Sacramento Suburban Water District Welcomes New Board Member
SACRAMENTO – On Tuesday, August 11th, the Sacramento County Board of Supervisors appointed Naomi Goudeaux, an 18-year resident of Antelope and an active member of the community, to the Sacramento Suburban Water District (SSWD) Board of Directors to represent Division 1, which includes portions of North Highlands and Antelope.
Ms. Goudeaux holds a Business Administration degree from Heald College and has 15 years of experience in accounting and property management. She is currently enrolled at Eastern University, pursuing a Bachelor of Arts in Ministry Leadership. She also volunteers at her children’s baseball and football games and is deeply involved in her church community.
“I am honored to have been selected to represent Division 1,” Ms. Goudeaux said. “I look forward to joining the Board of Directors and working tirelessly to provide a voice and representation for my community.”
SSWD is governed by a five-member Board of Directors. Directors are elected to four-year terms, with elections held in even-numbered years. Ms. Goudeaux will be up for election on November 3rd, along with the Divisions 3, 4, and 5.
U.S. Rep. Norma Torres Supports WVWD’s Efforts to Modernize Water Infrastructure
RIALTO – West Valley Water District (WVWD) celebrated the groundbreaking of the Bloomington Phase 3B Water Infrastructure Improvement Project, marking the final phase of a long-term effort to modernize aging water infrastructure and improve water service, reliability, and fire protection for the Bloomington community.
The project is supported in part by $2 million in financial assistance from the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) through a Community Grants Program Assistance Agreement, secured with the support of Congresswoman Norma Torres. The Bloomington Phase 3B Project addresses decades-old water infrastructure challenges by relocating water infrastructure into public street rights-of-way and upgrading aging pipelines and fire hydrants. The project will increase fire flow capabilities, improve water system reliability, strengthen infrastructure resilience, and enhance public safety for Bloomington residents.
“Partnerships are essential to delivering the infrastructure improvements our communities need,” said Director Greg Young “We are thankful for Congresswoman Norma Torres’ support in helping make these improvements possible and for her partnership in strengthening our community’s water future by securing this critical funding.”
For decades, fences, buildings, and other obstructions constructed in Bloomington’s alleyways have limited the District’s ability to maintain and repair aging water infrastructure. In response, WVWD launched a multi-phase initiative to relocate water facilities into public street rights-of-way, improving accessibility, operational efficiency, and long-term system resilience.
“I’m proud to have secured $2 million in federal funding to help West Valley Water District modernize Bloomington’s aging water infrastructure,” said Congresswoman Norma Torres. “For families in Bloomington, these improvements mean more reliable water service, stronger fire protection, and infrastructure that can better serve the community for generations to come. This is exactly why I fight to bring federal dollars back home to the Inland Empire, to make our communities safer, stronger, and better prepared for the future. I’m grateful to West Valley Water District for their partnership and for turning this investment into meaningful improvements.”
Supported through EPA Community Project Funding, the project reflects the importance of federal partnerships in delivering critical infrastructure improvements that enhance water reliability, strengthen fire protection, and ensure safe, dependable water service for Bloomington residents.
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The West Valley Water District has proudly served the Southern California communities of Bloomington, Colton, Fontana, Rialto, San Bernardino, and Jurupa Valley since 1952. Through name changes and consolidation, the mission has always remained the same: to provide customers with safe, high quality, and reliable water service at a reasonable rate and in a sustainable manner. The District provides water for approximately 100,000 customers and is overseen by a five-member, publicly elected Board of Directors.
