Coalition Urges Governor to Help Agencies Prepare for El Nino

SACRAMENTO — ACWA has joined a coalition urging Gov. Gavin Newsom to issue a statewide Executive Order that will help local water agencies prepare for the predicted El Niño 2026-’27 winter storm season.

ACWA is among more than 30 signatories on a Sept. 9 coalition letter urging the governor to authorize expedited flood protection activities such as vegetation management, debris removal, channel capacity improvements and related flood-protection activities in waterways presenting significant flood risks.

The letter also asks the governor to streamline the regulatory process and temporarily suspend applicable requirements under the California Environmental Quality Act, or CEQA. In addition, the letter requests that Newsom direct the California Governor’s Office of Emergency Services and other appropriate state agencies to provide all available funding, equipment, personnel, technical support, emergency-planning assistance and other resources to help local communities prepare for a worst-case flooding scenario this winter.

“The window for preventive action is rapidly closing. Taking decisive action now will help safeguard California communities, agricultural resources, transportation networks, and public infrastructure from potentially catastrophic flooding,” the letter states. “Early intervention is far less costly, and far less disruptive to families, than emergency response and disaster recovery after flooding occurs.”

National and international climate agencies are predicting a greater than 50% chance that rainfall totals in most of California this winter will be in the highest 20% of the climatological record, according to the letter, which adds that it is now very likely that California will experience stronger and more persistent storms, including repeated atmospheric river events across California.

ACWA Members Qualify for Discounted Rate at NWRA Conference

ACWA members qualify for a discounted rate if they attend the National Water Resources Association’s (NWRA) Annual Conference and Federal Advocacy Forum Nov. 2-5 in San Diego.

The discount results from the ACWA Board of Director’s decision earlier this year to rejoin the National Water Resources Association, which automatically makes any agency belonging to ACWA a NWRA member as well. In addition to member pricing at NWRA events, benefits also include access to NWRA federal updates and monthly policy calls.

NWRA is a federation of state water associations that represents both agricultural and municipal water providers with a focus on western water issues.

The NWRA Annual Conference and Leadership Forum will be held at the Loews Coronado Bay Resort on Coronado Island across the bay from San Diego. For registration information and more details, visit NWRA’s website.

Carmichael Water District Appoints Pablo Arroyave as General Manager

CARMICHAEL — The Carmichael Water District (CWD) Board of Directors is pleased to announce the appointment of Pablo Arroyave as the District’s new General Manager. Arroyave will lead the public agency responsible for providing water to Carmichael residents and oversee its operations, workforce, finances, and customer service.

Arroyave brings more than 25 years of experience in water resources, public agency leadership, operations, and infrastructure. His career has focused on managing complex water systems, leading multidisciplinary teams, and working with public agencies and water partners throughout California.

“Pablo’s proven leadership at the local, state, and federal level, his depth of knowledge on California water issues, and collaborative approach with Boards, staff, customers, and regional partners makes him the right leader to guide CWD into its next chapter. On behalf of the Board of Directors, we will do everything to support him as he takes the helm at CWD,” said Mark Emmerson, CWD Board President.

Arroyave joins CWD from the San Luis & Delta-Mendota Water Authority, where he has served as Chief Operating Officer since 2019. In that role, he has led operations and maintenance activities for major Central Valley Project facilities, managed approximately 70 employees working in engineering, operations and maintenance, safety, information technology, and system monitoring and control. He also oversaw annual operations, extraordinary maintenance, and capital improvement budgets totaling more than $95 million.

Arroyave previously held senior leadership positions with the U.S. Bureau of Reclamation, including Acting Regional Director and Deputy Regional Director for the Mid-Pacific Region. His work has spanned major water infrastructure and delivery systems, drought and flood response, water rights and regulatory issues, environmental compliance, long-range planning, and partnerships with local, state, and federal agencies and water partners.

Arroyave steps into the role as the District continues to invest in water supply reliability and critical infrastructure while maintaining a strong financial foundation and commitment to providing high-quality, reliable water service for the Carmichael community. Current priorities include expanding the District’s Aquifer Storage and Recovery program, rehabilitating its Ranney Collector system, advancing long-range financial planning, and continuing strategic infrastructure investments.

As general manager, Arroyave will oversee CWD’s daily operations and workforce and carry out the policies and direction established by the Board of Directors. He will also represent the District in its work with customers, community organizations, neighboring water agencies, and government partners.

