Sweetwater Authority launches new Low-Income Customer Assistance Program

CHULA VISTA – Sweetwater Authority recently launched the agency’s first-ever Low-Income Customer Assistance Program to help eligible households pay their residential water bills. The program highlights the commitment by the Authority’s Governing Board (Board) to support low-income members of the community by providing bill assistance for essential water service.

Eligible customers can receive up to $120 of bill assistance each year. The program, funded by non-rate revenues as required by California law, allocates approximately $500,000 per year that can assist around 4,000 households with their water bills.

In order to qualify, customers must show proof that they are an active participant in San Diego Gas & Electric’s CARE program. Proof of CARE program enrollment is the preferred qualification method. If proof cannot be provided, customers can show proof that they meet the program income requirements. Customers can verify eligibility and apply for the program at www.sweetwater.org/lcap.

“The Board is dedicated to keeping our costs low while also exploring ways to help those customers who may benefit from additional assistance,” said Chair Paulina Martinez-Perez. “We’re proud to have developed this in-house program that will help so many of our community members save on their water bill.”

The Authority offers customers additional resources to help with water bills, including 24-month payment plans, subject to eligibility. Customers are encouraged to reach out to the Authority’s Customer Service Department at (619) 420-1413 for more information about their account and resources available to them.

Sweetwater Authority is a public water agency providing safe, reliable water to National City, Chula Vista and Bonita

San Bernardino Valley Enhances Resiliency with Hydroelectric Facilities

SAN BERNARDINO – The San Bernardino Valley Municipal Water District (San Bernardino Valley), a prominent regional water resource management agency and sustainability figure in the Santa Ana River watershed, has recently entered into an Asset Purchase Agreement with Southern California Edison (SCE) to acquire 7 hydroelectric plants from SCE. The Asset Purchase Agreement is the first of many steps needing to take place before the official transfer can be completed, including the transfer of certain licenses issued by the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC) from SCE to San Bernardino Valley, and the approval of the transactions contemplated by the Asset Purchase Agreement by the California Public Utilities Commission (CPUC). This move marks a significant milestone in the organization’s commitment to enhancing effective water management practices and regional sustainability.

“This agreement between SCE and San Bernardino Valley demonstrates the importance of protecting reliable water supplies and energy resources for our community,” said Paul Kielhold, San Bernardino Valley Board President.

SCE would pay San Bernardino Valley $34.173 million at the close of the transaction. The sale is conditioned upon regulatory approvals from the CPUC and FERC, as described above. San Bernardino Valley plans to continue operating these facilities as hydroelectric plants.

Pending regulatory approvals, San Bernardino Valley, will own and operate two facilities along the Santa Ana River, two in Mill Creek and three in San Antonio Creek. These hydroelectric plants are designed to maximize efficiency, while also preserving local ecosystems, by transforming the natural force of water into electricity to benefit California’s energy grid. Continuing the operation of these facilities is essential for ensuring reliable surface water deliveries in the region as well as supporting a sustainable water supply for future generations.

In addition to transferring ownership of the hydroelectric plants to San Bernardino Valley, SCE has agreed to fund and complete certain interconnection facilities upgrades to the plants to enable independent and reliable operation by San Bernardino Valley.  In turn, San Bernardino Valley is committed to maintaining the facilities for reliable water deliveries, preserving critical endangered species habitat, and offsetting energy costs for water partners.

Looking into the future, San Bernardino Valley is working collaboratively with a group of local water agencies, including Bear Valley Mutual Water Company, Crafton Water Company, and the San Bernardino Valley Water Conservation District to develop a long-term strategy that will ensure this acquisition provides the most benefit possible to the region through stewardship of the water, environmental, and energy resources.

“The region has benefited from these facilities for over 100 years. They are an important piece of the geographic and cultural history of the Santa Ana River watershed. With SCE’s support, we’re strengthening our capacity to manage local water supplies for maximum benefit to the people we serve while protecting other land and habitat values. This is a significant win for our community and the environment.” said Heather Dyer, CEO/General Manager at San Bernardino Valley. “We are not only working towards a resilient water supply, but an integrated and comprehensive approach to maintaining a healthy watershed for decades to come.”

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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.

Newsom Adapts State’s Drought Response to Changing Conditions

SACRAMENTO – With California’s water year drawing to a close later this month, Governor Gavin Newsom today took action to adapt the state’s response to the historic drought and flooding that Californians have experienced in recent years.

In response to improved water conditions following two wet winters, the Governor ended the drought state of emergency in 19 counties while maintaining it in the remaining 39 counties where it continues to support long-term recovery from the three driest years on record.

This action builds on the rollback of some drought emergency provisions in March last year and is in keeping with how the state entered the drought state of emergency in phases by region.

The Governor also rescinded certain provisions of prior executive orders related both to the drought and to flooding caused by 2023’s late winter storms which are no longer necessary under current conditions. As California grapples with more extreme cycles of wet and dry, the state remains ready to respond to changing water conditions.

