A project that will make Southern California more resilient to climate change by purifying and reusing cleaned wastewater will receive a second infusion of funds from the U.S. Bureau of Reclamation. Reclamation announced it will award a $26.2 million large-scale water recycling grant to Pure Water Southern California, a regional water recycling project being developed...

Congratulations to this year’s Student Design Competition Winners! 30 teams represented 18 MAs and 3 countries, making this the largest WEFTEC SDC competition ever. UC Riverside’s Highlander Consultant Group took home third place in the water environment category. Congratulations to Anayely De La Vega, Andreina Mendoza, Jeff Dai, Jessy Gonzalez, and Justin Yanase.  Their project titled: EPA...

The Springboard Program was developed to further increase opportunities for Student and Young Professional Community members to become involved in WEF, with particular emphasis on the integration of YPs into the WEF technical committees and the WEFTEC Program Committee at the WEF Winter Meeting. Previously called the Midyear Meeting, this event primarily provides an opportunity...

The Wastewater Operator Certification Program (WWOCP) Advisory Committee has openings for the following positions: Term: July 1, 2024, to June 30, 2028 Organized Labor Union to Represent Wastewater Treatment Plant Operators – A member of an organized labor union which represents wastewater treatment plant operators. (one vacant position) Term: September 1, 2024, to June 30,...

The Value of Being Part of an Association: Say Hello We’ve all had that moment—your first conference or networking event. You walk into the room, and it feels like you’re stepping into a sea of unfamiliar faces. It’s daunting. For some, this feeling fades after a conference or two, but for others, it might last...

IMPACTFUL CWEA PROGRAMS, YEAR-BY-YEAR: 2019 Jenn stepped into her role as Executive Director/CEO of CWEA just before the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic. Under her leadership, CWEA quickly transitioned AC20 into its first virtual conference. Within two weeks of California’s stay-at-home order, CWEA launches a successful COVID-19 webinar series, keeping members informed on CDC research...

As we reflect on this year’s Member Value Report, I am reminded of the enduring importance of professional associations like ours. CWEA, founded in 1928, has been a faithful advocate for California’s wastewater community, evolving with the times while staying true to our core mission: advancing the knowledge, design, operation, and management of sewage works....

Have you thought about what you could change in your life to become a happier person? What would make the biggest difference? Is it more money, a better job, good health or more intimacy? Many years ago, I met Paula Francis, Executive Director of The Vermont Community Foundation. The Foundation had hired me to evaluate...

CWEA is more than just a professional organization: we are a vital resource for those working in the wastewater industry. As our work continues to evolve, access to industry information and resources, certifications, training, job opportunities, and a supportive community of professionals is crucial. Each of these components plays a crucial role in shaping your...

A few years ago, volunteer leader Ralph Palomares, a 38-year dedicated member of CWEA, was standing at the Santa Ana River Basin Section’s (SARBS) Collection System Workshop in Huntington Beach when an attendee walked up. “Hey Ralph, I need some help, I don’t know what to do,” the attendee told him. “We had a spill...

In this Q&A, we sit down with a Senior Instrumentation Control Technician, Arup Paul from Dublin San Ramon Services District to explore his journey into the wastewater industry, his passion for environmental sustainability, and his volunteer work with CWEA. With a background in PLC programming and a deep commitment to the water sector, Paul shares...

Let’s say you’re browsing through a batch of applications for a collection system operator role within your agency. Several candidates hold one or more professional certifications, the others do not. Do certified candidates stand out to you? Is a certified workforce valuable to a water or wastewater agency? Certifications help set a benchmark for standards...

Eric Van Cleave, President of the San Diego Section, has been volunteering with CWEA longer than he’s been a member. One of the benefits Van Cleave says he’s experienced since being a part of his local section board is connecting and networking with industry folks and CWEA members. Van Cleave first started volunteering with CWEA...

Through an innovative effort that advances Gov. Gavin Newsom’s Water Supply Strategy for adapting to a hotter, drier future, California’s regulations for converting wastewater to high-quality drinking water became official on Oct. 1 – coinciding with the first day of the new water year. The regulations clear the way for water systems to invest in...

A chance encounter with a fellow collections worker launched Chris Newton on a career of volunteer service to the clean water profession at the local, regional, and state levels. “I responded to a sewer spill one night and worked with an individual from a neighboring district who was a Director at SARBS (Santa Ana River...

Northern California’s Feather River is vital for the California State Water Project and a beloved fishing destination for steelhead, shad, sturgeon, and king salmon. This importance drives Laci Heggstrom, Yuba City’s Environmental Compliance Coordinator, to work tirelessly to prevent river pollution in her community. “It’s my job to keep in mind the bigger picture of...

Learn more about the San Francisco Bay Regional Water Quality Control Board at a virtual information session on Monday, October 21, from 6:00 to 7:00 PM PST. The info session will be held on Zoom (Meeting ID: 930 2718 3448, Passcode: 860193), and will cover the following: 1) An overview of the San Francisco Bay Regional Water Board 2) Roles and responsibilities of...

Rushnu, a technology company focused on carbon capture and sustainable chemical production, is pleased to announce a partnership with Silicon Valley Clean Water (SVCW). Together, they will pilot Rushnu’s CarbonCatalyze™ Technology, which aims to capture and convert CO2 from SVCW’s biogas, significantly reducing the plant’s carbon emissions producing essential disinfection chemicals on-site for wastewater and...

The WEF Fellows program, much like Fellows programs at universities and other professional trade associations, was created to recognize WEF members with outstanding achievement and impactful contributions to the water industry. Criteria was established in 2009 to recognize individual WEF member’s professional achievement, stature, and contributions towards the preservation and enhancement of the global water...

Join us in congratulating the University of California, Riverside Highlander Consulting Group and OBI Water Group for earning a spot to compete at the Water Environment Federation WEFTEC in New Orleans on October 6! If you’re attending WEFTEC, don’t miss the chance to cheer on our CWEA members as they represent California on the national...

Representatives from Jurupa Community Services District (JCSD) took part in a critical roundtable discussion at the California State Capitol recently, focusing on the pervasive challenges posed by Per- and Polyfluoroalkyl Substances (PFAS). Representing JCSD were General Manager Chris Berch and Manager of Government & Public Affairs Arman Tarzi. The roundtable of state leaders, invited by...

The State Water Resources Control Board joined representatives from the City of Escondido, San Diego North Economic Development Council, Escondido Growers for Agricultural Preservation, and design-builder Filanc and Brown and Caldwell to dedicate an innovative water recycling plant. The new Membrane Filtration Reverse Osmosis Facility was in large part funded by $45 million from the...

To celebrate 10 years of Imagine a Day Without Water, here are 10 ways to help you dive in on October 17! From social media guidance to blog post templates to event inspiration from past activations, there’s a way for everyone to add their drop to the bucket this year. Resources for Imagine a Day...

Brown and Caldwell announced it is growing its water reuse practice as industry expert Dr. Fred Gerringer joins the firm as national specialty leader of reuse regulations and policy. With more than 15 years of experience in potable reuse regulations and technologies, Gerringer is a trusted leader in reliably and safely delivering clean drinking water to help...

Ironhouse Sanitary District named wastewater industry expert Jean-Marc Petit as its new General Manager, effective July 22. Petit brings nearly four decades of water industry and engineering experience to the role. Petit will direct Ironhouse in creating clean  water solutions for more than 47,000 residents and businesses in the City of Oakley and unincorporated Bethel Island. He will lead...

After 30 years at Sacramento State, Dr. Ramzi Mahmood, Executive Director of the Office of Water Programs (OWP), will retire on August 20, 2024. Dr. Mahmood has led OWP since 1997. Under Ramzi’s leadership, the program expanded from 11 staff members to over 70 staff members, students, and faculty affiliates, becoming the largest self-supported center...

Use code: SUMMER to save 30% on WEF Standards, technical publications, and training manuals in their online store. WEF Members save more with their member discount, for a total of 50% off until August 31. Enhance your skills and increase your technical knowledge with the established best practices in the industry. Save 50% 

Rebuilding after the 2018 Woolsey Fire destroyed 670 structures in the City of Malibu was challenging, to say the least. Eager to reconstruct their homes, the city faced a deluge of building permit requests and struggled to issue 30 permits per month. Seeking someone experienced for the task, the city enlisted the help of Yolanda...

As a boy growing up in the South Bay Area, Salman Husaini enjoyed building things. He appreciated their tangibility and the opportunity to bring them to life. That led him to study civil engineering at San José State University, where he earned a bachelor’s degree in civil engineering in 2015 and a master’s in 2016....

