4 years in a row: Customers rank IRWD No. 1
For the fourth straight year, global data analytics company J.D. Power has awarded Irvine Ranch Water District its top honor for Customer Satisfaction.
Customers surveyed independently by J.D. Power rated IRWD the best midsize water utility in the Western United States. Nationwide, only eight water agencies earn that top honor, and IRWD received the highest customer reviews of any water agency in the nation.
“Our customers have high expectations of Irvine Ranch Water District, and this recognition reflects our commitment to exceeding our customers’ expectations,” IRWD General Manager Paul A. Cook said.
Contributing to the overall first-place finish, the customer survey ranked IRWD No. 1 in seven of eight categories: Quality/Reliability, Ease of Doing Business, People, Trust, Resolving Problems, Information Provided, and Digital Channels.
“That means a lot to us,” Cook said, “and it all starts with the people of IRWD. Every day we strive to deliver top-notch service to our customers, starting with ensuring that the safety and quality of our water is second to none. Keeping our customers well-informed is a big part of that too.”
IRWD is the only agency in the nation with four straight top awards.
According to J.D. Power’s May 7, 2025, news release, the U.S. Water Utility Residential Customer Satisfaction Study measures satisfaction among residential customers of 91 utilities that deliver water to populations of at least 400,000. Results are reported for eight geographic regions in two size categories: Midwest Large; Midwest Midsize; Northeast Large; Northeast Midsize; South Large; South Midsize; West Large; and West Midsize. Overall satisfaction is measured by examining eight core dimensions on a 6-point rating scale. Individual dimensions measured are (in order of importance): information provided; level of trust; quality and reliability; ease of doing business; total monthly costs; people; resolving problems or complaints; and digital channels.
Irvine Ranch Water District provides high-quality drinking water, reliable sewage collection and treatment, drought-proof recycled water, and environmentally sound urban runoff treatment to 445,000 residential customers. IRWD serves all of Irvine, most of Lake Forest, and parts of Newport Beach, Orange, Costa Mesa, Tustin, and unincorporated areas of Orange County.
When compared with agencies providing similar services in Orange County, IRWD’s rates are consistently among the lowest.
WVWD Hosts First Earth Day Block Party with Demos and Family Fun
Walnut Valley Water District (WVWD) celebrated Earth Day with its inaugural Earth Day Block Party on Thursday, April 24, bringing together local families, students and community members for an afternoon of fun, learning and environmental appreciation.
Held at Suzanne Park in the City of Walnut—perfectly situated between Suzanne Middle School and Walnut High School—the event was strategically timed with early school dismissal to encourage student and parent participation. The result: a lively, high-energy crowd eager to explore the many interactive booths and activities designed to spark curiosity about local water services and sustainability.
Attendees of all ages enjoyed free Kona Ice, hands-on educational activities and interactive games designed by WVWD’s operations team, including a popular gasket toss that used real district infrastructure components to create a unique experience. One of the biggest crowd-pleasers was the freeze machine demonstration, where District staff showcased how they isolate and repair water mains, sparking thoughtful questions from attendees about their water meters and how field crews serve the community.
“The freeze machine demo became the highlight of the afternoon—it gave our operations team a chance to talk directly with customers about how we maintain service reliability and safety every day,” said Lily Lopez, Director of External Affairs & Sustainability. “It was also a great opportunity for students to learn about real-world applications of science and technology in water careers.”
The event also offered students a chance to explore careers in the water industry, with WVWD staff on hand to share information about the District’s Summer Internship Program and other community-focused initiatives. Families collected stamps at each booth, and those who visited all of them were rewarded with a free Kona Ice treat, making learning both engaging and rewarding.
“We’re proud to launch this new community tradition in honor of Earth Day,” said Lopez. “The Earth Day Block Party reflects our commitment to transparency, education and fostering a culture of sustainability, all while connecting with our community in meaningful ways.”
For more information about future events and water conservation programs, visit walnutvalleywater.gov.
