Association of California Water Agencies

980 9th Street, Suite 1000
Sacramento, CA 95814
(916) 441-4545
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Washington, D.C. Office

400 North Capitol Street NW,
Suite 357
Washington, D.C. 20001

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Khalifa to Lead ACWA as Interim Executive Director

The ACWA Board of Directors has named Marwan Khalifa as Interim Executive Director of the association, effective Feb. 24, overseeing day-to-day operations of the association and managing approximately 40 staff in Sacramento and Washington D.C.

Khalifa serves as Chief Financial Officer and District Treasurer for Mesa Water District, where he has worked since 2017 and will continue through Feb. 20. Prior to his appointment, he also served as Chair of ACWA’s Finance Committee and member of the ACWA Board and Executive Committee.

“I’m so pleased to see Marwan assume this pivotal role. As a recent ACWA Board member and staff member at an ACWA member agency, he has a deep understanding of the association’s priorities and our members’ challenges,” said ACWA President Cathy Green. “Under his leadership, staff will continue to implement the Board-approved Strategic Plan and provide comprehensive leadership and advocacy on behalf of members.”

At Mesa Water, Khalifa provided strategic leadership in achieving a number of significant financial and operational objectives. He has also served as Audit & Fiscal Committee Member for California Special Districts Association, is a member of the California Board of Accountancy, California Society of Certified Public Accountants, California Society of Municipal Financial Officers and Government Finance Officers Association.

“It is an honor to be entrusted by ACWA’s Board to serve the association, our members, and our water industry colleagues throughout California,” Khalifa said. “I look forward to working with and guiding ACWA’s world class team in advancing the priorities of our members and the Board by focusing on state and federal advocacy, outreach, and visionary thought leadership.”

Former Executive Director Dave Eggerton announced his resignation on Jan. 31. The Board named long-time staff member Tiffany Giammona, Senior Director of Operations and Member Engagement, as Acting Executive Director until the Interim Executive Director takes over.

The Board also has started a nationwide recruitment with plans to announce a new Executive Director later this year.

 

ACWA Board Names Giammona as Acting Executive Director

The ACWA Board of Directors has named long-time staff member Tiffany Giammona as Acting Executive Director, following the resignation of Dave Eggerton.

Giammona, the Senior Director of Operations and Member Engagement, has worked at ACWA since 2006. As Acting Executive Director, she will report to the Board and oversee day-to-day operations of the association and staff in Sacramento and Washington D.C. until an Interim Executive Director is announced in the coming weeks.

“Dave’s passion for ACWA’s mission, members and staff will be missed,” said ACWA President Cathy Green. “As we launch our search for a new Executive Director, I have full confidence in ACWA staff’s ability to continue serving our members through strong advocacy and leadership throughout the water industry.”

Eggerton was appointed Executive Director in 2018 and previously served as General Manager of the Calaveras County Water District. During his tenure he successfully led efforts to protect and strengthen the interests of ACWA members at the state and federal levels.
“I am so grateful for the support I have received throughout my two-decade career in water from so many exceptional public servants in our industry who similarly share an unwavering commitment to dedicating the entirety of their life’s work to helping others,” Eggerton stated. “It has been the honor of my life to have been entrusted by you with caring for the brilliant professionals on staff at ACWA whose talents and heart are second to none. Their historic accomplishments each of the last six years speak for themselves and will never be forgotten. As I depart for the next chapter of my career, I thank you from the bottom of my heart for reaffirming my belief in the goodness of humanity and inspiration of service to others.”

The Board of Directors is moving forward with a nationwide recruitment and hopes to announce a new Executive Director later this year.

ACWA Accepting Applications for 2025 Spring Awards

ACWA is currently accepting applications for its 2025 Spring Awards Programs. Eligible members are encouraged to submit nominations and/or applications for one of the following awards.

Clair A. Hill Water Agency Award

The Clair A. Hill Water Agency Award for Excellence recognizes exemplary programs developed by ACWA member agencies in water resources management. Sponsored by Jacobs, the award recognizes projects and programs in a variety of areas, including capital improvements, water quality, watershed or ecosystem restoration, renewable energy, and more.

