Upper San Gabriel Valley MWD Scores Its Third WaterSense Sustained Excellence Award
Monrovia, CA – On September 26, 2024, Upper District was honored by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency with its third consecutive WaterSense Sustained Excellence Award. Upper District received the award at the WaterSmart Innovations (WSI) Conference and Exposition in Las Vegas, Nevada. The Sustained Excellence Award is the highest honor the WaterSense program provides for its exceptional efforts in assisting residents and businesses save water and bring awareness to the WaterSense program.
“More than ever, consumers and businesses are looking to conserve resources, cut costs, and reduce their carbon footprint,” said Veronica Blette, Acting Associate Director of the Water Infrastructure Division in the EPA Office of Wastewater Management. “Our WaterSense Award winners for 2024 made it easy for Americans to make water-efficient choices and find WaterSense labeled products and homes that save water, energy, and money while reducing greenhouse gas emissions.”
The EPA highlighted Upper District’s creative outreach efforts to promote water efficiency in 2023. Upper District remained committed to educating its residents on the importance of water use efficiency while expanding outreach strategies and increasing engagement despite the emergency conservation mandates throughout the state.
“Upper District is extremely honored to receive this recognition from the EPA. The Board is consistently impressed with the creative efforts of our staff to promote water efficiency and awareness to our communities.” said Jennifer Santana, Board President for Upper District. “Water awareness continues to be an essential tool for the overall sustainability of our local water supply.”
In 2023, the Upper District produced a “Droughtbusters” Halloween video focused on WaterSense labeled products, leak detective skills, and water-saving techniques, as well as drought-tolerant landscapes. Upper District also created “Uppy the Blue Nosed Water Hero,” a holiday jingle video focused on drought-tolerant plant options and ways to save water over the holidays.
To make water-efficient fixtures more affordable and accessible to customers in 2023, Upper District was awarded a grant through a U.S. Bureau of Reclamation grant program to expand availability of its Water Smart Home Kits, which contain WaterSense labeled fixtures and educational materials. The grant allows Upper District to double the number of kits that can be distributed. Upper District also collaborated with fellow WaterSense partner, the Metropolitan Water District of Southern California, to implement and promote rebates on WaterSense labeled fixtures, including residential toilets, commercial toilets, urinals, pre-rinse spray valves, and weather-based irrigation controllers to consumers and businesses. In 2023, the District rebated over 350 WaterSense labeled toilets and over 220 labeled weather-based irrigation controllers.
Upper District updated its Sustainable Watershed Education program workbook for local schools to include more region-specific information, such as how water reaches homes and ways to save water in the district, as well as a “Use Your Water Sense” activity. Upper District increased the reach of the program by 30 percent in 2023, with over 2,700 students participating.
WaterSense, a partnership program sponsored by EPA, seeks to protect the future of our nation’s water supply by offering consumers and businesses simple ways to use less water with water-efficient products, homes, and services. For more information about WaterSense, visit www.epa.gov/watersense.
Upper District’s mission is to provide a reliable, sustainable, diversified, and affordable portfolio of high-quality water supplies to the San Gabriel Valley; including water conservation, recycled water, storm water capture, storage, water transfers and imported water. Upper District services nearly one million people in its 144 square mile service territory. Governed by a five-member elected board of directors, Upper District is a member agency of the Metropolitan Water District of Southern California. Annually, more than 78 billion gallons of water is used in Upper District’s service area. For more information about Upper District and the water use efficiency programs mentioned, please visit our website www.upperdistrict.org
Long-time Water Professional Appointed to West Valley Water District Board of Directors
RIALTO – The West Valley Water District (WVWD) Board of Directors announced it has appointed Estevan Bennett, a retired water professional and community advocate, to fill its Division 4 board vacancy, a position that represents the communities of Rialto and Colton. “Director Bennett brings a wealth of water industry knowledge that makes him an excellent addition to our board,” said Board President Greg Young. “On behalf of the board, we look forward to working with Director Bennett to ensure we are advocating for the best interest of our customers and communities.” Bennett was appointed to serve the remainder of the Division 4 term left vacant in August by the resignation of Director Channing Hawkins, who moved out of the area. Bennett was appointed during the September 19 board meeting following a public application process and received a unanimous vote by the Board of Directors. “I am honored to have been appointed to the Division 4 board seat and look forward to using my professional and volunteer experience to dutifully represent my new constituents,” said Director Bennett. “I believe it is important to invest in innovative solutions to ensure we continue to provide safe drinking water to the customers of West Valley Water District.” Bennett has been a resident of the City of Rialto for over 30 years and brings decades of experience in the water industry. Currently Director Bennett serves as the Executive director of Rialto Family Health Services, a non-profit that works to strengthen community support services.# # #
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.
