WVWD Awarded First Place for Excellence in Video Programming
West Valley Water District (WVWD) was recently awarded first place for their “Water. Service. Community” video series during the 2025 STAR Awards Luncheon, hosted by the California Association of Public Information Officials (CAPIO). The award underscores WVWD’s commitment to transparency, education, and community engagement through storytelling. The “Water. Community. Service.” Video series spotlights the trusted voices of its employees and the community members they serve. Through candid stories and testimonials, the series showcases the care, trust, and commitment that define WVWD’s service, while highlighting the unseen infrastructure and ongoing investments that ensure reliable water today and for generations to come, “This series is a reflection of our dedication to serving the people who depend on us,” said West Valley Water District Director Angela Garcia. “I’m proud that it highlights not only the work we do, but the passion our staff brings to serving our community. I would also like to acknowledge the talented team behind the camera whose efforts helped to bring this story to life.” The STAR Awards recognize excellence in government video programming in over 50 categories including Community Event Coverage, Social Media, Election Coverage, Parks & Recreation and more. WVWD is proud to have been recognized twice for its video series in the following categories:- 1st Place: Water (2 + full time)
- 3rd Place: Social media campaign (2+ full time)
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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 over 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.Metropolitan Appoints Deshmukh as Next GM
Deshmukh will become Metropolitan’s 16th general manager in its nearly 100-year history, replacing retiring general manager Deven Upadhyay.
“Shivaji Deshmukh has worked for more than 25 years to ensure Southern California communities have reliable water. He has helped develop large-scale water recycling projects, forged valuable partnerships across agencies, and advanced innovative water management programs that have multiple benefits for our region and state. He has overseen water operations, balanced budgets, and led workforces,” board Chair Adán Ortega, Jr. said.
”And now, at Metropolitan, his charge will be to implement the groundbreaking climate adaptation strategy set by the board earlier this year to manage an increasingly volatile water supply environment. He will also address workforce and aging infrastructure issues as we plan our next biennial budget,” Ortega continued.
Deshmukh comes to Metropolitan from the Inland Empire Utilities Agency, one of Metropolitan’s 26 member agencies, where he has been general manager since 2019. Before that, he served as assistant general manager at West Basin Municipal Water District and as program manager at Orange County Water District, where he oversaw the design, construction and operation of one of the state’s first and largest recycled water projects, the Groundwater Replenishment System in Orange County.
Deshmukh is also president-elect of the WateReuse California Board of Trustees and serves on the US Water Alliance Board of Directors. He holds bachelor’s and master’s degrees in civil engineering from UCLA.
“Metropolitan Water District is part of the fabric of Southern California, delivering the water supply that has helped the region grow and thrive for nearly 100 years. I am thrilled to be joining this indispensable organization, particularly as it sets the course for water reliability for the next century with critical decisions on the horizon about various water supply, storage and conveyance projects,” Deshmukh said.
Deshmukh will join Metropolitan on Nov. 3 as general manager-designate. To ensure an effective and seamless leadership transition, he will spend his first two months deepening his understanding of Metropolitan’s day-to-day operations and the agency’s strategic work on long-term water supply reliability, while working closely with Upadhyay, who began his career with Metropolitan in 1995. On Jan. 1, 2026, Deshmukh will begin as general manager.
As general manager, Deshmukh will earn an annual salary of $495,040, under the contract approved by Metropolitan’s board.
A cooperative of 26 member agencies, Metropolitan provides about half of the water used by nearly 19 million people in six Southern California counties. The district’s 5,200-square-mile service area covers most of urbanized Southern California. Metropolitan imports water from the Colorado River and Northern California to supplement local supplies. It also provides financial incentives to increase water conservation in homes and businesses and helps local agencies develop recycling, storage and other water management programs.
Headquartered adjacent to Union Station in downtown Los Angeles, Metropolitan has an annual operating/capital budget of $1.8 billion, about 1,700 employees and more than 30 facilities throughout Southern California.
As general manager, Deshmukh will be responsible for leading Metropolitan’s daily operations, managing its assets and resources, and overseeing its long-term vision, including implementing the policies directed by the agency’s 38-member board of directors. Deshmukh will report directly to the board, and will work with other department heads, member agencies and federal, state and local officials to carry out Metropolitan’s mission to provide reliable, high-quality water to Southern California.