North Yuba Forest Partnership Reaffirms Commitment to Forest Health
The North Yuba Forest Partnership has renewed a memorandum of understanding, reaffirming its commitment to continue improving forest health and reducing the risk of high-intensity wildfire across 275,000 acres of the North Yuba River watershed. Established in 2019, the partnership is a diverse group of nine organizations focused on prioritizing, planning, funding, financing and implementing landscape-scale forest restoration, helping protect communities and natural resources. The partnership includes the U.S. Forest Service, The Nature Conservancy, South Yuba River Citizens League, Camptonville Community Partnership, Nevada City Rancheria Nisenan Tribe, National Forest Foundation, Sierra County, Blue Forest and Yuba Water Agency. To date, the partnership has secured $150 million in funding and has successfully implemented work across more than 30,700 acres using ecologically-based treatments such as fuels reduction, forest density thinning and prescribed fire, with an additional 42,597 acres prepared and ready for treatments in the coming field seasons. Work has been prioritized near at-risk communities across the North Yuba watershed, including Camptonville and Downieville. Upcoming treatments will continue to target community protection through roadside fuel reduction, fuel break creation and restoration treatments in priority locations in the headwaters. This MOU documents the continued commitment of the partners to further cooperate, communicate and work together to promote healthier, more resilient forests within the North Yuba River watershed. “Strong partnerships are the foundation of lasting forest resilience,” said Tahoe National Forest Deputy Forest Supervisor Amber Waters. “We thank all partners for the continued commitment in restoring the North Yuba, creating healthier forests and protecting communities.” While restoration efforts for the entire landscape will take many years to complete, the partnership’s staged treatment plan targets the most critical project areas first, including at-risk communities, emergency response and evacuation routes and treatments to areas that have the potential to stop a wildfire from spreading. The North Yuba River watershed stretches from New Bullards Bar Reservoir east to the Sierra Crest along Highway 49. The area includes thousands of acres of forested habitat, is an important source of water to downstream users, supports high biodiversity and many recreation opportunities and is home to many communities including Camptonville, Downieville and Sierra City. Learn more about the North Yuba Forest Partnership and ongoing efforts at yubaforest.org. About the Partners:- Blue Forest: An innovative nonprofit organization committed to creating sustainable financial solutions to pressing environmental challenges.
- Camptonville Community Partnership: A nonprofit organization with a mission of rural people working together for a safe, sustainable and healthy community.
- National Forest Foundation: Engaging Americans in promoting the health and enjoyment of our public forests.
- The Nature Conservancy: One of the world’s leading conservation organizations, dedicated to scaling up forest restoration across the Sierra Nevada.
- Nevada City Rancheria Nisenan Tribe: The local tribal unit of the Nisenan people of Northern California, passionate about forest health and management, as it is central to their well-being.
- Sierra County: Positioned at the headwaters of the North Yuba River, Sierra County’s highest priorities include reducing wildfire risk, enhancing forest and watershed health through implementation of fire resilient treatments, and protecting its rural communities.
- South Yuba River Citizens League: Uniting the community to protect and restore the Yuba River watershed, SYRCL understands that forest health and resilience are essential to a healthy watershed.
- U.S. Forest Service – Tahoe National Forest: Sustaining the health, diversity and productivity of the nation’s forests and managing over 50 percent of the Yuba River watershed, which lies within the Tahoe National Forest.
- Yuba Water Agency: A special district in Yuba County, committed to forest health in the entire Yuba watershed, to ensure a sustainable water supply and reduce the risk of fire for the people of Yuba County.
Inland Empire Utilities Agency’s Mutual Aid Program Receives CASA Award of Excellence
INLAND EMPIRE – The Inland Empire Utilities Agency (IEUA/Agency) received the 2026 Organizational Excellence – Large Agency Award from the California Association of Sanitation Agencies (CASA) for its Local Mutual Aid Program. The award was presented during CASA’s Annual Conference on August 6 and accepted on behalf of IEUA by Board Vice President and CASA representative Jasmin A. Hall.
CASA’s Award of Excellence program recognizes achievements within California’s clean water community that advance environmental sustainability and the protection of public health. The Organizational Excellence category recognizes excellence in agency management, including leadership and management practices, organizational sustainability, resource utilization, productivity, and programs that demonstrate measurable results and potential application across the industry.
“IEUA is honored to receive this recognition from CASA for a program that demonstrates the strength of regional collaboration,” said IEUA Board President Steve Elie. “The Local Mutual Aid Program brings agencies together around a shared responsibility to protect our communities and the environment while ensuring that resources and expertise are available when they are needed most.”
Established in 2004, IEUA’s Local Mutual Aid Program has grown from informal field-level cooperation into a regional network of nine agencies that share personnel, equipment, resources, and expertise during wastewater emergencies. Through the program, participating agencies support one another during sanitary sewer spills, pump station failures, and other collection system emergencies, helping improve response capabilities across the region.
