Much-Needed Water Improvements Coming to Nearby Disadvantaged Communities
BEAUMONT – Through its successful gap funding program, San Gorgonio Pass Water Agency (SGPWA) supports South Mesa Water Company (SMWC) as the small water agency implements a $10.2 million grant from the State Water Resources Control Board. The SGPWA Board of Directors approved a plan at its March 4, 2024 meeting to bridge a funding gap that brings critical infrastructure improvements to the cities of Calimesa and Yucaipa. This plan serves the area with imported water for the first time. Through a Proposition 68 grant and SGPWA’s gap funding assistance, SMWC will replace approximately 50,229 linear feet of water distribution pipelines and accessories — such as valves, vents and manhole covers — that are undersized and have exceeded their useful life. SMWC will also consolidate the Hillcrest Mobile Estates into its service area. SMWC’s service area has been identified as a severely disadvantaged community with a median household income of $34,299, and the pipelines are crucial to ensuring dependable water service for local homes and businesses. “Everyone deserves equitable access to clean, reliable water,” said SGPWA Board President Mickey Valdivia. “We are extremely proud to partner with SMWC to ensure our region’s growing water needs are met. We are grateful for the opportunity to help bring water to an area that needs it, and sustainably support the groundwater resources in our community.” Completing this project is integral to the County Line Road Project, a joint effort between SGPWA, SMWC, and the San Bernardino Valley Municipal Water District (SBVMWD). This collaborative effort will facilitate the movement of State Water Project (SWP) water to a future recharge facility on 4th Street. SMWC’s service area will access imported water for the first time through the County Line Road Project. The County Line Road Project will enable the recharge of up to 1,500 acre-feet of SWP water in the Calimesa area for the Yucaipa Sustainable Groundwater Management Agency. This replenishment water is enough to serve 4,500 households, or about 18,000 people, a year. All Yucaipa Sustainable Groundwater Management Agency members — including SGPWA, SMWC, and SBVMWD — can import and store water through the pipelines. “We support water retailers like SMWC to benefit the region,” said SGPWA General Manager Lance Eckhart. “The communities of Calimesa and Yucaipa gain access to safe water from an agency with long-term and sustainable operations. In turn, economic development in the region is enhanced and local partnerships are strengthened.” SGPWA has been mitigating grant funding risks since 2022 when the SGPWA Board of Directors launched the gap funding program to assist Cabazon Water District in a local infrastructure project. Gap funding allows small water systems to fully utilize state funding when they lack financial reserves to handle the up-front costs of accepting a grant, such as contractor bills. The stall between paying a contractor and reimbursement from a grant provider can be more than six months, which can hinder progress on vital projects. SGPWA is considering extending its gap funding assistance to multiple water retailers in the region, including Banning Heights Mutual Water Company and High Valleys Water District. Through this collaboration and aid, SGPWA protects and enhances local water supplies for generations to come. 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.MSWD Announces New Strategic Plan and Appointment AGM
Mission Springs Water District is proud to unveil its new strategic plan, which outlines a comprehensive roadmap for enhancing operations and service delivery across seven key areas: Customer Communications, Water Supply, System Reliability, Financial Management, Technology and Processes, Environmental Sustainability, and Workforce Excellence.
The new strategic plan represents MSWD’s commitment to meeting the evolving needs of its community and ensuring the long-term sustainability of water resources. By focusing on these seven critical areas, MSWD aims to deliver enhanced services, improve efficiency, and promote environmental stewardship.
“Today marks an important milestone for MSWD as we launch our new strategic plan,” said Board President Ivan Sewell. “This plan reflects our dedication to providing exceptional water services while addressing the challenges and opportunities facing our District. We believe that by prioritizing customer communications, investing in infrastructure, and fostering a culture of excellence, we can better serve our community and build a sustainable future.”
Supporting its strategic plan, MSWD General Manager Brian Macy announced the appointment of Marion Champion as the District’s new Assistant General Manager. Champion will play a critical role in helping to oversee the execution of the strategic plan and driving initiatives to advance MSWD’s goals.
“Marion’s experience and dedication to excellence align perfectly with our strategic goals, and I look forward to working together to achieve the Board’s vision for MSWD’s future,” said Macy. “Her expertise and passion for water conservation, communication, and community engagement make her a valuable part of our leadership team.”
Macy recently vacated the assistant general manager role and assumed the general manager position in August. This new appointment underscores MSWD’s commitment to leadership development and promoting internal talent.
“I am honored to expand my role as we work to implement the District’s new strategic plan,” said Champion. “I look forward to working alongside the board, staff, and our community to advance our goals as we will build a stronger, more resilient water district for future generations.”
