TUD Advances Wildfire Defense with New Fire Water Draft Points Initiative
Tuolumne Utilities District (TUD) is proud to announce progress in its ongoing Fire Water Draft Points Initiative, marking an important step in expanding Tuolumne County’s wildfire defense capabilities. The addition of four new fire water draft points—specially designated locations along untreated (raw) water conveyance systems such as ditches or reservoirs—gives firefighters improved access to raw water for suppression activities, particularly in remote areas. This approach allows emergency responders to protect homes, infrastructure, and natural resources more effectively, while also conserving the community’s potable water supplies for essential needs during wildfire events and other emergencies.
“The Tuolumne Fire District would like to recognize Tuolumne Utilities District in their continued efforts to improve the water supply in the County with the addition of the new drafting points that have been installed for firefighting purposes. They will be vital in reducing the refill time for the fire apparatus and water tenders during an incident and reducing the impact to many potable water systems,” said Jeff Santi, Fire Chief of Tuolumne Fire District.
This innovative approach aims to conserve the community’s potable water supplies for essential needs during wildfire events and other emergencies, while maximizing the use of gravity-fed, non-potable water for fire response. The Fire Water Draft Points Initiative is a cornerstone of the newly adopted TUD Wildfire Defense Plan, a comprehensive strategy made possible through a $249,927 USDA Forest Service Community Wildfire Defense Grant. The plan, unanimously approved by the TUD Board of Directors, identified a total of 49 strategic raw water draft point locations throughout the district’s system, designed to increase water availability for fire suppression, reduce demand on potable water systems, and enhance emergency response capabilities.
Nick Casci, Unit Chief of the CAL FIRE Tuolumne – Calaveras Unit, highlighted the importance of this collaboration: “The CAL FIRE Tuolumne – Calaveras Unit would like to acknowledge the effort put in by Tuolumne Utilities District to establish water drafting points that aid in rural water supply for firefighting. These drafting points allow for fire department resources to have easier access to the water supply needed should a fire occur in the area. The community planning and communication in support of all agencies show the progressive steps taken to help mitigate unwanted fires.”
Building on that collaboration, Fire Chief Neil Games of the Twain Harte Fire Department said, “Adding these new firewater draft points is a critical step forward in strengthening our wildfire response capabilities. This project reflects the power of collaboration between TUD and local, state, and federal fire agencies, and we’re proud to have been a part of it. Reliable access to water in key locations will make a meaningful difference in protecting our communities.”
The success of the initiative is the result of strong partnerships with the Twain Harte Community Services District Fire Department, CAL FIRE, Tuolumne City Fire, and the Tuolumne Band of Me-Wuk Indians. Their expertise in site identification, logistical coordination, and on-the-ground input has been critical to the program’s development and implementation. Kevin Day, Chairman of the Tuolumne Band of Me-Wuk Indians, shared: “The Tuolumne Band of Me-Wuk Indians is proud to support Tuolumne Utilities District’s efforts in advancing wildfire resilience for our community. The addition of new fire water draft points represents not only a critical investment in safety, but also a model of collaboration between local agencies. Together, we are strengthening our ability to respond to wildfire and protect the lands and communities we all care deeply about.”
With the TUD Wildfire Defense Plan now officially adopted, TUD is actively pursuing additional grant funding to further expand the Fire Water Draft Points Initiative by installing draft points at the remaining strategic locations, and ensure continued implementation of wildfire mitigation strategies. These efforts underscore our commitment to making Tuolumne County safer and more resilient in the face of wildfire threats and other emergencies.
TUD Board President and project champion, Ron Ringen, stated, “This initiative is the result of dedicated teamwork and vision across our community. By expanding access to fire water draft points, we are not only strengthening our wildfire response capabilities but also preserving the vital resources our residents depend on.”
TUD Honors Employees During Water Professionals Appreciation Week
Tuolumne Utilities District is proud to honor its hard-working employees October 4th through 12th, as part of California’s annual Water Professionals Appreciation Week.
Water Professionals Appreciation Week was established in 2017 by Senate Concurrent Resolution 80 (SCR 80), by Senator Bill Dodd (D-Napa). The measure was sponsored by a coalition of water associations led by the Association of California Water Agencies (ACWA) and including WateReuse California, California Municipal Utilities Association, California Association of Sanitation Agencies, and the California Water Association. Under SCR 80, the annually designated week begins on the first Saturday of October and ends on the Sunday of the following weekend.
