Roseville and PCWA Strengthen Regional Water Reliability with New System Connection
The Roseville City Council and the Placer County Water Agency (PCWA) Board have approved an agreement to formalize the shared operation and maintenance of the Woodcreek Intertie, strengthening water reliability for both agencies’ customers in Roseville, PCWA service areas, and the surrounding region.
The Woodcreek Intertie is a connection between the two water systems that allows water to move in either direction when needed. Located along the border of the two service areas, the 12-inch connection, which includes metering and telemetry, helps maintain steady water service during both planned maintenance and unexpected disruptions. The intertie will primarily be used during emergencies, planned maintenance, or when additional system flexibility is needed.
“Its advanced metering and telemetry capabilities allow us to monitor and control operations remotely 24/7, so we can respond quickly, especially in the event of an emergency,” said Jeremy Shepard, Director of Technical Services for PCWA. “Its design allows us to move water in either direction, ensuring operational flexibility and resilience when it matters most.”
Built for reliability when it matters most
This connection gives both agencies more flexibility to respond when conditions change. It supports:
- Emergency response: Water deliveries during outages or supply disruptions
- Planned maintenance: Work can happen without interrupting service
- Peak demand: Capacity sharing when water use is highest
Together, these capabilities add another layer of protection, keeping water flowing to homes and businesses.
A partnership that strengthens the system
This agreement builds on a long-standing partnership between Roseville and PCWA focused on long-term water planning and regional coordination. For decades, the two agencies have worked together to deliver reliable water, and this agreement strengthens that shared commitment for Placer County residents.
“This is about being ready before something happens,” said Janice Gainey, principal engineer. “By strengthening connections with our regional partners, we’re adding flexibility to the system and making sure we can continue delivering reliable water service, even in challenging situations.”
Supporting a more resilient future and why this matters
The Woodcreek Intertie is one of several system connections between the two agencies, with additional projects continuing to strengthen regional water reliability over time. This connection adds to a growing network of interties between the two agencies, strengthening overall system reliability. These investments help ensure the system can adapt to growth, changing conditions, and future needs.
This is one of many strategic partnerships ensuring water reliability across Placer County. Learn more at placerwaterfuture.com.
Tahoe City Public Utility District Receives ‘A+’ Credit Rating from S&P
TAHOE CITY – Tahoe City Public Utility District Public Finance Authority (“Authority”) has received an ‘A+’ long-term credit rating with a stable outlook from S&P Global Ratings on its Water Revenue Bonds, Series 2026A. The Authority assists Tahoe City Public Utility District (TCPUD) in financing capital projects. The rating reflects TCPUD’s strong financial position and commitment to responsible, long-term financial planning.
This independent rating is an important factor in TCPUD’s ability to secure favorable financing for major infrastructure projects, including $7 million in water revenue bonds to support the Madden Creek Water System Reconstruction Project. When complete, this crucial project will improve reliability, strengthen fire protection, and provide a more resilient water supply for the community.
“A strong credit rating is the result of years of disciplined planning and careful financial management,” said TCPUD General Manager Sean Barclay. “It allows us to invest in critical infrastructure in a way that is cost-effective and responsible to our customers.”
Credit ratings influence the interest rates public agencies receive when issuing bonds. The Authority’s ‘A+’ rating helps TCPUD lower borrowing costs, ensuring more funding can go directly towards infrastructure improvements rather than paying interest expense.
S&P Global Ratings cited several key strengths supporting the Authority’s rating, including:
- The current financial strength of TCPUD capable of absorbing rising debt service over time
- Long-term capital and financial planning that strengthens budget predictability, and liquidity targets
- Additional financial support through property tax allocations from the General Fund
- Capital planning that proactively addresses near-term infrastructure and physical risks
S&P also assigned a stable outlook, indicating confidence in TCPUD’s ability to maintain its financial performance over time.
TCPUD’s financial approach is guided by its Strategic Plan and long-term financial modeling, which prioritize maintaining critical infrastructure while minimizing impacts to ratepayers. TCPUD also actively pursues grants and low-interest financing to further reduce costs to the community.