EMWD Awarded for Excellence in Recycled Water Outreach and Education
PERRIS — Eastern Municipal Water District (EMWD) has been recognized for outstanding community outreach and education by the California chapter of the WateReuse Association at its annual conference.
The Award of Excellence was the second of the year for EMWD, which received a similar honor at the national WateReuse symposium in March.
As a national leader in recycled water, EMWD has proactively engaged its customers to gain public acceptance for using recycled water to irrigate agriculture, schools, parks, streetscapes, golf courses, and for environmental purposes.
EMWD’s holistic outreach approach to support its recycled water projects and programs includes:
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Making recycled water a component of EMWD’s award-winning classroom education program to foster acceptance at an early age.
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Educating legislators and regulatory agencies to help advance policy decisions and grant funding opportunities that support EMWD’s efforts.
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Community engagement through non-regulatory signage that highlights customer investments in recycled water for public benefit, including at area farms and parks.
EMWD has a strategic priority of using 100 percent of its recycled water for beneficial reuse in years with normal or below average rainfall. EMWD defines beneficial reuse as using the recycled water within its service areas to offset potable water demands. Recycled water accounts for more than one-third of EMWD’s overall water supply portfolio and reduces reliance on drinking water supplies, including imported water.
“We want to thank WateReuse California for this honor recognizing the work our organization has accomplished in this field,” EMWD Board President Phil Paule said. “Our customers have embraced the benefits of recycled water, in large part because of the work we have done in educating our community about this valuable water supply source.”
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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.MSWD Celebrates New Era of Groundwater Protection
Mission Springs Water District celebrated a major milestone in sustainable water management today, marking the completion of the new Nancy Wright Regional Water Reclamation Facility. Joined by local and state officials, business leaders, and community members, MSWD highlighted the significance of this achievement in safeguarding the region’s water supply and advancing environmental stewardship.
The Nancy Wright Regional Water Reclamation Facility is a cornerstone of MSWD’s efforts as a Groundwater Guardian, protecting and preserving local groundwater resources for future generations. MSWD broke ground on the facility in April 2022. Along with the Regional Conveyance Line and the M2 Septic-to-Sewer Project, the facility is part of a $68 million initiative, almost entirely funded through a Clean Water State Revolving Fund grant.
Named in honor of Nancy Wright, who served on the MSWD Board of Directors for 34 years, the new facility will help protect groundwater and reduce dependence on the Colorado River by enabling wastewater treatment and eventual recycling. This is a critical investment in sustainable water management for the region.
“By securing state grants to cover the project cost, we have significantly reduced the financial burden on our residents, enabling the District to move forward with essential water infrastructure improvements while keeping water rates affordable and avoiding unsustainable costs for those who can least afford them,” said MSWD Board President Ivan Sewell. “The facility’s completion is a testament to the District’s commitment to environmental stewardship and its forward-thinking approach to water management.”
Work is continuing on the Regional Conveyance Line, which will bring wastewater flows from other areas of the MSWD system to the new plant, and the M2 Septic-to-Sewer Project, which will allow approximately 700 homes and parcels currently relying on septic tanks to connect to the master MSWD system, providing long-term benefits to the region.
The Nancy Wright Regional Water Reclamation Facility is a significant step forward in addressing the region’s growing water needs while protecting natural resources and fostering sustainable growth for the MSWD community.
For more information on the project and MSWD’s sustainable water initiatives, visit www.mswd.org.
