February Storms Help Snowpack

SACRAMENTO – The Department of Water Resources (DWR) today conducted the third snow survey of the season at Phillips Station. The manual survey recorded 34 inches of snow depth and a snow water equivalent of 13.5 inches, which is 58 percent of average for this location. The snow water equivalent measures the amount of water contained in the snowpack and is a key component of DWR’s water supply forecast. Statewide, the snowpack is 85 percent of average for this date.

This winter has been marked by a series of extremes, as unseasonably dry and warm conditions have been interrupted by powerful storms that temporarily boosted the snowpack to near normal. That was certainly the case in February where multiple rounds of atmospheric rivers earlier in the month brought the statewide snowpack to near average only to have dry conditions return. Following the storms in the middle of February, the statewide snowpack was 97 percent of average and has since fallen to 85 percent. For every day that it’s not snowing, the averages will continue to drop.

DWR’s electronic readings from 130 stations placed throughout the Sierra Nevada indicate that the statewide snowpack’s snow water equivalent is 19.2 inches, or 74 percent of the critical April 1 average, which is when the snowpack usually peaks. While forecasts show storm activity may pick up in March, there is no guarantee it will be enough for the snowpack to catch back up to average by April 1. California has seen several years in recent history with large early season snow totals, only for predominantly dry conditions to dominate the rest of the season. The southern Sierra Nevada have especially fallen behind this season, with the region’s snowpack just 70 percent of average.

“In addition to the large swings in snowpack conditions we’ve seen this year, a big regional disparity remains between the Northern, Central, and Southern Sierra Nevada,” said Andy Reising, manager of DWR’s Snow Surveys and Water Supply Forecasting Unit. “With so many of this season’s storms missing the southern half of the state, our statewide snowpack average can mask just how below average some regions are. Water managers will need to consider not just the extreme swings through the winter and spring months, but also the big differences from watershed to watershed.”

For California’s current hydrological conditions, visit https://cww.water.ca.gov.

Surface Storage Projects Mark Progress

WASHINGTON, D.C. — The Trump Administration’s announced this week that it had released more than $315 million of obligated money to create new water storage at the future Sites Reservoir and at the existing San Luis Reservoir.

“Both Reclamation and the Department of the Interior are committed to investing aggressively in projects such as Sites Reservoir and B.F. Sisk Dam Raise and San Luis Reservoir Expansion to improve water supply reliability for project contractors,” stated California-Great Basin Regional Director Karl Stock in a news release.

The announcement marks the latest milestone in the Sites Reservoir Project’s progress.

“Thanks to bipartisan support from our federal partners, we’ve been able to make significant progress on Sites Reservoir, which is now nearing the start of construction,” stated Fritz Durst, Chair of the Sites Project Authority Board of Directors, in a news release. “Sites Reservoir is a critical piece of California’s long-term water resiliency, and this funding helps move us closer to creating a reliable water source for our communities, farms, and environment.”

Sites Reservoir will provide 1.5 million acre-feet of off-stream storage, capturing and storing excess flows from the Sacramento River. It is backed by a broad coalition of cities, counties, water agencies, and irrigation districts across California.
The B.F. Sisk Dam Raise and Reservoir Expansion Project is being developed in partnership with the San Luis & Delta-Mendota Water Authority and aims to provide an additional 130,000 acre-feet of water storage once completed.

Latino Elected Officials Participate in Insightful Salton Sea Tour

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New Board Director Puts Community First

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West Basin Celebrates the Completion of Water Recycling Plant Expansion Project

West Basin Municipal Water District (West Basin or District) has made a significant investment in leading-edge infrastructure and recycled water treatment technology through the completion of the Juanita Millender-McDonald Carson Regional Water Recycling Plant (JMMCRWRP) Phase II Expansion Project. The substantial upgrades involved construction of a new Custom-Engineered Membrane Filtration (CEMF) system which significantly increases the low-pressure boiler feed supply capacity and reinforces West Basin’s commitment to water innovation and resource management.

The newly installed CEMF system is an open platform microfiltration system that can accommodate up to six different membranes in the treatment skids and is able to process nearly six million gallons of recycled water per day, marking a milestone in the District’s water recycling ingenuity. The CEMF system will allow West Basin to obtain cost-competitive pricing to replace the membranes as needed, rather than being limited to replacement membranes from only the original equipment manufacturer. This expansion project significantly increases the plant’s capacity while improving the system maintenance and reliability of recycled water deliveries to Marathon Petroleum’s Los Angeles Refinery in Carson for its cooling towers and boiler system.

“The upgrades to the JMMCRWRP were made possible through the collaboration and investments between West Basin, Marathon Petroleum, the State Water Resources Control Board and Cal Water,” said West Basin Board President and Division II Director Gloria Gray. “The completion of this project exemplifies the power of commercial, industrial and institutional partnerships in addressing the need to utilize recycled water in every capacity possible to conserve potable water in California and contributing to environmental stewardship.”

