PWD Breaks Ground on Pure Water AV Facility, Launching a Secure Water Supply Future
PALMDALE – Palmdale Water District (PWD) is one step closer to producing a cost-effective and more reliable high-quality water supply with today’s groundbreaking of its Pure Water Antelope Valley (AV) Demonstration Facility, which will purify recycled water for potable use. The groundbreaking was attended by nearly 100 people, including California Natural Resources Agency Deputy Secretary of Water Nancy Vogel, legislative representatives, PWD Board of Directors and staff, and Capture6 officials. Charley Wilson, executive director of Southern California Water Coalition, served as the emcee. “Pure Water Antelope Valley will help the state achieve its recycled water targets while generating data to inform future carbon capture and brine disposal technologies,” Vogel said. “It advances Newsom Administration climate goals and helps drought-proof Palmdale homes and businesses.” The Demonstration Facility, expected to be completed in one year at a cost of $24.5 million, will have a purification room that will run recycled water through micro-filtration filters, reverse osmosis filters and ultraviolet light with advanced oxidation. The state-of-the art procedure will remove more than 99.99% of bacteria, viruses and ions (like salt). “This is quite a momentous occasion for Palmdale Water District and the community we serve,” said PWD Board President Kathy Mac Laren-Gomez. “We appreciate the support today as we move forward with aligning ourselves with numerous statewide projects that use water purification treatment for recycled water.” Pure Water AV will be the first advanced water treatment plant in California to house “Project Monarch,” a water management and carbon capture equipment supplied by Capture6. Capture6, a climate technology and services company, is leasing space to capture carbon that will save PWD costs for brine disposal. “We’re thrilled to work with Palmdale Water District on this innovative project that addresses PWD’s local needs in terms of brine management and freshwater production, while drawing carbon out of the atmosphere,” said Capture6 CEO Ethan Cohen-Cole. The Demonstration Facility is required by the state before a full-scale project, estimated at $200 million, can be built by PWD. When the full-scale facility is operational in mid-2029, it will provide an additional 5,000 acre-feet of water per year by using recycled water and treating it for groundwater augmentation. For more information about Pure Water AV, visit www.purewaterav.org. “Pure Water will secure our long-term water supply,” said PWD General Manager Dennis D. LaMoreaux. “It is vital for us to be a forward-thinking district and seek ways to ensure that there is enough water supply to meet the growth of the Palmdale community. Pure Water will enable us to be more drought-proof, have local control of our water and improve our groundwater quality and quantity. Having the ability to have ‘Project Monarch’ capture carbon is a win-win for everyone.” Capture6 is a climate technology and services company operating at the intersection of carbon removal, clean water, and green chemicals. The company develops and commercializes highly scalable approaches to remove CO2 from the atmosphere at the market’s lowest carbon dioxide removal (CDR) prices, while simultaneously producing other climate positive, revenue-generating outputs such as clean water and critical minerals. Capture6 currently offers cost-effective, environmentally friendly brine elimination solutions, implemented via joint ventures with desalination plants, water treatment facilities and other brine-producing processes. By utilizing existing, well-characterized technologies that already operate at scale, Capture6 mitigates technology and supply chain risk. Capture6’s mission is to advance projects that result in multiple benefits including emissions reduction, climate adaptation and permanent carbon removal. To learn more about Capture6, visit www.capture6.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. For more information about PWD, visit www.palmdalewater.org.###
Yuba Water Releases New Video: Saving Water for Those Not-So-Rainy Days
Yuba Water Agency has teamed up with Olivehurst Public Utility District, City of Wheatland, Linda County Water District and North Yuba Water District to offer Yuba County residents FREE water conservation kits to help save water and money on their utility bills this summer!
Kits include practical items like a rain sprinkler gauge, kitchen and bathroom faucet aerators, a water-saving garden hose nozzle, shower heads and more. To explain what’s inside the kits, Yuba Water enlisted the help of some of our littlest local water enthusiasts. Check them out in Yuba Water’s latest video, “Saving Water for Those Not-So-Rainy Days.”
