitions. • Establishing new requirements for water loss audits, drought risk assessments to be conducted every five years as part of water shortage contingency plans, and water budget forecasts. • Expanding current water use efficiency and drought planning requirements to require the preparation of water management plans for agricultural water suppliers that provide water to 10,000 irrigation acres or more.
Next Steps ACWA is reviewing the final framework and expects to play an active role as follow-up legislation and regulatory proposals emerge. Please see related story on legislation, page 8. Questions Members with questions about the final long-term conservation framework should contact ACWA State Regulatory Relations Director Dave Bolland at daveb@acwa.com. Members with questions about conservation legislation should contact ACWA Senior Legislative Advocate Whitnie Wiley at whitniew@acwa.com.
• Establishing rulemaking processes for those permanent monthly reporting APRIL 21, 2017 • 5
ACWA Board Approves 2017 Priority Actions, DAC Plan The ACWA Board of Directors finalized a list of priority actions for 2017 and approved an action plan for addressing safe drinking water for disadvantaged communities at its March 31 meeting in Sacramento. The Board also discussed activities related to Bay-Delta flow policies and heard an update on a technical study targeted for release in May on the benefits of integrating new surface and groundwater storage projects with existing storage and conveyance infrastructure. The study was commissioned by ACWA to help inform the California Water Commission’s process for allocating funding for new storage projects under Proposition 1.
DAC Action Plan The Disadvantaged Communities (DAC) action plan, which was developed by an ACWA Board-appointed task force as part of the association’s DAC Drinking Water Initiative, identifies problems, solutions and ACWA actions in the categories of 1) informational needs, 2) technical needs, 3) managerial needs and 4) financial needs. A diverse stakeholder advisory group, with participants from environmental justice organizations, local government, production agriculture and other sectors, informed development of the plan. The plan emphasizes that the lack of safe drinking water in certain disadvantaged communities is a public health issue and
a social issue that must be addressed. It also notes that there is no “one-size-fitsall” solution and that state-led activities should be transparent and allow for public and stakeholder input. ACWA actions identified in the plan include engaging with the State Water Resources Control Board to develop comprehensive information about affected communities and their needs. The task force was set to meet with State Water Board staff on April 21 to work on a draft needs assessment for operations and maintenance funding needs in DACs. Other actions include helping to increase awareness of existing resources Continued on page 7
ACWA’s 2017 Policy and Organizational Goals at a Glance ACWA’s Board of Directors adopted the following refined goals as priorities for 2017.
Policy-Related Goals Provide leadership on Bay-Delta solutions. ACWA will advocate for Bay-Delta policies that are consistent with comprehensive solutions and the coequal goals, and ensure that flow decisions by the State Water Resources Control Board are consistent with the California Water Action Plan. Develop long-term conservation and drought policy. ACWA will advocate for policy that protects local decision making, recognizes the role of local water supply investments, and promotes sound policy on water use efficiency and longterm climate adaptation strategies. Advance water storage investments. ACWA will continue to define and highlight the benefits of storage project integration and provide technical
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analysis to inform decision making by the California Water Commission. Promote policy advances on headwaters. ACWA will work with coalitions to educate audiences and promote policies to increase the pace and scale of headwaters and forestry management. Advance sound water rates policy. ACWA will engage in legislative and administrative solutions to provide flexibility for voluntary demand-based rates and voluntary lifeline rates, and seek solutions that address drinking water affordability. Provide leadership on drinking water solutions for disadvantaged communities. ACWA will take a leadership role to develop and advance solutions that are reasonable and effective and do not unjustly impact ACWA’s members.
Organizational-Related Goals Develop long-range plan for financial sustainability and staff resources. ACWA will continue to implement the
succession plan developed in 2016, execute programs to create non-dues revenue and decide on a plan for the future of its building at 910 K Street in Sacramento. Assist ACWA members with recruiting and engaging the next generation. ACWA will pursue strategies to assist members with this important priority. Improve involvement by ACWA’s agricultural members. ACWA will elevate the importance of issues affecting agricultural members and work to increase their engagement. Maximize the Meet the President Initiative. ACWA will seek to engage less-involved members and enhance regional outreach and effectiveness through meetings and events. Implement the Integrated Marketing / Communications / Outreach Plan. ACWA will implement remaining actions, including a major redesign of its website and enhanced social media presence.
New Report Details Economic Impacts of Delta Regulations A new report analyzing the economic impacts of tighter regulations in the Delta since 2000 concludes that reduced water deliveries have cost 11,000 farm worker jobs each year, translating to a loss of $900 million in lost farmworker wages and a statewide impact of $2 billion. Prepared for the Committee for Delta Reliability and the Southern California Water Committee by UC Berkeley Professor Dr. David Sunding, the report specifically analyzes the economic impacts of California water quality regulations D-1485 and D-1641 and recent federal biological opinions on smelt and salmonid species. The report, titled “Economic Analysis of Sequential Species Protection and
•
As a result of increased retail water shortages and accelerated investments in conservation and water supply alternatives, urban water customers have spent $5.7 billion since 2000, and will spend an additional $10.1 billion by 2050.
“Although California is no longer facing an emergency drought, this year’s influx of rain does not solve the long-term problem of water shortage, management and availability,” said Southern California Water Committee Executive Director Charles Wilson in a statement. “We cannot conserve our way out of a drought and assume that those negatively impacted by water cuts will be made whole. Instead, we need a balanced solution — like California WaterFix — to ensure a clean and reliable water source for all Californians, now and in the future.”
•
55,000 acres of farmland have been fallowed each year since 2000, with an expected 195,000 acres of fallowed farmland by 2050.
The full report is available at www. socalwater.org/files/SCWC%20 Water%20Quality%20Regs%20Full%20 Report.pdf.
Water Quality Regulations in the Delta,” concludes that as a result of these regulations, water deliveries from the Delta have been reduced by a total of 1.3 million acre-feet annually. The report also finds that:
Continued from page 6
and supporting creation of a “shared solutions” toolkit that could help communities achieve economies of scale through voluntary consolidation and implementation of other regional solutions. ACWA will continue to engage in the issue and work closely with State Water Board staff and other organizations to develop and implement solutions that are reasonable and effective and do not unjustly impact ACWA members.