“I am honored to join Carmichael Water District and work alongside its dedicated employees, Board members, customers, and regional partners,” Arroyave said. “CWD has valuable water resources, a strong financial foundation, and a proud history of serving the Carmichael community. I look forward to listening, learning, and working together to provide high-quality, reliable water for generations to come.”

About Carmichael Water District

Established in 1916 as Sacramento County’s first irrigation district, Carmichael Water District provides water service to approximately 41,200 residents across an eight-square-mile service area. The District maintains a diverse water supply portfolio that includes American River surface water rights and groundwater from the North American Subbasin. CWD is governed by a five-member elected Board of Directors and employs 27 full-time staff.

BCVWD Board Approves 2027 Water Order to Strengthen Water Supply Reliability

BEAUMONT— Planning for a reliable water supply means looking beyond what the community needs today and preparing for the years ahead. With that long-term approach in mind, the Beaumont-Cherry Valley Water District (BCVWD) Board of Directors has approved a 2027 water order totaling 14,000 acre-feet from the San Gorgonio Pass Water Agency (SGPWA).

The approved order includes 11,200 acre-feet for direct replenishment of the Beaumont Basin and an additional 2,800 acre-feet to provide greater protection against future drought and other water supply challenges.

“Ensuring our community has a reliable water supply requires us to plan ahead and make thoughtful decisions when water is available,” said BCVWD Board President Lona Williams. “By continuing to invest in groundwater storage, we are preparing not only for the needs of our customers today, but also for the droughts, changing conditions, and water supply challenges our community may face in the future.”

An acre-foot is the amount of water needed to cover one acre of land one foot deep, or approximately 326,000 gallons, enough to supply about two average Beaumont households for one year.

BCVWD uses a conjunctive-use water supply strategy that combines local groundwater with imported State Water Project water purchased through SGPWA. Imported water is delivered to local recharge facilities, where it slowly percolates underground into the Beaumont Basin for future use.

In simple terms, when imported water is available, BCVWD can purchase and store it underground, creating a reserve that can be called upon when conditions are less favorable. This approach provides the District with greater flexibility during droughts, periods of reduced State Water Project allocations, and other potential water supply challenges.

The value of that planning became especially clear during the recent drought. BCVWD withdrew approximately 7,619 acre-feet from storage in 2021 and another 8,888 acre-feet in 2022 to help meet community water needs. Since then, the District has continued working to rebuild those reserves and prepare for future dry years.

“Our community has already seen the benefit of having water stored and available when conditions change,” said BCVWD Director John Covington. “During the recent drought, those stored supplies helped us continue meeting the community’s water needs when other supplies were limited. Replenishing the Basin when water is available is an investment in our community’s long-term water security and helps ensure that we are better prepared for the next drought or other unexpected water supply challenges.”

To put the 2027 water order into perspective, BCVWD’s recently adopted 2025 Regional Urban Water Management Plan identifies approximately 11,669 acre-feet of potable customer water use and 1,258 acre-feet of non-potable use in 2025, for approximately 12,927 acre-feet of customer demand before distribution-system losses.

Water needs also change significantly throughout the year. In 2025, potable customer demand ranged from approximately 668 acre-feet in April to nearly 1,400 acre-feet in September as warmer temperatures increased outdoor irrigation needs.

BCVWD’s groundwater production reflects the amount of water needed to serve the community. Over the past 20 years, the District has produced an average of approximately 10,800 acre-feet per year from the Beaumont Basin, including 10,996 acre-feet in 2025.

The 14,000-acre-foot water order does not mean all of that water will be immediately pumped and used by customers. A significant purpose of the order is to replenish the Beaumont Basin and preserve water underground for future use. Maintaining a healthy groundwater storage account gives BCVWD greater flexibility when State Water Project allocations decline, drought conditions return, or other water supply challenges arise.

Since beginning imported-water recharge operations in 2006, BCVWD has recharged approximately 161,336 acre-feet of State Water Project supplies into the Beaumont Basin. The District is permitted to maintain up to 80,000 acre-feet in its Beaumont Basin storage account.

Purchasing and storing water during periods when supplies are available is an important part of BCVWD’s long-term approach to drought preparedness and reliable service. By continuing to replenish the Beaumont Basin and maintain water in storage, the 2027 water order reflects the Board’s continued commitment to planning ahead for the community’s water needs while maintaining a reliable and resilient local water supply.