The water industry offers a wide variety of rewarding career opportunities in water and wastewater treatment and distribution, construction, engineering, biology, finance, business administration, law, communications and many more types of positions in high-demand occupations. Thousands of water, wastewater and recycled water industry professionals in the state, including over 80 staff members working for Tuolumne Utilities District, dedicate their careers to keeping drinking water, recycled water and treated wastewater safe and reliable for Californians, and here in our local community.
The District extends its sincere gratitude and appreciation to its employees and the water and wastewater professionals who work 24/7 to provide excellent essential services to our community every day and accordingly declares October 4-12, 2025, Water Professionals Appreciation Week.
The TUD Board of Directors adopted a resolution expressing gratitude and appreciation for its employees in honor of Water Professionals Appreciation Week at its September 23, 2025, Board meeting.
Youth Artists Illustrate Value of Water in CCWD’s 2026 Calendar
Fourteen young artists from eastern and central Contra Costa County were recognized on Wednesday, October 1, for their winning entries in Contra Costa Water District’s annual Water Awareness Youth Art Contest. Their artwork is now featured in CCWD’s newly released 2026 wall calendar.
The contest invites students ages 8 to 18 who live or attend school in CCWD’s service area to illustrate how people use water at home or in the community, or to encourage efficient water use. The entry deadline coincides with national Drinking Water Week in May, and the contest is promoted through schools, local media, and CCWD channels.
This year, CCWD received 175 entries from 12 of the 13 cities it serves. Winners, ranging in age from 9 to 18, were selected by CCWD staff with input from a public vote. Seven cities in CCWD’s service area are represented in the 2026 calendar.
Each winning entry received a $75 gift card customized with their artwork, a framed copy of their art with a signed certificate of appreciation, and copies of the calendar. CCWD produced 5,000 calendars, which are available free at CCWD facilities and select locations throughout its service area.
For more information about the calendar contest and a list of pick-up locations, visit ccwater.com/calendarcontest.
EVMWD Celebrates Water Professional Appreciation Week
LAKE ELSINORE — As part of California’s annual Water Professionals Appreciation Week, which takes place Oct. 4 to 12, 2025, Elsinore Valley Municipal Water District (EVMWD) is proud to highlight the essential role of water professionals and local public water agencies in providing water and wastewater services. “It is because of what our district and our dedicated water and wastewater team do day in and day out that our customers can enjoy this precious resource,” said EVMWD General Manager Greg Thomas.
With a hotter, drier climate and periods of extreme weather, EVMWD is proud to highlight the important role our essential workers play in delivering safe, reliable water.
Many careers keep water flowing statewide, including construction workers, customer service representatives, water and wastewater treatment operators and engineers. EVMWD is proud of all water professionals across California, especially EVMWD staff, for making a difference in their communities.
If you see an EVMWD employee, please say “thank you” for helping provide safe, reliable water and wastewater services. Follow EVMWD on social media to meet our staff, learn about the essential roles they play and explore careers in California’s water industry.
For more information, visit EVMWD.com.
Behind the Scenes at SMWD’s Upper Chiquita Reservoir
The Santa Margarita Water District (SMWD) recently welcomed customers and community members on an exclusive bus tour to the Upper Chiquita Reservoir, offering a rare, behind-the-scenes look at the people, infrastructure, and technology required to deliver high-quality, reliable drinking water every day. The event provided attendees with a firsthand opportunity to see the scale and complexity of SMWD’s operations—something most residents rarely consider when they turn on the tap. A Guided Experience with SMWD Experts Leading the tour was Kenny Sanatar, Crew Chief of Water Stations/Systems at SMWD, who guided guests through the facility, highlighting the critical role it plays in ensuring local water reliability. “The primary goal of the tour was to educate our customers on the extensive work and professional dedication required to manage our systems,” Sanatar explained. “We wanted them to see the daily effort, expertise, and proactive measures that ensure they are in good hands for critical needs.” On SMWD’s infrastructure tours, guests can meet the professionals who keep SMWD’s systems running 24/7. From operators to engineers, each team member plays a vital role in ensuring the community always has access to high-quality drinking water and wastewater services. Sanatar also spoke about how SMWD collaborates and coordinates with neighboring water districts. Eric, who attended the Upper Chiquita tour, said he was first introduced to the District when he attended SMWD’s Water Festival with his mother at the age of 12. Today, he is in college, completing a degree and multiple certifications in the water industry. He looks forward to starting his career in water. Customers