Special District Work Culture Celebrated Four Years in a Row
BEAUMONT – Beaumont-Cherry Valley Water District (BCVWD) marks its fourth consecutive year as a certified Great Place to Work®, underscoring the District’s dedication to fostering a positive, supportive and engaging work environment. Based on anonymous employee feedback, this significant certification highlights BCVWD’s commitment to creating a workplace where employees feel valued, encouraged and empowered.
The 2024 employee engagement survey received a record participation rate of 91 percent, a significant increase from previous years. Employee engagement measures an employee’s connection with the work, including pride in their work, intent to stay, and view of management. The results reflect the District’s continuous improvement efforts and its practice of engaging employees in meaningful ways. This year’s overall engagement score rose to 82 percent, building upon previous years’ accomplishments and demonstrating the District’s forward momentum.
“Earning this certification year after year is a testament to our devoted staff and the positive culture they help create at BCVWD,” said John Covington, Board President. “Seeing improvements in both employee participation and engagement year over year is incredibly rewarding and speaks to our commitment to a strong, supportive workplace.”
As part of its Great Place to Work journey, BCVWD remains focused on maintaining a high level of employee engagement by investing in areas like flexibility, gender equality, and social responsibility, all of which received high satisfaction scores from employees. The District also acknowledges growth opportunities in areas such as compensation transparency and organizational pride and is actively working to enhance these.
“BCVWD’s achievements are not just about certification; they are about ensuring that our employees feel valued and connected to the District’s mission,” said Daniel Slawson, Vice President. “We are committed to fostering this environment because a supportive workplace leads to even better service for our community. We are excited to keep building on this foundation for years to come.”
As BCVWD looks to the future, it remains focused on maintaining its Great Place to Work certification by further enriching the employee experience and strengthening the values that make it an outstanding organization.
MWDOC Updates Hazard Mitigation Plan with Community Collaboration
The Municipal Water District of Orange County (MWDOC) and Water Emergency Response Organization of Orange County (WEROC) participating agencies are in the process of updating the Multi-Jurisdictional Hazard Mitigation Plan (MJHMP) to strengthen community safety and resilience. This five-year plan is a vital roadmap for addressing local vulnerabilities and detailing strategies to reduce disaster risks. Developed with input from agency staff, elected officials, partners, public safety teams, and the community, the MJHMP prioritizes collaborative engagement.
An active hazard mitigation plan offers several key benefits including eligibility for federal funding, comprehensive risk assessment, and tangible action steps to manage and mitigate risk. The MJHMP allows public safety officials and agency staff, elected officials, and members of the public to understand the threats from natural and human-caused hazards in our community and recommends specific actions to proactively decrease these threats before disasters occur.
Earlier this month, the MJHMP Draft Plan was released for public feedback. Community participation is critical as this feedback ensures the plan reflects local concerns and needs across Orange County. This plan will be a blueprint for our community to learn about hazards and mitigate against potential risks, strengthening community resilience.
Updating the MJHMP keeps MWDOC eligible for Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) grants under the Robert T. Stafford Act and the Disaster Mitigation Act of 2000, which is crucial for funding future hazard mitigation efforts. Following FEMA approval, MWDOC and WEROC participating agencies will adopt the finalized plan in Spring 2025. The MJHMP will be updated periodically to address evolving risks, maintain FEMA eligibility, and strengthen critical community assets.
For questions, email weroc@mwdoc.com or call (714) 593-5010.
ACWA Announces Two Promotions
The Association of California Water Agencies is excited to announce the selection of two new directors who will lead ACWA’s advocacy on state legislation and regulations starting in January of 2025.
Julia Hall has accepted the position of Director of State Legislative Relations. Julia came to ACWA in 2019 from the State, where she had most recently served as a Deputy Director at a state commission. Julia started at ACWA as a Senior Legislative Advocate and then became the Legislative Relations Manager. Julia serves as liaison to ACWA’s State Legislative Committee.