For more information about MSWD and its new strategic plan, please visit www.mswd.org
Forecasted SWP Allocation Doubles
SACRAMENTO – The Department of Water Resources (DWR) today announced a second increase in the State Water Project (SWP) allocation forecast for 2024. The forecasted allocation is now 30 percent of requested supplies, up from the 15 percent allocation update announced last month. The State Water Project is a critical water source for 29 public water agencies that serve 27 million Californians.
The revised allocation forecast is based on snow survey measurements and data up until March 1 and spring runoff forecasts outlined in the latest Bulletin 120, which was released on March 8. The next possible allocation update would come after the next round of snow surveys around April 1. Currently, the statewide snowpack is 98 percent of average for this date.
The State Water Project has been focused on maximizing the capture and storage of water from this winter’s storms. Storage has increased by 630,000 acre-feet at Lake Oroville and by 150,000 acre-feet at San Luis Reservoir since January 1. The ability to move water south through the system has been significantly impacted by the presence of threatened and endangered fish species near the State Water Project pumping facility in the south Delta. The presence of these fish species has triggered requirements within the State and federal permits for the operation of the State Water Project and the federal Central Valley Project that have significantly reduced pumping from the Delta. This reduction in pumping has limited the ability to move water into San Luis Reservoir.
“DWR continues to take proactive measures and use the best available science to operate our water storage and delivery system to balance water supply needs while protecting native fish species,” said DWR Director Karla Nemeth. “As we experience more extreme weather conditions, each year brings its own challenges and that’s why it’s so critical to continue to adapt our water system to build climate resilience.”
DWR’s efforts to adapt to a changing climate include the advancement of the Delta Conveyance Project, which would construct new infrastructure that will make it possible to move more water during high flow events while helping fish species like Steelhead trout avoid threats posed by current pumping infrastructure.
Additionally, DWR and its state, federal, and local partners continue to invest in groundwater recharge projects, surface water storage like Sites Reservoir, and the expansion of desalination and stormwater capture.
California’s reservoirs remain in good shape thanks to last year’s strong winter storms. Statewide, reservoirs are at 115 percent of average for this time of year, with Lake Oroville, the State Water Project’s largest reservoir, at 125 percent of average and 86 percent of capacity.
The updated State Water Project allocation forecast announced today anticipates delivery of 30 percent of requested supplies to contractors south of the Delta, which accounts for the majority of contractors; 50 percent of requested supplies to contractors north of the Delta; and an anticipated 100 percent allocation to Feather River Settlement Contractors.
Allocations are updated monthly as snowpack, rainfall, and runoff information is assessed, with a final allocation typically determined in May or June following the April Snow Survey. The next possible allocation update would be in April.
Legislation to Ease Water Conservation Mandates Gains Regional Support
In a significant move aimed at alleviating the financial strain on water suppliers and households, Walnut Valley Water District (WVWD), Rowland Water District (RWD), and Bellflower-Somerset Mutual Water Company have come together to co-sponsor a landmark bill, SB 1330, introduced by Senator Bob Archuleta (D-Pico Rivera).
This common-sense legislation, designed to address concerns raised by water suppliers across the state, seeks to provide relief from the costly burdens associated with complying with water conservation mandates. With water bills on the rise and concerns about meeting regulatory requirements mounting, the co-sponsored bill aims to offer a lifeline to Californians grappling with increasing costs and environmental challenges.
“My goals for SB 1330 are simple: to provide flexibility for water suppliers, reduce costs, and ultimately, make water conservation achievable for all Californians,” Senator Archuleta emphasized. “In a state known for its high cost of living, ensuring affordable access to water is not just a necessity, but a responsibility.”
The proposed legislation, SB 1330, introduces practical measures such as extending compliance timelines and simplifying administrative processes for water suppliers. By offering more flexibility and reducing administrative burdens, the bill aims to make it easier for water agencies to meet conservation goals without placing undue strain directly on local households and businesses.
“Having appropriate representation in government is crucial to ensuring that the voices of those on the ground, who work tirelessly to implement water conservation efforts and ensure affordable access to water, are not forgotten. Senator Archuleta’s bill is a testament to the importance of listening to the needs of communities and working collaboratively to address challenges facing water suppliers and residents alike.” – Sheryl Shaw, General Manager, Walnut Valley Water District
With support from local water agencies and communities, Senator Archuleta’s bill represents a collaborative effort to address pressing water challenges facing California. By championing regional support and practical solutions, the co-sponsored legislation aims to pave the way for a more sustainable water future for all Californians.
“We recognize the importance of making conservation a way of life in California, but not at the expense of our customers’ needs,” stated Tom Coleman, General Manager of Rowland Water District. “By supporting Senator Archuleta’s bill, we are advocating for a balanced approach that ensures affordable access to water while promoting responsible conservation practices.”
