Zone 7 Water Agency Wins Awards for PFAS Treatment Plant

LIVERMORE – Zone 7 Water Agency has received two prestigious engineering awards from the American Council of Engineering Companies (ACEC) for the Stoneridge PFAS Treatment Plant: an Engineering Excellence Honor Award and a National Recognition Award. With financial support from a $16 million grant from the State of California’s Sustainable Groundwater Management Program, Zone 7 completed construction of the Stoneridge PFAS Treatment Plant in the fall of 2022, the first facility in Northern California designed to remove per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS), often referred to as “forever chemicals.” The project was completed in partnership with Carollo Engineers and Conco-West, Inc.

“The Stoneridge PFAS Treatment Plant represents an important investment in protecting groundwater quality and ensuring a safe and reliable drinking water supply for the Tri-Valley community,” said Zone 7 Water Agency General Manager Valerie Pryor.

Each year, ACEC recognizes outstanding engineering and land surveying projects across California and the nation. The Engineering Excellence Awards program recognizes projects that stand out for quality, complexity, and innovation.

Located at the Stoneridge Well in Pleasanton, the new $16.3 million facility treats up to 4,600 gallons per minute (equivalent to 6.5 million gallons per day), serving more than 250,000 Tri Valley residents and businesses in Dublin, Pleasanton, and Livermore.

Carollo Engineers served as lead designer for the project, with Conco-West, Inc. serving as general contractor. The project was delivered through an accelerated design-build approach that allowed the facility to be designed, constructed, and placed into operation in less than 12 months. This project demonstrates Zone 7’s commitment to providing safe, reliable, efficient, and sustainable water services to the Tri-Valley community.

For SMWD’s Kenny Sanatar, Service to Community Runs Deep

Every time customers turn on the tap, they depend on a complex system working behind the scenes to deliver reliable, high-quality water to their homes and businesses. At Santa Margarita Water District, Kenny Sanatar plays a key leadership role in keeping that system operating smoothly.

Kenny serves as Crew Chief for System Operations, leading the team responsible for maintaining critical infrastructure across the District. This includes managing 59 reservoirs, 25 water treatment boosting sites, three open-water lakes, more than 300 pressure control valves, and over 45 pump stations. His team also coordinates major infrastructure projects and works with neighboring agencies to import water supplies that support the region’s needs.

Together, this work helps maintain consistent water pressure, system reliability, and operational readiness for the community every day.

Kenny joined SMWD in 2008 as a Maintenance Technician supporting wastewater facilities and has advanced through multiple operational roles over the years. His career progression reflects deep technical expertise, hands-on experience, and a strong commitment to public service.

“What I enjoy most is the opportunity to give back to my hometown,” Kenny shared. “Because I live here and have family who live throughout the service area, the work is personal. It’s rewarding to know that what we do supports the daily lives of our community.”

As the region has grown, Kenny has seen the District evolve as well. When he first started, Rancho Mission Viejo communities had not yet been developed, and the San Juan Capistrano system had not yet been integrated into SMWD operations. Today, he helps lead a much larger and more complex system serving approximately 210,000 customers.

Kenny credits much of his success to the collaborative culture within SMWD’s operations teams.

“I’ve learned the most from working alongside my crew,” he said. “We rely on each other’s experience and knowledge every day. That teamwork helps us perform at a high level for the community.”

Outside of work, Kenny enjoys spending time with his family, especially his two young daughters. While his earlier years included competitive sports and outdoor activities like racing motorcycles and mountain biking, his free time now centers around family activities at local parks and Lake Mission Viejo.

Many colleagues are surprised to learn that Kenny once competed professionally in snowboarding as a teenager — an experience that reflects the determination and discipline he continues to bring to his work today.

Kenny’s leadership represents the experienced professionals working behind the scenes to support reliable water service for the community. His work — and that of his team — reflects Santa Margarita Water District’s commitment to operational excellence, infrastructure reliability, and to providing high-quality water customers can depend on every day.

Learn more about Santa Margarita Water District at SMWD.com/News.

IEUA Celebrates the Opening of the Water Discovery Center

CHINO – On Wednesday, March 4, 2026, the Inland Empire Utilities Agency (IEUA/Agency) celebrated the opening of the Water Discovery Center (WDC), a new facility designed to support the Agency’s Water Discovery Education Program for K-12 students across IEUA’s service area.