Chelsea Haines has accepted the position of Director of State Regulatory Relations. Chelsea came to ACWA in 2017 from the State Water Resources Control Board, where she had served as a Legislative Analyst. Chelsea started at ACWA as a Regulatory Advocate. She became a Senior Regulatory Advocate and then the Regulatory Relations Manager. Chelsea serves as liaison to ACWA’s Water Management Committee.
“Both of these government relations professionals have proven their political and policy skills in their years at ACWA. They also have excellent credentials,” said ACWA Executive Director Dave Eggerton.
Julia holds a Bachelor of Arts degree in History from the University of California, Santa Cruz and a Master of Public Policy and Administration from California State University, Sacramento.
Chelsea holds a Bachelor of Arts degree in Environmental Planning and Studies from Sonoma State University. Chelsea’s Master’s degree is in International Policy from the Middlebury Institute of International Studies. Chelsea also holds a management certificate from Harvard Business School.
Instead of having two separate departments as ACWA had several years ago, the approach for ACWA’s State Relations Department is to maximize collaboration on advocacy on state legislation and regulations.
Both Julia and Chelsea enjoy working with ACWA’s public water agency members and advocating on behalf of the agencies. Cindy Tuck, ACWA Deputy Executive Director, expressed, “I’m excited about these promotions. They are exceptional advocates and managers who will accomplish great work for ACWA’s members,”
Mokelumne River Salmon Run Breaks Record for the Second Year in a Row
The East Bay Municipal Utility District (EBMUD) reports the 2024-25 fall run of Chinook salmon currently underway on the Mokelumne River has set a new record for the second year in a row. More than 30,000 fish have been counted to date with hundreds more arriving daily from the Pacific Ocean to spawn. This is the largest salmon return on the Mokelumne since record keeping began in 1940, surpassing the record-setting 2023-24 total count of 28,698 Chinook with several weeks still left to go in this spawning season.
“I’m proud of EBMUD’s decades-long dedication to sustaining the health of the Mokelumne River habitat and investing in fish hatchery operations,” said EBMUD Board President Lesa McIntosh. “This historic salmon run is a testament to our science-driven management, cooperative relationships with neighbors on the river, and our collaboration with local, state and federal partners to enhance spawning grounds, operate our hatchery effectively, and protect vital natural resources.”
The Mokelumne River is the primary drinking water source for over 1.4 million EBMUD customers in Alameda and Contra Costa counties. The not-for-profit public agency is dedicated to balancing customers’ water needs with environmental protection and river stewardship.
EBMUD manages river flows, enhances habitat, and funds the Mokelumne River Hatchery, which is operated in partnership with the California Department of Fish and Wildlife (CDFW). The Mokelumne contributes only about 3 percent of the freshwater flow into the Sacramento-San Joaquin Delta, yet its salmon population makes up as much as 50 percent of the commercial catch off the California coast.
Salmon returns are counted every year during the spawning season, which typically runs from September to January. These Chinook return to their home waters in the Mokelumne to reproduce and die after spending two to five years maturing in the Pacific Ocean. The pattern is a significant stage in the salmon life cycle and a strong indicator of the habitat’s ecological health and the population’s survival rate. On October 16, 2024, EBMUD biologists recorded the passage of 3,824 migrating fish, the largest one-day salmon count in more than 30 years. Passage is measured as salmon pass through a fish ladder at a small irrigation impoundment owned by Woodbridge Irrigation District.
The statewide closure of California’s 2023 and 2024 commercial and recreational salmon fishing seasons to protect the Central Valley fall-run Chinook population has certainly had a positive impact on the number of fish coming back to freshwater. The commercial and recreational salmon fishing fleet, which funds the production of ocean enhancement fish at the hatchery, forewent both seasons and contributed to this year’s success on the Mokelumne. But similar returns have not been realized elsewhere in the Central Valley. In fact, the Mokelumne hatchery is supporting the Coleman National Fish Hatchery by providing approximately 3 million eggs this spawning season.
