MVWD Awards Water Scholarships to Two Montclair High School Seniors
MONTCLAIR – The Monte Vista Water District (MVWD) Board of Directors awarded Zoey Bahena and Denia Maldonado-Dominguez of Montclair High School the “2024 Bruce J. Lance Jr. Water Scholarship” at the April 10, 2024 board meeting. Each year the board awards up to two $1,500 scholarships in Lance’s honor for his 44 years of extraordinary service to the district and the community as the agency’s general counsel.
Students submitted application packets, which included a written essay describing “how conservation helps the environment.”
“Denia and Zoey had thoughtful responses to the prompt and conveyed the importance of having clean, safe, and reliable water, which is something we often take for granted when we reach for the faucet or take a shower,” said Board President Sandra Rose. “Their essays reflected on personal experiences and shared what conservation means for them and their families.”
With the assistance of Montclair High School Counselor Alice Cornejo, the board’s public engagement committee, comprised of Board President Sandra Rose and Director Manny Martinez, judged the essays and made the final selection. The scholarships will assist Ms. Maldonado-Dominguez in her studies at California State Polytechnic University, Pomona, and Ms. Bahena who plans to attend University of California, Santa Barbara.
The Bruce J. Lance Jr. Water Scholarship was created in 2013, when the board adopted Resolution 669-13 commending Lance for his years of service as the district’s general counsel. The scholarships have been awarded annually for the past 11 years to seniors attending school or living in MVWD’s service and who plan to attend college.
Water Leaders County-Wide Partner on Advanced Firefighting System
BEAUMONT – San Gorgonio Pass Water Agency (SGPWA) will coordinate a Heli-Hydrant project alongside several local water districts to bolster firefighting efforts in a challenging fire-risk region. Heli-Hydrants allow firefighting helicopters to refill water from strategically located water tanks. This life-saving investment enables firefighters to control blazes faster in catastrophic fire situations.
The San Gorgonio Pass Area has a history of significant fires, sometimes resulting in tragic loss of life and disasters. Firefighting helicopters currently lack access to many nearby water sources. The Heli-Hydrants offer a vital solution, increasing water availability close to the fires.
Heli-Hydrants are installed on existing water district tanks and reservoirs. Unlike conventional water supplies, Heli-Hydrants are remotely controlled by pilots and do not require ground support crews. This frees up firefighters to focus on the initial attack. Due to Fifth District Supervisor Yxstian Gutierrez’ leadership, the Riverside County Board of Supervisors approved $1.8 million in American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) funds to install six Heli-Hydrant locations covering both sides of Interstate 10.
“In recent years, devastating wildfires have threatened the safety of our community,” said Fifth District Riverside County Supervisor Yxstian Gutierrez. “We have a responsibility to protect our residents and find innovative solutions to combat these growing threats. By collaborating with key agencies, we are enhancing our firefighting capabilities and ensuring our community’s safety.”
SGPWA will oversee the Heli-Hydrant endeavor, including funding administration and project delivery. SGPWA will partner with local water entities and the County’s Fire Department, which approves specific locations. Supporters include the Riverside County Fire, and Cal Fire. Beaumont Cherry Valley Water District, City of Banning, High Valleys Water District, Banning Heights Mutual Water Company and Cabazon Water District will host the Heli-Hydrant sites.
“When the region comes together to protect residents and resources, we can accomplish great things,” SGPWA President Mickey Valdivia said. “We are grateful to all the partner water agencies that help ensure we are regionally well-prepared in the face of the next emergency.” Learn more at www.sgpwa.com.
About San Gorgonio Pass Water Agency
Formed in 1961, SGPWA is a State Water Contractor that serves a 225-square-mile area of western Riverside County. The service area includes the cities of Calimesa, Beaumont, and Banning, and the communities of Cherry Valley, Cabazon, and the Banning Bench. In addition to importing State Water Project (SWP) water from Northern California to augment local groundwater sources, the Agency builds local system infrastructure, participates in water transfers, partners in statewide water projects and collaborates on regional water reliability and conservation efforts.