Clean water professionals get into the field in many different ways, but few discover it while scuba diving. But that’s how Rianna Laughridge, Operator III at the City of Woodland, became interested in wastewater. “I was traveling to different countries, and while scuba diving, I observed how human waste in the ocean was damaging the...

Mechanical technician Phil Peter takes great pride in his position at the J.B. Latham plant in Dana Point. This is the same facility that his grandfather helped to design while serving as the City of San Clemente engineer from the early ’60s to the late ’70s. His pride comes not only from his grandfather’s efforts...

Let’s face it: Risks can arise in almost any setting, and the safety of yourself and others should always be in the back of your mind when working at any water and wastewater facility. With a background in electricity, no one knows that better than Control Systems Technician Jairo Lazareno. Over the past couple of...

The last few years have brought significant changes to the Environmental Laboratory Accreditation Program (ELAP) regulations, creating complexity and confusion for those working in water and wastewater industry laboratories. This Emerging Leader has been nominated by her co-chair of the CWEA-San Francisco Bay Section (SFBS) Laboratory committee for her leadership and innovative ideas in assisting...

Before his recent promotion, Gustavo Lopez had already begun to bridge the gap between his role as an Environmental Compliance Inspector and the position of Environmental Programs Coordinator. For Lopez, it was simply about getting the job done because his department was shorthanded, while for those who worked with him, it is reflected in his...

The P3S Committee is currently accepting nominations for the 2024 Facility of the Year (FOTY) Awards.  The FOTY Awards are presented annually to large and small industries across California for their outstanding and innovative solutions in wastewater treatment, stormwater management, pollution prevention, and/or waste minimization. This is an excellent opportunity to recognize industrial users in...

Nominations are currently being accepted for the 2025 CWEA State Board of Directors roles. Here’s a brief overview of the nomination process and how you can participate in choosing your leaders: To learn more about the board nominations and access the necessary forms, visit the CWEA Leaders website at leaders.cwea.org. The deadline for submitting nomination forms is December 11,...

It is with deep sorrow that we announce the passing of Theodore Higgins, a valued member of the California Water Environment Association (CWEA) community. Theodore Higgins began his career with the City of Los Angeles LA Sanitation & Environment, Industrial Waste Management Division (IWMD) in October 2001. Over the years, he advanced to the position...

Meet CWEA’s 2024-25 President, Gilbert Barela, from the Jurupa Community Services District. Gilbert brings a wealth of experience, a passion for water quality, and a dedication to professional growth to his new role. His leadership is not only about addressing current challenges but also about paving the way for a future where clean, safe water...

WateReuse California is hosting a webinar on July 24th to further discuss the State’s conservation regulations. Learn more and register > CalMatters has developed a searchable database of water providers, locations, and % of cuts needed to achieve the regulatory requirements. View database here > The State Water Resources Control Board July 3 adopted the...

The Environmental Compliance Inspector (ECI) certification program has undergone a comprehensive update, spearheaded by a dedicated team of Subject Matter Experts (SMEs). This robust review and revalidation of the certification program aimed to enhance the standards and ensure that the exams accurately reflect the knowledge and skills required in the field of environmental compliance. The...

The Orange County Sanitation District (OC San) announces long-time OC San employee Jennifer Cabral, as the new Director of Communications overseeing the newly created Communications Department. As the Director of Communications, Ms. Cabral will lead the Public Affairs Office and Board Services, a joint staff of 15 people, managing marketing communications, community relations, public affairs,...

Partnering for Impact (PFI) is a one-day, highly focused, interactive meeting of thought-leaders, practitioners, academics, and regulators from throughout the wastewater industry. These industry leaders strive daily to advance technology and innovation through various local and regional partnerships. The 2024 PFI event had 96 attendees and was held at UC Irvine Beall Applied Innovation Beach...

Metropolitan Water District’s program to create a new water supply for Southern California by purifying water currently being sent to the ocean received a funding boost from the U.S. Bureau of Reclamation. Reclamation Commissioner Camille Calimlim Touton announced the $99.2 million in funding for Pure Water Southern California at an event held at the regional recycled water...

The Water Environment Federation (WEF) has announced the appointment of Ralph Erik Exton as its new Executive Director, effective July 15, 2024. “The Board of Trustees is excited for Ralph to take the helm of WEF,” said WEF Board President, Aimeé Killeen. “Ralph brings years of strategic leadership and business experience to the organization, which...

The California Stockholm Junior Water Prize is sponsored by ARUP The Water Environment Federation (WEF) announces the state winners of the Stockholm Junior Water Prize. Adrith Kurlagunda, a sophomore from Irvington High School, is the first-place winner in California for his project “Novel Solar Water Purification System Using Fresnel Lenses.” Adrith is a member of...

California has been a pioneer in efforts to mitigate the impacts of global climate change, committing to achieving carbon neutrality statewide by 2045. To do this, the California Air Resources Board (CARB) first worked to understand the key sources of greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions. Information gathered in the statewide GHG inventory (bit.ly/3THdjpY) (averaging 2000-2021 data)...

The Napa Sanitation District (NapaSan) credits its long-standing record of no permit violations to its unwavering commitment to excellence, sustainability, and efficient operations, supported by a top-notch maintenance program. While all of these efforts would make this agency a worthy winner of CWEA’s Medium Plant of the Year, NapaSan’s Operations SVC Director, Jim Keller, attributes...

Every night, a little boy in Castro Valley, California, asks his mom to read him a bedtime story from a comic book called Defenders of the Bay. He likes the monsters depicted in the comic book, its 20 action-packed pages, the villains and heroes, and the battle between good and evil. What he might not realize...

California’s direct potable reuse (DPR) regulations were adopted by the State Water Resources Control Board on December 19, 2023, and are expected to be effective in 2024 when they are officially incorporated into Title 22 of the California Code of Regulation (CCR). With more than 1.3 billion gallons per day of wastewater effluent being discharged...

CWEA and the the California-Nevada Section of AWWA are proud to partner on the new Advanced Water Treatment Operator certification program. Drinking water and wastewater operators who hold a grade 3 certification or higher and work at facilities using advanced treatment technologies are eligible to pursue the new, voluntary Advanced Water Treatment Operator (AWTO®) Certification....

The Advanced Clean Fleets Regulation, developed by the California Air Resources Board, mandates fleets suitable for electrification to reduce emissions. This is achieved through a phased-in use of Zero-Emission Vehicles (ZEVs) for targeted fleets and a requirement for manufacturers to exclusively produce ZEV trucks beginning in the 2036 model year. For more information, go to...

After just four short years online, Monterey One Water is expanding its Pure Water Monterey facility. This is noteworthy as the Monterey Peninsula could become the first area with a local water supply that has advanced purified water accounting for over 50% of the total water supply. Construction of the project is expected to be...

It was a little luck and a lot of determination that the City of Oceanside had the opportunity to make history by becoming the first Advanced Water Purification Facility in San Diego County in the final days of 2021. What ultimately drove the project to completion had nothing to do with becoming the first in...

A purified water project that has been in the works for more than a decade, involving negotiations between four independent East San Diego County agencies and several local and state permitting organizations, is finally making progress toward completion and is expected to be operational by 2026. The East County Advanced Water Purification Program (East County...

Thirteen organizations and eight individuals were celebrated as honorees of the 95th Annual California Water Environment Association (CWEA) Awards, recognizing those who have significantly contributed to the enhancement of California’s water environment. These winners were selected from a competitive pool of over 250 applications and honored at a ceremony held on April 11, 2024, in...

The San Luis Obispo Water Resource Recovery Facility (WRRF) uses 3D printers to make spare parts, especially those no longer available on the replacement equipment market. But it’s more than just having a 3D printer, says Patrick McGrath, WRRF Supervisor. “Anybody can go to the store and buy a printer,” he says. “But to be successful,...

This post is from Partners in Public Innovation and reposted with permission. Invoicing forms a critical pillar in the financial scaffolding of any organization, acting as the principal method for billing and payments. Yet, for all its importance, invoicing processes often get mired in inefficiencies that not only delay payments but also strain vital relationships...

What a week! We just wrapped up AC24 in Sacramento, filled with insightful presentations, engaging workshops and tours, and incredible networking opportunities and award recognitions. It was inspiring to see so many wastewater leaders and professionals all in one place, sharing ideas and forging new paths for collaboration. If you didn’t make it – watch...

About 70% of our planet is covered in water, yet everyone on Earth is experiencing some form of water stress; right now, only 0.5% of water is available to support 8 billion people. XPRIZE Water Scarcity is a $119 million, 5-year prize designed to drive widespread access to clean water by creating reliable, sustainable, and...