The science-driven hatchery management program by EBMUD and CDFW includes operations that support ocean fisheries and natural spawning in the river. Long-term strategies and actions that affect the fishery include:
- Habitat enhancement to improve natural river spawning and rearing in partnership with both the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service’s Anadromous Fish Restoration Program and the CDFW, and with recent funding provided by the California Department of Water Resources under the Healthy Rivers and Landscapes Program Early Implementation actions.
- Flow management, including fall pulse flows from EBMUD’s Camanche Reservoir into the river to attract returning fish; coordination with the U.S. Bureau of Reclamation to close the Delta Cross Channel to reduce straying; and management of the Camanche cold water pool to support spawning, incubation, and rearing.
- Hatchery management, including investments in chillers and ultraviolet filters to improve egg survival; collaboration on the release of juvenile fish to improve survival to the ocean; and management of the fish ladder leading into the hatchery to support both hatchery and natural spawners.
“We are excited to have another robust salmon return that allows us to support all our hatchery goals, including mitigation, enhancement and climate resilience, as well as meet our in-river spawning targets with enough fish to fill the habitat,” said EBMUD Manager of Fisheries and Wildlife Michelle Workman. “We continue to face the challenge of climate variability with record air temperatures in July and October affecting our cold-water availability strategies. Our investments in chillers for the hatchery enable us to support the Chinook population even when environmental conditions work against us. This year we are fortunate to have enough returning fish to also support Coleman National Fish Hatchery with eggs to help sustain the fishery on the Sacramento River and the broader Central Valley.”
###
The East Bay Municipal Utility District has a proud history of providing high-quality drinking water for 1.4 million customers in Alameda and Contra Costa counties. EBMUD’s wastewater system serves 740,000 customers and helps protect the ecosystem of San Francisco Bay. EBMUD is a not-for-profit public agency established in 1923.
Water District Leader Explores Regional Water Challenges on Podcast
OXNARD – United Water Conservation District (UWCD) General Manager Mauricio Guardado recently appeared on H2Know-It-Alls, a podcast by Public Water Agencies Group‘s Conservation and Education Team (PWAG CET). Guardado joined hosts Brittnie Gildea and Joe Yersky to discuss UWCD’s service to its community, the Extraction Barrier Brackish Water Treatment (EBB Water) Project, and the District’s Grant Task Force.
Guardado illustrated the unique water landscape of Ventura County and UWCD’s customer base. He highlighted how UWCD ensures a reliable water supply for 400,000 residents while supporting the region’s $2 billion annual agricultural industry. He also discussed UWCD’s operation of Lake Piru, a vital reservoir with an 82,000 acre-foot storage capacity, and the District’s Freeman Diversion, which collected 148,000 acre-feet of water in 2023 to enhance groundwater recharge from the Santa Clara River.
Guardado explained that historically Ventura County relied on precipitation for its water. UWCD found a way to harness that precipitation through infrastructure such as Lake Piru and the Freeman Diversion. UWCD also depends on its Strategic Plan and Sustainability Plan, which enables the District to take advantage of recent significant precipitation to put water back into the ground.
The podcast highlighted UWCD’s EBB Water Project, one of the first of its kind. UWCD is working in close collaboration with the U.S. Navy to combat seawater intrusion and create a local and drought-resilient water supply for beneficial use in the region. The project will develop an extraction barrier by creating a hydraulic barrier and intercepting the inland flow of seawater near the coast. The extracted saline water, also known as brackish water, will be treated using membrane desalination to provide the U.S. Navy with a high-quality, potable local supply. The water will also be used for groundwater recharge.
“It’s incredible how a project like this can bring the entire region together,” Guardado shared on the podcast. “We’ve received overwhelming support—letters from legislators, businesses, key stakeholders, cities, and municipalities. The outpouring of collaboration and unity has been truly remarkable.”