The board’s selection of Deshmukh comes after a five-month recruitment process.
“Our entire board dedicated a great deal of time deciding the qualities, experience and leadership style that we wanted in Metropolitan’s next leader. We have found that person in Shivaji Deshmukh,” Ortega said. ”
Record-Breaking Attendance at Yorba Linda Water District’s 2025 Open House
The Yorba Linda Water District (YLWD/District) welcomed a record-breaking crowd to its annual Open House on Saturday, October 4, drawing approximately 500 attendees from across Southern California — with guests traveling from as far as Los Angeles and San Diego — to experience an inside look at how YLWD’s water system works. This year’s Open House offered a dynamic mix of family-friendly activities, hands-on demonstrations, and guided tours of the District’s state-of-the-art J. Wayne Miller, Ph.D. Water Treatment Plant — the largest PFAS treatment facility of its kind in the nation. Attendees had the opportunity to meet YLWD’s dedicated team of water professionals and learn where their water comes from, and how it’s treated and delivered safely to homes and businesses every day. “We were thrilled to see such a strong turnout and community interest this year,” said YLWD General Manager, Mark Toy. “Our Open House gives our customers a unique opportunity to see behind the scenes of their water system — and to meet the water professionals who work 24/7 to ensure high-quality, reliable service. The record attendance shows how much our community is interested in water and how much they value transparency and innovation.” Guests of all ages enjoyed a variety of engaging and educational activities, including:- Three Water Treatment Plant Tours, led by YLWD production experts, each fully booked with more than 50 participants.
- A California Friendly Native Plants Landscape Workshop, inspiring and helping attendees create beautiful, drought-tolerant, water-efficient gardens.
- Interactive games and activities, such as a fire-hydrant ring toss, Water-Wise Plinko, shave ice, face painting, and balloon animals.
- Live music by local surf band Blue Doom.
- Giveaways and a special appearance by Ricky the Rambunctious Raindrop, courtesy of the Municipal Water District of Orange County (MWDOC).
Duane D. Cave Honored by OC Law Enforcement
Moulton Niguel Water District President Duane D. Cave is being honored for his leadership in Orange County’s emergency preparedness efforts.
At the October 9th meeting of the Moulton Niguel Board of Directors, Cave was presented with a Certificate of Recognition from Captain Bill Burk, Chief of Laguna Hills Police Services, and Commander Virgil Ascunción of the Orange County Sheriff’s Department, for his leadership, collaboration, and commitment to public safety and emergency preparedness.
“Under President Duane Cave’s leadership, Moulton Niguel Water District has developed a close and trusted partnership with Orange County law enforcement agencies that keep our community safe and prepared for emergencies,” said Joone Kim-Lopez, Moulton Niguel’s CEO and General Manager. “Through strong partnerships with local law enforcement, we work together to ensure our communities are ready, resilient, and protected in times of need.”
In addition to its annual Public Safety Appreciation event, Moulton Niguel has provided support to local law enforcement by establishing a satellite office at the agency headquarters for the Orange County Sheriff’s Department to use while patrolling the area.
“The Orange County Sheriff’s Department does an outstanding job keeping Orange County safe,” explained MNWD President Cave. “Rather than writing up reports in a patrol vehicle, we offered up our headquarters as a resource for deputies to use while they serve our community.”
Moulton Niguel is also working to establish a new Emergency Operations Center for South Orange County at its headquarters in Laguna Hills. In partnership with the local emergency coordination agency – the Water Emergency Response Organization of Orange County, the new Emergency Operations Center will serve as a hub for the seamless coordination between water and wastewater agencies, the County of Orange, and the Governor’s Office of Emergency Services.
As President of Moulton Niguel Water District, Cave has advanced sustainable water policy, secured federal infrastructure grants and overseen the District’s award-winning financial and operational performance.
Moulton Niguel Water District provides high-quality drinking water, recycled water and wastewater treatment services to customers in Aliso Viejo, Laguna Niguel, Laguna Hills, Mission Viejo, San Juan Capistrano and Dana Point. A leader in environmental protection, Moulton Niguel maintains the lowest average bill in South Orange County.