The State Water Board helped bring the project to fruition with $15.7 million in assistance from the Clean Water State Revolving Fund and a $8 million grant from voter-approved Proposition 1.

“West Basin’s innovative infrastructure project will produce a reliable water source supporting the local economy and move California closer to producing 800,000 acre-feet of recycled water by 2030, a goal of Governor Newsom’s Water Supply Strategy,” said State Water Board Member Nichole Morgan. “Recycled water is critical to mitigating climate change impacts and it will help make up for the anticipated loss of 10% of the state’s water supplies by 2040 due to hotter, drier conditions.”

The design allows for more efficient cleaning and restoration of membrane permeability, ultimately enhancing the system’s overall performance through improved system maintenance, water quality, and operational efficiency. The increased capacity to meet the rising demand for recycled water eliminates the need to use potable water for non-potable purposes.

“As Mayor of Carson, I’m proud of the progress we’re making with West Basin’s Phase II Expansion Project at the Juanita Millender-McDonald Carson Regional Water Recycling Plant,” said Mayor Lula Davis-Holmes. “This initiative underscores our commitment to sustainability by maximizing recycled water usage and reducing our reliance on imported water. The Custom Engineered Microfiltration system not only enhances our capacity but also ensures reliable water delivery to Marathon Petroleum’s Refinery here in Carson. This project exemplifies our dedication to water resiliency and sets a benchmark for the industry.”

West Basin was recognized for this project at multiple water industry conventions in 2023, including a Poster Session at the WateReuse Symposium. This recognition highlights the impactful investment in this new technology and reinforces the District’s leadership and dedication to sustainable water management.

The JMMCRWRP Phase II Expansion Project aligns with the District’s broader sustainability efforts, ensuring that recycled water continues to play a pivotal role in the region’s water portfolio. By reducing reliance on imported water and minimizing the use of potable water for industrial purposes, this project further solidifies West Basin’s role as a leader in water resource management to advance treatment technologies and infrastructure projects that support the growing demand for sustainable water resources.

Vallecitos Coronado Water Tank Gets Upgrade to Prepare for Wildfire Season

Although no system can guarantee 100% effectiveness against a large wildfire, maintaining water tanks and rehabilitating them when needed is vital to ensure they are ready in an emergency.

There is no direct water source in the San Diego region. Other than rainfall, water must be imported. Regional water districts store water for daily use and irrigation for their customers. They also store water in reservoirs and tanks to aid in emergency outages and fire protection.

The Vallecitos Water District (District) recently completed the rehabilitation of its Coronado Hills Tank in San Marcos. Originally constructed in 1984, the 40-year-old tank showed signs of age and wear.

Mike Preston, a construction inspector for the district, explained why the tank needed the upgrade. “Like everything else, they get old. The interior steel structure and coating start to deteriorate over time, as well as the exterior coatings from the weather,” explained Preston.

Before any tank is taken out of service to be upgraded, a diver enters the tank with an underwater camera to conduct a visual inspection and assess the interior steel structure. Exterior visual inspections complete the assessment.

A specialized contractor undertakes the rehabilitation process, sandblasting both the interior and exterior surfaces of the tank to bare steel. This allows a thorough structural inspection of the steel tank. Structural integrity improvements were made to rafters, beams, and stands.

The District also upgrades technology and updates safety standards. The Coronado Tank’s access portals were made larger to allow safer access for annual cleaning, and a new climbing system provides access for water quality testing.

When repairs were completed, the tank received a new interior coating specially approved for drinking water and new exterior surface epoxy coatings to safely extend its lifespan. Traditionally, water tanks have been painted dark green to blend in with their natural surroundings.

However, the dark color creates warmer water temperatures inside the tank, which makes it more difficult to maintain water quality standards.

As part of the rehabilitation project, the tank’s color was changed to beige to improve its light-reflectance value (LRV) from 11% when painted dark green to 67%. This means the tank surface now reflects 67% of the light hitting it rather than absorbing it.

Preston says the district is looking into changing the color of its other tanks, pending further monitoring to determine the long-term benefits.

“I already have had confirmation from one of our operators that when they were out sampling tanks. Already they’ve noticed a temperature change at this particular tank, which is a good sign. But only time is going to tell, over time, the main effect and how it’s really going to help us,” said Preston.

Water tanks are placed on hills at elevation above populated areas to reduce pumping costs and ensure adequate water pressure for firefighters in the event of wildfire.

“Our Vallecitos Water District rehabilitations are necessary to provide constant, safe, potable drinking water for our customers, as well as a reliable source of fire protection by keeping these tanks in service for a very long time to come,” said Preston.

Preston says he’s thankful the Vallecitos Water District makes time to listen to employee input with suggestions on ways to improve district operations, “not only for just our customers, but also our employees as well.”