Water & Fire Agencies Collaborate for Foothill Wildfire Resilience
Calaveras County Water District (CCWD), Tuolumne Utilities District (TUD), Twain Harte Community Services District (THCSD), Utica Water and Power Authority (UPWA), and Union Public Utility District (UPUD), are proud to announce their ongoing collaborative efforts to enhance wildfire resiliency in the foothills and help inform the public on the role of public water agencies in wildfire response.
With the increasing threat of wildfires, these foothill agencies have joined forces to continue to enhance wildfire preparedness and resiliency, and public information within our region. By implementing a comprehensive approach and engaging local agency and community partners, these combined efforts aim to create a safer and more resilient community.
The primary initiative of the group was to develop a comprehensive and coordinated public information campaign aimed at raising awareness about the role that public water agencies play in enhancing wildfire resiliency. An informative flyer detailing this information can be accessed by clicking on the following link: https://tudwater.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/05/Water-Wildfire-Flyer-V3-FINAL.pdf.
This joint effort underscores the importance of inter-agency cooperation in facing the challenges posed by wildfires. By combining resources and knowledge, our community is better equipped to safeguard lives, properties, and vital water infrastructure.
WVWD Celebrates Earth Day with Next Generation of Water Stewards
Water District hosts educational field trip for over 200 CJUSD students
RIALTO – In celebration of Earth Day, West Valley Water District (WVWD) welcomed over 230 second grade students from Colton Joint Unified School District (CJUSD) to its headquarters to participate in a field trip that focused on educating the community’s youngest water stewards on the importance of water conservation and what it takes to get water from source to tap. WVWD’s water professionals guided students, teachers and chaperones through curated stations covering a range of topics including how the District treats and delivers water to their homes, the water cycle, the importance of saving water and taking care of drought-tolerant plants. “Taking opportunities such as these to engage with younger generations is a critical part of our commitment to education and public outreach, ensuring that we are securing a sustainable water future for not only these children but for their children as well,” said West Valley Water District General Manager John Thiel. “We owe a great deal of gratitude to Colton Joint Unified for their partnership and trust as we navigated our first student-focused Earth Day celebration.” 11 classes from local elementary schools Crestmore, Ruth Grimes and Sycamore Hills attended the event, the first of its kind for the District, having changed formats of its Earth Day celebration to focus on education of its local schools. “When it comes to the future of our water supply, it’s critical that we continue to teach our students that every drop counts,” said Colton Joint Unified School District Board Member Israel Fuentes. “We are proud partners of West Valley Water District and thank them for reminding all of us that small actions today create a big impact for our communities tomorrow. The event is part of ongoing education efforts by WVWD to engage the community in impactful and meaningful ways. The District offers free education and information resources to community members, including hands-on and technical workshops, classroom presentations, rebates and at-home water surveys. For more information about WVWD’s education and resource efforts visit www.wvwd.org or call the Public Outreach and Government Affairs Department at 909-875-1804.# # #
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 over 100,000 customers and is overseen by a five-member, publicly elected Board of Directors.TUD Hosts Ribbon Cutting for New White Fir Water Tank and Pump Station
Tuolumne Utilities District (TUD) has announced the completion of the White Fir Water Tank and Pump Station in Twain Harte, California. The district recently hosted a ribbon-cutting and open house event at the tank site, attended by many guests who toured the new tank site, learned about the project and its benefits, and engaged with TUD staff.
The new White Fir Tank replaces a 35-year-old tank that had reached the end of its useful life and now provides increased water storage capacity for the area after a previous tank at a lower elevation was removed due to structural failure. The new tank is designed to replace both former tanks and features exterior roof rafters, forced air ventilation, stairway access, and telemetry equipment.
“Investing in modern water infrastructure is critical for ensuring a reliable water supply for our community,” said TUD General Manager, Don Perkins. “We are grateful for the community’s support throughout this project and excited to showcase this new 400,000-gallon tank.”
Community members participated in the event, where district staff provided additional information and answered questions while light refreshments were served.