PWD Engineering Manager Scott Rogers Promoted to Assistant GM
PALMDALE – Palmdale Water District (PWD) is pleased to announce that Scott Rogers has been promoted to Assistant General Manager after five years as PWD’s Engineering Manager. Rogers has 31 years of experience in both the private and public sectors of the water industry. A licensed Professional Engineer, he has been instrumental in leading the District’s Capital Improvement Projects, managing engineering programs and successfully obtaining more than $30 million in grants. Most notable is his lead role in Pure Water Antelope Valley, PWD’s upcoming advanced water purification project that will clean recycled water for potable use to ensure future water supply. “The District is very fortunate to have Scott in this vital role,” said PWD General Manager Dennis D. LaMoreaux. “He has successfully managed multiple projects and is dedicated to the customers and staff.” As the Assistant GM, he oversees the Information Technology, Operations, Engineering, and Facilities departments. The four departments have about 50 employees. He also serves as PWD’s second-in-command behind LaMoreaux. “I am excited to continue leading a great team at PWD and working to make certain that we meet our mission to provide reliable, clean water to our customers,” Rogers said. “It is a great honor to be given the opportunity to help guide the 106-year-old District at a time when water supply and water quality challenges are a constant reality.” Prior to PWD, the Washington state native worked as the Operations Manager/Senior Associate for New York-based Hazen & Sawyer’s Palm Desert office. His water experience for public agencies includes serving as the Utilities General Manager for the city of Coachella, Manager of Engineering/Water Quality for the city of Indio and Senior Engineer for the Riverside Public Utilities. He worked for two Seattle engineering companies before moving to California in 2009 when he landed a job at California American Water in Monterey. Rogers has a Bachelor of Science in Mechanical Engineering from Washington State University and a Master’s in Business Administration from the University of Redlands. He is licensed by the states of California, Washington and Hawaii as a mechanical engineer. Rogers replaces former Assistant GM Adam Ly, who left PWD this summer. 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. For more information about PWD, visit www.palmdalewater.org.###
Rancho Water Wins WaterSense Partner of the Year Award for Second Consecutive Year
WASHINGTON D.C. — For the second year in a row, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has awarded Rancho California Water District (Rancho Water/District) with the prestigious WaterSense® Partner of the Year Award. This recognition, announced at the 2024 WaterSmart Innovations (WSI) Conference in Las Vegas, Nevada, highlights Rancho Water’s continued leadership in water conservation and its outstanding efforts in promoting water efficiency throughout the previous year.
Rancho Water, one of only a select few nationwide recipients, has been commended for its ongoing commitment to advancing water efficiency. Through community outreach, educational programs, and participation in EPA WaterSense initiatives such as Fix a Leak Week and Sprinkler Spruce-Up, Rancho Water remains at the forefront of helping consumers make water-smart choices. The District’s partnerships with Riverside County Flood District, Blue Watch Dog Conservation District, and the Murrieta Public Library to promote efficient irrigation practices further illustrates Rancho Water’s proactive approach to public outreach.
“We are deeply honored to receive the WaterSense Partner of the Year Award for the second consecutive year,” said Jason Martin, Rancho Water General Manager. “This award recognizes our sustained efforts in promoting water-efficient practices, and we are dedicated to continuing our mission to conserve this vital resource.”
WaterSense, a voluntary partnership program sponsored by the EPA, provides labeling for water-efficient products, programs, and homes. It also serves as a critical resource for educating consumers on water conservation practices. Since its inception, WaterSense-certified products have saved over 7.5 trillion gallons of water and contributed to significant energy and greenhouse gas emission reductions.
For more information about the WaterSense program, visit EPA.gov/WaterSense. To learn more about Rancho Water’s conservation initiatives, visit RanchoWater.com/WUE.
DWR Previews New Water Year
SACRAMENTO – The Department of Water Resources (DWR) today previewed the new Water Year which starts on October 1 by highlighting preparations for more extreme weather events this season following a record hot summer across much of California and a looming La Niña pattern.
Over the past decade, climate extremes have posed significant challenges to water managers, especially the extreme hot and dry conditions that frequently persist well past summer months and into the fall. California is seeing that right now with above-average temperatures forecast into October and no rain in the current forecast. At the same time, the water that California does receive will arrive from more powerful storms, and hotter temperatures will mean less winter precipitation falls as snow and more will arrive as rain, increasing flood risk.
“California has experienced the full range of climate challenges in recent years from extreme drought to severe flooding and we will be seeing more of that in the future,” said DWR Director Karla Nemeth. “To meet these dramatic challenges, California is starting this water year with more accurate forecasting and additional investments in flood protection and groundwater recharge.”