The winning agency is given the opportunity to select the finalists for a $5,000 scholarship awarded to a deserving undergraduate student in a water resources-related field.

Applications for this year’s award must be submitted electronically using ACWA’s easy-to-use online award system by Monday, March 3 at 5 p.m. Members must register online to apply. This account is separate from your ACWA website login.

More information about this award is available on ACWA’s website.

Excellence in Water Leadership Award

Sponsored by Black & Veatch, ACWA’s Excellence in Water Leadership Award – Building a World of Difference® – recognizes individuals or groups who have made remarkable and visible contributions to the enhancement, protection or development of water resources in California.

The award recipient has the honor of bestowing a $5,000 charitable contribution to a nonprofit organization that works toward the enhancement and/or protection of California’s water resources.

The Excellence in Water Leadership Award nomination form is available on the ACWA website. Nominations must be sent via email and must be received by Monday, March 3 at 5 p.m.

More information about this award is available on ACWA’s website.

Special Outreach Award: Most Effective Agency on a Federal Issue

This annual outreach award was established to recognize ACWA member agencies that engage on federal issues as prioritized by the ACWA Federal Affairs Committee. ACWA encourages any member agency that strongly advocated last year at the federal level to submit an application for this year’s federal award.

Applicants for this award must submit a two-page Special Outreach Awards entry form. Forms must be sent via email and must be received by Monday, Feb. 3 at 5 p.m.

Questions

For questions regarding the awards, please contact ACWA Senior Communications Specialist Caroline Meade at (916) 669-2383.

 

ACWA’s 2025-’26 Scholarship Applications Now Open, $34,000 available

Each year, ACWA awards several different scholarships to qualified graduate and undergraduate students majoring in water resources-related fields and is encouraging member agencies to utilize the updated Scholarship Toolkit to help promote the opportunities with eligible students.

For the upcoming 2025-’26 academic year, ACWA will again make its scholarship applications available using an online application system. For more information about these scholarships, please visit ACWA’s website.

Updated Toolkit

To assist members in promoting available scholarship opportunities in their communities, ACWA has updated its Scholarship Toolkit for the 2025-’26 academic year. The toolkit includes new graphics in multiple sizes and sample social posts. The complete toolkit is available to members on ACWA’s website and includes the following items:

Questions

For questions about ACWA’s scholarship program, please contact ACWA Senior Communications Specialist Caroline Meade at (916) 669-2383.

New Toolkit Helps Member Agencies Engage, Communicate With Diverse Communities

The Association of California Water Agencies (ACWA) has developed a new toolkit to help member agencies evaluate the way they engage and communicate with the diverse members of their community. Being more inclusive can help foster trust, enhance relationships and improve your agency’s reputation within your community.

Toolkit Items

The following tools, developed by members of ACWA’s Communications Committee, provide tips for those who want to communicate in a clear, accessible and culturally sensitive way.

Questions

For questions about this toolkit, please contact ACWA Director of Communications Heather Engel at (916) 669-2387.

Designate Voter Now for Conference Membership Meeting

ACWA member agencies have until Monday, Nov. 25 to submit their Voting Representative Form required to vote during the Membership Meeting being held as part of the 2024 ACWA Fall Conference & Expo.

The Membership Meeting is being held to conduct a vote by the membership on proposed amended and restated bylaws for ACWA, as recommended by the Board of Directors at its September meeting. The Membership Meeting will be held on Dec. 4 at 1:30 p.m. at the Main Stage in the Springs Ballroom F & G at the JW Marriott Desert Springs Resort & Spa, Palm Desert.

Members can access the form and important information about the Membership Meeting on ACWA’s website.

Important Next Steps and Deadlines

  1. Designate your agencies’ voting representative: Fill out the Voting Representative Form by Monday, Nov. 25.
  2. Review the proposed amended and restated bylaws: These are available online and were also emailed to agency board presidents and general managers on Oct. 8.
  3. Have your designated voter pick up their keypad: During ACWA’s Fall Conference & Expo, designated voters should visit the ACWA Membership Meeting Check-in Desk on Wednesday, Dec. 4, between 9 a.m. and noon to sign in and pick up their voting keypad. If your voting representative does not get a keypad by noon, they will not be able to vote. ACWA staff will be available at the desk to answer questions.
  4. Have your designated voter attend the Membership Meeting: Designated voters should take their keypad to the Membership Meeting on Dec. 4 at 1:30 p.m. to vote.