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

Threatened Fish Thrive in Restored Creek, Signaling Success for Water Reliability

SAN BERNARDINO – Just months after reconnecting Anza Creek to the Santa Ana River, San Bernardino Valley Municipal Water District (San Bernardino Valley) has documented adult Santa Ana sucker and hundreds of newly hatched juvenile fish in the restored creek, signaling successful spawning far sooner than biologists expected.

The federally threatened Santa Ana sucker occupies a limited area of the Santa Ana River and depends on specialized habitat for feeding and reproduction. Restoring tributaries like Anza Creek expands that habitat, providing native fish with places to spawn and forage for algae to scrape off rocks to eat, and find refuge from high flows. Biologists have also observed Arroyo chub, another native fish considered a species of special concern by the State of California.

“This is an extraordinary result,” said T. Milford Harrison, San Bernardino Valley Board President. “Years of science and collaboration went into creating habitat specifically for these native fish. Seeing them thrive in the restored creek so quickly shows this approach is working to protect the natural resources of the Santa Ana River while helping develop reliable local water supplies for the region.”

Anza Creek is part of a broader tributary restoration effort under the Upper Santa Ana River Habitat Conservation Plan (USAR HCP) and the Santa Ana River Conservation and Conjunctive Use Project (SARCCUP), a regional conservation and permitting program underway since 2015. Along with Hidden Valley Creek, the project restores tributary habitat to offset impacts on native fish and the River ecosystem resulting from operations of current and future water and infrastructure projects. Additional conservation projects include Lower Hole Creek, Old Ranch Creek and Hidden Valley Wetlands.

Anza Creek was reconnected to the Santa Ana River in April 2026. Biologists hoped native fish would begin using the restored habitat within a year or more, with reproduction expected after the next spawning season in February 2027. Instead, based on survey data, biologists confirmed that Santa Ana sucker found the restored channel within weeks or even within days, and began reproducing almost immediately.

The results are significant for both conservation and regional water supply reliability. The USAR HCP provides a 50-year permit and coordinated environmental mitigation for 100 current and future water infrastructure projects to be built over 50 years across San Bernardino, Rialto, Highland, Mentone, Riverside, Chino and Chino Hills. Demonstrating successful habitat restoration in advance can help streamline environmental permitting for projects that capture, recharge and deliver water throughout the region.

“Tributary restoration demonstrates that environmental stewardship and water reliability can advance together,” said Heather Dyer, San Bernardino Valley Chief Executive Officer and General Manager. “By investing in conservation at a regional scale, we are protecting native species and a healthy Santa Ana River while helping local water providers build projects that strengthen the region’s water supply.”

The restoration also gives new ecological value to an area previously considered a “dead zone.” As vegetation becomes established, biologists will continue monitoring the site for Least Bell’s Vireo and other riparian birds, as well as the South Coast garter snake. Rock removed from regional flood control basins was repurposed for the restored channel, and palm trees removed from the site were recycled into mulch rather than sent to a landfill.

Combined planning, design, and construction costs for the Anza Creek and Hidden Valley Creek restoration projects totaled $12.8 million. The projects secured $11 million in grant funding, reducing the cost to USAR HCP applicants to just $1.8 million.

For more information about the Upper Santa Ana River Habitat Conservation Plan, visit www.sbvmwd.com.

About San Bernardino Valley

San Bernardino Valley is a regional water agency with a service area that covers around 353 square miles in southwestern San Bernardino County and a small portion of Riverside County with a population of approximately 714,000. With a dedicated team of experts and partnerships across the region, San Bernardino Valley is committed to building a resilient and sustainable water future for the community. Learn more at www.sbvmwd.com.

Regional Water Authority Highlights Water Bank Accounting Process

SACRAMENTO — The Regional Water Authority (RWA) has released a new educational video explaining the Sacramento Regional Water Bank’s Water Accounting System (WAS), the transparent framework that tracks groundwater stored, recovered, and managed through the Water Bank.

Like a savings account, the Water Bank makes it possible for participating water providers to deposit water during wet times and withdraw it during dry times. The Water Bank can store enough water to fill Folsom Reservoir twice and is essential to helping the region adapt to climate change by strengthening long-term water supply reliability.

The approximately two-minute video explains how the WAS works, including its foundational “recharge first” principle: water must be added to groundwater storage before it can be recovered. It also explains how deposits and withdrawals are tracked, the safeguards that protect groundwater sustainability, and why transparent accounting is essential to the Water Bank’s success.