The Water Code authorizes the State Water Resources Control Board (State Water Board) to appoint a group of subject matter experts to assist the State Water Board in carrying out its duties regarding wastewater treatment plant operator certification and training. The State Water Board has maintained an Advisory Committee since 1972. Assembly Bill 2890 added...

The CWEA Community is now live. This marks a significant milestone in our journey, and we can’t wait to see how you use this space. Building the CWEA community brings a myriad of advantages that will enhance your CWEA member benefits: First, it serves as a centralized hub where members can engage directly with each...

The Sacramento Regional County Sanitation District (Regional San) and Sacramento Area Sewer District (SacSewer) are pleased to announce the legal merger of the two districts into one—resulting in a consolidated sewer utility, called the Sacramento Area Sewer District, effective Jan. 1, 2024. This strategic consolidation combines the second-largest water resource recovery facility of its kind...

The Valley Sanitary District (VSD) and the Coachella Valley History Museum (CVHM) in Indio have collaborated to create an exhibit showcasing a series of models that demonstrate a range of wastewater treatment processes. The exhibit, named “The Evolution of Wastewater Treatment in the Coachella Valley,” illustrates the history of wastewater treatment, from outhouses and septic...

Rick Justice faced his first significant challenge just three weeks into his new role as Public Works Operations Manager for the City of Los Banos. A local company’s private sewer lift station malfunctioned, causing sewage to overflow into their parking lot and into the storm drain. In his previous position as the program manager for...

Las Virgenes Municipal Water District (LVMWD) has been using supervisory control and data acquisition (SCADA) systems to collect data for over two decades, just like many other water and wastewater facilities in California. The SCADA system closely monitors every stage of the water treatment process and provides real-time information for analysis. However, the data collection...

A digital twin controller running a hybrid model, fed with live and historical data, is being tested at several sites to determine its ability to remove and manage nutrients more efficiently and simplify operations for wastewater plant operators. The results will be reported in a paper by Jacobs Engineering at the CWEA Annual Conference in...

Smart water and sewer technologies, including real-time monitoring, analytics, and machine learning, are being used by many water and wastewater utilities to collect useful data, improve decision-making, and optimize infrastructure and resource utilization to ensure compliance with regulations. Even so, many agencies are still on the fence about whether these programs can offer safe and...

The integration of digital technologies into water management systems represents a step-change and an exciting opportunity for how we approach our planet’s most vital resource. As we collectively deal with aging infrastructure, increasing urbanization, climate change, and the need for social equity, technology continues to emerge as a key aid. The quantity of information now...

It is estimated that 90% of the data available today was created in the past two years. This incredible shift has been driven by advances in computing power, the availability of low-cost data collection devices, an increase in the use of information technology, and the acceleration of the rate of development of artificial intelligence. The...

Water and wastewater utilities provide critical lifeline services to their communities and their regions. Supporting these vitally important functions requires secure information technology (IT) and operational technology (OT), yet the sector’s IT and OT networks continue to face an onslaught of threats from cyber criminals, nation-states, and others. 15 FUNDAMENTALS There are various terms that...

The 2024 WEF Award submission period is open now. Seize this opportunity to showcase your innovative projects, educational contributions, and outstanding achievements in water management across multiple categories. Get recognized or nominate a colleague for all of your good work. Submit your nominations today to recognize those who create a life free of water challenges....

  During AC24’s School of Solids, CWEA members will be given a unique opportunity to spend the day at an operating wastewater treatment and resource recovery facility. The day will focus on understanding how biosolids are managed, the technologies used to treat the biosolids, and how to operate and maintain those technologies and supporting equipment....

  The CWEA Annual Conference in 2024 will bring together wastewater industry experts to discuss the latest innovations and emerging technologies in wastewater maintenance. One of the key topics of discussion will be the various methods for treating and disposing of biosolids, also known as sewage sludge. The focus will be on exploring newer and...

Artificial intelligence technology is becoming increasingly prevalent across various industries, including water and wastewater management. The annual CWEA conference will feature sessions that demonstrate how AI, algorithms, and machine learning can benefit plant operators and enhance the wastewater treatment process by boosting efficiency. Attendees will have the opportunity to witness the potential of these technologies...

Learn to become an extraordinary leader, gain a supportive community of water professionals and mentors, sharpen your networking skills, and grow professionally. The Water Leadership Institute program educates, trains, and provides opportunities that enable developing and emerging leaders to build strong, lasting relationships within the water industry. Will you be among the Water Leadership Institute’s...

Blog post by The Climate Registry With the effects of climate change being felt all over the world, and California in the midst of another severe drought, we thought we would share more about our initiative to address the important connection between our warming planet and the water we all need to survive: The Water-Energy...

It is not about how big your goal is. It is how you approach it that matters! Do you have a New Year’s resolution that was on your list last year? Every January, millions of Americans make New Year’s resolutions. Some achieve them; others put them on the shelf. This is a great month to...

The Joint Water Pollution Control Plant was the Los Angeles County Sanitation Districts’ largest treatment plant and provides service for 5 million people. For several years, Sanitation Districts’ leadership had considered changing the plant’s name to better reflect the services the plant now provides. With 2023 being the agency’s centennial, they decided now was the...

Lydia Guerra, Senior Certification Manager at CWEA, has achieved the Certified Credentialing Professional (ICE-CCP) certification from the Institute for Credentialing Excellence. This milestone marks a significant step in Lydia’s career and her commitment to professional development and excellence in the field of credentialing. The ICE-CCP certification is a hallmark of competency in professional credentialing. It...

The Sacramento Regional County Sanitation District (Regional San) and Sacramento Area Sewer District (SacSewer) are pleased to announce the legal merger of the two districts into one. The merger will not change any of the sewage services provided—they will simply become one single service provider for customers. To this point, SacSewer and Regional San have...

I chose to study engineering to transform perspectives. While living abroad, I was lucky to experience different landscapes and cultures. Being born outside of the US, and living in other countries, has constantly reminded me of the different hurdles that come with living abroad—you have to adapt. As more people start moving into cities, communities...

The P3S Committee is thrilled to announce the continuation of its grants program aimed at supporting P3S-related outreach projects. With a total fund of $5,000 at their disposal, the committee plans to distribute two to five separate grants ranging from $500 to $2,500 each. Recognizing that the grant may not cover the entirety of a...

At this year’s Annual Conference in San Diego, we had the honor of interviewing Rachel Lather, an industry professional and dedicated CWEA member. With over two decades of experience in wastewater, Rachel currently serves as a district engineer at Carmel Area Wastewater District. Her journey started with a promotion to the role of sewer sanitation...

MEMBERSHIP HIGHLIGHTS PRESIDENT’S MESSAGE I have always been fascinated by the wonders and intricacies of the past. I find myself captivated by stories of great leaders and significant events, humanity’s struggles, triumphs, and remarkable achievements. History has always provided a refuge for me in a fast-paced and ever-changing world, grounding me and helping me understand...

Provided by Elsinore Valley Municipal Water District Elsinore Valley Municipal Water District (EVMWD) is proud to pay tribute to the service and valor of veteran staff members on this Veterans Day and United States Marine Corps’ Birthday. Their unwavering dedication to both their country and EVMWD has been instrumental in their mission to providing essential...

Introducing Ryan Ward, an Associate Engineer at the Inland Empire Utilities Agency (IEUA). Since joining IEUA in 2017, Ryan has brought valuable expertise, holding certifications such as F.E., D2, T2, Wastewater 3, and Collection System Maintenance Grade 2. Prior to his role at IEUA, Ryan dedicated a decade of service to the Army. What is...

Most recently, the Office of Operator Certification (OOC) has made significant changes to the program! Here are just a few program highlights: Reorganization Beginning January 2023, the OOC began the implementation phase of its reorganization to optimize resources and improve processes, workflow, and operational efficiency by balancing staffing resources and realigning workload by functionality as...

CWEA member, Dr. Diego Rosso is a member of the 2023-24 Board of Trustees for the Water Environment Federation (WEF), an international organization of water quality professionals headquartered in Alexandria, Va. Dr. Rosso is Professor of Civil and Environmental Engineering and of Chemical Engineering and Material Science at the University of California, Irvine, where he...

The Path to Power series is organized by the Association of Women in Water, Energy, and the Environment. We are excited to introduce a remarkable panel of women in the water industry who will engage in a thought-provoking dialogue about their accomplished career paths. California water leaders on the panel: Jennifer Persike, moderatorr, Jennifer Persike...

On October 10th we hosted Workforce Through Diversity and Inclusion panel discussion during California Water Professionals Appreciation Week. As the water industry continues to experience retirements and recruitment challenges, there is a need to invest in the water workforce and support leadership development needs and succession planning efforts. Additionally, research indicates increased DEI within organizations...

