Board Rotation Ensures Ongoing Innovation and Commitment to Customers

BEAUMONT – The Beaumont-Cherry Valley Water District (BCVWD) Board of Directors renewed its dedication to continuing to provide excellent service to the region with new Board appointments, effective January 1, 2024.

The five-member Board plays a vital role in the District’s ability to responsibly manage water resources and provide safe, reliable water to the communities of Beaumont and Cherry Valley. Duties include ensuring the implementation of policies and the success of District projects such as long-term planning, water quality and conservation, and system maintenance and upgrades. Board members are elected officials who each serve a four-year term.

“We are fortunate to be led by a team of strong, dedicated Board members with invaluable community, water and public administration experience,” said BCVWD General Manager Daniel Jaggers. “Their input and guidance are critical to advancing regional water sustainability, such as the recently completed Beaumont MDP Line 16 Project, an award-winning stormwater capture and flood control endeavor that will benefit customers for generations to come.”

The Board, which rotates member positions annually, approved the following reorganization for calendar year 2024 at its December 13, 2023, meeting:

President John Covington, Division 4

John Covington has managed the Water and Wastewater Departments for the Morongo Band of Mission Indians since 2005. He serves as the Tribal Government Administrator, overseeing other Tribal departments. A veteran of the water industry since 1987, Director Covington possesses extensive water expertise and is well-versed in Tribal water rights (Federally Reserved), state water rights, and statewide resource water management. He has served on the BCVWD Board since 2014.

Vice President Daniel Slawson, Division 3

Daniel Slawson is a partner of Winchester Associates, serving as Vice President of Land Surveying. He has cultivated a career in Local Agency improvement design standards, infrastructure planning, parcel and tract mapping, and boundary and construction surveying. Director Slawson is a devoted community collaborator, serving in positions for the San Gorgonio Pass Regional Water Alliance, the Association of California Water Agencies, and the California Special Districts Association. He has served on the BCVWD Board since 2012.

Secretary Lona Williams, Division 2

Lona Williams’ professional experience includes medical assistance and decades of highly responsible administrative support, including budget monitoring, records maintenance and other complex responsibilities, at locations such as Banning High School and the City of Banning Public Works Department. Director Williams is a Veteran of the United States Army. She has served on the BCVWD Board since 2018.

Treasurer Andy Ramirez, Division 1

Andy Ramirez is a practiced public servant, currently working as a Public Works and Community Services Director at an area city. Director

Ramirez has served in municipal government for more than a decade and began his career in the water industry in the late 1990s, installing water and sewer pipelines. He is adept at simplifying organizational complexities, improving operational and budgetary efficiencies, and building cohesive teams. He has served on the BCVWD Board since 2016.

Director David Hoffman, Division 5

David Hoffman has been a local businessman since 1982, providing products and services in the Calimesa area. His family-run business attracts customers from all over the Inland Empire. Since taking office, Director Hoffman has committed himself to the District, emphasizing fiscal responsibility and sustainability. He has served on the BCVWD Board since 2014, most recently as the 2023 Board President.

Unless otherwise noted, BCVWD Board meetings take place on the second Wednesday and fourth Thursday of each month at 6 p.m. at the BCVWD main office, located at 560 Magnolia Avenue in Beaumont. The meetings are open to the public and the community is encouraged to attend. Virtual participation is also available to the public.

For more information, visit bcvwd.org.

PWD Accepting Applications for Vacant Division 3 Director Seat Until Feb. 4

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Western Water Board Confirms Leadership Team for 2024

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January 2024 Priority Issues Update Now Available

The January 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, urban water use efficiency requirements, clean fleets regulation and more.

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

Newsom’s Proposed Budget Affects Funding in Water Categories

SACRAMENTO — Gov. Gavin Newsom today unveiled his $291.4 billion proposed state budget for the 2024-’25 fiscal year. While it would rescind funding for several important water issues, it would also include new funding for flood protection and the Salton Sea. 

Newsom’s proposed budget would reduce funding for watershed climate resilience, recycled water, flood protection, PFAS treatment and Forecast-Informed Reservoir Operations to help address an estimated $37.9 billion shortfall. While the significant shortfall must be addressed, ACWA will advocate to maintain funding for water and climate issues. 

An ACWA  Advisory distributed today contains specific funding changes and is available at www.acwa.com. Member login is required. 

While the governor did not mention a climate resilience/water bond when he unveiled his proposed budget, ACWA will continue to advocate in support of legislation that would place a bond on the November ballot. That advocacy focuses on additional investments in the areas of recycled water, desalination, groundwater recharge, water storage, conveyance, dam safety, safe drinking water, PFAS remediation, water conservation, and several other critical water infrastructure categories. 

California’s Constitution requires the governor to submit a balanced budget proposal to the Legislature by Jan. 10 of each year. A revised budget will be released in May, and the Legislature will have until June 15 to pass a final budget.

Statewide Storage Project Will Improve Water Dependability for Residents

BEAUMONT – As two of the top three investors in the Sites Reservoir Project, San Gorgonio Pass Water Agency (SGPWA) and San Bernardino Valley Municipal Water District (SBVMWD) were critical partners in the approval of the project which will benefit Pass Area communities by capturing and storing water for later use.