“As this week’s weather makes clear, California and the West experience extreme weather swings that exacerbate our water challenges and make it more important than ever that we build a climate-resilient water system. This targeted action is responsive to current conditions while continuing the tools and support for work underway to help future-proof water supplies in the most impacted communities,” stated Governor Gavin Newsom.

The Governor has terminated the drought state of emergency in 19 coastal and desert counties that are collectively home to 70% of the state’s population: Imperial, Inyo, Los Angeles, Marin, Mendocino, Mono, Monterey, Orange, Riverside, San Bernardino, San Diego, San Francisco, San Luis Obispo, San Mateo, Santa Barbara, Santa Clara, Santa Cruz, Sonoma, and Ventura counties. A copy of the proclamation terminating the drought state of emergency in these counties can be found here.

The state of emergency remains in effect in California’s remaining 39 counties, where significant impacts from the multi-year drought – including depleted groundwater supplies, domestic well failures and harm to native fish – persist in the Sacramento and San Joaquin River basins, the Tulare Lake basin, the Scott, Shasta and Klamath River watersheds, and the Clear Lake watershed.

The executive order rolling back several provisions of prior drought- and flood-related executive orders further narrows the drought state of emergency in the 39 counties where it remains in effect, while also rescinding orders related to flooding following the 2023 winter storms in 53 counties. The executive order rescinds provisions that are no longer necessary to respond to those emergencies without disrupting state agencies’ legal authority and funding to continue expedited work to improve access to clean drinking water and ongoing drought resilience planning work. A copy of the executive order can be found here.

As California approaches the beginning of a new water year, the state remains ready to respond to changing water conditions, including the potential return of dry conditions. With estimates that hotter, drier conditions could reduce California’s water supply by up to 10% by the year 2040, the state is implementing an all-of-the-above approach to safeguard and boost water supplies as outlined in the California Water Plan, Water Supply Strategy and Water Resilience Portfolio. Leveraging historic state and federal funding, California is:

• Advancing clear, ambitious targets to build drought and flood resilience, including increasing annual groundwater recharge capacity by 500,000 acre-feet
• Fast-tracking groundwater recharge efforts by streamlining permits
• Maximizing stormwater capture through new projects
• Supporting reservoir repair and expansion to boost water storage above and below ground
• Modernizing water conveyance infrastructure across the state, including the Delta Conveyance Project

2023-’24 Legislative Session Ends with Wins for ACWA Members

• Rate Setting Process: The Legislature passed ACWA-sponsored AB 2257 — which would help member agencies defend against Proposition 218 lawsuits — and it is now on Gov. Gavin Newsom’s desk.  He has until Sept. 30 to sign or veto bills. Authored by Assemblymember Lori Wilson (D-Suisun City), AB 2257 would allow ratepayers to participate and raise specific objections to proposed rate changes before resorting to litigation after the new rates are approved. The bill would provide an opportunity for local agencies and ratepayers to resolve objections during the public process and avoid surprise litigation down the road. 

• Low-Income Rate Assistance: ACWA maintained an oppose-unless-amended position on SB 1255 (Durazo) and it failed to make it out of the Assembly Appropriations Committee’s suspense file, effectively stopping the bill. This bill would have required each retail water supplier that serves more than 3,300 connections to establish a water low-income rate assistance (LIRA) program with specified minimum requirements, some of which are unworkable.  

• Voluntary Agreements: SB 108 (Wiener), the Budget Act of 2024, was signed into law in June, and restored nearly $500 million for the Healthy Rivers and Landscapes (HRL) Program,  formerly known as the Voluntary Agreements. The funding was previously rescinded in the main budget bill, AB 107 (Gabriel). ACWA, the Northern California Water Association, the State Water Contractors and more than 40 other organizations successfully advocated to maintain nearly all funding for the Agreements.  

• Discontinuation of Water Service: ACWA-sponsored AB 2599, authored by the Assembly Environmental Safety and Toxic Materials Committee, passed the Legislature and is now before Gov. Newsom. The bill would incorporate agreed-upon amendments to SB 3 (Dodd, 2023), which made various changes to the Water Shutoff Protection Act, including granting the California Attorney General a restitution authority. 

Treatment Plant Upgrades Ensure Safety and Efficiency

Starting this fall, with completion expected the following winter, Contra Costa Water District is upgrading the disinfection system at the Randall-Bold Water Treatment Plant in Oakley. This upgrade enhances safety for our employees and the community surrounding our plant and maintains our high standards for water quality.

Local Expert Highlights the State’s Complex Water System in Debut Podcast

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East County Advanced Water Program JPA Issuing Green Bonds

The East County Advanced Water Purification Joint Powers Authority (Authority) plans to issue approximately $433,235,000 in tax exempt, fixed rate notes on September 4, 2024. The Notes are being issued to finance, on an interim basis, a portion of the design, construction, and development costs of the East County Advanced Water Purification (AWP) Project. The Notes are special, limited obligations of the Authority payable solely from Net Revenues of the Authority, and, if needed, other funds held by the Authority.

