SCV Water Wins Seven PRSA Los Angeles Awards for Excellence in Public Relations
In recognition of its outstanding achievements in public relations, SCV Water received seven prestigious awards from the Public Relations Society of America’s Los Angeles chapter (PRSA-LA). Overall, the Agency captured three PRism Awards, the top award in a category, and four Awards of Excellence. PRSA-LA distributes PRism Awards to top entries, as well as Awards of Excellence, with winners chosen from multiple industries including government, technology, education and more. SCV Water received awards for exceptional work on the following campaigns during PRSA-LA’s 60th Annual PRism Award Show: PRism Award · Brand Refresh and Brand Guide (Creative Tactics, Logo/Identity Design Category) This award recognized SCV Water’s comprehensive brand refresh and development of a cohesive brand guide, which modernized the organization’s identity and established a clear visual standard, enhancing brand recognition and consistency across all communication channels. · Water Efficiency Works – Multifamily Apartment Program (Community Relations, Government Category) This program was honored for its impactful approach to educating and supporting multifamily apartment communities on water-saving practices, demonstrating SCV Water’s commitment to community engagement and sustainability in a traditionally challenging segment. · 2024 Consumer Confidence Report (Publications, Annual Reports Category) The 2024 Consumer Confidence Report earned distinction for its transparent and accessible presentation of water quality data, empowering the public with clear information on SCV Water’s commitment to safety and compliance. Award of Excellence · Garden Smarter (Publications, Magazines Category) This magazine was recognized for its rich, informative content that guides residents in sustainable gardening practices, positioning SCV Water as a knowledgeable resource for eco-friendly landscaping. · Water Currents eNewsletter (Publications, Newsletters Category) Water Currents was celebrated for effectively engaging subscribers with timely updates and valuable information about water resources, conservation tips, and SCV Water initiatives. · SCV Water Social Media (Social Media Category) SCV Water’s social media presence was awarded for its dynamic and interactive approach to educating and engaging the community, using creative campaigns, and providing updates to broaden public awareness of water issues. · Conservation Videos – Lawn Replacement Program (Government Videos Category) This video series was recognized for its educational and visually engaging content, effectively promoting water conservation practices to the community through accessible and impactful government-produced media. The PRism Awards celebrate the best and brightest in public relations and communications in the Southern California region. Hundreds of entries are received annually from agencies, as well as corporate, non-profit, and independent practitioners in the public relations profession in and around the Los Angeles area. Awards are judged by a PRSA sister chapter.###
About SCV Water: The Santa Clarita Valley Water Agency (SCV Water) is a full-service regional water agency located in the Santa Clarita Valley. SCV Water provides water service to approximately 75,000 business and residential customers. It was formed on January 1, 2018, when local water suppliers combined into one integrated, regional water provider. More information can be found at yourSCVwater.com.San Bernardino Valley Mourns the Loss of Board Vice President
SAN BERNARDINO – It is with deep sorrow we announce the sudden passing of Dr. June Hayes, Vice President and valued board member for San Bernardino Valley Municipal Water District. Her dedication and leadership were instrumental to the mission of San Bernardino Valley, and her presence will be truly missed by those who knew and worked with her.
Elected to the Board of Directors in 2016 and re-elected in 2020, Dr. Hayes represented Division I, covering areas of Rialto and Fontana, including the Fontana Water Company, Marigold Mutual Water Company, Rialto Water Services, and West Valley Water District. Her contributions have been instrumental in shaping San Bernardino Valley’s future and strengthening its role as a leader in watershed resilience.
“The passing of Dr. June Hayes is a tremendous loss, not only for San Bernardino Valley, but the region as a whole,” said Paul Kielhold, Board President of San Bernardino Valley. “She embraced the responsibility of serving our communities by promoting collaboration and exhibiting a deep curiosity for innovative solutions.
Dr. Hayes further exemplified her commitment to future generations through her involvement in various committees, including the Climate Resiliency Standing Committee, ACWA/JPIA, and Headwaters Resiliency Partnership Standing Committee. Additionally, she served as Chair of the Board of Directors’ Resource/ Engineering Workshops.
