ACWA News May 26, 2017 by ACWA

NEWS

VOL.

05 May 26, 2017

ACWA’s 2017 Spring Conference & Exhibition in Monterey explored some of California’s most pressing water issues. (Above) California Department of Water Resources Acting Director William Croyle provides a minute-by-minute account of the recent Oroville Spillway incident. (Right) Four farmers from different parts of the Central Valley talk about the issues they want Californians to know about farming at a Statewide Issue Forum.

ACWA 2017 Spring Conference Explores “One Water, One Future” Key water leaders from throughout the state and nation tackled some of California’s most critical water issues — ranging from progress in the Bay-Delta to emergency management at Oroville Dam — during ACWA’s 2017 Spring Conference & Exhibition May 9-12 in Monterey. More than 1,600 water managers attended the conference, themed “One Water, One Future,” which explored California’s shared vision — and challenges — regarding the state’s water future. At the opening breakfast May 10, U.S. Rep. Jimmy Panetta (D-CA) spoke of the importance of people working together in the water arena.

ED Column: Shining a Light on Agriculture’s Importance — and Ingenuity

Action Heats Up on Conservation Bills

“Our attitude toward water has led to innovation...,” said Panetta. “We need people to be at the table. I appreciate groups like ACWA that bring people together.”

With key legislative deadlines approaching, ACWA and its members are working intensively to advance a package of policy bills aimed at improving water-use efficiency and urban water management planning.

ACWA President Kathleen Tiegs welcomed conference attendees at the opening breakfast and remarked that in large part it was “the water managers gathered in the room that allowed our state to survive – and indeed thrive” throughout the five-year drought and recent unprecedented rains.

As ACWA News went to press, the Assembly Appropriations Committee was set to take up two measures actively supported by ACWA and its members, as well as three bills opposed by the water community in their current form. All five of the bills were placed on the committee’s suspense file on May 10.

“But more work needs to be done,” said Tiegs. “We must continue to focus on bolstering our water infrastructure and looking for collaborative, comprehensive solutions to our water challenges. We can do it!”

ACWA-supported AB 968 and AB 1654, both authored by Assembly Member Blanca Rubio (D-Baldwin Park), are based on language developed by the water community over a threemonth process to enhance water supply shortage planning and response and establish new water efficiency targets for urban retail water suppliers.

CONFERENCE Continued on page 7

Work Continues on Lead Legislation

CONSERVATION Continued on page 5

Court Orders State Water Board to Withdraw Chrom-6 MCL

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. Connect with us online: facebook.com/acwawater twitter.com/acwawater

EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR’S COLUMN • TIMOTHY QUINN

Shining a Light on Agriculture’s Importance – and Ingenuity Monterey was the center of California’s water world once again as more than 1,600 water managers from around the state gathered at ACWA’s 2017 Spring Conference & Exhibition May 9-12.

ACWA conferences tend to create a unique kind of energy, and this gathering was no different as association members connected with each other and heard the latest on critical challenges and opportunities facing our industry. One topic generating significant buzz was the ingenuity and creativity of California agriculture in the face of severe water supply reductions and a growing regulatory burden. A Statewide Issue Forum on May 10 shined a light on these issues and opened many eyes to farmers’ experiences during the drought and lessons learned by an industry intrinsically linked to water. The program was a thought-provoking conversation that showcased how growers are embracing technology, improving communication and working collaboratively to find solutions that work for fish as well as farms. The value of hearing these firstperson stories was not lost on ACWA members, including those from urban water agencies. Many commented that the session was one of the best ever at an ACWA conference. (See page 7 for a short recap of the session, and watch for a more in-depth story in the June 16 issue of ACWA News.) The conference featured numerous other programs that highlighted issues identified as high priorities for our agricultural members, including Bay-Delta flows policy, groundwater recharge, water rights, temperature management at Shasta Dam, and the future of water storage. In addition, a wellattended session titled “Tweeting from the Tractor” helped nearly two dozen ACWA members download Twitter to their phones and begin using the popular social media channel to engage in the policy dialog. We also had an opportunity to update ag members on activities taking place as part

of ACWA’s Ag Initiative, which is one of the priority goals identified in the ACWA Board of Directors’ current strategic plan. A standingroom only crowd attended a meeting led by Region 6 Chair Bill Diedrich, who is leading an ACWA advisory group to further improve ACWA’s relevance to agricultural water agency members and ensure that ag’s highest priority issues are being reflected in our committee activities, advocacy initiatives and communications efforts. The group also is focused on ways to increase participation in ACWA by our ag members. One example of this process in action is ACWA’s advocacy on the State Water Resources Control Board’s proposal regarding unimpaired flow requirements for the Bay-Delta. Feedback and direction from ACWA’s ag members led to a shift in policy priorities for the association this year and a laser focus on the issue in ACWA’s regulatory advocacy as well as its communications and outreach efforts.

As a result of this heightened focus, ACWA’s Board of Directors unanimously adopted a robust policy statement that was highlighted during the Thursday luncheon program in Monterey and has been formally supported by nearly 100 ACWA member agencies as of this writing. The number continues to grow, demonstrating broad support for this issue and ACWA’s unique ability to bring a unified voice to key policy issues that cut across agricultural and urban lines. The Ag Initiative remains a primary focus for ACWA staff as we continue to identify actions and resources ACWA can provide to assist our agricultural members. We also continue to explore ways to help ag members better engage in our committee and region processes so we can ensure that important perspective is reflected as we carry out various policy and organizational initiatives. I welcome your comments and look forward to further dialog and action in the coming weeks.

Work Continues on Legislation Addressing Lead in Drinking Water ACWA continues to engage on a number of bills addressing lead in drinking water to advance an approach that is effective and workable for public water systems.

once per year. Schools constructed after 1993 would be tested at least once every three years. Schools would be responsible for the required testing.

Six bills with very different proposals are at play at the State Capitol, and the topic is among the most politically sensitive this session. A working group of ACWA’s State Legislative Committee was formed earlier this year to review bills and develop a consistent framework to approach lead issues and guide ACWA’s advocacy efforts.

ACWA has a favor-if-amended position on AB 746 and is seeking amendments regarding the frequency of testing, credit for already performed testing and code placement. The bill is pending in the Assembly Appropriations Committee.

Two major bills address lead testing in schools. ACWA’s preferred bill is AB 746 (Gonzalez Fletcher), which would require school districts, community colleges and California State University campuses to test drinking water for lead in every school constructed before Jan. 1, 1993, at least

ACWA has a not-favor-unless-amended position on the other bill, AB 885 (Rubio). ACWA’s working group identified seven issues with the bill, and to date four of the seven issues have been addressed as a result of ACWA’s advocacy. For example, the bill would no longer have the Legislature set an action level of 1 part per billion (ppb) and would instead rely on action levels set by

expert agencies, as advocated by ACWA. It incorporates the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency’s action level of 15 ppb from the Lead and Copper Rule. ACWA continues to work on the bill, which is pending in the Assembly Appropriations Committee. On another lead issue, ACWA has successfully negotiated amendments to SB 427 (Leyva) regarding the timeline and process for replacement of lead service lines. Sen. Connie Leyva (D-Chino) accepted ACWA’s proposed amendments that retain existing law providing for the State Water Resources Control Board and the affected water systems to jointly develop the schedule for replacement – as opposed to the State Water Board having the final say on the schedule as originally proposed in SB 427. The bill is awaiting action on the Senate floor.

Little Hoover Commission Sets Final Meeting on Special Districts After a month of suspense, the Little Hoover Commission has settled on a date for its third and final public meeting regarding its Special Districts Study. The roundtable meeting is set for Thursday, June 22, beginning at 1:30 p.m. in the Lower Level Conference Room of 925 L Street. The study, launched 10 months ago, seemed headed in a positive direction highlighting efforts by water and wastewater districts to prepare for climate change. In recent weeks, however, some members of the commission have raised issues about special district governance, reserves and other topics, which led commission staff to agree to hold one final public meeting prior to re-writing the draft Special Districts Study. As a precursor to what may be ahead, Calaveras County Water District General Manager Dave Eggerton testified at a separate Little Hoover Commission hearing April 27 on forest health and management. In the midst of his prepared testimony, two commissioners peppered him with questions pertaining

to local governance, including his districts’ use of reserves and transparency. The April 27 hearing discussed the impacts of the tree mortality crisis on counties, water supply and quality, utilities, and the ecosystem, and how best to address policy solutions. Eggerton was among the hearing’s speakers which also included representatives from Tuolumne, Madera and Tulare counties, the Department of Insurance, Pacific Gas & Electric, Sierra Pacific Industries, Sierra Forest Legacy and The Nature Conservancy. During his testimony, Eggerton discussed how CCWD is working with regional partners to help mitigate the impacts of the tree mortality crisis, which is estimated to have claimed more than 700,000 in Calaveras County alone. He also provided several examples of other similar efforts led by water agencies. “It’s really an all hands on deck model,” he said while discussing the success of the collaborative approaches.