Updates on Storage Integration Report, Other Key Issues Board members heard a high-level summary of findings emerging from the report on storage integration set to be finalized later this month. The report suggests there are opportunities to capture and store significantly more water in the Bay-Delta watershed, and that integrating new storage into existing infrastructure would provide flexibility for the system, especially in terms of timing and coordination of releases to meet the coequal goals. It also would
yield significant benefits for groundwater replenishment. The technical report and related briefing piece will be available on ACWA’s website in May. The Board also heard the latest on other policy-related priorities, including outreach activities in support of the BayDelta flows policy statement adopted on March 10, legislative and regulatory efforts regarding long-term conservation policy and ACWA’s activities related to water rate-making flexibility and drinking water affordability. As reported in the March 17 issue of ACWA News, the association is working with Sen. Robert Hertzberg (D-Van Nuys) to sponsor SCA 4 to provide increased flexibility to pursue voluntary demand-based water rates and voluntary lifeline rates to assist low-income customers. Other updates to the Board included 2017 plans for Save Our Water, the state’s official public education program on water conservation managed by ACWA in partnership with the California Department of Water Resources. The
program has completely updated its website to reflect “evergreen” messaging and plans to conduct opinion research this spring regarding public attitudes toward conservation in light of record precipitation this winter and the lifting of the statewide drought emergency. The data will be used to shape the program’s spring through fall efforts. Board members also got an update on the 2017 Spring Conference & Exhibition in Monterey and heard a status report from a task force looking into future options for ACWA’s headquarters building at 910 K Street in Sacramento as well as ongoing activities under the “Meet the President” initiative. APRIL 21, 2017 • 7
STATE LEGISLATION
Urban Conservation Bills Set for Committee Hearing April 25 Dueling proposals for advancing long-term water use efficiency and urban water management planning are headed for their first hearing in the Assembly Water, Parks and Wildlife Committee on April 25. ACWA is actively supporting two policy bills that are based on concepts developed by the water community to enhance water supply shortage planning and response and establish new water efficiency targets for urban retail water suppliers. AB 1654 (Rubio) and AB 968 (Rubio) were developed as an alternative to legislative language the Brown Administration is proposing to advance through the state budget trailer bill process. Consistent with a policy statement adopted by the ACWA Board of Directors, ACWA opposes the use of budget trailer bills to advance substantive changes in state law such as those proposed by the Brown Administration to implement recommendations of its final conservation framework, “Making Conservation a California Way of Life.” The report was released April 7 (see story on Page 1). Three other bills — AB 1667 (Friedman), AB 1668 (Friedman) and AB 1669 (Friedman) — were amended on April 18 and will be heard on April 25. ACWA’s State Legislative Committee will consider the amended versions on April 21. All of the bills will be heard in the Assembly Appropriations Committee as well.
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AB 1654 and AB 968 Details AB 1654 would enhance existing urban water management planning requirements and strengthen water suppliers’ abilities to plan and prepare for future droughts. Specifically, the bill would: •
•
Establish new water supply and demand reporting requirements for urban water suppliers to the Department of Water Resources, enabling the state to identify water suppliers that are experiencing actual water shortages to better focus available state assistance during a drought emergency. Prohibit a water supplier from being required to reduce its use of available water supplies beyond the steps specified in its water shortage contingency analysis, thereby protecting water suppliers’ and their customers’ investments in resilient water supplies.
AB 968 would: •
•
Establish new water efficiency targets for urban retail water suppliers for the year 2025 in a manner that provides three options for use in determining targets, recognizes and incentivizes development of resilient supplies such as recycled water, and protects existing water rights. Preserve the Legislature’s authority and oversight over long-term water use target setting and require DWR to establish a collaborative urban stakeholder process to continue improvement in water-use efficiency beyond 2025.
Competing Proposals AB 1667 (Friedman), AB 1668 (Friedman) and AB 1669 (Friedman)
were amended on April 18 to incorporate the Administration’s budget trailer bill language. The amended versions will be reviewed by ACWA’s State Legislative Committee on April 21. AB 1667 addresses agricultural water management, while AB 1668 addresses urban water management planning and requirements for Water Shortage Contingency Plans. AB 1669 includes the Administration’s proposal for authorizing the State Water Board to establish both interim and long-term standards for urban water conservation. AB 1041 (Levine) would require urban water suppliers to implement stages of their urban water management plans in response to water supply reductions. ACWA believes the bill is overly prescriptive and would not allow the necessary flexibility to respond to water supply reductions.
Administration’s Budget Trailer Bill Now that the Administration’s trailer bill language has been amended into policy bills, it is not clear whether the budget trailer bill will be pursued. Questions Members with questions should contact ACWA Senior Legislative Advocate Whitnie Wiley at whitniew@acwa.com.
