Association of California Water Agencies

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March 2024 Priority Issues Update Now Available

The March 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.

State Water Board Releases Revised Draft Regulation for Water Use Efficiency

The State Water Resources Control Board on March 12 released a revised draft regulation for Making Conservation a California Way of Life. The revised text includes significant changes to address ACWA and water suppliers’ concerns.

The revised draft regulation outlines unique water use efficiency goals for each urban retail water supplier, including urban water use efficiency standards, variances, an urban water use objective, and commercial, industrial, and institutional (CII) measures.

“ACWA appreciates the work of the State Water Board over the past several months to understand the concerns of the water community. While ACWA staff continues to review the details of the revised draft regulation, it appears to address our primary concerns and is moving in the right direction toward a regulation that is feasible, cost-effective and avoids unintended impacts, while establishing an ambitious framework for advancing long-term water use efficiency in California,” ACWA Regulatory Relations Manager Chelsea Haines said.

The State Water Board will hold a public workshop on March 20 and will be accepting written comments on the draft regulation through March 27.  ACWA plans to attend the workshop and submit written comments.

More information is available in an Advisory that was distributed March 12. Member login is required.

Soquel Creek Water District General Manager Announces Retirement

After an exceptional 20 years of dedicated service to Soquel Creek Water District, with nearly nine years as the agency’s General Manager, Ron Duncan announced his intention to retire this fall. Duncan’s last day will be on September 30.

Soquel Creek Water District Board President Dr. Bruce Jaffe expressed gratitude for Duncan’s many contributions, to the District and its customers, stating, “Ron has been instrumental in shaping the District’s success, and we wish him a well-deserved retirement. His professionalism, leadership, and tremendous abilities have empowered the District, enabled us to meet the water supply challenges of today and the future, and brought us great respect within the water industry.” Duncan is a registered CA geologist with three masters degrees in hydrology, business administration, and positive leadership and strategy. Prior to the District, he worked at Woodward-Clyde Consultants and for the Santa Cruz Port District. Duncan first joined the District in 2003 as the Water Conservation Coordinator. He was then quickly promoted to the Conservation Manager and was pivotal in developing a robust and innovative water community conservation program that resulted in some of the lowest water use levels in the state. In February 2016, he was appointed as General Manager and under his leadership and with support from the Board, Duncan took on the challenge of addressing the critical overdraft conditions of the local mid-county groundwater basin.  His efforts and leadership enabled the development of Pure Water Soquel, the District’s innovative water reuse project to provide a supplemental water supply, replenish the groundwater basin, and prevent seawater contamination of the sole source of water for the District’s customers. Through Duncan’s collaborative partnerships, deep technical knowledge, and a great deal of sheer perseverance, he has become a leader among local and state water providers and has garnered nearly $100 million of federal and state grant funding for Pure Water Soquel, which is currently under construction and anticipated to be operational later this year. He also serves on the American Water Works Association Water Utility Council and on the WateReuse California Board of Trustees. In his letter to the Board, announcing his impending retirement, Duncan expressed, “This has been my dream job. I believe the organization will continue on its journey of being an exceptional and distinguished agency as it implements Pure Water Soquel and broadens its efforts to help the entire Santa Cruz region.”  About Soquel Creek Water District:   The Soquel Creek Water District is a not-for-profit local government agency that provides water resource management within its service area to deliver a safe and reliable supply of high-quality water to meet present and future needs in an environmentally sensitive and economically responsible way. 

San Juan Water District Receives EPA Grant for Infrastructure Needs

GRANITE BAY – The San Juan Water District (SJWD) today announced it has secured $1,250,000 in funding from the Environmental Protection Agency’s (EPA) State and Tribal Assistance Grants (STAG) account for the Kokila Reservoir Replacement Project. Congressman Kevin Kiley, Representative for California’s 3rd Congressional District, sponsored the funding.

The Kokila Reservoir Replacement Project aims to address critical infrastructure needs by replacing the aging Kokila Reservoir, a 4.56-million-gallon earthen reservoir lined and covered with Hypalon, which serves as the primary treated water and pressure regulating reservoir for SJWD’s retail service area. Originally installed in 1984, the cover and liner have exceeded their typical 25-year lifespan due to diligent maintenance efforts. However, the reservoir now requires replacement with a new partially buried prestressed concrete tank to ensure continued reliability and safety of drinking water delivery.