Eggerton’s testimony also highlighted the negative and long-lasting water quality impacts of the recent Butte Fire including high sediment, heavy metals and increased turbidity at its water treatment plant. It also touched on the importance of ACWA’s 2015 headwaters framework, which lays out a framework for improving water supply and quality by reducing the risk of mega-fires through better forest management policies and practices. “The water community really does get it,” Eggerton said, referring to water agencies’ commitment to advancing sustainable forest management solutions. Other speakers discussed the importance of helping the public understand the full scope of the crisis and why they should care, the need for increased resources, the importance of drought-preparedness, and the role of the federal government in California forest management. ACWA plans to attend the June 22 meeting on the Special Districts Study and will provide updates to members.

MAY 26, 2017 • 3

Court Orders State Water Board to Withdraw Chrom-6 MCL A Sacramento Superior Court on May 5 ordered the State Water Resources Control Board to withdraw the maximum contaminant level for chromium-6 it adopted in 2014 and set a new one after it conducts a more thorough study of its economic feasibility. Sacramento County Superior Court Judge Christopher Krueger wrote in his order that “it does not appear that the (State Water Board) considered either (1) how the various alternatives would affect the economic feasibility of the MCL, particularly for small water systems, or (2) whether these alternatives would actually make the MCL economically feasible.” The ruling was in response to a legal challenge against the MCL that was brought by the California Manufacturers and Technology Association and the Solano

County Taxpayers Association. The State Water Board stated on its website that it is “reviewing the order and its range of impacts.” “It will take some time to prepare a thorough response to the order and more information will be provided as it becomes available,” the State Water Board site reads. “Please check back occasionally for further updates.” In their challenge to the MCL, petitioners argued that the State Water Board did not conduct a “flawed economic feasibility analysis, but that it failed to conduct any feasibility analysis at all.” Krueger wrote: “The court, somewhat reluctantly, agrees. The (State Water Board) essentially equates its economic feasibility analysis with its cost-benefit analysis.”

“For the reasons stated above the petition is granted and this case is remanded to the (State Water Board) with orders to withdraw the current MCL and establish a new MCL,” the court order reads. “When establishing a new MCL, the (State Water Board) must comply with the Legislature’s directive to consider the economic feasibility of compliance, paying particular attention to small water systems and their users, and to set the MCL as close as economically feasible to the public health goal of 0.02 ppb,” the ordered continued. RESOURCE

Court ruling: www.waterboards.ca.gov/ drinking_water/certlic/drinkingwater/ documents/chromium6/cmta_v_swrcb_ order_after_hearing_hex_chrome_ mcl_5_5_2017.pdf

DWR Releases Initial Findings on Lake Oroville Spillway Failure The California Department of Water Resources on May 10 released a memo from an independent forensics team that outlines a list of factors that may have contributed to the Lake Oroville main spillway failure on Feb. 7.

According to the team’s memo, some of the possible factors for the failure include: thinning of the chute slab above herringbone drains which can promote cracking; large variations in slab thickness; limited slab reinforcement consisting of one layer of light reinforcement in the top of the slab; and lack of continuous tension reinforcement across slab joints. According to DWR, the purpose of the memo from the forensics team is to outline the potential causes of the spillway damages to ensure that DWR considers these factors in the design of the repairs. “This memo outlines the potential causes of the main spillway failure, which will be thoroughly investigated by the Forensics Team over the next few 4 • ACWANEWS

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months,” said DWR Acting Director William Croyle. “Although this is preliminary information, we are taking it into consideration as we develop plans to reconstruct the spillway.” In a conference call briefing May 4, the team presented a preliminary list of candidate physical factors that could have potentially contributed to the initial failure mechanisms at the main spillway. The preliminary list was presented to

DWR, the independent Board of Consultants, the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission, and the California Division of Safety of Dams. The forensics team report is available at www.water.ca.gov/oroville-spillway/ pdf/2017/Memorandum_050517.pdf. DWR expects to receive the team’s final report in fall of 2017 which will outline what caused the failure.

CONSERVATION Continued from page 1

The bills would ensure that urban water suppliers improve water-use efficiency while protecting local investments in drought-resilient supplies and preserving the Legislature’s oversight and control over long-term water use target setting. The ACWA-opposed bills — AB 1667, AB 1668 and AB 1669 all by Assembly Member Laura Friedman (D-Glendale) — take a more top-down approach that would include providing new authority to the State Water Resources Control Board to unilaterally set urban water use targets and allow the state to implement the Brown Administration’s long-term conservation framework without recognizing diversity and investments made throughout the state or addressing competing policy goals. ACWA and its members have been meeting with Administration officials, stakeholders and members of a new working group of legislators tasked with addressing statewide water conservation policy and proposed legislation. Discussions have focused on various approaches to achieving the goal of improving water-use efficiency and drought preparedness. The working group includes the authors of the competing legislative proposals, Rubio and Friedman, as well as Assembly Members Eduardo Garcia (D-Coachella), James Gallagher (R-Yuba City), Shirley Weber (D-San Diego), Anna Caballero (D-Salinas), Joaquin Arambula (D-Fresno), Richard Bloom (D-Santa Monica), Frank Bigelow (R-O’Neals) and Brian Dahle (RBieber). Friedman’s AB 1667 is the agricultural water management plan bill. ACWA is currently opposed to the bill, but negotiations led by ACWA water agency members and production agriculture have resulted in almost all of the issues being addressed and agreed to by the opposition and the author. The open items include enforcement provisions

and the provision relating to the efficiency water management plan soil health. Two other bills were pending in the Assembly Appropriations Committee at press time. AB 1000 (Friedman) would require the California Energy Commission to certify innovative water conservation and water loss detection and control technologies. AB 1323 (Weber) would require the California Department of Water Resources to convene a stakeholder workgroup to recommend new water use targets for urban water suppliers. ACWA is neutral on those bills.

Budget Trailer Bill Parked for Now While discussions continue on the policy bills, a budget trailer bill proposed by the Administration has been rejected for the time being by the Senate Budget Committee and the Assembly Budget Subcommittee #3 on Resources and Transportation. The measure could come back into play if agreement is not reached on the policy bills. The budget trailer bill — identified as 810 Water Conservation as a California Way of Life on the Department of Finance website — would authorize the State Water Board to adopt interim standards (prior to 2021) for urban conservation via emergency regulation, and long-term standards (2021 and beyond) via regular rulemaking procedures. It also would add new requirements for water shortage contingency plans and agricultural water management planning as outlined in the Administration’s final report, “Making Conservation a California Way of Life,” which was released April 7. ACWA opposes the use of budget trailer bills to advance substantive policy changes in state law. The trailer bill on conservation proposes significant public policy changes that should be heard through the deliberative and transparent

policy and fiscal committee process and not rushed through the budget trailer bill process, which does not provide adequate time for stakeholder comment and public input. ACWA and numerous member agencies testified in opposition to the trailer bill at recent budget committee and subcommittee hearings.

Next Steps ACWA staff and member agencies continue to work with legislators, agency staff, stakeholders and the Administration to find the right path forward on the common goal of using the lessons learned during the drought to improve drought planning and resiliency and water use efficiency in California. ACWA thanks its member agencies who have sent letters and made calls to legislators in response to Outreach Alerts in recent weeks. ACWA members should be prepared to respond quickly to additional alerts. Updates will be provided via further alerts and the ACWA website as events unfold.

Questions Questions about other conservation legislation should be directed to ACWA Senior Legislative Advocate Whitnie Wiley at (916) 441-4545 or whitniew@acwa.com. Members with questions about the budget trailer bill should contact ACWA Director of State Relations Wendy Ridderbusch at (916) 441-4545 or wendyr@acwa.com. Questions about the Administration’s final long-term conservation framework should be directed to ACWA State Regulatory Relations Director Dave Bolland at (916) 441-4545 or daveb@acwa.com.

MAY 26, 2017 • 5

FEDERAL ISSUES

Capitol Hill Lawmakers Celebrate Infrastructure Week May 15 – 19 The week of May 15 to 19 was “infrastructure week” on Capitol Hill and both House and Senate committees held hearings to highlight the importance of funding infrastructure projects. The Senate kicked off the week with a hearing May 15 titled “Leveraging Federal Funding: Innovative Solutions for Infrastructure.” Local and state officials, including Los Angeles Mayor Eric Garcetti, testified about the importance of federal funding to support and enhance local investments. Garcetti also

noted the importance of funding water infrastructure, saying, “Just last week, I was hundreds of miles from Los Angeles, being briefed on upgrades to the dams and aqueducts that supply much of our city’s drinking water.” Other hearings during infrastructure week included a House Transportation and Infrastructure Committee hearing on improving water quality through integrated planning. A House Energy and Commerce Committee hearing examined ways to increase funding for

drinking water state revolving loan funds, improving asset management by utilities, and potential partnership options that improve management of systems. It is anticipated the Trump Administration will release its infrastructure plan in late May. It is expected to include $200 billion in direct federal funds over 10 years and will rely on measures aimed at triggering additional private and nonfederal funds.