The Sites Reservoir Project is a 1.5 million acre-foot off-stream water storage project that will improve water reliability throughout California. Located north of the Sacramento-San Joaquin Delta, the project would provide water supply and environmental benefits during dry periods. The Sites Project Authority, as the lead agency under the California Environmental Quality Act, certified the project’s final Environmental Impact Report (EIR) and approved the project at a meeting in November 2023.

SGPWA and SBVMWD were present at the meeting, with SGPWA General Manager Lance Eckhart making the first motion to certify the EIR, followed by a second from SBVMWD General Manager Heather Dyer.

“We are proud to be part of such a historic move to strengthen our state’s water resources,” said SGPWA President Larry Smith. “SGPWA has backed the Sites Reservoir Project since its inception and today there is a waiting list for participation. We are grateful to be a partner in this project, which will advance reliability for residents across California, including our own Pass Area communities.”

SGPWA and SBVMWD have supported the project over the past 10 years, securing both agencies the promise of these increased supplies. Many other agencies in California now must wait for a possible allocation from this important new water supply source.

“After decades of planning, we are excited to see this project move forward to the final planning stages to prepare for construction,” said SBVMWD President Paul R. Kielhold. “Capturing and storing stormwater via Sites Reservoir will provide enhanced water resiliency for residents not only locally, but across the entire state.” For additional details on the Sites Reservoir Project, go to sitesproject.org. To learn more about SGPWA, visit www.sgpwa.com. For more information about SBVMWD, go to www.sbvmwd.com.

Santa Ana Watershed Project Authority Begins First Year of Cloud Seeding Pilot Program

RIVERSIDE – The Santa Ana Watershed Project Authority (SAWPA) conducted the first cloud seeding events of the Santa Ana River Watershed Weather Modification Pilot Program during recent storms in late December and early January. The Pilot Program, launched in November 2023, is intended to evaluate the effectiveness of enhancing local water supplies through cloud seeding in the region. If shown to be effective, cloud seeding can enhance the watershed resilience of the Santa Ana River Watershed by increasing snow and rainfall from storms by 5-15 percent in targeted areas.

The Santa Ana River Watershed, spanning portions of Riverside, San Bernardino, and Orange Counties, plays a vital role in supporting diverse ecosystems, providing water resources, and offering recreational opportunities to millions of residents. Recognizing the importance of enhancing and preserving this valuable natural resource, SAWPA initiated the Pilot Program to provide an additional source of water supply to adapt to the impacts of climate change risks and help sustain the health of the watershed.

SAWPA collaborated closely with local water agencies, government agencies, and community stakeholders on planning and implementing the 4-year Pilot Program targeting areas across the watershed. The cloud seeding program involves the release of silver iodide particles from ground-based units during storm events to increase ice and snow formation in clouds resulting in additional precipitation. Cloud seeding was performed during three storms during the last week of December and first week of January.

Over a 4-year period, cloud seeding will be validated as a tool in advancing water supply reliability for the region by enhancing our local supplies. The additional water produced through cloud seeding would support natural habitat and be captured by existing stormwater infrastructure that is critical to recharging local groundwater aquifers used for water supply.

“These initial cloud seeding events represent a milestone for the Santa Ana River Watershed Weather Modification Pilot Program,” said Jeff Mosher, General Manager for SAWPA. “The program underscores the commitment of SAWPA to evaluate new local water supplies. If proven viable through this pilot study, cloud seeding could help support a more sustainable future for the environment and communities in the Santa Ana River Watershed.”

The Pilot Program is a 4-year evaluation and validation effort that will allow SAWPA to investigate the increase in water supply from cloud seeding and the potential benefits for the region. SAWPA will monitor and evaluate the program’s implementation, ensuring that the efforts align with the project’s objectives and the needs of the region.

SAWPA encourages the community to stay engaged and informed about efforts under the Pilot Program. Regular updates and outreach efforts will be provided through various sources, including the SAWPA website, social media, and public presentations.

For more information about the Pilot Program and SAWPA’s ongoing initiatives, please visit https://sawpa.gov or contact us at weathermodification@sawpa.gov.

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About SAWPA

The Santa Ana Watershed Project Authority (SAWPA), a public water agency was formed as a joint powers authority and is located in Riverside, California. SAWPA focuses on a broad range of water resource issues including water supply reliability, water quality improvement, recycled water, wastewater treatment, groundwater management, brine management, and integrated regional planning. SAWPA’s mission is to manage the Inland Empire Brine Line and to develop and maintain regional plans, programs, and projects that will protect the Santa Ana River basin water resources to maximize beneficial uses within the watershed in an economically and environmentally responsible manner. To learn more, please visit https://sawpa.gov.

SGPWA and AVEK Partner to Protect Water Surplus

BEAUMONT – San Gorgonio Pass Water Agency (SGPWA) will preserve excess water for later use under a one-time water exchange with Antelope Valley-East Kern Water Agency (AVEK). The historic partnership marks the first time SGPWA has ever stored water outside of the area to secure future supplies.