IEUA’s Water Discovery Education Program provides students with hands-on learning opportunities focused on water resources, environmental stewardship, and sustainable water management. A key component of the program is the Discover the Environment and Water (DEW) field trip, which brings students to the Chino Creek Wetlands and Educational Park for guided activities and tours designed to teach about water conservation, wetland ecosystems, and regional water challenges. Educational programming aligns with California State Curriculum Standards and supports Science, Technology, Engineering, Arts and Mathematics (STEAM) and Next Generation Science Standards (NGSS).

“For years, our Discover the Environment and Water Program has inspired tens of thousands of students through outdoor field trips and interactive learning experiences,” said IEUA Board President Steve Elie. “But as we all know, weather doesn’t always cooperate. Too often, rain, extreme heat, or strong winds have forced cancellations, leaving students without access to these valuable learning moments. We are deeply grateful to the California Department of Parks and Recreation for their grant support that now expands meaningful, hands‑on learning opportunities for students across our service area for years to come.”

The opening event brought together IEUA Board members, customer and partner agencies, and community partners. The program included remarks from IEUA leadership and a planting ceremony led by the Board of Directors. IEUA External Affairs Intern Elizabeth Cazares-Chavez, who previously participated in the Water Discovery field trip program as a student, also shared her experience returning to IEUA years later as part of the Agency’s education team.

“Now being here as an intern eight years later on that same team, facilitating field trips, contributing to the design of this center, and beginning my professional career at IEUA, feels like a full circle moment,” stated External Affairs Intern Elizabeth Cazares. “I’ve experienced firsthand how water discovery can spark curiosity, build awareness, and open doors students may have never imagined for themselves.”

The WDC expands IEUA’s ability to provide year-round educational programming by offering a dedicated indoor learning space to support the DEW field trip program in an engaging environment where students can explore the science of water, environmental stewardship and sustainability. The classrooms are also equipped with smartboards, giving IEUA’s education team new tools to enhance interactive learning experiences.

“Education is one of the most powerful tools we have to inspire the next generation of water stewards,” stated IEUA Board President Elie. “The Water Discovery Center represents an investment in our students, our communities, and the future of water in our region.”

$1.1M Awarded to Marin Water for Lagunitas Creek Habitat Enhancement Work

CORTA MADERA — Marin Water received a $1,109,000 grant funding commitment this week from the California Wildlife Conservation Board to support its Lagunitas Creek Coho Habitat Enhancement Project – a multi-year effort to create favorable habitat for threatened and endangered aquatic species.

The award, which was approved by the Wildlife Conservation Board at their February 26 meeting, will provide a major boost to funding the implementation of Phase 2 of the project. Awarded through the Proposition 1 Water Quality, Supply and Infrastructure Improvement Fund of 2014 via the Stream Flow Enhancement Program, the Wildlife Conservation Board grant and partnership enable the continuation of Marin Water’s habitat enhancement work in the Lagunitas Creek watershed through implementation, monitoring and beyond.

“The Wildlife Conservation Board is proud to partner with Marin Municipal Water District to improve habitat along Lagunitas Creek,” said Jennifer Norris, executive director of the Wildlife Conservation Board. “Restoring natural stream conditions will support the recovery of coho salmon, steelhead and other native species while strengthening the health of this important watershed.”

This funding will be used to fully construct two instream habitat restoration sites in Lagunitas Creek to support recovery of coho salmon, steelhead, California freshwater shrimp and other native aquatic species. The project sites will be enhanced by the strategic placement of logs, boulders and gravel, which help to break up homogenous stream habitat, create deeper and slower pools for rearing, capture incoming gravels for spawning and improve insect production for the aquatic food web.

The full Lagunitas Creek Coho Habitat Enhancement Project has been underway since 2019 and will enhance 13 strategic sites encompassing 4,450 linear feet of stream channel in Lagunitas Creek from Peters Dam at Kent Lake to Samuel P. Taylor State Park on lands managed by Marin Water and California State Parks.

