Longtime Water Executive Joe Grindstaff Joins EMWD Board of Directors
Perris, CA (December 9, 2024) — Joe Grindstaff, a Hemet resident who has decades of local and statewide water policy leadership experience, was sworn in on Friday as the newest member of Eastern Municipal Water District’s (EMWD) Board of Directors.
Grindstaff was elected in the November 2024 election to represent Division 3, which includes the cities of Hemet and San Jacinto, and surrounding unincorporated areas.
“I am grateful for the opportunity to represent the residents of the San Jacinto Valley and continue the industry-leading work that EMWD has done in providing reliability and affordability for its customers,” Grindstaff said.
Grindstaff was elected to the seat previously held by Randy Record, who was one of the state’s most well-respected water leaders. Record served on EMWD’s Board of Directors for 24 years before retiring this month.
In joining EMWD’s Board of Directors, Grindstaff brings four decades of water industry experience, including:
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Serving as Executive Officer of the Delta Stewardship Council, which established a regulatory plan to support the long-term future of the Sacramento-San Joaquin Delta.
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Leadership positions with the California Natural Resources Agency, where he was the Director of the California Bay-Delta Authority and Deputy Secretary for Water Policy.
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Overseeing statewide programs as the Chief Deputy Director of the California Department of Water Resources.
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Regional leadership roles, including serving as the General Manager of the Santa Ana Watershed Project Authority, of which EMWD is a member agency.
Grindstaff is also a former EMWD employee, where he worked as a manager in the Operations and Maintenance division early in his career. He is active in community organizations, including serving as Board President of the Ramona Bowl Amphitheatre in Hemet.
“On behalf of my colleagues, we are excited to welcome Director Grindstaff to EMWD’s Board of Directors,” EMWD Board President Phil Paule said. “For nearly four decades, Director Grindstaff has been a leading and respected voice in shaping statewide water policy issues. His experience will be an asset in supporting EMWD’s mission of creating a more sustainable water supply future for all Californians.”
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Eastern Municipal Water District is the water, wastewater service and recycled water provider to nearly one million people living and working within a 601-square mile service area in western Riverside County and northern San Diego County. It is California’s sixth-largest retail water agency, and its mission is “To deliver value to our diverse customers and the communities we serve by providing safe, reliable, economical and environmentally sustainable water, wastewater and recycled water services.” More information can be found at www.emwd.org.ETWD Promotes Conservation Through AB 1572 Outreach
El Toro Water District (ETWD) is committed to helping our customers navigate California’s evolving water conservation policies. To support this effort, we created an educational flyer that simplifies the complex provisions of Assembly Bill 1572. This legislation prohibits the use of potable (drinking) water for irrigation of nonfunctional turf on commercial, industrial, and institutional (CII) properties and HOA common areas throughout the State of California.
The flyer breaks down the legislation into an easy-to-understand format, providing a comprehensive summary of AB 1572. It includes clear definitions of key terms such as non-functional turf, functional turf, common area, and recreational use area. Customers can also quickly identify who the regulations apply to and who is exempt, as well as learn about compliance requirements and important deadlines.
By offering this resource, ETWD aims to empower customers with the knowledge needed to understand the new legislation and help them prepare for the regulations that will be set by the State Water Resources Control Board in the coming years. For more information on the ETWD AB 1572 educational flyer, please visit etwd.com/etwd-ab1572-flyer/.
ETWD invites other agencies to utilize the information in the flyer to communicate to their customers.
For questions on the flyer, please contact Vu Chu, Water Use Efficiency Analyst at vchu@etwd.com, (949) 837-7050, ext. 253 or Sherri Seitz, Public Affairs Manager at sseitz@etwd.com, (949) 837-7050, ext. 239.
SWA Confirms Lead-Free Water System
Sweetwater Authority (Authority) recently successfully completed its inventory of service line connections that provide water to customers as required by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency’s Lead and Copper Rule Revisions. After a comprehensive assessment of all its water distribution system service lines, including utility and customer-owned lines, the Authority confirmed that its system contains no lead or galvanized steel requiring replacement service lines. This determination underscores the Authority’s commitment to delivering safe, high-quality drinking water to its customers.