For more information about TCPUD’s finances and long-term planning, visit www.tcpud.org/finance.
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Tahoe City Public Utility District provides water, sewer, parks, and recreation services within its 31-square mile service area. The District’s boundaries lie within Placer and El Dorado Counties, extending from Emerald Bay to Dollar Hill and along the Truckee River to the Nevada County line. For additional information, call Aaron Hussmann at 530.580.6291 or email.
The Salmon Are Back as the SFPUC Marks Earth Day
SAN FRANCISCO — Chinook salmon returned to two Bay Area creeks this winter for the first time in decades. Steelhead trout populations are booming on those same two waterways. And the lower Tuolumne River is once again a thriving fish hangout.
It has been a good year for fish and other native species in waters the San Francisco Public Utilities Commission (SFPUC) helps manage.
The rebounding fish populations come as the SFPUC has worked diligently with other river partners – often for years – to remove man-made barriers to fish migration, restore natural spawning habitat, and strategically increase water releases from reservoirs to mimic natural river flows.
“This represents a lot of hard work by a lot of people. It’s paying off,” said SFPUC General Manager Dennis Herrera. “Together, we’re doing the work to protect and support native fish populations on the waterways we have a hand in managing. There’s more to come. On the Tuolumne River alone, we’re committed to not only providing more water for the river, but also significantly investing in restoring habitat through our proposed Healthy Rivers and Landscapes Program. As we mark Earth Day, it’s a reminder that healthy environments, clean energy, and healthy communities are all connected.”
Alameda Creek
Alameda Creek, which stretches from its mouth in the San Francisco Bay near Fremont all the way to Mount Hamilton in Santa Clara County, provides important habitat for native fish and wildlife. The Calaveras and San Antonio Reservoirs are important sources of drinking water for SFPUC customers, and the creeks upstream and downstream are important aquatic habitat for native species. Due to many factors — including the construction of flood control facilities, water diversion structures, and urbanization of open spaces — once-abundant steelhead trout lost access to the watershed and have struggled to survive in just a few areas over the past 70 years.
In the late 1990s, things began to change. The Alameda Creek Fisheries Restoration Workgroup, including the SFPUC, started to identify barriers to fish migration and making plans to remove them or construct fish ladders over them.
In 2006, the SFPUC removed Sunol and Niles Dams from Alameda Creek. The Alameda Creek Diversion Dam was rebuilt as part of the Calaveras Dam Replacement Project, including construction of a fish ladder in 2018. In January 2019 the SFPUC started releasing water from Calaveras Dam to support steelhead and other native species based on a schedule developed collaboratively with the Alameda Creek Fisheries Restoration Workgroup, including the California Department of Fish and Wildlife, National Marine Fisheries Service, and the Alameda Creek Alliance.
Now, due to decades of work by the SFPUC and other organizations to improve fish habitat and remove barriers, there has been an increase in juvenile steelhead leaving the watershed for San Francisco Bay and the ocean. During the SFPUC’s annual fish trapping surveys between 2015 and 2023, biologists captured and released an average of about 40 steelhead a year. In 2024, they captured and released 2,600 steelhead. In 2025 that number was over 1,400. This year it’s already over 200 and on pace to meet last year’s figure. For the first time in more than 70 years, the adult steelhead can enter the watershed, and this past winter Chinook salmon were documented in the upper reaches of Alameda Creek.
San Mateo Creek
A similar story has been unfolding on San Mateo Creek on the Peninsula. In January 2015 the SFPUC started releasing water from Lower Crystal Springs Dam to support steelhead and other native species in San Mateo. This schedule also mimics natural flows and was developed in collaboration with the California Department of Fish and Wildlife and the National Marine Fisheries Service.
Over the last three years, the SFPUC’s capture and release of juvenile steelhead leaving San Mateo Creek has averaged almost 350 steelhead a year. Chinook salmon were also documented in San Mateo Creek this past winter for the first time in decades.