Visit yubawater.org to watch the video and for more information on the water conservation kits. Happy water savings!
QuenchCA Campaign Updates Toolkit, Releases New Social Media Graphics
ACWA’s statewide public education campaign, Quench California, has released new social media graphics and customizable posts to help member agencies take advantage of the campaign branding and website while amplifying the importance of investing in water infrastructure in their communities. The new toolkit items include customizable social media posts and graphics that connect infrastructure messaging with popular social media days. They can be found in an easily-downloadable zip file or through the individual links below. Toolkit items include:- New social media graphics and customizable posts sized for Facebook, X and Instagram. Some are translated into Spanish. Don’t forget to use #QuenchCA on these and any posts that highlight water infrastructure.
- A graphic that can be placed on your agency’s website to link directly to QuenchCA.com. The website button is available in both blue and white and provides an easy way for your agency to connect with the campaign. Make sure you have the image linked to the URL www.QuenchCA.com.
- Four visually attractive and engaging videos that emphasize the connection between water infrastructure and the daily lives of California residents and businesses. The videos include urban and agricultural messaging and are available in two-minute, one-minute and 15-second versions, plus a version with Spanish language subtitles. These can be used on social media, online and during community presentations.
- And many other resources.
State Water Board Releases 2024 SAFER Needs Assessment
SACRAMENTO —The State Water Resources Control Board released its 2024 Drinking Water Needs Assessment, estimating a revised 5-year funding need of $11.5 billion to implement interim and long-term solutions to provide safe drinking to all Californians. This is a 13% increase in cost from the 2021 estimated cost. The Assessment estimates the local cost share at $13.9 billion over 5 years – a 456% increase.
The Needs Assessment analyzes the state’s progress in achieving the Human Right to water and identifies communities with water systems that are failing and at risk of failing. The Needs Assessment also informs the prioritization of available state funding of the State Water Board’s Safe and Affordable Funding for Equity and Resilience (SAFER) program, and tracks progress in achieve safe drinking in communities that have historically lacked solutions.
ACWA supported the creation of SAFER in 2019. Established through SB 200 (Monning), funding through SAFER strengthens access to safe and affordable drinking water throughout the state, especially in disadvantaged communities. The State Water Board allocates $130 million annually toward accomplishing this goal and identifies funding priorities in consultation with advisory group members. Funding for the program sunsets in 2030.
As of April 2024, nearly five years into the SAFER program, the State Water Board has distributed more than $831 million in grants for drinking water projects in California’s disadvantaged communities, and over 250 failing water systems have returned to compliance with drinking water standards, benefiting more than 2 million people.
TUD Celebrates Completion of New Sonora Regional Wastewater Treatment Facility
Tuolumne Utilities District (TUD) is thrilled to announce the successful completion of the Sonora Regional Wastewater Treatment Facility (SRWWTF). The SRWWTF project represents a significant achievement for TUD and the community it serves. The project, which began in October 2021, has been a substantial undertaking for the district, with the construction of a new wastewater treatment facility capable of treating an average of 2 million gallons of wastewater per day. This $42 million facility replaces an outdated plant built in the 1970s and marks a major milestone in TUD’s commitment to providing efficient and sustainable wastewater management solutions for the community.
The Sonora Regional Wastewater Treatment Facility has been designed to meet the current California Title 22 Standards for Disinfected Tertiary Treated wastewater. Specific improvements include a new headworks screening and grit removal system, secondary treatment process consisting of rehabilitation, and conversion of existing secondary anaerobic digesters to aerobic digesters, new sludge screw press for solids dewatering, emergency standby power, a new administrative/operations building, and eventually a new septage receiving facility. The project site was strategically contained within the footprint of the existing treatment plant at Southgate Drive.