It’s an honor to serve as your Director of Member Services. Since joining the staff earlier this year, I’ve already made strong connections with members and leaders. I enjoy working with the CWEA Board members, Committee and Local Section leaders, and I look forward to meeting you at an event or conference soon. We’re excited...

The Kirt Brooks Memorial Water Environment Scholarship (KBSF) Committee is thrilled to introduce a new educational opportunity to our scholarship program. We are expanding our list of eligible categories to now include non-degree training programs offered by colleges, community colleges, and trade schools. Education is the foundation of a strong community. CWEA and the Kirt...

Harris & Associates will officially welcome Michelle White as the firm’s next Chief Executive Officer (CEO) on January 1, 2024. This is the culmination of a well-planned and purposeful succession strategy developed in 2021. Michelle brings extensive experience and deep industry knowledge to the position, having successfully led various aspects of Harris’ business operations over...

Title: Ty Silva: A Wastewater Operator’s Journey to Excellence  Subheading: Celebrating the Operator of the Year Award Winner from the Desert and Mountain Section  Meet Ty Silva, the Operator of the Year award winner from the Desert and Mountain Section, who has found his calling in the wastewater industry at the City of Barstow. Ty’s...

The John Boyd Leadership Award was established to recognize outstanding leadership and mentorship which contributes to the development of another individual’s career in this field or inspires others to contribute to the P3S community. Please consider nominating your peers for this new award from the P3S Committee in honor of John Boyd. Applications are now...

View the CA Water Week resource page > Oct 9-10 Lucia Diaz of Inland Empire Utilities Agency   View this post on Instagram   A post shared by CWEA (@cweamembers) View this post on Instagram   A post shared by CWEA (@cweamembers)   View this post on Instagram   A post shared by CWEA (@cweamembers)...

“One of the greatest values of mentors is the ability to see ahead what others cannot see and to help them navigate a course to their destination.” – John C. Maxwell In April 2022, CWEA launched its first employee mentoring program. The benefits to mentors and mentees in a corporate setting were examined and carefully...

The Elsinore Valley Municipal Water District’s (EVMWD) Horsethief Canyon Water Reclamation Facility (HTCWRF) in Lake Elsinore, California supplies secondary treatment for wastewater flows from developments in the northern portion of its service area. At 0.5 million gallons per day (mgd) of average flow, the HTCWRF had effectively reached its current design capacity. Additionally, a portion...

It’s that exciting time of the year once again when we pass the reins of our Instagram account to the member, the water experts as we celebrate California Water Professionals Appreciation Week. Make sure to hit that follow button and join us in experiencing a day in the world of these wastewater champions. @cweamembers Lucia...

In a recent candid and insightful Q&A session, we had the privilege of delving into the motivations and aspirations of CWEA President, Chuck Greely, who brings a wealth of experience, dedication, and a unique personal touch to the helm of our association. Have you ever wondered what drives someone to take on a leadership role...

How did a 12 MGD facility beat out huge treatment plants around the world for Project of the Year?  By digesting food waste diverted from landfills and creating a carbon-negative operation. It takes something pretty amazing to impress the water industry experts who nominate and vote in the Global Water Awards. This year’s wastewater project...

CWEA is proud to launch it’s first mentoring program for members. The concept is quite simple: match skilled mentors with excited mentees, and build a stronger, more welcoming wastewater community. Mentors provide guidance, support and career direction, drawing upon their own life experiences. The good news is the benefits of mentoring are bi-directional— both mentors...

Nominations are currently being accepted for the 2024 CWEA State Board of Directors roles. Here’s a brief overview of the nomination process and how you can participate in choosing your leaders: To learn more about the board nominations and access the necessary forms, visit the CWEA Leaders website at leaders.cwea.org. The deadline for submitting nomination...

The Town of Windsor has received a technical assistance grant from the federal Department of Energy (DOE) to further evaluate the risks and benefits of a project that would convert the Town’s wastewater sludge (biosolids) into high-performance, consumer ready fertilizer and soil amendment, cut Windsor’s greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions, and help stabilize future impacts to...

It’s easy to get Todd Hutchinson talking about wastewater treatment and how it has improved since the late ‘90s. As Lead Operator for the San Elijo Joint Powers Authority, Hutchinson is celebrating 25 years of service for the agency that serves Encinitas, Solana Beach, Del Mar and some surrounding areas. The Board of Directors is...

West County Wastewater’s (WCW) Plant Operator, Valerie Sakata, started out as a student at the City College of San Francisco, where she studied biotech. As she immersed herself in science, particularly genetics, and pharmaceuticals, she noticed how many one-time-use lab items were regularly thrown away to end up in a landfill. This steered her thoughts...

The 51st Annual Pretreatment, Pollution Prevention, and Stormwater Conference is taking place February 5-7 in Anaheim. This year’s theme is Igniting the Torch – inspiring up-and-coming water professionals to get that spark to lead our profession into the future. We anticipate 300-400 professionals in attendance. The P3S Conference Committee is seeking innovative speakers to share their expertise with P3S...

As our industry comes together to tackle increasingly difficult water treatment challenges, data-informed decision making is critical. We are collecting data from professionals with UV experience through a survey. The results of this survey will build upon the literature utilized by operators, regulators, engineers, and manufacturers as they make decisions surrounding UV technology. If you...

We are pleased to announce that the CWEA Northern and Southern Safety Days will be making their return this fall. Southern Safety Day will take place on October 26 at the Doubletree by Hilton Ontario Airport. Northern Safety Day will take place November 8 at the Yolo County Fairgrounds in Woodland. The CWEA Safety Committee...

Thank you Harris & Associates for sponsoring the California Stockholm Junior Water Prize. The Water Environment Federation (WEF) shares the state winners of the Stockholm Junior Water Prize. Kyle Tianshi, a bright young mind from The Cambridge School, is the first-place winner in California for his project Rapid Detection of Microplastics in Liquid: A Novel Light Scattering...

Introducing Rick Justice, a seasoned expert in water management serving as the Program Manager within the City of Stockton’s Stormwater Division. Rick attributes his commitment to the water sector to his unwavering work ethic and continuous professional advancement. Certifications held: Environmental Compliance Inspector – Grade IV Certified Professional in Municipal Stormwater Management (CPMSM) Project Management...

Nicole Van Aken, the lab manager at Fairfield-Suisun Sewer District, values education as a means to achieve excellence. She takes a proactive approach to seeking educational opportunities for both her team and herself. Her belief in education also extends to her volunteer work within the industry.  “Continued training is something I believe in,” she said....

Phuc Tran not only performs water and wastewater analysis at Vacaville, he teaches others in the art and science of analytical methods. “I enjoy teaching others,” he says. He says that new hires often join the laboratory staff based on equivalent education, not on experience and basic skills. “I try to train them in the...

Bill McManus probably didn’t realize it at the time, but a television show he watched as a boy has had a lot to do with his career. The show was called “How Things are Made” and featured the materials and assembly of various products. Now, as chief environmental compliance inspector for the City of Los...

Nicole Greenwood, an aquarium marine biologist turned Wastewater Resource Analyst, has successfully transitioned into an industry she never expected to be a part of. Despite having no prior knowledge of the water/wastewater industry laboratory positions, she has quickly gained expertise and thrives in the dynamic work environment of the City of Riverside Wastewater Treatment Plant...

Marvin Gonzalez has been nominated for and received awards in the past, but none of them predicted his future success as accurately as his most recent nomination. Last autumn, a coworker at Leucadia Wastewater District nominated Gonzalez for the CWEA Emerging Leaders program. Little did they know that Gonzalez would soon be promoted to Field...

Jacelyn Renwick is a dedicated volunteer who gives her all to various causes. She helps out at non-profits, supports her co-workers as a union president, and volunteers for her local CWEA chapter. When asked about her motivation for volunteering, she said she firmly believes that if you care about something, you should dedicate your time...

The weekend surge in skiers, hikers, and visitors at Mammoth Lakes present a challenge that Bruce Medhurst enjoys. The population goes from 8,000 to 35,000, requiring the crew at the Mammoth Community Water District (MCWD) wastewater treatment plant to adjust and optimize treatment as they produce tertiary treated water for reclaim. As laboratory supervisor for...

The AC24 Education Program Committee is currently accepting proposals for the Annual Conference & Expo on April 9-12, 2024, in Sacramento. AC is one of the largest gatherings of wastewater professionals on the West Coast. The mission is clear, the stage is yours – what will you present to empower and educate CWEA members? This...