Joint training and spill simulation exercises are a key component of the program, providing participating agencies with opportunities to practice emergency response procedures and improve regional coordination. More than 100 participants took part in the program’s 2024 spill simulation, followed by 80 participants in 2025.
Most recently, IEUA partnered with the City of Fontana on May 13, 2026, to host a Mutual Aid Spill Drill with partner agencies. The exercise provided hands-on training in spill response procedures, documentation, volume calculations, and reporting requirements while allowing participants to collaborate, share knowledge, and build upon existing mutual aid partnerships.
Beyond emergency response, IEUA has developed a workbook and accompanying training framework based on the Local Mutual Aid Program to help other organizations establish similar partnerships. The resources provide guidance for developing agreements, identifying partners and priorities, planning simulation exercises, and creating actionable steps for implementing a local mutual aid network.
“The success of this program is rooted in the relationships that have been built and strengthened over more than two decades,” continued Elie. “We appreciate our partner agencies and staff whose collaboration, knowledge sharing, and commitment to preparedness help build a more resilient region.”
IID Crews Continue Around-the-Clock Restoration After Powerful Storm
Imperial Irrigation District crews are continuing around-the-clock restoration efforts following Wednesday’s powerful thunderstorm, with power restored to more than 95 percent of customers affected by the storm.
The storm moved through the Imperial Valley Wednesday afternoon, damaging power infrastructure and causing outages across several communities, particularly in the Calexico, Heber and Holtville areas. In all, the storm affected 18 IID circuits and 12 substations, with 5,160 customers experiencing outages lasting five minutes or longer.
Crews mobilized as conditions safely allowed and worked through the evening and overnight, assessing damage and making repairs across IID’s transmission and distribution systems.
By 7:45 a.m. Thursday, service had been restored to 4,911 customers, leaving 249 customers without power.
Restoration remains ongoing. Many of the remaining outages involve more extensive damage, including repairs to transmission lines, poles, and distribution equipment.
“Keeping the power flowing safely and reliably for all of our customers is one of IID’s most important responsibilities, and we take it very seriously,” said IID Board Chair Karin Eugenio. “We are grateful for the progress made overnight, and our attention remains on the customers who are still without power. Our crews will continue working diligently until service is restored.”
Crews are prioritizing repairs that can safely restore service to the greatest number of customers while simultaneously advancing more complex repairs in the hardest-hit areas.
“Our teams prepared for these types of events, mobilized as soon as conditions allowed and worked through the night to assess damage, make repairs and restore service where possible,” said IID General Manager Jamie Asbury. “We remain focused on safely restoring every remaining customer and we appreciate their patience.”
IID prepared for the summer storm season through advance operational planning, coordination and public preparedness efforts. Wednesday’s response put those preparations into action as crews assessed damage, prioritized restoration, and worked through the night to return customers to service.
IID crews will continue working until remaining outages are restored and storm-related repairs are completed.
Customers are reminded to stay clear of downed power lines and always treat them as energized. Power outages and hazardous electrical conditions can be reported to IID at 1-800-303-7756.
CCWD Secures Federal Grant for Canal Replacement Program
Contra Costa Water District has secured a $1.3 million federal grant to support design work for the Canal Replacement Program. The award is the first external funding secured for the program and will reduce the share of this work funded by CCWD customers.
The Canal Replacement Program is a long-term effort to replace a 20-mile section of the Contra Costa Canal between Antioch and Clyde with a buried large-diameter pipeline. This section of the Contra Costa Canal, referred to as the Main Canal, serves as the backbone of the water system for central and eastern Contra Costa County. The canal carries untreated water to treatment plants and other users serving people and businesses.
The grant comes from the federal Office of Local Defense Community Cooperation. CCWD has coordinated with Military Ocean Terminal Concord to secure the nomination needed to pursue funding. The grant will fund investigations for the planned pipeline within MOTCO. Work will include soil testing, utility locating, and groundwater characterization. The information will help CCWD refine the design and reduce uncertainty prior to construction.
