32nd Annual Meeting & Dinner
October 27 was a night of collaboration and excitement as SCWC members from throughout the region gathered in Santa Ana at Discovery Cube Orange County, a fittingly imaginative venue for Southern California’s water innovators. The event marked an ushering in of a new Board of Trustees, and a weighty ‘thanks’ to those who served in 2015-2016. Thank you all for your dedication to this organization!
Early dinner entertainment included a screening of SCWC’s take on the classic “Man On The Street” segment. If you weren’t able to attend, be sure to check out the video below to find out what real Southern Californians think and know about our region’s water supply.
Metropolitan Water District of Southern California’s Randy Record was chosen as the 2016 Harriet Wieder Award recipient for his longstanding and continued commitment to SCWC, the water industry and entire Southern California region. Congratulations and thank you, Randy!
Lastly, you could feel the excitement in “The Cube” as SoCal’s water leaders attended “evening class” with Dan Schnur to discuss leadership, the election and the future of California water. A wonderful and timely keynote speech that opened up to a thoughtful discussion.
The 2016 SCWC Annual Dinner was one for the books and we could not have done it without our generous sponsors. We can’t thank you enough and look forward to seeing you all next year at our 33rd!
News
CA Data Collaborative & The Drought
The first edition of Water Deeply’s new monthly conversation, titled “Water Talks”, highlights an equally important and interesting topic: “How California’s Drought Is Fueling Data Innovation.” SCWC is partnering with the California Data Collaborative, an organization started as a bottom-up, water manager-led effort to invest in new data infrastructure that will help provide water managers with the tools, analytics and research to meet their objectives.
Not only can innovation in the water data space be used to inform a rapidly evolving policy landscape, such advances can help to measure the effectiveness of mandatory restrictions and programs like turf rebates.
Ultimately, water data experts like Patrick Atwater, project manager at the California Data Collaborative, and Greg Gearheart, deputy director at the California State Water Resources Control Board’s Office for Information Management and Analysis, are aiming to improve how California is managing its water resources, especially during times of drought.
To read the full interview between Water Deeply’s managing editor Tara Lohan, Patrick Atwater and Greg Gearheart, click here.
Water-Energy Nexus Update
In our last newsletter we highlighted the increasing importance of acknowledging the relationship between water and energy sustainability, often referred to as the “water-energy nexus”, and how some of our members are putting this knowledge into practice.
Since our last update, Inland Empire Utilities Agency (IEUA), the first public water agency to launch a water-energy project using advanced energy storage, has officially installed and activated its systems. The 3.65 megawatt of advanced energy storage installed at IEUA will be placed at six regional water recycling facilities and pump stations across its service area, and will save 5 to 10 percent of its energy costs each year. Additionally, IEUA General Manager Joe Grindstaff recently penned an opinion piece on the project and IEUA’s other sustainability investments for the Inland Valley Daily Bulletin, available here.
Read more about the activation of IEUA’s landmark project here via The San Bernardino Sun.
Want more information on SCWC’s Water Energy Task Force? Contact Julie at jackman@socalwater.org.
What’s New
Member Snapshots
SMWD & Lake Mission Viejo Make History in Orange County with First Advance Purified Water Facility
City, state and water district officials recently gathered at Lake Mission Viejo to celebrate the body of water becoming the first recreational lake in California to use Advanced Purified Water for refill.
The project has been a collaboration among the city, Santa Margarita Water District and the Lake Mission Viejo Association. The system took nine months to complete, about half the time usually required for projects of its size, and will produce water that will be safe for swimmers and fish alike.
“This is an unprecedented accomplishment for this community,” Charley Wilson, Santa Margarita Water District board president said. “This is a crown jewel and we’re preserving it for years into the future.”
“This can be an example to other parts of Southern California and statewide, particularly areas with water shortages and lots of people,” Vice Chairwoman of the State Water Resources Control Board Fran Spivy-Weber said of the project. “There are ways to have [water] treated safely.”
