CASA Conference Features 2018 US Water Prize Winner
Announcing more exciting news for this year’s Annual Conference in Monterey! We will hear from Ted Henifin, general manager of Hampton Roads Sanitation District. Hampton Roads is the public sector winner of this year’s U.S. Water Prize, awarded earlier this month as part of the One Water Summit 2018. Hampton Roads received the award for their Sustainable Water Initiative for Tomorrow (SWIFT) project. The project uses innovative techniques in the face of sea level rise to take treated wastewater and use it to recharge groundwater aquifers and prevent saltwater intrusion.
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Legislative and Regulatory Updates
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It’s Legislative Summer Recess – Update on Key Bills
The legislature adjourned for summer recess on Friday, July 6, and will reconvene on August 6 to wrap-up the 2017-18 legislative session. All bills must pass both houses of the legislature by August 31 to be eligible for the Governor to sign them into law or veto them by the September 30 deadline. The important bills to CASA members still moving through the legislature include:
- SB 1263 (Portantino): CASA-sponsored microplastics legislation, has received bi-partisan support
- AB 1912 (Rodriguez): Pension liability for JPAs, amended to remove CASA’s opposition
- SB 1215 (Hertzberg): Septic-to-sewer legislation, CASA still working with author
- ADU Legislation: SB 831 (Wieckowski) died in Committee, AB 2890 (Ting) is still moving but has been amended to remove CASA’s opposition
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CASA Submits Comments on Low Carbon Fuel Standard Program
In late June, the California Air Resources Board (CARB) released a new iteration of draft regulations for the Low Carbon Fuel Standard (LCFS) program. The revised version addresses several of the comments CASA had previously submitted. Most significantly, CARB agreed to move transportation fuel derived from anaerobic digestion of wastewater treatment plant sludge to Tier 1. This means it is eligible to use the simplified calculator to determine its carbon intensity. We submitted additionalcomments on July 5 and will continue to work closely with CARB.
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Contribute to WEF Resource Recovery Survey! Deadline is August 10
CASA members have an opportunity to participate in asurvey administered by the Water Environment Federation. The survey will assemble baseline data on the amount of resource recovery taking place at facilities across the country. It is an important tool to uncover current practices for water reuse, nutrient recovery and energy generation. Your participation will help advance and highlight the industry’s combined efforts to improve resource recovery. Baseline data from the survey will be used to set strategic resource recovery goals which will be announced in October at the annual WEFTEC event in New Orleans, LA. Other supporting organizations include NACWA, the Association of Clean Water Administrators, The Water Research Foundation and the WateReuse Association.
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Welcome New Member!
- Santa Ana Watershed Project Authority
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Welcome New Silicon Valley Clean Water Manager!
The Silicon Valley Clean Water Commission recently selected Teresa Herrera as its manager, succeeding Dan Child. Herrera becomes the third manager in SVCW’s nearly 50-year history, and the first woman to fill the post. She joined SVCW in March 2008 as plant engineer to create its first engineering department and implement its then $339 million Capital Improvement Program.
“I am grateful to the Silicon Valley Clean Water Commission for its confidence in me,” Herrera said. “My major focus over the past 10 years and now continuing forward has been improving and replacing SVCW’s aging and failing infrastructure and resource recovery in form of water and energy. Read more.
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Orange County Sanitation District’s Beaches Ranked Highest in Southern California
Big kudos go to OCSD for their top rankings in Heal the Bay’s Annual Beach Report Card. Orange County’s beaches in OCSD’s service area run from Seal Beach to Crystal Cove. They were rated the highest across Southern California! The Beach Report Card assigns yearly A-to-F water-quality grades for more than 400 beaches statewide based on levels of harmful bacteria. The full report card can be viewed at healthebay.org.
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CV-SALTS Acknowledged in Water Education Foundation Article
The Water Education Foundation recently published the article, “Vexed by Salt and Nitrates in Central Valley Groundwater, Regulators Turn to Unusual Coalition for Solutions.” The article points out that given the circumstances facing the Central Valley, a broad-based stakeholder perspective was needed to frame a solution to a problem that has existed for decades.
CASA participated in the unique collaboration of agricultural interests, cities, water agencies and environmental justice advocates worked together to find common ground to address problems that have impacted drinking water wells as well as agricultural lands.Read more.
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New Water Internship Website Comes Online
Do you know someone who may be interested in building a career in water? If so, the California Water Environment Association recently launched the CAWaterInterns.org site highlighting the abundance of opportunities available. The water profession can be a wonderful career, full of great people, new challenges, competitive pay with good benefits and a rewarding purpose. The site is managed by the California Water Environment Association in partnership with several water associations and water and wastewater utilities, including CASA. Learn more.
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WELL is Hiring
Water Education for Latino Leaders is currently hiring for an executive director to manage day-to-day operations from their headquarters in Los Angeles. The executive director position provides a unique and challenging opportunity for an experienced and driven candidate to take the helm of a growing organization dedicated to its mission and impact. Learn more.
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Biosolids Workshops Moved to August!
Don’t miss two upcoming workshops hosted by the California Air Pollution Control Officers Association, the California Air Resources Board and CalRecycle. The joint workshops will give participants an opportunity to address a draft white paper on expanding existing composting facilities and siting new facilities as well as air quality permitting and regulatory issues. The composting workshops were originally scheduled for July 23 & 25, but have been cancelled and rescheduled to August dates.
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Have You Registered for CASA’s Asset Management Workshops?
Make your plans now to join us at our asset management workshops, September 17 and 18. Experts from across the country and CASA agencies will come together to discuss the importance of asset management for today’s utility. Register today.
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