Armando and Lisa took the opportunity to tour Upper Chiquita as a mid-week date night. They had their photo taken by the reservoir, on top of the hill, overlooking a beautiful panoramic scene as the sun set. They were engaged in the informative presentation and took the opportunity to ask questions, which Sanatar was happy to answer. A Hidden Giant in South Orange County, California For many attendees, the most eye-opening part of the tour was the Upper Chiquita Reservoir itself. Tucked into the hills above Rancho Santa Margarita, the facility is often overlooked by drivers on the 241 Toll Road or Oso Parkway—yet it holds a staggering 244 million gallons of water, enough to supply 168,000 families, approximately 200 gallons of water a day for a week during an emergency. Completed in 2011, Upper Chiquita Reservoir is the largest domestic water reservoir built in South Orange County in nearly 45 years. It was constructed as part of a regional partnership with neighboring cities and districts to provide long-term reliability in the event of interruptions to imported water supplies. Reservoir at a Glance- 244 million gallons of emergency drinking water storage (750 acre-feet)
- 17.8 acres of surface area
- Provides up to 168,000 families with 200 gallons of water per day for one week
- Built as part of the South Orange County Natural Community Conservation Plan, protecting local habitat and species
- A regional partnership between SMWD (lead agency), Moulton Niguel Water District, City of San Juan Capistrano, City of San Clemente, and South Coast Water District
ACWA Continues Search for New Executive Director
After thoughtful consideration, the ACWA Board of Directors has decided to re-open the recruitment effort for a new Executive Director and retain a new executive search firm to support this important process.
“The Board of Directors remains fully committed to finding the right leader to guide the association into the future,” said ACWA President Cathy Green. “Because of the critical nature of this decision, the Board agreed it was in the best interest of members and staff to engage a new recruitment firm and continue the search effort to ensure the best possible outcome.”
Marwan Khalifa, who has served as Interim Executive Director since February, will continue to lead the association until the position is filled. He previously served as Chief Financial Officer and District Treasurer for Mesa Water District, as well as Chair of ACWA’s Finance Committee and member of the ACWA Board and Executive Committee.
“ACWA staff remains committed to delivering exceptional value to all members during this transition period,” Khalifa said. “We look forward to continuing our engagement with the California water community through collaboration, strong legislative and regulatory advocacy and world-class region events and fall conference.”
Lindsay Leahy Appointed New VCMWD General Manager
At its meeting on Monday, September 15, 2025, the Valley Center Municipal Water District (VCMWD) Board of Directors voted to appoint Ms. Lindsay Leahy as the District’s new General Manager. She will succeed Gary Arant, who will retire later this year after 36 years of dedicated service as General Manager. Ms. Leahy will officially assume her new role on Monday, November 3, 2025.
A registered Professional Engineer, Ms. Leahy currently serves as Deputy General Manager at Santa Margarita Water District in Orange County. Prior to that, she was Utilities Director and Principal Engineer for the City of Oceanside. Before entering the public sector, she worked in the solar development and civil construction industries. Altogether, she brings more than 16 years of water, wastewater, and related industry experience to VCMWD.
An Oceanside resident, Ms. Leahy holds a Bachelor’s degree in Mechanical Engineering from California State University, Chico, and a Master of Public Administration degree from San Diego State University. She also earned a Water Management and Leadership Certificate from California State University, San Marcos in 2019.
Ms. Leahy replaces Gary Arant, who retires after 36 years as GM on December 29, 2025.
ACWA Launching Member Engagement Survey
Next week, ACWA is launching a comprehensive survey of its members to collect valuable feedback on services and programs, as well as to prioritize key legislative and regulatory issues.
An independent research company, FM3, will contact members by email, and possibly by phone, as part of the survey. When an email arrives from info@surveysinsight.com with a link to the survey, please note that it is not spam, and input provided is extremely valuable in helping shape the direction of the association.
The survey is not limited to one response per member agency, but each email will include a unique link that can be used only once.
ACWA surveys its membership every few years to collect feedback and gauge whether the association needs to adjust to provide the best possible value to its members. The most recent member survey was conducted in 2022.
For questions about the survey, please contact ACWA Member Services Manager Katie Dahl at (916) 669-2439.
San Bernardino County and WVWD Break Ground on Main Replacement Project
Supervisor Joe Baca, Jr. and West Valley Water District celebrated the groundbreaking of the Bloomington Alleyway Main Replacement Project, a critical infrastructure initiative that will modernize water service and strengthen emergency response for hundreds of local families.