Upper Tuolumne River
The SFPUC is also advancing work on the upper Tuolumne River, downstream of O’Shaughnessy Dam in Yosemite National Park, the source for 85% of the Hetch Hetchy Regional Water System’s supply. Through its collaborative Upper Tuolumne River Ecosystem Program, the agency is shaping springtime snowmelt water releases to better mimic natural river flows, supporting rich and unique habitats and species downstream, including the wetland ecosystem in the Poopenaut Valley, and species such as rainbow trout and the foothill yellow-legged frog.
Lower Tuolumne River
On the lower Tuolumne River below Don Pedro Reservoir, the SFPUC in partnership with the Turlock and Modesto Irrigation Districts, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, and River Partners has been working to develop and begin implementation of several projects designed to improve spawning and rearing habitat for Chinook salmon and rainbow trout. In 2024 this partnership led to the implementation of the Old La Grange Bridge Project, which created seven acres of new spawning habitat for fall-run and spring-run Chinook salmon. It will also help maintain other restoration projects as 50,000 cubic yards of new spawning gravel moves slowly downstream.
This year, the partnership aims to build another spawning habitat project – Powerhouse Riffles – just upstream of the Old La Grange Bridge Project. And in the next few years, the partners will work toward bringing 77 acres of new floodplain rearing habitat online to give juvenile salmon their best chance at growing and surviving their challenging migration to the ocean.
In May of 2025, the lower Tuolumne River saw around 1,000 spring-run Chinook salmon arrive for the summer and later successfully spawn, with thousands of juveniles beginning their migration to the ocean over this past winter. The arrival of such a large number of spring-run was a first for the Tuolumne. It is hopefully a trend that will continue as these habitat projects are built, and monitoring continues on the health of both spring-run and fall-run Chinook salmon populations. So far in 2026, 30 spring-run adults have arrived, with more expected through May and June.
All of this work is vital as the Turlock and Modesto Irrigation Districts and the SFPUC work to balance the needs of the river ecosystem and water supply reliability for the millions of people and thousands of businesses in the Bay Area and Central Valley who rely on the river for water.
Powering Cleaner Homes
Just as healthy rivers are essential to a reliable water supply, clean air is critical to healthy communities.
The SFPUC delivers this through two not-for-profit power programs: Hetch Hetchy Power, which has produced 100% greenhouse gas-free electricity for more than 100 years for municipal services like libraries and Muni; and CleanPowerSF, the City’s clean energy program that procures renewable electricity for homes and businesses.
Through CleanPowerSF, San Francisco provides clean electricity while saving customers more than $146 million on their electric bills over the past decade compared to PG&E.
Now CleanPowerSF is making it easier for customers to switch to clean electric appliances, helping reduce pollution, lower energy costs, and create healthier indoor air. Residential customers can receive bill credits for upgrades ranging from $150 for an electric stove to $300 for an electric clothes dryer to $1,200 for a heat pump water heater or HVAC heat pump. Additional incentives are available for income-qualified households.
Rooftop Solar for San Francisco Schools
While playgrounds get greener, the SFPUC is putting school rooftops to work, generating clean energy that reduces emissions and helps protect the health of San Francisco’s children and communities. Since 2012, the SFPUC–SFUSD partnership has installed nine rooftop solar systems across the district. On average, these systems generate about one-third of a school’s annual electricity needs, helping supplement on-site power use and support reliable operations.
Greener Schoolyards
Many San Franciscans remember the asphalt schoolyards where recess was spent. Over the next 40 years, the SFPUC is partnering with the San Francisco Unified School District to transform these spaces into green, multi-use spaces that support play, learning, and stormwater management.
At Everett Middle School that shift is already complete. What was once two acres of cracked asphalt is now a vibrant campus with rain gardens and permeable surfaces that capture up to 1 million gallons of stormwater each year, easing pressure on the City’s sewer system.
National Recognition
The SFPUC’s work is also earning national recognition. The agency recently received its fourth Envision Award in the last six years from the Institute for Sustainable Infrastructure, this time for the Sunol Valley Water Treatment Plant Ozonation Project, which is adding ozone treatment to improve taste and reduce odors in drinking water. Other award-winning projects include the Headworks and Biosolids Digester Facilities at the Southeast Treatment Plant (2019, 2022), as well as the Treasure Island Water Resource Recovery Facility (2025).