The detailed inventory process involved carefully reviewing historical records and conducting field checks using a statistical method approved by the State Water Resources Control Board (SWRCB) Division of Drinking Water. This method included randomly spot checking the materials used in service lines, grouped by service installation date. If all sampled lines in a group were found to be lead-free, the rest of the lines in that group were also confidently considered lead-free. The results confirmed that all service lines in the Authority’s system are made of safe, lead-free materials. Funding for this initiative was supported by a $139,000 loan from the SWRCB’s Drinking Water State Revolving Fund. As the Authority serves a population largely comprised of disadvantaged communities, the principal amount of this loan is anticipated to be forgiven. “This determination reinforces the Authority’s dedication to proactive investments in our distribution system that ensure the health and safety of our customers,” said Board Chair Paulina Martinez-Perez. “With this comprehensive inventory, we can confidently assure the community that our water system is lead-free, reflecting the Governing Board’s commitment to transparency and water quality.” For more information on Sweetwater Authority’s ongoing commitment to water quality, visit www.sweetwater.org/wq.Two Sworn In to the TID Board of Directors
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Media Contacts: Constance Anderson | cjanderson@tid.org | 209.883.8448 Brandon McMillan | bpmcmillan@tid.org | 209.883.8539 About the Turlock Irrigation District (TID) Established in 1887, the Turlock Irrigation District (TID) was the first irrigation district in the state. Today it is one of only four in California that also provides electric retail energy directly to homes, farms, and businesses. TID delivers irrigation water through over 250 miles of a gravity-fed canal system that irrigates approximately 150,000 acres of farmland. TID owns and operates an integrated and diverse electric generation, transmission and distribution system that provides power to a population of 240,000 within a 662 square-mile area. With a drive towards innovation, TID has been a leader in new initiatives and data-driven practices to provide value to its customers. For more information about TID visit TID.org, follow @TurlockID on social media platforms and subscribe to TID Water & Power Podcast wherever you get your podcasts.ACWA Presents CCWD With 2024 Excellence in Communication Award
PALM DESERT – The Association of California Water Agencies (ACWA) today presented its Huell Howser Excellence in Communication Award to Contra Costa Water District (CCWD) for its impactful MadeWithCCWD campaign. This creative campaign shined a light on the essential role of water in the community by leveraging community partnerships, targeted advertising and wise investment of rate dollars to ensure a reliable and high-quality water service. Community social media partnerships were a key component of the campaign, highlighting how seven businesses and organizations with varying uses of water utilize it for the good of the community. “It’s critical that water districts continue to educate and engage their customers to support critical investments in large infrastructure projects and long-term water service reliability,” said ACWA President Cathy Green. “The comprehensive timing and outreach done for this campaign shows that creative and extensive communication can prove successful in helping customers understand the need for rate increases.” The award was presented during the 2024 ACWA Fall Conference & Expo in Palm Desert, where water professionals gathered for programs and panel discussions on California’s critical water issues. CCWD was among four finalists for the award. Other finalists for this year’s award were:- SCV Water for its Making Conservation a Santa Clarita Valley (and California) Way of Life Campaign, which encouraged water conservation and water-use efficiency through a broad-messaging campaign.
- Western Municipal Water District for its North Well Outreach Campaign, which kept residents and customers apprised of construction and well work while ensuring that their drinking water meets all current quality and aesthetic standards.
- Yuba Water District for its Water Conservation Pilot Program, which promoted water conservation in Yuba County by distributing water conservation kits and educational videos.
