Association of California Water Agencies

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Sacramento, CA 95814
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Dippy Duck Celebrates 60 Years of Promoting Water Safety in the Imperial Valley

Dippy Duck, the Imperial Irrigation District’s (IID) beloved water safety mascot, celebrated his 60th birthday on June 13 with hundreds of local elementary students and their families at the El Centro Aquatic Center, commemorating six decades of helping keep Imperial Valley communities safe around canals. The special invitation-only celebration brought together students from across the Imperial Valley for a day of fun, recognition, and water safety education. To mark the occasion, IID distributed 400 golden tickets to 44 elementary schools throughout the region. School administrators selected students based on academic achievement, citizenship, attendance, leadership, and other accomplishments. “Dippy Duck has helped generations of children understand that canals are dangerous and are not safe places to swim or play,” said IID Board Chairwoman Karin Eugenio. “For 60 years, Dippy has been one of our most recognizable ambassadors for water safety. This celebration was a wonderful way to honor his legacy and the positive impact he has had on our community.” Since his introduction in 1966, Dippy Duck has served as the face of IID’s water safety outreach program, delivering a simple but critical message to children and families throughout the Imperial Valley:
  1. Never swim in a canal.
  2. Never play, run, walk or ride a bicycle near a canal.
  3. Never jump in a canal.
This year’s outreach began on April 15 and ended June 2, and will continue throughout the month of July with summer presentations to local library summer programs and parks and recreation camps. IID manages more than 3,100 miles of canals and drains across the Imperial Valley. While the system is critical to delivering water that supports agriculture and the region’s economy, canals are not designed for recreation. Water levels and flows can change suddenly, making canals dangerous even for strong swimmers. Thank you to our Imperial Valley elementary schools, its administration and our communities for their continued support in IID’s water safety program. Happy Birthday Dippy!

Tri-Valley Residents Asked to Reduce Outdoor Water Use During Water Maintenance

LIVERMORE —Zone 7 Water Agency and retail water providers California Water Service, Livermore Municipal Water Service, Dublin San Ramon Service District, and Pleasanton Municipal Water Service are asking Tri-Valley residents and businesses to temporarily implement greater conservation efforts for outdoor water use from Saturday, June 27 through Thursday, July 2 while the California Department of Water Resources (DWR) performs seasonally necessary planned maintenance on State Water Project facilities that supply water to the region.

The State Water Project supplies approximately 70% of the water used throughout the Tri-Valley. During the six-day maintenance period, water deliveries available to Zone 7 will be temporarily reduced while critical infrastructure serviced for repairs and maintenance.

Zone 7 and your local water retailers have planned for the outage and will continue supplying water throughout the maintenance period using locally stored imported supplies and local groundwater resources. However, reducing outdoor water use during the brief maintenance period will help preserve those supplies.

Residents and businesses are asked to reduce outdoor water use from June 27 through July 2, including:

While conservation is requested during the maintenance period, there are no restrictions leading up to it. Also, since DWR’s planned maintenance will not affect recycled water supplies, this conservation request does not include properties that irrigate with recycled water.

Residents and businesses are welcome to increase their watering as needed beforehand to help their landscapes weather the brief conservation period. Zone 7 recommends prepping in advance by:

This temporary conservation request is not a reflection of the region’s overall water supply conditions. Instead, it is a proactive safety measure to help ensure adequate supplies remain available for essential indoor use, emergency response, and fire protection during DWR’s planned maintenance.

Residents and businesses may resume normal outdoor water use on Friday, July 3rd.

For more information, please visit zone7waterca.gov/swpmaintenance

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About Zone 7 Water

Zone 7 Water Agency is one of the 10 active zones of the Alameda County Flood Control and Water Conservation District. The District was established by the State Legislature in October 1949 to solve problems of flooding, drainage, channel erosion and water supply and conservation in Alameda County. In 1957, by popular vote, Zone 7 became a special district governed by a seven-member board of directors. Along with flood protection, Zone 7 supplies water to all of eastern Alameda County and a population of over a quarter million residents. Treated water is sold wholesale to local retailers, including the cities of Livermore and Pleasanton, the Dublin San Ramon Services District, and the California Water Service Company. Zone 7 also distributes untreated water to local agriculture operations and golf courses.