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Safety Record Earns National Recognition for Fourth Consecutive Year
ROWLAND HEIGHTS — Rowland Water District (RWD) has received the 2026 Occupational Excellence Achievement Award from the National Safety Council, an honor the District has now earned four years running. The award was presented at RWD’s August 11 Board of Directors regular meeting.
The National Safety Council grants the award to organizations whose reported injuries and illnesses involving days away from work fall at or below 50 percent of the Bureau of Labor Statistics average for their industry classification. Eligibility follows Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) recordkeeping requirements and is based on data reported by RWD.
“Creating a safe workplace is one of the most important things we do here,” said Elisabeth Mendez, RWD Safety and Compliance Manager. “Knowing that everyone goes home to their families at the end of the day is what matters most to us.”
Much of RWD’s work takes place in public streets and confined spaces, from pipeline repairs to maintenance at pump stations and reservoirs. Safety is a District-wide effort, extending to office employees through ergonomic practices, emergency preparedness, and attention to everyday workplace hazards that support a safe work environment. Safety training, job briefings before work begins, and regular equipment inspections are part of the daily routine.
A consistent safety record also carries a financial benefit for customers. Fewer injuries hold down workers’ compensation premiums and claim costs, keep experienced staff on the job, and allow scheduled maintenance and repair work to stay on track. It also reduces the overtime spent covering absences and keeps budgeted projects moving on schedule, which ultimately allows RWD to use its resources more efficiently.
“The care our people show each other is the same care they bring to the service our customers receive,” said Tom Coleman, RWD General Manager. “We are grateful for the recognition, and we take it as a reminder to keep doing the work the right way, every day.”
SCV Water Appoints Steve Cole as General Manager
Effective August 1, 2026, the SCV Water Board of Directors appointed Steve Cole as General Manager following the retirement of Matt Stone. As General Manager, Cole oversees Agency operations to ensure reliable delivery and effective management of its water supplies for the Santa Clarita Valley. He was instrumental in the formation of SCV Water, collaborating with various partners and interested parties over a two-year period to support the passage of SB 634 (Wilk), which established the regional water agency in January 2018. Cole previously served as SCV Water’s Assistant General Manager for eight years.
“The Board is thrilled to have Steve as General Manager to lead the next chapter for SCV Water,” said Board President Maria Gutzeit. “I’ve had the pleasure of knowing and working with Steve since 2003. His knowledge and expertise on local, regional, and statewide water issues make him the ideal leader for our Agency. He is the right person to guide the Santa Clarita Valley community as we build long-term resilience and sustainability for our water future.”
During his tenure with SCV Water, Cole has focused on strengthening regional water resiliency by advancing initiatives that help the Agency adapt to extreme weather conditions, meet evolving regulatory requirements, and secure a reliable water supply for customers. He is also leading a proactive, multi-year effort to restore local groundwater supplies through the construction of water treatment facilities that remove PFAS and improve water quality.
Drawing on more than 25 years of water industry experience, including 13 years as General Manager of the former Newhall County Water District, Cole is focused on growing the Agency to meet the evolving needs of the Santa Clarita Valley. His experience helps to align employees around shared goals, while his calm, approachable, and trustworthy leadership fosters a collaborative and supportive workplace culture.
Promotions
With the appointment of Cole as General Manager, Chief Operating Officer Keith Abercrombie was promoted to Assistant General Manager to fill the vacated position. He will oversee the Agency’s Engineering, Water Resources, Operations and Maintenance, Water Quality, Safety and Emergency Preparedness functions. Abercrombie will serve alongside existing Assistant General Manager for Finance and Administration Rochelle Patterson.
“Keith has consistently demonstrated exceptional leadership, sound judgment, and an unwavering commitment to serving our customers and our community. His promotion to Assistant General Manager reflects not only his outstanding contributions over the years, but also his ability to help lead the Agency into the future,” said General Manager Cole. “I look forward to continuing to work alongside Keith as we advance our strategic priorities, invest in reliable water infrastructure, and ensure SCV Water remains well positioned to meet the needs of our growing community.”