The Stanford University Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering announced that WEF-CWEA Honorary member Dr. Perry McCarty passed away on June 4, 2023. Professor McCarty joined Stanford University in 1962. He was one of the world’s leading environmental engineers, having created a scientific approach for the biological treatment of water for purification, wastewater reclamation and...

Empowering the community through educational outreach drives Lynna Allen’s passion for her job and motivates her to set an example for others – especially women – working in the wastewater industry. “I thoroughly enjoy teaching how pollution prevention helps keep homes, businesses and schools clean and safe, while saving money and protecting the environment,” said Allen. “Nothing...

Since 2019, Karla Amezcua has worked in West County Wastewater’s (WCW) Laboratory as a Lab Analyst. Today, three and half years later, she tested and was promoted to a Lab Analyst II position. When Karla grew up in Jalisco, Mexico, she wanted to change the world. From an early age, Karla cared about the Earth...

NapaSan and NextEra Energy Resources, LLC, have signed an agreement for the construction and installation of a new Mainspring Linear Generator. The linear generator will run on biofuel produced at NapaSan’s wastewater treatment plant, providing renewable energy to power the plant while also reducing greenhouse gas emissions. Under the agreement, a subsidiary of NextEra Energy...

Mark your calendar for August to attend the Drinking Water and ELAP Fee Meetings – attached is the schedule. FY 2023-24 Drinking Water, Water Quality & Water Rights Fees Stakeholder Meetings Thursday, August 3 9:00–11:00 am Water Quality Thursday, August 3 1:00–3:00 pm Water Rights Friday, August 4 9:00–11:00 am Drinking Water & ELAP Meetings...

Twelve organizations and nine individuals comprise the honorees of the 94th Annual California Water Environment Association (CWEA) Awards, celebrating those who have made significant contributions to improving the water environment in California. These organizations and individuals were selected from over 300 applications and received their awards at a ceremony on April 19, 2023, in San...

The California Water Environment Association (CWEA) recently hosted its 7th Annual Student Design Competition on May 13th, showcasing the brightest young minds in the field of water and wastewater engineering. Two exceptional teams represented their respective universities, earning the chance to compete in the Water Environment Federation (WEF) Student Design Competition at WEFTEC in Chicago...

Anaergia Inc. announced it has been named Net Zero Carbon Champion in the water industry’s most prestigious awards program, the Global Water Awards. In addition, a wastewater project designed, built, and financed through the Company’s subsidiary SoCal Biomethane for Victor Valley Wastewater Reclamation Authority was named Wastewater Project of the Year. The awards represent a...

Phil Miller is CWEA’s newly appointed Chief Operating Officer (COO). Phil is a Bay Area native who has spent over a decade working in non-profit management and leadership, specializing in finance, accounting, human resources, facilities, risk management, and IT. With a Master’s degree in education from Berkeley and an Executive MBA from Saint Mary’s College,...

CWEA is pleased to announce Anabel Martinez as the new Director of Member Services. Anabel brings 15 years of experience in nonprofit membership and association management to her new role here at CWEA. Throughout her career, Anabel has managed both corporate and individual memberships, and has excelled in creating and implementing effective membership retention and...

Ross Valley Sanitary District (RVSD) was presented with the California Water Environment Association (CWEA) Wastewater Collection System of the Year Award in the category of “small system.” RVSD was selected as the top sewer system in the state in 2022 out of the hundreds of systems less than 250 miles in length. “This distinguished award...

Veolia Environmental Compliance Inspectors were proud to support Earth Day L.A. hosted by Los Angeles Sanitation Division on April 22, 2023. This free family- friendly community festival was held at Hyperion Water Reclamation Plant in Los Angeles. Hyperion Water Reclamation Plant is the City’s oldest and largest wastewater treatment facility, operating since 1894, which continually...

City of Barstow City Manager Willie Hopkins Jr. announced the Promotion of Kody Tompkins to the position of Assistant City Manager. As Assistant City Manager, Mr. Tompkins will provide strategic level leadership support for the Finance and Administrative Services, Information Technology department and the City Manager’ Office. He will contribute and oversee upcoming planning for...

The updated Laboratory Analyst Candidate Handbook is here! Covering all four Grade Levels, this handbook is the go-to source for LAB Certification whether you are actively preparing for an exam, thinking about the next stage in your career, or training teammates. In it you will find everything you need to prepare for the new exams launching...

The Inland Empire Utilities Agency (IEUA/Agency) received four awards from the California Water Environment Association (CWEA) during their Annual Conference in San Diego, CA. The four award categories and recognitions received at the State level were: Crystal Crucible Award – Awarded to IEUA Laboratory Scientist II Supriti Shrestha, PICK Award – Awarded to Manager of...

The Water Environment Federation (WEF) is seeking individuals who have an interest in serving the organization at the strategic level. The Board of Trustees is the governing body of WEF and holds legal authority and fiduciary responsibilities on behalf of WEF and its membership. The Board is a diverse group of water sector leaders committed...

The Orange County Sanitation District’s (OC San) Board of Directors has selected CWEA Member OC San’s Assistant General Manager Robert (Rob) Thompson as the next General Manager, effective February 10, 2023. Thompson will replace James (Jim) D. Herberg who is set to retire on February 9, 2023, after a longstanding career at OC San. Herberg...

On Dec. 6, 2022, the State Water Resources Control Board unanimously adopted the Statewide Sanitary Sewer Systems General Waste Discharge Requirements Order Reissuance (SSS WDR). The new regulations are set to go into effect on June 5, 2023. The Water Board explained that the SSS WDR order reissuance will regulate sanitary sewer systems designed to...

Unique to its Southern California neighbors, the City of Ventura is one of the largest regional cities to rely solely on local water supplies. Currently, the city receives water from three sources — Lake Casitas, Ventura River, and groundwater basins. However, like most of California, local water sources have been impacted by decades of drought...

All CWEA members are invited to attend the Annual CWEA Business Meeting to learn about the achievements of our local sections, hear updates on Certification trainings, and find out what’s coming up for our CWEA members. CWEA will conduct the election of its 2024-2025 slate electronically. Watch for an email with your own unique link...

More than 40 years ago, the Harvard Business Review exclaimed in a front-page article that everyone who makes it has a mentor. Jack Welch wrote during his tenure as CEO of GE that a strong mentor- mentee relationship is the basis for forging tomorrow’s leaders. How has mentoring emerged as an important and powerful strategy...

Congratulations to Dr. Mahmood on receiving the Dr. Kenneth D. Kerri Excellence in Workforce Development Award at this year’s Innovation in Certification conference presented by Water Professionals International. The Kenneth D. Kerri Excellence in Workforce Development Award is presented to an individual or group who has gone beyond the call of duty to advance the...

View CWEA’s PFAS resources page, support by Carollo.   Three San Francisco Bay Area wastewater agencies are participating in an EPA-funded national research program looking at the prioritization, fate, and transport of unregulated organic chemicals (UOCs) in the environment resulting from land application of biosolids. The three agencies, including the Las Gallinas Valley Sanitary District...

In early 2022, OC San proudly announced they were the first municipal wastewater lab in California accredited to test for PFAS in wastewater. Today, there are 20 labs in California accredited for PFAS testing, OC San and the Inland Empire Utilities Agency are the only approved municipal labs. OC San operates a state-of-the-art Environmental Sciences...

The practice of treating wastewater has existed since the 19th century, beginning with centralized designs to keep sewage discharge out of clean water sources. Around this time, efforts to separate storm runoff from wastewater was also introduced in many communities. Fast forward to today, decades of focus on the environmental impact of waste treatment and...

Mark Kawamoto and his team at Orange County Sanitation District, also known as OC San, are trying to solve a riddle: “How does PFAS make its way into water resource recovery facilities?” PFAS are in wastewater that is treated at water resource recovery facilities (WRRFs), including at OC San’s two facilities, but the source of...

View CWEA’s PFAS resources page, support by Carollo. Exposure to a synthetic chemical found widely in the environment is linked to non-viral hepatocellular carcinoma, the most common type of liver cancer, according to a new study conducted by researchers from the Keck School of Medicine of USC and published in JHEP Reports. These chemicals, which...

View CWEA’s PFAS resources page, support by Carollo. The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) released Effluent Guidelines Program Plan 15 (Plan 15), which lays out how the Agency will work to protect the nation’s waterways by following the science and the Clean Water Act to develop technology-based pollution limits and studies on wastewater discharges from...

View CWEA’s PFAS resources page, support by Carollo. It is a fact that chemistry has changed our world for the better. It has played an important role in the production of commercial products, thus making a great variety of raw materials accessible to manufacturers across all industrial sectors and leading to the production of many...