STATE LEGISLATION
Lead in Drinking Water a Hot Topic in California Legislature In the wake of the drinking water crisis in Flint, Mich., California lawmakers have introduced a raft of bills addressing various aspects of lead in drinking water. ACWA’s State Legislative Committee has formed a working group to review the bills and develop a consistent framework to approach lead issues and guide ACWA’s advocacy on lead legislation. The topic is among the most active and politically sensitive in play at the Capitol this session, and ACWA is seeking to advance an approach that is effective and workable for public water systems. Several bills address lead testing in schools. Though the State Water Resources Control Board launched a program in January 2017 encouraging K-12 schools to have their drinking water tested for lead, several legislators are calling for mandatory testing at all schools. Under the State Water Board’s program, community water systems are required to test the schools in their service area for lead if sampling is requested by school officials in writing. ACWA supports the goal of protecting children from exposure to lead in drinking water. While the association does not oppose mandatory testing by schools at sites built before pipe and plumbing standards required the use of “lead free” pipes and fixtures, it wants to ensure that specific requirements, deadlines and responsibilities for costs are clearly defined. Here is a look at key lead in drinking water legislation as of April 17. AB 247 (Garcia) would create a statewide lead advisory task force to evaluate laws and regulations concerning exposure to lead. Status: Assembly Appropriations Committee suspense file. ACWA position: Favor and amend. AB 746 (Gonzalez Fletcher) would require school districts, community
colleges and California State University campuses to test drinking water for lead in every school at least once per year. Also would require notification to parents and students, and require schools to shut down any outlet that has an elevated lead level. Status: Set for hearing April 19 in Assembly Education Committee. ACWA position: State Legislative Committee to consider on April 21. AB 885 (Rubio) as amended March 20 would require community water systems to test all drinking water outlets for lead in all public K-12 schools, preschools and daycares by July 1, 2019 and every year thereafter. Also would set in statute an “elevated lead level” at 1 part per billion (ppb). Status: Cleared the Assembly Education Committee with amendments (not yet in print). Set for hearing April 25 in Assembly Environmental Safety and Toxic Materials Committee. ACWA position: Oppose unless amended. SB 210 (Leyva) would require the closure of water outlets in schools that have lead in excess of U.S. EPA standards or that have contaminants above California MCLs. Also would prioritize grant funding for projects in schools that have exceedances. Status: Senate Appropriations Committee suspense file. ACWA position: State Legislative Committee to consider April 21. SB 427 (Leyva) would change the process and timelines established in SB 1398 (Leyva) of 2016 for public water systems to work with the State Water Board to develop a schedule to replace any lead service lines in use in their distribution systems. Status: Set for hearing April 19 in Senate Environmental Quality Committee. ACWA position: Oppose. Questions about lead in drinking water legislation may be directed to ACWA Deputy Executive Director for Government Relations Cindy Tuck at cindyt@acwa.com.
ACWA members can access analyses and position letters on all bills ACWA is tracking at www.acwa.com/content/ acwa_advocacy.
NEW MEMBERS ACWA extends a warm
welcome to the following new members who have joined thus far in 2017. Region 1
Scotia Community Services District
Region 4
Stanislaus Regional Water Authority
Region 5
City of San Luis Obispo
Region 8
City of Beverly Hills – Public Works Department Glendale Water & Power
Region 9
City of Rialto
Region 10
Otay Water District
APRIL 21, 2017 • 9
Surplus Solar Energy Brings Pricing Changes to Water Agencies Increased solar energy on the grid during daytime hours is creating changes in “on-peak” pricing that will impact water agencies that are customers of Pacific Gas & Electric, Southern California Edison, San Diego Gas & Electric.
and electricity utilities are now examining a number of ways to create balanced grid conditions in light of the challenges posed by significant renewable energy generation. One of these tools is time-ofuse (TOU) electric rates.
Water agencies that are customers of the three electric utilities will need to prepare to make operational changes to avoid increased electricity costs starting in 2018 because of the proposed new “on-peak” periods in the late afternoon and early evening.
TOU rates were first established in the 1970s and have not significantly changed since first implemented. TOU rates send a signal to customers to conserve energy at critical times of the day to reflect the fact that electricity is now the most valuable at this time of day and to try to change customer behavior. Existing TOU rates make electricity most expensive, or “on-peak,” in the middle of the day. The new rate proposals will make electricity most expensive in the late afternoon and early evening.
“On-peak” periods are time periods when electricity is the most expensive. Historically, these periods have always been in the middle of the day. The three utilities are now proposing to move these periods to the late afternoon and early evening due to a glut of solar energy on the grid. Utility
Current On-Peak
Proposed New On-Peak
SDG&E
11 am – 6 pm summer weekdays
4 – 9 pm daily year around
SCE
Noon – 6 pm summer weekdays
4 – 9 pm summer weekdays
PG&E
Noon – 6 pm summer weekdays
5 – 10 pm daily year around
State renewable energy targets, which are one of the key pillars of the greenhouse gas emissions reduction strategy in California, are driving the changes in electricity supply and demand patterns. One of the most significant changes is a marked increase in solar energy production during the day, which can sometimes lead to surplus electricity generation during the afternoon, particularly in the spring. This potential surplus can be exacerbated in years when electricity generated from hydro power is plentiful. Solar energy creates an additional challenge for grid operators and electric utilities because production drops off dramatically in the late afternoon and early evening, but in hot summer months demand for electricity can stay high late into the evening. State energy regulators 10 • ACWANEWS
Vol. 45 No. 04
What are the impacts? Since most water agencies are currently subject to TOU rates, this shift will cause increased electricity costs for water agencies that perform more energy-intensive operations during the late afternoon and evening. In addition, water agencies that
have installed solar projects or are considering developing solar projects that sell energy back into the electricity grid are going to potentially see a dramatic change in their return on investment. The impact on solar projects’ value could be substantial with solar projects facing reductions in the value of electricity generated by their solar projects, possibly in the range of 33% to 75% of their current value.
How to Prepare Evaluate current operations – In the future, agencies will need to reduce their electricity usage in the evenings rather than in the afternoons to minimize utility bills. It would be good to determine now which utility accounts currently have large usage in the evening hours and what an agency could do to reduce or shift electricity usage out of those hours. Investigate alternative utility tariffs – There are alternative utility tariffs that may result in lower utility bills than the tariffs agencies are currently on. Investigate adding electricity storage – There have been significant improvements and cost reductions in on-site electricity storage that are worth checking out to determine if such an investment is a cost effective means to reduce future electricity bills.
5 MW(dc) RESBCT Solar Project Output: July Current On-Peak
Proposed On-Peak
Solar Generation
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Left: Assembly Member Bill Quirk delivers keynote remarks during the Energy Summit luncheon on March 30. Center: A panel moderated by CESA’s Alex Morris (right) explores revenue opportunities for bulk storage. Also pictured are GE Energy Storage’s Joe Heinzmann (left) and Imperial Irrigation District’s Justin Butler (center). Right: CPUC’s Molly Sterkel discusses the possibility of exporting energy out of state during a morning panel at the Energy Summit.