Subcommittee Examines Headwaters and Forest Management The House Subcommittee on Federal Lands on May 17 held a hearing focused on the impacts of wildfire, disease and infestation on America’s overgrown and fire-prone federal forest lands. The oversight hearing, chaired by U.S. Rep. Tom McClintock (R-4), was titled “Seeking Better Management of America’s Overgrown, Fire-Prone National Forests.” In addition to outlining the problems facing federal forest lands, the hearing focused on the need to significantly increase management activities to improve the health of the nation’s forests. Passage of headwaters and wildfire legislation to improve water supplies and quality is one of ACWA’s top federal legislative priorities. About 60% of California’s water supply originates from the upper watersheds in the Sierra Nevada mountains. During the hearing, Steve Brink, vice president of public resources with CalForests, emphasized key points regarding the status of California’s forests. First, the national forests in California are in trouble, he said. The 8.8 million acres of productive forest

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land in these forests is experiencing a major insect and disease epidemic that has killed trees on 4.5 million acres. Brink also stated that the recent fiveyear drought, coupled with overly dense national forests, has created an unusual situation where wildfire, insect and disease have had a significant impact on the landscape. Recent burn intensity also is of particular concern, Brink added. In just six hours during the 2014 King Fire, 40,000 acres of high-severity burn occurred in the Rubicon River watershed. Following the 2014-2015 winter storms, it was estimated that 338,000 tons of soil eroded from the burned area, which went into the river and then into the Oxbow Reservoir four miles downstream of the fire. This reservoir is part of Placer County’s municipal water supply, which is a primary source of drinking water to the local communities. Lastly, Brink pointed out that the cost of the statutory and regulatory burden of providing sustainable forestry in national forests cannot be overlooked. When asked for possible solutions to California’s forest fire and insect crisis, Brink observed that it is imperative that

there be a rapid increase in the pace of forest health and fuels reduction activities on the 6 million acres that have not yet experienced a recent major disaster. These activities could provide a decreased risk of large wildfires, insect infestations and disease; a decreased risk of soil erosion; an increase in the quantity and quality of water; safe forests for recreation; and an abundance of forest-related jobs in rural communities.

ACWA CONFERENCE CONFERENCE Continued from page 1

Keynote speakers included Delta Stewardship Council Chair Randy Fiorini and William Croyle, acting director of the California Department of Water Resources. ACWA President Tiegs, Vice President Brent Hastey and Executive Director Timothy Quinn also moderated a special luncheon program on ACWA’s policy on Bay-Delta flows. (See related stories on keynote addresses, flows program, a political panel as well as stories on award winners.) The conference also featured more than 80 meeting and program sessions on issues ranging from water rate affordability to integration of water storage projects to examining issues facing agriculture.

account,” Bettencourt said. Much of the forum focused on dispelling myths the general public holds about farming in California. Jake Wegner, a Modesto farmer and director with Modesto Irrigation District, said that the often-cited statistic that California farmers use 80% of the state’s water and contribute just 2% to the state’s economy is grossly misleading. “Look at the bigger impact to see the massive impact agriculture has on the state,” said Wegner. (Editor’s Note: ACWA News will carry a full story on this forum in its June issue.)

Issue Forum Examines Farmers’ Expertise A May 10 Statewide Issue Forum titled: “A Conversation: What Would Farmers Like Californians to Know about Farming?” explored contemporary issues facing the agricultural industry. The forum was moderated by Dave Kranz, of the California Farm Bureau Federation.

Town Hall: An “All-of-theAbove” Approach Water Storage Integration A Town Hall session May 11 moderated by ACWA Executive Director Timothy Quinn examined California’s need to invest in more surface storage, better conveyance, and improved groundwater recharge capabilities. It looked at a new approach to operate these facilities as an integrated system. ACWA recently received the results of a technical study that examined the benefits of such an integrated system.

Paul Weghorst, of Irvine Ranch Water district.

Panelist Greg Johnson, executive vice president of Far West Rice Inc., talked about how growers throughout the state have expertise that informs their planting decisions.

Quinn stressed how California stands in a good position to enhance its storage capabilities with Proposition 1, passed in 2014, which contains $2.7 billion for storage projects.

Other panelists talked of local storage projects they hope to build or expand, such as Contra Costa Water District’s Los Vaqueros Reservoir and the construction of Sites Reservoir.

“Crop choice is very specific to areas and very much tied to demand,” said Johnson.

“If you had told me 10 years ago that we had $2.7 billion for above- and belowground storage proejcts, I wouldn’t have believed it,’ said Quinn.

Issue Forum Examines Local Flexibility in Water Rate Structure A May 10 Statewide Issues Forum looked at ACWA-sponsored SCA 4 (Hertzberg, D-Van Nuys). State Legislative Committee Chair Kathy Cole moderated the panel, which included Local Government Committee Chair Larry McKenney, Legal Affairs Committee Vice Chair Kelly Salt,

Here is a high-level look at some of the programs:

Aubrey Bettencourt, executive director of the California Water Alliance, explained how growers must develop expertise in many fields in order to be effective farmers. “A farmer isn’t just a farmer… we’re economists, computer techs, chemists, botanists, commodities traders….We take all of these considerations into

Several panelists spoke of the need to integrate above and below-ground storage for the purposes of groundwater recharge. “We’re expecting these types of projects will be very critical to the state to meet the goals of (the Sustainable Groundwater Management Act),” said

Top: Panelists discuss ACWA’s Water Storage Integration Study and the benefits of integrating new surface and groundwater storage projects during a Town Hall session May 11. Bottom: ACWA State Legislative Committee Chair Kathy Cole (far right) moderates a panel on the legislative progress of ACWA-sponsored SCA 4 (Hertzberg). Also pictured are MWDOC’s Larry McKenney (far left), ACWA’s Cindy Tuck (center left) and Best Best & Krieger’s Kelly Salt (center right).

CONFERENCE Continued on page 8

MAY 26, 2017 • 7

ACWA CONFERENCE

Oroville Spillway Incident “Changed the Conversation on Infrastructure,” DWR Acting Director William Croyle Says The emergency situation at Oroville Dam in February “changed the conversation on water infrastructure,” highlighting the importance of its funding and maintenance, according to William Croyle, acting director of the California Department of Water Resources. Croyle delivered these remarks May 10 during a keynote luncheon address at ACWA’s 2017 Spring Conference & Exhibition. He said the Oroville incident and subsequent evacuation of more than 180,000 people has drawn attention to infrastructure needs. During his remarks, Croyle provided firsthand insight into the Oroville Spillway incident and a glimpse at the lessons learned from the experience. He said there were no easy choices in the days and hours leading up to the decision to evacuate people due to fears that the Oroville Dam emergency spillway could fail. Croyle also discussed how the incident unfolded – starting with the discovery of the initial damage to the dam’s main, gated spillway. “Until you’re actually on that site, you can’t appreciate how big that site is and why you couldn’t fix it in four hours,” Croyle said as he showed photos of house-sized chunks of concrete hang-

ing above ant-sized workers at the main spillway. Croyle described the unprecedented coordination involved in the emergency response and recovery effort that has included an entire team of regulators, Brown Administration cabinet members, and dedicated crews working around the clock. He detailed how DWR and other officials worked quickly to assess the initial damage and develop a strategy for maintaining critical flood control operations, as well as how crews have worked to minimize additional damage to the spillway during necessary spills after the incident. He also discussed the ambitious Nov. 1 deadline for repairing the spillway and the progress so far. Following the emergency, response crews removed one million cubic yards of material in nine days. But according to Croyle, he was initially concerned that the pace of the emergency response was being compromised during crew shift changes. Learning to balance the immediacy of the work with the reality of the job was key, he said. “They have to stop and refuel, whether it’s people or machines,” he said. “I guess that was a lesson for me.”

California Department of Water Resources Acting Director William Croyle addresses attendees during ACWA’s 2017 Spring Conference & Exhibition.

Clear communication and addressing the public’s concerns about the incident also are critical, he said. In addition to live-streamed briefings with the media, DWR held a number of community meetings to provide information and hear from local residents. While those community conversations were difficult at times, Croyle said they were absolutely essential in helping to address public safety concerns and providing a “better appreciation for the function of the dam.” “It’s important for us to discuss the process and how we can improve it,” he said. “We’re going to learn a lot and we’re going to learn a lot together.” .

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and Deputy Executive Director for Government Relations Cindy Tuck. Kelly, who is a partner at Best Best & Krieger, gave a presentation regarding the legal problems that drive the need for the measure. Tuck explained ACWA’s work as part of a local government coalition in this legislative area in 2015 and 2016 and at the State Legislative Committee in 2017. McKenney explained the role of the Board-level Advisory Group on Rates Policy and the

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discussion regarding SCA 4 sponsorship at the ACWA Board of Directors.

(Dodd) which was signed into law in 2015.