The majority of the project cost was covered by a United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) grant/loan package which included over $8.5 million in grant dollars and approximately $24.9 million in low-interest loans. TUD contributed approximately $8.8 million of its own wastewater reserves. “This state-of-the-art facility represents a major investment in our community’s future and our commitment to environmental sustainability,” said TUD General Manager, Don Perkins. “It will ensure we have the infrastructure in place to meet current and future wastewater treatment needs. We are proud to mark the completion of the Sonora Regional Wastewater Treatment Facility, a testament to our ongoing commitment to environmental stewardship and community well-being.”
To celebrate the completion of this project, TUD hosted a ribbon cutting ceremony at the Sonora Regional Wastewater Treatment Facility on June 26, 2024, at 9 a.m. The event was a success, with many guests in attendance, including City of Sonora and Tuolumne County Representatives, Tribal partners, community leaders, project partners, neighboring districts, TUD Board of Directors and staff. The event featured remarks from TUD Board President Jeff Kerns, General Manager Don Perkins, District Engineer Erik Johnson, Associate Engineer Jennifer Batt, United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) Rural Development State Director Maria Gallegos-Herrera and Dana Jorgensen, Sr. District Representative of the State Senator Marie Alvarado-Gil’s office. Guests also had the opportunity to tour the new facility and learn about its features and benefits.
TUD is proud to serve the community with this state-of-the-art facility and looks forward to continuing its mission of delivering reliable, quality water and wastewater services in Tuolumne County.
IEUA’s Lab Escape Room Provides Education, Thrill, and Teambuilding Opportunities
The Inland Empire Utilities Agency (IEUA/Agency) recently facilitated a tour for ACWA Region 9 Board members who had the exciting opportunity to take part in the Agency’s Lab Escape Room activity. Participants stepped into a thrilling adventure where success was achieved through collaboration, sharp thinking, and a touch of scientific expertise to “escape” the clutches of “Evil Scientist Kevin” at IEUA’s Water Quality Laboratory. “Evil Scientist Kevin” devised a plan to contaminate the water supply, and it was up to the team to escape the lab within their allotted time and “alert” the authorities before it was too late. Decorative glassware, chemical reagents, and books on wastewater analysis not only enhanced the atmosphere but also provided participants with a tangible connection to the theme. Every detail mattered and helped transport participants to a world in which “Evil Scientist Kevin” was very close to completing his plans. Intense theme music and ambience lighting helped participants feel the sense of urgency to ensure they beat the clock as it quickly counted down before their eyes. To escape the lab, participants had to gather clues, solve puzzles, and crack the codes to all of Kevin’s locks. Every challenge was thoughtfully designed around the themes of wastewater and its analysis, ensuring a uniquely educational, challenging, and fun experience. ACWA Region 9 participants were able to successfully solve all puzzles and riddles to defeat “Evil Scientist Kevin” and escaped in less than half the time allotted!
IEUA’s Water Quality Laboratory is integral in supporting the regulatory requirements of the Agency’s wastewater reclamation plants and the Groundwater Recharge Program. Approximately 20,000 samples are gathered annually and tested for various analyses with the help of IEUA Lab Scientists. In order to enhance tour experiences of the laboratory in a fun and interactive way that tests participants knowledge on wastewater, Milena Martinez, IEUA External Affairs Specialist and former Laboratory Assistant, designed the Lab Escape Room using real lab equipment to create the featured puzzles and riddles. Since 2019, IEUA has proudly conducted multiple tours that have included this now infamous Lab Escape Room. Participants are able to safely interact with chemical reagents and lab glassware with the use of proper protective equipment (PPE). When creating the experience, an authentic feel to the activity was imperative to ensure all participants felt they were escaping a working lab. Puzzles and riddles contain elements of wet-chemistry analysis such as color, pH, and microbiology. Documents such as Standard Operating Procedures and instruction manuals were also created to include both real standard methods of analysis and clues to various puzzles. Additionally, participants are able to work alongside lab staff as they prepare their tools for conducting analyses. The steps taken have been implemented and carefully curated to guarantee a challenging and fun environment.