About the San Francisco Public Utilities Commission
The San Francisco Public Utilities Commission is a department of the City and County of San Francisco. It delivers drinking water to 2.7 million people in the San Francisco Bay Area, collects and treats wastewater for the City and County of San Francisco, and meets 75% of the electricity demand in San Francisco with clean energy. The SFPUC’s mission is to provide customers with high-quality, efficient and reliable water, power, and sewer services in a manner that values environmental and community interests, and sustains the resources entrusted to the agency’s care. Learn more at sfpuc.gov.
Ventura County Agency Recognized Among California’s Top Special Districts
OXNARD — The Special District Leadership Foundation (SDLF) has recognized United Water Conservation District (United Water) as a District of Distinction, placing United Water among the highest performing public agencies in California and affirming its commitment to strong governance, fiscal discipline, and public accountability.
Only 2.14 percent of California’s more than two thousand special districts have earned District of Distinction accreditation. United Water stands as the only special district in Ventura County to hold this designation.
“This recognition belongs to the entire United Water team,” said Mauricio Guardado, United Water General Manager. “Our staff and Board show up every day with professionalism and discipline, and this honor reflects their shared commitment to serving the public with integrity and accountability.”
The District of Distinction program subjects participating agencies to a rigorous, independent evaluation of financial management and governance practices covering a three-year period. Through this review, the Special District Leadership Foundation confirmed that United Water maintains sound fiscal policies, effective internal controls, and transparent operational practices that support long term stewardship of public resources.
“SDLF provides an independent audit review of the last three years of United Water’s operations to ensure prudent fiscal practices,” said Neil McCormick, Chief Executive Officer of the Special District Leadership Foundation.
To earn the accreditation, United Water’s Board of Directors and executive leadership completed required training in public governance, ethics, and harassment prevention and demonstrated full compliance with statewide transparency standards. United Water provides public access to financial audits, budgets, board meeting materials, election procedures, and compensation reporting to ensure accountability and informed public engagement.
As part of achieving District of Distinction status, United Water also earned recognition through the California Special Districts Association District of Distinction Level Up Challenge, which highlights agencies that demonstrate a strong institutional commitment to excellence in governance and continuous improvement.
The District of Distinction designation remains in effect for three years and signals that United Water meets the highest standards expected of public agencies responsible for critical infrastructure and natural resources.
United Water Conservation District manages and protects water resources for the communities, agriculture, and environment of Ventura County. Through responsible fiscal management, long range planning, and sustained investment in resilient infrastructure, United Water works to secure a reliable water future for the region.
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About United Water Conservation District
Since 1927, United Water Conservation District (District) has served as a leader among water agencies by managing, protecting, enhancing and securing the water resources of the Santa Clara River and Oxnard Coastal Plain. United Water works to protect the environment’s natural attributes and conserves runoff from all major tributaries of the Santa Clara River, including Piru, Hopper, Sespe, and Santa Paula Creeks. Committed to managing the area’s water supplies through groundwater replenishment and the construction and operation of efMicient water supply and delivery systems, United Water serves as the conservator of groundwater resources that are utilized by the cities of Oxnard, Port Hueneme, Ventura, Santa Paula, and Fillmore, as well as Naval Base Ventura County and several mutual water districts, farms, and individual pumpers. United Water also provides surface water for agricultural irrigation and treated drinking water to the cities of Oxnard and Port Hueneme. www.unitedwater.org
WVWD Celebrates Local High School Seniors Addressing Workforce Challenges