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Senator Bob Archuleta
Senator Bob Archuleta currently represents the 30th Senate District, which includes portions of Los Angeles County and Orange County. He is the Chair of the Senate Committee on Military and Veterans Affairs, and a member of the Business, Professions and Economic Development Committee, Government Organization Committee, Transportation Committee, as well as the Joint Legislative Committee on Emergency Management. Website of Senator Bob Archuleta: https://sd30.senate.ca.gov/
About Walnut Valley Water District
Walnut Valley Water District was formed in 1952, and after seven decades of service to the community, the District operates and maintains a drinking water and recycled water system serving a population of nearly 100,000 residents. The WVWD team is comprised of water professionals dedicated to meeting the water supply needs of the communities it serves (Diamond Bar, Walnut, Rowland Heights, Pomona, Industry, and West Covina). WVWD is committed to leading with integrity and does so through excellence in customer service, communication, accountability, reliability, efficiency, and quality.
Rowland Water District (RWD) is dedicated to providing reliable, high-quality water services to customers in Rowland Heights, California, and surrounding areas. Committed to promoting conservation and environmental stewardship, RWD strives to meet the needs of its customers while ensuring the sustainability of water resources.
About Bellflower-Somerset Mutual Water Company
Bellflower-Somerset Mutual Water Company is a non-profit mutual water company serving customers in Bellflower, Paramount, Lakewood, and surrounding areas in California. Committed to providing high-quality water and excellent customer service at reasonable rates, the company is dedicated to meeting the needs of its customers while promoting water conservation and sustainability.
Planning Grant Awarded to NID and Tahoe National Forest for Management Project
GRASS VALLEY – The Nevada Irrigation District (NID), in partnership with the USDA Forest Service, Tahoe National Forest, has received a planning grant to complete environmental surveys and compliance for a forest management project to return the Middle Yuba headwaters region to a healthier state.
The project will complete the surveys and assessments that are needed to begin forest restoration and fuels reduction work on up to 3,000 acres in the Middle Yuba headwaters, which are an important source of water for NID’s water system. The project area is located on Washoe tribal homelands near Jackson Meadows and Milton reservoirs on the Tahoe National Forest in Nevada and Sierra counties.
The Sierra Nevada Conservancy (SNC) has awarded $386,100 to complete work considering potential environmental effects of the project, as part of the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA). Once the necessary environmental compliance and forestry/fuels planning is complete, work can begin in the forest to increase resiliency of the forest.
The total cost is $556,100 with in-kind match to be provided by the Tahoe National Forest, Nevada Irrigation District, and Wildfires.org.
Specifically, the forest management actions aim to improve forest health, wildfire resilience, key terrestrial and aquatic habitats, public safety and protect critical water system infrastructure. This will protect reservoir water quality and capacity, unique montane meadow environments and other wildlife habitats in the Sierra Nevada, and popular recreational sites like the Pacific Crest Trail, campgrounds and publicly accessible roads.
“We are so pleased to undertake a partnership like this with TNF to advance our efforts to work at a landscape scale,” said Neysa King, NID Environmental Resources Administrator. “This grant represents a huge step forward. It is a first for us to work at this scale, and we are focusing on national forest lands as they compose the vast majority of the headwaters for California, and definitely for the District.”
The project will leverage ongoing planning work by Tahoe National Forest to improve forest health within the Middle Yuba River watershed and will advance implementation of a priority project for the east side of the forest.
“Tahoe National Forest is thrilled to collaborate with partners passionate about returning the forest to a more resilient state,” said Tahoe National Forest Sierraville District Ranger Rachel Hutchinson. “Our forest is overgrown and dying. Fuels reduction work is crucial to reduce the threat of catastrophic wildfire and foster forest and watershed health.”
The grant announcement was made during SNC’s quarterly Board Meeting Thursday, March 7, in Sacramento. At the meeting, SNC Board of Directors awarded more than $27.5 million to 16 different projects for the planning and implementation of forest-health projects that promote wildfire recovery and forest resilience.
The meeting also celebrated SNC’s 20th anniversary: “We are so honored to work with the SNC. They have become a driver in the efforts to address the needs of the Sierra Nevada-Cascade Region, the communities that are within it, the State’s headwaters – 75 percent of the water comes from this region — countless species and habitats, forests and carbon sequestration, and the millions of visitors that come here,” King said.
EMWD Upgraded to AAA Credit Rating
PERRIS — Eastern Municipal Water District (EMWD)’s commitment to financial excellence has been recognized when it received another AAA credit rating this week by one of the major rating agencies.
S&P Global Ratings (S&P), one of the three major rating agencies, raised EMWD’s long-term rating on water and wastewater revenue bonds to AAA from AA+. S&P also assigned its AAA/A-1 rating to EMWD’s Series 2024A refunding water and wastewater revenue bonds.
“The rating is underpinned by the district’s exceptionally strong financial profile, consistent track record of conservative budgeting and financial management, as well as its prudent approach to mitigating the short- and long-term credit risks associated with climate variability and water shortages,” S&P wrote.