The IEUA Lab Escape Room has proven to be a great success. Feedback from participants has been overwhelmingly positive, commenting on the creativity, challenging components, teambuilding opportunity, and just overall good fun of the activity.
IEUA would like to thank ACWA Region 9 for their participation and enthusiasm and congratulate them for successfully “escaping” the lab!
For information about how you and your team can tour IEUA’s Water Quality Laboratory, please contact Tonia Bouyakzan at tbouyakzan@ieua.org
Bureau Increases South-of-Delta Allocation
SACRAMENTO – The U.S. Bureau of Reclamation on June 25 announced another increase in the Central Valley Project 2024 water supply allocation for south-of-Delta contractors.
While all north-of-Delta Central Valley Project contractors are currently at 100% of their supplies, south-of-Delta agricultural contractors are being increased from 40% to 50%. All other Central Valley Project contract allocations remain the same, per the March 22 water supply update. Initial contract allocations were announced on Feb. 21 and updated in March and April.
“With the current and forecasted conditions that factor into Central Valley Project allocations, in particular, a greater than expected rate of exports during the month of June, we are pleased to be able to provide an additional increase to south-of-Delta agricultural contractors,” California-Great Basin Regional Director Karl Stock stated in a Bureau news release.
In a news release, Westlands Water District welcomed the increase and called it clearly justified, but also described it as long overdue, especially given the current favorable water conditions throughout the state.
“This announcement provides much-needed relief and is good news for our growers. Even so, the low water supply allocations announced earlier in this contract year, after a relatively wet winter that filled the reservoirs and lifted the state officially out of drought conditions, single-handedly demonstrate the critical and urgent need to improve water management transparency and accountability in the state of California,” Westlands Water District General Manager Allison Febbo stated in the release. “We need a more collaborative and transparent approach to regulatory decisions that affect our water supply, and we urge the five agencies responsible for making these decisions to rely more effectively on sound data and information. Every drop of CVP water allocation given to Westlands Water District growers is food grown, jobs produced, and groundwater saved.”
Walnut Valley Water District Showcases Leadership and Innovation at AWWA ACE 2024
WALNUT — Walnut Valley Water District (WVWD) proudly celebrates the participation, contributions, and leadership of its team members who presented at the 2024 Annual Conference & Exposition (ACE) hosted by the American Water Works Association (AWWA). The conference was held from June 10-13 in Anaheim, CA. ACE provided WVWD with a pivotal platform to highlight its innovative strides and steadfast commitment to excellence in water management and professional development.
WVWD team members hosted five educational sessions throughout the conference, demonstrating proactive leadership in learning and sharing knowledge with other water peers. Employees from various departments not only attended sessions to expand their knowledge but also delivered compelling presentations showcasing their expertise.
Standout sessions include, “Personalized Development Experiences Within Walnut Valley Water District’s Young Professionals Program,” featuring Alexandra Cortez, Administrative Assistant; Stephanie Fu, External Affairs & Sustainability Coordinator II; Samuel Hernandez, Civil Engineering Assistant; and David Lias, Facility Maintenance Worker Lead. This initiative underscored WVWD’s dedication to nurturing talent and cultivating future leaders within the water industry through structured mentorship and growth opportunities. The educational session highlighted the value of water agencies investing in professional development programs for their team members, specifically WVWD’s internal Young and Emerging Leaders program.
WVWD highlighted its successful implementation of Geographic Information System (GIS) technology to enhance customer engagement and outreach in the session “Optimizing Customer Engagement Through Data-Driven Communications Strategies,” presented by Alyssa Banzil, Civil Engineer; Lily Lopez, Director of External Affairs & Sustainability and Katrina Lumague, External Affairs & Sustainability Coordinator. This session is a testament to inter-departmental collaboration and the value of water utilities prioritizing communication, efficiency, and teamwork.