The East County AWP Project is currently estimated to cost $950 million. The Authority has secured two low interest loans – a $378 million, 0.8% SRF Loan with the State Water Resources Control Board and a $388 million, 1.95% WIFIA loan with the Environmental Protection Agency. The Authority has also secured over $76M in federal, state and local agency grants and incentives as well as an estimated $86M subsidy from the Metropolitan Water District of Southern California tied to water production. The interim Notes will provide immediate funding for Project construction while loan disbursement requests are processed and additional, permanent funding sources are secured.

The Preliminary Official Statement and Investor Presentation for this issuance were posted to MuniOS.com on August 22, 2024. It is estimated that the Notes will be priced on September 4, 2024 with an anticipated closing date of September 17, 2024. As described in the Preliminary Official Statement, the Notes are being issued in two subseries, one subject to optional and mandatory turbo redemption and the other subject to optional redemption. Final maturity date of the Notes is September 1, 2026. The Notes have an AA rating by Fitch. Truist Securities is serving as the Senior Manager for the offering and J.P. Morgan is serving as Co-Manager.

The East County AWP Project is a collaborative partnership between the City of El Cajon, the County of San Diego, Padre Dam Municipal Water District, and Helix Water District. The Project will create a new, local and sustainable drinking water using state-of-the-art technology to purify recycled water in East San Diego County. The Project will treat a portion of East San Diego County’s wastewater locally, thereby reducing ocean discharge and energy for transportation. In addition, the Project will implement indirect potable reuse by producing advanced treated water from the AWP facility, and pumping such treated water to Helix’s Lake Jennings Reservoir for surface water augmentation where it will be blended with local and imported water. The water will then be sent to Helix’s R. M. Levy Water Treatment Plant to become potable water for distribution and use by Helix and Padre Dam. This local water supply is projected to provide up to 30% of East San Diego County’s water demand, offsetting an equal demand for imported water. The Authority is currently evaluating the feasibility of including an energy recovery component for the Project which will reduce greenhouse gas emissions in the region.

* Preliminary; subject to change.

The East County Advanced Water Purification Program will create a new, local, sustainable and drought-proof drinking water supply by using state-of-the-art technology to purify recycled water. This will produce up to 30 percent of East San Diego County’s drinking water. For more information about the East County Advanced Water Purification Program, please visit www.eastcountyawp.com or find us on Facebook, X, and Instagram.

Calleguas MWD Water Quality Remains Exceptional

Calleguas Municipal Water District (Calleguas) recently released its annual water quality report, certifying once again that the water quality Calleguas distributes throughout southeastern Ventura County remains exceptional. Serving an estimated 640,000 residents—approximately 75% of Ventura County’s population—Calleguas continues its 70-year mission to provide a reliable supply of high-quality drinking water through its 19 retail water providers to its service area, which include the cities of Simi Valley, Thousand Oaks, Moorpark, Camarillo, Oxnard, and Port Hueneme and various unincorporated areas of southeastern Ventura County.

Calleguas’s team of highly trained professionals works nonstop to ensure that water quality meets or exceeds all state and federal standards. Throughout the course of the year, Calleguas conducts hundreds of tests for over 150 potential drinking water contaminants, including mineral, physical, bacteriological, inorganic, and organic constituents. The results of the extensive testing and monitoring efforts are detailed in the 2023 Consumer Confidence Report, providing transparency and reassurance to Ventura County communities about the sources and quality of their drinking water.

“Water quality continues to be a top priority for Calleguas,” said Scott Quady, Calleguas Board President. “Our comprehensive testing and analytical standards ensure that the water we distribute is safe and clean for all our retail water providers.”

As Ventura County faces ongoing challenges related to water supply and climate conditions, Calleguas maintains the highest standards of water quality. In addition, the District continues to invest in water resilience projects, safeguarding Ventura County’s water resources and ensuring greater reliability for the future.

Legislature Passes ACWA-Sponsored AB 2257

ACWA-sponsored AB 2257 — which would help member agencies avoid Proposition 218 lawsuits — passed out of the Legislature during the last week of session. It is now headed to the governor’s desk.

Authored by Assemblymember Lori Wilson (D-Suisun City), AB 2257 would allow ratepayers to participate and raise specific objections to proposed rate changes before resorting to litigation after the new rates are approved. The bill would provide an opportunity for local agencies and ratepayers to resolve objections during the public process and avoid surprise litigation down the road.

ACWA has been leading a large coalition in support of the bill, building on the success of ACWA-sponsored SB 323 (Caballero, Chapter 216, Statutes of 2021), which created a 120-day statute of limitations for filing lawsuits against water and sewer rates through the Proposition 218 process.

If you would like to join ACWA’s coalition requesting that the governor sign AB 2257, please complete this short online form by noon on Friday, Aug. 30.

Oct. 11 Deadline Set for ACWA Legislative Proposals

ACWA is now accepting legislative proposals from member agencies for the 2025 legislative session. Proposals are due by Oct. 11, and ACWA’s State Legislative Committee (SLC) will then evaluate them, provide feedback to the proposing agency and determine whether to take a position.

Agencies submitting proposals may be asked to present them to the SLC at its Dec. 5 planning meeting during the 2024 ACWA Fall Conference & Expo in Palm Desert.

An online form is available for member agencies that wish to submit proposals. Member login is required.