State Water Board to Hold Webinars on Urban Water Use Objective
The State Water Resources Control Board is holding a two-part webinar series to gather input on the Urban Water Use Objective reporting form that was due Jan. 1, 2025. The two-part webinar will be split into the following topics:- Part 1 (May 14, from 10 – 11:30 a.m.): Inputs related to objective calculations, including alternative data and variances. Register here.
- Part 2 (May 15, from 10 – 11:30 a.m.): Commercial, Industrial, and Institutional Performance Measures. Register here.
PV Water’s First Pajaro River Watershed Resilience Program Workshop a Success
AROMAS – The Pajaro River Watershed Resilience Program (PRWRP) led by PV Water and funded by the California Department of Water Resources to help California’s watersheds better prepare for the impacts of a changing climate, held its first of five public meetings on March 10th, 2025, at the Aromas Community Grange. A group of 75 participants representing key areas for the Pajaro River Watershed attended the meeting.
Our region faces challenges as we plan for climate change. Ilse Lopez -Narvaez, Associate Planner at the City of San Juan Bautista, shared the flooding and fire concerns that city residents are facing. “With two functioning wells, flooding that’s still visible in our most vulnerable neighborhoods, and fire services without a long-term plan, the City of San Juan Bautista is on the front lines of climate risk. Our residents, many of whom already pay some of the highest water rates in the state—cannot shoulder these burdens alone. Resilience planning isn’t just important; it’s essential to protect our history and our future.”
The three-hour event on March 10th focused on hearing from the attendees, which included representatives from sectors dealing with water, flood, cities, counties, land use, water quality, transportation, groundwater management, environmental, agriculture, business, tribes, underserved communities and state agencies. The discussion explored the attendee’s historical interaction with and management of water resources in the watershed and included perspectives from California Native American Tribes.
Over the course of three hours, attendees discussed topics related to groundwater management, flood management, water supply, water quality, recreation, ecosystems, and cultural resources with an intent to better understand climate hazards. One of the goals of the workshop was to begin creating a Climate Adaptation Vision for a climate resilient future.
Leslie Rios, who is the Environmental Project Manager for the City of Watsonville shared support for the Program. “I am excited about the potential of the PRWRP to develop cross-sector and regional watershed projects to protect our most vulnerable residents. During the flooding in 2023, seniors in wheelchairs, unhoused individuals, and undocumented families—were left with nowhere to go when the levee broke. Some had to evacuate by kayak. Two years later, many are still fighting for insurance and repairs. In this political climate, fear keeps some from even speaking up, yet they’re the ones who need help the most,” Leslie shared.
Alyssa Mann, Climate Resilience Project Director of The Nature Conservancy commented on the realities of today and how our extended community has the ability to face our future, “Coastal storms and rising seas are already impacting and reshaping the land. There is a growing recognition of the benefits of retiring marginal pieces of vulnerable farmland along the coast and restoring tidal habitats that provide protection to highly productive land just inland. This PRWRP process will help us better understand these benefits, and set us up for building partnerships to implement these types of mutually beneficial projects for local communities, economies, and natural systems.”
The next workshop is scheduled for June 10th from 9am till noon and will focus on prioritizing the key vulnerabilities of the watershed in a changing climate. The meeting will be remote only. RSVP for the June 10th Workshop here. The third workshop, scheduled for August 20th, will be held in person, focusing on how public agencies should plan to adapt to the previously defined areas of concern that are most vulnerable to climate extremes. To learn more about PRWRP, visit PV Water’s website; www.pvwater.org/prwrp.
ABOUT PV WATER
The Pajaro Valley Water Management Agency (PV Water) is a state-chartered water management district, and a Groundwater Sustainability Agency, formed to efficiently and economically manage existing and supplemental water supplies in order to prevent further increase in, and to accomplish continuing reduction of, long-term overdraft. PV Water works to provide and ensure sufficient water supplies for present and future anticipated needs within its boundaries, generally the greater coastal Pajaro Valley. For more information, visit www.pvwater.org or www.facebook.com/PajaroValleyWater.