Lopez also co-presented “Making Strides Towards an Equitable, Sustainable Water Future for their Communities” with fellow emerging local water leaders through hosted by the WaterNow Alliance, emphasizing innovative approaches to water conservation and green infrastructure essential for building resilient communities.
Donna DiLaura, External Affairs & Sustainability Manager, alongside industry partners Ecotech Services and Eagle Aerial Solutions, addressed critical project execution challenges in the session “When You Have the Funds, the Data, and the Contractor and the Customer Still Says No,” providing invaluable insights into navigating complex project dynamics and stakeholder engagements.
Sheryl Shaw, General Manager, expressed pride in the team’s achievements, stating, “Their hard work and dedication shined through. Developing these presentations isn’t easy, but with their skills and expertise, they are contributing to the value of the water community. I couldn’t be more proud.”
The AWWA ACE conference serves as a crucial platform for water industry professionals to exchange knowledge, network, and explore forward-thinking solutions to sustainability challenges. WVWD’s robust participation reaffirms its ongoing commitment to excellence and continuous improvement in serving its community.
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About Walnut Valley Water District
Walnut Valley Water District was formed in 1952, and after seven decades of service to the community, the District operates and maintains a drinking water and recycled water system serving a population of nearly 100,000 residents. The WVWD team is comprised of water professionals dedicated to meeting the water supply needs of the communities it serves (Diamond Bar, Walnut, Rowland Heights, Pomona, Industry, and West Covina). WVWD is committed to leading with integrity and does so through excellence in customer service, communication, accountability, reliability, efficiency, and quality.
Friant-Kern Canal Fix Celebrates Milestone
FRESNO – The Bureau of Reclamation, Friant Water Authority, and California Department of Water Resources on June 21 cut the ribbon to celebrate completion of Phase 1 of the Friant-Kern Canal Middle Reach Capacity Correction Project. The project will restore capacity to 33 miles of the existing Friant-Kern Canal damaged from subsidence—a sinking of the earth from groundwater removal.
The 152-mile Friant-Kern Canal plays a critical role in delivering water to 1 million acres of highly productive farmland and more than 250,000 people from Fresno to Bakersfield in Central California. Since the canal’s construction in 1951, more than 50% of its original conveyance capacity in the middle reach has been lost due to land subsidence. Phase 1 of the project focused on the construction of 10 miles of new concrete-lined canal to replace one of the worst pinch points of the canal’s subsiding middle reach.
“Today’s ribbon cutting celebration is a shining example of what can happen when federal, state, and local agencies partner together in pursuit of future water security,” said Reclamation Regional Director Karl Stock. “This celebration marks an important milestone for one of Reclamation’s most critical priorities: to provide water supply reliability to one of the most productive agriculture regions in the nation.”
“There are few bigger priorities in water management than readying ourselves to move and store water when it’s wet. It takes partnerships like this between federal, state, and local governments to make sure our infrastructure is up to the task,” said DWR Director Karla Nemeth. “That’s why DWR is so excited to celebrate today’s milestone on the federal Friant-Kern Canal. We look forward to similar partnerships to ensure that the California Aqueduct and Delta Mendota Canal are rehabilitated to meet the challenges of weather whiplash that lie ahead.”
“Nelson Mandela once said, ‘it always seems impossible until it’s done,’ and there’s no better way to describe the efforts of all the partners involved in the Friant-Kern Canal Middle Reach Capacity Project,” said Friant Water Authority Chief Executive Officer Jason Phillips. “The completion of Phase 1 will provide incalculable benefits for the farms, communities, and people of the Friant Division for decades. The Friant Water Authority looks forward to working with our project partners to protect the enormous investment made and to ensure that those benefits can be realized long after we are all gone.”
The project was funded by Reclamation, Friant Water Authority, and DWR. Phase 2 of the project will address correcting subsidence-related deficiencies in the portion of the Middle Reach section not addressed in Phase 1. Phase 2 of the project has been awarded more than $22 million from the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law through President Biden’s Investing in America Agenda for planning and design.