Questions

For questions about the Membership Meeting or the proposed amended and restated bylaws, please contact ACWA Senior Clerk of the Board Donna Pangborn at (916) 669-2425.

 

New Communications Toolkit Addresses Lead in Drinking Water

ACWA has developed a toolkit to help member agencies communicate about lead in drinking water and lead water service line inventories, which are due to be reported to the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) on Oct. 16.

ACWA is encouraging member agencies to educate customers about their lead service line inventory, any challenges and successful efforts to address lead in drinking water. The toolkit includes:

Background

In California, water systems were required to develop their lead inventories on the public side of the service line (from the water main under the street to the meter), by 2018, and submit a plan for replacement of all lead pipes and fittings by 2020.

Fortunately, according to the statewide inventory, there are no more public lead service lines in service in California. However, the state requirement only included the public side (from the water main under the street to the meter), and not the private side (from the meter to the building). As part of the EPA requirements, water systems must update their inventories by Oct. 16 to include both public and private parts of the service lines.

Agencies are submitting completed inventories to the State Water Resources Control Board, which is collecting them on behalf of the EPA. These inventories must be publicly available, and for large water systems they must be available online.

Questions

For questions about ACWA’s toolkit, please contact ACWA Director of Communications Heather Engel at (916) 669-2387. For questions about EPA’s Revised Lead and Copper Rule, please contact ACWA Federal Relations Representative Caleb Raspler at (202) 434-4762.

Celebrate Water Professionals Appreciation Week Oct. 5-13

California’s Water Professionals Appreciation Week will kick off Oct. 5, celebrating the important role of water industry professionals and local public water agencies in ensuring safe and reliable water, wastewater and recycled water operations across California.

Throughout the week, urban and agricultural water agencies are encouraged to leverage their communication channels to educate media, customers, local elected leaders and other key audiences about the essential role that water professionals play in providing safe and reliable water services.

Water Professionals Appreciation Week also serves as a prime opportunity for water agencies to spotlight careers in the water industry, showcasing the diverse roles and career paths available.

ACWA encourages member agencies to participate in Water Professionals Appreciation Week by engaging in the suggested activities below. The updated ACWA toolkit provides several resources, including documents and graphics, to support these efforts. Video files will need to be downloaded separately.

Suggested Local Activities

  1. Ask your Board of Directors and cities and counties in your service area to pass resolutions/proclamations in support of your agency and Water Professionals Appreciation Week. A sample resolution/proclamation is available.
  2. Highlight your employees and water industry careers on social media, bill inserts, newsletters and other communications channels. A sample bill insert that can be customized with your logo is available.
  3. Let your local media know you are participating in Water Professionals Appreciation Week and offer to arrange interviews with employees in various fields that highlight the skill and dedication required to provide reliable water service. Talking points and a sample blog post are available.
  4. Consider organizing a tour of facilities, a presentation about the agency or town hall-style meeting with leadership. These events could be either virtual or in-person.
  5. Work with local high schools, colleges and universities to promote careers or internships at your district.
  6. Start a mentor program for young professionals in your agency.

Social Media Content

When sharing Water Professionals Appreciation Week content on your agency’s social media platforms please use the following related hashtags: #CAWaterWeek, #EssentialWorkers, #ThankWaterPros and #WeAreCAWater.

Sample social media content has been created and is available in two easily-downloadable zip files: WPAW 2024 zip and video file zip.

Background Information

Water Professionals Appreciation Week was established by Senate Concurrent Resolution (SCR) 80, approved by the Legislature in 2017.

The resolution, authored by Sen. Bill Dodd (D-Napa), was sponsored by an ACWA-led coalition that included WateReuse California, California Municipal Utilities Association, California Association of Sanitation Agencies and California Water Association. The California Water Environment Association also was a partner in the effort.

Under SCR 80, Water Professionals Appreciation Week begins on the first Saturday of October and ends on the Sunday of the following weekend each year.

