“LVMWD has experienced a significant reduction in water usage with the drought emergency, and the credit goes to our customers for their responsiveness …”

Flow Restrictor

One of the tools that LVMWD is providing to its customers is data made available through the installation of advanced or smart meters. The automated system, along with the infrastructure, provides near real-time water usage data to customers and the District. Each individual customer can review and manage their water use more effectively and with greater responsibility using a mobile-device friendly system called WaterSmart. Leaks can be detected quickly rather than waiting for an entire billing cycle to discover a spike in usage and cost, which helps to conserve water.  Not having to manually read 21,000 meters every month also helps to keep fleet vehicles off the roads – reducing carbon emissions.

But advanced meters are not enough. The District has also implemented a comprehensive conservation program due to the historic drought and its disproportionate impacts on our region. The program is designed to provide customers with clear guidelines to follow, a billing structure to incentivize customers to stay within their prescribed water budgets and penalties for those who ignore the conservation requirements.

As of November 2021, the District adopted Stage 3 of its Water Shortage Contingency Plan, which included the declaration of a local emergency and initial reduction of customers’ outdoor water budgets by 25 percent. The action was necessary because LVMWD’s single source of drinking water supply from the Metropolitan Water District of Southern California (MWD) and delivered via the State Water Project was not expected to meet the normal demands of the region. In May 2022, after the driest three consecutive winter months in recorded history, outdoor water budgets were further reduced to 50 percent of normal.

Since March 2022, the District has issued exceedance notices to customers who have used 150 percent or more of their water budgets. In addition, customers who have had four exceedances have been informed of the possible installation of a flow restriction device to curb their water usage. The devices are installed on water meters for two weeks for the first exceedance. If water consumption is not substantially reduced and the exceedances continue, the restrictor is reinstalled a second time for three months. For third and subsequent exceedances, it can be installed for up to six months. The program is intended to ensure that all of LVMWD’s customers do their part to respond to the critical water shortage. Fortunately, it is working as only 70 flow restriction devices have been installed to-date.

LVMWD has experienced a significant reduction in water usage with the drought emergency, and the credit goes to our customers for their responsiveness, flexibility, resiliency and engagement. Water consumption was down 37 percent in June, 32 percent in July and 36 percent in August 2022, as compared to the same months in 2020.  When adjusted to account for the higher temperatures this year, those reduction number correspond to 44 percent, 42 percent and 45 percent, respectively. With a regional reduction target of 35 percent, these conservation results have delayed the need for an altogether ban on outdoor watering. In May 2022, MWD warned that an outdoor watering ban could be instituted as early as September 1, 2022, if conservation objectives were not achieved. The need for such a ban has been pushed off to at least December 1, 2022 and will depend on continued conservation efforts and water supply conditions with the start of the new “rainy” season. For the month of August, 77 percent of LVMWD’s customers were at or below their reduced water budgets. Compared to similar months in 2013, LVMWD’s customers have collectively reduced their water use by approximately 50 percent.

LVMWD customers are at ground zero for drought in the United States. Many have already begun planning to transform their landscapes to be drought-tolerant and climate-appropriate for a future that will be hotter and drier. A drive through the service area highlights the overwhelming cooperation and commitment of customers. With all the challenges that our people and planet face, it’s refreshing to see a community work together for the good of the whole. Our community will be stronger and more resilient as a result. LVMWD thanks its customers for being drought heroes and commits to do its part to improve water supply reliability for the future.

“Water consumption was down 37 percent in June, 32 percent in July and 36 percent in August 2022, as compared to the same months in 2020.”

Related stories: Las Virgenes Municipal Water District General Manager David Pedersen won the Kathy Cole Award from SCWC in 2021.

The post If There are Drought Heroes – It’s LVMWD Customers appeared first on Southern California Water Coalition.

PARKING UPDATE: Guests may park in the public parking lot just outside and to the left of the Club. It can be found on the map as Basin 4 Parking lot. The parking lot within the gate of the Club is for members only.

Advance ticket sales have closed, but you can buy tickets at the door.

Join us on July 22, 2022 for a Quarterly Luncheon at the picturesque Long Beach Yacht Club, all about rethinking our approach to landscape and building design for water efficiency.

