Association of California Water Agencies

980 9th Street, Suite 1000
Sacramento, CA 95814
(916) 441-4545
Contact Us

Washington, D.C. Office

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

Our Partners

Sacramento-Area Water Providers Launch Summer Strong Yard Contest

Did you ditch the thirsty lawn, add vibrant low-water native plants, or install water-wise drip irrigation? Is your yard ready to brave the Sacramento heat and still look fabulous?

Now’s your time to shine! Sacramento-area water providers are searching for stunning Summer Strong yards to feature in a regional advertising campaign in the summer of 2024.

Sponsored by the Regional Water Authority (RWA), the Summer Strong contest invites local residents to nominate their water-wise yard (or a neighbor’s) online at BeWaterSmart.info/SummerStrong for a chance to be featured on digital billboards throughout the Sacramento region in July-August. Entrants will be eligible to win gift cards from local nurseries.

“The contest is a fun way to showcase what others are doing to create beautiful, water-wise yards ready to take our summer heat,” said RWA Water Efficiency Program Manager Amy Talbot. “We’re looking for a variety of examples—from small-scale projects and do-it-yourself initiatives to larger landscapes and professional designs.”

The deadline to enter the contest is May 31, 2024, and eligible entrants must be customers of one of RWA’s member agencies.

The Summer Strong contest is part of the RWA’s ongoing outreach campaign aimed at encouraging residents to make their yards Summer Strong—tough enough to muscle through the Sacramento region’s hottest days and still look their best. Summer Strong practices include watering trees efficiently, adding low-water and native plants, checking soil moisture before turning on sprinklers, installing a WaterSense-labeled smart sprinkler timer, watering plants in the morning to reduce evaporation, and other practices.

Learn more about creating a Summer Strong yard and enter the contest today at BeWaterSmart.info/SummerStrong.

The Regional Water Authority (RWA) is a joint powers authority representing nearly two dozen water providers serving 2.2 million people in the greater Sacramento region. Formed in 2001, its primary mission is to help its members protect and enhance the reliability, availability, affordability and quality of water resources. Learn more at rwah2o.org.

April 2024 Priority Issues Update Now Available

The April 2024 Priority Issues Update is now available online to members.

The update is a summary of the latest developments on issues of interest to ACWA members. This issue contains information on the climate resilience bond, water use efficiency regulation, Proposition 218 legislation and more.

The new and previous Priority Issues Updates can be found here.

EPA Announces National Regulation for PFAS

The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency has announced a new national maximum contaminant level (MCL) of 4.0 parts per trillion (ppt) for PFOA and PFOS as individual contaminants and a standard of 10 ppt for three other chemicals — PFNA, PFHxs, and HFPO-DA (commonly referred to as GenXChemicals). In addition, EPA will utilize a hazard index to regulate mixtures of PFHxS, PFNA, HFPO-DC and PFBS.

This enforceable rule requires public water systems to monitor for these PFAS, notify the public of the levels of these PFAS and reduce the levels of these PFAS in drinking water if they exceed the MCL. Utilities will have five years to come into compliance with the rule.

ACWA previously supported EPA’s efforts to address PFAS contamination and protect public health through setting drinking water standards that are based on sound science and robust analysis. Unfortunately, the MCL is not feasible because the anticipated costs of complying are not adequately captured under EPA’s cost assessment.

In a separate effort, the California Office of Environmental Health and Hazard Assessment on April 5 adopted and published public health goals of 0.007 ppt for PFOA and 1.0 ppt for PFOS. A public health goal is a drinking water objective that does not pose a significant risk to health and is not an enforceable standard. The State Water Resources Control Board listed developing a PFAS MCL as a 2024 Drinking Water Priority.