This essential project will benefit approximately 330,000 residents in Placer and Sacramento counties by safeguarding public health and safety and maintaining reliable drinking water distribution. The Kokila Reservoir plays a vital role in the distribution of surface water supplies and groundwater from banked supplies within SJWD’s service area and the greater Sacramento region.

“We wish to acknowledge Representative Kevin Kiley for his role in securing federal support for this project,” said SJWD Board Chair Manuel Zamorano. “His focus on addressing the needs of our region ensures the safety and reliability of drinking water for residents in Placer and Sacramento counties.”

The Kokila Reservoir Replacement Project represents a significant step towards modernizing infrastructure and ensuring the resilience of water distribution systems in the region. With the support of the San Juan Water District and the allocated funding from the EPA, this project will contribute to the long-term sustainability and prosperity of the communities it serves.

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San Juan Water District provides reliable, high-quality water service to approximately 265,000 retail and wholesale customers in eastern Sacramento and southern Placer counties. In addition to serving its own retail customers, San Juan delivers wholesale water supplies to Citrus Heights and Fair Oaks water districts, Orange Vale Water Company, the City of Folsom (for customers north of the American River) and, periodically, to Sacramento Suburban Water District.

ACWA Comments on State Water Board’s Revised Draft Water Use Efficiency Regulation

SACRAMENTO – The Association of California Water Agencies (ACWA) released the following statement today from Regulatory Relations Manager Chelsea Haines regarding the State Water Resources Control Board’s revised draft regulation for Making Conservation a California Way of Life, which outlines water use efficiency goals for urban retail water suppliers.

“ACWA appreciates the work of the State Water Board over the past several months to understand the concerns of the water community. While ACWA staff continues to review the details of the revised draft regulation, it appears to address our primary concerns and is moving in the right direction toward a regulation that is feasible, cost-effective and avoids unintended impacts, while establishing an ambitious framework for advancing long-term water use efficiency in California.

“The revised draft regulation now provides the appropriate flexibility in how urban water suppliers across the state can continue working with their customers to build on existing efforts to further advance long-term water use efficiency.

“ACWA and its members recognize water use efficiency as an important tool to help address the impacts of climate change and look forward to continued collaboration with the state and other partners to build our resilient water future.”

 

Zone 7 Water Awarded Federal Grant to Help Fund PFAS Treatment at Chain of Lakes Wells

LIVERMORE – Zone 7 is celebrating Groundwater Awareness Week with a $957,752 federal grant award to help fund the Chain of Lakes (COL) PFAS Treatment Facility, a project that will add Ion Exchange (IX) treatment to the existing facility to remove Per- and Polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) from the well’s groundwater supply. Zone 7 has worked actively with Congressman Eric Swalwell and Congressman Mark DeSaulnier to ensure the safety and continued reliability of the Tri-Valley’s groundwater via the grant funding that will support the construction of the Agency’s second PFAs Treatment Facility. On March 8, the U.S. House of Representatives passed the Consolidated Appropriations Act 2024 (H.R. 4366), a portion of which secured funding for several environmental projects in the Bay Area, including partial funding for the COL PFAS Treatment Facility.

“Despite the recent rain, California remains vulnerable to drought and our water supply needs to be protected. I am proud to be able to leverage federal resources to augment the work that our communities have been doing for years,” said Congressman Swalwell. “The Chain of Lakes PFAS Treatment Facility is the stage of a committed effort to provide a safe and reliable water supply for the Tri-Valley.”

PFAS are synthetic chemicals used in manufacturing a variety of consumer products such as packaging, non-stick surfaces, and fire-fighting foams. PFAS have been found in air, soil and water around the world, and though water agencies did not create the problem, they are tasked with finding solutions to remove PFAS from affected water sources. IX treatment is a highly effective technology in removing PFAS from water. Construction of the Chain of Lakes facility is expected to be complete in summer 2024.

In 2023, Zone 7 Water Agency received a $16 million grant from the California Department of Water Resources’ (DWR) Sustainable Groundwater Management Grant Program for development of the Stoneridge Well IX PFAS Treatment facility. The facility removes PFAS from groundwater pumped into the facility and was the first facility to offer IX PFAS removal in Northern California.

“We are incredibly appreciative to have the support of Congressman Swalwell and Congressman DeSaulnier, which allows us to implement critical projects to ensure the long-term sustainability of our groundwater basin,” said Zone 7 General Manager Valerie Pryor. “Groundwater Awareness Week is a time for us to celebrate the progress we’ve made with local partnerships and innovative projects as well as share resources and educate the public on how we ensure this valuable local resource is available for future generations.”