The District completed construction of Phase 1A of the project in 2024 and is expected to complete construction of Phase 1B in 2026. Final design and permitting of Phase 2 are currently underway, with construction targeted for 2027-2028. The grant from the Wildlife Conservation Board will fund the first component of Phase 2 construction.

“We are thankful for California Wildlife Conservation Board’s funding and collaboration on this tremendous project to protect the home of one of the largest remaining populations of coho salmon in Northern California and ensure the ecological health of our watershed” said Jed Smith, President of the Marin Water Board of Directors.

Five of Marin Water’s seven reservoirs are within the Lagunitas Creek watershed on Mount Tamalpais. Water is diverted from the creek’s basin to provide essential water supply for more than 190,000 people in southern and central Marin. As stewards of the watershed, it is Marin Water’s duty to take care of protected and endangered species downstream of Peters Dam on Kent Lake.

Including the award from the Wildlife Conservation Board, the District has secured nearly $11 million in grant funding for the implementation of the Lagunitas Creek Coho Habitat Enhancement Project. Leveraging outside funds helps Marin Water advance important projects through strong partnerships, while also representing its commitment to reducing impacts on local ratepayers to the largest extent possible.

The project represents a truly collaborative approach, including a partnership between Marin Water and California State Parks as well as technical and funding support from California Department of Fish and Wildlife, California Department of Water Resources Riverine Stewardship Program, the U.S. Bureau of Reclamation and the California Wildlife Conservation Board. For more information about this project, visit marinwater.org/LCUpgrades.

Established in 1947, the Wildlife Conservation Board protects, restores and enhances California’s spectacular natural resources for wildlife and the public’s use and enjoyment. WCB works in partnership with Tribes, conservation groups, government agencies and the people of California to safeguard biodiversity and expand access to nature. For more information about the agency’s Stream Flow Enhancement Program, visit wcb.ca.gov/programs/stream-flow-enhancement.

Oily Debris Removal Near Completion on Englebright Lake

Yuba Water Agency and the California Department of Fish and Wildlife’s Office of Spill Prevention and Response are close to completing oily debris containment and removal at Englebright Lake following the recent rupture of Yuba Water’s penstock pipe. Today, the same excavator that had been used to collect debris began pulling the primary containment booms off the water.

The Feb. 13 rupture caused significant erosion and damage to Yuba Water’s New Colgate Powerhouse and other downhill facilities, sending mud, sediment and man-made debris, including oil, into the Yuba River and the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers’ Englebright Lake. Several workers were rescued during the incident. One person was hospitalized and is now recovering at home.

“We still have a long road ahead in terms of recovery but nearing completion of oily debris cleanup on Englebright marks a major milestone in our environmental response,” said Willie Whittlesey, Yuba Water’s general manager. “We appreciate the collaboration and support from our state partners and contractors who worked alongside us to make this progress possible.”

Approximately 1,440 cubic yards of oily material successfully removed

Yuba Water first surveyed and began removing debris in the Yuba River on Feb. 14, the morning after the incident, and established unified command with CDFW’s Office of Spill Prevention and Response on Feb. 15. Crews then installed several large debris and oil booms to contain the material downstream of the powerhouse at the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers’ Englebright Lake, while large barges carrying an excavator and debris bins were placed to support the careful removal of oily debris.

“In anticipation of meeting our clean-up endpoints, we started the removal of both hard boom and debris boom on Englebright today,” said Lieutenant Ryan Hanson of CDFW’s Office of Spill Prevention and Response. “The lack of visible oil debris is an important milestone to complete our on-water response.”

In total, just over 72 large waste bins able to hold 20 cubic yards of oily debris each have been removed. With the large debris and oil booms removed, two smaller deflection booms will remain in place for a few more days.

Yuba Water and CDFW partnered with several local contractors on the effort, including Clean Harbors and Global Diving and Salvage. Pacific Gas & Electric and Nevada Irrigation District also provided large booms that were instrumental for the timely containment of the debris.

Englebright Lake is expected to reopen by mid-March once heavy equipment and debris bins are fully cleared from the area.

No detection of harmful chemicals

Independent laboratory testing of water samples collected from Englebright Lake and multiple locations along the Yuba River continue to show no detections of polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs), petroleum hydrocarbons or volatile organic compounds – chemicals associated with petroleum-based and industrial materials.