“Groundwater banking has enormous potential for California, but it has to start with transparent accounting,” said Jim Peifer, executive director of the Regional Water Authority. “The accounting system described in this video puts into practice our ‘recharge first’ approach, with clear rules for what goes into the Water Bank, what can come out, and what stays behind to benefit the basin.”

Watch the video at SacWaterBank.com/water-bank/WAS

Tracking Every Deposit and Withdrawal

Like a financial institution tracks deposits and withdrawals, the WAS records groundwater recharge, recovery, and storage while incorporating safeguards that protect long-term groundwater sustainability. The system establishes a consistent accounting framework that enables participating agencies to receive credit for groundwater recharge while providing transparency and accountability across Water Bank operations.

“The Water Accounting System establishes a common set of rules for measuring groundwater banking across participating agencies,” said Trevor Joseph, RWA’s director of technical services. “It creates a consistent accounting framework that recognizes groundwater recharge, tracks withdrawals, and incorporates safeguards that support long-term groundwater sustainability.”

Developed by 15 participating water suppliers through the RWA, Groundwater Sustainability Agencies, and regional partners, the WAS supports implementation of California’s Sustainable Groundwater Management Act (SGMA) by tracking groundwater banking activities against established operational baselines. The framework includes safeguards such as recharge before recovery, geographically balanced recharge and recovery, leave-behind requirements that protect groundwater resources, expanded monitoring, and adaptive management.

The educational video is part of RWA’s ongoing effort to make the Water Bank accessible and understandable to a broad audience. It builds on years of technical reports, stakeholder briefings, and educational resources developed throughout the Water Bank’s phased implementation. Later this fall, RWA plans to launch a public Water Accounting Dashboard that will provide annual reporting on Water Bank operations using the same accounting framework introduced in the video.

The video is available at SacWaterBank.com/water-bank/WAS.

The Regional Water Authority (RWA) is a joint powers authority representing nearly two dozen water providers serving 2.2 million people in the greater Sacramento region. Formed in 2001, its primary mission is to help its members protect and enhance the reliability, availability, affordability, and quality of water resources. Learn more at rwah2o.org. Learn more about the Water Bank at sacwaterbank.com

ACWA Joins Coalition to Support WIFIA Funding

WASHINGTON, D.C. — ACWA has joined a coalition of national water organizations urging swift review and approval of outstanding loan applications from water utilities seeking funding through the Water Infrastructure Finance and Innovation Act (WIFIA) program.

Expressing support for WIFIA, a coalition letter was sent in August to the Office of Management and Budget and the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, which administers the program. The letter applauds unrivaled success of the WIFIA program and underscores the importance of timely loan disbursements for local sponsors to meet financial demands and project development deadlines.

“Water infrastructure facilities are costly to build and maintain, and the WIFIA program has been essential to helping communities finance these projects while keeping water rates affordable,” the letter reads. “The program, which was originally stood up during President Trump’s first administration, has been an unqualified success.”

In addition to ACWA, signatories of the letter include WaterReuse, the Association of Metropolitan Water Agencies, the American Water Works Association, the National Water Resources Association and National Waterways Conference.

YLWD Receives Innovative Project of the Year Award for Sewer Pipeline Inspection Van

YORBA LINDA – Yorba Linda Water District (YLWD/District) has been recognized with the Innovative Project of the Year Award from the California Special Districts Association (CSDA) for its innovative Sewer Pipeline Inspection Van project, an employee-driven effort that saved nearly $129,000 and created a customized, all-electric tool to support the District’s wastewater operations.

The project began in May 2025, when YLWD purchased the base shell of an all-electric Chevrolet BrightDrop Zevo 600 van. Rather than purchasing a fully outfitted sewer inspection vehicle, which typically costs more than $400,000, the District assembled a seven-member, cross-functional team representing fleet, facilities, wastewater, operations, and IT to design and construct the vehicle in-house.

Members of this team include: Jon Carren, Senior Fleet Mechanic; Caleb Guzman, Mechanic II; Eric Watson, Facilities Supervisor; Nick Isbell, Senior Facilities Maintenance Worker; Nick Hollon; Senior Utility Maintenance Worker, Harold H., Operations Specialist, and two members of YLWD’s Information Technology team. Working part-time alongside their regular responsibilities, the team worked on the project from May through September 2025. Their collaboration allowed YLWD to develop a vehicle specifically tailored to the District’s sewer inspection needs while avoiding the cost of purchasing a fully outfitted commercial unit. The completed van was unveiled to the community at YLWD’s Open House on October 4, 2025.