Guardado underscored the importance of outreach for projects like EBB Water and others, explaining how the EBB Water Project began with a simple tour of UWCD’s facilities by a U.S. Navy Captain. When UWCD staff and the U.S. Navy team met, they discovered that UWCD was a major contributor of water to the region and there was potential for more collaboration.
When asked how funding supports projects at UWCD, Guardado pointed to the District’s Grant Task Force. The four-member District team has secured $45 million in grant funding to support the design and construction of vital water infrastructure at UWCD.
The podcast also delved into regulatory and policy challenges within the water industry. “Too often, we see arbitrary interpretations of laws and policies that prevent groundwater recharge or reservoir filling—not based on science, but on opinions and emotions,” Guardado explained.
He added, “When we’re unable to fill reservoirs during times of availability, much of that water ends up flowing to the ocean unnecessarily. This leaves us with a smaller baseline to endure drier periods.” Guardado emphasized the importance of staying engaged with legislation and policies to address these barriers and their regional impacts.
The H2Know-It-Alls podcast interviews water experts about today’s water issues, including how water gets to your tap, why conservation is such a hot topic, and how droughts and water rights affect your water supply.
To listen to the podcast, visit open.spotify.com/episode/2HbiCctMFVV3MnxbhYrsje?si=NqOK54h7SlWMvcMElXYHgQ
###
About United Water Conservation District
Since 1927, United Water Conservation District (District) has served as a leader among water agencies by managing, protecting, enhancing and securing the water resources of the Santa Clara River and Oxnard Coastal Plain. The District works to protect the environment’s natural attributes and conserves runoff from all major tributaries of the Santa Clara River, including Piru, Hopper, Sespe, and Santa Paula Creeks. Committed to managing the area’s water supplies through groundwater replenishment and the construction and operation of efficient water supply and delivery systems, the District serves as the conservator of groundwater resources that are utilized by the cities of Oxnard, Port Hueneme, Ventura, Santa Paula, and Fillmore, as well as Naval Base Ventura County and several mutual water districts, farms, and individual pumpers. The District also provides surface water for agricultural irrigation and treated drinking water to the cities of Oxnard and Port Hueneme. www.unitedwater.org
Vista Irrigation District Honors Retiring Board Member Richard L. Vásquez
The Vista Irrigation District (VID) Board of Directors honored Board Member Richard L. Vásquez for his 24 years of service. Vásquez did not seek reelection and will be retiring effective December 6, 2024.
Vásquez has served on the Board of Directors since December 2008; this will be the fourth time he has led the board since being elected in 2008. Vásquez was a member of the Board of Directors of the Bueno Colorado Municipal Water District from 1986 to 1992, and he was formerly on the Board of Directors of VID from 1992 to 2000. Vásquez represented Division 2, which encompasses the area north of West Vista Way and west of North Santa Fe Avenue in Vista.
“It’s been an honor to serve on the VID Board representing Division 2 for more than two decades,” said Vásquez. “I am proud of the Board’s accomplishments and appreciate staff’s efforts in addressing the specific needs of the District’s customers.”
Vásquez, a retired civil engineering designer, has served as the chair of VID’s public affairs, fiscal policy and water sustainability committees. He also actively represented the VID’s best interests through his dedicated service on outside committees and organizations including the Association of California Water Agencies (ACWA) Region 10 Board of Directors, ACWA water quality and groundwater committees, the Southern California Water Coalition and Groundwater Resources Association.
“Richard, the accolades that you have received here today are not enough to truly recognize your accomplishments and contributions to the Board and the District,” said Board of Directors Vice President Patrick Sanchez. “You stressed the importance of setting good public policy and always keeping the ratepayer in mind when decisions are being made by the Board.”
