SCWD Recognized as “Organization of the Year” by Santa Cruz Area Chamber of Commerce
Soquel Creek Water District has received the Organization of the Year Award from the Santa Cruz Area Chamber of Commerce, presented at its Annual Community Recognition Gala event on April 3, 2025.
This award is an opportunity for the Chamber to recognize a forward-thinking agency which puts community first, and carries out its mission with transparency and strong leadership. The District’s participation in the Chamber’s Community Leadership activities, which involved a tour of the Pure Water Soquel facility, along with its commitment to building a better future for all who live and work in the region, were also key to earning this award. “Our Board and staff are truly gratified to be recognized with this award, and we thank the Santa Cruz Chamber of Commerce for this honor,” said Rachél Lather, President of the District’s Board of Directors. “A reliable water supply is fundamental to the health and vitality of the entire community. We work hard to ensure our customers are provided with clean, safe, reliable water every day. And with the Pure Water Soquel project coming online soon, we can assure our community of a sustainable water supply for generations to come.” Soquel Creek Water District is responsible for delivering drinking water and managing groundwater resources within its jurisdiction in mid-Santa Cruz County. The District includes portions of the City of Capitola and the unincorporated communities of Aptos, La Selva Beach, Rio Del Mar, Seascape, Seacliff Beach, and Soquel. With approximately 14,400 water connections, the District serves over 40,000 residents, supplies water to businesses that support approximately 18,000 jobs, and provides water for 22 parks and 18 schools within the region. District General Manager Melanie Mow Schumacher noted that, “The District is all about partnerships – including with the community, with businesses, with local, state, and federal officials, and with other local and regional agencies. It’s gratifying to be recognized by the Chamber for our efforts on behalf of the community we serve, and we count the Chamber among our valued partners.” The District receives 100% of its water from groundwater sources and receives no imported water from state or federal water projects. The groundwater basin is designated as critically overdrafted, leading to seawater intrusion which, if left unresolved, will contaminate the groundwater wells and make them unusable to produce drinking water. The Pure Water Soquel Groundwater Replenishment and Seawater Intrusion Prevention Project was identified as a solution to the seawater intrusion problem. The Pure Water Soquel facility — now completed and undergoing final testing before full operation — will take treated, recycled municipal wastewater and use advanced treatment processes to produce 1,500 acre-feet of purified water per year. This purified water will be used to replenish the groundwater basin, providing a barrier against seawater contamination and creating a reliable, safe, clean supply of water. This project creates the foundation that is needed to meet the community’s desperate need for a sustainable water supply, and it does so in the most environmentally-conscious manner possible. The project has the significant environmental benefit of diverting millions of gallons of effluent from being disposed of daily in the Monterey Bay National Marine Sanctuary. Soquel Creek Water District has a reputation as an efficient, effective agency, and has in the past received a Top Workplace Award, an Award of Excellence in Outreach & Education, and a Transparency Award, among others. It is also well known throughout the water industry for its creative and successful community outreach programs, engaging all segments of its customer base with useful information, water conservation tips and tools, Pure Water Soquel and general updates, and more.About Soquel Creek Water District:
Soquel Creek Water District is a not-for-profit local government agency that provides water resource management within its service area to deliver a safe and reliable supply of high-quality water to meet present and future needs in an environmentally sensitive and economically responsible way.OMWD Board Welcomes Lanfried as Newest Member
ENCINITAS— Ebin Lanfried has been sworn in as Olivenhain Municipal Water District’s newest board member. He was selected by the board at its March 19 meeting to represent Division 1 of OMWD’s service area. The appointment of Mr. Lanfried fills the seat vacated by former director Marco San Antonio, who resigned from OMWD on January 24 to serve on Encinitas City Council.
“As an advocate for responsible water management, I am eager to contribute my expertise in water treatment, infrastructure planning, and conservation to Olivenhain Municipal Water District,” said Mr. Lanfried.
A longtime resident of San Diego County, he has resided in the Elfin Forest community since 2020. He is a volunteer and advisor with Escondido Creek Conservancy, which collaborates with OMWD on educational programs, conservation efforts, and events at Elfin Forest Recreational Reserve.