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ACWA-Sponsored Water Theft Bill Signed by Governor
Gov. Gavin Newsom on Oct. 10 signed an ACWA-sponsored bill into law that will strengthen water agencies’ ability to protect against water theft.
SB 394 (Allen), co-sponsored with Las Virgenes Municipal Water District, will allow local water agencies to adopt an ordinance with enhanced penalties for water theft from a fire hydrant. Additionally, the bill will remove the one-year reset on existing penalties for the third and additional violations for water theft committed via meter tampering and other methods.
It will also help agencies recover damages by authorizing utilities to pursue civil remedies against any person who tampers with or diverts water from a fire hydrant without authorization.
ACWA and member agencies’ strong advocacy and coalition building throughout the legislative session helped secure passage of the bill through both houses of the Legislature and garner support from the governor. More information about bill outcomes this legislative session is available in an ACWA Advisory distributed last month. Member login is required.
October 2025 Priority Issues Update Now Available
The October 2025 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 water theft legislation, the Healthy Rivers and Landscapes Program, Advanced Clean Fleets and more.
The new and previous Priority Issues Updates can be found here.
Marina Coast Water District Launches S.A.F.E. Program to Support Furloughed Federal Employees
Marina Coast Water District (MCWD) today announced the launch of its S.A.F.E. Program (Supporting Affected Federal Employees). This program offers temporary financial assistance and flexible account support to federal employees affected by the ongoing government shutdown.
MCWD recognizes the challenges that many individuals and families are facing during this uncertain time and is committed to ensuring that no federal employee customer goes without essential water service.
Program Highlights. The S.A.F.E. Program offers the following support measures for qualifying customers: flexible, temporary arrangements to spread payments over time, no service shutoffs for affected customers during the shutdown, and no late fees or penalties will be imposed while the program is in effect.
Eligibility. Any customer listed on a Marina Coast Water District account who is a federal employee directly impacted by the government shutdown may request assistance. To verify eligibility, applicants must provide one of the following: a federal employee ID card or badge, a recent federal pay stub (issued within the past 60 days), or other official documentation confirming federal employment.
How to Apply. Customers may submit verification documents in one of two ways: by emailing a scanned copy to customerservice@mcwd.org. Or in person by visiting the Customer Service counter at 920 2nd Avenue, Suite A, Marina, CA 93933 where our staff will scan them into your account. Once documentation is received, MCWD will review and update accounts within 2–3 business days.
Program Duration. The S.A.F.E. Program will remain available throughout the duration of the government shutdown. Once federal operations resume, established payment plans will remain in place, but the District will no longer offer new plans.
For more details or personalized assistance, customers are encouraged to contact MCWD’s Customer Service team by phone at (831) 384-6131 or (831) 883-5900, or by email at customerservice@mcwd.org
The District’s office hours are Monday to Friday, 8:30 AM – 5:00 PM, and closed every other Friday; with the schedule available at www.mcwd.org)
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About Marina Coast Water District: MCWD delivers safe and environmentally sustainable water, recycled water, and wastewater services that meet community needs. To learn more about Marina Coast Water District, visit www.mcwd.org.
West Valley Water District Celebrates Water Professionals Appreciation Week
RIALTO – West Valley Water District (WVWD) is proud to celebrate the ninth annual Water Professionals Appreciation Week, recognizing the essential role water professionals and local public water agencies play in ensuring reliable water services. Established by Senate Concurrent Resolution 80 in 2017, Water Professionals Appreciation Week is observed annually during the first full week of October. This statewide recognition honors the dedication and expertise of the people who keep California’s water systems flowing. “Behind every faucet and fire hydrant is a complex system of pipelines, pump stations, wells, tanks, treatment facilities, and highly skilled water professionals,” said WVWD General Manager John Thiel. “This week we honor our 88 employees who work together to overcome all kinds of challenges to keep your water running safely and reliably every hour of every day all year long.” From engineers and treatment plant operators to technicians, accountants, and customer service representatives, WVWD’s highly trained staff represent the wide range of skills required to meet today’s water challenges. Through navigating extreme weather change, and maintaining aging infrastructure, their commitment to providing reliable water has been unwavering. “Water is essential to life, and so are the people who work to protect and deliver it every day,” said WVWD Board Director Kelvin Moore. “That’s why we’re committed to creating programs that highlight the wide range of career opportunities in the water industry and inspire the next generation of leaders to pursue this meaningful and rewarding field.” WVWD encourages the community to take a moment to thank water professionals for their service. If you see WVWD employees in your neighborhood, be sure to say thank you. You can also join the celebration by following WVWD on Instagram, Facebook, and X, using the hashtag #ThankWaterPros to show your support. To learn more about rewarding careers in water, visit www.wvwd.org/careersinwater.# # #
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 over 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.Yuba Water Funding Supports Wildfire Resilience Efforts and Infrastructure Upgrades
Yuba Water Agency today approved nearly $350,000 in funding for critical wildfire resilience efforts in Yuba County, along with more than $500,000 for a water supply reliability and water efficiency project.