RIALTO – West Valley Water District’s (WVWD) Board of Directors awarded four $1,000 scholarships to high school seniors across its service area during its April 16 board meeting. The students were selected as winners of the District’s 2026 Written and Video Scholarship Contest. The winning entries included both written and video essays that challenged applicants to dive deep into the essential work that water professionals do each day by selecting a career path within the water industry and evaluating its direct impact on public health and environmental safety. Participants were also asked to propose a targeted recruitment strategy to attract high school and college graduates to that field. “From all of us at West Valley Water District, we want to congratulate this year’s scholarship recipients for their hard work and exceptional submissions,” said WVWD Board President Kelvin Moore. “As many of our most experienced professionals approach retirement, they take decades of specialized expertise with them. It is through the next generation of water stewards that we will fill those gaps and ensure a resilient future for our industry.” Introducing the WVWD 2026 Scholarship contest winners:- Christina G., Eisenhower High School
- Gabriel C., Bloomington High School
- Kayla J., Rancho Cucamonga High School
- Stephanie J. Summit High School
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Since 1952, West Valley Water District has been dedicated to serving the Southern California communities of Bloomington, Colton, Fontana, Rialto, Jurupa Valley and Unincorporated San Bernardino County. Providing water to about 100,000 customers, West Valley is committed to delivering a cost-effective, high-quality water supply. Governed by a five-member, publicly elected board of directors, our mission encompasses strategic water resource planning, effective management, and the development of regional partnerships to ensure sustainable water solutions.Jurupa Secures Congressional Funding and Project with Congressman Takano
JURUPA VALLEY — Jurupa Community Services District (JCSD) recently welcomed Congressman Mark Takano to mark the start of construction on the District’s Well 29 Development Project. Congressman Takano helped secure nearly $1.1 million in federal funding to support this project through the FY 2026 federal budget. During his visit, Congressman Takano met with JCSD leadership, spoke with staff, and received a tour of the Chino II Desalter facility.
The funding was included in H.R. 6938, the Commerce, Justice, Science, Energy and Water Development, and Interior and Environment Appropriations Act, 2026, which passed the U.S. House of Representatives on January 8, 2026, the U.S. Senate on January 15, 2026, and was signed into law on January 23, 2026.
This milestone marks the first time in JCSD’s history that the District has received a direct congressional appropriation from Congress. Congressman Takano selected JCSD’s Well 29 Development Project as one of fifteen Community Project Funding requests submitted for fiscal year 2026.
Community Project Funding requests are highly competitive and significantly more difficult to secure than traditional grant funding. These appropriations compete against other national priorities across multiple policy areas.
“Investing in local water infrastructure is essential to protecting public health and ensuring reliable service,” said JCSD Board President Anthony Herda. “We thank Congressman Takano for his leadership and willingness to support JCSD, as we advance this critical project.”
“Water providers throughout the region are confronting the impacts of PFAS contamination, and for agencies like JCSD that depend solely on groundwater, those challenges are even more pronounced,” said Congressman Mark Takano. “I was proud to help secure federal funding for JCSD’s Well 29 Project so the District and the community have the resources needed to strengthen water reliability and protect public health.”
The Well 29 Development Project will enhance local water supply reliability, affordability, and quality by constructing a new groundwater well to replace Well 19. JCSD has secured the site and completed drilling and testing, confirming excellent water quality and strong production potential. Once operational, Well 29 is expected to produce over 1,000 gallons per minute and reduce treatment costs, strengthening the region’s water supply resilience.
Additional information on the Well 29 Development Project will be shared as construction milestones are reached.
New Online Resource for HRL Program Available
SACRAMENTO — A new website has been launched to help tell the story of the Healthy Rivers and Landscapes (HRL) Program. Developed by California public water agencies along with their many partners, the site brings together videos, infographics and clear, accessible information to help explain how this approach works for Californians and why it matters.
The HRL Program is a science-based, collaborative framework to restoring river health, floodplains and natural landscapes, and continues to gain momentum as an important path forward for the Bay-Delta Water Quality Control Plan update. ACWA is a long-standing supporter of the HRL Program as the best approach to protecting, restoring and enhancing the Bay-Delta watershed.
The HRL Program is built on a simple idea: pairing strategically timed flows with habitat improvements can create real, measurable benefits for fish and wildlife, while maintaining water supply reliability for cities, rural communities, agriculture and recreation. This advances the State Water Resources Control Board’s important responsibility to protect all beneficial uses of water.