Mr. Lanfried’s professional experience includes management of capital projects, new construction, renovations, and business process implementation. Mr. Lanfried holds a bachelor’s of science from the University of California San Diego, and a master’s of business administration degree from San Diego State University.
Mr. Lanfried was one of four applicants interviewed by the board for the Division 1 director position. Division 1 includes portions of Encinitas, Elfin Forest, Harmony Grove, Rancho Santa Fe, Rancho Cielo, 4S Ranch, and Fairbanks Ranch. He will serve out the remaining term for the Division 1 seat, which ends December 4, 2026. His first meeting as a board member will be April 16, 2025.
At the March 19 meeting, the board also selected Director Scott Maloni to assume the role of Board Treasurer. The office was previously held by former director San Antonio. Mr. Maloni, a water industry executive with more than 25 years of experience, was elected to the Board of Directors in 2024 to represent Division 2.
Sacramento-Area Water Providers Boost Groundwater Reserves in 2024
The Regional Water Authority (RWA), representing nearly two dozen water providers in the Sacramento region serving 2.2 million people, announced today that local water providers banked 35,231 acre-feet of water in the Sacramento Regional Water Bank during the 2024 calendar year. This amount is equivalent to nearly 11.5 billion gallons of water—enough to serve nearly 105,700 households for a year.*
The Water Bank is a network of groundwater wells, pumps, and pipelines that enable local water providers to store excess water in underground aquifers. It is estimated that the region’s aquifers can store twice the volume of water as Folsom Reservoir. The Water Bank is crucial for adapting the region’s water system to climate change, which is expected to reduce snowpack and cause more extreme droughts and floods.
“Once again, water banking has proven to be an effective solution for storing water that will be available when it’s needed most,” said Jim Peifer, RWA Executive Director. “In a year with near-average conditions in the American River watershed, local water providers were still able to bank a significant amount of water to support both our communities and the environment during dry periods.”
In 2024, all deposits into the aquifer were made through In-lieu recharge, the combined management of both surface water and groundwater use, resulting in the replenishment of groundwater supplies within the aquifers. Every gallon of surface water served to customers in lieu of groundwater results in water saved in the groundwater aquifer, helping to maintain sustainable groundwater supplies.
In 2024, several agencies contributed to boosting groundwater levels by increasing their use of surface water and reducing reliance on groundwater to build reserves. North of the American River, the City of Sacramento and Sacramento Suburban Water District participated, along with the Carmichael Water District and California American Water. South of the American River, the Sacramento County Water Agency was also a key contributor.
“These actions represent a powerful tool for us to store water during good years to protect against shortages in dry periods ahead,” said Brett Ewart, Board Chair of RWA and Supervising Engineer with the City of Sacramento. “We’re giving the same level of focus to managing surface water when it’s plentiful as we do to managing groundwater during times of scarcity.”
The success of the water banking program illustrates how the Sacramento region is adapting to the impacts of climate change. Climate change is expected to bring more extreme weather patterns, with less snowpack in the Sierra, more rainfall occurring in shorter, heavier bursts and longer drought periods.
For over 20 years, local water providers have successfully used in-lieu recharge and Aquifer Storage and Recovery (ASR) to store water in the region’s groundwater aquifers. Efforts are underway to increase the capacity of the Water Bank to store up to 65,000 acre-feet of water during wet years, with future projects potentially expanding storage to 90,000 acre-feet annually, enough to supply about 270,000 households.
More information about the Sacramento Regional Water Bank can be found at SacWaterBank.com.
The Regional Water Authority (RWA) is a joint powers authority representing nearly two dozen water providers serving 2.2 million people in the greater Sacramento region. Formed in 2001, its primary mission is to help its members protect and enhance the reliability, availability, affordability and quality of water resources. Learn more at rwah2o.org.
* One acre-foot of water is equivalent to 325,851 gallons and serves approximately three households per year.
April 2025 Priority Issues Update Now Available
The April 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, PFAS, the Bay-Delta Plan, WOTUS and more.
The new and previous Priority Issues Updates can be found here.
SB 601 Passes Out of Committee
SACRAMENTO — The Senate Environmental Quality Committee on April 2 approved SB 601 (Allen, D-Santa Monica) on a 5-3 vote. The bill, which would amend water quality regulations, now advances to the Senate Judiciary Committee.