During Vásquez’s tenure on the Board of Directors, VID completed many significant capital projects including the replacement/rehabilitation of several reservoirs and pump stations and the replacement of over 30 miles of pipeline and related appurtenances. He also helped lead the district on numerous special projects including the completion of a Water Supply Planning Study, which guided the Board’s monumental decision to begin the planning to replace the 100-year-old Vista Flume; the historical Warner-Carrillo Ranch House Restoration Project which garnered significant honors from the State of California; and the considerable task of finalizing the San Luis Rey Indian Water Rights Settlement. VID also received the Certificate of Achievement for Excellence in Financial Reporting from the Government Finance Officers Association and the District of Distinction Platinum Recognition and the Transparency Certificate of Excellence awards from the Special District Leadership Foundation while Vásquez was a member of the Board.
Vista Irrigation District is a public agency governed by an elected five-member board. The district provides water service to more than 130,000 people in the city of Vista, and portions of San Marcos, Escondido, Oceanside, and unincorporated areas of the county of San Diego.
# # #
WVWD Celebrates Young Water Stewards and their Art
RIALTO — The West Valley Water District (WVWD) is excited to announce the winners of the 2024 annual poster contest themed, “Being a Water Saver Means”, a call to action for our young water conservation stewards to illustrate and educate others on how we can all do our part to save water. Student winners were recognized at the November 14th Board of Directors Meeting and acknowledged for their award-winning art that will be featured in the 2025 WVWD calendar. “The annual poster contest provides future water stewards throughout WVWD’s service area with the opportunity to showcase their creativity and their knowledge of the importance of saving water,” said Vice President Dan Jenkins. “On behalf of the Board, thank you to every student who took the time to participate in this year’s contest and congratulations to the featured winners.” Over 200 hand-drawn posters were submitted by local students in the WVWD service area, that depicted what it means to be a water saver. WVWD staff voted and judged the posters on their expression of the theme, neatness, and creativity. “The annual poster contest is an exciting opportunity to educate the community about conserving our most crucial resource: water,” said WVWD Board Director Angela Garcia. “Congratulations to all our 2024 student winners and thank you to the parents, teachers and school officials who supported these students throughout the process. The success of programs like these to engage and educate our local students starts with you.” 2024 Poster Contest Winners: Adeline G., Sycamore Hills; Jade M., Mary B. Lewis; Athena D., Morris; Kayle A., Sycamore Hills; Annabelie L., Sycamore Hills; Noemi C., Crestmore; Khloe L., Hughbanks; Alexa P., Sycamore Hills; Frida A., Sycamore Hills; Caleb R., Sycamore Hills; Isabella K., Sycamore Hills; Lauren A., Paakuma’ K-8; Alicia N., Kucera Students who submitted winning posters were also recognized with Certificates of Recognition from local elected officials, including, Assembly Majority Leader Eloise Gomez Reyes, Assemblymember James Ramos, San Bernardino County Supervisor Joe Baca, Jr. and San Bernardino County Supervisor Jesse Armendarez.# # #
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.Longtime EMWD Director Randy Record Honored with Water Champion Award
PERRIS — Eastern Municipal Water District (EMWD) today presented its Water Champion Award to longtime Board Member Randy Record in honor of his nearly quarter-century of leadership on local, state, and Western United States water issues.
The Water Champion Award is presented to an organization or individual who demonstrates exemplary service and dedication in assisting EMWD achieve its mission of delivering value to the diverse customers and communities it serves by providing safe, reliable, economical, and environmentally sustainable water, wastewater and recycled water service.
Record received the honor during his final EMWD Board Meeting and is the first EMWD Board Member to receive this recognition.
“One of the greatest professional honors of my life has been representing the residents of the San Jacinto Valley on EMWD’s Board of Directors,” Record said. “The industry-leading work we have accomplished during my time at EMWD will benefit our customers for generations.
“I look forward to watching EMWD’s future successes in serving the community that has meant so much to me throughout my life and career.”
Record began serving on EMWD’s Board of Directors In 2001 and has become one of the most respected water policy officials in California. In 2003, he was appointed as EMWD’s representative to The Metropolitan Water District of Southern California (Metropolitan) Board of Directors, where he served until 2023. He was the Chairman of Metropolitan from 2014 to 2018, during which time he helped the wholesale water navigate a historic drought.