Jurupa Community Services District Honored for Innovative Heli-Hydrant
PALM DESERT – The Association of California Water Agencies (ACWA) today presented its third annual Excellence in Innovation Award to Jurupa Community Services District (JCSD) for its Heli-Hydrant Project. JCSD’s Heli-Hydrant is the first of its kind in the Inland Empire and strategically located in a fire-prone area. It consists of a 15-foot-wide, nearly 10,000-gallon capacity tank that allows firefighting helicopters to quickly fill onboard tanks with water to fight nearby wildfires. “Projects like these are so important in addressing climate change impacts, including record-breaking wildfires,” said ACWA President Cathy Green. “The successful and innovative approach to creating a means to significantly reduce response time when fighting a fire is crucial when it comes to successful containment.” Prior to the construction of the Heli-Hydrant, CalFire had to fly about 20 miles south of the area to Lake Mathews to refill their helicopters, increasing fire response time upwards of an hour during emergencies. JCSD’s Heli-Hydrant is located northwest of the city of Riverside and creates a centralized filing area for Jurupa Valley and Eastvale and the neighboring cities of San Bernardino, Rancho Cucamonga, Ontario and Fontana. ACWA’s Excellence in Innovation Award recognizes outstanding innovations by public water agencies. The award, sponsored by CDM Smith, was presented during ACWA’s 2024 Fall Conference & Expo in Palm Desert, where more than 1,600 leaders from local water agencies in California gathered for programs and panel discussions on a variety of key water issues. The other finalists for this year’s award were:- Rancho California Water District for its Well Monitoring System
- San Gorgonio Pass Water Agency for its Gap Funding Program
- Western Water for its North Well Manganese Treatment
Desert Water Agency Honored for Safety Program Effectiveness
Desert Water Agency was recognized for its outstanding commitment to safety as a recipient of an H.R. LaBounty Safety Award for its Joint Confined Space Rescue Training. The award was presented by the Association of California Water Agencies Joint Powers Insurance Authority (ACWA JPIA) on December 2, 2024.
The annual DWA Joint Confined Space Rescue Training involves several hours of intense, hands-on scenarios in partnership with the Palm Springs Fire Department and the Palm Springs Mounted Police Rescue Team. The training is organized and led by DWA Facilities and Safety Officer Eddie Gonzalez.
“DWA employees enter confined spaces such as well vaults and reservoirs on a regular basis, and there are many hazards associated with confined space rescues,” said Gonzalez. “Running drills with local partners allows us to see problems and challenges in a controlled environment, and then work through solutions together before an actual emergency occurs.”
This year’s training took place in May at the DWA Recycled Water Facility, where 25 firefighters and 16 DWA employees collaborated to rescue personnel from a deep entry confined space. Previous events have featured deep entry spaces of up to 45-feet, high line rescues and other complicated rescue scenarios.
The training exercises also increase rescue effectiveness by improving the flow of communication between local agencies and familiarizing emergency teams with DWA’s facilities, equipment, personnel and procedures. In addition, because of the exercises, DWA upgraded its rescue equipment to further support emergency response.
“By building strong relationships with our partners and ensuring emergency readiness among our employees, we can better ensure safety across the board,” said General Manager Steve Johnson. “As Eddie retires this month after more than 16 years of service to DWA, we are proud to recognize his innovation in strengthening our safety program and honor him and his contributions by receiving this award.”
The ACWA JPIA H.R. LaBounty Safety Awards Program began in 1999 to promote safe workplace behavior and operation practices.
For more information about the ACWA JPIA safety awards, go to www.acwajpia.com. To learn more about DWA go to www.dwa.org.
ACWA Past President Randy Record Honored with Lifetime Achievement Award
PALM DESERT – The Association of California Water Agencies (ACWA) today presented a Lifetime Achievement Award to Randy Record, who has served on the Eastern Municipal Water District Board of Directors for 24 years including 20 years as its representative on the Metropolitan Water District of Southern California Board of Directors. Presented during ACWA’s 2024 Fall Conference & Expo in Palm Desert, the award recognizes individuals who have made remarkable and lasting contributions to California water.
Record has been a leading voice in bringing together water users from urban and agricultural backgrounds to find common solutions to California’s water challenges. He has helped advance long-term solutions including the California Water Fix and the Regional Recycled Water Program. He has also been actively involved in ACWA throughout his career and led the association as President during the 2012-’13 term.
“Randy Record is the true embodiment of a leader in this industry,” said ACWA President Cathy Green. “His vision and dedication to bridging differences has led to successful collaborations between urban and agricultural backgrounds.”
Record retires from the EMWD Board of Directors this month and plans to become a full-time farmer at his vineyard in the Paso Robles area.
