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Bureau Increases CVP Allocations for South-of-Delta Contractors

SACRAMENTO – The U.S. Bureau of Reclamation is increasing Central Valley Project’s 2026 water supply allocations for south-of-Delta contractors following continued modest improvements in reservoir storage and spring runoff conditions across California’s water system.

Announced May 19, this allocation update reflects improved operational flexibility and hydrologic conditions resulting from April storm activity, strong carryover storage, and coordinated reservoir management efforts that allowed water managers to capture additional runoff while continuing to meet environmental and flood control requirements.

Based on current hydrology and updated forecasts, the Bureau announced the following changes to CVP water supply allocations:

South-of-Delta Contractors

All other allocation amounts announced March 24 remain unchanged.

“Careful coordination and improved spring runoff conditions have strengthened overall system storage and allowed us to make additional water supplies available to south-of-Delta contractors,” Acting Bureau Regional Director Adam Nickels stated in a news release. “While the Sierra snowpack has for the most part dissipated earlier than usual due to a warm spring, current reservoir storage and operational conditions support this incremental increase while maintaining prudent management of the CVP system.”

The Westlands Water District issued a statement expressing disappointment in the allocation amount.

“While we appreciate the Bureau’s ongoing effort to update allocations as conditions evolve, and recognize the significant operational constraints involved in balancing reservoir management, temperature requirements for fish, and the many competing demands placed on the Central Valley Project (CVP), this allocation update falls short of our growers’ water needs,” stated Westlands Water District General Manager Allison Febbo.

The Bureau continues to reserve a portion of storage in San Luis Reservoir as part of its drought reserve strategy. These reserves are not included in, and supplementary to, the current year allocation determinations updated May 19.

Water supply updates are available on the Bureau’s California-Great Basin Region website.

 

 

 

Aerial Firefighting System Stops Fire in Cabazon at 14 Acres

BEAUMONT – San Gorgonio Pass Water Agency’s (SGPWA) Heli-Hydrant system played a critical role in helping firefighters quickly contain the recent Lemon Fire in Cabazon, preventing an emergency that had the potential to expand to as much as 700 acres.

“Partnerships and investments like these make real threats to life, property, and the environment far more manageable,” said SGPWA Board Secretary Sarah Wargo, who represents Cabazon. “It was amazing to see this project work exactly as intended and help stop the fire from spreading. Having these Heli-Hydrants available locally gave firefighters another important tool to protect our community.”

The fire was initially reported as a 2-acre vegetation fire in Cabazon. Air resources responded rapidly, including airtankers that conducted multiple retardant drops and a firefighting helicopter assigned to spot fires, flare-ups, and mop-up operations.

Both of Cabazon’s Heli-Hydrant sites were used during the firefighting response, allowing aircraft to refill within seconds. Heavy smoke near the southern Cabazon Heli-Hydrant forced the helicopter pilot to shift to the northern site to continue suppression efforts safely.

Thanks to the rapid and coordinated response, the Lemon Fire was contained at approximately 14 acres of vegetation, with damage limited to one outbuilding and four vehicles. This effort protected approximately 2,630 residents in Cabazon and demonstrated, once again, the life-and-property-saving value of investing in local wildfire response infrastructure and regional collaboration.

The Heli-Hydrant project was developed by SGPWA in partnership with local water agencies, Riverside County Fire, and Cal Fire to strengthen wildfire response capabilities across the Pass area. Funded through $1.8 million in American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) funding secured by Riverside County Fifth District Supervisor Dr. Yxstian Gutierrez, the network is designed to place strategically located refill stations on both sides of Interstate 10, allowing firefighting helicopters to refill water in as little as 10 seconds without requiring ground crews.

Originally developed by retired firefighter Mark Whaling, the system helps aircraft remain closer to active fires, improving response times during critical early stages of wildfire suppression and enhancing protection for high fire-risk communities throughout the region.

Learn more about SGPWA’s Heli-Hydrant network at sgpwa.com.

WVWD Partners with Local Student Initiative to Host Workshop

Walnut Valley Water District (WVWD) recently partnered with Green 4 Better, a local student-led initiative focused on sustainability and environmental awareness, to host the Beautiful Lawns with Less Water Workshop, a community event centered on water use efficiency and sustainable landscaping practices.

The workshop highlighted a unique collaboration between students and the community, with students taking an active leadership role in promoting the event. In the weeks leading up to the workshop, students tabled at local grocery stores, conducted outreach on school campuses, created social media content, and filmed a promotional Instagram reel alongside WVWD staff to encourage attendance.

