SWB Releases Revised Draft Regulation for Water Use Efficiency

The State Water Resources Control Board on June 14 released the fourth version of the revised draft regulation for Making Conservation a California Way of Life with written comments due by noon on July 1. The State Water Board is expected to adopt the regulation this summer.

Several of the recent changes were in response to ACWA’s June 4 comment letter. ACWA staff is reviewing the revised draft regulation and determining next steps.

The draft regulation outlines unique water use efficiency goals for each urban retail water supplier, including urban water use efficiency standards, variances, an urban water use objective, and commercial, industrial, and institutional (CII) performance measures.

ACWA, its member agencies, and coalition partners have been highly engaged on the state’s pre-rulemaking efforts to inform the Making Conservation a California Way of Life Regulation. More information is available on ACWA’s Water Use Efficiency webpage.

Tulare County Partnership Expands Capacity to Help Residents with Dry Wells

Following thirteen months and countless hours of coordination and planning, a first-of-its-kind partnership was solidified between three Kaweah Subbasin Groundwater Sustainability Agencies (GSAs) and Self-Help Enterprises (SHE) to expand assistance for rural residents in the Tulare County area who lose water due to lowering groundwater levels.

The adoption of a new Mitigation Program at the June 13th joint Board Meeting of the East Kaweah, Greater Kaweah, and Mid-Kaweah GSAs formalizes a plan to invest up to $5.8 million annually to ensure well users in the GSAs’ service area whose wells go dry receive emergency water supplies and a long-term drinking water solution through SHE’s proven water support program.

Private wells going dry is a critical issue in the San Joaquin Valley, especially during drought periods when the demand for groundwater increases and over-pumping causes groundwater levels to drop below shallower household wells.

SHE is not new to this problem – the organization has over ten years of experience helping residents in the Valley who lose water supply due to drought or well failure through both short- and long-term solutions. Through their water support program, SHE has helped countless individuals and families by providing bottled water emergency supply, interim supply including tanks and hauled water, and long-term solutions including working with well drillers to replace failed wells.

The new Mitigation Program would ensure those in the Kaweah Subbasin whose wells are impacted receive emergency bottled water within 24-hours, and tank installation and enrollment in a hauled water program within 72-hours.

“Both their proven experience and proximity makes SHE the right organization to administer our new Mitigation Program,” agreed the three Kaweah Subbasin GSA managers. “The GSAs are focused on achieving groundwater sustainability in a broader sense. By partnering with SHE, who are based out of Visalia in the heart of the Kaweah Subbasin, we can be more successful at helping residents who face these issues.”
The Mitigation Program is not reinventing the wheel, but rather expands SHE’s capacity to fulfill drinking water needs for residents. The Program funding increases SHE’s flexibility by providing additional cash flow and resources to respond to requests. It also expands eligibility for those who may not have qualified under SHE’s existing programs due to income limitations – households earning greater than 80% of Median Household Income that were previously ineligible will now qualify.

“We are excited about what this new partnership means as far as helping SHE continue to further its mission to build and sustain healthy homes and communities,” stated Tami McVay, Program Director at SHE. “Losing water is a stressful life event. Our staff are ready and able to work with even more Valley residents to address their water needs.”

The partnership between the GSAs and SHE is the first statewide, a pioneering example of how the GSAs are committed to efficiently lift a program from plans on paper to boots-on-the-ground execution. It is also an example of the Kaweah Subbasin GSAs’ integration with stakeholders, non-governmental organizations, and the communities they serve, and formalizes their verbal commitments to the human right to water.

The Kaweah Subbasin GSAs are local agencies formed between 2015 – 2017 by State mandate to manage groundwater sustainably under a California law passed in 2014, the Sustainable Groundwater Management Act (SGMA). The new Mitigation Program is one major cornerstone of their full faith effort to implement SGMA for the benefit of all groundwater users they represent.

Because of the GSAs scope of responsibility in implementing SGMA, the Mitigation Program covers well issues that arise due to over-pumping and subsequent groundwater level decline. Much of SHE’s support for other household water supply issues including well failure due to age or existing water quality issues not related to groundwater decline would still be provided and funded through other sources.

To access these services, residents can contact SHE by phone at 559-802-1685 or email at DroughtSupport@selfhelpenterprises.org.

WVWD’s Lily Lopez Receives Prestigious 5 Under 35 Outstanding Young Professional Award

WALNUT – Lily Lopez, the Director of External Affairs & Sustainability at Walnut Valley Water District, was honored with the esteemed 5 Under 35 Outstanding Young Professional Award at the 2024 Annual Conference & Exposition (ACE) held in Anaheim, CA, by the American Water Works Association (AWWA). This significant recognition underscores Lopez’s exceptional contributions and unwavering dedication to the water industry.