Over 500 Local Young Artists Turn Water Conservation Into Creative Inspiration

ROWLAND HEIGHTS — Nine local students from seven area schools have earned top honors for posters illustrating the value of water in Rowland Water District’s (RWD) annual Water Awareness Poster Contest. Thirty-seven teachers entered class projects in three divisions: kindergarten through third grade, fourth through sixth grade, and seventh through twelfth grade. The winners were honored at a special RWD board meeting on May 26th. “Watching students turn something as ordinary as a glass of water into art shows why this program matters to our community,” said RWD General Manager Tom Coleman. “When a child starts thinking about where their water comes from and how to protect it, that lesson often stays with them for life, and that’s exactly the type of commitment we like to inspire.” All nine first, second, and third place posters have advanced to the Metropolitan Water District of Southern California (MWD) for judging in its regional poster contest. Selected entries appear in MWD’s “Water is Life” calendar, which features 36 student winners from across MWD’s member agencies and reaches communities throughout Southern California. This year’s RWD winners include: Kindergarten through 3rd Grade 4th through 6th Grade 7th through 12th Grade Students at Northam Elementary School, Rowland Elementary School, and Nogales High School also submitted entries this year. The top three posters in each division also receive an Amazon gift card. The first ten teachers to respond with entire class participation also earned free teacher supply kits valued at $100. “Projects like this give students a practical reason to think about where their water comes from and why protecting it is so important,” said Mrs. Helen Kato, a teacher from Blandford Elementary School. “We are grateful to Rowland Water District for bringing this program to our students and the message of water conservation into the homes of our families.” RWD representatives judge entries on creativity, originality, and how clearly each poster shares its message about using water wisely. The district has participated in the regional contest for more than a decade, and it continues to be one of its most popular water conservation outreach initiatives. For a link to winning posters, visit www.rwd.org.

ACWA Rejoins NWRA; All Members Can Access Benefits

ACWA’s Board of Directors voted recently to rejoin the National Water Resources Association (NWRA), a federation of state water associations that represents agricultural, municipal and industrial water providers with a focus on western water policy issues.  

Under NWRA’s membership model, all ACWA members can access NWRA membership benefits at no additional cost. Benefits include access to NWRA federal updates, monthly policy calls and member pricing at NWRA events, including the annual conference which will be held Nov. 2-5 in Coranado. 

“ACWA rejoining NWRA provides an exciting opportunity to expand our work with other western states on some of the most pressing federal policy issues facing water managers,” said ACWA President Ernie Avila. 

ACWA and NWRA have a long history of partnering together on federal policy issues. ACWA suspended its membership in 2024 citing concerns related to NWRA’s financial position and lack of transparency. The ACWA Board unanimously voted to reinstate membership based on staff’s recommendation, noting that all concerns had been resolved. 

ACWA’s rejoining NWRA resolidifies our partnership, leverages ACWA’s robust federal advocacy program, and provides additional benefits to ACWA members. 

“NWRA is very pleased to welcome ACWA back as a state association member,” said NWRA Executive Vice President Greg Morrison. “Having ACWA back on the team strengthens the partnership between our organizations and gives us a better opportunity to work together on the federal water infrastructure, policy and funding issues across the West.” 

For more information about NWRA and resources available to members, visit www.nwra.org or contact ACWA Director of Federal Relations Ian Lyle at ianl@acwa.com. 

SMWD Shares What Works: Technology, Teamwork, and Better Customer Service

As water utilities across the globe explore new ways to improve service through technology, Santa Margarita Water District (SMWD) continues to contribute to the conversation by sharing practical innovations that improve customer experience and operational efficiency.