MWDOC Announces Winners of the 2024 Water Awareness Poster Contest
The Municipal Water District of Orange County (MWDOC) is excited to announce the winners of the 2024 MWDOC Water Awareness Poster Contest, themed “Save Blue. Live Green.” This year, nearly 800 entries were received from students across Orange County.
Annually, the contest encourages young artists to highlight the importance of water through creative posters. Local water providers and educational partners support this effort, promoting discussions on good water stewardship among K-12 students. A total of 40 winners were chosen across four (4) grade bands—K-2, 3-5, 6-8, and 9-12. Additionally, 17 students received honorable mentions and were recognized with certificates and prizes.
In June, the top 40 student winners will be honored at an awards ceremony at Shipley Nature Center in Huntington Beach, complete with an art show, interactive learning stations, a scavenger hunt, and more. MWDOC will also submit five (5) top posters to The Metropolitan Water District of Southern California’s regional contest, where winners are featured in the annual “Water Is Life” calendar.
Congratulations to all our 2024 student winners for their outstanding artwork and commitment to promoting sustainable water use. We appreciate the efforts of our participating member agencies, teachers, and parents!
All winning entries are featured on the MWDOC website at www.mwdoc.com/postercontest.
ACWA Honors East Valley Water District for its Innovative Wastewater Treatment Facility
SACRAMENTO – The Association of California Water Agencies (ACWA) today presented the prestigious Clair A. Hill Water Agency Award for Excellence to East Valley Water District (EVWD) for its Sterling Natural Resource Center. The 20-acre state-of-the-art wastewater treatment and community facility integrates advanced wastewater treatment technologies, on-site renewable energy generation, new community green spaces and facility aesthetics that enhance the neighborhood. The center is capable of recycling up to 8 million gallons of wastewater per day to replenish the local groundwater basin that is at historically low levels. The center also converts up to 130,000 gallons per day of imported organic waste streams into 3 megawatts of renewable energy to power the facility. “The Sterling Natural Resource Center is a wonderful and necessary example of a local water agency using innovation and technology to not only ensure a groundwater supply for approximately 650,000 people but to also deliver tangible benefits to the community including a picnic area, walking paths and demonstration garden,” said ACWA President Cathy Green. ACWA’s Clair A. Hill Water Agency Award for Excellence is an annual award program that recognizes outstanding achievements by public water agencies. The winning agency has the honor of helping select a deserving student for a $5,000 scholarship sponsored by Jacobs in the name of Clair A. Hill, founder of Jacobs. The award was presented during ACWA’s 2024 Spring Conference and Expo in Sacramento where approximately 1,500 water industry professionals in California gathered for programs and panel discussions on a variety of key water issues. The other finalists for this year’s award were:- Eastern Municipal Water District for its Grants and Loans Program;
- Nevada Irrigation District for its Plan for Water; and
- Turlock Irrigation District for its Upper Dawson Hydroelectric Facility.
Four California College Students Awarded ACWA Scholarships
SACRAMENTO – The Association of California Water Agencies (ACWA) has awarded $21,000 in scholarships to four undergraduate students enrolled at universities where they are pursuing degrees in water-related fields of study. “ACWA and its partners are proud to continue to support and foster California’s next generation of water leaders through these scholarship programs,” said ACWA President Cathy Green. “The recipients this year are exceptional students and we look forward to following their educational and career achievements in the years ahead.” The students were recognized today during ACWA’s 2024 Spring Conference and Expo in Sacramento. The students and the 2024-’25 scholarship programs for which they were awarded are: ACWA Scholarship ($3,500)- Brayden Smith, an environmental studies student at San Jose State University
- Josephine Wrinkle, a marine biologist student at California State University, Monterey Bay
- Krisha Pedraza, an environmental studies student at California State University, San Marcos
- Emmie Fiel, a soon to be civil engineering student at Santa Clara University
Santa Margarita Water District Selects Robert Grantham as New General Manager
Rancho Santa Margarita – The Board of Directors of the Santa Margarita Water District (SMWD) is delighted to announce the appointment of Robert S. Grantham as its next General Manager. Grantham will begin in the role on June 17, 2024.