Jennyfer Corona, CWEA’s Certification Coordinator has been supporting applicants through the certification process for just over a year now, when she joined CWEA in 2021. Jennyfer graduated from the University of Arizona with a BFA in Environmental Studies. After returning to the Bay Area, she gained experience working in customer service roles for community-based institutions. At...

Tahoe-Truckee Sanitation Agency (T-TSA) announced the appointment of General Manager, Richard Pallante, effective December 1, 2022. Richard began his career in public service at City of San Bernadino, CA in 1988 as a Maintenance Plumber, and later transferred at the City of San Bernadino Water Department as a Wastewater Maintenance Mechanic, before being promoted to...

Get to know Brian Mosley, CWEA’s Education Coordinator. Brian joined CWEA just over a year ago (2021) bringing a wealth of customer support experience to the position. Brian is a graduate of UC Berkeley, where he was the Assistant Dean of Students in the Making Waves Education Program, creating lesson plans and weekly follow-ups with...

CWEA is delighted to welcome Cela Gonzalez as the new Marketing Coordinator, a new position for CWEA. Cela studied Advertising and Communication and Social Change at the University of Texas in Austin. After graduation, she moved to the Bay Area and soon found CWEA in the summer of 2022. In her role, Cela works closely...

CWEA would like to welcome our newest member of the education team, Melanie Guillen. Melanie is a certified meeting professional with over 20 years’ experience in the industry. Melanie was awarded “Conference of the Year” for an Annual Conference she planned for Insurance Brokers and Agents of the West and was later promoted to Director...

Hosting high school students for a tour of your wastewater treatment plant is nothing new. But having students stay with you for two solid weeks, analyze wet weather data, and then give a presentation on their findings to you and your staff surely is. That’s what’s happening at the Silicon Valley Clean Water (SVCW) treatment...

The CWEA Monterey Bay Section held its full day Nozzle and Jetter Training on October 27th at the beautiful Watsonville Water Resources Center. It was attended at capacity by 60 participants representing many agencies within the Monterey Bay Section. With opening remarks by the Collection System Co-Chair Jesse Huddleson, presentations were made by Owen Equipment,...

Meet Xavier Vera, student at California State University, Fresno and Civil Engineering Intern at MKN. Xavier is a recipient of the Kirt Brooks Memorial Water Environment Scholarship in 2022. When did you first know you wanted to work in the water profession? I decided I wanted to work in water resource engineering, my first year in...

Brown and Caldwell announced the appointment of its first female design chief engineer, Tracy Stigers. Since joining the company in 1980, Vice President Tracy Stigers has progressed from junior engineer to one of its top technical and delivery experts. She has vast experience in designing and constructing large-scale wastewater conveyance, treatment, and reuse facilities, including...

First and last name: Austin Perkins Title: GIS Specialist Branch and years of service:  U.S Marine Corps 2014 – 2020 What is your role? As a GIS Specialist at the Inland Empire Utilities Agency, I am responsible for creating, updating, and maintaining the Agency’s geospatial data, maps, and applications. What / who inspired you to work...

Robert Delgado Manager of Maintenance, Inland Empire Utilities Agency Certifications held: Mechanical Technologist, Grade 4. Other non-CWEA Certs: Certified Maintenance & Reliability Professional (CMRP), Certified Reliability Leader (CRL), and Certified Asset Reliability Practitioner. Education: Bachelors in Business Administration Branch and years of service: U.S. NAVY – 4 years CWEA Volunteer – 5 Years What is...

President’s Message I am both humbled and excited to serve as the new President of CWEA. When I first joined the wastewater profession 13 years ago as an agency finance manager, I didn’t think I would be a member of CWEA, let alone be leading it. I am here because someone invited me to join,...

WEF Fellows The WEF Fellows Program recognizes the professional achievement, stature and contributions of WEF members to the preservation and enhancement of the global water environment in the practice areas served by WEF. Luis Roberto León, PE, BCEE, ENV SP CWEA member, Luis León, has over 37 years of U.S. and international engineering and management...

In 2020, Whittier College graduate Claudia A. Alvarez attended one of the WRD and West Basin career webinars and became interested in our sector. Claudia recently graduated from Cal State Long Beach with a  Master’s in Geographic Information Science. Now a proud member of the CWEA, she answered some questions for us: How did you...

As the exodus of water workers continues due to retirements, agencies are discovering a painful truth – the pipeline of incoming talent is running dry. Adding to recruitment struggles, most Californians don’t know water careers exist. For two water districts in southern Los Angeles County, the growing number of job openings and lack of public...

  More than 100 wastewater professionals gathered in September for the annual DAMS Vendor Fair and Training at the historic San Moritz Lodge in Crestline. The event is put on by the Desert and Mountain Section of CWEA as a training event where staff from different agencies can earn CEU’s while learning about new advancements...

CalRecycle has awarded Victor Valley Wastewater Reclamation Authority (VVWRA) a nearly $4 million dollar grant for a new co-digestion and renewable natural gas project. The project will increase the amount of food waste treated at VVWRA while also increasing the amount of renewable natural gas (RNG) produced. The VVWRA project will include the installation of...

CWEA members seldom meet them face to face, but they perform vital services every member needs—from helping with training and the technical certification program to handling dues and payments to taking care of a myriad of details for conferences, workshops and meetings. They’re the Member Services staff at CWEA headquarters in Oakland. The team includes...

Per and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) are a group of man-made chemicals, often called “forever chemicals” because they are extremely resistant to breaking down and they persist in the environment and the human body, leading to continued exposure and health risks into the future. Despite these problems, PFAS are widely used by industry and are in...

Nitrogen, a nutrient present in wastewater, can have detrimental impacts when discharged into receiving water bodies. East Bay Municipal Utility District (EBMUD) has explored both sidestream and mainstream nutrient removal approaches through its recently completed Master Plan. The agency is also working on a parallel effort to characterize the ability to remove total inorganic nitrogen...

Her family and friends might have worried she was going a little crazy. Still, at 50, Lori Jones decided to leave her career as an elementary and middle school teacher and try something completely different. After seeing an advertisement for a Women in Water Symposium at Cuyamaca College, she set her course for a new...

A large part of the goals established in CWEA’s Strategic Plan for 2021-2023 Is focused on the educational services that the Association provides its members. Top on the list includes identifying and implementing various approaches to increasing accessibility, identifying training needs and interests, and expanding CWEA training content to meet those needs. Earlier this year,...

A biology class at Sonoma State University (SSU) piqued the City of Santa Rosa’s Principal Laboratory Analyst, Kathy Herman’s interest in the sciences. Her first position after graduating with a biology degree was as a Laboratory Technician for Brelje and Race Laboratories, Inc. in Sonoma County. “At Brelje and Race Laboratories, I was introduced to...

Eastern Municipal Water District (EMWD) has been recognized as a “Utility of the Future Today” for its industry-leading classroom education program that engages students throughout the region. The Utility of the Future Today is presented by the Water Environment Federation, along with its partners, the National Association of Clean Water Agencies (NACWA), the Water Research...

First and last name: Manuel Moreno  Title: Operations Supervisor Tenure and certifications held: Wastewater Treatment V, Potable Treatment II, Advanced Water Treatment III, Certified Reliability Leader (CRL) Branch and years of service:  Air Force 4 years active duty What is your role? As an Operations Supervisor at the Inland Empire Utilities Agency, I’m responsible for...

City of Redding Stillwater Wastewater Treatment Facility Population served:  29,000 Built 1992 / Major expansion 2014 Flow rates Average dry weather flow: 4 million gallons per day (MGD) Peak flow: 14.4 MGD TREATMENT PROCESS Conventional activated sludge Liquid treatment Screening; activated sludge treatment with secondary clarification, filtration, and chlorination/de-chlorination. Tertiary treatment by traveling bridge sand...

Vote for this project! Can you imagine a better toy than LEGO? What about a LEGO Sewer Set? LEGO recently announced on their product idea page SEWER HEROES: FIGHTING THE FATBERG, a new model “Playfully educating kids and adults about what’s going on beneath our cities’ streets, this 360-degree underground cutaway display & play set...

Once again, we are hosting a social media takeover with our members in honor of California Water Professionals Appreciation Week. Watch for details for our Instagram takeover and Twitter takeover. These members will give you a first hand look into their lives as wastewater professionals and we can’t wait to see what they share! Be...

Following an extensive recruitment process, the Contra Costa Water District (CCWD) Board of Directors (Board) has selected Assistant General Manager Rachel Murphy to become the new General Manager (GM) following the retirement of Steve Welch. Murphy has over 26 years of experience and will become the first woman to lead CCWD in the GM role....