Her career extended beyond water management to mental health advocacy and clinical psychology, where she served as a clinic manager within the San Bernardino County Mental Health System and later specialized in Workers’ Compensation and support for neglected youth in private practice. As a veteran and finalist for the Veteran of the Year award by Assembly Majority Leader Eloise Gomez-Reyes in 2019, Dr. Hayes’ dedication to others was evident in every aspect of her life.
“Dr. Hayes was not only a dedicated leader within the water sector, but also a compassionate and generous person who cared deeply about the people within her community,” said Heather Dyer, CEO/ General Manager of San Bernardino Valley. “She made a meaningful difference in countless lives, and her positive spirit and selflessness will be remembered by all who truly knew her.”
Dr. Hayes’ enduring contributions to San Bernardino Valley, the broader water sector, and mental health will leave a lasting legacy. A memorial service to honor Dr. Hayes will be held on Friday, November 8, at 10 a.m. at San Bernardino Valley Municipal Water District Office, located at 380 East Vanderbilt Way, San Bernardino, CA 92408.
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About San Bernardino Valley
San Bernardino Valley is a regional water agency with a service area that covers around 353 square miles in southwestern San Bernardino County and a population of approximately 714,000. With a dedicated team of experts and partnerships across the region, San Bernardino Valley is committed to building a resilient and sustainable water future for the community. Learn more at www.sbvmwd.com.
West Basin Municipal Water District Promotes Susanna Li as Manager of Engineering
West Basin is pleased to announce the promotion of Susanna Li to the Manager of Engineering position. Susanna holds a Bachelor’s degree in civil engineering from Purdue University and a Master’s degree in Environmental Engineering from the University of Michigan. She is a licensed professional engineer with more than 25 years of private and public sector experience. As a board member of the Southwest Membrane Operator Association Susanna is a local industry expert in membrane treatment with multiple publications in her portfolio. Her expertise spans the water industry’s engineering and operations realms including R&D work, feasibility studies, engineering design and construction, system operations, and asset management.
“I am truly honored to step into a leadership position at West Basin during this dynamic period for the District. I look forward to collaborating with our talented team to tackle the challenges ahead and drive the District toward achieving both our current and future strategic goals,” says Susanna.
With her 12 years of service at West Basin, Susanna’s in-depth understanding of the District’s treatment systems, operational needs, asset conditions, District-wide financials, and regional issues positions her as a successful leader in the Manager of Engineering role.
OAL Approves Making Conservation a CA Way of Life Regulation
The Office of Administrative Law on Oct. 22 approved the Making Conservation a California Way of Life Regulation that was adopted by the State Water Resources Control Board on July 3. The regulation is intended to achieve long-term water use efficiency with the purpose of adapting to climate change by establishing unique goals for each urban retail water supplier in California.
As approved, urban retail water suppliers are required to submit their Urban Water Use Objective Reporting Form to the State Water Board each January, starting Jan. 1, 2025. Beginning Jan. 1, 2027, each urban retail water supplier must demonstrate compliance with its water use objective.
The State Water Board has now released the reporting form and accompanying guidance documents in a reporting package available online. More information on the regulation is available in a fact sheet.
ACWA worked extensively with its members and coalition partners over the last year to secure extensive amendments that have resulted in a more feasible and cost-effective regulation. Under the regulation, suppliers must work with their customers to achieve water savings. Individual customers are not required to comply with the urban water use objective.
State, Federal Agencies Unite to Address Climate Resilience
SACRAMENTO – Federal and State of California government agencies, overseeing water, agriculture, fish and wildlife, public lands and flood control, have entered into a Memorandum of Understanding to enhance collaboration on landscape-scale, multi-beneficial floodplain water projects in the Sacramento River Basin.
The purpose of this agreement is to elevate the opportunity for landscape-scale funding and to streamline planning, design, implementation, monitoring, and information sharing of projects located on the floodplains that enhance flood protection, restore fish and wildlife habitat, improve groundwater aquifer recharge, provide water supply reliability, and sustain farming and managed wetland operations.
The agencies who signed on to the MOU include: the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service
(USFWS), U.S. Bureau of Reclamation (USBR), U.S. Bureau of Land Management (BLM), U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (USACE), USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS), California Natural Resources Agency (CNRA), California Department of Fish and Wildlife (CDFW), California Department of Food and Agriculture (CDFA), California Department of Water Resources (DWR), and the National Fish and Wildlife Foundation (NFWF).