The results suggest that oil that spilled into the river from New Colgate Powerhouse was most likely limited to the surface of the water within the established containment area.

Progress on Lake Francis Road repairs

Yuba Water is also making significant progress repairing Lake Francis Road, which was heavily damaged by mudslides following the penstock rupture. Restoring the road is essential to reestablish safe vehicle access to the powerhouse and other nearby facilities, including a Pacific Gas & Electric switchyard.

Repairs are being completed by Yuba County-based Nordic Industries in a phased approach, focused on restoring utility vehicle access first, then four-wheel-drive truck access.

Read the latest on Yuba Water’s ongoing response to its penstock rupture at engage.yubawater.org.

Accompanying visuals: Three-week evolution of cleanup (Feb. 20, 26 and March 2); latest photos from Monday, March 2 and Tuesday March 3

WVWD Expands Water Education Programs

ACWA Foundation Seeks Your Input on California’s Water Workforce

The ACWA Foundation is proud to partner with the Kings Water Alliance (KWA) and its Ripple Effect Initiative, which started in Kings, Tulare, and Fresno counties, to better understand statewide workforce needs.

Additionally, in collaboration with the California Water Institute at Fresno State, KWA is expanding outreach statewide to allow meaningful regional comparisons and share actionable data across California. The goal is simple: identify where workforce gaps are most urgent and whether targeted, region-specific strategies are needed.

The ACWA Foundation is encouraging ACWA member agencies to take the Ripple Effect Initiative survey now:
https://fresnostate.co1.qualtrics.com/jfe/form/SV_aXjMTuzFTdqAn4y

Your responses will be reported in aggregate to guide project-level planning and investments.

Water agencies statewide are grappling with hiring constraints, certification bottlenecks, and uneven training capacity. At the same time, educators and workforce partners are working to open clearer pathways into water careers. This survey connects these realities, helping create data-driven, place-based solutions instead of one-size-fits-all programs.

Utilities, agencies, nonprofits, and educators across California are encouraged to participate — the stronger the data, the stronger the workforce strategy.

For more information on the Ripple Effect Initiative, upcoming roundtables, or to connect with KWA, contact info@kingswateralliance.org.

The ACWA Foundation is a nonprofit 501(c)3 formed by the ACWA Board of Directors in 2022. For more information, visit www.acwa-foundation.org.

Helix Water District Honored for Environmental Stewardship

Helix Water District received the Environmental Stewardship Award at the 114th Annual East County Honors Awards Gala, hosted by the San Diego Regional East County Chamber of Commerce. The award recognizes Helix’s leadership in advancing innovative and collaborative solutions that protect natural resources and strengthen long-term water reliability for East County.

For more than a century, Helix Water District has delivered safe, reliable drinking water while investing in conservation, clean energy, and resilient infrastructure for the benefit of its customers. Today, the district continues to charge forward with projects and initiatives that position Helix as a regional leader in environmental stewardship.

“Sustainability is not a single achievement but a daily commitment,” said Board President Kathleen Coates-Hedberg. “We are honored to be recognized for our ongoing efforts. From clean energy investments to advanced water purification, our progress is driven by the dedication of our employees, the strength of our regional partnerships, and the trust of the customers we proudly serve.”

This district’s commitment to environmental sustainability is reflected in the following accomplishments:

• Installed a first-of-its-kind, state-of-the-art charging system at the Nat L. Eggert Operations Center — now the largest medium- and heavy-duty fleet charging installation in California, and almost entirely funded by grants.

• Reduced energy costs and demand, saving up to 18% on electric commodity rates through direct purchase agreements while also cutting facility electricity use by 15% through efficiency upgrades — collective savings that benefit Helix customers.

• Improved regional water reliability through participation in the East County Advanced Water Purification Program, reducing reliance on the Colorado River and Sierra Nevada runoff.

• Lowered greenhouse gas emissions by 40% through fleet, energy and operational improvements.

• Earned Green Business certification in 2025 from the California Green Business Network and the City of La Mesa.

• Led a multi-agency effort to restore the governance, management and financial stability of the Water Conservation Garden.