“This year’s award recipients represent the very best of California’s special districts and the people who serve them. Some of the best public-sector innovation comes from employees who understand the work firsthand and see an opportunity to do it better,” said CSDA Chief Executive Officer Neil McCormick. “Yorba Linda Water District empowered its team to develop a solution that saves public dollars, improves operations and gives the district greater flexibility for the future. That kind of ingenuity and stewardship is worth celebrating.”

“This project is a great example of the creativity, expertise and dedication of our employees,” said Mark Toy, General Manager of Yorba Linda Water District. “Instead of simply purchasing a solution, our team saw an opportunity to build something specifically for YLWD. They took on this challenge in addition to their regular responsibilities and created a valuable asset that saves money, improves our operations and supports the long-term reliability of our sewer system.”

The project also fostered a strong sense of employee ownership and pride. Operators now prefer the all-electric inspection van over traditional gas-powered vehicles, and the project has generated interest from others in the water and wastewater industry. YLWD staff are frequently asked to share their experience and lessons learned from designing and constructing the vehicle.

The District maintains approximately 270 miles of sewer pipelines, making regular inspection and condition assessment essential to identifying potential issues before they become more costly or disruptive problems. The inspection van provides YLWD operators with the technology and mobility to conduct detailed assessments of underground sewer infrastructure, helping staff identify conditions such as cracks, root intrusion, blockages and other potential deficiencies.

The Sewer Pipeline Inspection Van represents more than a new piece of equipment for YLWD. It is a tangible example of how investing in employees and encouraging innovation can produce practical solutions, significant cost savings, and lasting benefits for the community.

The Innovative Project of the Year Award adds to YLWD’s growing list of recognitions for innovation, transparency and excellence. The District was also recognized by CSDA this year with the Special District Leadership Foundation’s District of Distinction designation for sound fiscal management, operational excellence, and high standards of governance. Click here to watch a video featuring our award-winning Sewer Pipeline Inspection Van. To learn more about Yorba Linda Water District, visit www.ylwd.com or follow the District on social media.

Yuba Water Agency Completes In-Water Sediment Removal Below New Colgate Powerhouse

Yuba Water Agency has completed in-water sediment removal below its New Colgate Powerhouse along the North Yuba River in Yuba County, marking a major milestone in the agency’s recovery efforts following the Feb. 13 rupture of its penstock pipe.

“I can’t emphasize enough what an outstanding job the team did on this emergency sediment removal,” said Yuba Water Director of Power Systems Keane Sommers. “So much of our recovery has been uncharted territory, particularly the in-water work. We had to be really intentional. The team adaptively managed the project throughout, worked with our contractor to make adjustments when needed and went above and beyond to restore the original grade of the river with minimal impacts to water quality.”

The work focused on removing sediment and debris that washed into the river channel following the penstock rupture and restoring the riverbank to its pre-incident grade. Working with contractor Nordic Industries, Inc., crews removed an estimated 45,000 cubic yards of material from around the powerhouse and river and relocated it to several disposal sites nearby. That’s enough material to fill more than 5,000 dump trucks. A final survey later this month will provide a more precise estimate of the total volume removed.

Yuba Water’s environmental team played an important role throughout the sediment removal, closely monitoring water quality during in-water work. Despite early concerns that the project could result in increased turbidity (cloudiness) in the Yuba River, turbidity remained low throughout the sediment removal efforts. The favorable water quality results were welcome news for Yuba River recreators and the agency’s regulatory partners.

While the majority of in-water work is complete, crews are continuing to stabilize the riverbank below Colgate, along with other recovery efforts. Yuba Water is covering the ongoing cost of repairs through its financial reserves while its powerhouse remains offline. The agency does not receive local tax revenue and does not have residential ratepayers.

Visit engage.yubawater.org to learn more about Yuba Water’s Colgate Powerhouse and Infrastructure Restoration Project.

September 2026 Priority Issues Update Now Available

The September 2026 Priority Issues Update is now available online to members.

The update is a summary of the latest developments on issues of interest to ACWA members. This issue contains information on ACWA’s sponsored bills, Vision for Our Water Future update, golden mussels, tribal bills, federal funding and more.

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