Water Trends: Is Water Service Affordable in California? During a water trends program May 11, ACWA Deputy Executive Director for Government Relations Cindy Tuck moderated a panel on the State Water Resource Control Board’s development of a plan for a low-income water rate assistance program pursuant to AB 401

The program featured the two architects of the plan — Max Gomberg, of the State Water Board, and Greg Pierce, of UCLA. Gomberg provided opening remarks and Pierce gave an extensive PowerPoint presentation. Both speakers previewed four options involving subsidizing water service fees for 33% or 34% of the households in California. CONFERENCE Continued on page 18

ACWA CONFERENCE

Functional Flows and Collaborative Settlements Best Path Forward for Bay-Delta Water Quality, Luncheon Panelists Say Allowing “functional flows” and developing collaborative, voluntary settlements will create the best path forward for achieving water quality objectives in the BayDelta, ACWA’s top leaders stated during a luncheon program May 11 at ACWA’s 2017 Spring Conference & Exhibition. ACWA President Kathleen Tiegs, Vice President Brent Hastey and Executive Director Timothy Quinn outlined ACWA’s efforts to inform the current debate on BayDelta flow requirements. Quinn kicked off the discussion by providing background on the State Water Resources Control Board’s approach to updating the Bay-Delta Water Quality Control Plan and highlighting the alternative approach called for in ACWA’s policy statement. The State Water Board’s proposal would base new water quality objectives for the San Joaquin River and its tributaries on a “percentage of unimpaired flow,” which would have a devastating impact on water allocations, particularly to agricultural users, ACWA leaders say. ACWA’s policy statement on the Bay-Delta Water Quality Control Plan calls for the use of “functional flows” — or flows timed to enhance food and habitat for species. It also calls for voluntary, collaborative settlement agreements that in the past have proven to develop creative solutions.

Following Quinn’s remarks, Hastey discussed the Brown Administration’s current efforts to facilitate negotiations for collaborative and voluntary settlements. “We really appreciate the governor’s leadership,” Hastey said. Hastey also highlighted some of the creative solutions water agencies have developed to advance the coequal goals despite a current approach which has not proven to benefit fisheries. He also discussed the benefits of additional water storage. “Water is not habitat, they still have to have food,” Hastey said while noting that efforts to boost food resources for fish have proven successful in the Sacramento Valley, while requirements that result in the redirection of water into deep, sterile channels have not. Rounding out his remarks, Hastey reiterated the importance of coming to voluntary agreements. “Failure is not an option,” he said. Closing out the panel, Tiegs encouraged ACWA members to pass a resolution, or send a letter, in support of ACWA’s policy statement. More information about how to support ACWA’s policy statement is available at www.acwa.com/content/action-requestedacwa-board-policy-statement.

Cal Poly Student Honored with Clair Hill Scholarship

Mojave Water Agency, the 2016 winner of ACWA’s Clair A. Hill Water Agency Award for Excellence, presented this year’s Clair A. Hill Scholarship to Cal Poly student Chelsea Darnelle during the Wednesday luncheon program at ACWA’s 2017 Spring Conference & Exhibition in Monterey. Darnelle, a senior at Cal Poly, San Luis Obispo, is completing her bachelor of science in civil engineering, and is planning a career in water resources. “My number one career goal is to work on improving water efficiency, specifically for agricultural systems,” said Darnelle. “If the water that we recycle, store and desalinate is not used in a resourceful manner, California will continue to face problems. As a civil engineer, I want to help meet the demands of my clients with systems that use water responsibly.” Each year, ACWA awards several scholarships to deserving students pursuing water-related degrees and careers. The Clair A. Hill Scholarship awards $5,000 to the winner based on academics, extracurricular activities and a personal essay describing their interests and aspirations.

ACWA Executive Director Timothy Quinn (left) discusses the importance of “getting it right” when it comes to Bay-Delta flow requirements. Also pictured are ACWA Vice President Brent Hastey (center) and ACWA President Kathleen Tiegs (right).

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Woodland-Davis Clean Water Agency

San Diego County Water Authority

West Valley Water District

Yolo County Flood Control & Water Conservation District

San Francisco Public Utilities Commission

San Diego County Water Authority Board President Mark Weston proudly displays the 2017 Clair A. Hill Agency Award for Excellence (pictured left). SDCWA took home the prize for its Claude “Bud” Lewis Carlsbad Desalination Plant. Other finalists for the award included the San Francisco Public Utilities Commission, West Valley Water District, Woodland-Davis Clean Water Agency and Yolo County Flood Control & Water Conservation District.

San Diego County Water Authority’s Carlsbad Desalination Project Captures 2017 Clair A. Hill Water Agency Award The San Diego County Water Authority was honored May 10 with ACWA’s prestigious Clair A. Hill Water Agency Award for Excellence for its Carlsbad Desalination Project. The award was presented during the 2017 Spring Conference & Exhibition in Monterey. San Diego County Water Authority was selected from among five finalists to receive the award.

recognizes outstanding achievements by public water agencies. The winning agency has the honor of awarding a $5,000 scholarship to a deserving student in the name of Clair A. Hill, founder of the consulting engineering firm CH2M.

The Clair A. Hill Water Agency Award for Excellence is an annual award that 10 • ACWANEWS

Vol. 45 No. 05

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The Woodland-Davis Clean Water Agency for its Davis-Woodland Water Supply Project. The project replaces deteriorating groundwater supplies with high quality surface water from the Sacramento River for use by two-thirds of the urban population of Yolo County. The project includes a Regional Water Treatment Facility that supplies 30 million gallons a day, optimized to meet water demands throughout the year.

•

The Yolo County Flood Control & Water Conservation District for its Stormwater Capture and Groundwater Recharge Project. The project diverts stormwater into the district’s existing 160-mile unlined irrigation canal for percolation into the groundwater basin. The captured stormwater is later used by farmers for crop irrigation or diverted and used without harm to lawful water users, fish and wildlife.

Other finalists for this year’s award are: •

“San Diego County Water Authority’s Carlsbad Desalination Project is an example of the creative ingenuity local agencies across California are displaying as they work to bolster local water supplies,” said ACWA President Kathleen Tiegs. “The project reengineered the way water is delivered, all on a scale that has never been accomplished in the United States.” Since December 2015, the Carlsbad Desalination Plant has delivered up to 50 million gallons of drinking water per day to the region’s 3.3 million residents, during one of the most severe droughts in California’s history.

producing potable water that meets all regulatory requirements and serves 16,000-plus customers daily.

•

The San Francisco Public Utilities Commission for its Non-Potable Water Program which provides the development community with a regulatory framework to achieve greater water savings with onsite water reuse. The SFPUC developed a suite of resources for developers and partnerships with the U.S. Water Alliance and others to advance best management practices of onsite non-potable water. The West Valley Water District for its Groundwater Wellhead Treatment System Capital Improvement. The treatment system uses an anoxic process to transform the perchlorate in groundwater into harmless byproducts. Now, contaminated water from two of West Valley’s groundwater wells is being treated at the facility,

ACWA CONFERENCE

Hardesty Honored for Lifetime Achievement Mike Hardesty, general manager of Reclamation District No. 2068 and an ACWA Board member, was honored May 10 with ACWA’s Lifetime Achievement Award for his decades of service in the water industry. Hardesty, who also serves as president of the California Central Valley Flood Control Association, has worked in the water community and with ACWA in particular. Hardesty has spent countless hours — and years — serving on the ACWA Board and on the State Legislative Committee. He has been at the forefront of almost every key ACWA policy initiative, including the “No Time to Waste – A Blueprint for California Water” and Vision 2000, which restructured ACWA

ACWA President Kathleen Tiegs (left) presents Reclamation District No. 2068 General Manger Mike Hardesty with ACWA’s 2017 Lifetime Achievement Award on May 10.

from sections to its existing 10 regions. Hardesty was honored at ACWA’s 2017 Spring Conference & Exhibition in Monterey.

Byron-Bethany Irrigation District Honored with Excellence in Water Leadership Award ACWA on May 10 presented its 2017 Excellence in Water Leadership Award to Byron-Bethany Irrigation District for its bold actions in defending the water rights of the farming communities they serve. The award was presented during ACWA’s 2017 Spring Conference & Exhibition in Monterey. Byron-Bethany Irrigation District General Manager Rick Gilmore and the district’s seven-member board of directors launched an effective legal effort to protect local water

Byron-Bethany Irrigation District General Manager Rick Gilmore (center left) and Board President Russell Kagehiro (center right) accept the 2017 Excellence in Water Leadership Award on May 10. Also pictured are Black & Veatch’s Dan Meyer (left) and ACWA President Kathleen Tiegs (right).

rights when the State Water Resources Control Board issued unprecedented curtailment orders at the height of the drought in 2015. BBID’s legal team pressed their case and argued firmly that the state’s analysis of available water was inaccurate. The district’s arguments were so effective that the state dismissed its case against BBID in 2016, marking a victory for small districts and cementing the water rights that are the foundation for the community. “Byron-Bethany’s district staff and elected officials understood what was at stake for their community,” said ACWA President Kathleen Tiegs. “Their foresight, leadership and ability to build consensus in the face of extreme challenge kept water flowing for the residents, farmers, agricultural workers and families in their multi-county service area.” The Excellence in Water Leadership Award – Building a World of Difference® recognizes groups or individuals who have made a remarkable and visible contribution to California water. The award is sponsored by Black & Veatch Corporation.