By having exceptional credit ratings, EMWD is able to secure lower-cost financing for infrastructure investments, resulting in lower costs passed along to its customers.
EMWD is able to consistently secure high credit ratings because of its diverse water supply portfolio, its allocation-based rate structure, its diversified revenue sources, and its sound financial practices that include an appropriate amount of reserves and debt ratios.
EMWD is also among the national leaders in securing external funding, having received more than $700 million in grants in the past two decades. This helps further reduce financial impacts to current and future customers.
“Our Board is committed to sound financial practices that benefit our customers,” EMWD Board President Phil Paule said. “We are incredibly proud of being a AAA rated agency and in maintaining EMWD as an industry leader in government finance.”
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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.
EMWD Receives National Honor for Recycled Water Outreach Program
- Briefings with elected officials to advocate for the advancement of funding opportunities and sound policy decisions that further expand the use of recycled water;
- Incorporating information about recycled water into EMWD’s classroom education programs so its future customers have a more comprehensive understanding of the use and benefits of recycled water; and
- Programs designed to educate the public about recycled water use, including community signage and information available in its newsletters and other public-facing materials.
ACWA Members Urged to Contact Representatives to Extend NPDES Permit Term Lengths
ACWA is urging member agencies to contact their representatives in the U.S. House of Representatives in time for a March 21 floor vote to help build support for the bipartisan Garamendi-Graves amendment to H.R. 7023 (Creating Confidence in Clean Water Permitting Act).
ACWA distributed an Outreach Alert March 20 with additional information. The Outreach Alert is available under Member Notifications at www.acwa.com. Member login is required.
The Garamendi-Graves amendment would give the Environmental Protection Agency the discretion to extend the National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System (NPDES) permit terms from five years to 10 years. NPDES permits are necessary for many water infrastructure projects, including water recycling projects.
State Water Board Holds Workshop on Revised Draft Regulation for Water Use Efficiency
SACRAMENTO – The State Water Resources Control Board today held a workshop on the revised draft regulation for Making Conservation a California Way of Life. The State Water Board is expected to adopt the regulation this summer.
Under the “Proposed Text of the Regulation,” urban retail water suppliers would be required to meet an agency specific urban water use objective, comply with annual reporting requirements and implement commercial, industrial and institutional performance measures. More information on the draft regulation is available in a Fact Sheet.
ACWA staff and several member agencies provided public comments during the workshop.
“We support many of the changes that were made to the proposed regulation to address the water suppliers’ concerns around feasibility, cost and flexibility in the previous version,” said ACWA Regulatory Relations Manager Chelsea Haines. “We are really strongly in support of the changes that were made to the timelines…in a way that enables Californians to responsibly and cost effectively make these changes.”
ACWA remains committed to working productively with the State Water Board and other interested parties to finalize this regulation so that water suppliers can continue to advance the goals of Making Conservation a California Way of Life.
The State Water Board is accepting written comments on the draft regulation through March 27 and ACWA recently distributed an Outreach Alert urging members to join ACWA’s coalition letter or submit separate comments by the deadline. The Outreach Alert, with instructions for joining ACWA’s coalition letter, is available to members online.
Funding Secured for Rancho Water Infrastructure Projects
TEMECULA— With the recent release of the first package of the Fiscal Year 2024 appropriations bills, the Rancho California Water District (Rancho Water/District) is grateful for the support from our Congressional and Senate representatives for the $1 million in new funding. This funding will support vital water infrastructure projects in the Temecula and Murrieta Valley and will support water resilience for our agricultural and urban customers. Rancho Water is pleased to receive this funding which was secured with bi-partisan support from Congressman Darrell Issa (R-CA) and United States Senator Alex Padilla (D-CA).
The appropriations bills invest in a range of important programs which favor innovative solutions, safer communities, and critical investments in infrastructure, economic growth, and research. The funding for Rancho Water will support the District’s Upper Valle de Los Caballos Groundwater Recharge and Recovery Expansion Program (Groundwater Banking Program). As a first phase, this project will expand Rancho Water’s groundwater storage to nearly 60,000 acre-feet which will support opportunities for regional investment in long-term water supply storage.
“Rancho Water is grateful to have the support of Senator Padilla and Congressman Issa for the District’s water infrastructure projects which will help advance Rancho Water’s mission,” said Rancho Water Board President John Rossi. “These projects are important to reducing our reliance on imported water, which is an essential part of Rancho Water’s continued commitment to serving the community in a fiscally-responsible manner with dependable infrastructure and innovative solutions for water resiliency.”
The District received $11 million in grants over the past year for the Groundwater Banking Program and continues to pursue outside funding and grants which will reduce the cost of the project for Rancho Water’s customers. For more information about Rancho Water projects and programs, visit RanchoWater.com.