CASA Connects Newsletter for September 6, 2016

  • Water
  • by BPC Staff
  • on September 6, 2016
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September 6, 2016

Legislature Passes Cap & Trade Spending Plan Hours Before Deadline

Midnight on August 31 marked the final deadline to pass bills in the 2015-16 legislative session. The last weeks of the session were hectic, as always, with last minute proposals and “big ticket” items being decided right up until the final hours. Major proposals relating to farm worker overtime, transportation funding, and paid family leave dominated the debate in the final few days. Two of the most contentious and closely watched measures in the final stretch were SB 32 (Pavley) and AB 197 (Garcia), which extend the state’s climate change goals until 2030. Read more…

Little Hoover Commission Revisits Special Districts

The Little Hoover Commission convened a public hearing on August 25, 2016 focusing on California’s special districts. The commission is an independent state oversight agency whose mission is to investigate state government operations and develop reports, recommendations and legislative proposals to promote efficiency, economy and improved service. Read more…

Milestone Reached in Cost of Compliance Effort: Checklist Available

The State Water Board recently affirmed a checklist and supporting documents as part of the resource alignment/cost of compliance initiative that could prove valuable for wastewater agencies. Regional Water Board permit writers should already possess these documents and will use them as part of current and future permit renewals. This checklist and continued support for the cost of compliance initiative should indicate the support of the State Water Board to find ways to reduce the cost of compliance for permittees while maintaining water quality protections. Read more…

State Water Board Proposes to Amend Water Quality Enforcement Policy

The State Water Board is proposing substantial amendments to its Water Quality Enforcement Policy. The policy serves as a guide for the water quality violation enforcement process and establishes methods for state and regional water board case prioritization and an administrative civil liability methodology. Comments on the amendments were originally due September 13, 2016, but CASA and several other local government and regional wastewater associations requested an extension.
The extension was granted and all parties now have until October 18 to submit comments, with a State Water Board hearing anticipated in December. CASA has formed a workgroup to identify the potential impact of the proposed amendments on the wastewater community, and we are in the process of developing comments and working with the State Water Board to address any issues.

DSRSD Thrives as Silver Tsunami Levels Senior Management Team

In July 2013, a “silver tsunami” hit the shores of Dublin San Ramon Services District, and within 2.5 years its swells swept away all five senior managers. Is DSRSD a Titanic on its way to the bottom of the ocean, or is it a sturdy ship weathering a perfect storm of baby boomer retirements at the senior management level? Guest contributor, Sue Stephenson, Community Affairs Supervisor, Dublin San Ramon Services District tellsthe story…

Agency News

The California Energy Commission has announced that Silicon Valley Clean Water and Stanford University will receive a $2 million award to demonstrate the water recovery and energy savings provided by a Staged Anaerobic Fluidized-bed Membrane Bioreactor or SAF-MBR (“SAFE” MBR), as it is referred. They will implement this demonstration with the assistance of CASA associate members, engineering consultants Kennedy/Jenks and construction management firm Tanner Pacific.

Four current directors of the Dublin San Ramon Services District will be reappointed after the Nov. 8 election. Because they were the only candidates to file for four open seats, the District will save the $135,000 budgeted for election costs, which average four to six dollars per voter.Read more…

The Las Virgenes-Triunfo Joint Powers Authority has voted to explore Advanced Water Treatment as a method to process surplus recycled water for indirect potable reuse. Read more…

New Brochure Highlights Programs, Benefits of CASA Membership

If you’re a CASA member, then you already know the rewards of membership. Or perhaps you’re not yet a member and need help convincing a decision-maker at your organization. Now there’s a tool to help you spread the word to others.

Our new brochure highlights CASA programs and the benefits of membership. Please download and share it with a prospective member today!

Register Now for the the Communication Essentials Workshop

The CASA Communications Workgroup, in partnership with CWEA, is pleased to bring you the Communication Essentials Workshop. This one-day workshop is designed for all water professionals who would like to enhance their communication program.

Register now! Early bird registration ends October 3.

Mixed Bag

Twelve CASA members were recognized by a partnership of water sector organizations for their Utility of the Future efforts. Read more…
The 2016 national Imagine a Day Without Water campaign is set for September 15. Visit the web page for communication tools and ideas.

Now Hiring!
CASA members have numerous opportunities available. Visit our Job Board for details.

Events

Date
Organization
Event
Location
Sept. 15, 2017 US Water Alliance Virtual/Nationwide
Oct. 18, 2016 CASA & CWEA Oakland
Oct. 20, 2016 CASA & CWEA Communication Essentials Workshop Fountain
Valley
Jan. 18-20, 2017 CASA Palm Springs
Feb. 27 – March 1, 2017 CASA Washington, D.C.
April 19, 2017 CASA/WateReuse Sacramento

In Case You Missed It…
CASA Connects August 1, 2016
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