Call for Candidates for ACWA Region Boards Closes June 30 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 opened 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 30. Region election information and materials were emailed to ACWA member agency general managers and board presidents on May 1 and also are available on ACWA’s website at www.acwa.com/ content/region-elections. 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: Michael Cervantes at michaelc@ acwa.com, Brandon Ida at brandoni@acwa.com, or Member Services Specialist Ana Javaid at anaj@acwa. com.

MAY 26, 2017 • 11

ACWA 2017 Spring Conference & Exhibition 1. ACWA Vice President Brent Hastey (left) and ACWA Executive Director Timothy Quinn (right) greet Del Puerto Water District GM Anthea Hansen (center). 2. ACWA President Kathleen Tiegs, who also serves on Cucamonga Valley Water District’s board, (right) shares a moment with CVWD General Manager Martin Zvirbulis. 3. Attendees take a break in the Portola Hotel lobby between sessions.

4. National Water Resources Association’s Ian Lyle and ACWA Deputy Executive Director for Government Relations Cindy Tuck chat following Friday’s breakfast.

5. Helix WD’s DeAna Verbeke (left), MWD’s Elsa Saxsod (center) and SDCWA’s Halla Razak (right) talk shop between sessions. 6. Alameda County Water District Directors James Gunther (left) and Paul Sethy (right) stop for a photo. 7. SFPUC displays its Clair A Hill Agency Award for Excellence entry.

8. ACWA Director of Communications Lisa Lien-Mager (left) assists Yuba County Water Agency’s Geoff Rabone during “Tweeting from the Tractor,” an ag-focused Twitter tutorial. 9. ACWA Director of Federal Relations David Reynolds (center) celebrates his birthday Washington D.C. style with Thursday evening’s entertainers.

10. Moulton Niguel’s Paige Gulck (left) and Byron-Bethany Irrigation District’s Nick Janes (right) enjoy Tuesday evening’s opening reception. 11. ACWA Deputy Executive Director for External Affairs and Member Services Jennifer Persike and DWR Acting Director William Croyle smile for the camera. 12. Karl Brustad, with Peterson, Brustad Inc., an ACWA associate, chats with an attendee.

ACWA CONFERENCE

Fiorini Highlights Delta Plan Amendment, Need for Future Leaders Saying success in the Delta hinges on integrating all the pieces together, Delta Stewardship Council Chair Randy Fiorini called on ACWA members to weigh in on a proposed Delta Plan amendment addressing options for water conveyance and storage and how they would be operated. In keynote remarks at the opening breakfast on May 10, Fiorini said the amendment under consideration by the council includes recommendations for Delta water management operations and supporting infrastructure improvements that would further the coequal goals. The amendment would be added to the Delta

Plan originally adopted by the council in May 2013.

“The Delta Stewardship Council has a very difficult job,” he said. “The coequal goals are the mission of the council. These are logical and worthy goals, but they are also often in conflict with each other.” Fiorini noted that Bay-Delta solutions remain a policy priority for ACWA in its Strategic and Business Plan. He cited ACWA’s landmark 2005 policy document, “No Time to Waste: A Blueprint for California’s Water Future,” as a pivotal development that triggered other events, including the 2007 appointment of a Blue Ribbon Task Force on the Delta that ultimately led to passage of the Delta Reform Act in 2009 and formation of the Delta Stewardship Council. “Many of you have been working on

aspects of these problems for years,” Fiorini said. “ACWA members have been front and center, but true success will only come in integrating these pieces into a whole.”

Fiorini also had positive words for another priority identified by the ACWA Board of Directors: developing leadership and attracting the next generation to the water community. He traced his own introduction to ACWA by longtime leaders such as Mike Hardesty, who will retire this year from Reclamation District No. 2068 and was honored with ACWA’s Lifetime Achievement Award at the opening breakfast. “Who among you will reach out and encourage potential leaders in your community?” he said. “Please find ways to give inspiration to future leaders by becoming a mentor.” .

D.C. Insiders Offer Insights Into Next 100 Days Under Trump Officials with the U.S. Department of the Interior hope to be “problem-solving partners” with California water managers and others who work in environmental resources, according to Scott Cameron, special assistant in the U.S. Office of the Secretary of the Interior. Cameron delivered his perspective May 12 during the Hans Doe Past Presidents Breakfast at ACWA’s 2017 Spring Conference & Exhibition in Monterey. Cameron’s remarks preceded a panel discussion featuring political insiders from the nation’s capital who talked about what may happen with water policy during President Donald Trump’s next 100 days in office. Cameron said many appointments within the Interior Department have yet to be filled, but the general sentiment under the new administration is that of wanting to be viewed as a resource. Cameron said the department

management wants to “achieve environmental quality at a faster pace.” Increasing water storage also is a priority. “This administration is of the view that California can use a bit more water storage,” he said, adding that “California is very important to the Department of the Interior.” “We’re still in the mode of relationshipbuilding,” he said. ACWA Director of Federal Affairs David Reynolds moderated the panel discussion featuring D.C. insiders. Ian Lyle, executive vice president of the National Water Resources Association, said during the panel that the new administration provides an “opportunity to get in there and make some suggestions to make a regulatory environment that works for everyone.” John Freshman, senior director of government affairs for Best Best, & Krieger, said that he doesn’t “think there are Democrat-

Washington D.C. insiders discuss the future of water policy under the Trump Administration during the Hans Doe Past Presidents Breakfast on May 12.

ic or Republican water projects.” The need for water projects seems to be a bipartisan issue, he suggested. Abby Schneider, ACWA senior federal affairs representative, said “all of the regulations getting rolled back, you won’t see again.” She cited a law passed during the Clinton Administration that barred identical regulations from being passed into law again after it had once been eliminated. MAY 26, 2017 • 13

CASE STUDY

Contra Costa Water District’s Partnership Program with Belize Pays It Forward

Challenge: Not all water operators throughout the world have the opportunity to learn the latest techniques in water operations, worker safety, engineering and technical services. Officials with the Contra Costa Water District wanted to help change that reality. In 2010, with funding from the InterAmerican Development Bank and the United Nations Human Settlements Program (UNHabitat), CCWD launched a water operators’ partnership with Belize Water Services. Over the next nearly seven years, the partnership evolved and moved into new areas of focus. Now, BWS is looking to mentor other water services in other parts of the world, particularly in the Caribbean. In other words, the partners are now paying it forward – multiplying the training to spread the benefits worldwide. And CCWD officials say they’ve reaped as many benefits from the partnership as they’ve sown. “The opportunity to work with Belize Water Services has been a great experience for our board and employees,” said CCWD Board President Lisa M. Borba. “CCWD is designated as the mentor; however, throughout this partnership, our agencies have mutually shared much information, to the benefit of all involved.”

Solution: Phase 1 of the partnership began in 2010 and ended in 2011. The program consisted of two BWS staff trips to CCWD to develop an action plan for improvements to BWS operations and practices. Staff from CCWD then traveled to BWS facilities to assess progress on that mutually developed action plan, according to a report on the venture. At the outset of the partnership, staff from BWS and CCWD jointly selected the areas of focus for training. They included safety, operations, engineering, customer service, information technology, and finance. Worker safety was a huge focus of Phase 1. Throughout the partnership process, CCWD 14 • ACWANEWS

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has worked with BWS to promote safety through information sharing, outreach, education and exchange of best practices. Subsequently, BWS developed an executive safety committee and an employee safety committee comprised of workers from throughout its system. The committee meetings have helped to enforce the safety culture across the organization and have provided an open forum where employees can share their concerns.

Phase 2 Built on the Success of Previous Work Phase 2 of the partnership, launched in 2013, continued the progress made in Phase 1, and was funded with monies from Public-Private Infrastructure Advisory Facility (PPIAF) and UN-HABITAT under the Global Water Operators’ Partnerships Alliance Programme (GWOPA). The U.S. Water Partnership was instrumental in securing funding for this phase of the WOP effort. Phase 2 included one BWS staff trip to CCWD to build on the knowledge gained in Phase 1 and one CCWD staff trip to BWS facilities to assess progress and provide further recommendations. The areas of focus for Phase 2 were safety, engineering/technical services, information technology, operations, and public affairs. While Phase 1 participants were mainly manag-

Above: CCWD and BWS staff inspect a batteryoperated meter in a new service line in Belize.