ACWA is leading a coalition opposed to SB 601 and joined dozens of organizations stating their opposition to the legislation during a committee hearing. The Chamber of Commerce also testified against the bill, and has produced a one-pager outlining the reasons behind its position.
If signed into law, SB 601 would amend the Porter-Cologne Act to create a classification of water called “nexus waters,” a newly defined category of protected waters intended to cover all waters previously protected under federal authority prior to the U.S. Supreme Court’s ruling on Sackett v. EPA.
The bill would amend the Porter-Cologne Act in a manner that applies the more stringent federal Clean Water Act permitting regulations to former waters of the United States (WOTUS). The new provisions would also be enforceable by citizen lawsuits, which were previously not permitted.
Paired with the addition of a private right of action, SB 601 would inject regulatory uncertainty and almost certain litigation into water supply and treatment operations.
ACWA Co-Sponsored Bills Advance Out of Committees
SACRAMENTO — Two bills co-sponsored by ACWA passed out of committees this week in the state Legislature.
SB 394 (Allen, D-Santa Monica), co-sponsored by ACWA and Las Virgenes Municipal Water District, passed unanimously out of the Senate Judiciary Committee April 1. The bill would allow local agencies providing water services to adopt an ordinance with enhanced penalties for water theft from a fire hydrant. Additionally, SB 394 would remove the one-year reset on existing penalties for the third and additional violations for water theft committed via meter tampering and other methods. This bill would 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.
A fact sheet is available for more information about the bill.
SB 454 (McNerney, D-Stockton), co-sponsored by ACWA and the League of California Cities, passed unanimously out of the Senate Environmental Quality Committee April 2. Co-sponsored by ACWA and the League of California Cities, the bill would create a statewide PFAS Mitigation Fund to help local agencies provide safe drinking water and treated wastewater for their communities.
A press release from Sen. McNerney’s office is available for more information about the bill.
From Classroom to Career: WEEA’s Pilot Education to Workforce Tour
A skilled workforce is essential to the water industry’s future. To bridge the gap between education and career opportunities, the Water Energy Education Alliance (WEEA), led and administered by the Municipal Water District of Orange County, recently hosted a pilot Education to Workforce Tour in partnership with The Metropolitan Water District of Southern California, the San Diego County Water Authority, the Linda Vista Innovation Center, and the Center for Water Studies. The event highlighted the need for early career exploration and hands-on learning.
Taking an innovative approach to illuminating career opportunities, attendees saw real-world applications of workforce training at every stage—K-12, college, and beyond. At the Linda Vista Innovation Center, participants observed students engaged in interactive lessons aligned with career pathways. A visit to the Hydro Station reinforced the critical connection between water, energy, and essential services. Cuyamaca College’s Center for Water Studies demonstrated how industry-driven education prepares students for high-demand careers. The tour concluded at Pure Water San Diego, where attendees saw firsthand how infrastructure investments drive job creation.
Collaboration is key to a resilient workforce. Through WEEA, water and energy leaders are working to inspire and train the next generation. Follow WEEA on LinkedIn and visit our website for resources, events, and sponsorship opportunities.
Watch the Tour Recap Video Here
Meet Lindsay Leahy, SMWD’s Deputy General Manager
Santa Margarita Water District is excited to introduce Lindsay Leahy as the Deputy General Manager at Santa Margarita Water District. With a background in engineering and a passion for operational excellence, Lindsay plays a crucial role in enhancing efficiencies across the District. In her role, Lindsay focuses on optimizing cross-functional teams to support SMWD’s commitment to progress, transparency, and service excellence.
Lindsay says that SMWD’s innovative approach to water recycling and local supply development, and the team’s commitment to exceptional service drew her to SMWD. She is excited to be part of a forward-thinking organization dedicated to securing a sustainable water future.
Fun Fact: At one time, Lindsay once aspired to design roller coasters, imagining the perks of unlimited front-row rides. Although she still loves roller coasters, Lindsay loves the thrill of collaborating with an exceptional team to effectively manage a remarkable $3B infrastructure and serve our customers.