Earlier this month, Nate Adams, SMWD’s Director of Water Resiliency and Customer Relations, was invited to present at the 16th Annual Smart Water Networks Forum (SWAN) Conference in Tampa, Florida. The conference brought together more than 400 water professionals representing 200 organizations from 22 countries and 24 U.S. states to discuss the future of digital transformation in the water sector. Recognized internationally as a leading voice in smart water technology, SWAN convenes utilities, technology providers, and industry experts to share ideas and accelerate the adoption of data-driven solutions that strengthen drinking water, wastewater, and stormwater systems. Adams joined utility leaders from Tucson Water and WSSC Water (Maryland) on a panel titled, “Closing the Human Gap in Digital Utilities.” His presentation, “From Bottlenecks to Shared Ownership: Adapting Spatially Driven Customer Communications at a Regional Water Utility,” focused on how SMWD has transformed customer outage communications by leveraging geographic information systems (GIS), streamlining workflows, and fostering cross-departmental collaboration. Central to the presentation was GEO-ALERT, a GIS tool developed by SMWD that helps identify affected customers during planned and unplanned service interruptions, allowing the District to deliver more timely and accurate notifications. The system also improves coordination between operational, customer service, and communications teams, helping employees work from a shared set of information during service events. “The conference theme this year was ‘Adapting Your Digital Journey,’ and that aligns closely with the work happening at SMWD,” Adams said. “Technology alone isn’t the solution. The real value comes from how teams collaborate and use information to make better decisions and improve the customer experience.” The presentation reflects a broader culture of innovation at SMWD, where technology investments are evaluated not only for operational benefits but also for their ability to strengthen reliability, transparency, and customer service. In recent years, the District has advanced numerous initiatives that leverage data, asset management, geographic information systems, and digital tools to improve efficiency and support informed decision-making across its operations. By participating in forums such as SWAN, SMWD is able to both learn from peer agencies and share lessons learned from its own experience implementing practical solutions that deliver measurable results. For customers, these efforts often happen behind the scenes, but the benefits are tangible: improved communication during service disruptions, faster access to information, more efficient operations, and a utility that continually seeks new ways to better serve its communities. As the water industry continues to evolve, SMWD remains committed to responsibly exploring technologies and best practices to strengthen resilience, improve customer service, and deliver high-quality water services for generations to come.

Alyson Piguee—Building Trust Through Leadership & Connection

At Santa Margarita Water District, strong public service depends on strong leadership—and Alyson Piguee brings both experience and purpose to the work of serving the community.

As Director of Government & Public Affairs, Alyson leads the team responsible for communications, community outreach, public education, advocacy, marketing, media relations, and grants strategy. Her team helps connect customers, residents, elected officials, and community partners with the important work happening across the District every day. With more than 15 years of leadership experience across city, county, special district, nonprofit, and private sector organizations, Alyson brings a thoughtful, strategic perspective to her role. Before joining SMWD, she served in leadership positions with the Inland Empire Utilities Agency and the County of Orange, where she guided public policy initiatives, organizational transformation efforts, emergency response coordination, and large-scale operational projects. Despite managing a broad range of responsibilities, Alyson is known for being approachable, collaborative, and deeply invested in people. Whether working with elected officials, supporting community outreach efforts, or helping teams navigate complex projects, she emphasizes transparency, responsiveness, and relationship-building. “Water and wastewater services are essential to everyday life, yet much of the work happens behind the scenes,” Alyson explains. “Our role is to help customers better understand how the District operates and how long-term planning and infrastructure investments support reliability, sustainability, and quality of life in the community.” Under Alyson’s leadership, Government & Public Affairs plays a key role in helping customers stay informed and connected to the important work being done to support the health of the community. The team also works to secure grant funding and external resources that help fund infrastructure investments while reducing financial impacts on the customers. Alyson is especially passionate about showcasing the exceptional work happening throughout the District and helping customers better understand the value of the services SMWD provides. “There is so much innovation and community-focused service happening across the organization,” she says. “I’m excited to help tell those stories and strengthen our connection with customers and stakeholders.” Outside of work, Alyson enjoys spending time with her husband, three-year-old son, and two dogs, Stella and Chase. Whether at the park, swimming, or spending time with neighbors and family, she values building meaningful connections and staying engaged with those around her. Through strategic leadership, clear communication, and a people-first approach, Alyson helps strengthen the connection between SMWD and the customers who depend on the District every day. Learn more about SMWD at SMWD.com/News.

MCWD Launches CARES Program — Customers May Save Up to $250 a Year on Their Water Bill

Marina Coast Water District (MCWD) today announced MCWD CARES, a new customer financial assistance program that helps income-qualified customers save up to $250 a year on their water bill. Beginning July 1, 2026, eligible customers will receive a $20.83 monthly credit applied directly to their fixed water charge. Applications will be accepted beginning June 15, 2026, through Dollar Energy Fund, the program’s sole intake and enrollment partner.