Opposite page

Left: CCWD and BWS staff conclude a debriefing following CCWD’s site visit to Belize in March 2015. Top Right: A confined space entry trailer is used for training at the Double Run facility in Belize. Bottom Right: CCWD and BWS staff discuss safety issues during a site visit in Concord during the first phase of the partnership.

field personnel on sample collection and handling.

ers and supervisors, Phase 2 participants were primarily members of field crews. The specific areas of focus and goals for Phase 2 included: •

Improving the use of the Supervisory Control and Data Acquisition (SCADA) system at BWS facilities.

•

Certifying all water treatment operators through programs equivalent to that provided by American Water Works Association (AWWA).

•

Establishing a meter calibration program similar to that used at CCWD in order to contribute to the BWS goal to reduce Non-Revenue Water.

•

Adding backflow prevention devices to the water distribution systems.

•

Expanding the water quality monitoring program and exploring the possibility of obtaining lab accreditation, and training lab and

•

Enhancing educational outreach programs and developing an audiovisual means of exploring.

Partnership Brings Permanent Changes to Belize Water Services The partnership between CCWD and BWS has brought permanent, positive changes to the BWS system of operations and has spread to other utilities in the area as well. Safety is now considered at the design stage of new projects, not just during operations. For example, BWS incorporated many safety improvements into its Belmopan Water Treatment Plant Upgrade project, including installing hand rails around rapid sand filters and walkways around the clarifiers. Traffic control safety improvements for work performed in and around streets and highways have gained the attention of other utilities in Belize as well. The electrical utility has implemented improvements to its traffic control

procedures that are modeled after BWS procedures. The increased attention paid to safety has been expanded to contractors too. Now BWS staff makes sure that all contractors working on projects for BWS are properly outfitted with personal protective equipment and are following safe practices. Through the use of SCADA, BWS also is expanding its service to previously unreachable areas, and now has the ability to make logic and programming changes to remote sites from the main office. Significant progress in operator certification and training also has been made at BWS, and the utility has enrolled over 80 employees in numerous certification programs available through California State University, Sacramento. But participating CCWD employees gained immensely from the program too. When asked to use one word to capture their visit to Belize their choice of words said it all. They were: inspiring, unforgettable, life-altering, enlightening, and meaningful.

“The opportunity to work with Belize Water Services has been a great experience for our board and employees.” — CCWD Board President Lisa M. Borba

MAY 26, 2017 • 15

Water Board Adopts Water Quality Objectives for Mercury The State Water Resources Control Board on May 2 adopted new rules intended to limit mercury in all inland surface waters, enclosed bays, and estuaries in California for the purposes of protecting people and wildlife. According to the State Water Board, the rules are intended to protect people and wildlife at a higher risk of dietary mercury exposure. The rules establish three new beneficial use definitions for certain types of fishing, five new water quality objectives that set safe consumption levels for mercury in fish tissue and layout an implementation plan to achieve the reduced mercury levels in fish. Rather than measuring the mercury in surface water, the mercury water

quality objectives focus on assessing the accumulation of mercury found in the tissue of fish. To achieve the water quality objectives, the implementation program focuses on limits for waste water dischargers, pollution control activities for urban stormwater, and controlling sediment from non-point sources particularly in areas known to be contaminated by mercury. Prior to the May 2 hearing, ACWA Regulatory Advocate Rebecca Franklin and members of ACWA’s Water Quality Committee expressed concerns to State Water Board members and staff that the rules, as proposed, did not appropriately address ongoing mercury loading due to historical mining and also would create significant issues related to instream flow, aquatic habitat quantity requirements and water rights. They also expressed concerns the rules as proposed could open water agencies to

enforcement liability in the future. As a result, the State Water Board significantly revised the proposed rules to address these issues. Additionally, Franklin and a panel of water agency representatives requested that the rules be further revised to provide alternative paths to compliance for the water quality objectives and further clarification on appropriate balancing of the new beneficial uses with existing uses of water. In response to the testimony of ACWA and others, the State Water Board made substantial additional changes before adopting the final mercury rules. The State Water Board’s media release on the rules is available at www. waterboards.ca.gov/press_room/press_ releases/2017/pr050317_mercury_ limits.pdf.

Calling All Nominations The ACWA Emissary Award recognizes individual ACWA member volunteers who have advanced ACWA’s mission and goals through their direct involvement.

ACWA

EMISSARY AWARD

Recognizing Remarkable Contributions

Who Is Eligible? Any ACWA committee member, ACWA region board member or ACWA Board member who is employed by an ACWA public agency member is eligible to nominate any staff, consultant or board member of an ACWA public agency member. An official nomination form and further details about the award, eligibility and selection process are available at www.acwa.com.

DEADLINE SEPT. 1 Nominate now!

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SUSTAINABLE GROUNDWATER MANAGEMENT ACT

Kings and Tulare Lake Subbasins’ Groundwater Sustainability Agencies Ramp up Outreach, Scoping of GSPs

With the June 30 deadline approaching for the formation of Groundwater Sustainability Agencies under the Sustainable Groundwater Management Act, newly minted GSAs throughout California are launching intense outreach campaigns and meetings to gather input for their Groundwater Sustainability Plans. In the Kings Subbasin, six GSAs have filed final formation notices, covering the whole subbasin with GSAs with no overlap. The Kings GSAs are now at work on their GSPs. Six GSAs are filing paperwork in the Tulare Lake Subbasin, with each of those GSAs organized as joint powers authorities. The Kings River Conservation District is assisting GSAs in the Kings and Tulare Lake subbasins with community outreach and development of sustainability plans. Cristel Tufenkjian,

manager of community and public relations for KRCD, and Eric Osterling, KRCD’s manager of water resources, are working closely with the GSAs to assist with these endeavors. Tufenkjian said there is no one overarching agency overseeing the two subbasins, but KRCD is directly assisting with three GSAs. Coordination groups in each subbasin meet monthly. “The GSAs we’re working with are in data collection and GSP scoping phases right now,” said Osterling. “We’re helping them take a look at the legislation, the GSP regulations and the Best Management Practices and starting to compile information and outline what will be needed to inform the plans and required coordination agreements.” Tufenkjian said outreach to stakeholders has become “front and center” and

three websites have been established for the three GSAs KRCD is assisting. Tufenkjian said meetings with landowners will begin in June and outreach to disadvantaged communities is launching soon thereafter. Meetings with commodity groups and other community meetings also are underway, said Tufenkjian. English and Spanish communications materials have been developed, and radio outreach is being conducted in Punjabi and Hmong to bring as many people as possible in the area into the process. Webinars are planned, as are so-called “tailgate talks” – one-on-one meetings with landowners out in the field. “We have developed partnerships with local environmental justice organizations to help us with disadvantaged communities outreach,” said Tufenkjian. “We want to reach all in the community…,” added Tufenkjian. “We’re trying a lot of different ways to engage as many stakeholders as possible.” Editor’s Note: This is the debut article in ACWA News in its new occasional feature which will look at the progress — and unique efforts — GSAs are making in meeting the requirements of SGMA.

RESOURCES

www.mcmullinarea.org

www.northforkkings.org

www.southforkkings.org

www.kingsgroundwater.info

Map of Kings region GSA groups.

MAY 26, 2017 • 17

WATER NEWS DIGEST $86.3 Million Available for GSPs The California Department of Water Resources has announced the release of its 2017 Draft Proposal Solicitation Package for Groundwater Sustainability Plans and Projects which is a key step in the process of awarding $86.3 million for the plans and projects in fiscal year 2017-’18. DWR will solicit proposals to award funding on a competitive basis in two funding categories: projects that serve severely disadvantaged communities and Groundwater Sustainability Plans (GSPs). Additional details about the draft proposal are available at water.ca.gov/ irwm/grants/sgwp/solicitation.cfm. The release of the draft proposal solicitation package begins the public comment period which will close June 19.

State Water Board Rescinds “Stress Test” State Water Resources Control Board Executive Director Tom Howard on April 26 rescinded the water supply “stress test” requirements and remaining mandatory conservation standards for urban water suppliers. Current prohibitions against wasteful water use practices and requirements for monthly water use reporting remain in place. The action was in response to Gov. Jerry Brown’s announcement ending the drought state of emergency and transitioning to a permanent framework for making water conservation a California way of life.

a rain event; hosing down a sidewalk; and overwatering a landscape to where water is running off onto the sidewalk or into the gutter.

May Snow Survey Strong The final manual snow survey for water year 2016-’17 at Phillips Station in the Sierras May 1revealed a snow water content of 27.8 inches or 190% of the long-term average, officials with the California Department of Water Resources announced. Electronic measurements statewide indicate a snowpack water content that is 196% of the May 1 average, or 42.5 inches.

The current prohibitions against wasteful water use practices include outdoor watering during or within 48 hours after

CONFERENCE Continued from page 8

Gomberg said they are looking at funding the program with a public goods charge on water. The four options presented vary according to whether they cover all public water systems or just systems that are not regulated by the California Public Utilities Commission, and whether they take into account low income water rate assistance programs that are in place at some agencies. During an energetic question and answer segment, ACWA members expressed strong concerns about the options and asked pointed questions. ACWA members explained why local water agencies are very different from electric and gas utilities.