The result was a strong turnout of community members, many of whom were engaging with Walnut Valley Water District for the very first time.

“This partnership was a powerful example of what happens when students are empowered to lead,” said Lily Lopez, Director of External Affairs & Sustainability at WVWD. “They didn’t just help promote the event, they helped create a bridge between the District and the community in a very authentic way.”

To ensure accessibility and encourage broader participation, WVWD also provided Mandarin translation assistance during the workshop. The educational presentation and instruction were provided by Green Media Creations, helping attendees learn practical ways to maintain beautiful landscapes while using water more efficiently.

The workshop reflects WVWD’s ongoing commitment to community education, sustainability, and building meaningful partnerships that connect environmental awareness with real-world action.

WVWD continues to expand outreach efforts that make water conservation approachable, inclusive, and community-driven, especially through partnerships that inspire the next generation of environmental leaders.

Alameda County Water District Earns Statewide Recognition for Public Outreach

FREMONT — The Alameda County Water District (ACWD) received three prestigious honors, including an EPIC Award, from the California Association of Public Information Officials (CAPIO) during the 2026 CAPIO Annual Conference in San Diego, recognizing the District’s innovative and impactful community outreach efforts.

ACWD earned the EPIC Award in the “Graphic Design – Print” category for its community event “Pints and Plants – An Evening in the Garden” promoting water awareness in recognition of the national Imagine a Day Without Water campaign. The event also received a CAPIO Award of Distinction in the “Special or Community Event – One-Time (In-House)” category.

The District additionally received top honors in the “Most Innovative Communications” category for integrating pet-focused messaging into local water emergency preparedness outreach efforts.

“These awards reflect ACWD’s commitment to engaging our community in meaningful, creative, and accessible ways,” said ACWD General Manager, Ed Stevenson. “Whether through community events or innovative preparedness messaging, our goal is to create outreach and programs that resonate with our customers, strengthen our connection with the community, and give our customers the tools and information they expect from us.”

The California Association of Public Information Officials is the leading statewide organization dedicated to advancing public sector communicators across all levels of government.

Through award-winning outreach programs and public education initiatives, Alameda County Water District continues to promote water awareness, conservation, emergency preparedness, and community connection throughout the Tri-City area.

Since 1914, the Alameda County Water District has supplied water to the residents and businesses of southern Alameda County. ACWD supplies drinking water to the 348,000 people living in the cities of Fremont, Newark, and Union City. For more information, please visit www.acwd.org.

Landscape Transformation Puts Water-efficient Design on Display

RIVERSIDE — Western Municipal Water District (Western Water) and March Field Air Museum hosted a ribbon-cutting ceremony on Wednesday, May 20 to celebrate the completion of a landscape transformation project in the museum’s Heritage Courtyard. The garden is designed to reduce outdoor water use and showcase climate-appropriate landscaping. In a region where outdoor irrigation accounts for a significant share of demand, this project shows that meaningful spaces can be reimagined to use water more efficiently. The project replaced approximately 20,000 square feet of non-functional turf with climate-appropriate landscape, an upgraded irrigation system, and installed interpretive signage, saving approximately 94,000 gallons of water annually. Supported by a $100,000 WaterSMART grant from the United States Bureau of Reclamation, the project highlights how collaboration can support real-world solutions that benefit both the community and long-term water reliability. Surrounded by memorials honoring the service and sacrifice of our nation’s veterans, the updated landscape creates a welcoming setting for reflection while also serving as a living example of water-efficient design. Visitors can explore climate-appropriate plants, learn about outdoor water efficiency, and experience a landscape designed to support pollinators such as bees and butterflies, showing how sustainable landscapes can support both community spaces and Southern California’s future. “This project helps show what water-efficient landscaping can look like in Southern California, said Craig Miller, General Manager of Western Water. “Many people hear terms like ‘drought-tolerant’ or ‘climate-appropriate landscaping’ but may not know what that looks like in practice. By creating a highly visible and welcoming public space, this project can inspire others to rethink landscapes to better reflect our climate while still creating places people enjoy.” “Because of the museum’s location along one of the busiest freeways in Riverside County, this landscape is now visible to thousands of people every day,” said Jamil Dada. What was once a traditional turf area has been transformed into a beautiful and welcoming garden space that reflects the future of landscaping in Southern California while enhancing the visitor experience at the museum.” The Heritage Courtyard is open to the public Tuesday through Sunday from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. To learn more about the project, visit WesternWaterCA.gov/TransformMarchField. To learn more about the March Field Air Museum, visit MarchField.org.