Director of Maintenance and Operations Mike Alvord has also been promoted to Chief Operating Officer and will oversee the day-to-day operations and maintenance of the Agency, which includes water treatment, production and distribution, water quality laboratory and regulatory compliance, and field services.
“Mike’s ability to lead complex operations, inspire our teams, and deliver reliable, high-quality water services has earned the respect of colleagues and stakeholders alike,” stated Cole. “I am confident that as our Chief Operating Officer, he will continue to drive operational excellence, foster innovation, and help position our Agency for long-term success. We are fortunate to have such a dedicated leader guiding our operations into the future.”
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Keith Abercrombie Biography
Keith Abercrombie is the Assistant General Manager of the Agency and previously the Chief Operating Officer. He was also the Retail Manager of the former Santa Clarita Water Division. He received his Bachelor of Science degree in Agricultural Business from Colorado State University and received his Master’s in Business Administration, Agribusiness from Santa Clara University. Prior to employment with Castaic Lake Water Agency, Mr. Abercrombie served as General Manager of the Valencia Water Company. Mr. Abercrombie previously worked at the Newhall Land and Farming Company, serving as assistant to the Vice President of Agriculture and Manager of Energy Resources. Mr. Abercrombie holds a Grade 5 Water Distribution Operator certification and a Grade 2 Water Treatment Operator certification from the State Water Resources Control Board – Division of Drinking Water and is a member of the American Water Works Association and the Association of California Water Agencies.
Mike Alvord Biography
Michael Alvord is the Chief Operating Officer of the Agency. He previously served as the Director of Operations & Maintenance from January 2018 through July 2026. With over 30 years of experience, Mr. Alvord was employed with Valencia Water Company (VWC) and then Newhall County Water District (NCWD) before the formation of SCV Water in 2018. At VWC, Mr. Alvord held the positions of Water Quality Specialist, Manager of Water Quality, Assistant Operations Manager, and Operations Manager before moving to NCWD where he served as the Director of Operations and later the Assistant General Manager. Mr. Alvord earned his B.A. in Environmental Biology and his M.S. in Environmental & Occupational Health from California State University, Northridge, and has taught environmental- and math-related courses at CSUN, College of the Canyons and for the American Water Works Association. He holds a Grade 5 Water Distribution Operator certification and a Grade 3 Water Treatment Operator certification from the State Water Resources Control Board – Division of Drinking Water and is a member of the American Water Works Association.
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About SCV Water
The Santa Clarita Valley Water Agency (SCV Water) is a full-service regional water agency located in the Santa Clarita Valley. SCV Water provides water service to more than 75,000 business and residential customers. It was formed on January 1, 2018, when local water suppliers combined into one integrated, regional water provider. More information can be found at www.yourSCVwater.com
West Valley Water District Celebrates Inaugural High School Internship Program
West Valley Water District (WVWD) is proud to announce the successful completion of its first-ever High School Summer Internship Program. This internship program was developed to familiarize local students with the water utility industry, increase awareness about the essential services provided by water professionals, and inspire them to discover rewarding careers in the water sector.
Throughout the program, students gained hands-on experience through department rotations and engagement with District staff. Interns explored career paths available in the water industry while participating in professional development workshops focused on resume writing, interview preparation, and workplace readiness equipping them with valuable skills
“It is inspiring to see students invest in their future through an internship program like this one,” said WVWD Board President Kelvin Moore. “Programs like these not only introduce students to meaningful careers locally, but it also helps them prepare for future success.”
WVWD received 46 applications and selected 12 students to participate in the inaugural internship cohort. The program provided students with a meaningful learning experience while cultivating interest in careers that support the delivery of safe and reliable water to the community.
“Building a strong workforce starts with creating opportunities for students to learn, explore, and connect with professionals in the field,” said WVWD Vice President Angela Garcia. “This program provides a firsthand look at the many careers that support our water system and the important work required to serve our community every day”
The Summer High School Internship Program has been met with an overwhelmingly positive response from the community and created valuable opportunities to strengthen partnerships with local school districts and San Bernadino Valley Community College.
For more information about WVWD’s education and resource efforts visit www.wvwd.org/internshipprogram Or contact Paola Lara at 909-875-1804.