Water Trends: Generational Diversity Takes Shape An engaging water trends program held May 10 explored the approaches many water districts and other organizations are taking to recruit and engage young water professionals. Moderated by Dan Ball, a broadcast reporter and 18 • ACWANEWS

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entertainment host, attendees and panelists shared how they are evolving their practices to develop a diverse workforce. Panelist Leslie Jordan, lead faculty for the Water Resource Management Program at Gavilan College, said careers in the water industry are the “best kept secret out there,” and that needs to change. Audience members and panelists talked about how the wave of retirements hitting all industries will be especially difficult in the water industry. Training a new generation of leaders will be key.

Panelist Cannon Michael, president of Bowles Farming Company and director at Henry Miller Reclamation District, stressed how water management is becoming increasingly more dependent on technology, so the workforce needs to be technologically advanced. “We’re seeing much more of a need for a technical workforce,” said Michael. Panelists and audience members suggested recruiting at colleges and going into schools — as early as elementary school — to educate young people about the water industry and possible careers.

“My primary interest is strengthening the bench,” said Martin E. Zvirbulis, general manager of Cucamonga Valley Water District.

Careers in the water industry are the “best kept secret out there,” and that needs to change. — Leslie Jordan, lead faculty, Water Resource Management Program, Gavilan College

FACES

WATER

Describe your job.

I manage water deliveries, infrastructure and maintenance of over 80 miles of canals and 60,000 acres of farmland in northern California. I also coordinate the water diversion schedule with the Department of Water Resources from Thermalito Afterbay, a part of the Oroville Dam complex. I supervise seven full-time water operators/maintenance employees and oversee injury prevention and safety programs.

Q&A

CRAIG MYERS Operations Manager Western Canal Water District

What do you like best about your job?

How did you get into the water industry?

What is something unique about yourself?

What is your favorite food?

I enjoy working with growers on their irrigation needs and am proud that our water delivery system reports a 96% efficiency.

I love the outdoors, fishing, hunting, camping, snow skiing and backpacking.

I applied as a water operator for a summer job in 1990 between college semesters. I enjoyed working for the district so much, I didn’t go back to school.

Mexican.

If you’d like to pass along the name of someone to profile in our Faces of Water series please contact ACWA Senior Communications Specialist Pamela Martineau at pamelam@acwa.com.

New NextGen Initiative Tools Available A collection of new member tools aimed at assisting ACWA members with recruiting the next generation of water professionals is now available on ACWA’s website. Rolled out at ACWA’s 2017 Spring Conference & Exhibition in Monterey, the tools include a water

industry promotion flyer, a template PowerPoint presentation promoting jobs in water and three short videos that an agency can show at various events. The tools are available at www.acwa.com/nextgen.

ENGAGING THE

NEXT GENERATION MAY 26, 2017 • 19

Save Our Water Launches Spring Campaign Save Our Water has kicked off its spring paid media campaign to show Californians that using less water is easier than they think. This year’s program is aimed at making conservation more approachable for the public. The campaign — dubbed “Small Changes. Big Impact” — focuses on simple daily habits and easy permanent changes both inside and outside of the house. Much like the habit of recycling bottles and cans, the goal of becoming water efficient can start with the smallest of changes. The spring campaign kicked off on April 24 with 30- and 15-second radio ads on stations around the state. The ads will air through the first week of June. On May 1, SOW launched its statewide “out of home,” messaging with both static and digital billboards, bus shelters and posters which is supported by a strong social media component. Additional campaign elements — including a unique digital video campaign, an NPR sponsorship, and NBC TV weather segments — will kick-off in June.

Save Our Water Research Shows Continued Support for Conservation SOW’s program approach and messaging are based on recent statewide public attitude research conducted in late

April for SOW. Key findings showed continued interest and commitment on behalf of Californians to continue saving water even though the drought has ended. While more than 76% of Californians surveyed believe that this past wet winter helped to bolster water supplies, 93% still believe we need to conserve water. Californians are starting to see water conservation as a habit, rain or shine – drought or no drought. Information was shared with SOW partners on a special webinar on May 17.

Collaboration with Water Agencies Continues SOW is continuing its close collaboration with water agencies,

providing new tools based on agency feedback and designed for local tailoring and use. The new toolkit is now available at www.saveourwater.com/toolkit. The program has hosted three informational webinars this year to update partners on messaging, campaigns, and research. SOW had a strong presence at the ACWA’s 2017 Spring Conference & Exhibition in Monterey. In addition to an informational booth outside registration and the main conference hall, an update and video on the program were presented to the Communications Committee and at the Wednesday lunch to conference attendees.

New Video Highlights Importance of Bay-Delta Flows Policy “A Defining Moment in California Water,” a new video highlighting the need for a more balanced and comprehensive approach to setting water quality objectives in the Bay-Delta watershed, is now available on ACWA’s website. The video shows the stark contrast between the State Water Resources

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Control Board’s “unimpaired flow” approach and ACWA’s policy statement on Bay-Delta Flow Requirements, which calls for “functional flows” and collaborative, voluntary settlements. While the State Water Board’s approach could lead to widespread fallowing of agricultural land and negatively affect water reliability for much of the state’s

population, ACWA’s approach has proven successful in various areas in the state in achieving positive ecological outcomes while maintaining water supply reliability. Watch the video on ACWA’s website at www.acwa.com/spotlight/acwa-policystatement-bay-delta-flows.

MEMBER NEWS

City of Riverside Approves Water Deal with Western Municipal The City of Riverside has approved a long-term water agreement to share surplus local water resources and pipeline capacity with Western Municipal Water District to benefit the customers of both water providers. The city approved the deal during a May 16 council meeting. The agreement allows Western to purchase a minimum of 2,000 acre-feet per year of surplus water from Riverside Public Utilities for the next 10 years. It also allows Western to use Riverside’s groundwater production wells, pipeline conveyance and treatment facilities, when capacity is available, for the next 20 years to deliver an additional 5,000 acrefeet of water per year that has been leased from other entities. Under the agreement, Western will pay for the purchase of the surplus water and the costs associated with delivering both the surplus and leased water to Western facilities using Riversides system. The estimated total revenue for Riverside for both components of the agreement is $100 million over the next 20 years.

According to Western, the arrangement will allow the district to receive local water supplies at a lower cost than imported supplies and relieve some of the “upward pressure in rates from the rising cost of imported water.” The cost savings for Western is estimated at $45

million over the next 20 years. Western and Riverside also created a new website — www.RiversideWaterPartnership.com — to provide information to customers including details about the partnership, projects, water efficiency and history.

San Diego County WA Awarded $1 Million for Energy Storage The San Diego County Water Authority has received a $1 million from the California Public Utilities Commission’s Self Generation Incentive Program to enhance the energy output potential of solar panels at its Twin Oaks Valley Water Treatment Plant.

the storage of excess solar energy or retail energy purchased during off-peak hours for later use during high-demand periods, which is expected to save SDCWA nearly $100,000 per year in energy costs.

The CPUC’s incentive program was established in 2001 to allow ratepayers to avoid capital costs and safeguard them from storage system performance risks.

“Thanks to this new incentive from the California Public Utilities Commission, we can stretch our energy savings even further,” said SDCWA Board Chair Mark Weston in a statement.

According to the authority, it will use the CPUC award to install industrialsized batteries at its Twin Oaks Plant to maximize the value of energy generated at the plant. The batteries will allow

Santa Clara-based Green Charge, a commercial energy storage company, will install a 1 megawatt/2 megawatt-hour energy storage system at the Twin Oaks Plant, which it will own, operate and

maintain for 10 years. After the 10-year term, SDCWA can choose to extend the agreement, purchase the batteries, or have them removed and the site returned to its original condition. This new energy storage projects builds upon SDCWA’s existing clean energy efforts which include a system of more than 7,500 solar panels at three facilities, which produce approximately 2.7 million kilowatt-hours of renewable energy annually and will reduce SDCWA’s energy expenses by nearly $5.6 million over 20 years.

MAY 26, 2017 • 21

EMPLOYMENT Director of Administrative Services Walnut Valley Water District

The Walnut Valley Water District is seeking a dynamic individual for the position of Director of Administrative Services to direct all activities of the Administrative Services Department including all aspects of human resources administration, safety, community outreach and conservation. This individual will report directly to the General Manager and acts as a key member of the Executive Staff team. SALARY RANGE: $8,781.00 - $13,665.00 per month. Plus excellent benefits, including medical, dental, and vision insurance; CalPERS retirement plan and a 9/80 work schedule. EDUCATION/EXPERIENCE: Bachelor’s Degree in Public or Business Administration, or Human Resources Management or a closely related field. Graduate degrees, or post graduate work, in these same fields of study is preferred. Seven (7) years progressively high level responsibility in the management and operations of a local government agency is required. Three (3) years of which must be concurrent top-level management experience. FILING DEADLINE: 5:00 PM, THURSDAY, JUNE 22, 2017 APPLICATION PROCEDURE: Interested applicants MUST complete a Walnut Valley Water District application form. Application packets may be obtained by contacting Human Resources at (909) 595-1268, ext. 212, or visit the District website at www.wvwd.com and download a copy of the District application form, complete and submit by mail or in person to: Walnut Valley Water District, Human Resources Dept., 271 S. Brea Canyon Road, Walnut, CA 91789. FAXED or EMAILED applications will not be considered. Resumes will not be accepted in lieu of a completed District application. A written examination will be required for selected candidates. Pre-employment physical required.