“We are deeply grateful for this commitment to floodplain restoration with so many conservation leaders in the Sacramento Valley,” said Paul Souza, Pacific Southwest Regional Director of the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service. “Floodplains provide rich habitat for birds, fish, and so many other species, and this partnership again shows how agriculture and species conservation can work hand in glove to benefit people and communities, foster a healthy environment, and adapt to a changing climate. We are committed to this restoration action.”
The Sacramento River Basin and its floodplains spans from Sacramento to Chico, a coverage area of approximately 1,100 square miles – or larger than the state of Rhode Island. Floodplains are defined as low-lying areas of land around a river or stream that when flooded, fills the area with nutrients.
The bypasses in the Sacramento Valley (e.g.; Sutter Bypass, Tisdale Bypass, Yolo Bypass, etc.) are natural overflow areas that are critical to protecting farms, cities and communities from devastating floodwaters. The lowlands also serve as essential habitat for many fish, birds and wildlife – many who are listed as endangered or threatened species – and have historically relied on the Basin’s floodplains for food and habitat during their migrations.
“Reclamation looks forward to being a part of this vital effort to promote the development of projects that help restore the ecosystem and boost the overall health of the Sacramento River
Basin and the economy it supports,” said California Great-Basin Regional Director Karl Stock. “We’ve been engaged with our federal, state and local partners on many habitat restoration and improvement projects along the Sacramento River, and this memorandum of understanding is another pillar on which we can build our growing partnerships.”
California’s Central Valley, which includes the Sacramento River Basin, is a vital stopover site for migrating waterfowl and shorebirds along the Pacific Flyway. The valley supports 80 percent of the Flyway’s total duck and goose population, provides habitat for hundreds of thousands of shorebirds, and a variety of neotropical migrant species.
With the advent of winter flooding, agriculture plays a critical role with rice fields offering roughly 300,000 acres of habitat to birds each winter. This leads to approximately 200 million pounds of food resources available to the millions of geese, ducks, swans and other migratory birds that rely on rice fields after harvest.
“Restoring seasonal floodplains across California is a win-win-win,” said Wade Crowfoot, California Natural Resources Secretary. “Allowing water onto historic floodplains reduces flood risks to downriver communities, expands habitat for fish and wildlife, and often helps recharge groundwater basins. This MOU will turbocharge collaboration already happening in the Sacramento Valley to get more of these multi-benefit projects in place more quickly.”
The Sacramento River Basin is also home to four runs of Chinook salmon – spring-run, fall-run, late-fall run and winter-run – making it the watershed containing the richest diversity of Chinook salmon in the world. Formerly, the Sacramento River and its tributaries such as the Feather River and Butte, Mill, Deer, Clear, and Battle Creeks, produced immense numbers of these fish. Today, the spring-run and winter-run Chinook salmon are listed as threatened or endangered by state and federal agencies, while the fall-run, on which the commercial and sport fisheries depend, is largely supported by hatchery production. In addition to salmon, the Sacramento River Basin supports a wide diversity of native fishes.
“We look forward to working collaboratively with leaders from across these state and federal agencies to align salmon restoration projects in the Sacramento Valley,” said Jonathan Birdsong, western regional director, National Fish and Wildlife Foundation. “Coordinating both projects and funding opportunities will allow us to deliver much-needed resources to willing landowners and their non-government organizational partners who are ready to implement solutions to benefit this vital natural resource.”
Members of the MOU understand, as outlined in the agreement, that by working together, the partners can not only expand upon the conservation success created for migratory birds in the Sacramento Valley, but can extend those benefits to salmon and other fish and wildlife as well. However, successful implementation of conservation at this scale will require coordination and collaboration among and across federal and state resource management entities, Tribes, landowners, conservation organizations, water managers, local governments, and nongovernmental conservation organizations.
“The Central Valley is the hub of the California water system. As extreme weather events intensify and become more frequent, managing our water resources for multiple benefits becomes more of an imperative,” said COL James Handura, Commander of the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers South Pacific Division. “This Memorandum of Understanding signifies the Corps’ commitment to maximize collaboration with our federal, state, and local partners, and to support the goals of improving flood risk management, restoring sensitive ecosystems, and enhancing drought resilience in the Sacramento River Basin and beyond.”