As discussions continue at the State Water Board, this program reflects years of collaboration, supported by scientific monitoring of early implementation projects already underway across California. That includes 58 projects that are completed, under construction or in final design —advancing spawning habitat, rearing habitat, predator management and strategically timed flows.
Explore and share the site, watch the videos, and see how this work is already taking shape across the state. More information and background from ACWA is also available online.
ACWA Foundation Offers Leadership Scholarship Opportunity
The ACWA Foundation is now accepting applications for the Bette Boatmun Emerging Leadership Award, which provides up to $2,500 in scholarship funding to support leadership development for emerging water professionals.
The award is designed to help rising leaders access high-quality training opportunities by reducing financial barriers. Recipients are expected to apply the knowledge and skills gained to strengthen their organizations and contribute to the broader water community.
Named in honor of Bette Boatmun, long-time Contra Costa Water District Board of Directors member and an ACWA Past President, the award recognizes individuals who demonstrate initiative, a commitment to professional growth and the potential to lead within their organizations and the water industry.
Applications are due by June 30, 2026.
For more information or to apply, visit the ACWA Foundation’s website. Questions can be directed to Lisa Mealoy at lmealoy@acwa-foundation.org.
ACWA Launches Vision for Our Water Future to Advance Statewide Water Solutions
SACRAMENTO — The Association of California Water Agencies (ACWA) today announced the launch of Vision for Our Water Future, an initiative to elevate water as a top priority for California’s next governor, legislative leadership, and state officials. The initiative outlines a clear, solutions-focused framework to secure a resilient and reliable water system that meets the needs of California’s economy, communities and environment. It is backed by the members of the largest statewide coalition of public water agencies in the nation. “Water is foundational to everything California is trying to achieve, from building housing and growing our economy to protecting public health and ensuring community resilience,” said Chelsea Haines, ACWA Director of State Regulatory Relations. “This Vision reflects the collective expertise of water suppliers across the state and puts forward strategic, actionable solutions. We are asking for bold leadership from the next governor to move these solutions forward.” California’s water system is under increasing pressure from drought, flood, wildfire, aging infrastructure, and changing economic and community demands. At the same time, local water agencies continue to invest in and advance thoughtful, innovative solutions, and California ratepayers are funding more than 85 percent of the system while managing growing demands and costs. The Vision for Our Water Future initiative centers on four key priorities outlined within the Vision document:- Elevating water as a statewide leadership priority
- Protecting affordability for Californians
- Delivering critical infrastructure upgrades and investments
- Modernizing water management and permitting systems
A Forward-Looking Approach to Water Leadership
Thoughtful leadership and real-world innovation were front and center at the Municipal Water Leaders Workshop in Palm Springs this March.
Santa Margarita Water District’s General Manager, Robert Grantham, joined a select group of water leaders as a presenter at the workshop hosted by Municipal Water Leader magazine—an executive-level forum focused on navigating the future of water in the American West. In alignment with this year’s theme, Navigating the Future of Municipal Water in the West,” Mr. Grantham’s presentation highlighted how Santa Margarita Water District is actively shaping that future through strategic investment, regional collaboration, and innovation. From advancing indirect potable reuse and expanding recycled water systems to implementing enterprise asset management across a $3 billion infrastructure portfolio, SMWD is taking a forward-looking approach to reliability and sustainability. Projects like the Middle San Juan Creek Groundwater Replenishment Program and the Lake Mission Viejo advanced treatment initiative demonstrate how local solutions can deliver drought-resilient supply while supporting community needs. Equally important, the presentation underscored the District’s commitment to regional partnerships and to serving diverse communities—including efforts to address affordability and infrastructure challenges in underserved areas. In a rapidly evolving regulatory and environmental landscape, it’s clear that leadership in water isn’t just about managing today’s resources—it’s about building systems, partnerships, and strategies that will endure for decades. We are proud to see SMWD contributing to the broader conversation and helping define what’s next for water in the West. Learn more about Santa Margarita Water District at SMWD.com/About.