Yuba Water Teams up With Local Public Water Agencies on Water Conservation Kits

Yuba Water Agency is teaming up with several local public water providers to offer water conservation kits to Yuba County residents as part of a local Water Conservation Pilot Program. The agency’s board of directors unanimously approved the program during their March 5 board meeting.

“Even though it’s raining right now, and our local water supplies are in good shape, we can’t count on that in the future,” said Yuba Water General Manager Willie Whittlesey. “So, the more we do to make water conservation a way of life now, the more resilient our communities will be in the future.”

Yuba Water is providing up to $50,000 to develop 1,500 conservation kits and is partnering with Olivehurst Public Utility District, Linda County Water District, Wheatland Water District and North Yuba Water District to distribute them to their residential customers. The goal of the kits is to decrease water use and, ideally, water bills for Yuba County residents.

The kits are expected to be ready by late spring and will include practical items like a rain sprinkler gauge, kitchen and bathroom faucet aerators, a water-saving garden hose nozzle, shower heads and more. Additionally, they will include a link to a website with other water conservation tips for things like detecting and addressing common household leaks.

Although Yuba Water is not a residential water supplier – the agency provides wholesale water to eight local irrigation districts – its core missions include ensuring a sustainable and reliable water supply for Yuba County.

Also at today’s meeting, Yuba Water approved $4,000 to help the Dobbins/Oregon House Fire Protection District replace a failing fire hydrant at the Alcouffe Community Center in Oregon House. The hydrant is the main source of water that the department uses to help fight fires in its service area.

Learn more about Yuba Water at yubawater.org.

SCV Water Awarded $2 Million Grant to Support Conservation Programs

SCV Water was recently awarded a $2 million grant under the Bureau of Reclamation’s (BOR) FY 2023 WaterSMART Water and Energy Efficiency Grant (WEEG) Program. Funds will go towards supporting the Agency’s Water Conservation Programs.

“Through the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law, the Bureau of Reclamation received funding for programs to support western water infrastructure administered through its WaterSMART Programs. Through a competitive application process, SCV Water received the grant which will bolster our conservation programs to help our customers conserve water and save money,” said SCV Water Management Analyst Cheryl Fowler.

This grant award comes on the heels of SCV Water being awarded a $5 million grant under the Bureau of Reclamation’s WaterSMART Drought Response Program to support construction of an additional PFAS treatment facility.

“We’re really excited to get a grant to support our conservation rebate programs,” said SCV Water Sustainability Manager Matt Dickens. “We’re proud to offer a variety of ways to help our customers reduce water waste and use water more efficiently.”

The WaterSmart Water and Energy Efficiency Grant will support SCV Water’s conservation efforts by funding the following programs:

“Seeking grant opportunities is an important function of SCV Water. Grant funding helps the Agency fulfill its responsibility to deliver clean, reliable, quality water to its customers at a reasonable cost.” added Fowler.

To learn more about SCV Water’s Water Conservation and Water Use Efficiency Rebate Programs visit: https://www.yourscvwater.com/rebates

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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 approximately 75,000 business and residential customers. 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.

California’s Go Golden Initiative Brings Millions to Disadvantaged Pass Area Communities

BEAUMONT — The California Department of Water Resources (DWR) awarded San Gorgonio Pass Water Agency (SGPWA) $2 million in grant funds to address groundwater concerns for underserved communities in the Banning and Cabazon area. The check was presented as part of the state’s Go Golden Initiative at SGPWA’s Board meeting on Monday, January 8.

The funds will improve groundwater monitoring by installing four nested monitoring wells in the San Gorgonio Pass Subbasin, enhancing real-time data collection on basin levels and quality. Area water agencies will use the information to make critical groundwater decisions, advancing water quality and resiliency for the residents of disadvantaged communities, including the City of Banning, Banning Heights, Cabazon and the Morongo Indian Reservation.

“As stewards of our region’s water resources, we are proud to join forces with the Department of Water Resources on this project. Their investment in this technology demonstrates our shared commitment to proactive and innovative water solutions to ensure resources are available to the communities who need them most,” said SGPWA Board President Mickey Valdivia.

SGPWA is proud to be a Golden Partner with the state. The Go Golden Initiative highlights the partnership between the state and local organizations and water agencies to fund bold, innovative projects that strengthen California’s water infrastructure and community resilience.