• Promoted long-term water efficiency, helping reduce average water use from 142 gallons per person per day in 1992 to 90 gallons in 2025.

“Environmental sustainability and fiscal responsibility go hand in hand,” said Coates Hedberg. “For every project, the district considers how best to protect our natural resources while also delivering value to the customers we serve.”

The East County Honors Awards Gala, a long-standing tradition celebrating excellence in business and community leadership, brings together organizations that exemplify innovation, responsibility and service. Helix Water District is honored to be recognized among those helping shape a more sustainable future for East County.

About Helix Water District
Helix Water District is a public water agency serving more than 278,000 people in East San Diego County. Since 1913, Helix has remained committed to delivering high-quality water, strengthening regional reliability, and advancing sustainable practices that benefit the community and environment.

The San Diego Regional East County Chamber of Commerce advocates for improving business opportunities, public policy, and business education throughout San Diego County. For more information, visit www.eastcountychamber.org/.

SMWD Earns Statewide MISAC Excellence in IT Practices Award

Santa Margarita Water District (SMWD) has received an Excellence in Information Technology Practices Award from the Municipal Information Systems Association of California (MISAC)—a statewide recognition of strong governance and day-to-day IT operations in local government.

While “information technology” may sound behind-the-scenes, it plays a direct role in how SMWD serves customers every day. The technology SMWD uses helps protect critical infrastructure, supports efficient operations, and strengthens the District’s ability to be responsive in delivering high-quality drinking water, wastewater, and recycled water services.

What the award recognizes
MISAC’s Excellence in IT Practices Award recognizes agencies whose IT governance and operational practices meet or exceed local government standards. The evaluation examines IT practices across multiple subject areas, such as planning, budgeting, operations, cybersecurity, and disaster preparation and recovery.

More than a single project, this recognition reflects how an organization plans, protects, maintains, and improves the technology that supports essential public services.

Why it matters to customers
For customers, reliable water and wastewater service depends on a vast system of infrastructure—and the technology that supports it. IT helps SMWD monitor and manage systems, protect digital tools against evolving threats, and keep key services running during disruptions.

Strong IT practices also support practical improvements that customers can feel:

• Faster response and service continuity when issues arise
• Better protection of systems that support operations and customer services
• Smarter planning and coordination for upgrades and improvements over time

A recognition of strong operations
According to Dustin Navarro, SMWD’s IT Manager:

“The recognition affirms the strength of SMWD’s IT program and day-to-day operations, highlighting our resilient technology practices that help protect critical infrastructure and support reliable customer service across MISAC’s evaluation areas.”

This distinction matters because it highlights consistent performance—how the IT team supports the District every day, across many systems and responsibilities, rather than one isolated initiative.

Culture of Continuous Improvement
Technology changes fast—so maintaining high standards requires an approach that’s steady, agile, and always evolving. Navarro describes SMWD’s mindset as continuous improvement:

“We focus on getting better every day. Because technology and the business processes it supports are constantly changing, we stay agile so we can meet the District’s needs and adopt improvements quickly.”

That continuous-improvement approach aligns with what MISAC is designed to promote: agencies learning from peers, strengthening practices, and using technology strategically to enhance public service.

What it takes to earn recognition like this
MISAC’s award process is intentionally rigorous. Agencies provide detailed documentation and responses that reflect how they run technology services—often including strategic planning, operational standards, security, training, and continuity planning.

For SMWD, those practices translate into stronger support for the systems that keep essential services running day in and day out.

Photo: Santa Margarita Water District’s Information Technology team, headed by Dustin Navarro (pictured second from the right)

Toolkit Available to Celebrate California Agriculture in March

ACWA has distributed a communications toolkit that allows all member agencies — urban, agricultural, rural and suburban — to celebrate California agriculture and its innovative stewardship of water during March, which is widely recognized as National Agriculture Month.

Distributed March 2, the toolkit contains a fact sheet highlighting California growers’ innovation in managing water while maintaining one of the most productive and diverse agricultural economies in the world. The toolkit also provides sample social media posts with and without graphics.

In addition, the toolkit includes links to the Agriculture Council of America and the California Farm Water Coalition’s Cultivate California campaign where members can also access more information highlighting the role of agriculture nationally and throughout California. Member login is required to access the toolkit.