ACWA/CESA Energy Storage Summit Explores Industry’s Successes and Future Challenges in Emerging Field Water and energy utility managers from throughout California attended an energy storage summit in Sacramento March 30 that explored new technologies and management techniques in the emerging energy storage field. Jointly organized by ACWA and the California Energy Storage Alliance (CESA), the day-long summit explored issues ranging from pumped hydro storage to centralized battery storage to financing and siting. Many speakers at the summit discussed how energy storage is increasingly important to help address fluctuations in energy availability from the grid, particularly since wind and solar energies are highly susceptible to changes in weather. The abundance of solar energy on the electricity grid during daytime hours in particular has required a shift in timing for other types of energy production and transmittal. ACWA President Kathleen Tiegs delivered opening remarks in which she described energy storage as “one of the changing issues affecting California water.” Alex Morris, director of policy and regulatory affairs for CESA, also provided welcoming remarks and said “there is a whole new suite of (energy storage) technologies that are finding their feet today.”
The opening panel focused on pumped hydro storage, its new technologies and policy and regulatory issues. Increasingly, operators of hydro projects are shifting pumping of water to daytime hours due to the lower cost of the energy due to the abundance of solar, and are producing energy in the evenings when it is often most needed. Kelly Rodgers, an energy program manager for the San Diego County Water Authority, said it is crucial for water managers to be “agile and dynamic in the energy market” to adapt to the changes in the market. During a late morning panel on the California Public Utilities’ view of the role of grid-connected storage, Molly Sterkel, program manager in the CPUC Energy Division, said changes in the production of energy, primarily due to increased solar during daytime hours, may require exporting the energy out of state. “We’re not going to sit around and dump this overgeneration. We’re going to find a market for it,” said Sterkel. She also said energy rate structures will need to address changes in availability. Assembly Member Bill Quirk (D-Hayward) delivered the keynote address at lunch and highlighted the
challenges that lie ahead in terms of climate change. He said California has been a leader in meeting these challenges. Quirk added that California needs to show the world that “we can reduce greenhouse gases and still have a vibrant economy.” Quirk is the author of AB 33, passed in 2016, which directs the CPUC and California Energy Commission to evaluate and analyze the potential for all types of long duration energy bulk storage and to help integrate renewable generation into the grid. Other panels focused on managing electricity costs with distributed energy storage, and revenue opportunities for bulk storage. Imperial Irrigation District, Irvine Ranch Water District, and FresnoClovis Water Reclamation Facility presented case studies on their energy storage projects.
RESOURCE
Event agenda: www.acwa.com/sites/ default/files/event/2017/01/es17agenda-w-speakers_rl.pdf
APRIL 21, 2017 • 11
MEMBER NEWS
Save Our Water Launches All-New Widget and Prepares for Spring Public Education Campaign
Save Our Water has launched an all-new widget featuring helpful daily water saving tips. The new widget, which links to SOW’s new website, replaces the program’s original widget launched in 2009 and comes in a variety of sizes that are compatible with any website. The widget automatically updates each day and only requires adding a single line of code to a website. Easy instructions for adding the new SOW widget are available at www.saveourwater.com/toolkit. Users of SOW’s old widget are encouraged to update the code on their site to take advantage of the new widget’s capabilities. The launch of the widget comes as SOW prepares its spring public education campaign. The spring effort builds on successful elements of the program’s campaigns last year and will encourage Californians to embrace wise water use every day. The effort will run through the end of June and will be regionally focused, allowing SOW and local partners flexibility to tailor messaging. The campaign launch will be centered on radio ads/ sponsorships, digital ads and social media, with outdoor advertising launching in May. SOW also has unveiled a Spanish-language version of its new website at www.ahorrenuestraagua.com. With new tips, inspiration and tools, the new SOW websites are a hub for Californians looking to embrace water conservation and efficiency as a habit for life, rain or shine. The fully translated site also features a stronger focus on landscaping content pages.
Proud award recipients display their team’s CAPPIE. They are: Matt Rallens, of Lunia Blue; Jennifer Persike, ACWA deputy executive director for external affairs and member services; and Brendan Wonnacott, of Save Our Water.
Save Our Water Recognized for Excellence Save Our Water’s 2016 public education efforts have been recognized with awards from two leading industry organizations in Sacramento. In February, the Sacramento Ad Club awarded ACWA and the SOW team with a Silver American Advertising Award (ADDY) for Cross Platform – Integrated Media Public Service Campaign. The award recognized SOW’s summer 2016 paid media campaign, taking into special consideration the innovative ways the campaign’s paid outdoor ads connected with digital and mobile ad placements. Last month, the Sacramento Public Relations Association also awarded ACWA and the SOW team a Gold Cappie for Best Public Service Announcement/Campaign for the video campaign featured on NBC weather segments and gas pumps in the fall of 2016. The campaign was recognized for SOW’s unique efforts to involve water agency and corporate partners in its paid media.
Call for Candidates for ACWA Region Boards Opens May 1 Want to become more involved in ACWA and serve your community at the same time? Join one of ACWA’s region boards. The call for candidates wishing to serve on ACWA region boards for the 2018-’19 term will open on May 1 and will close on June 30. 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 12 • ACWANEWS
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30. Region election information and materials will be emailed to ACWA member agency general managers and board presidents on May 1 and also will be available on ACWA’s website at www.acwa.com. ACWA’s 10 regions are a key component of ACWA’s governance structure and provide the grassroots support to advance ACWA’s legislative and regulatory agenda. Each region chair
and vice chair also sit on the ACWA statewide Board of Directors. For more information contact ACWA Regional Affairs Representatives: Melissa Sparks at melissas@acwa.com, Michael Cervantes at michaelc@acwa.com, Brandon Ida at brandoni@acwa.com, or Member Services Specialist Ana Javaid at anaj@acwa.com.
CONFERENCE Continued from page 1
role in the development and passage of the 2009 water package. Later that day, William Croyle, acting director of the California Department of Water Resources, will keynote the Wednesday luncheon where he will describe the emergency response to the spillway erosion at Oroville Dam. Croyle and his team at DWR worked with the Butte County Sheriff ’s office and other local and state entities to launch an all-out emergency response to protect the citizens in possible harm’s way, and to trouble-shoot efforts to ensure the dam’s safety. The Thursday night dinner and entertainment features the Politicos Comedy Brigade (PCB) presenting “DC Unplugged” featuring D.C.-based political comedian Olson Parker as host, 25-year career comedic actor Ron Butler as Barack Obama, and the godfather of modern day political impersonation, Tim Watters, as Donald Trump and Bill Clinton. PCB is known for its unique brand of fun-fair-balanced comedy and razor-sharp improvisational audience interaction.
