Westlands Water District Awarded $25 Million Federal Grant to Fund Drought Projects

FRESNO – Today, the U.S. Bureau of Reclamation (Reclamation) awarded $81 million in grant funding through the federal Inflation Reduction Act (IRA) in support of the South-of-Delta Drought Plan. Westlands Water District (District) will be receiving $25 million to fund priority groundwater recharge and storage projects within the District. Awarded funds will be used to complete drought mitigation projects aimed at building a more reliable water supply for South-of-Delta communities, farms, and ecosystems reliant on Central Valley Project (CVP) water.

WVWD Welcomes New Director of Engineering

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CCWD Secures an Additional $11.2 Million in Federal Funding

The Calaveras County Water District (CCWD) secured $11.2 million from the Army Corps of Engineers (Army Corps) in the 2024 federal budget to construct the enhancement of the Copper Cove Wastewater Treatment Plant and Reclamation Facility. The funds are part of the Section 219 Environmental Infrastructure program run by the Army Corps, which released its Fiscal Year 2024 work plan this week. CCWD’s project is the largest Section 219 Environmental Infrastructure funding allocation to a project in California and the third-largest allocation nationwide in 2024.

In working with its Congressional Delegation and the Administration, CCWD has now secured $13.2 million in Army Corps funding for the project over the last three years and is seeking another $3.1 million next year to account for construction cost increases. This vital funding is a significant milestone in safeguarding public health and the environment.

CCWD’s Copper Cove Wastewater Treatment Plant currently serves approximately 2,000 sewer connections in Copperopolis along Lake Tulloch on the Stanislaus River. The facility treats
wastewater from the community and recycles water for irrigation, but necessary upgrades are imperative to replace aging infrastructure and ensure compliance with regulatory standards,

CCWD will be responsible for 25% of the approximately $20 million project, but the federal funding helps all of the communities CCWD serves by freeing up funds for other projects. Furthermore, the broader socio-economic context, with one-third of CCWD’s service area classified as economically disadvantaged, highlights the importance of federal support for expensive projects that provide benefits beyond CCWD’s immediate project boundaries.

CCWD extends sincere gratitude to the late Senator Feinstein, Senators Padilla, and Butler for their unwavering support. Additionally, Congressman McClintock’s support and his collaboration with the Corps in including this vital funding in the FY24 work plan is greatly appreciated. State Senator Marie Alvarado-Gil, the Angels Camp City Council, and Supervisor Amanda Folendorf have also been key supporters of the effort.

Longtime CCWD Directors and Legal Affairs Committee members, Jeff Davidson and Scott Ratterman, have been central to the effort to obtain Army Corps funding for this project.

“When we first met with congressional staff and the Army Corps, we would always hear how difficult it was to get your foot in the door for funding. There were already so many projects across the nation competing for these funds, and many were already partially funded. We now have more than a foot in the door and are working with our Senators and Congressman to secure additional funding to bring this project across the finish line,” said Ratterman.

“This is the result of many years of effort to bring federal tax dollars back home for our infrastructure needs. It’s extremely difficult to compete for federal funds against larger urban
water agencies but our team is tenacious. Recent inflation and added regulatory costs make it critical to supplement CCWD’s infrastructure funds with State and Federal sources. With the trust we’ve built with funding agencies, and the support of my fellow board members, I believe we will continue to be successful,” said Davidson.

CCWD is grateful for the collective efforts of federal representatives and their dedication to advancing critical infrastructure projects that safeguard public health and the environment.

Rancho Water Appoints Jason Martin as Interim General Manager

TEMECULA — The Board of Directors of the Rancho California Water District (Rancho Water/District) has approved the appointment of Jason Martin to the position of interim general manager, effective June 1, 2024. The appointment of Mr. Martin follows the planned resignation of the current general manager Robert Grantham.

Mr. Martin will serve as the interim to oversee the operations of the District while the Board of Directors conducts a selection process for the general manager position. He has been in the assistant general manager position at Rancho Water since January 2024 and with the District since 2006, previously in the role of Director of Administration overseeing crucial departments such as customer service, IT, administration, and water use efficiency.

Board President John Rossi expressed his support, stating, “It is my pleasure to announce that Jason Martin has been appointed as interim general manager for Rancho Water. We are very pleased to have someone with Jason’s executive-level experience to guide the District through this transition. He is a trusted member of the team and his leadership skills will be a valuable resource.”

“I’m honored to embrace the responsibilities of interim general manager at Rancho Water,” said Mr. Martin. “I look forward to guiding our outstanding team as they continue to move forward on important initiatives. Rancho Water is a leader in innovation and community stewardship, and I am committed to upholding and advancing our culture of excellence.”