Yuba Resource Conservation District
Continuing efforts to protect the Yuba River watershed and reduce the risk of a catastrophic wildfire, Yuba Water approved a grant for $283,182 to help the Yuba Resource Conservation District build a stronger, countywide Wildfire Hazard Reduction Program in partnership with the Yuba Watershed Protection & Fire Safe Council and others. The effort builds upon a 2021 community needs assessment and aims to target hard-to-reach areas just beyond defensible space zones on small private lands, which are critical for reducing wildfire risk. The grant will support project planning, landowner outreach, partnership development and funding strategy work to create well-coordinated, competitive projects that improve forest health and watershed resilience across Yuba County.
Additionally, a $60,000 interest-free loan to the Yuba Resource Conservation District will provide critical short-term cash-flow, enabling the district to continue important wildfire prevention work while awaiting invoice payments from state grants.
Hallwood Irrigation Company
Yuba Water’s board also approved an amendment to a previously awarded grant for the Hallwood Irrigation Company for a major pipeline improvement project, increasing the grant by just over $504,000 for a total commitment of $1,662,800. The grant increase covers unforeseen additional costs above the original engineering estimate.
The $2.8 million project, which also received a federal grant from the Bureau of Reclamation for just under $1.2 million, will replace an approximately 7,800-foot-long water conveyance ditch with wider, more modern piping to reduce seepage and water. The water savings are estimated at approximately 1,370-acre feet of water each year.
First Responders Conference Sponsorship
Yuba Water’s board of directors also approved a $10,000 sponsorship for the second annual First Responder Conference in Yuba County, which supports the mental health, wellness and resilience of local first responders and their families. Each conference brings law enforcement, firefighters, emergency medical services, dispatchers, corrections, active-duty military and veterans together with mental health professionals to learn, connect and share resources.
Learn more about Yuba Water’s investments in Yuba County at yubawater.org.
Riverside County Awards $500,000 to Rancho Water for Helicopter Dip Tanks to Fight Wildfire
TEMECULA – Rancho California Water District (Rancho Water/District) has been awarded $500,000 from Riverside County 3rd District Supervisor Chuck Washington, made possible through the Riverside County Unincorporated Communities Initiative funding, to install helicopter dip tanks in the rural areas near De Luz and La Cresta. This investment will enhance wildfire protection and emergency response capabilities for the greater Temecula-Murrieta region.
Helicopter dip tanks are fire-suppression water tanks that allow firefighting aircraft to refill quickly and efficiently during wildfire emergencies. With strategically placed installations, helicopters will have faster access to water in the high-risk wildfire areas of the rural Temecula and Murrieta region, reducing turnaround times and improving rapid response efforts.
“This critical funding will allow Rancho Water to support lifesaving wildfire mitigation measures in one of our region’s most vulnerable areas,” said Jason Martin, General Manager of Rancho Water. “We are proud to be partnering with Riverside County and CalFire to install these helicopter dip tanks which will ensure that firefighting aircraft can access water more quickly and efficiently, ultimately protecting lives, homes, and natural resources for our neighbors.”
The Riverside County Unincorporated Communities Initiative funding will cover the cost of planning, construction, and installation of the helicopter dip tanks. Once operational, the system will provide a reliable, dedicated water supply for firefighting operations, reducing reliance on distant water sources and improving regional resilience to wildfires.
Rancho Water is working closely with Riverside County and CalFire to determine the most useful and accessible locations for the new dip tanks. These important firefighting assets are expected to be completed and ready for use by fire teams in 2026.
For more information on Rancho Water, visit RanchoWater.com.