California Water Leaders Gathering in Monterey for ACWA Spring Conference
SACRAMENTO — The Association of California Water Agencies (ACWA) 2025 Spring Conference & Expo May 14-15 will draw public water agency leaders from across California to Monterey for two days of presentations, panel discussions and keynote addresses focused on issues surrounding the state’s most vital resource.
Panels will explore responses to disasters ranging from catastrophic wildfires in Los Angeles to how water agencies throughout California can prepare for natural disasters of all types. The conference will also feature programs on improving watershed health, recharging groundwater basins with diverted floodwater and enhancing water supply coordination between the state and federal governments.
Additionally, National Water Supply Alliance President Katherine Zitsch will deliver the Wednesday keynote address and share her perspectives water supply challenges shared in common by California and the U.S. Southeast. Family Farm Alliance Executive Director Dan Keppen will speak Thursday, with his keynote address including insights from his career in advocacy on behalf of Western farmers and ranchers.
A conference program with a complete list of panel discussion topics and more information is available online, along with guidelines for news media coverage of ACWA events. For media credentials, contact ACWA Communications Director Heather Engel at heathere@acwa.com or (916) 669-2387.
WHAT: ACWA 2025 Spring Conference & Expo
WHEN: Wednesday, May 14 and Thursday, May 15
WHERE: Monterey Conference Center, One Portola Plaza, downtown Monterey
Nation’s First Public Hydrogen Utility Welcomes Inaugural Member
LANCASTER – First Public Hydrogen (FPH2) is pleased to welcome Rowland Water District (RWD) as its first member, marking a key milestone in the development of the United States’ first public hydrogen utility. The decisive move underscores RWD’s commitment to sustainable operations and sets the pace for other local agencies pursuing innovative, zero-emission energy solutions.
Based in southeast Los Angeles County, Rowland Water District serves more than 55,000 residents across five cities and unincorporated communities. With a strong track record in balancing environmental stewardship with exceptional customer value, RWD continues to explore forward-thinking partnerships that benefit its ratepayers and the region.
“Joining First Public Hydrogen reflects our commitment to innovation and resource stewardship,” said RWD General Manager Tom Coleman. “As a public agency, we have a responsibility to explore solutions that protect our environment while maintaining reliable service for our customers. This partnership allows us to play a meaningful role in shaping California’s clean energy future—while continuing to put the needs of our community first.”
“Rowland Water District’s decision to join as our first member validates the vision behind First Public Hydrogen – a joint public utility built on accessibility, transparency and regional collaboration,” said R. Rex Parris, First Public Hydrogen Chairman. “Their leadership demonstrates how public agencies can take bold, practical steps to accelerate hydrogen adoption and build a more sustainable energy future for California.”
As a member of FPH2, RWD will gain access to shared procurement tools, technical expertise, and a transparent platform that connects public agencies with green hydrogen producers. The District will also help pilot early-stage hydrogen applications suited for public sector systems, from vehicle fleets to energy backup systems.
FPH2 encourages other public agencies to explore membership and join a growing network committed to accelerating California’s clean hydrogen transition. With no cost, liability, or purchase obligation, the FPH2 model is designed to lower barriers for participation while offering access to infrastructure support, statewide collaborations, and future funding opportunities. As momentum builds, FPH2 continues to invite local governments, water agencies, transit systems, and public institutions to help shape a transparent, scalable hydrogen economy that benefits all Californians.
About First Public Hydrogen
First Public Hydrogen (FPH2) is the nation’s first public hydrogen utility—a Joint Powers Authority (JPA) that connects hydrogen producers with public and private end users through a transparent, cost-effective platform. FPH2 is building a shared hydrogen ecosystem that enables municipalities, water and transit agencies, and businesses to access clean hydrogen for fuel and operations. Through centralized procurement and planning, FPH2 lowers barriers to entry and helps scale hydrogen adoption statewide and beyond.