This article first appeared in the July 2022 issue of Treatment Plant Operator magazine, published by COLE Publishing Inc., www.tpomag.com. It is reprinted by permission. Solar Panels, Cogeneration, Hydroturbines, and Wind Generators Are All on the Net Zero Agenda in Santa Cruz To Bird, senior wastewater treatment operator and interim operations supervisor, that means obtaining all...

This article first appeared in the July 2022 issue of Treatment Plant Operator magazine, published by COLE Publishing Inc., www.tpomag.com. It is reprinted by permission. Starting Out as an Immigrant Was Challenging. This Lab Tech Cleared the Hurdles and Found Success Joga Chizer had no kind of background for the clean-water industry. As an immigrant, he...

Nominations for the 2023 CWEA State Board of Directors positions are now open. Below is a summary of the nomination process – and how you can become involved in selecting your leaders.  See the CWEA Leaders website at leaders.cwea.org for board nominations information and forms.  Nomination forms must be in by December 16, 2022. Serving...

WEF’s Technical Publications are some of the most sought-after resources in the water sector and now they are accessible digitally via subscription! The new Basic + WEF Books subscription on Access Water includes all of WEF’s digital books. There are over 70 books currently on the platform, including Design of Water Resource Recovery Facilities ( MOP 8) and Operation of Water Resource Recovery...

CWEA is proud to announce the slate of nominees have been sworn in as 2022-23 CWEA Board Members. NEW CWEA 2022-2023 BOARD OF DIRECTORS President-Elect, South:                        Chuck Greely Vice President, South:           Gilbert BarelaDirector at Large/Treasurer Track, South:   Stephanie PrescottWEF Delegate Director, South:...

CWEA was honored to reunite over 327 wastewater professionals in Long Beach for the 2022 Pretreatment, Pollution Prevention, and Stormwater Conference. A big shout-out of thanks to the P3S22 Planning Committee led by Conference Co-Chairs Theodore Higgins, P3S Committee Chair and Amy Lai, Director of Education for CWEA. If any attendees are interested in volunteering for...

CWEA is pleased to introduce the Director of Education, Amy Lai. Amy has over 20 years’ experience in professional development, event management, and marketing. She has led the education and branding initiatives for private businesses, non-profit organizations, and associations – including the California Transit Association and the California Coalition on Workers’ Compensation. As a Certified...

All CWEA members are invited to vote on the incoming officers for the board of directors online. This is your chance to have a say in CWEA leadership and meet the nominees! CWEA 2022-2023 BOARD OF DIRECTORS NOMINEES:President-Elect, South:                        Chuck GreelyVice President, South:        ...

WEF’s Waterborne Infectious Disease Outbreak Control subcommittee of the Disinfection and Public Health Committee moved quickly to respond to questions, concern, and conversation primarily from utility employees about monkeypox. In this 3-page fact sheet and poster, WEF experts break down the known details surrounding monkeypox and wastewater workers safety. WEF Member Access to Factsheet

There are hundreds of interesting stories of how wastewater professionals made their way into the industry, especially for women who have entered a field historically dominated by men. Plant Operator II, Tyrese Powell-Slotterbeck’s journey began with a family connection. “My father Gary is a Grade 5 wastewater operator, and it was his vision to get...

Take a little bit of her family’s service business, combine it with a passion for public works, a bachelors degree from UCLA, an MBA from Golden State University, and an unending appetite for change and communication, and you’ll have Lisa Malek-Zadeh, general manager of West County Wastewater District in Richmond. “I don’t see myself as...

If you had told Madeline Kelsch just six years ago that her future would include working as a civil engineer in Los Angeles on a project that would rejuvenate the recycled water infrastructure throughout the city, she wouldn’t have believed it. Although open to new experiences, at the time, Kelsch was taking environmental science classes...

Thank you Harris & Associates for sponsoring the California Stockholm Junior Water Prize. The Water Environment Federation (WEF) proudly announces that John Benedict and Pauline Estrada, siblings from Clovis North High School in California, are the winners of the 2022 U.S. Stockholm Junior Water Prize (S.J.W.P.) for their project on conservation of irrigation water using...

The application period is open for the Utility of the Future Today recognition program, which seeks to honor water resource recovery facilities for community engagement, watershed stewardship, and recovery of resources such as water, energy, and nutrients. This year the application has been revised to encourage utilities serving as anchor institutions in their communities, with...

The Department of Water Resources (DWR) recently announced it must reduce the State Water Project allocation to 5 percent of requested supplies for 2022. DWR previously set the allocation at 15 percent but a historically dry January and February, with no significant storms forecast for March, requires a reduction in the allocation to conserve available...

Speak up and share your knowledge with those who are making decisions on funding and regulations.  Aging infrastructure, new and updated regulations, resiliency issues, coupled with economic pressures are placing unprecedented stress on local governments and agencies that provide essential water services. With reduced revenues, federal elected officials are being called upon to make tough choices...

For the first time in its 103-year history, the Coachella Valley Water District has gone one year without a sewer system overflow (SSO). While there isn’t one reason why the District would have reached such a milestone, its staff has been working on minimizing issues that have caused SSOs in the past. “There were years...

Last month, CWEA announced the state winners of the Annual Awards program. Among those winners are our specialized awards given to innovators, dedicated wastewater professionals and those who have made a particular contribution to the industry. These Gimmicks and Gadgets winners, Select Society of Sanitary Sludge Shovelers and Quarter Century recognition awards showcase some of...

As some on the slate of candidates recently withdrew their nominations for the CWEA Board, we are re-opening the nomination process for the following 2022 CWEA State Board of Directors’ positions: Vice President from the South (to be President-Elect) Vice President, South (will be President in third year of four-year service) Director at-large from the...

Tuesday, April 12th Workshop (fee), 9:00 a.m. – 4:00 p.m. Download the promo flyer (pdf) > Class details and registration info > The School of Solids (S.O.S.) will be an immersive, hands-on type of learning experience – one led by seasoned operators from across California (350+ years of combined experience). A full day adventure at...

Wednesday, April 13th Technical Session Class details and registration info > Every two years, Central San adopts a Strategic Plan as a roadmap to accomplish the goals set by the Board of Directors. For 2020-2022, Central San’s goal of INNOVATION AND OPTIMIZATION: Explore new technologies for continuous improvement has set forth the strategies, initiatives, and...

  Late this summer, the water features in San Francisco’s Golden Gate Park, as well as the irrigation systems at the nearby Lincoln Park golf course, will begin using recycled water from the Westside Enhanced Water Recycling Project located at the Oceanside Water Pollution Control Plant on The Great Highway.  The new $214 million plant will...

The State Water Resources Control Board has funding available to provide relief to wastewater agencies and wastewater billing entities for unpaid customer debt accrued during the Pandemic. The California Water and Wastewater Arrearage Payment Program covers residential and commercial customer debt accrued March 4, 2020 through June 15, 2021. Applications open February 1, 2022 and...

Learn to become a better leader, gain a supportive community of water professionals and mentors, sharpen your networking skills, and grow professionally. The Water Leadership Institute is looking for the next cohort to participate in this valuable blended learning program. The Water Leadership Institute program is aimed at educating, training, and providing opportunities that enable...

Patricia Macatugal is currently a second-year graduate student attending California State University, Long Beach to receive her Master’s in Water Resources Engineering. She received her Bachelor’s in Science for Civil Engineering at California State Polytechnic University, Pomona. Patricia started her engineering journey in a high school environmental science class which ultimately got her thinking about...

CWEA’s President-Elect, Megan Yoo Schneider has been elected the 2022 President of The Municipal Water District of Orange County (MWDOC). Director Schneider was first elected to the MWDOC Board in November 2016 and re-elected in 2020. She represents MWDOC Division 7, which serves the cities of Aliso Viejo, Dana Point, Laguna Beach, Laguna Hills, Laguna...

The Truckee Sanitary District (TSD) is proud to announce that it has received the 2021 WEFTEC Operator Ingenuity Award from the Water Environment Federation. The award recognizes TSD for developing a novel product to reduce infiltration and inflow in the sewer collection system thus preventing spills, backups, regulatory fines, and worker injuries. The product was...

CWEA has launched the new exams for the Collection System Maintenance Certification Grades 1 – 4 and Mechanical Technologist Certification Grades 1 – 4. Under the new Minimum Qualifications, applicants will need to hold the lower level certification to qualify for the Grade 3 or 4 exam. The new Minimum Qualifications will allow CWEA exams...