DSRSD Adopts New Energy Policy to Enhance Sustainability and Efficiency

DUBLIN – On February 20, 2024, the Dublin San Ramon Services District (DSRSD) Board of Directors unanimously adopted a new Energy policy, marking a significant step forward in the District’s commitment to improving long-term energy efficiency, reliability, and environmental sustainability. The newly adopted policy was created following the preparation of the District’s Energy Facilities Master Plan, which includes a comprehensive assessment of DSRSD’s facilities, its use of energy, and its overall environmental impact, and a recommended portfolio of energy projects. Ann Marie Johnson, DSRSD Board President, expressed the Board’s support for the new policy, stating, “It’s nice to see the Energy policy come to fruition. Not only is adoption of this policy a major goal of the District’s Strategic Plan, but it also demonstrates DSRSD’s dedication to energy resiliency, conservation, and environmental stewardship.” DSRSD’s Energy policy includes eight policy statements designed to provide a flexible framework for enhancing energy system resilience and reliability, optimizing efficiency, increasing renewable energy production, and ensuring compliance with energy and greenhouse gas mandates. Additionally, the policy outlines three goals to be achieved by 2030 and 2045:
  1. By 2030, the District aims to utilize 100% of the biogas generated at its Regional Wastewater Treatment Facility.
  2. By 2045, DSRSD targets a 25% reduction in total electricity purchases compared to 2021 levels.
  3. By 2045, the District endeavors to slash greenhouse gas emissions by 50% compared to 2021 levels.
“For decades, DSRSD has been an industry leader in using biogas to power our wastewater treatment facilities, which keeps energy costs down for our ratepayers,” said Steve Delight, DSRSD Engineering and Technical Services Director. “This Energy policy helps the District take that leadership a step further.” The District will immediately begin work on three projects identified in the Energy Facilities Master Plan. These projects include the installation of solar facilities with battery storage and electric vehicle charging capabilities on District properties as well as enhancements to the wastewater treatment plant for improved energy reliability and resiliency. These initiatives not only contribute to energy savings but also support the adoption of zero-emission vehicles and bolster environmental sustainability efforts. DSRSD’s commitment to environmental stewardship extends beyond the Energy policy to include efforts to evaluate and pursue funding opportunities for energy-related initiatives, implement cost-effective operational practices, and promote sustainable fleet management practices. To view the Energy policy in its entirety, please visit the District website at www.dsrsd.com. About DSRSD Founded in 1953, Dublin San Ramon Services District serves 192,900 people, providing potable and recycled water service to Dublin and the Dougherty Valley area of San Ramon, wastewater collection and treatment to Dublin and south San Ramon, and wastewater treatment to Pleasanton (by contract). More information about DSRSD can be obtained at www.dsrsd.com.

EMWD Secures Congressional Funding for Area Water Supply Projects

PERRIS — Eastern Municipal Water District (EMWD) has secured federal funding for four major projects that will help provide greater water supply reliability to its service area in the coming years. The funding comes from earmarks established in the Fiscal Year 2024 Consolidated Appropriations Act, which was signed into law on March 9, 2024.
  • Congressman Ken Calvert (CA-41st) helped secure $2.3 million in funds for EMWD’s Water Booster Plant Improvements Project. The project will help make EMWD’s pumping facilities more resilient during public safety power outages by adding generators and block walls around remote booster facilities. This will help protect facilities against the threat of wildland fires and potential outages.
  • Congressman Mark Takano (CA-39th) secured $959,752 for EMWD’s Purified Water Replenishment (PWR) program. The funding will be used toward construction of key elements of the PWR treatment process. The PWR program will improve the quality and quantity of groundwater supplies through replenishment of purified recycled water into the basin. The project has previously received $27.5 million in federal funding.
  • Congressman Takano also secured $959,752 for Phase 2 of the Cactus II Feeder Project in Moreno Valley. The large-diameter pipeline will help convey water to the eastern side of Moreno Valley.
  • Congressman Darrell Issa (CA-48th) worked to provide $638,540 for the French Valley Recycled Water Gap Pipeline project. The project will help expand recycled water infrastructure through the growing French Valley community, reducing EMWD’s reliance on imported water supplies for irrigation needs of parks, schools and community landscaping.
EMWD has been among the most active agencies in the nation at securing federal, state and local grant funding opportunities. In the past 20 years, EMWD has secured more than $700 million in external funding for a wide range of water, wastewater and recycled water infrastructure programs to help bolster local water supplies while offsetting rates for EMWD customers. “EMWD is appreciative of the significant support we have received from our Congressional delegation to help bring our ratepayers tax dollars back into their communities to invest in water supply resiliency projects,” EMWD Board President Phil Paule said. “We thank our local members of Congress, and their staffs, for the relationships we have developed and look forward to completing these projects to help our region have a more sustainable water supply future.”
# # # Eastern Municipal Water District is the water, wastewater service and recycled water provider to nearly one million people living and working within a 601-square mile service area in western Riverside County and northern San Diego County. It is California’s sixth-largest retail water agency, and its mission is “To deliver value to our diverse customers and the communities we serve by providing safe, reliable, economical and environmentally sustainable water, wastewater and recycled water services.” More information can be found at www.emwd.org.