Grantham is a seasoned public servant and water leader, having most recently served as the General Manager of the Rancho California Water District. At Rancho, Grantham led efforts to define and adopt the District’s Strategic Plan, secured $60 million in grants and congressional authorizations to fund the District’s strategic water supply program, and formed the Western Riverside Water Alliance to plan for regional water supply and storage solutions, among many other accomplishments.
Grantham is no stranger to Santa Margarita, having served as its Assistant General Manager for four years, where he led the District’s finance, IT, and customer relations divisions. Grantham spent the earlier part of his career in management and financial consulting, with a focus on public utilities and other government agencies that provide essential services to the public across California and the U.S.
“Robb brings back to the District a knowledge and expertise that can be a cohesive force in South Orange County while continuing the District’s leadership in securing a sustainable supply of affordable, quality water and wastewater service, and becoming an influential voice in State and National water policies,” said Saundra Jacobs, President of Santa Margarita Water District.
High on Grantham’s list of priorities for SMWD are establishing a strategic direction and long-range trajectory for the District and the region, focusing the District into an organization that supports community and influences industry, and creates an environment that supports and rewards innovation.
“It is an honor to be selected to serve as the next general manager of the Santa Margarita Water District, to be given the opportunity to build on the foundation of excellence and innovation, which are both hallmarks of the organization. I am also excited to work on behalf of the board and in collaboration with my colleagues and friends within South Orange County, ” said Robert Grantham.
Grantham will lead the charge as the District continues to provide high-quality drinking water services and reliable recycled water and wastewater services to 200,000 residents in nine unique Orange County communities: the cities of Mission Viejo, Rancho Santa Margarita, San Juan Capistrano, and the communities of Coto de Caza, Las Flores, Ladera Ranch, Village of Sendero and Esencia, and Talega in San Clemente.
Grantham is a graduate of Franklin & Marshall College. His appointment to lead the Santa Margarita Water District comes after a comprehensive search and evaluation process. He succeeds Interim General Manager Donald H. Bunts, who has served Santa Margarita as Deputy General Manager and Chief Engineer.
Yuba Water Supports Infrastructure, Water Safety and Flood Risk Reduction Work
On May 7, Yuba Water Agency’s board of directors approved $912,000 in community impact grants to support water infrastructure improvements, water safety and continued flood risk reduction work in South Yuba County.
Water infrastructure and water safety
Yuba Water granted the Olivehurst Public Utility District $605,000 to support a sewer consolidation project that will help protect groundwater quality in South Yuba County by converting nearly 150 homes from septic to sewer. The funding is expected to help OPUD save more than $5 million in implementation and construction costs by combining water and sewer upgrades into a simultaneous effort rather than separate construction projects.
“It’s great to see OPUD leveraging funds from Yuba Water to improve efficiencies and help save millions down the line – that’s exactly how our grant program is designed to work,” said Gary Bradford, Yuba Water’s vice chairman.
The board also committed $15,000 to help open the OPUD swimming pool in Olivehurst this summer and encourage residents to swim safely in the community pool instead of the local rivers.
Flood risk reduction for areas south of the Yuba River
Two additional grants totaling $292,000 will support continued flood risk reduction work in Reclamation District 784, which primarily manages levees and pumps around Linda, Olivehurst and Plumas Lake. A $150,000 grant will help the district rebuild two drainage pumps in West Linda to accommodate drainage ahead of the next rainy season. A $142,000 grant will fund an erosion and risk analysis for a site along the south bank of the lower Yuba River near Marysville.
Agency’s dam safety engineer outlines plans to further enhance dam safety
The board also heard an update from Yuba Water Chief Dam Safety Engineer Tim Truong, who outlined several maintenance and dam safety projects planned in the years ahead. Yuba Water owns and operates New Bullards Bar, Log Cabin and Our House dams as part of the Yuba River Development Project, a multipurpose flood risk reduction, water supply, hydroelectric power generation, fish habitat and recreation project on the Yuba River. The agency also maintains Lake Francis Dam, which used to serve Colgate Powerhouse, but is now just a recreational reservoir.