DWR and partner agencies are making California more climate resilient, taking actions to protect and boost California’s water supplies by taking an all-of-the-above approach to creating a resilient water supply in the face of a changing climate.
Investments in Forecast Informed Reservoir Operations and improved data collection on hydrological conditions across the state through DWR’s $7 million California Stream Gage Improvement Program (CalSIP) will allow California to incorporate the best available science and data into its water management decisions.
California is also investing in protecting Californians from extreme weather events. Floodplain restoration and flood infrastructure projects such as the Lookout Slough Tidal Habitat Restoration and Flood Improvement Project and the Lower Elkhorn Basin Levee Setback Project will work with nature to improve wildlife habitat while reducing flood risk to hundreds of thousands of Californians.
California is also starting this water year with significant progress in bringing groundwater basins across the state closer to long-term sustainability, protecting drinking water supplies against the impacts of climate change. Last winter, DWR launched the Flood Diversion and Recharge Enhancement Initiative, which supports local groundwater recharge efforts that increase the volume of flood flows diverted from local waterways to recharge areas and expand local capacity to divert and receive future flood flows. DWR has invested over $100 million in groundwater recharge projects since the Sustainable Groundwater Management Act was signed into law in 2014.
While Lake Oroville, the State Water Project’s largest reservoir, is currently 101 percent of average for this date, the latest outlook from NOAA’s Climate Predication Center shows a 71 percent chance of La Niña conditions emerging this fall. While seven of the 10 La Niña events this century resulted in dry years, research also suggests that even as the climate grows hotter and drier overall, the precipitation that California does receive will arrive in stronger storms, increasing the risk from flooding.
“California experienced record heat and dry conditions this summer, drying out the landscape and putting our hydrology behind before the water year even starts,” said State Climatologist Dr. Michael Anderson. “While there is still a lot of uncertainty around how La Niña could impact the state this year, we know we can count on it to include extreme conditions.”
The record dry conditions this summer broke multiple records across the state for consecutive days of triple digit temperatures. In the critically important Sierra Nevada watersheds, precipitation this fall will be vitally important to ensure the winter snowpack can translate into runoff that fills our reservoirs, which provides a third of the water used in California.
In addition to today’s preview of the new Water Year, DWR will also release the 2024 Annual Water Supply and Demand Assessment Summary Report on Monday, September 30. The summary report, which includes water shortage information at the supplier level, as well as regional and statewide analyses of water supply conditions, finds that all suppliers have assessed that they will have adequate supplies to meet demand in the coming year.
Rancho Water Breaks Ground on Major Water Sustainability Projects
TEMECULA — Rancho California Water District (Rancho Water/District) officially launched a series of critical water reliability projects at the Valle de Los Caballos on Tuesday, September 24, in Temecula, marking a significant step toward ensuring long-term water sustainability for the region. The groundbreaking ceremony was attended by a host of federal, state, and local leaders, including Senator Kelly Seyarto (32nd Senate District), Riverside County Supervisor Chuck Washington, and Aron King, Southern California Area Manager for the U.S. Bureau of Reclamation.
The projects form part of the Upper Valle de Los Caballos Groundwater Recharge and Recovery Expansion Program, which will boost groundwater storage capabilities, better equipping the District to store water for the Temecula and Murrieta regions to use during times of drought. The program includes new wells, a new pump station and treatment facility, and an in-line hydroelectric facility that will enhance water storage while reducing the region’s reliance on imported water.
“Rancho Water was pleased to share this series of projects with our partners, elected officials, and community members. The wide scope of the Water Resources Program exemplifies our commitment to sustainable water management,” said Jason Martin, Rancho Water General Manager. “With this expansion at Valle de Los Caballos, Rancho Water is significantly increasing its groundwater storage capacity, enhancing our ability to provide a reliable water supply, and strengthening the water resilience of our community.”
The groundbreaking event featured aerial hot air balloon and golf cart tours of the project sites and a vintage water hand pump ceremony. Local dignitaries underscored the importance of addressing California’s water challenges, especially as the region faces increasing pressure from drought and a hotter, drier climate.