The MOU was inspired by the Floodplain Forward Coalition, a 27-member organization representing landowners, irrigation districts, higher education, and conservation groups. The coalition, and their collaborative model of dynamic conservation, has resulted in farms, refuges, and managed wetlands providing essential habitat for waterfowl and shorebirds as well as potential food production for endangered fish species. The Floodplain Forward Coalition supports the action taken by the MOU signees.
The agreement was signed on October 23, 2024 at the California Natural Resource Agency’s headquarters in Sacramento.
UWCD Awarded $25 Million for Water Resource Management Projects
Thanks to an innovative Grant Task Force, United Water Conservation District (UWCD) secured $25 million in grant funding to support the design and construction of vital water infrastructure projects. The four-member District team focuses on applying for and qualifying for appropriate and proactive funding for the region. UWCD’s Grant Task Force assembles technical project staff, finance technical staff, and project managers who complement each other’s strengths to manage grant applications efficiently. The team includes Human Resources Specialist Destiny Rubio, Environmental Scientist Tessa Lenz, Accountant Jeanessa Lopez and Engineering Assistant Sonja Flores. The group was founded in September 2023 and has applied for six grants, totaling $98 million, since its formation. “The team understands how important funding is to our regional water sustainability planning and goals,” Human Resources Specialist and Grant Task Force member Destiny Rubio said. “Obtaining grant funding will lead to the construction of our water sustainability capital improvement projects which support the entire local basin and will have rippling positive effects throughout the entire community.” The Grant Task Force supports high-impact water resource management projects in Ventura County. For example, the team applied for $54 million in February 2024 under the FEMA Flood Mitigation Grant Program to advance the Santa Felicia Dam Safety Improvement Project. The Grant Task Force is optimistic about being selected for these funds. The grant application process is a team effort. UWCD employees throughout the District send grant opportunities to the Grant Task Force, who vet the prospects and pursue them upon approval. The team actively researches funding programs and tracks grant announcements. They build relationships with state and federal agencies to discuss UWCD’s groundbreaking water supply efforts and learn more about available programs that align with the District’s mission objectives. When necessary, the Grant Task Force reaches out to industry consultants for technical expertise to enhance the quality of grant applications. This unique approach ensures grant opportunities are reviewed promptly by a specialized team that understands specific grant requirements and bolsters high-quality proposals. The Grant Task Force aligns grant application efforts with the District’s overall goals, priorities, projects and long-term objectives. “At UWCD, we are dedicated to thinking outside the box and forming unique partnerships to ensure the local water system is sustainable for years to come. Our Grant Task Force is another great example of our enterprising spirit,” Board President Sheldon Berger said. “We are grateful to them for their tireless efforts to bring funds to Ventura County that improve safety, water quality and resiliency.” Learn more at www.unitedwater.org.###
About United Water Conservation DistrictSince 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
October 18, 2024 ACWA News Available
Read the October 18 edition of ACWA News for informative articles about the association and water industry.
Articles include:
- Members Celebrate Water Professionals Appreciation Week
- ACWA Board of Directors Approves New Five-Year Strategic Plan
- Capitol Corner Summarizes Final Status of Key Water Bills for 2024
- Meet the team at ACWA East
Meet the ACWA East Team
Maybe your agency is impacted by wildfires, or among those facing the possibility of legal exposure from PFAS contamination. Are you affected by the Army Corps of Engineers, U.S. Bureau of Reclamation or by any federal agency?
Add acts of Congress and regulatory decisions by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, and that’s still not a complete list of boxes to check when considering how decision making in Washington D.C. can impact your operations. That’s why I cannot overstate the importance of our members having a voice in our nation’s capital.
The decision by ACWA to open ACWA East more than 30 years ago established our association’s position as the leading voice for California water in Washington D.C. and a trusted voice in Western water policy. That incredibly effective resource works on your behalf every day, and its continued success relies on our small, but mighty ACWA East team led by Ian Lyle.
Ian assumed the role of Director of Federal Relations at the beginning of this year, bringing with him invaluable experience in federal water policy, including having led the National Water Resources Association (NWRA) as its Executive Vice President.
We’ve also hired Caleb Raspler as Federal Relations Representative. Caleb earned his law degree in San Diego while working for U.S. Rep. Scott Peters (D-CA-50) as a congressional staffer before managing the federal policy work of a national association of landscape architects that advocated on water policy.