CVWD Celebrates $100 Million in Grants for Underserved Eastern Valley Communities

Coachella Valley Water District (CVWD) recognized $100 million in grant funding from county, state, and federal sources at a community celebration April 5 in Mecca. The grants will bring clean, affordable water and reliable sewer services to underserved Eastern Coachella Valley communities. The event marked nearly 10 years of efforts by CVWD’s Disadvantaged Communities Infrastructure Task Force to secure funding for projects to consolidate and connect thousands of Eastern Coachella Valley residents to CVWD’s domestic water and sewer systems. “These projects will change the region for generations to come,” said Cástulo Estrada, CVWD Board Vice President and a founding member of the Disadvantaged Communities Infrastructure Task Force. “By allowing access to safe, affordable drinking water and sewer services, the region will also see secondary benefits, such as creating opportunities for housing developments and increased economic activity. I’m extremely grateful to the District Board and staff for creating and working on these projects that will impact so many residents. This would not have been possible without collaboration with and funding from our partners at all levels of government.” In addition to Estrada, more speakers addressed the collaboration and progress made by local, state, and federal partners to ensure disadvantaged communities have access to safe drinking water and dependable sewer service:

CVWD has utilized a number of these funding partnerships to complete a series of projects in the Eastern Coachella Valley. Two projects connected just under 200 homes and Westside Elementary School in Thermal to CVWD’s domestic water system. Another consolidated and connected unincorporated areas of Riverside County and improved reliability for 7,600 residents. Two other projects connected a housing area and two mobile home parks to CVWD’s wastewater collection and treatment system. Additional projects target other areas of the Eastern Coachella Valley. The Avenue 66 Transmission Main/St. Anthony Mobile Home Park Consolidation will construct the critical backbone to connect three systems immediately and make possible 35 future mobile home park consolidations. The Valley View Domestic Water Mobile Home Park Consolidation will connect 13 mobile home parks. Grant funding sources include: The April 5 event also included a performance by Ballet Folklorico Sangre Obrera de Desert Mirage High School. Speaker Quotes:  “The drinking water consolidations and septic-to-sewer projects underway in the Eastern Coachella Valley illustrate how merging water and wastewater systems is the best strategy for bringing safe drinking water and reliable sanitation to California’s rural and disadvantaged communities,” said State Water Resources Control Board Chair E. Joaquin Esquivel. “We promote this strategy because, when it is broadened to a regional scale by water districts and supported by strong collaboration among funding partners, as in this case, California makes strides toward fulfilling the human right to water.” “Access to safe drinking water is a matter of public health urgency for our communities,” said Assemblymember Eduardo Garcia. “With the support of collective regional advocacy, we authored SB 200, establishing the Safe and Affordable Drinking Water Fund, which has helped us secure unprecedented investments to alleviate longstanding Eastern Coachella Valley water infrastructure disparities. This tremendous milestone reflects years of concerted regional efforts and a community-driven vision to deliver safe and reliable drinking water and sewer service to residents. We highly commend Coachella Valley Water District’s leadership and engagement with the Disadvantaged Communities Infrastructure Task Force, now being utilized as a model to develop community-driven water solutions across California.” “This is a major milestone for solving one of our biggest challenges, which is access to clean drinking water and sewer services,” said Riverside County Fourth District Supervisor V. Manuel Perez. “The lack of safe drinking water in many communities throughout the Eastern Coachella Valley has been a historical issue for a very long time. Families have struggled with this every single day. The funding that has been secured will go a long way to ensuring access to this basic human right and protecting the health and well-being of our residents. I have been proud to partner with the Coachella Valley Water District and of the significant funding we have been able to contribute, as well as helping put this roadmap for clean water together in our office with CVWD Director Cástulo Estrada, because this infrastructure is a priority. I commend the Coachella Valley Water District, its leadership, board members, and staff.” “Coachella Valley Water District is making a positive impact in the lives of residents and contributing to the overall well-being of the region,” said Congressman Raul Ruiz, M.D. “This