For further details on the Upper Valle de Los Caballos Groundwater Recharge and Recovery Expansion Program, visit www.RanchoWater.com/VDCproject.
Orange County Water Agencies Dedicate New PFAS Treatment Plant
ORANGE – The Orange County Water District (OCWD) and East Orange County Water District (EOCWD) celebrated the dedication of a new PFAS treatment plant, marking a major milestone in ensuring safe and reliable water for the region.
The dedication ceremony brought together local, state, and federal representatives to recognize the proactive actions of both agencies in addressing PFAS, a group of manufactured chemicals increasingly found in water sources across the country, including the Orange County Groundwater Basin. The new treatment plant will benefit thousands of residents in the EOCWD service area, including the cities of Orange and Villa Park.
“We are incredibly proud to unveil this state-of-the-art PFAS treatment facility,” said Douglass S. Davert, president of the EOCWD. “This project exemplifies our dedication to providing high-quality water to the communities we serve.”
Since 2019, OCWD has taken the lead in addressing PFAS, in partnership with its 19 cities and retail water districts, to remove them from the groundwater basin, which supplies up to 85% of the water to 2.5 million people. The District is funding design and construction costs, along with a portion of operational and maintenance costs for treatment facilities like this one.
“We didn’t create the PFAS issue, but we are committed to solving it,” said OCWD Second Vice President Van Tran. “By investing in this critical infrastructure, we are safeguarding the quality of our water supply for generations to come.”
The swift completion of this facility was made possible through the support of local elected officials and funding from programs such as the Water Infrastructure Finance and Innovation Act (WIFIA) loan and Emerging Contaminant Principal Forgiveness Funding from the State Water Resources Control Board.
The PFAS treatment plant uses ion exchange technology to remove PFAS contaminants from groundwater, ensuring that the water delivered to residents and businesses is exceptional and continues to meet all state and federal drinking water standards.
For more information on OCWD’s PFAS treatment program, visit the PFAS education center.
The Orange County Water District manages the local groundwater basin serving 2.5 million people in north and central Orange County. For more information about OCWD, please visit www.ocwd.com and follow @OCWaterDistrict on social media.
Calleguas MWD General Manager Named 2024 Ventura County Water Leader
On September 19, 2024, the Association of Water Agencies of Ventura County (AWA) presented Kristine McCaffrey, General Manager of Calleguas Municipal Water District (Calleguas), with its annual Water Leadership Award. Since 1998, this award has recognized one Ventura County leader each year who exhibited exceptional leadership qualities in the field of water. Past recipients have included elected officials, water sector professionals, organizational leaders, and others.
“Kristine is a true champion — a tireless advocate for water resource management in Ventura County, and a leader who consistently goes above and beyond to protect and preserve our water supplies,” noted Ann De Martini, AWA President. “With a career spanning decades, she has consistently demonstrated exceptional expertise and unwavering dedication, and is most deserving of this award.”
McCaffrey assumed the role of Calleguas General Manager in January 2024 after 20 years of working in various roles in the organization. Her focus is on implementing collaborative and ambitious approaches to improving water supply reliability in Ventura County. Throughout her career, McCaffrey has secured more than $37 million in state and federal grant funding for Calleguas projects and has led numerous successful countywide grant pursuit efforts resulting in tens of millions of dollars of additional funding for agencies and non-profits working in Ventura County water and land stewardship.
“I am incredibly honored and humbled to receive this prestigious award from my peers,” said McCaffrey. “I can think of no more interesting and rewarding field to work in than water and no better place to work in water than Ventura County. I look forward to continuing to serve my community with creative and collaborative leadership as we address the water challenges ahead.”
AWA’s mission since 1976 is to foster cooperation among entities for the development, protection, conservation and improvement of Ventura County’s water resources. Its board of directors is composed of representatives from multiple Ventura County sectors, including agriculture, municipalities, water suppliers and industrial users.
Calleguas provides water to three quarters of Ventura County’s population (approximately 640,000 people) through 19 retail water agencies, including the cities of Simi Valley, Thousand Oaks, Moorpark, Camarillo, Oxnard, and Port Hueneme, and surrounding unincorporated areas including Oak Park, Santa Rosa Valley, Las Posas Valley, Somis, and Naval Base Ventura County.