Caleb joined AnnaLee Taylor, who works for us on a contract basis as Office Manager. She is a proud Navy veteran with a wealth of experience working with water associations. AnnaLee and Ian worked together for many years at NWRA. Her experience also includes working with some of the absolute best leaders in our business, such as past Bureau of Reclamation Commissioner Bob Johnson.
The ACWA East team leverages the knowledge and experience of our members through ACWA’s Federal Affairs Committee, which is led by Chair Jolene Walsh and Vice Chair Scott Petersen. Together they have been working hard with elected and regulatory decision-makers on finding ways to fund water infrastructure, improve the federal regulatory process, and limit our members’ exposure to legal liability for passively receiving PFAS during water and wastewater treatment. Also, ACWA’s presence in Washington D.C. allowed us to actively engage members of congress to support Congressman Peters’ Fix Our Forest Act, which passed the House of Representatives in late September.
These are only a few recent examples from a long list of how the ACWA East team consistently delivers value to our members. If you want to see for yourself, join us in our nation’s capital next Feb. 25-27 for our annual Washington D.C. Conference.
Our members must continue to be represented by the best and brightest water professionals here in California and in Washington D.C., working as a team to effectively shape state and federal decisions in ways that benefit our member agencies and the communities they serve. I can say with absolute certainty that we have that team today with Ian, Caleb, and AnnaLee.
Moulton Niguel Water District Honored as 2024 EPA WaterSense Partner of the Year
Moulton Niguel Water District is being honored by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency with its 2024 WaterSense “Partner of the Year” Award. The national honor celebrates agencies that go above and beyond in promoting water efficiency for their customers.
“We are incredibly proud to partner with the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency’s WaterSense Program to offer our customers the nation’s leading water efficiency programs and services,” said Duane D. Cave, President of the Moulton Niguel Water District, who has more than four decades of experience in the utility industry. A leader in water conservation, Moulton Niguel offers customers a suite of tailored programs and services to help its customers use water wisely. Every year, the District provides free toilet leak detection test kits to approximately 55,000 households during the EPA’s national Fix-a-Leak Week. Customers can also check out the District’s free “Potty Talk” video series for helpful Do-It-Yourself tips on identifying common household leaks. “At Moulton Niguel, we have embraced a proactive approach to leak detection,” said Brian S. Probolsky, Vice President of the Moulton Niguel Water District. In addition to providing customers with free toilet leak detection kits, the District collaborated with local agencies and cities to install WaterSense devices. In 2023, Moulton Niguel coordinated and funded the direct installation of 441 WaterSense labeled weather-based irrigation controllers and provided rebates for 289 WaterSense labeled high-efficiency clothes washers. The District also worked with the Capistrano Unified School District to retrofit 215 toilets, 152 urinals, 590 faucets, and 133 shower heads, which will result in approximately 137 million gallons of lifetime water savings. Right now, Moulton Niguel is reminding customers to adjust irrigation programs and sprinkler timers as part of its “Fall Back” campaign. “As days get shorter, and nights get cooler, outdoor plants require less water than they did in the hot summer months,” explains Joone Kim-Lopez, Moulton Niguel’s General Manager and CEO. “If you haven’t already done so, it’s a great time to start cutting back on your outdoor watering.Moulton Niguel Water District provides high-quality drinking water, recycled water, and wastewater treatment services to customers in Aliso Viejo, Laguna Niguel, Laguna Hills, Mission Viejo, San Juan Capistrano, and Dana Point. A leader in environmental protection, Moulton Niguel maintains the lowest average bill in South Orange County.
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Madera Irrigation District Premiers Outreach Video
Madera Irrigation District (MID or District) released a new outreach video at its Board Meeting held on Tuesday, October 15, 2024. The short three (3) minute video helps explain MID’s importance in the past, present, and future related to water, water rights, and the community of Madera. It also gives a glimpse of what Special Districts can achieve for their communities.
“The question is frequently asked, what does Madera Irrigation District do exactly? The goal of the outreach video is to answer that question” stated Jim Erickson, MID Board President.
The District encourages everyone to view and enjoy the video. The video can be found here. For more information on MID, please visit www.madera-id.org.