Santa Margarita Water District provides high-quality, reliable drinking water, recycled water, and wastewater services to over 200,000 South Orange County, California residents. The service area includes ten unique communities, including the cities of Mission Viejo, Rancho Santa Margarita, and San Juan Capistrano, and the unincorporated communities of Coto de Caza, Las Flores, Ladera Ranch, Rancho Mission Viejo, and Talega in San Clemente.
Nearly all of the District’s drinking water is imported from hundreds of miles away. Santa Margarita Water District is committed to reducing its dependence on imported water by investing in local, reliable, sustainable, and cost-effective water supplies for today and future generations.
Sign up for the On Tap Newsletter for monthly updates and announcements from Santa Margarita Water District. Visit SMWD.com/News.
Meet Kristine Day, SMWD’s Assistant General Manager
Santa Margarita Water District is thrilled to welcome Kristine Day as its new Assistant General Manager. In her role, Kristine oversees the District’s daily operations, manages our talented team, and ensures customer satisfaction. She plays a vital role in budgeting, compliance, and strategic planning—all while acting as the bridge between our departments to keep operations running smoothly.
Kristine brings over 25 years of experience in local government, having served as an Assistant City Manager in both Texas and California. Her impressive background and deep expertise have perfectly positioned her to contribute to SMWD’s mission of delivering high-quality water and wastewater services.
What drew Kristine to SMWD is our unwavering commitment to customer service and our forward-thinking leadership. She’s inspired by SMWD’s proactive approach to innovation and community enhancement, and she is excited to be part of a team that makes a positive impact beyond business objectives.
Fun Fact: Many are surprised to learn that Kristine’s journey in local government started at the young age of 16 as a lifeguard—a role that sparked her interest in utilities and gave her early insights into systems that parallel modern wastewater management.
Santa Margarita Water District provides high-quality, reliable drinking water, recycled water, and wastewater services to over 200,000 South Orange County, California residents. The service area includes ten unique communities, including the cities of Mission Viejo, Rancho Santa Margarita, and San Juan Capistrano, and the unincorporated communities of Coto de Caza, Las Flores, Ladera Ranch, the Rancho Mission Viejo, and Talega in San Clemente.
Nearly all of the District’s drinking water is imported from hundreds of miles away. Santa Margarita Water District is committed to reducing its dependence on imported water by investing in local, reliable, sustainable, and cost-effective water supplies for today and future generations.
Sign up for the On Tap Newsletter for monthly updates and announcements from Santa Margarita Water District. Visit SMWD.com/News.
ACWA Foundation Retools Website as Water Workforce Career Pathway
SACRAMENTO — The ACWA Foundation this week launched a newly redesigned website that focuses on the non-profit’s goals of career building and workforce development.
Available at www.acwa-foundation.org, the site’s Career Building page, allows visitors to explore opportunities and quickly connect with employers and workforce development programs. At the same time, the site serves as a centralized hub where employers of all sizes within the industry can post internship opportunities alongside scholarship and workforce development programs offered by colleges and vocational institutions.
“California water offers abundant opportunities for people seeking rewarding and well-paid careers,” said Foundation Executive Director Lisa Mealoy. “We look forward to collaborating with other organizations in building this site into valuable pathway leading to careers in water.”
ACWA member agencies can submit job postings and scholarship and internship opportunities to be listed on the website by emailing them to Mealoy at lmealoy@acwa-foundation.org.
The new website will also provide information on upcoming webinars and other programs designed to inspire workforce outreach, and promote education and training opportunities throughout California.
The ACWA Foundation is dedicated to building partnerships with academia, businesses, water agencies, and other organizations to develop a skilled California water workforce. Through strategic partnerships and targeted programs, the Foundation is creating clear pathways for individuals at every career stage — from entry-level workers to executive leadership.
Organizations interested in joining the Foundation in achieving that mission can also find opportunities through its 2025 Sponsorship Program.
The nonprofit 501(c)3 was formed by the ACWA Board of Directors in 2022 to provide a nonprofit, tax-exempt structure to solicit funds to educate, mentor and invest in the next generation of water leaders.
The ACWA Foundation and its Board of Trustees operate separately and independently from ACWA and its Board of Directors. For more information about the Foundation, visit the new website at www.acwa-foundation.org.