“Climate change has caused uncertainty for California’s water supply in large urban areas as well as small, rural communities, and smaller agencies face big challenges upgrading costly infrastructure. In this case, that includes replacing water infrastructure destroyed by wildfire. Through this partnership, DWR grant funds will give local water experts access to the advanced technologies needed to create sustainable and equitable groundwater management practices in the Banning area for years to come,” said DWR Water Management Branch Manager Salomon Miranda.

Awarded as part of DWR’s Sustainable Groundwater Management Grant Program, the project represents a joint effort by the San Gorgonio Pass Subbasin Groundwater Sustainability Agency (SGPS GSA). Member agencies of the SGPS GSA include SGPWA, Banning Heights Mutual Water Company (BHMWC), Cabazon Water District (CWD), the City of Banning, Desert Water Agency (DWA), and Mission Springs Water District (MSWD). The agencies are collaborating to sustainably manage groundwater resources and to improve long-term water security for the region.

“The Morongo Band of Mission Indians commends the collaborative efforts of the California Department of Water Resources and the San Gorgonio Pass Water Agency to better understand the state of our region’s natural resources. As guardians of our ancestral lands, Morongo actively manages our groundwater and we welcome steps that will help protect groundwater quality and reliability for local communities,” said Tribal Chairman Charles Martin of the Morongo Band of Mission Indians.

The project’s data will inform the SGPS GSA’s 2030 Groundwater Sustainability Plan (GSP) update, required under the California Sustainable Groundwater Management Act (SGMA). To learn more, visit 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.

Water Agencies Explore Innovative Deal for Drought-Proof Water

The San Diego County Water Authority and the Moulton Niguel Water District are exploring a potential transfer of drought-resilient water supplies to South Orange County, according to a Memorandum of Understanding signed by both agencies. The MOU creates a three-year window for discussions expected to center on the Water Authority transferring water – including supplies from the Claude “Bud” Lewis Carlsbad Desalination Plant – to Moulton Niguel. The district serves more than 170,000 customers from Laguna Niguel to San Juan Capistrano. How and when that could happen will be the subject of talks between agency leaders. This marks the second time in recent months the Water Authority has considered a water deal to combat increasing water rates for San Diegans while providing greater supply reliability for the broader Southern California region. A similar transaction was completed in December with the Metropolitan Water District of Southern California and the Imperial Irrigation District. That agreement is saving the Water Authority between $15 million and $20 million while helping to raise the level of Lake Mead. “The San Diego region’s investments in water supply reliability are being used to protect local ratepayers from rising costs while offering solutions that benefit the entire Southwest,” said Water Authority Board Chair Mel Katz. “We appreciate Moulton Niguel’s vision to explore this concept and we look forward to fashioning a mutually beneficial agreement.” Moulton Niguel’s 2020 Long -Range Water Reliability Plan and Water Reliability Policy prioritize the development and phased addition of new water supplies to sustain its service area during droughts, which have hit California with increasing frequency over the past three decades. “Our Board is committed to making cost-effective investments to enhance water supplies that benefit our service area in dry years, and a potential partnership with the Water Authority is another piece of that plan. In the era of climate extremes, it’s in everyone’s best interest to find partnerships that maintain our economy and quality of life,” said Moulton Niguel Board President Duane D. Cave. Over the past 20 years, the Water Authority has developed a nationally recognized portfolio of drought-resilient water supplies, including the nation’s largest seawater desalination plant in Carlsbad. Completed in 2015, the facility produces up to 56,000 acre-feet of water a year, meeting about 10% of the region’s water demand. At the same time, the San Diego region’s per capita water use has dropped by more than 50%, allowing the Water Authority to collaborate with other water providers on solutions to climate-induced supply challenges.

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The San Diego County Water Authority sustains a $268 billion regional economy and the quality of life for more than 3 million residents through a multi-decade water supply diversification plan, major infrastructure investments and forward-thinking policies that promote fiscal and environmental responsibility. A public agency created in 1944, the Water Authority delivers wholesale water supplies to 23 retail water providers, including cities, special districts, and a military base. Moulton Niguel Water District delivers high-quality drinking water, recycled water, and wastewater services to customers in Laguna Niguel, Aliso Viejo, Mission Viejo, Laguna Hills, Dana Point, and San Juan Capistrano. A leader in water conservation and environmental protection, Moulton Niguel maintains the lowest average water bill in South Orange County.