The canal, part of the Central Valley Project’s Friant Division, is owned by the federal government; Friant Water Authority operates and maintains it under contract with Reclamation. The canal’s diminished capacity has resulted in up to 300,000 acre-feet of reduced water deliveries in certain water years with effects most prominent in the middle reach of the canal (milepost 88 to milepost 121). The Middle Reach Capacity Correction Project will restore conveyance capacity from the current estimated 1,600 cubic-feet-per-second to the original 4,000 cubic-feet-per-second in the most critical area near the Deer Creek check structure (milepost 103). Reclamation signed the Record of Decision for the project in November 2020.
Local Water District Brings Conservation to the Classroom
ROWLAND HEIGHTS — With the end of the school year, Rowland Water District (RWD) celebrated student winners of its two annual outreach programs — the Water Awareness Poster Contest and the Mini Solar Challenge. Each year, RWD hosts a poster contest encouraging students of all ages to create posters that depict water-wise habits at home, in the community, in recreation, in the environment, or new water-saving ideas for the future. The activity inspires participants to consider the importance of our most valuable natural resource — water. “We are pleased with the results from this year’s Water Awareness Poster Contest,” said Board President Szu Pei Lu-Yang. “It is wonderful to see so many students and teachers embracing and emphasizing the importance of water conservation through this interactive assignment.” RWD’s poster contest was judged based on creativity, spelling, and originality. The District picked the top three elementary, middle, and high school posters and awarded the students with an Amazon gift card. This year, 34 teachers participated and RWD supplied the first 10 teachers to submit their classrooms’ artwork with a free art kit valued at $70, complete with crayons and colored pencils. Eight of the 14 schools in the District participated in this year’s poster contest. A total of 1,451 sheets of paper were requested and delivered to classrooms, and RWD received 660 posters, of which 20 were judged internally by RWD staff. Of all the submissions received, nine posters were sent to Metropolitan Water District (MWD) for judging in their Regional Poster Contest. Winning posters came from the following schools: Blandford Elementary School, Rowland Elementary School, Wedgeworth Elementary School, Alvarado Intermediate School, and Nogales High School. These schools were also recently recognized during a special Board of Directors celebration. RWD also recently wrapped up the 3rd Annual Mini Solar Challenge. The project aimed at 5th and 6th grade classrooms expanded throughout the school year and challenged the students in all aspects of Science, Technology, Engineering, and Math (STEM). “Each year, we’re thrilled to see the level of engagement with the Mini Solar Challenge,” said Brittnie Gildea, Education & Community Outreach Coordinator. “The variety of assignments allows students to flex their unique skills through writing, designing, and building while teaching them to be environmentally conscious.” Fifth and sixth-grade students completed a written assignment and underwent the Public Service Announcement (PSA) Challenge which tasked them with creating a public service announcement focused on energy conservation. This challenge culminated in students building a miniature solar-powered boat, before racing them against other schools in the RWD service area. Participating schools this year include Blandford Elementary School, Rowland Elementary School, Jellick Elementary School, and Yorbita Elementary School. Over 305 students from eight different classrooms took part in the challenges throughout the school year, with the winning student taking home a $50 Amazon gift card, second place receiving a $35 Amazon gift card, and third place receiving a $25 Amazon gift card. Winning students from the Mini Solar Challenge were also awarded a medal to commemorate their achievements. Learn more at rwd.org.###
About Rowland Water District Rowland Water District was formed 70 years ago to provide water service to 200 ranchers and farmers in a rural, agricultural community. Over the years, the District has evolved to meet the changing needs of a dynamic and rapidly growing customer base. Rowland Water currently delivers 14 million gallons of safe drinking water to about 55,000 people every day. The District maintains 150 miles of potable water pipeline and 25 miles of recycled water pipeline to serve 13,800 customer connections across 17.2 square miles in southeast Los Angeles County, including portions of Rowland Heights, Hacienda Heights, La Puente, and the cities of Industry and West Covina.