To read The Orange County Register’s story on the project, click here.
Reimagining the Cadillac Desert with BB&K
“Reimagining the Cadillac Desert” video presentations are now available! You can re-watch your favorite sessions from Best Best & Krieger LLP’s Sept. 15 event exploring the West’s water future and share them with others viaBBKlaw.com/CadDesert.
ICYMI: Investing in Water Infrastructure Keeps our Economy Flowing
Whether the topic is recycling or quality, storm capture or delivery, those working on water issues know better than anyone else the importance of infrastructure. ICYMI, former Secretary of Transportation Ray LaHood and former Governor of Pennsylvania Ed Rendell recently penned an opinion piece on the connection between water infrastructure investment and a healthy economy, writing:
“…But less apparent to the naked eye are the millions of miles of underground water and sewer pipes that provide an essential service to our homes, businesses, farms and factories. Out of sight and out of mind for most Americans, these pipes are the arteries that carry our nation’s jobs, businesses, and productivity. But this infrastructure is aging and stressed, putting our jobs, families and economy at risk.”
“America’s water-reliant sectors — agriculture, energy and several manufacturing sectors — account for 25 percent of America’s economy. Without reliable water service, the nation’s economy could grind to a halt.”
SCWC Members & Collaborators Named “Experts to Watch on California Water Innovation” by Water Deeply
According to Water Deeply’s Eline Gordts, “California of all places, advocates say, should lead the way in revolutionizing water management and water technology,” and we couldn’t agree more. We’re proud of all 11 innovators featured on the list, including our members and collaborators Celeste Cantú of Santa Ana Watershed Project Authority, Joone Lopez of Moulton Niguel Water District and Patrick Atwater of California Data Collaborative.
To read the full article via Water Deeply, click here.
Upcoming SCWC Events
Southern California Salinity Management Summit – November 17
- What: The Southern California Salinity Coalition (SCSC) is partnering with NWRI and Southern California Water Committee (SCWC) to present the Southern California Salinity Management Summit. The Summit is a forum in which water and wastewater agencies in Southern California may share current practices for managing salinity in the water supply and discuss how the current drought has affected water quality in California.
- When: November 17, 2016 – 9:30 a.m. to 3:30 pm. [Lunch to be provided
- Where: Metropolitan Water District of Southern California, in Los Angeles
- Agenda
- RSVP: E-mail Eileen Chao at echao@nwri-usa.org with the following:
- Name:
- Title:
- Agency (or other affiliation):
- E-mail:
- Phone:
- Do you plan to attend lunch? Y/N
- Questions?: Contact Suzanne Fabul at sfabul@nwri-usa.org or (714) 378-3278.
Other Upcoming Events
South Bay Lincoln Club Meeting – November 18
- What: SCWC Executive Director Charles Wilson to speak on the state of water in California, how it is impacted by the politics of the day and what we can do to provide leadership on an issue critical to both the economy and our daily lives.
- When: Friday, November 18 @ Noon
- Where: Doubletree Hotel [21333 Hawthorne Blvd – Torrance, CA]
- RSVP: Via email to srdoug@laclc.org
Lawn Dude’s Conservation Corner
Hello Friends, Lawn Dude here and I’m ready to kick it up a notch. We’re heading toward winter at full conservation speed! Remember what I always say, “Conserve, Conserve, Conserve!” Check your local water agency’s conservation targets and limit the number of days you water outdoors. Together we can kick grass and take names!
Follow me on Twitter!
Join SCWC Today!
SCWC is growing every week with new members, from engineering firms to cities and counties. SCWC is the only organization that represents such a broad spectrum of Southern California interests on water issues. If you aren’t already a member, be sure to check out our various membership levels and pick the one that’s right for you. If you’re already a member, be sure to tell others about SCWC and how it has benefited you and your organization.