Looking for ways to make your landscape or building design more water efficient? Water is a vital resource, and we all need to do our part to ensure its longevity. Water smart design is one way to build a more water-efficient future.

Our event will help you learn about new and innovative projects such as SoFi Stadium and the Los Angeles River. We’ll be featuring a panel of experts who will share the latest strategies for water smart design. You’ll learn about ways to conserve water, reduce runoff and flooding, and create a more resilient future. So mark the date in your calendar and join us for an informative and exciting event.

Our expert panel is:

• Michael Diamond, State Government Relations Manager, Scotts Miracle-Gro
• Jim Holas, Director of Architecture, Rancho Mission Viejo
• Mia Lehrer, President, Studio-MLA
• Dean Wang, Water Resources Director, Long Beach Water
• Moderator: Scott Houston, Director, West Basin Municipal Water District

Our luncheon sponsors are:

• Long Beach Water
• Rancho Mission Viejo
• Scotts Miracle-Gro
• Upper San Gabriel Valley Municipal Water District

Make sure to attend our luncheon at the Long Beach Yacht Club so you can get all the information on the latest in water smart design for a resilient future. 

The event will be held at the Long Beach Yacht Club, 6201 E. Appian Way, Long Beach, California, 90803, from noon to 2 p.m.

The post Join us for our July 22 Meeting and Luncheon appeared first on Southern California Water Coalition.

Join us on April 22, 2022 for a Quarterly Luncheon all about how agriculture and business are using less water during the drought.

Learn from some of the most innovative minds in the agricultural and business communities as they share their solutions-based actions. This event will be packed with information that you won’t want to miss!

The event will be held at the Wilson Creek Winery, 35960 Rancho California Road, Temecula, CA 92591, from noon to 2 p.m.

The Wilson Creek Winery is the perfect location for this event – with its picturesque surroundings, it will be the perfect backdrop for an afternoon of critical discussion. Make sure to mark your calendars and join us on April 22, 2022!

We’re pleased to confirm as our speakers:

The post Join us for our April 22 Meeting and Luncheon appeared first on Southern California Water Coalition.

“This year is special because we are seeing the incredible adaptation abilities in our water leaders,” said SCWC Executive Director Charles Wilson. “In a year filled with change, it was the best time to introduce a new award. We are grateful to have found such deserving honorees.”

As in previous years, the Harriett M. Wieder Award is presented to a standout leader who has demonstrated an extraordinary commitment to advancing California’s water supply issues. This year, the award went to Jeffrey Kightlinger, the general manager and chief executive officer of the Metropolitan Water District of Southern California.

Jeff Kightlinger Wins Harriet Wieder Award for 2020

“Our region and the state of California owe a debt of gratitude to Jeff Kightlinger for his tireless work on modernizing the state’s water infrastructure through the Delta Conveyance project and more to assure a sustainable water future. From the Colorado River Quantification Settlement Agreement to its drought contingency plan to efforts to build Southern California’s largest water recycling facility, his legacy is assured,” Wilson said.

Known for his collaborative negotiating skills and deep knowledge of California water issues, Kightlinger has served as general manager of MWD since 2006. In that role, he  manages the nation’s largest wholesale water agency in its mission of ensuring safe and reliable delivery of high-quality water through its 26 member agencies to a region of more than 19 million people. In March, he announced he would retire from the position at the end of 2020.

In a video message, U.S. Senator Dianne Feinstein lauded Kightlinger for his steady and invaluable leadership in resolving extremely complex water and environmental issues. “Thanks to your efforts, California’s water future is really in a far better place today. It was just a few wise hands like Jeff who were able to accomplish the remarkable feat of bringing all seven Colorado River basin states together to develop the historic drought contingency plan for the river,” Senator Feinstein said.

Keeping the water flowing during his lengthy career at Metropolitan was no easy feat, as his term was punctuated by severe drought that included the driest year on record in Southern California. Under his leadership, the water district successfully faced water supply challenges on its two main sources of imported water: the Colorado River and the State Water Project. Through it all, he has been a strong proponent of cooperative, voluntary approaches to managing shared resources such as the State Water Project and the Colorado River, believing that agreements among those most affected are more effective than top-down solutions or federal or state mandates. Today, he leaves Metropolitan and Southern California well-positioned for the future through an approach to regional water management that incorporates wide-ranging solutions from stormwater capture to recycled water to groundwater recharge to improved state infrastructure.