In addition to weekly internal inspections, Yuba Water’s dams undergo comprehensive external reviews by the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission and the Department of Water Resources’ Division of Safety of Dams. In their most recent comprehensive listing of California’s major dams, the state rated all of Yuba Water dams as “satisfactory,” which is the highest rating issued by the state.
Learn more about Yuba Water’s missions and investments in Yuba County at yubawater.org.
WVWD Announces Winners of Mascot Naming Contest
RIALTO – West Valley Water District (WVWD) is proud to recognize two Rialto Unified School District students Riley Mays and Abigail Soto for their pivotal role in naming the District’s new water drop mascots, Creek the Conservationist and Halle H20.
The naming contest received over 200 entries from students who attend local elementary schools within WVWD’s service area. Among them, Riley and Abagail, both students at Fitzgerald Elementary in Rialto, stood out by submitting compelling opinion essays and backstory narratives for the mascots. The final selection of winners took place during a recent WVWD Board of Directors meeting.
“We extended our gratitude to the students who used their creativity to help bring our mascots to life,” said WVWD Board Director Kelvin Moore. “We believe these mascots will leave a lasting impact in our efforts to educate the community on being environmental stewards.”
The recognition ceremony was attended by Director Moore, Rialto Unified School Board President Edgar Montes, Fitzgerald Elementary administration, WVWD staff, students, parents, and a special visit from the newly named mascot, Creek. The two winners were a part of Ms. Budak’s 5th grade class, where the celebration took place. Over the years, Ms. Budak has been instrumental in engaging students in water-focused topics, including participation in the District’s Annual Poster Contest.
“I would like to thank West Valley Water District for giving my students the opportunity to participate in naming the mascots. Congratulations to Riley and Abigail.” said Ms. Budak. “I am very proud of both of my students. It was an amazing experience being able to meet Creek and other members from the water district. Thank you for visiting our classroom.”
The mascots are now ready to teach the community long-lasting water-saving habits. The next time you see Creek or Halle in the community, be sure to say hello!
# # #
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 over 100,000 customers and is overseen by a five-member, publicly elected Board of Directors.Tap Water Highlighted During Water Awareness Month Events
ACWA Presents Leadership Award to PCWA General Manager Andy Fecko
SACRAMENTO – The Association of California Water Agencies (ACWA) today presented its 2024 Excellence in Water Leadership Award to Placer County Water Agency (PCWA) General Manager Andy Fecko for his leadership and commitment to water resource issues, especially in reducing fuel load in our National Forest system lands.
At PCWA, Fecko manages several billion dollars of infrastructure that must be operational at all times, including during and after wildfires that have become more common and destructive in the past decade. In response to the devastating Kings Fire in 2014, Fecko led the region’s creation of the French Meadows Forest Restoration Project – a public/private forest health partnership. The project consists of 30,000 acres of ecological thinning within the Tahoe National Forest. This is a first-of-its-kind project that established the formula for success in California forest management, which is based on collaboration.
Fecko also serves on the Federal Wildland Fire Mitigation and Management Commission that delivered a comprehensive report to Congress with policy recommendations to address nearly every aspect of the wildfire crisis.
“Andy has demonstrated remarkable collaboration throughout his career that has resulted in these important wildland fire mitigation projects,” said ACWA President Cathy Green. “In addition, his depth of knowledge and experience with the federal and state environmental processes, stewardship agreements, and engagement with NGOs is unparalleled. His contributions demonstrate what can be done while setting an example for all of us to follow in adapting to our changing climate.”
The Excellence in Water Leadership Award, Building a World of Difference®, recognizes individuals who have made a remarkable and visible contribution to California water. The award, sponsored by Black & Veatch Corporation, was presented during ACWA’s 2024 Spring Conference & Expo in Sacramento where approximately 1,500 water industry professionals in California are attending programs and panel discussions on a variety of key water issues.
For more information about ACWA’s awards programs, please visit www.acwa.com/awards.