After Trump’s First 100 Days, What’s in Store for the Next 100? During Friday’s breakfast program, political insiders will talk about the changes underway in Washington and what’s ahead now that the first 100 days of the Trump Administration are in the history books. Who are the new players? How has Congress shifted? What skills are needed to navigate Washington, D.C. today? Panelists in the federal water scene will bring conference-goers up to speed and include: Ian Lyle, executive vice president, National Water Resources Association; and John Freshman, senior director of governmental affairs, Best, Best and Krieger. ACWA Director of Federal Relations David Reynolds will moderate the program. In addition, the conference offers more than 80 meeting and program sessions that offer those in the water industry a chance to wade deeply into the regulatory, environmental and political issues that shape our industry. Conference attendees will be able to look at these contemporary water issues from a local, statewide, and federal perspective so they may become even better water managers. The conference also offers continuing education credits in the legal, energy, financial, and drinking water issue areas for professionals seeking contact hours.
Other program sessions look at issues ranging from water storage to small hydro to groundwater rights.
CONFERENCE ACWA More information is at www.acwa.com. MOBILE GUIDE ACWA CONFERENCE ACWA CONFERENCE NOVEMBER IN GUIDE AVAILABLE MOBILE MOBILE GUIDE AVAILABLE IN NOVEMBER
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MEMBER NEWS
Pure Water Monterey Project Construction to Begin in Summer The Monterey Regional Water Pollution Control Agency (MRWPCA) this month took an important step forward for its Pure Water Monterey project, signing State Revolving Fund loan documents that will allow the project to break ground this summer. The Pure Water Monterey project, a partnership between MRWPCA and the Monterey Peninsula Water Management District (MPWMD), will deliver 3,500 acre-feet of advanced purified water to the Seaside Groundwater Basin. The project will help reduce pumping from the Carmel River and provide additional water to growers in the Castroville Seawater Intrusion Project. The SRF loan, approximately $100 million with a 1% interest rate, will help pay for source water diversion structures, the advanced water purification facility, a conveyance pipeline and the groundwater injection facilities. The project anticipates beginning construction in the summer of 2017 and to begin delivering water into the Seaside Groundwater Basin in late 2018.
MRWPCA Board Chair Rudy Fischer (seated) signs loan documents flanked by Monterey Regional Water Pollution Control Agency General Manager Paul Sciuto (left) and Monterey Peninsula Water Management District General Manager Dave Stoldt (right).
“We are excited about this project and are ready to get it started…This project truly is the future of water not only because of the water treatment technologies, but also because of the integrated planning and collaboration it took to achieve these
results,” said MRWPCA Board Chair Rudy Fischer in a statement. For more information about Pure Water Monterey, please visit www.purewatermonterey.org.
MWD Board Authorizes $1.5 million for Sites Reservoir Planning The Metropolitan Water District of Southern California Board of Directors on April 11 authorized $1.5 million for the first planning phase of the proposed Sites Reservoir. The funding authorization, unanimously approved by the board, is aimed at securing state grant construction funds from Proposition 1. The action does not guarantee Metropolitan’s future involvement in the building of the planned reservoir about 80 miles north of Sacramento, but it provides the district an initial option of up to 50,000 acre-feet of annual water yield. “This modest stake gives Southern California a seat at the table as Sites 14 • ACWANEWS
Vol. 45 No. 04
Reservoir begins to take shape. It also enhances the good faith effort being made by water agencies throughout the state to increase stored surface water in California, particularly in facing the uncertainties of climate change,” said Metropolitan Board Chairman Randy Record. The Sites Reservoir Project, with a preliminary cost estimate of $4.4 billion, proposes construction of two large dams and nine small saddle dams to store up to 1.8 million acre-feet of water. Most of the supplies would be diverted through existing facilities from the Sacramento River during high water flows. The proposed project could yield an estimated 500,000 acre-feet of water in
an average year. It also could provide supplies for the environment as well as flood control, recreation and other public benefits. Construction could begin in 2022, with the reservoir expected to be operational by 2029. The board action authorizes Metropolitan to enter into a project agreement with the Sites Project Authority — comprised mainly of Northern California public water agencies — for participation in the reservoir’s planning process. Metropolitan is the 32nd agency to join a committee of water agencies from throughout the state in funding the initial project planning phase, including nine other State Water Project contractors.
RYAN KLEMENCIC
FACES OF WATER
Associate Civil Engineer, Water Quality Unit Santa Clara Valley Water District
Manager of Water Sommelier Program
HELPS KEEP DISTRICT’S WATER TASTING PRISTINE detect any unusual taste or smell in water treated by the district. Some people call the group “water sommeliers,” coining the term used for wine tasters.
Ryan Klemencic
Musty. Earthy. Chlorinous. Grassy. Woody. These flavors don’t stand a chance in the water delivered by Santa Clara Valley Water District. That’s because Ryan Klemencic and his group of water sommeliers won’t tolerate them. Klemencic, a civil engineer in the water quality unit at SCVWD, is the point person for running the flavor profile analysis program at the district. The program trains volunteers to
“The aesthetic properties — the taste of the water — is so important to customers,” explains Klemencic. “We make sure we do all we can do to minimize any off flavors. We put ourselves in the position of the customer.” Prospective water sommeliers — there are usually about 10 — must pass a scratch and sniff test before being selected into the program. The test requires them to identify 40 smells. They can only miss three to qualify. They then undergo training to learn to characterize and quantify the intensity of any “off” flavors and odors. Most of the
sommeliers are district employees who volunteer. During the winter and late fall, the group meets once every two weeks. In spring and summer they meet once a week. “That’s the high taste and odor season, so we want to be monitoring more frequently,” Klemencic says of spring and summer. There’s a prescribed process for conducting the taste tests which includes a rating system and votes by the group. If a preponderance of
the group tastes an off flavor in any of the water samples taken from the district’s three treatment facilities, operators at that facility are notified and will adjust treatment processes. In addition to the work of the sommeliers, the district’s treatment operators also do smell tests. Laboratories also test the water for organic compounds. . Faces of Water is a new occasional feature in ACWA News that tells the stories of the people who work to deliver California’s water.