During his tenure at Rancho Water, Mr. Martin has led a series of significant initiatives that have positively impacted the local community. One such initiative, the development of the MyWaterTracker tool, has provided customers with a state-of-the-art, real-time platform to monitor their water consumption and detect potential leaks on their properties. Moreover, the inception of the CropSWAP program in 2016 has led to the conversion of over 300 acres of farmland from high-water-consuming crops to more sustainable alternatives. Building upon this success, Mr. Martin has recently overseen the expansion of the program into neighboring counties and water districts, further extending its benefits to a broader regional audience.

For more information about Rancho Water, please visit us at RanchoWater.com.

Analysis Shows Delta Conveyance Project Benefits Far Exceed Costs

SACRAMENTO – Today, the Department of Water Resources (DWR) released a benefit-cost analysis for the Delta Conveyance Project that finds the infrastructure modernization project would create billions of dollars in benefits for California communities, including reliable water supplies, climate change adaptation, earthquake preparedness and improved water quality.

According to the analysis, the project will deliver nearly $38 billion in benefits, preventing both water shortages and water rationing, and saving more water during wet years. For every $1 spent, $2.20 in benefits would be generated. The analysis also shows the very real cost of doing nothing, posing significant future challenges to supplying water to California communities.

“The Delta Conveyance Project passes the benefit-cost test readily, with benefits that are more than double the cost,” Dr. David Sunding, Emeritus Professor, UC Berkeley, who led the benefit-cost analysis, stated in a DWR news release. “The project enables ongoing demands to be satisfied and water supply reliability to be maintained,” he said, adding “the benefits clearly justify the costs.”

As climate change and regulatory constraints cause water supplies to diminish over time, the reliability of the State Water Project infrastructure is in jeopardy, putting 27 million Californians and 750,000 acres of farmland at risk, according to DWR’s news release, which described the analysis as providing a “compelling financial rationale for the public water agencies funding the project to be able continue to provide affordable, safe, clean and reliable water supply.”

“If we do nothing to shore up the State Water Project’s aging infrastructure, California’s primary and most affordable water supply faces continued reliability risk and remains vulnerable to increasing weather extremes that could lead to supply disruptions,” State Water Contractors General Manager Jennifer Pierre stated in a news release. “DWR’s analysis demonstrates that the Delta Conveyance Project’s benefits far outweigh the costs and that investing in the project is more efficient and economical than allowing our current infrastructure and supplies to decline.”

The Metropolitan Water District of Southern California also issued a statement about the analysis from General Manager Adel Hagekhalil.

“The State Water Project is a vital supply line for Southern California, as we learned all too well during the last drought, when more than 6 million residents in our region struggled to get the minimum supplies they needed for basic human health and safety,” Hagekhalil stated. “Climate-driven risks and other challenges in California, and across the southwest, threaten the ability to ensure reliable water for our region, home to 19 million people and the world’s 11th largest economy. The Delta Conveyance Project proposes to address some of these challenges and helps us keep pace with climate change.”

Loveland Reservoir serves as vital resource in fighting recent fire

Chula Vista – Early yesterday afternoon, a fire broke out near Sweetwater Authority’s (Authority) Loveland Reservoir in Alpine, CA. Authority staff swiftly responded to assist emergency services with access and logistics in their effort to fight the wind-driven fire, which burned approximately 18 acres before being contained.

Loveland Reservoir, an important drinking water resource for Authority customers, served as a vital asset during incident response. Approximately 32,000 gallons of water was lifted from the near-full reservoir by SDG&E and San Diego Sheriff helicopters to aid with fire suppression. Cal-Fire water trucks also used the reservoir property’s on-site fire hydrant for their fire-fighting efforts.

During the incident, the reservoir property was used as a staging area and incident command center.

“This shared effort between Sweetwater Authority and emergency services demonstrates the importance of community partnership in times of crisis,” said Board Chair Martinez-Perez. “We greatly appreciate the dedication and bravery of first-responders, and are proud to have been able to assist them during this incident.”

During the incident, the Authority temporarily closed its Loveland Recreation Program to protect the safety of those in the area. The program has since reopened to normal hours, available to view at www.sweetwater.org/recreation.

Sweetwater Authority is a public water agency providing safe, reliable water to National City, Chula Vista and Bonita.

Salton Sea Authority Announces FY24 Funding for Salton Sea Feasibility Study

Today, the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (USACE) released its FY24 Work Plan which included an additional $3,878,000 in funding for the Salton Sea Feasibility Study (USACE study).