investment enhances infrastructure and fosters greater social cohesion and economic development in the Coachella Valley. Such initiatives serve as shining examples of collaborative efforts involving grants from federal, state, and county partners to demonstrate the importance of multi-sectoral cooperation in addressing critical infrastructure challenges.” “EPA is a proud partner with local and state leaders working to improve drinking water and wastewater infrastructure for the communities of East Coachella Valley,” said EPA Pacific Southwest Regional Administrator Martha Guzman. “We all want water that is safe to drink and infrastructure that is reliable. Thanks to the collective efforts that we celebrate today, we are making progress on our ongoing commitment to support health and quality of life in historically underserved communities.” “Access to clean drinking water and reliable wastewater systems is essential for the well-being and future prosperity of all communities,” said California State Director for USDA Rural Development Maria Gallegos Herrera. “We are proud to partner with the Coachella Valley Water District to expand these services into colonias, rural, and Tribal communities. Thanks to CVWD’s leadership and investments through our Water and Environmental Programs, people living in historically underserved communities across the Eastern Coachella Valley will now have equitable access to the infrastructure, economic opportunities, and housing they deserve.” ### Coachella Valley Water District is a public agency governed by a five-member board of directors. The District provides domestic and irrigation water, agricultural drainage, wastewater treatment and reclamation services, regional stormwater protection, groundwater management and water conservation. It serves approximately 113,000 residential and business customers across 1,000 square miles, located primarily in Riverside County and in portions of Imperial and San Diego counties.  Media Contact: Victoria Llort, VLlort@cvwd.org, 398-2661, ext. 3564, or 442-400-2177

SCV Water Allocated $2.1 Million for S Wells PFAS Treatment and Disinfection Facilities Project

SANTA CLARITA – As part of the federal government’s Fiscal Year 2024 budget process, Congressman Mike Garcia has secured $2.1 million in funding to SCV Water for the Agency’s S Wells PFAS Treatment and Disinfection Facilities project. Congressman Garcia represents California’s 27th congressional district, which includes the Santa Clarita Valley, as well as portions of the San Fernando and Antelope Valleys. “This is a major win for the Santa Clarita Valley and its residents,” said Congressman Garcia. “These communities deserve reliable access to high-quality, affordable water, but multiple groundwater wells are currently offline because of contamination. The funding I was able to secure will help restore the local groundwater supply by treating that contamination. There is nothing more important than ensuring the health and safety of our people and communities, and I’m proud to have secured funding for a critical project that will do exactly that.” “SCV Water is grateful for Congressman Garcia’s effort in securing funding for this important project that will restore three groundwater wells to service,” said SCV Water General Manager Matt Stone. “This funding will help the Agency deliver on its mission to provide responsible water stewardship to ensure the Santa Clarita Valley has reliable supplies of high-quality water at a reasonable cost.” The S Wells PFAS Treatment and Disinfection Facilities project will construct a centralized Ion Exchange Treatment Facility to restore to service three groundwater wells that are currently offline due to per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) contamination. The project will allow the Agency to restore local groundwater supply and lessen its reliance on costly imported water. On March 9, 2024, President Joe Biden signed an array of bills passed by Congress to avoid a government shutdown. One such bill, the Department of the Interior, Environment, and Related Agencies Appropriations Act of 2024, includes $2.1 million to the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) for the S Wells project. During the process to craft the Interior-EPA Appropriations Act, which began in February 2023, SCV Water advocates in Washington, D.C., worked with Congressman Garcia to include the S Wells project as a congressionally directed spending item. In the signed Act, the funds are distributed to the EPA, which will then allocate the amount to SCV Water. ###
About SCV Water: The Santa Clarita Valley Water Agency (SCV Water) is a full-service regional water agency located in the Santa Clarita Valley. SCV Water provides water service to nearly 300,000 customers through approximately 75,000 business and residential connections. It was formed on January 1, 2018, when local water suppliers combined into one integrated, regional water provider. More information can be found at yourSCVwater.com.