Water sommeliers sample water and work to identify any unpleasant tastes and odors.
United Water CD Awarded Grant to Help Fight Quagga Mussels The United Water Conservation District has been awarded a $130,000 grant from the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service for additional vessel inspection and decontamination staff at its Lake Piru Recreation area in an effort to prevent the spread of the invasive quagga mussels. UWCD owns and oversees the Santa Felicia Dam and Lake Piru reservoir.
“UWCD’s Lake Piru recreation area is used by boaters from several surrounding counties within coastal California, boaters who typically visit many other lakes in southern and central California…,” explained UWCD General Manager Mauricio E. Guardado, Jr. “With the recent announcement that quagga mussels were found at Pyramid and Castaic, the challenges in battling the spread of the highly invasive quagga mussels have grown both
in terms of expense and effectiveness.” “The (quagga) grant will allow us to hire additional staff to focus on vessel inspections and provide decontamination when necessary,” Guardado added. UWCD has been working with the California Department of Fish and Wildlife on implementing its Lake Piru Quagga Mussel Monitoring and Control Plan. APRIL 21, 2017 • 15
MEMBER NEWS
CVWD Wins Regional Wastewater Award, Finalist for State Honor The Cucamonga Valley Water District has been recognized by the California Wastewater Environment Association (CWEA) with its “CWEA Wastewater Collections System of the Year” award for the local Santa Ana River Basin region. CVWD is now one of three finalists being considered for the statewide honor. CWEA’s awards program acknowledges outstanding achievement in more than 20 categories honoring exceptional California water environment professionals, collection systems and treatment plants. CVWD maintains nearly 430 miles of sewer lines throughout the district’s service area and performs preventative maintenance on the system through rigorous sewer line cleaning, video inspection programs, and checking every manhole cover to avoid wastewater backups. Over the last 10 years, the department has cleaned and inspected every mile of
CVWD Board Members and staff display their CWEA Award. (l-r): CVWD Director Randall Reed, CVWD wastewater utility staff members Sean Wasko, Shawn Spromberg, Robert Koczko, Gabe Parisi, and CVWD Board Director Oscar Gonzalez.
the wastewater system each year. “This award is a direct product of the tremendous work the CVWD team continues to put forward each and every day to maintain CVWD’s wastewater system,” said CVWD Board Director Randall
James Reed in a statement. “CVWD will continue making critical investments to ensure that our wastewater system functions at the highest level, while providing quality service to our residents.” .
EMWD Begins Service to County Water Company Customers Eastern Municipal Water District on April 11 began providing water service to customers who have been transitioned from the now-defunct County Water Company of Riverside in a rural area of Menifee. The start of service marks the end to a years-long process that involved the construction of a new water system in the area, the County of Riverside serving as an intermediary and legislation that was signed by Gov. Jerry Brown to protect the public agencies that take action on behalf of the homeowners in the area. “This is a landmark moment for these residents and one in which we are proud to have taken an active role in,” said EMWD Board Member Ron Sullivan, who represents the area. “Because of the efforts of all involved, the residents of this community will now have access to a safe and reliable water supply for generations to come.” 16 • ACWANEWS
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“We sincerely appreciate both the patience of the County Water Company customers and the partnership of all of the public agencies that have helped bring this process to completion,” EMWD General Manager Paul Jones said. “EMWD looks forward to serving our newest customers and we would like to personally welcome them to EMWD.” For many years, the rural enclave northwest of Murrieta Road and Scott Road had been served by a private, for-profit water system with a single well. That system was often unreliable, resulting in sustained outages, and delivered water with nitrate levels significantly above the drinking water standards set forth by both federal and state regulatory agencies. EMWD and neighboring Elsinore Valley Municipal Water District collaborated to develop a plan to transition 140 homes to their service from the failing County
Water Company of Riverside system. The California Department of Public Health provided a $6.5 million grant to fund new infrastructure, annexation into the Metropolitan Water District of Southern California service area and connection fees for the 140 homes. Since November 2014, the area has been receiving a safe and reliable water supply through temporary infrastructure. The County of Riverside – through the support of County Supervisor Kevin Jeffries – acted as the legal receiver of the system through the transition period. The Riverside County Economic Development Agency has been billing customers throughout the transition. As of April 11, 2017, EMWD’s portion of construction is complete and is assuming full responsibility of the system and billing of its customers.
MEMBER NEWS
EMWD Honored as Recycled Water Large Agency of the Year Eastern Municipal Water District was recognized in late March as the Recycled Water Large Agency of the Year by the California Chapter of the WateReuse Association. The award recognizes EMWD for its comprehensive approach toward investing in its recycled water program to ensure that resources are maximized. EMWD treats approximately 45 million gallons of wastewater per day at regional water reclamation facilities located in Moreno Valley, Perris, San Jacinto and Temecula. That highly treated wastewater becomes recycled water. Again in 2016, EMWD achieved 100% beneficial reuse of its recycled water supplies, which were used for irrigation of agriculture, parks, schools, recreational facilities, golf courses, public landscaping and industrial uses. Recycled water accounts for 36% of EMWD’s water supply portfolio, which is among the highest
percentage in the nation. “We are honored to be selected as the Agency of the Year,” EMWD Board President David Slawson said. “Recycled water is an incredibly valuable asset that allows us to responsibly maximize WateReuse Board President Grant Davis (far right) poses with our resources and EMWD management and staff. Staff members are (l-r) John reduce dependence Wuerth, Jolene Walsh, Dave Ahles, GM Paul Jones, Kelley Gage, on imported water Assistant GM Joe Mouawad, and Jim Lee. supplies. EMWD is committed to past 20 years. The investments have recontinually investing in our recycled sulted in a fully integrated recycled water water system for the benefit of all of our supply, storage and distribution system customers.” that provides a level of service commensurate with the potable water system. EMWD has invested nearly $200 million in its recycled water program over the
EMPLOYMENT Assistant General Manager San Diego County Water Authority
The Water Authority is seeking an innovative and dynamic Assistant General Manager who will assist and support the General Manager in the planning and execution of programs and projects for accomplishing the Authority's short- and long-term goals and objectives. See complete Employment Brochure at sdcwa.org.