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ACWA Presents 2024 Emissary Award to Charles Gibson
PALM DESERT – The Association of California Water Agencies (ACWA) today presented its 19th annual Emissary Award to Santa Margarita Water District Board Director Charles Gibson. Presented during ACWA’s 2024 Fall Conference & Expo in Palm Desert, the award recognizes individuals who have made remarkable contributions to California water through voluntary service to ACWA.
“Charles Gibson has been a collaborative and thoughtful voice at ACWA,” said ACWA President Cathy Green. “His dedication, creativity and innovative thinking in working to achieve ACWA’s goals at the local, state and federal levels is invaluable and we are thrilled to be able to honor him for his contributions.”
Gibson has been actively involved with ACWA’s Federal Affairs Committee since 2014 and has served on the ACWA Region 10 Board since 2016, including one term as Chair and one as Vice Chair. Gibson is currently serving his second term on the ACWA Board of Directors and has also served two terms on ACWA’s Agriculture Committee. He has become a thought leader on Colorado River issues and his efforts have been instrumental in uniting Orange and San Diego counties on issues benefitting the entire region.
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Elsinore Valley Municipal Water District Expands Capacity in Mills Gravity Line
LAKE ELSINORE – The Elsinore Valley Municipal Water District (EVMWD) has taken a significant step forward in securing the region’s water future by completing the purchase of an additional 6 cubic feet per second (CFS) of permanent capacity in the Mills Gravity Line, a vital water conveyance pipeline. This purchase brings EVMWD’s total ownership to 21 CFS, ensuring reliable water delivery to its service area as it continues to grow.
The Mills Gravity Line, owned and operated by Western Municipal Water District (Western Water), is a 14-mile pipeline that delivers imported water from Northern California to portions of Riverside County. This infrastructure plays a critical role in supporting the water needs of the region.
“This agreement reflects EVMWD’s commitment to securing the water supply infrastructure necessary to support our growing communities,” Chance Edmonson, EVMWD board president, said. “With our service area currently 35% built out, this investment ensures that we can meet future demands while maintaining the reliability and affordability our customers deserve.”
The Mills Gravity Line partnership is the result of a decade of collaborative efforts, driven by the foresight and passion of leaders from both agencies. Former Western Water board member Don Galleano, who died in June 2021, and current EVMWD board member Andy Morris were instrumental in laying the groundwork for this agreement.
Strategic Benefits for EVMWD Customers
• Reliability for a growing region: The added capacity is needed to support the anticipated 70% growth in water demands over the next 25 years. Each cubic foot per second (CFS) of water equates to approximately 724 acre-feet per year, or about 650,000 gallons per day—enough to supply the water needs of nearly 1,500 households annually.
• Substantial cost savings: Locking in the 2019 purchase price saved approximately $5 million compared to current market rates. Additionally, the purchase eliminates annual leasing charges of up to $2 million.
• Favorable financing: EVMWD secured below-market financing from Western Water with a 2.5% interest rate, saving approximately $500,000 in interest costs over the life of the loan.
“The Mills Gravity Line is a critical lifeline for delivering water to our customers,” said Andy Morris, board director for Division 5 of EVMWD. “This expansion of our service rights strengthens our ability to serve the region well into the future and ensures we remain ahead of the curve as our communities continue to grow.”
Collaborative Partnership with Western Water
EVMWD’s partnership with Western Water is a model of effective collaboration between water agencies. The two agencies have worked together for many years, leveraging shared resources and expertise to ensure cost-effective and reliable water solutions.
“We are grateful to Western Water’s team for their professionalism and shared commitment to supporting the needs of our region,” General Manager, Greg Thomas said. “This collaboration underscores the importance of working together to solve complex challenges and create long-term benefits for our communities.”
EVMWD remains focused on strategic investments in infrastructure and partnerships that ensure water reliability and affordability for its customers. By expanding its capacity in the Mills Gravity Line, EVMWD demonstrates its dedication to innovative, forward-thinking solutions that meet both current and future water demands.
For more information about EVMWD projects and services, visit EVMWD.com.
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EVMWD serves more than 163,000 water and wastewater customers in a 97-square-mile area in Western Riverside County. The EVMWD team delivers total water management that powers the health and vibrancy of its communities so life can flourish.