Kightlinger holds an undergraduate degree from the University of California at Berkeley and a law degree from Santa Clara University. He serves on a number of boards including the Coro Foundation, the USC Price School of Public Policy, the UCLA Sustainability Advisory Board, the Climate Action Reserve, the California Foundation on the Environment and the Economy, the Los Angeles Economic Development Council, and the Los Angeles Area Chamber of Commerce.

David Pedersen Wins First Kathy Cole Award

This year, along with the Harriett M. Wieder Award, the SCWC has introduced the brand new Kathy Cole Award. Kathy Cole, former Metropolitan Water District executive legislative representative, is known for her exemplary career and commitment to education and advocacy in water policy. As part of her recognition by the SCWC in 2019, an award has been created in her honor to be presented to a deserving individual each year who exemplifies the perseverance and collaborative spirit that Cole is known for. This year, the SCWC has found that individual in David Pedersen. 

Pedersen, the general manager of the Las Virgenes Municipal Water District and the administering agent for the Las Virgenes-Triunfo Joint Powers Authority, brings over 25 years of public service experience. By focusing on water management, flood control, and other public service infrastructure, he serves as the chief executive responsible for providing water and sanitation services to approximately 100,000 people. 

“Dave Pedersen has literally blazed the trail for many water suppliers on several fronts,” Wilson said. “Whether it is his advocacy for water agencies struggling against air pollution controls to keep water flowing during wildfires or his generous sharing of knowledge and experience in the county’s effort to capture, treat and store stormwater, Pedersen has proven again and again his ability and willingness to lead not just for his agency but for all water agencies.”

With a bachelor degree in civil engineering and a master degree in business administration with a specialty in Finance, Pedersen began his career with the Los Angeles County Department of Public Works. In 2010, he left the County to work for the Irvine Ranch Water District, first as its director of water operations and eventually as executive director of operations. He also serves on the boards of the SCWC, Association of California Water Agencies, Urban Water Institute, and WaterReuse California.

The SCWC Annual Event is known as the area’s biggest networking event for water, business, agriculture, local government, labor and environmental leaders, and this year, although virtually attended, was no different. The event featured keynote speaker Brenda Burman, the U.S. Bureau of Reclamation Commissioner, and featured a special message from U.S. Senator Dianne Feinstein.

The post Jeffrey Kightlinger and David Pedersen Win SCWC’s 2020 Honorary Awards appeared first on Southern California Water Coalition.

From L.A. County’s Safe Clean Water Program to the Mayor of Los Angeles’ pledge of 100% wastewater reuse by 2035 to MWD’s announcement of a $5 million for stormwater capture projects to the actions outlined in the California Governor’s Water Resilience Portfolio, all eyes in the water world are on how counties, cities and agencies are making stormwater capture projects work in urban areas with constrained resources.

More than 300 attendees heard from leaders of key agencies already working together to collaborate and bring innovative new projects to life, all while balancing cost-effectiveness with design that brings multiple benefits. Our expert panel featured:

• Robert Ferrante, General Manager, Sanitation Districts of Los Angeles County (view slides as PDF)
• David Pedersen, General Manager, Las Virgenes Municipal Water District (view slides as PDF)
• Mark Pestrella, Director, Los Angeles County Public Works (view slides as PDF)
• Enrique Zaldivar, Director and General Manager, Los Angeles Sanitation and Environment (view slides as PDF)

Interested in more resources? Check out the white paper mentioned by David Pedersen in his talk:

• Tapping into Available Capacity in Existing Infrastructure to Create Water Supply and Water Quality Solutions (Phase 1) by CH2M Hill for Las Virgenes Municipal Water District and Main San Gabriel Basin Watermaster, May 2018. Published here courtesy of Las Virgenes Municipal Water District.

You may also want to check out these files from the webinar:

• Webinar poll results
• Questions and Answers document
• Webinar chat transcript

We got terrific feedback from our participants as well. Here’s a sample:

The post Watch Stormwater Matters Webinar Video On Demand appeared first on Southern California Water Coalition.