Yuba Water Supports Emergency Repairs to Help North Yuba Water District

MARYSVILLE – Yuba Water Agency’s board of directors today approved an $865,410 grant for the North Yuba Water District to make emergency repairs on its water delivery system ahead of irrigation season. The work is expected to save about two cubic feet of water per second, which will help ensure all of the district’s customers receive their expected water deliveries this year.

“One of our core missions is water supply reliability, and I think this is a fine way to help advance that mission while supporting our local water district partners and foothill residents,” said Jon Messick, Yuba Water’s board chairman, who also represents Yuba County’s foothill communities as a county supervisor.

The emergency request was approved unanimously by the board and will help district staff make repairs in the coming weeks on five critical areas of a canal system that delivers water for residential and agricultural use in the Yuba County foothills. The funds will also support a study to identify additional actions needed to maintain the district’s water delivery infrastructure long-term.

North Yuba Water District is providing in-kind work by employees to complete the repairs and eventually increase total water savings to three cubic feet per second. The district also helped fund a previous study that identified and prioritized repairs in their service area.

This latest grant builds upon improvements already underway, including work funded by a prior grant from Yuba Water for $1.6 million to line 9,500 feet of irrigation canals and significantly reduce leaks and water loss in the district.

“This is a critical repair needed to safeguard water deliveries for about 110 of our current irrigation customers in Dobbins and Oregon House,” said Leona Harris, North Yuba Water District’s general manager. “Thanks to Yuba Water’s support, we’ve accomplished more as a district in the last year than in the last few decades. In the future, we plan to continue improvements to increase water savings and reliability even more for our customers.”

The board also approved a $5,000 sponsorship for the Bear Yuba Land Trust, which will support trails and other investments in preserving and protecting the Yuba River watershed.

Learn more about Yuba Water’s missions and investments in Yuba County at yubawater.org.

April Snow Survey Shows Above Average Snowpack 

SACRAMENTO – The Department of Water Resources (DWR) today conducted the all-important April snow survey, the fourth measurement of the season at Phillips Station. The manual survey recorded 64 inches of snow depth and a snow water equivalent of 27.5 inches, which is 113 percent of average for this location. The snow water equivalent measures the amount of water contained in the snowpack and is a key component of DWR’s water supply forecast. The April measurement is critical for water managers as it’s considered the peak snowpack for the season and marks the transition to spring snowmelt into the state’s rivers and reservoirs.

DWR’s electronic readings from 130 stations placed throughout the state indicate that the statewide snowpack’s snow water equivalent is 28.6 inches, or 110 percent of the April 1 average, a significant improvement from just 28 percent of average on January 1.

The focus now shifts to forecasting spring snowmelt runoff and capturing as much of that water as possible for future use.

“It’s great news that the snowpack was able to catch up in March from a dry start this year. This water year shows once again how our climate is shifting, and how we can swing from dry to wet conditions within a season,” said DWR Director Karla Nemeth. “These swings make it crucial to maintain conservation while managing the runoff. Variable climate conditions could result in less water runoff into our reservoirs. 100 percent snowpack does not mean 100 percent runoff. Capturing and storing what we can in wetter years for drier times remains a key priority.”

California’s reservoirs remain in good shape thanks to state efforts to capture and store as much water as possible from record storms in 2023 and again this season. The State Water Project has increased storage by 700,000 acre-feet at Lake Oroville and by 154,000 acre-feet at San Luis Reservoir since January 1. Statewide, reservoir levels currently stand at 116 percent of average.