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Western Municipal Water District is one of the largest public agencies in Riverside County, providing water and wastewater (sewer) services to nearly 1 million people, both retail and wholesale customers who live, work, and play within 527-square miles in one of California’s most populous regions. Learn more: WesternWaterCA.gov

Water Festival Draws Thousands for a Day of Discovery and Community

Santa Margarita Water District’s 2026 Water Festival once again transformed the District’s headquarters into a vibrant celebration of water, sustainability, science, and community—welcoming approximately 2,700 attendees for a day filled with hands-on learning, live entertainment, interactive exhibits, and unforgettable experiences for all ages.

“Thank you to everyone who attended this year’s Water Festival, brought to you by Santa Margarita Water District,” said Nicole Stanfield, Communications and Public Relations Manager. “This year we welcomed approximately 2,700 attendees who learned about H2O, connected with SMWD, South Orange County’s local water provider, and discovered how water, wildlife, and sustainability work together to support our environment.” Guests enjoyed a lively atmosphere filled with hands-on activities, live shows, music, food, and interactive exhibits for all ages. This year’s festival continued SMWD’s tradition of blending education with entertainment while introducing exciting new experiences designed to make the event even more interactive and engaging. One of the most popular additions was the new Ask Jake from SMWD digital trivia game, which allowed guests to participate directly from their phones using QR codes and text-message prize notifications. Families also enjoyed meeting Jake from SMWD in person while competing for fun prizes throughout the day. New environmentally focused enhancements also helped improve the overall guest experience, including dedicated bike parking to encourage sustainable transportation and the addition of the Ranch Shuttle Ride to improve mobility and transportation flow to and from the event for Rancho Mission Viejo residents. Even attraction and activity lines became part of the educational experience, as guests moved through operational warehouse areas that provided a behind-the-scenes glimpse into portions of SMWD’s infrastructure and operations. A standout attraction once again were the infrastructure bus tours, where attendees had the unique opportunity to explore critical SMWD facilities and hear directly from District experts, including Tricia Butler, Chief Engineer and Tim O’Neal, San Juan Water Reclamation Plant Manager. Their personable, informative tours gave customers a deeper understanding of the sophisticated infrastructure, planning, technology, and dedicated professionals required to deliver high-quality drinking water and wastewater services to more than 210,000 customers throughout South Orange County. Throughout the festival grounds, more than 50 community vendors and partner organizations helped bring the event to life through hands-on activities, educational exhibits, wildlife encounters, science demonstrations, games, live performances, and environmental outreach. Guests explored everything from reptile exhibits and touch tanks to water membrane filtration demonstrations, to build a pipeline (competition), composting workshops, puppet shows, recycling games, bird presentations, inflatables, zip lines, and music. Additionally, guests toured the WaterWorks Garden hosted by SMWD’s water efficiency team who showcased the latest in outdoor irrigation technology and practices, and spoke with guests about how to identify and stop water leaks at home. Families connected with organizations dedicated to conservation, sustainability, science, wildlife protection, recycling, and water education—reinforcing the important relationship between environmental stewardship and the health of local communities. Popular attractions included the Orange County Bird of Prey Center’s live educational presentations, the Bolsa Chica Conservancy touch tank, Bionerds science activities, and the worm composting workshops hosted by weCompost2. Of course, no Festival would be complete without great food and entertainment. Guests enjoyed music, live demonstration shows, cotton candy, interactive games, and burritos served throughout the day—helping create a welcoming atmosphere that reflected SMWD’s strong connection to the communities it serves. The 2026 Water Festival showcased far more than just a community event—it reflected SMWD’s commitment to education, environmental stewardship, transparency, and customer engagement. By opening its doors and creating opportunities for customers to interact directly with staff, infrastructure, technology, and community partners, SMWD continues to foster a deeper appreciation for the value of water and the essential services that support everyday life. Save the Date: The 2027 Water Festival is scheduled for Saturday, May 22, 2027, from 10:00 AM to 1:00 PM. Those interested in receiving updates about upcoming events, classes and the Water Festival are encouraged to sign up for On Tap Newsletter at https://smwd.com/259/News.

May 2026 ACWA News Available

Read the May edition of ACWA News for informative articles about the association and water industry. Articles include:

WVWD Receives Walter “Andy” Sells Award

WALNUT — Walnut Valley Water District (WVWD) has been awarded the Walter “Andy” Sells Commitment to Excellence in Water Safety Award, the highest honor presented by the ACWA JPIA for outstanding commitment to workplace safety, risk management, and employee development.