The 5 Under 35 Award celebrates the outstanding service and impactful leadership of five AWWA young professional members who have made notable contributions within their local section or the broader AWWA organization. To be eligible, individuals must be active members under the age of 35 who have consistently championed the advancement of young professionals in the water sector through their active engagement and representation of student and young professional interests.

Upon receiving the award, Lopez shared, “I am deeply honored to be recognized alongside such talented and dedicated professionals. This award is a testament to the collective efforts of my team and the support of Walnut Valley Water District. It inspires me to continue advocating for equitable water practices and empowering the next generation of water leaders.”

Lopez was also the recipient of the 2023 Young Professional of the Year award from the AWWA California-Nevada Section, highlighting her ongoing commitment to excellence and innovation in the field.

Walnut Valley Water District is immensely proud of Lopez’s tireless efforts to drive progress, foster innovation, and elevate the voices of emerging leaders in the water industry. “Lily’s dedication to sustainability and her proactive approach to external affairs have made a significant impact on our community and the water sector at large,” said Board Member, Scarlett Kwong at Walnut Valley Water District. “This award not only honors her remarkable work but also serves as an inspiration to other young professionals, encouraging them to make their own mark on the water sector.”

AWWA introduced the 5 Under 35 – Outstanding Young Professional Award in 2021 to recognize young professionals who demonstrate outstanding service through leadership and active participation in AWWA programs. The award serves as a platform to highlight the crucial role young professionals play in shaping the future of the water industry​.

For more information about the AWWA and the 5 Under 35 Award, please visit the AWWA website.

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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 two large imported water pipelines, 497 miles of distribution mains, 17 pump plants, and 31 reservoirs with a storage capacity of 94.1 million gallons of water. The District also provides water service to more than 27,000 connections in an area encompassing 17,900 acres, serving a population of nearly 100,000 residents and businesses in six local communities (Diamond Bar, Walnut, Rowland Heights, Pomona, Industry, and West Covina).   

A Climate Resilience Bond must invest in California’s water future

The evidence is overwhelming. We are experiencing the impacts of climate change now. Our wet years are becoming warmer and wetter. Our dry years are becoming drier, warmer, and more frequent. This extreme weather creates dangerous and costly consequences in the Bay Area and across California.

In the past 12 years, California has endured two multi-year droughts, including a stretch from 2020 to 2022 that was the state’s driest three-year period on record. California also experienced two of the wettest winters on record, fueled by a parade of atmospheric rivers that caused flooding in Santa Clara County and across the state. If we fail to invest in infrastructure now, we all will face serious challenges with disadvantaged communities bearing the worst through unaffordable water and increased flooding.

That’s why Valley Water and the Association of California Water Agencies (ACWA) are advocating for a Climate Resilience Bond to be placed on the November ballot with two-thirds of the funding going to water infrastructure. If passed by voters, this general obligation bond would fund investments that protect California from the impacts of climate change, including infrastructure for water, drought and flood preparedness, protection from wildfires and sea level rise, and other critical natural resource issues.

Extended droughts and less snowpack in the Sierra Nevada are in our future. We must capture precipitation during warmer, wetter years. We need improved conveyance facilities to move water to storage for beneficial uses for people and the environment. We also need to strengthen our existing dams and reservoirs to withstand seismic events for public safety and to regain access to their original capacities to store essential water supplies in preparation for drought.

Whether it is drought, flood, or sea level rise, Valley Water is on the frontlines in the fight against climate change. Our work to rebuild Anderson Dam, the largest drinking water reservoir in Santa Clara County, will enable us to safely store water for drought and better respond when intensified storms threaten downstream flooding. Valley Water is also working to expand our county’s reliance on recycled and purified water to meet at least 10% of our county’s water demands. We must develop large-scale purified water as a drought-proof supply.

Let’s not forget that rising temperatures also increase the need for flood protection. Studies indicate that San Francisco Bay will experience a 13 to 23-inch rise in sea level by 2050, leaving the Bay Area at great risk of coastal flooding. Valley Water continues to work on the South San Francisco Bay Shoreline Project, which will provide coastal flood protection to businesses, residents and other critical infrastructure all while restoring and protecting wetlands. Despite the Shoreline Project’s critical importance, full funding is still not secured.

All these projects are costly and necessary in our efforts to become climate resilient, and they total more than local water ratepayers and taxpayers can fund on their own. Environmental justice is served with a Climate Resilience Bond that more equitably funds projects that protect communities from flooding and provide Californians access to safe and affordable drinking water.

Our state, regional, and local water systems were not designed for extreme weather. Because water infrastructure projects often take decades to design and construct, the Legislature must act now. Our children, grandchildren and future generations are counting on us.