Learn more or explore membership opportunities at FPH2.org.
About Rowland Water District
Rowland Water District was formed 72 years ago to provide water service to 200 ranchers and farmers in a rural, agricultural community. Over the years, the District has evolved to meet the changing needs of a dynamic and rapidly growing customer base. Rowland Water currently delivers 14 million gallons of safe drinking water to about 55,000 people every day. The District maintains 150 miles of potable water pipeline and 25 miles of recycled water pipeline to serve 14,000 customer connections across 17.2 square miles in southeast Los Angeles County, including portions of Rowland Heights, Hacienda Heights, La Puente, and the cities of Industry and West Covina.
Visit RWD.org for more information.
Ashlee Casey Named Executive Director of the Water Forum
SACRAMENTO–The Water Forum is pleased to announce the appointment of Ashlee Casey, PE, as its new Executive Director.
The Water Forum is a collaborative partnership of regional water providers, environmental organizations, business groups, and local governments working to provide a reliable and safe water supply for the Sacramento region’s economic health and planned development through the year 2030, while also preserving the fishery, wildlife, recreational, and aesthetic values of the lower American River.
With over a decade of experience addressing California’s most pressing water resource challenges, Casey brings a strong foundation in engineering, collaborative problem-solving, and strategic planning to her new leadership role.
Casey originally joined the Water Forum in 2021 as a water resources engineer, where she focused on regional surface and groundwater reliability, managed technical support for the Water Forum’s Flow Management Standard on the Lower American River, and contributed to projects addressing long-term sustainability.
“Throughout her time with the Water Forum, Ashlee has demonstrated a deep commitment to advancing collaborative water management solutions,” said Pravani Vandeyar, Director of the City of Sacramento Department of Utilities, which administers the Water Forum. “Her leadership style reflects the Water Forum’s values—bringing together a wide range of stakeholders to find common ground on complex water and environmental issues.”
Before joining the Water Forum, Casey worked on regional and statewide efforts spanning sustainable groundwater management, flood infrastructure feasibility, urban and agricultural planning, and drought contingency strategy. She has led technical analyses, facilitated stakeholder engagement processes, and supported public agency planning efforts across California.
“It’s an honor to serve an organization that brings people together to solve complex water challenges with respect, science, and shared purpose,” Casey said. “I look forward to supporting our members and partners as we move into this next chapter.”
Casey holds a bachelor’s degree in Civil Engineering from the University of Portland and a master’s degree in Environmental Engineering from Michigan Technological University. She served in the Peace Corps in Suriname from 2009 to 2011 and is an alumna of the 2018 Water Leaders program of the Water Education Foundation.
Water Forum 2050
As Executive Director, Casey is guiding the finalization of the Water Forum 2050 Agreement and, once adopted, will lead its implementation. This new long-term agreement builds on the success of the original Water Forum Agreement, signed in 2000, and reflects more than two years of collaboration among over 40 stakeholder organizations—including water providers, environmental groups, business organizations, and local governments.
Water Forum 2050 provides a comprehensive roadmap to address emerging and intensifying threats to the Sacramento region’s water future—particularly those driven by climate change. The lower American River, a vital drinking water source for nearly 2 million people and critical habitat for native fish, is under increasing pressure from rising temperatures, reduced snowpack, changing runoff patterns, and growing demand. In response, Water Forum 2050 outlines a regional strategy to adapt to these challenges while protecting environmental and community interests.
In her role, Casey will oversee implementation of this agreement, manage staff and consultants, shape regional water policy discussions, direct habitat and groundwater planning initiatives, and maintain public support for the Water Forum’s coequal objectives. She also serves as the primary liaison to local, state, and federal officials on water supply reliability, environmental health, and related policy issues.
About the Water Forum
The Water Forum includes a diverse group of water providers, environmentalists, business groups and local governments working to balance water supply needs with protection of the Lower American River. Learn more at waterforum.org.