After an exceptionally wet year, SGPWA delivered more than 20,000 acre-feet locally in 2023, setting a regional record. The Agency’s overall water portfolio is currently around 37,500 acre-feet, after a 100 percent State Water Project (SWP) allocation and more than 5,000 acre-feet of Article 21 water, available to contractors when there is ample extra supply due to wet weather.

“With more than 15,000 acre-feet of carryover water going into 2024, collaborating with AVEK was key to our ability to take full advantage of all the water available in 2023,” said SGPWA General Manager Lance Eckhart. “Safeguarding our surplus now will allow us to maintain a dependable future supply for the 106,000 people we serve in the region.”

Under the agreement, SGPWA will deliver 4,000 acre-feet of water to AVEK’s service area. In exchange, AVEK will return 80 percent of the water to SGPWA by 2033, in years when the allocation is 30 percent or above. There is a five-year extension if any return water remains at the end of the term.

Costs to achieve the water exchange will be shared between SGPWA and AVEK. The total cost of the water exchange is anticipated to be approximately $1.4 million for SGPWA, which is expected to be offset by revenue from the sale of the water when it is returned to the local area or sold to another entity.

“Partnerships between water suppliers will continue to be vital to protecting California’s water supply as we experience future droughts and other possible water shortage situations,” said AVEK General Manager Matt Knudson. “This water exchange benefits customers of both agencies, and we look forward to pursuing additional collaborative opportunities in the years ahead.”

The water exchange with AVEK provides a critical storage solution as SGPWA develops more projects locally and acts to further diversify its water supply. SGPWA is committed to expanding its local recharge capability, including plans to double its water-spreading capacity with the future Brookside West Recharge Facility — a complement to the existing Brookside East Recharge Facility. For more information, visit www.sgpwa.com.

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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.

About AVEK

In 1959, AVEK received its charter as a regional water Agency from the State Legislature. In 1962 AVEK’s Board of Directors signed a contract with the state to secure the delivery of water supplies intended to supplement the local groundwater. AVEK became the third largest State Water Contractor with an entitlement of 144,844 acre-feet. Through the optimization of water resources and development of groundwater storage, the Agency maintains a reliable, sustainable and affordable water supply. Serving over 20 municipal users along with Edwards Air Force Base, Plant 42 and U.S. Borax within a 2,400 square mile territory that includes portions Los Angeles, Kern and Ventura Counties, the agency plays a vital role in supporting future regional economic development and national defense programs.

LAO Evaluates Water Use Efficiency Requirements

SACRAMENTO — The Legislative Analyst’s Office on Jan. 4 released a report to the Legislature “Assessing Early Implementation of Urban Water Use Efficiency Requirements” that evaluates the state’s current implementation of the Making Water Conservation a Way of Life framework and specifically the State Water Resource Control Board’s draft regulation.

The report finds that the State Water Board’s proposed regulations go beyond what Legislation requires or the Department of Water Resources recommends. It also finds the proposed regulations will “create challenges for water suppliers in several key ways, in many cases without compelling justifications” and makes recommendations to the Legislature that it says would “ease suppliers’ administrative burden and potentially reduce costs.”

Many of the report’s findings and recommendations are similar to the issues and solutions that have been raised by ACWA and member agencies to the State Water Board in a coalition comment letter and public workshop last October, as well as ongoing discussions with State Water Board staff and environmental and environmental justice organizations to identify solutions with consensus to address key concerns.

The specific findings listed are:

• Impacts to individual water suppliers will vary significantly.
• Proposed regulations are overly complicated and lack clarity.
• Achieving the water use objective is likely to be challenging and costly.
• Framework could create disproportional impacts on lower-income Californians.
• Water savings due to the conservation framework are likely to be modest.
• It’s unclear how any water savings would be used.
• It’s unclear if the framework’s benefits will outweigh the costs.

An analysis by the Public Policy Institute of California last November reached similar conclusions about the proposed regulations.

In 2018, the Legislature enacted two key policy bills — SB 606 (Hertzberg) and AB 1668 (Friedman) — to implement a new framework for long-term water conservation and drought planning for water suppliers. The two bills provide new and expanded authorities and requirements that affect water conservation and drought planning for water suppliers, agricultural water suppliers, and small water suppliers and rural communities. SB 606 also requires the Legislative Analyst’s Office to assess implementation of urban water use efficiency standards and urban water supplier reporting, and submit a report by Jan. 10, 2024 to the Legislature and the public.

The full report is available on the Legislative Analyst’s Office’s website. More information on the draft regulation is available in ACWA’s two-page fact sheet at acwa.com/resources.

SEWD Mourns Loss of Longtime Board Member

The Stockton East Water District (SEWD) is mourning the loss of Director Loralee McGaughey, who passed away on December 31^st. Director McGaughey represented a portion of the City of Stockton and presided on the Board of Directors since her appointment in 2002. Director McGaughey helped lead SEWD to some of its great achievements and through some of its greatest challenges. “I am truly saddened by the loss of our valued Director, Loralee McGaughey, and her passing is mourned by the Board of Directors and staff,” said SEWD General Manager Justin Hopkins.