Rick Callender is the Chief Executive Officer of Valley Water. Dave Eggerton is the Executive Director of the Association of California Water Agencies.

Upper District Celebrates Water Awareness Month with the Community

MONROVIA – The Upper San Gabriel Valley Municipal Water District (Upper District) hosted its annual community festival, WaterFest, on May 11, 2024. For the first time, WaterFest was held in the spring, coinciding with Water Awareness Month. WaterFest featured interactive educational booths, environmental displays, informative presentations and resources, free water-saving materials, and more. This free one-day event highlights water as a precious resource and the importance of conservation. Upper District has partnered with the Los Angeles County Department of Parks and Recreation for over 15 years to provide this educational and family fun-filled event for all ages.

Focused on water conservation and community education, WaterFest offered valuable resources through 40 engaging exhibitor booths, such as free one-on-one landscape design consultations, demonstration gardens, and informative displays on the local watershed, groundwater, benefits of bees, and mosquito control methods. Community members received water-themed Lotería cards, a bingo-style game, featuring water-saving tips and local ecosystem facts. As they visited various exhibitor booths, guests learned about the participating organizations, and collected stamps for a chance to win raffle prizes. WaterFest also showcased student artwork from the “Being Water Wise Is…” art contest, inviting community members to vote for their favorite piece.

“May is Water Awareness Month and it made sense to move our event to the Spring and provided residents with the education that will empower them to be water wise at home as we enter into the hottest months of the year,” said Board President Jennifer Santana. She expressed her gratitude to local dignitaries who attended WaterFest stating they served as an example to our community that protecting our water resources is a priority for everyone.

Local dignitaries in attendance included Assemblymember Mike Fong, Mayor April Verlato of the City of Arcadia, Mercy Santoro, Deputy Director for the East Agency of the County of Los Angeles Department of Parks and Recreation, and various city council members from Upper District’s service area.

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Upper District’s mission is to consistently meet our region’s need for reliable, high quality and affordable water; 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 over 60 years, Upper District has been a leader in water stewardship and water conservation.

Bill That Would Have Banned Some New Groundwater Wells Fails to Pass Out of Senate Committee

AB 2079 (Bennett), which would have banned local agencies from permitting some new groundwater wells, failed to pass out of the Senate Natural Resources and Water Committee on Tuesday, effectively stopping the bill.  

ACWA’s State Legislative Committee adopted an oppose-unless-amended position due to concerns over the moratorium on new wells throughout much of the state and the potential legal liability it created for local agencies. The bill would have prohibited well-permitting agencies from approving applications for agricultural and industrial wells in basins that experienced more than half a foot of subsidence since 2015, or if the well was within a quarter-mile of a domestic well.  

ACWA participated in a large coalition of associations, water agencies, business and agricultural interests in opposing the bill, and ACWA Senior State Relations Advocate Kristopher Anderson testified Tuesday, encouraging the committee to vote against the bill. 

Western Water Recognizes Local Youth Artists

RIVERSIDE – Western Municipal Water District (Western Water) recently celebrated the artistic talents of six students from Riverside County schools at a special event dedicated to honoring their award-winning artwork. In addition, Western Water awarded more than $15,000 to 21 teachers through its Lois B. Krieger Water Project Grants for Educators (Krieger Grant) program.

Western Water’s annual Water is Life Art Contest invited K-12 students throughout its service area to submit their artwork for evaluation by local water education and art professionals. This year’s contest theme, “Being water wise is…,” encouraged students to express their understanding of water conservation creatively. The celebratory event marked the culmination of this contest, where winners were presented awards, and their artwork was unveiled for display at the Donald D. Galleano Water is Life Art Gallery located in Western Water’s lobby.

“We strongly support the goals of the Water is Life Art Contest and are excited to display the outstanding work of our young artists,” said Fauzia Rizvi, Western Water’s Board Member. “By motivating local students to engage creatively and focus on water issues in their communities, we are fulfilling our mission.”

The Krieger Grant program has attracted Riverside County teachers for over 20 years. This year, Western Water awarded more than $15,000 to 21 teachers. Grant awards support the implementation of water education lessons in classrooms, coordination of field trips, and other activities that might not otherwise have been feasible. 

“The Krieger Grant program provides essential resources for comprehensive water education,” said Craig Miller, General Manager of Western Water. “This funding supports innovative lessons and activities fostering a deeper understanding of water science and conservation. By investing in education, Western Water promotes sustainable practices and responsible water use in the community.”

Lois B. Krieger served on the board of directors for Western Water and the Metropolitan Water District of Southern California (MWD) for 25 years. She was the first female chairman of the MWD board from 1989 to 1992. The grant bears her name due to her commitment to water education. Western Water provides funding for the grants in conjunction with neighboring water providers who bring water education to local classrooms.   