Salton Sea Authority (Authority) Executive Director G. Patrick O’Dowd commended Assistant Secretary of the Army (Civil Works) Connor, Chief of Engineers Spellmon, the Biden administration, and our Congressional delegation: “I sincerely and deeply thank Assistant Secretary Connor and U.S. Senator Alex Padilla (D-Calif.) for so highly prioritizing the Salton Sea.”

Authority Board Secretary and Imperial Irrigation District Director Gina Dockstader added that: “These funds are critically needed to ensure that the USACE study and the action it ultimately recommends fully addresses the needs of our region, including those of the many disadvantaged Salton Sea communities that bear a disproportionate share of public health burdens.”

In 2020, the Authority worked with our federal Congressional delegation to secure the authorization and the initial funding for the USACE study. In December 2022, USACE Los Angeles District, the Authority and the California Department of Water Resources (DWR) committed to be joint sponsors of the work.

Executive Director O’Dowd added that: “We would not be in this position without the very strong support of Congressman Raul Ruiz (D-Calif.) and our federal Congressional delegation. From passing legislation to initiate this study, to securing the initial funds to launch it, to urging the USACE to provide these funds today — our delegation continues to be steadfastly committed to securing significant federal resources for the Salton Sea.”

The federal government has significant interests in the Salton Sea region, including in federally protected endangered species; in the Sonny Bono National Wildlife Refuge and the Chocolate Mountain Gunnery; in major additional federal landholdings; and in our region’s renewable energy and lithium stores.

The USACE study sponsors are currently evaluating the feasibility of alternatives identified in the State of California’s Salton Sea Management Program’s Long-Range Plan for protecting public health and restoring the degraded Salton Sea ecosystem.

Embedded within the work to be funded in part with the FY24 funds provided by USACE today will be continued public outreach to area disadvantaged communities and required hydrologic modeling. The goal of this work is to arrive at a federal/state-funded Salton Sea long-range management plan.

Salton Sea Authority and Coachella Valley Water District Vice President Cástulo Estrada added in conclusion: “I thank and commend both the USACE Los Angeles District and California DWR staff for their commitment to working with the Authority to ensure that the USACE study’s recommended course of action fully addresses the significant environmental and public health challenges in the Salton Sea region.”

West Valley Water District Receives Award for Budget Presentation Excellence

RIALTO – West Valley Water District (WVWD) is proud to announce that it has been honored with the Distinguished Budget Presentation Award from the Government Finance Officers Association (GFOA) for the 3^rd consecutive year. This prestigious award not only recognizes the District’s outstanding efforts in preparing its fiscal year 2023 budget book but also underscores its commitment to transparency and financial responsibility.

The GFOA, representing public finance officials across the United States and Canada, established the Distinguished Budget Presentation Awards program in 1984 to promote excellence in budgeting and acknowledge governments that meet program criteria. To achieve this recognition, budget documents must serve as comprehensive policy documents, financial plans, operational guides, and communication tools.

“West Valley Water District is dedicated to upholding the highest standards of transparency in our financial practices”, said WVWD President Greg Young. “This recognition is a testament to the team’s collective efforts and reinforces our agency’s ongoing commitment to fiscal responsibility as we continue to excel in financial management.”

WVWD’s commitment to financial excellence was further demonstrated last year when we received the GFOA’s prestigious Triple Crown award. With this latest achievement, the District remains on course to continue its tradition of excellence in financial responsibility and reporting.

“It’s in honor to work with such a talented and dedicated team,” said WVWD Chief Financial Officer William Fox.” Receiving this award speaks to the hard work and dedication of our finance team in ensuring that our budgetary process reflects our commitment to accountability.”

For more information about WVWD and its commitment to financial transparency and accountability, please visit our website at www.wvwd.org/transparency.

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The West Valley Water District has proudly served the Southern California communities of Bloomington, Colton, Fontana, Rialto, San Bernardino, and Jurupa Valley since 1952. Through name changes and consolidation, the mission has always remained the same: to provide customers with safe, high quality, and reliable water service at a reasonable rate and in a sustainable manner. The District provides water for about 100,000 customers and is overseen by a five-member, publicly elected Board of Directors

Riverside County Supports Multi-Agency Effort to Bolster Groundwater

BEAUMONT – San Gorgonio Pass Water Agency, San Bernardino Valley Municipal Water District (SBVMWD) and South Mesa Water Company (SMWC) are building strong regional partnerships through the County Line Recharge Basin and Turnout Project, a joint endeavor to increase water supply in the Yucaipa Subbasin and deliver reliable water access to 18,000 people.