The award, now in only its second year, recognizes one large agency and one small agency annually across California. WVWD was selected as the recipient in the category for agencies with 30 or more employees, placing the District among only four agencies statewide to ever receive the distinction.

While the award highlights strong operational performance and safety outcomes, District leaders say the true story behind the recognition is the people.

“This award reflects the culture our employees have built together,” said Interim General Manager Jared Macias. “Safety, collaboration, and continuous improvement are not just policies here—they are values our team lives every day. Whether it’s participating in trainings, finding new ways to prevent injuries, or supporting one another in the field and office, this recognition belongs to every employee across the District.”

WVWD earned the recognition through years of active employee participation in safety initiatives, professional development programs, wellness efforts, and operational improvements. Highlights included:

The District was also recognized for maintaining exceptionally strong claims and safety performance across liability, property, and workers’ compensation programs.

WVWD’s employee-driven culture of safety has led to practical improvements across the organization from ergonomic workstations and stretching programs to assistive tools designed to reduce strain on field crews. The District also continues investing in leadership development and workforce growth through industry training and certification opportunities.

“As an organization, we believe taking care of our employees directly impacts how we serve our community,” said Macias. “When employees feel supported, trained, and empowered, everyone benefits.”

WVWD has been a founding member of the JPIA since 1979 and continues to play an active role in statewide leadership and collaboration efforts within the water industry.

Desert Water Agency Wins Statewide Award

Desert Water Agency earned a 2026 EPIC Award from the California Association of Public Information Officials (CAPIO) for its Mission, Vision & Values video, highlighting the Agency’s Strategic Plan and organizational culture.

The award-winning video project, The Roadmap Ahead, The Compass Within: Bringing Desert Water Agency’s Mission, Vision & Values to Life, features employees from across the organization and was unveiled during the Agency’s all-staff meeting on Dec. 11.

The project received first place in the category of Video Production – Marketing Video – Consultant Supported during the CAPIO EPIC Awards Ceremony held May 12 in San Diego as part of CAPIO’s annual conference.

The video project was designed to reinforce the Agency’s commitment to its guiding principles, while celebrating the employees who help advance its strategic goals every day.

“Rather than simply introducing our Strategic Plan and Mission, Vision and Values through a traditional presentation, this project gave us the opportunity to create something meaningful and memorable for our employees and community we serve,” said Esther Saenz, DWA General Manager. “By featuring staff from multiple departments, the video brought our organizational values to life in a way that felt authentic, engaging and personal. We are honored to receive this recognition from CAPIO.”

The EPIC Awards recognize excellence in public sector communications throughout California, with more than 500 submissions received across all categories this year.

Check out the award-winning video here.

About DWA

Desert Water Agency is a public, not-for-profit agency and a State Water Project contractor, managing and importing water for a 325-square-mile area in the western Coachella Valley. DWA provides tap water service to Palm Springs and parts of Cathedral City. An elected five-member board sets policy and represents the ratepayers.

WVWD Announces Retirement of General Manager Sherry Shaw

WALNUT – After 25 years of dedicated service to Walnut Valley Water District (WVWD), including the last two years as General Manager, Sherry Shaw announced her retirement effective July 1, 2026.

Throughout her career, Shaw helped guide the District through significant growth, operational improvements, and major infrastructure investments. Under her leadership, WVWD achieved several key milestones, including the implementation of the District’s new 4/10 work schedule, completion of the new Headquarters Building, the largest capital improvement project in District history, and approval to begin construction on the future Operations Building.

“This decision comes with a mix of emotions, but above all, deep gratitude,” said Shaw. “Serving this organization and our community has been one of the greatest honors of my career. I’m incredibly proud of what we’ve accomplished together and confident the District will continue to thrive because of the talented and dedicated team behind it.”

“Sherry’s leadership, professionalism, and commitment to public service have left a lasting impact on Walnut Valley Water District,” said Board President Jerry Tang. “On behalf of the Board of Directors, we thank her for her many years of service and the strong foundation she helped build for the future of this organization and the communities we serve.”

To support a smooth leadership transition, the Board of Directors has appointed Assistant General Manager Jared Macias to serve as Interim General Manager effective May 22, 2026.

WVWD thanks Shaw for her years of leadership, commitment to public service, and lasting contributions to the District and the communities it serves. The District wishes her all the best as she begins her next chapter.