General Manager

Sacramento Suburban Water District

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

Vol. 45 No. 05

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.

Management Accountant The Sacramento Suburban Water District Seeks a New General Manager. After fifteen years of service, the current General Manager is retiring. Under broad policy and general administrative direction from the Board of Directors, the General Manager plans, organizes, directs, and reviews the overall administrative activities and operations of the District; advises and assists the Board; and represents the District’s interests at local, regional, State and Federal levels. The position is employed under contract as the Chief Administrative or Executive Officer for the District, which is the highest-level position in the organization, and also currently serves as the District Secretary. Qualifications: Education: A Bachelor’s Degree in Civil Engineering, Business Administration, Public Administration or a related field from an accredited college or university. An advance degree in a closely related field is desired. Experience: Ten (10) or more years of broad and extensive administrative and management experience within the water industry that included responsibility for planning, organizing, implementing and supervising programs, budgets and administrative operations, preferably within a public agency, including at least six (6) years in a supervisory capacity. Compensation and Benefits:

Engineer II or III

22 • ACWANEWS

www.fresnoirrigation.com for detailed information and application. Open until filled.

Highly competitive salary and benefits are negotiable based on qualifications, including CalPERS retirement and retiree health (with 10 years of CalPERS service and 5 years of District service). Application and Selection Process: To be considered for this opportunity, please submit a cover letter, a detailed resume with salary history, and five-work related references by Monday, July 17, 2017 to: Shellie Anderson, Bryce Consulting, Tel: 916-974-0199, Fax: 916-9740224, Email: sanderson@bryceconsulting.com. For more information, go to: http://www.sswd.org/ index.aspx?page=28&recordid=276&returnURL= %2findex.aspx.

South San Joaquin Irrigation District

South San Joaquin Irrigation District has a history in the Central Valley over 100 years strong. We are a special district providing a reliable and economical source of water to agricultural users and wholesale treated drinking water to local cities. Currently we are accepting applications for an Accounting Manager. In this newly created position, under the direction of the Assistant General Manager, the Accounting Manager responsibilities include: annual budget preparation, annual financial audit, drafting complete financial statements, monthly investment reports, financial planning, implementation of the strategic plan for finance and rates and cost of service analysis for the District. Qualifications: • Professional knowledge of generally accepted accounting principles including GASB • Experience with FERC Accounting • Advanced Microsoft Excel skills • Excellent writing ability and oral communication skills • Knowledge of quantitative methods and ability to perform statistical analysis • Ability to train and teach others • Ability to prepare and orally present information to project teams, the general public and to the Board of Directors. Education and Experience: • Bachelor’s degree in Business Administration, Finance or Accounting • Certified Management Accountant or Certified Public Accountant with an active license to practice issued by any state • At least five years of work experience in accounting or finance including electric utility experience (preferred) The Ideal Candidate: Common sense, strong interpersonal skills, and a love of learning. He or she is an innovative, proactive problem solver, who works well with all staff and is customer service oriented. The Management Accountant will possess a Continued on page 23

PEOPLE NEWS Bernhardt Nominated for Deputy Interior Secretary Post President Donald Trump on April 28 announced the nomination of David Bernhardt as deputy secretary of the U.S. Department of the Interior.

David Bernhardt

Bernhardt, an attorney who most recently chaired the natural resource law practice at Brownstein Hyatt Farber Schreck, LLP, is a Department of the Interior veteran who served as solicitor, deputy solicitor, deputy chief of staff and counselor to the secretary during the George W. Bush Administration. “I am excited to announce the President and I have selected Dave Bernhardt to help me lead

the Interior Department,” Interior Secretary Ryan Zinke said in a statement. “Bernhardt’s extensive experience serving under Secretary Norton and his legal career is exactly what is needed to help streamline government and make the Interior and our public lands work for the American economy.” Most recently, Bernhardt helped lead Trump’s transition team at Interior. He also worked on California drought legislation on behalf of some agricultural interests. The position is subject to confirmation by the U.S. Senate.

Continued from page 22

high degree of integrity and unquestionable ethics, working collaboratively throughout the organization in a creative, respectful, and diplomatic manner. The desired candidate will be a clear and concise writer and speaker, calm, approachable and intellectually honest. Compensation and Benefits:

The salary range for the position is $118,400 to $148,000. In addition a comprehensive benefits package is offered including: medical, dental, vision, life and long-term disability insurances, CalPers retirement, 457(b) deferred compensation with employer match and paid time off including vacation, sick and Holiday pay.

Final filing deadline: Friday, June 9, 2017. Complete job description, and additional information are available on our website, SSJID. com. To apply, please send resume and cover letter to dthornburg@ssjid.com.

More Than 700 Students Compete at MWD’s 2017 Solar Cup™ More than 700 students from 43 Southland high schools competed May 19-21 in the Metropolitan Water District of Southern California’s 15th annual Solar Cup, the largest student-based solarpowered boat race in the nation.

Boats built and raced by students from Riverside Poly and Mira Costa high schools claimed the top awards at the competition that included entries from MWD’s six-county, 5,200 square-mile service area, which includes Los Angeles, Orange, Riverside, San Bernardino, San Diego and Ventura counties. Solar Cup is a year-long program in which students build, equip and race 16-foot, single-seat boats powered only by the sun. The Solar Cup program allows students to apply their skills in math, physics, engineering and communications, while learning about

Southern California’s water resources, resource management, conservation and alternative energy development.

“Solar Cup gives students a chance to really put to use skills they’ve learned in the classroom in a fun competition. And as much preparation as they put into engineering their boats leading up to (the) weekend’s races, most teams still face a challenge or two here, so they have to think on their feet, problem-solving as they go – just like in real life,” said MWD Assistant General Manager Dee Zinke.

energy stored in batteries to speed down a 200-meter stretch. Complete Solar Cup scores will be posted on Metropolitan’s website mwdh2o.com.

On May 19, teams completed a qualifying event to ensure boats met rules and were safe and seaworthy. On May 20, the teams attached solarcollection panels to the boats for two, 90minute, 1.6-kilometer endurance races. On May 21, the solar-collection panels were removed and boats used solar

MAY 26, 2017 • 23

MOST CLICKED

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

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Time Valued Material

New Video Highlights Importance of Bay-Delta Flows Policy — 05/22/2017 Court Orders State Water Board to Withdraw Chrom 6 MCL, Set New One — 05/16/2017

UPCOMING EVENTS 1

DWR Releases Initial Findings Regarding Lake Oroville Spillway Failure — 05/10/2017 Statewide Poll Shows Californians Strongly Support Seawater Desalination — 05/04/2017

VISIT ACWA.COM FOR COMPLETE LISTING

JUNE 2017 14 – 16

TWITTER CHATTER Katelynn Zoellner@KZoellner10 • May 12 • ACWA urges State Water Board to set aside its approach to set new water quality objectives for Bay Delta. Western Canal WD@ WCWDwebcam • May 11 • Gov Brown Sept 2016 letter to SWRCB encouraging “settlements” vs heavy handed regulations ACWA@ACWAWater • May 5 • Statewide Poll Shows Californians Strongly Support Seawater Desalination CA – DWR@CA_DWR • May 1 • Final survey of 2017 finds water-rich snowpack. http://bit.ly/2pQ79rW ACWA@ACWAWater • Apr 28 • Little Hoover Commission Hearing Highlights Water Quality Impacts of Tree Mortality Crisis

JULY 2017 23 – 27

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. 10th Annual O.C. Water Summit will be held June 16 and delve into such issues as desalination, aging infrastructure, storm water capture and the four water revolutions. A strong line-up of speakers is slated for the event including best-selling author Seth M. Siegel, who wrote “Let There Be Water: Israel’s Solution for a Water Starved World.” For more information and registration go to www.ocwatersummit.com/Register2017.aspx.

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.

SEPTEMBER 2017 13 – 14 Headwaters tour presented by Water Education Foundation

will head up into the foothills and the mountains to examine water issues that happen upstream but have dramatic impacts downstream and throughout the state. For more information go to www.acwa.com/events/headwaters-tour-2017.

7th Annual Steve Hall Fierce Competitor Golf Tournament will be held at the DarkHorse Golf Club in Auburn, CA. This event help raise funds for the Stephen K. Hall ACWA Water Law & Policy Scholarship and for ALS research. More information to come.