MCWD encourages any customer who needs help with their water bill to apply.

About MCWD CARES. MCWD CARES helps income-qualified customers to apply for and receive water bill relief. Key program details include:

“Water is a basic human need, and we recognize that it can be difficult for some of our neighbors to pay their water bills,” said Remleh Scherzinger, General Manager of Marina Coast Water District. “MCWD CARES reflects our commitment to the whole community. We’re proud to offer this relief, and we encourage all eligible households to apply.”

How to Apply. All applications are handled exclusively by Dollar Energy Fund, a trusted nonprofit organization that has administered utility assistance programs nationwide for more than 40 years. MCWD does not process applications directly. Customers can apply:

Dollar Energy Fund also handles all eligibility questions and application status checks.

Community Outreach and Partner Network. MCWD will conduct targeted public outreach and work with Dollar Energy Fund and a network of community-based organizations (CBOs) to ensure the program reaches households that may not be reachable through other channels, including seniors, non-native English speakers, and customers with limited internet access. Outreach materials will be available in English and Spanish, with additional language support under evaluation.

About Dollar Energy Fund. Dollar Energy Fund is a Pittsburgh-based nonprofit organization that has provided utility assistance grants to low-income households since 1983. The organization partners with more than 50 utilities across 18 states and works with approximately 600 community-based organizations to provide application intake services.

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About Marina Coast Water District: MCWD delivers safe and environmentally sustainable water, recycled water, and wastewater services that meet community needs. To learn more about Marina Coast Water District, visit www.mcwd.org.

Jurupa Earns National Recognition as a 2026 USA TODAY Top Workplace

JURUPA VALLEY — Jurupa Community Services District (JCSD) has been nationally recognized as a 2026 USA TODAY Top Workplace award winner, earning one of the most prestigious workplace honors in the nation. Over 40,000 organizations were nominated and invited to participate this year. This recognition highlights JCSD’s commitment to cultivating a positive workplace culture that empowers employees to deliver exceptional service to the community. The USA TODAY Top Workplace award recognizes organizations with 150 or more employees that have created exceptional, people-first cultures. Recipients are determined solely through direct employee feedback collected through a confidential survey conducted by Energage, an HR Research and technology company that has evaluated Top Workplaces since 2006. The survey evaluates key drivers of organizational success, including employee appreciation, confidence in leadership, alignment with organizational goals, and workplace engagement. “Being recognized as a USA TODAY Top Workplace is a reflection of the talented and dedicated employees who make JCSD successful,” said General Manager Chris Berch. “When employees feel supported, valued, and engaged, they are better positioned to provide the high-quality services our residents depend on every day. This recognition reinforces our commitment to both organizational excellence and exceptional public service.” This national recognition adds to JCSD’s growing list of workplace honors, including consecutive Inland Empire Top Workplace awards in 2024 and 2025 from the Inland News Group. The award further demonstrates how JCSD’s culture of excellence supports employee development, innovation, and high-quality service to the community. JCSD’s commitment to investing in its workforce has contributed to recognition beyond workplace culture, including recent honors such as Inland Empire Top Workplace, the IPMA-HR Award for Excellence and Innovation, ACWA’s Excellence in Innovation Award, and CWEA’s Collection System of the Year Award. Together, these recognitions reflect an organizational culture focused on continuous improvement, innovation, and public service.

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Founded in 1956, the Jurupa Community Services District (JCSD) is a multi-service public agency serving more than 135,000 residents throughout Eastvale and Jurupa Valley. Governed by a five-member Board of Directors, JCSD provides award-winning services such as water, wastewater, parks, recreation, and other essential community services that enhance quality of life and support the long-term vitality of the communities it serves.

BCVWD Earns American Heart Association Gold Tier Recognition for Employee Well-Being

BEAUMONT– The Beaumont-Cherry Valley Water District (BCVWD) has received the 2026 Gold Tier Recognition from the American Heart Association’s Well-being Works Better™ Scorecard program, recognizing the District’s continued commitment to employee health, safety, and workplace wellness.

BCVWD earned a score of 126 out of 138 points through the national evaluation program, which measures organizations on evidence-based practices that support employee well-being, including workplace safety, wellness initiatives, emergency preparedness, mental health support, and employee training programs.