The impact of Record’s tenure at EMWD will have a lasting impact on the region’s water supply future. As a longtime farmer, he has been a leading advocate for the expanded use of recycled water, which now accounts for more than one-third of EMWD’s total water supply portfolio.
Record was also a leading advocate to replace nonfunctional grass with climate appropriate landscaping in public spaces, such as streetscapes and commercial properties.
Among the most significant accomplishments during Record’s tenure is the coordination between all water users in the San Jacinto Valley – including the Soboba Band of Luiseño Indians. Because of these efforts, the Tribe and municipal users are well-positioned for a more secure water supply future.
“During his time at EMWD, Director Record has been one of the most influential voices in California water policy and a champion for progress,” EMWD Board President Phil Paule said. “Our region and our state have a better water supply future because of his leadership. I can think of no person more well-deserving of this honor than Director Record.”
Past winners of the Water Champion Award include: The County of Riverside, the Soboba Band of Luiseño Indians, former United States Senator Dianne Feinstein, Congressman Ken Calvert, Congressman Mark Takano, former Assemblywoman and current State Senator Anna Caballero, former State Senator Bill Emmerson, former Riverside County Supervisor Marion Ashley, retired United States Bureau of Reclamation area manager Bill Steele, and former California Gov. Jerry Brown.
# # #
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.PWD Board Approves $34.5 Million Budget for 2025
PALMDALE – The Palmdale Water District (PWD) Board of Directors has adopted an operating budget of $34,566,887 for the calendar year 2025. The new budget is an increase of about $1.4 million, or 4.5%, compared to 2024’s $33.1 million budget. The increase is primarily due to planning for higher operational costs due to inflation, water purchases of $2.6 million, and $1.8 million for the Littlerock Sediment Removal Project. Similar to previous years, increased personnel expenses for next year are the result of cost-of-living increases, healthcare expenses and retirement funding. The 2025 operating revenue is based on selling 15,000 acre-feet of water, which will generate about $35 million. It is $1 million higher than the 2024 budgeted figure. Total revenue also includes $550,000 in potential capital improvement fees and about $10.4 million in December property tax assessments. The budget estimates that the District will end this year with about $17.4 million in cash reserves, which will exceed the projected amount of nearly $16.5 million as identified in the 2019 Water Rate Study report. The increase in reserves is due to the extra water allocated by the State Water Project during the past two wet winters, allowing PWD to sell excess water to other agencies. The projected cash reserve for 2025 is about $21.3 million. “This is a fiscally sound budget that will fund the necessary costs of providing our customers with reliable, high-quality water,” said PWD CFO/Finance Manager Dennis Hoffmeyer. “This balanced budget also ensures that we meet our goal of maintaining a healthy cash reserve for emergencies. We appreciate the Board supporting the budget by unanimously approving it.” A complete 2025 budget package will be available in January on the PWD website at www.palmdalewater.org. Since 1918, the Palmdale Water District has provided high-quality water at a reasonable cost. We pride ourselves on providing great customer care; advocating for local water issues that help our residents; educating the community on water-use efficiency; and leading our region in researching and implementing emerging technologies that increase operational efficiency.###
State Water Board Cancels Kaweah Subbasin Probationary Hearing
The State Water Resources Control Board last week cancelled the probationary hearing for the Kaweah Subbasin because the amended Groundwater Sustainability Plans (GSP) released in June and October show substantial progress in addressing the deficiencies identified in the Kaweah Subbasin Draft Staff Report.
The State Water Board will now be completing a more thorough review of the amended plans to see if the revisions are adequate in addressing groundwater sustainability in the subbasin.
Last December, an ACWA-led coalition submitted comments to the State Water Board requesting, among other things, that the State Water Board develop a process by which a basin could submit a revised GSP that addresses deficiencies before its probationary hearing. The cancellation of the Kaweah Subbasin’s Hearing is a positive development that reflects the hard work of groundwater sustainability agencies to comply with SGMA.