To learn more about Western Water’s education program, please visit WesternWaterCA.gov/Education.

SCV Water to Begin Construction of New PFAS and VOC Treatment Project

As part of its commitment to restoring local groundwater reliability, SCV Water will soon begin construction of a new treatment facility to remove per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) and restore three wells to service that are currently offline due to PFAS detection. The proposed facility will also remove volatile organic compounds (VOCs) from two additional wells.

Construction on the facility, which will be added to the current Rio Vista Intake Pump Station on Bouquet Canyon Road near the Lowe’s shopping center, will begin in the summer of 2024. Construction is anticipated to take 18 months to complete.

PROJECT DETAILS:
Construction Locations:
• Rio Vista Intake Pump Station – Bouquet Canyon Road and Lowe’s Plaza
• SCV Water well sites within the Villa Metro and near the River Village communities
• Various pipeline locations along Bouquet Canyon Road and Newhall Ranch Road
Start Date: MONDAY JUNE 17, 2024
Duration: 18 Months
Construction Hours: 7:00 a.m. – 4:30 p.m. Monday through Friday
Impact: Businesses within the Lowe’s shopping center will remain open during construction.

In addition to construction work at the Rio Vista Intake Pump Station, SCV Water will also perform rehabilitation work at wells near the Villa Metro community on Soledad Canyon Road and the River Village community on Newhall Ranch Road, near Duane R. Harte Park. Residents in those areas will receive direct communication with a timeline and possible impacts when those phases of the project are scheduled.

The existing Rio Vista Intake Pump Station facility is used for various production and operational functions. It primarily pumps imported water from the State Water Project to the Rio Vista Water Treatment Plant, which is located at Central Park approximately 1.3 miles to the northeast.

The total construction cost for the new groundwater treatment system is estimated to be $17.8 million. The project is eligible to receive up to $12.6 million in grant funding.

Grant funding will be provided in part by the Drinking Water State Revolving Fund through an agreement with the State Water Resources Control Board. California’s Drinking Water State Revolving Fund is capitalized through a variety of funding sources, including grants from the United States Environmental Protection Agency and state bond proceeds.

Grant funding will also be provided in part from the Water Quality, Supply, and Infrastructure Improvement Act of 2014 and through an agreement with the State Department of Water Resources.

For any questions or concerns about this project, please do not hesitate to contact SCV Water Principal Engineer, Orlando Moreno at omoreno@scvwa.org.

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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.

EBMUD Builds its Largest Solar Array

OAKLAND – Climate change affects every aspect of the East Bay Municipal Utility District’s work, from the resilience of our water supply to the health of the watersheds we manage. As EBMUD invests in a sustainable future, we begin our second century of service with the installation of our largest solar array. The Orinda Photovoltaic Solar Energy Project (Orinda PV) will significantly offset greenhouse gas emissions and directly contribute to EBMUD’s goal to be carbon neutral by 2030.

EBMUD is more than tripling its solar energy production capacity with three new photovoltaic (PV) installations. The Orinda PV project, below Briones Reservoir in Orinda, is now complete and will generate approximately 10 million kilowatt-hours (kWh) of clean, renewable electricity a year. This 4.6-megawatt (MW) installation will offset 10 percent of our current energy costs.

EBMUD developed the Orinda PV project with TotalEnergies, a global multi-energy company with a U.S. portfolio of 25 GW of solar, wind and battery storage projects, in operations or construction across more than 30 states.

In addition to delivering environmental benefits through zero-emissions electricity production, the Orinda PV project will supply EBMUD with power at a fixed price that will provide $26 million in energy cost savings to EBMUD ratepayers over the 25-year contract term.

“The Orinda PV project represents a leap in EBMUD’s clean energy production and supports our mission to deliver safe and affordable drinking water while protecting the environment,” said EBMUD General Manager Clifford Chan. “We believe investing in a sustainable future is the right thing to do for our customers and our planet, not only for today but for future generations.”

This solar installation adds to EBMUD’s other renewable energy projects, including 40 MW of hydroelectric, 11 MW of biogas, 2 MW of existing PV projects, and 210 kW of additional PV under development.

“We applaud EBMUD for investing in clean energy to pursue impressive carbon neutrality goals,” said Eric Potts, Vice President of TotalEnergies Renewables USA. “As a top solar developer in the U.S. and globally, we help utilities such as EBMUD leverage solar power to achieve their sustainability targets and reduce their long-term energy costs.”

In the fight against climate change, EBMUD is committed to developing sustainable practices, supporting renewable energy projects, and investing in infrastructure that supports the vibrant communities we serve.

Yuba Water Doubles Funding for Rescue Equipment and Training

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