The recognition reflects the District’s ongoing investment in creating a workplace culture centered on safety, transparency, preparedness, and employee support. In recent years, BCVWD has expanded employee training opportunities and collaborative safety efforts, including CPR and AED certification training, snake safety training, emergency preparedness exercises, and coordinated training activities with local fire agencies and public safety partners.

“Employee safety and well-being are essential to maintaining reliable service to our community,” said Board President Lona Williams. “The Board has supported investments in training, preparedness, and workplace wellness because we recognize that a strong organization begins with healthy, supported employees.”

The District’s wellness and safety initiatives are supported across all departments and are designed to promote both physical safety and long-term organizational resilience.

“This recognition reflects the District’s proactive approach to building a culture of accountability, preparedness, and employee support,” said BCVWD Board Director David Hoffman. “By continuing to invest in training and safety programs, the District is strengthening both our workforce and the services we provide to our customers.”

The American Heart Association’s Well-being Works Better™ Scorecard helps employers evaluate and improve workplace health strategies through science-based best practices that support employee wellness and organizational performance.

BCVWD remains committed to continuously enhancing workplace wellness, safety practices, and organizational excellence while providing reliable service to the community.

For more information about Beaumont-Cherry Valley Water District, visit https://bcvwd.org/.

SMWD Recognizes Two Directors for Their Lasting Impact on the Community

During its June 11, 2026, Open Session Board Meeting, the Santa Margarita Water District (SMWD) Board of Directors recognized two extraordinary public servants whose combined leadership represents more than 60 years of dedication to the District and the communities it serves. Director Betty H. Olson, Ph.D., was honored for more than 30 years of service to SMWD, while Director Saundra F. Jacobs was recognized for her 30 years of service on the Board of Directors.

“It is both an honor and a privilege to recognize Directors Betty Olson and Saundra Jacobs for their extraordinary service to Santa Margarita Water District,” shared Laura Freese, President of the SMWD Board of Directors. “One of the most remarkable gifts they have shared is their willingness to mentor and teach others. When I joined the Board, I quickly learned how valuable it is to have experienced leaders who take the time to guide and support new members. Directors Olson and Jacobs have been wonderful teachers, generously sharing their knowledge, perspective, and commitment to public service.”

Representing the Office of Orange County Supervisor Donald P. Wagner, Scott Voigts, District Director, and Saga Conroy, Community Outreach Director, presented official declarations recognizing Directors Olson and Jacobs for their contributions to the region’s water future. During the presentation, Voigts offered heartfelt remarks highlighting the essential role SMWD plays in delivering high-quality drinking water and wastewater services that are often not visible to the community, as well as the importance of strong leadership in guiding those efforts. Directors Olson and Jacobs also received recognition from US Senator Adam Schiff, Congresswoman Young Kim, Congressman Mike Levin, State Senator Catherine Blakespear, and Assemblywoman Kate Sanchez.

For more than three decades, both Directors have helped shape policies and investments that support reliable water supplies, sound financial stewardship, infrastructure planning, environmental responsibility, and exceptional service to customers.

Director Olson brought a distinguished career in civil and environmental engineering to the Board. As a professor and founding director of the Urban Water Research Center at the University of California, Irvine, she has been widely respected for her expertise in water quality, research, and public policy. Throughout her tenure, she has been a champion of local water supply reliability, the expansion of recycled water, and responsible financial management.

Director Jacobs has similarly contributed decades of professional expertise as an environmental planner and community leader. Her background in environmental policy, planning, and public service has helped guide District decisions that advance safe, reliable, sustainable, and affordable water services. She has also played an active leadership role throughout the California water industry and local community organizations.

Together, Directors Olson and Jacobs have helped guide SMWD through decades of growth, innovation, and changing water challenges. Their leadership has supported investments in critical infrastructure, water reliability initiatives, recycled water programs, and long-term planning efforts that continue to benefit customers today.

“Their decades of service reflect a shared commitment to protecting public health, safeguarding water resources, and delivering reliable, high-quality water and wastewater services for generations to come,” shared Board President Freese. “As I reflect on all they have accomplished, I can only hope to learn as much as they have and to carry forward the example they have set.  The SMWD Board of Directors is grateful for the remarkable leadership of Directors Olson and Jacobs and for their unwavering commitment to SMWD.”