Questions

For questions about Water Professionals Appreciation Week, please contact ACWA Communications Specialist Ellen Martin at (916) 441-4545. For help customizing toolkit items with your agency logo, contact Katherine Causland at (916) 441-4545.

 

Applications, Nominations Open for Fall 2024 ACWA Awards

ACWA will announce the following award recipients at its 2024 Fall Conference & Expo in Palm Desert, being held Dec. 3-5, and the deadline to apply for three of the awards is approaching.

Excellence in Innovation Award

This award was established in 2022 and recognizes successful innovations by member agencies that continue to support and drive California toward long-term water resilience. Sponsored by CDM Smith, the award recognizes groundbreaking and unique programs, projects, practices and/or technologies implemented by ACWA member agencies.

The winning agency and award finalists will share their innovations on a panel during ACWA’s Fall Conference & Expo in Palm Desert. In addition, the winning agency will receive $5,000 to create a video highlighting their innovation.

Applicants for this award must submit the Excellence in Innovation Award entry form along with a typed narrative. Forms must be sent via email and received by Monday, Sept. 3. More information about this award is available on ACWA’s website.

Excellence in Communication Award

The Huell Howser Excellence in Communication Award honors outstanding public water agency efforts in communicating important information to customers, legislators, media, the public and others. The award focuses on projects and programs that quantifiably meet an agency’s public information, communications or outreach goals in an innovative way while making effective use of available resources.

More information about this award, including complete eligibility guidelines and the online application, is available on ACWA’s website. The application deadline is Sept. 3.

Emissary Award

The John P. Fraser Emissary Award honors individual ACWA member volunteers who have made remarkable and visible contributions to the enhancement, protection or development of water resources in California by participating in, supporting and advancing ACWA’s mission and goals.

More information about this award, including complete eligibility guidelines and the nomination form, is available on ACWA’s website. The nomination deadline is Sept. 3.

Outreach Awards

Throughout the year, ACWA asks its members to take action on important legislative and regulatory issues, helping create a coalition to directly affect the outcomes of numerous decisions and advance the association’s legislative and regulatory agenda. ACWA’s Outreach Awards recognize the most active member agency in each region, as well as an overall winner and winners in three special outreach categories.

The awards for most active member agencies are based on a point system. To apply, submit your agency’s outreach interactions – including letters, faxes, emails, telephone calls or in-person contacts – by Oct. 1 using this online form. You may submit multiple forms if needed. Copies of letters should be emailed to outreach@acwa.com.

More information regarding regional and overall outreach awards is available on ACWA’s website.

ACWA member agencies can also apply for recognition in three additional special recognition categories.

Questions

For questions regarding the Excellence in Communication, Excellence in Innovation or Emissary awards, please contact ACWA Senior Communications Specialist Caroline Meade at (916) 669-2383.

For questions regarding the ACWA Outreach Program, please contact Senior Regional Affairs Representative Michael Cervantes at (916) 669-2380.

ACWA Provides Tools to Help With Messaging for Making Conservation a California Way of Life Regulation

The State Water Resources Control Board is expected to adopt the Making Conservation a California Way of Life regulation this Wednesday. Now is the time to provide media, customers and policymakers with insight into the regulation to combat confusion and share water agencies’ continued work in supporting water-wise decisions for all Californians.

ACWA is encouraging member agencies to maintain clear and frequent communication with customers and the media as this regulation is adopted to avoid confusion and the spreading of misinformation. This can include explaining what the regulation is and what it is intended for, that it will not impact customers’ everyday routines (e.g. showers and laundry) and sharing rebate programs and other ongoing efforts to help customers be water efficient. Now is also the perfect time to educate your community about local water resiliency investments that ensure a more reliable, resilient water supply as the state faces weather extremes, including prolonged dry periods and intense boom-and-bust precipitation cycles.

Toolkit

ACWA has created the following resources to assist member agencies as they engage with the media, customers and stakeholders. The complete toolkit is available for members to download from ACWA’s website and includes the following items on the regulation:

Questions

For questions about the toolkit items, please contact ACWA Senior Communications Specialist Caroline Meade at (916) 669-2383.  For help customizing toolkit items with your agency logo, contact ACWA Communications Specialist Katherine Causland at (916) 669-2401.