For decades, South Bloomington has relied on aging water lines running through alleyways and backyards, which created challenges for both homeowners and district staff. Accessing meters often required navigating overgrown areas or relying on residents to locate meter boxes. These outdated systems made repairs and maintenance difficult, leaving the community vulnerable to service interruptions.
“On behalf of the board, I want to express our deepest gratitude to Supervisor Joe Baca, Jr. for his continued investment in this community,” said West Valley Water District Board President Greg Young. “Today, we are taking a major step toward addressing infrastructure challenges by ensuring the maintenance and repair of these critical infrastructure systems are safer and more reliable for both District staff and the community we serve.”
The $3.8 million project will relocate and replace outdated infrastructure and add new fire safety equipment, ensuring safer and more reliable access for maintenance and emergency response. Once complete, residents will experience improved water service, reduced outages, and a system designed to meet future community needs.
“I’m grateful to see these improvements happening right here in our neighborhood, and I know that once the project is complete, my family and neighbors will all benefit. Thank you to West Valley Water District and the County Board of Supervisors for working together to make this possible,” said Francisco Silva, Sr., Bloomington resident.
Supervisor Baca emphasized the importance of collaborative partnerships in delivering results for residents: “Together with West Valley Water District, we are making lasting improvements that will serve Bloomington families for generations to come. This project not only upgrades essential infrastructure but also improves quality of life by ensuring reliable access to clean water and safer conditions for our community.”
Construction is expected to be completed in 2026.
State Prepares for Extreme Weather Swings as New Water Year Begins
SACRAMENTO – While California’s climate has always swung between dry and wet conditions, the past five years have proven what climate science has predicted: California must be prepared for extreme weather events of all kinds, even simultaneous drought and flood conditions.
As the new Water Year gets underway, Lake Oroville, the State Water Project’s largest reservoir, is currently 109 percent of average for this date, however there is uncertainty about conditions this winter. The latest outlook from the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration’s (NOAA) Climate Predication Center shows a 71 percent chance of La Niña conditions this fall, decreasing to a 54 percent chance in December through February. La Niña events have historically resulted in more dry than wet years, but research also suggests that even as the climate grows hotter and drier overall, the precipitation that California does receive will arrive in stronger storms, increasing the risk from flooding.
“There is no such thing as a normal water year in California,” said DWR Director Karla Nemeth. “Just in the past two winters, deceptively average rain and snowfall totals statewide masked the extremely dry conditions in Southern California that contributed to devastating fires as well as flood events across the state from powerful atmospheric river events. California must be ready to respond to emergencies from droughts to floods to fires.”
Last winter, extremely dry fall conditions in Southern California fueled the destructive Eaton and Palisades fires just weeks before the typical peak of atmospheric river storm activity in California. DWR, alongside the Governor’s Office of Emergency Services, CAL FIRE, Caltrans, the California Geological Survey and the California Conservation Corps worked around the clock to protect downstream communities and watersheds as part of the state’s largest watershed protection mission to keep hazardous material from contaminating local water supplies and waterways.
Extreme flooding will remain a critical concern moving into this water year as a warmer atmosphere drives more moisture through more powerful storms. DWR’s flood operations staff will be holding meetings with emergency response personnel across the state in the coming weeks to make sure the state and communities are prepared to respond. DWR has over 4.3 million sandbags and 191 flood fight materials containers pre-positioned for quick deployment across the state if needed.
“The past decade has clearly demonstrated the need to prepare for extremes,” said State Climatologist Dr. Michael Anderson. “A dramatic flood year in 2023 was followed by two years with large spatial disparities. While our water supplies are in a good position heading into the new water year, we will be watching closely for dry and wet extreme conditions that can pose hazards statewide.”
California is also starting this water year with more groundwater data than ever before, helping groundwater sustainability agencies and communities monitor conditions in their region to promote long-term sustainability and protect drinking water supplies against the impacts of climate change. Over the course of 2024, the state received average precipitation, helping sustain natural and managed recharge efforts after the exceptionally wet 2023. These last three years (2023, 2024, and 2025) have seen continued increases in groundwater storage.
California’s water year runs from October 1 to September 30 and is the official 12-month timeframe used by water managers to compile and compare hydrologic records.
For more information on California’s current hydrological conditions, visit https://cww.water.ca.gov.