Community Partnership Brings Needed Funding to Bloomington

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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 over 100,000 customers and is overseen by a five-member, publicly elected Board of Directors.

Bureau, DWR Announce New Allocations

SACRAMENTO —The U.S. Bureau of Reclamation and California Department of Water Resources (DWR) today announced increased allocations in the Central Valley Project and State Water Project, respectively.

In a news release, the Bureau stated that its initial allocation to farmers on the west side of the Central Valley south of the Sacramento-San Joaquin Bay-Delta is more than twice what the initial allocation was in 2024, a year with similar hydrology.

In its news release, DWR credited recent storms for allowing another increase to the State Water Project (SWP) allocation forecast for 2025. The allocation has increased to 35% of requested water supplies, up from 20% in January based on increases in precipitation, snowpack and reservoir storage.

The Bureau divides its allocations among four contractors — North-of-Delta, In-Delta, South-of-Delta and Friant Division, along with wildlife refuges.

The Friant Water Authority reported the Bureau set the initial Class 1 water allocation for the Friant Division at 45% for the 2025 water year.

“We appreciate the Bureau of Reclamation’s timely action in announcing this initial allocation, which provides clarity and allows our stakeholders to plan accordingly for the upcoming water year. The early allocation demonstrates the [Bureau’s] commitment to providing water managers with the information they need to make informed decisions,” stated a Friant Water Authority news release.

Westlands announced an initial 35% water allocation for it and other South-of-Delta Central Valley Project agricultural contractors, marking “a notable improvement over last year’s dismal 15% initial allocation under similar hydrologic conditions,” stated a Westlands news release.
“We are encouraged by the state and federal administration’s recent efforts concentrating on water maximizing water supply for Californians and spotlighting California’s complex longstanding water issues,” stated Westlands General Manager Allison Febbo in the news release. “This allocation offers our farmers the opportunity to make critical planting decisions that optimize feeding the nation.”

In an emailed statement, the State Water Contractors also welcomed the allocation increase for the State Water Project supplies this year to 35%.

“However, operational and infrastructure restrictions in the south Delta need to continue to be addressed,” stated State Water Contractors General Manager Jennifer Pierre. “While the water generated by adaptive management efforts is important and appreciated, it is too small to make a meaningful impact on the allocation. … It is important, again, to underscore that while hydrology is a major driver of California’s water supply, how we respond to it is up to us.”

PPIC Blog Looks at February Storms and Water Storage

SACRAMENTO — A Public Policy Institute of California (PPIC) blog post on Feb. 24 analyzes the impact of February’s stream of atmospheric rivers on the state’s water storage.

“This very wet early February did not result in large quantities of new stored water,” the blog’s authors found, adding that “Reservoir operations for flood control, the limited capacity of the federal and state projects, and regulations to protect fish limited storage to about 4% of the runoff.”

They concluded that “the early February storms remind all of us that there is a lot of hard, expensive, and sometimes controversial work ahead if the state is going to successfully adapt to changing conditions.”
The entire blog post, including a chart detailing the amount of uncaptured storm water, can be viewed on the PPIC’s website.

Rowland Water District Reflects on Strong Financial Year

ROWLAND HEIGHTS — Rowland Water District (RWD) reaffirms its commitment to fiscal accuracy and transparency with the completion of its recent financial audit which reviewed RWD’s position as of June 30, 2024

California requires water districts to conduct annual independent financial audits to ensure compliance with local government regulations and financial stewardship of public funds. Representatives of Nigro & Nigro PC, a professional accountancy corporation, presented the draft audit report during the January 14 RWD Board meeting. Board members then took action to receive and file the final report at their February 11 regular Board meeting.

“We are pleased with the positive outcome of the recent financial audit which confirmed that our financial statements fairly and accurately reflect the District’s financial position. This reinforces our commitment to fiscal transparency in our financial practices,” said RWD Director of Finance Myra Malner.

“Our responsibility to serve our customers remains at the forefront of our operations,” said RWD General Manager Tom Coleman. “We have consistently demonstrated accountability for our finances over the past year and will continue to prioritize fiscal sustainability.”

Some key points from the recent audit include:

· The District increased its net position as its total assets grew by 6.05%, rising from $124,096,411 to $131,600,221 during fiscal year 2024.

· Operating revenues decreased by 1.43%, dropping from $29,959,151 to $29,530,756 compared to the prior year. The decline was primarily due to a decrease in new service connections.

· Operating expenses before depreciation rose by 7.87%, increasing from $20,386,811 to $21,991,931 compared to the prior year, primarily due to an increase in the source of supply expenses.

Rowland Water District remains committed to financial stability and transparency for its customers. Access the District’s financial records at rwd.org.

About Rowland Water District

Rowland Water District was formed 70 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 13,800 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.