However, there are challenges ahead as the spring runoff begins. The dry start to the year, soot and ash from burn scars that accelerates snowmelt, and other factors may result in below average spring runoff which can impact water availability.

Recently, the State Water Project increased its forecasted allocation of water supplies for the year to 30 percent, up from an initial 10 percent, due to the storms in February and March. However, uncertainty about the spring runoff and ongoing pumping restrictions to protect threatened and endangered species in the Delta has impacted that allocation forecast.

“California has had two years of relatively positive water conditions, but that is no reason to let our guard down now,” said Dr. Michael Anderson, State Climatologist with DWR. “With three record-setting multi-year droughts in the last 15 years and warmer temperatures, a well above average snowpack is needed to reach average runoff. The wild swings from dry to wet that make up today’s water years make it important to maintain conservation while managing the runoff we do receive. Our water years moving forward will see more extreme dry times interrupted by very wet periods like we saw this winter.”

That need to adapt to a changing climate is why Governor Gavin Newsom joined today’s snow survey at Phillips Station to announce the release of the California Water Plan Update 2023. The Water Plan Update sets forth a vision for all Californians to benefit from water resources that are sustainable, resilient to climate change and achieves equity for all communities and benefits the environment. Check out the Water Plan Update to learn more about how the plan focuses on key issues including addressing climate urgency, strengthening watershed resilience, and achieving equity in water management.

As part of the state’s climate adaptation efforts, over the past two years, California has worked with local groundwater agencies and state and federal partners to capture as much water as possible to prepare for the next drought. In 2023, more than 1.2 million acre-feet of groundwater recharge was permitted by state agencies, with nearly 400,000 acre-feet of flood water recharged using the Executive Orders issued by Governor Newsom.

On average, the Sierra snowpack supplies about 30 percent of California’s water needs. Its natural ability to store water is why the Sierra snowpack is often referred to as California’s “frozen reservoir.” Data from these snow surveys and forecasts produced by DWR’s Snow Surveys and Water Supply Forecasting Unit are important factors in determining how DWR provides water to 27 million Californians and manages the state’s water resources.

DWR conducts five snow surveys at Phillips Station each winter near the first of each month, January through April and, if necessary, May.

For California’s current hydrological conditions, visit https://cww.water.ca.gov.

Mojave Water Agency to Host Second Annual Conservation Fair

VICTORVILLE – Mojave Water Agency (MWA) will host its second annual Spring Conservation Fair on April 13 at the SBC Fairgrounds in Victorville.

This event, which is co-hosted by the Alliance for Water Awareness and Conservation (AWAC), is designed to educate, and inspire the community to adopt sustainable practices in water, energy, and gas conservation. With more than 20 exhibitors confirmed, attendees can expect a wide array of demonstrations and informational stations aimed at promoting responsible resource management.

“This event underscores our commitment to fostering a culture of conservation within our community,” said Liz Fratt, Conservation Specialist at Mojave Water Agency. “By bringing together experts, educators, and stakeholders, we aim to empower individuals with the knowledge and tools needed to make a positive impact on our environment.”

The fair will also feature interactive areas tailored for children, providing hands-on learning experiences that promote environmental stewardship from a young age. Radio Station Y102 will broadcast live from the event from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m., adding to the festive atmosphere. Attendees can also look forward to food vendors offering delicious refreshments throughout the day.

“We believe that education is key to driving meaningful change,” said Fratt. “By offering engaging activities for children and adults alike, we hope to inspire everyone to take proactive steps towards conserving our precious natural resources.”

Admission to the Spring Conservation Fair is free, making it accessible to all members of the community. Whether you’re interested in learning about the latest conservation technologies, exploring interactive exhibits, or simply enjoying a day of family-friendly learning, there’s something for everyone at this year’s event. Don’t miss out on this unique opportunity to learn, connect, and contribute to a more sustainable future.

The SBC Fair is located at 14800 7th Street in Victorville. For more information, contact Liz Fratt at efratt@mojavewater.org or visit www.MojaveWater.org.

 

###