Due to prolonged drought conditions over the past decade, the Yucaipa Subbasin has depleted groundwater levels and lacks supplemental water supplies. In response, the County of Riverside approved $3.1 million in American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) funds to stabilize the over-drafted Yucaipa Subbasin through the County Line Recharge Basin and Turnout Project.

“Through true teamwork, multiple agencies have come together to ensure the long-term sustainability of the Calimesa groundwater basin and Yucaipa area,” SGPWA Board President Mickey Valdivia said. “Our partners at SBVMWD and SMWC are committed to protecting the vitality of our region-wide water systems, and we are proud to join them in that goal.”

Located in the north-central portion of the City of Calimesa, the project will facilitate the movement of State Water Project (SWP) water to a future recharge facility on 4th Street and recharge up to 479 million gallons per year. The development reuses the existing abandoned pipeline and connects directly to the SWP.

“The community is strengthened when we come together to safeguard our water supply,” SBVMWD Chief Executive Officer and General Manager Heather Dyer said. “Residents throughout multiple counties will benefit from increased water security thanks to this collaboration.”

All Yucaipa Sustainable Groundwater Management Agency members — including SGPWA, SMWC and SBVMWD — can import and store water through the project pipelines. Wet year storage can increase the sustainable yield of the Yucaipa Subbasin, allowing SGPWA flexibility during droughts to direct imported supplies to other communities within their service area including Beaumont, Banning, Cherry Valley and the Banning Bench. The pipelines will bring imported water to SMWC’s service area for the first time.

Increased water access is vital to support a growing population, including many disadvantaged communities impacted by the water shortage risks during dry spells. Construction is expected to break ground at the end of 2024 or early 2025 and be completed by the end of 2025. The County Line Recharge Basin and Turnout Project will support the Yucaipa Groundwater Sustainability Plan, advance drought resiliency and fortify emergency water resources.

“Access to safe and clean drinking water is a fundamental human right that should not be determined by wealth, status, or location. We need to invest in projects that diversify and improve the resilience of our water supply to better serve our communities, especially the disadvantaged,” said Fifth District Riverside County Supervisor Yxstian Gutierrez. “And so, I am proud to see that we are working together on projects like the County Line Recharge Basin and Turnout Project with the goal of increasing access to this basic human need.”

Learn more at www.sgpwa.com.

Governor Addresses ACWA Spring Conference Attendees

During a surprise appearance at the 2024 ACWA Spring Conference & Expo in Sacramento, Gov. Gavin Newsom addressed climate change adaptation while expressing strong support for local control of water resources.

Newsom joins a long list of California governors who have spoken at ACWA conferences throughout the association’s history, including past Gov. Jerry Brown. Gov. Newsom’s address highlighted several areas of interest to ACWA member agencies. Water has remained a leading issue during Newsom’s second term in office, and he made that abundantly clear during his 15-minute address.

California Secretary for Natural Resources Wade Crowfoot introduced Newsom during Crowfoot’s May 8 keynote speech, which also focused on the critical role of California water management in an era defined by climate extremes.

After receiving a standing ovation, Newsom opened his address by noting dramatic swings between record-breaking climatic shifts and how his administration has responded by giving local water agencies flexibility in taking action, one of several points applauded by conference attendees.

“You are the experts, you understand it intimately,” Newsom said, stating his support for “a framework of bottom up, not top down — localism to be determinative as it relates to managing our water policy in the state of California.”

He acknowledged ACWA member agencies’ work on stormwater capture, water recycling and groundwater replenishment, all while facing challenges with conveyance, above- and below- ground storage and implementation of the Sustainable Groundwater Management Act.

Newsom emphasized his support for the Delta Conveyance Project as key to climate adaptation and also stressed his administration’s continued work on permitting reform, touching on the process behind building Sites Reservoir as an example.

“If you can’t build an off-stream storage facility, my gosh, how do we do things better, how do we move things in a more efficient and effective manner? How do we get out of our own way?” he said.

Newsom cited “tremendous progress” made on advancing the Agreements to Support Healthy Rivers and Landscapes, by praising work toward the agreements’ creation of greater habitat restoration and more flexibility in water management in the Sacramento-San Joaquin Bay-Delta.

Making a point he’s repeated throughout his term, Newsom called for moving beyond “binaries” and relentless litigation as a feature in California water policy.

“The courts can’t be the determining factor. Weeks become months, years, decades,” Newsom said.

Newsom closed his address by underscoring his support for local water management.

“Each and every one of you have unique challenges, a unique set of opportunities, and one size yes, and by definition, doesn’t fit all,” Newsom said, adding “You need that flexibility, and we need to partner with you, with an understanding of the regional characteristics and dynamics that you confront every single day.”