Civil Engineering Department Manager Turlock Irrigation District
Under general direction, plan, direct, supervise, and coordinate engineering, surveying, and improvement district services and activities in broad areas of responsibility. Prepare and monitor departmental budgets. Supervise department engineering staff. Bachelor’s degree from an accredited college or university with a focus on civil engineering is required. Qualified candidates will possess ten (10) years of related civil engineering experience
including five (5) years at the level of Senior Civil Engineer or equivalent. In addition to the experience, possession of a valid certificate of registration as a professional engineer issued by the State Board of Registration for Professional Engineers required.
District Manager
Bethel Island Municipal Improvement District Bethel Island Municipal Improvement District (BIMID) Salary: $82,500 – $99,000 annually, DOQ, plus benefits BIMID provides critical levee, drainage and flood protection to the historic Contra Costa County “legacy community” of Bethel Island, one of the Bay Delta’s 8 western “sentinel islands” between the salt and fresh water, and to the unique lagoonbased waterfront “Delta Coves” development now getting underway. Yet most of Bethel Island’s 3,500 interior acres are open pasture land, creating a unique blend of urban/rural/wildlife interface as a bucolic oasis within the East Bay.
In 2015, BIMID’s nearly exclusively Property Tax oriented financial base was upgraded and stabilized by the passage of a Proposition 218 Assessment District, which is being further enhanced by its Delta Coves contract and CFD Budget. Bethel Island was also recently recognized in the State Delta Stewardship Council’s Delta Levee Investment Strategy as among the “Very Highest Priority” Delta Islands for future State funding. This District Manager position represents a unique professional opportunity to lead BIMID through a dramatic transformational time in its history. Broad professional background in local government and/or special district management, finance, and grantsmanship, notably in smaller local agencies. Outstanding oral and written communications skills, community and interagency relations, personal integrity. Inclusive collaborative management style with staff, consultants, elected Board of Directors, and regulatory and funding agencies. Specific flood control, reclamation district or related experience, and familiarity with applicable State and Federal Continued on page 18
APRIL 21, 2017 • 17
EMPLOYMENT Continued from page 17
agencies desirable. Any combination of education, training, experience to provide the required knowledge, skills, abilities (e.g. BA or BS in public or business administration, engineering, or related field; MPA or MBA a plus, 5 years applicable experience). Cover letter, resume by 5:00 P.M. May 12, 2017, to ljbutzlaff@yahoo.com. Information (925) 684-2210. Formal brochure available.
Engineer
Water Replenishment District of Southern California The Water Replenishment District of Southern California is looking for a motivated self-starter with strong interpersonal and communication skills. Under the direction of the department manager, performs complex professional engineering work in the research and oversight of water resource projects; conducts research and analysis of specialized water resources and engineering issues; manages engineering design and construction work performed by outside contractors and consultants; and performs other duties as assigned. Engineer is the Professional Engineer class in the engineering series. An incumbent is responsible for performing complex engineering assignments requiring the use of judgment and initiative in developing solutions to problems, interpreting policies and determining work assignments. Incumbents are responsible for conducting studies of complex and specialized water resource issues and overseeing and monitoring engineering design and construction activities performed by consultants/contractors. Engineer is distinguished from Senior Engineer in that incumbents in the latter class are responsible for planning, managing, overseeing and evaluating assigned engineering, capital construction and water quality programs/projects. Graduation from a four-year college or university with a degree in civil engineering, hydrology or a closely related field; and five years of professional engineering experience, including experience in engineering or water quality research; or an equivalent combination of training and experience. A valid California driver’s license and the ability to maintain insurability under the District’s vehicle insurance policy. Current, valid registration as a Professional Engineer from the State of California. The salary for the position is $88,360 to $118,148 per year and will be dependent upon the education, experience, and accreditations of the selected candidate. In addition, benefits are provided which include: vacation, holidays and sick leave; medical, dental and vision plans; life, short-term and longterm disability insurance; retirement through the California Public Employee’s Retirement System
18 • ACWANEWS
Vol. 45 No. 04
(PERS) with Social Security; deferred compensation plans; employee assistance program and educational rebate program. How to Apply Interested candidates can apply by going to the District web site at www.wrd.org to print an application. Supplemental materials such as a resume are encouraged to be submitted however no candidate will be considered without a fully completed and signed employment application. The position will remain open until filled. Completed applications along with supplemental materials may be submitted as follows: Via mail to: J H Shaunessy Water Replenishment District of Southern California 4040 Paramount Blvd. Lakewood, CA 90712 Via fax: 562-921-6101 Via email: jshaunessy@wrd.org
Engineer II or III
Fresno Irrigation District Fresno Irrigation District is looking for an experienced Civil or Agricultural Engineer to help our team in its continued efforts to manage water resources. The Engineer provides technical engineering services, aids in the planning, design and construction of District structures and facilities; performs various office and field duties; ensures the safety of District facilities; ensures compliance with regulations or contractual obligations; serves as project engineer/manager on construction projects; and provides assistance to customers, construction personnel, outside agencies and others. Visit our Employment Opportunities webpage by accessing our website at www. fresnoirrigation.com for detailed information and application. Open until filled.
Natural Resources Lateral Attorney
Kronick Moskovitz Tiedemann & Girard Kronick Moskovitz Tiedemann & Girard is currently seeking a lateral attorney with 3-7 years of experience to join a preeminent California water law practice in the state capital. Candidate must be highly motivated, self-sufficient, and have a high level of dedication and discipline. Primary responsibilities involve working with public agency and private-sector clients on: (1) federal and state litigation; (2) federal, state and local regulatory negotiations; and (3) a wide variety transactions directly or indirectly
involving water resources, including water project development, water transfers, water banking, water service agreements, water company acquisitions, water rights acquisitions, real property purchase and sale agreements, water service rate-setting, and real property assessments for water projects. Qualification Requirements Candidate must possess the requisite knowledge, skills and capability to accomplish the essential duties and responsibilities of the position: • 3-7 years of civil litigation experience • Experience in water resources and environmental law a plus • Experience in local public agency law a plus • Academic background or work experience in engineering or science a plus • Strong writing skills and academic credentials • Ability to effectively work as a team member, including leading litigation and transaction projects to completion To Apply This position offers a generous benefits package, a prestigious downtown location, and an opportunity to join a highly regarded statewide water law practice at a well-established firm in the state capital. To be considered for this opening, please submit: a cover letter; your resume; a research-based writing sample (such as a research memo); and a persuasive writing sample to: KMTG Recruitment Department Kronick, Moskovitz, Tiedemann & Girard 400 Capitol Mall, 27th Floor Sacramento, CA 95814 Email: kmtgcareers@kmtg.com Kronick Moskovitz Tiedemann & Girard is an equal opportunity employer and does not discriminate in employment and personnel practices of the basis of race, sex, age, handicap, religion, national origin or any other basis prohibited by applicable law.
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.
PEOPLE NEWS Celeste Cantu to Lead Water for Latino Leaders After more than a decade of service Celeste Cantú will step down June 30 as Santa Ana Watershed Project Authority general manager to become CEO of Water for Latino Leaders, a water policy academy.
Celeste Cantú
At SAWPA Cantú directed the creation of One Water One Watershed (OWOW), an integrated regional approach to water strategy that helps ensure a resilient river watershed. She also oversaw the Inland Empire Brine Line, which treats brackish water discharge to provide millions of gallons a day of drinking water for the Inland area.
Governor Brown Appoints Doduc, Esquivel to State Water Board Gov. Jerry Brown on March 15 announced the appointment of Tam Doduc and Joaquin Esquivel to the State Water Resources Control Board. Doduc is a reappointment and Esquivel is a new appointment to fill the seat of retiring Board Member Fran Spivey-Weber. Tam Doduc
Both appointments require Senate confirmation. Dudoc, 50, has served on the State Water Board since 2005, and in several positions at the California Environmental Protection
Yun is New Executive Officer of CWC The California Water Commission on April 3 announced that Joe Yun is now the new executive officer of the CWC, replacing former Executive Officer Paula Landis who retired in June.
Joe Yun
Yun most recently served as interim program manager for the Water Storage Investment Program where he was instrumental in drafting the program’s regulations. Yun has over 28 years of experience working in water resource
“Celeste has provided SAWPA with visionary leadership and will be greatly missed – she has brought SAWPA and OWOW to a statewide level,” said Susan Lien Longville, chair of the SAWPA Commission. SAWPA is a joint powers authority that helps ensure reliable water for 6 million people in Riverside, San Bernardino and Orange counties. The JPA’s five members are the Inland Empire Utilities Agency, Eastern Municipal, Orange County, San Bernardino Valley Municipal, and Western Municipal water districts. SAWPA officials are recruiting for the general manager position. Agency from 2000 to 2005. At Cal EPA, she served as deputy secretary for environmental quality, assistant secretary for air and chemical programs, assistant secretary for agriculture and chemical programs and assistant secretary for technology certification. Esquivel, 34, has served as assistant secretary for federal water policy at the California Natural Resources Agency since 2015. He served in several positions in the Office of U.S. Senator Barbara Boxer from 2007 to 2015, including research assistant, legislative aide and legislative assistant for water and agriculture issues, and director of information and technology.
planning and management for the California Department of Water Resources and in private consulting. Prior to joining the CWC, Yun served as chief of the Planning Grant Section in the Financial Assistance Branch of DWR’s Division of Integrated Regional Water Management. Before joining DWR, Joe worked for 13 years in private environmental consulting. Yun is a graduate of the University of California, Davis, where he earned his Bachelor of Science degree in environmental toxicology.
APRIL 21, 2017 • 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.
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State Water Project Deliveries Increased to 100% and 85% — 04/14/2017 State Water Board Monthly Conservation Reporting Continues, Reports Due by April 15 — 04/11/2017 Governor Declares Drought Emergency Over; Long-Term Conservation Framework Released — 04/07/2017 Californians’ Water Savings Exceed 25% in February — 04/04/2017
UPCOMING EVENTS 1
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TWITTER CHATTER NWS Sacramento@ NWSSacramento • Apr 14 • Sierra snow pack is looking spectacular today! Current snow depth is about 12-18 feet at highest elevations. #cawx
JUNE 2017 14 – 16
Gov. Brown Press Ofc@ GovPressOffice • Apr 7 • @ JerryBrownGov Lifts #CADrought Emergency, Retains Prohibition on Wasteful Practices: http://bit. ly/2nSZ3KK #SaveOurWater
JULY 2017 23 – 27
ACWA@ACWAWater • Apr 4 • Drought may be nearly over, but Californians are still saving water CA - DWR@CA_DWR • Apr 1 • Excavation of debris below the #OrovilleSpillway continues: 1.35 million cubic yards removed. Lake elevation 840.5’.
ACWA 2017 Spring Conference will be held at the Monterey Marriott and Portola Hotel & Spa in Monterey. Online registration deadline is April 14. For registration and more information go to www.acwa.com/events/acwa-2017-spring-conferenceexhibition. #ACWAConf 2017 Santa Ana River Watershed Conference will be held at the Ontario Convention Center in Ontario. For online registration and more information go to www.watereducation.org/ OWOW2017.
Bay-Delta Tour presented by the Water Education Foundation features experts who will discuss the issues and controversies in the Delta, farmers who grow produce, and environmentalists who are trying to bolster declining fish populations. For more information go to www.watereducation.org/tour/bay-delta-tour-2017.
11th International Conference on Water Reclamation and Reuse hosted by National Water Research Institute, Water Environment and Research Foundation, and WateReuse California will be held in Long Beach, CA. For more information go to iwareuse2017.org.