CWEA is proud to share the accomplishments of CWEA members and the association. This member value report outlines the work CWEA is doing to support its members and empower wastewater professionals so they can protect and harness the potential of California’s most critical resource. View the new strategic plan here. FEATURED MEMBER NEWS Members Lead...

By Jared Voskuhl, Manager of Regulatory Affairs, CASA As the western drought has worsened over the last few months, there have been several regulatory actions in response by the State Water Resources Control Board (State Water Board) and the Department of Water Resources (DWR). In August, due o the intensified impacts of the drought, the...

Dr. Nicholas Pinhey, CWEA Historians Work Group Our History in Publications A significant benefit of an association is its ability to facilitate the distribution of information between its members. This communication can take many forms and use a variety f channels such as meetings, conferences, training sessions, networking, social media, and the distribution of published...

The East Bay Municipal Utility District’s (EBMUD) Main Wastewater Treatment Plant in Oakland, California, can operate at net-zero energy due to its anaerobic digestion of blended sludge. However, treating blending sludge comes with its challenges. Blended sludge (BSL) at EBMUD consists of high-strength and organic waste received from trucks. This organic waste generally consists of...

By Roni Gehkle, Clean Water Editor When the COVID-19 virus began spreading rapidly throughout the United States, the staff at Los Angeles County Sanitation District (LACSD)wasted no time planning and developing a wastewater sampling system that could help monitor and track the SARS-CoV-2. “First, we wanted to demonstrate that our treatment plants were effective at...

By Roni Gehlke, Clean Water Editor Testing wastewater has been successful as a method for early detection of diseases such as polio and cholera as well as to monitor opioid use in communities, so it isn’t surprising that California wastewater agencies began testing for SARS-CoV-2 in 2019. Known as wastewater based epidemiology or WBE, this...

By Roni Ghelke, CWEA Clean Water The year was 2014 and the general public was just beginning to take notice of the severity of California’s latest drought. After years of lackluster rainfall across the Golden State, reservoirs were half empty, leaving resource managers desperately seeking ways to save water. One water resource recovery facility in...

CWEA is proud to announce the California State Polytechnic University, Pomona (CPP) has taken first place in the WEFTEC Student Design Competition for their project titled, “A Community Approach to Puddingstone Watershed Restoration.”  This is the first win for CWEA at WEFTEC in the Design Competition. 23 teams from 4 countries competed in the WEFTEC...

The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) Administrator Michael S. Regan announced the agency’s comprehensive Strategic Roadmap to confront PFAS contamination nationwide. The Roadmap is the result of a thorough analysis conducted by the EPA Council on PFAS that Administrator Regan established in April 2021. EPA’s Roadmap is centered on three guiding strategies: Increase investments in...

The CWEA Education Committee is currently accepting presentation proposals for the upcoming AC22 Conference & Expo on April 11–14, 2022, in Sacramento. This is a valuable opportunity to share your knowledge and expertise on a wide variety of topics listed below. We are excited to announce this year’s conference theme: Water is Essential. So Are...

Ask your Representative to Co-Sponsor the Wastewater Infrastructure Pollution Prevention and Environmental Safety Act (H.R. 4602) Please reach out and ask your Congressional Representative to co-sponsor H.R. 4602, the Wastewater Infrastructure Pollution Prevention and Environmental Safety Act (WIPPES Act), by Rep. Alan Lowenthal (D-CA) and Rep. Lisa McClain (R-MI). This legislation helps address the extensive...

  Update provided by CASA Much clearer disposal information for wet wipes is coming to a shelf near you. After years of legislative work on the wipes issue, AB 818 (Bloom) has been signed into law by the Governor. This bill establishes the strongest “Do Not Flush” wipes labeling and public education requirements in the...

First and last name: Kyle Jones Job title: Senior Water Treatment Plant Operator, Inland Empire Utilities Agency Tenure: 13 years at IEUA, 17 years in the industry Certifications: Drinking Water Treatment T4, Drinking Water Distribution D3, Wastewater Treatment Grade V Branch and years of service: U.S. Marine Corps; 4.5 years active duty What is your...

First and last name: Allan D. Jones Job title: Electrical & Instrument Technician III, Inland Empire Utilities Agency Certifications held: C-10 License Electrical Contracting Branch and years of service: Navy; Four years of service What is your role at the Agency? As an Electrical/Instrumentation Tech III, my daily role at the Agency is to service,...

First and last name: Joshua Oelrich Job title: Deputy Manager of Maintenance, Inland Empire Utilities Agency Certifications held: Vibrations Analyst: ISO Category 1; Certified Reliability Leader (CRL); Certified Level 1 Machinery Lubrication Technician Branch and years of service: Navy 2000-2006 1.     What is your role at the Agency? Deputy Manager of Maintenance – Under direction,...

It’s that time of year again where we hand over our Instagram account to three incredibly savvy and interesting wastewater professionals during California Water Professionals Appreciation Week. Be sure to follow along to catch a day in the life of these champions of wastewater. CWEA Instagram: @cweamembers Meet James Hake: Takeover October 5 James Hake is...

According to the US census bureau in 2018 women made up only 5.8% of operators in the water and wastewater industry, and less than 25% of women are in utility work overall. Join our panel of dynamic women as they share their experiences with advocacy and mentorship, and the benefits that women bring to our...

The Sacramento Area Sewer District (SASD) and Sacramento Regional County Sanitation District (Regional San) are pleased to announce the appointment of Christoph Dobson to General Manager (District Engineer), effective September 13. Dobson replaces Prabhakar Somavarapu, who recently retired after 25 years of public service. Dobson has over 30 years of professional experience and has held...

CWEA is the proud recipient of a Silver Award in the American Society of Association Executives (ASAE) Power of A Awards for “The State of COVID in California, CWEA’s Year-Long Education Campaign for Wastewater Professionals.” Each year, ASAE highlights the best work of nonprofits at the “Power of A” Awards. This year, six organizations received Summit Awards,...

The Software & Information Industry Association (SIIA) announces winners of the 41st Annual AM&P Network EXCEL Awards. CWEA has won Gold the “Rebranding” category. The EXCEL Awards are the largest and most prestigious program recognizing excellence and leadership in association media, publishing, marketing and communication. With 240 awards presented across 82 categories, the ceremony culminated with the EXTRA!...

It’s that time of year again! We are announcing the opening of nominations for the 2022 CWEA State Board of Directors positions. Your local section and committee officers will receive the Executive Committee request for nominations for CWEA Directors and Officers August 16. Below is a summary of the nomination process – and how you...

CWEA recently sat down with Arvind K. Akela to discuss his involvement in CWEA over the past few years and  his goals as the new president of the Association as he works to implement the organization’s updated strategic plan during his term. Akela comes to CWEA with over 15 years of experience in engineering and...

It’s a safe bet that Liz Dubrin will spend the rest of her career providing clean water for her community. As project manager for the Ojai Valley Sanitary District, she brims with enthusiasm  for her work and colleagues, and can’t see herself doing anything else in the future. “I love my job,” she says. She...

“We do it all here.” That’s how Ryan Rodriguez describes his responsibilities and those of his colleagues at the Leucadia Wastewater District in Carlsbad. Rodriguez is a Field Technician III, responsible not only for maintaining the District’s sewer lines but also helping to operate the 1 mgd Gaffney Water Reclamation Plant, where treated wastewater is...

Sometimes the worst brings out the best. That’s the case with Melissa Lash, research microbiologist at the East Bay Municipal Utility District. She’s responsible for special projects, bringing new analyses online, developing QA-QC protocols, and investigating laboratory errors. Those skills were well-suited to overcoming the challenges posed by the COVID-19 pandemic—shortages of hand sanitizers and...

When Keith Backus started out as a meter reader 15 years ago, he probably had little idea that providing clean water to his community would be his life’s work. But now, as engineering services supervisor for the Jurupa Community Services District (JCSD), that’s exactly how it’s turned out. “I grew up here,” he says. “I have a...

When the pandemic hit last year, tours of the East Bay Municipal Utility District’s (EBMUD’s) Main Wastewater Treatment Plant in West Oakland ground to a halt. James Hake and his team, however, turned that challenge into an opportunity, creating a compelling and colorful virtual tour that covers everything included in the on-site tours, plus more....

There’s a reason you hear happiness in the voice of Tonya Durrell, director of public information for LA Sanitation & Environment. “I was born and raised here,” she says.  “I love this city. I love all our communities. And I love this job.” Tonya leads the agency’s public outreach program and is responsible for communications...

Kyle Carbajal is enthusiastic about learning. As an Environmental Services Analyst II at the Central Marin Sanitation Agency in San Rafael, he gets plenty of opportunities to fulfill that wish. He’s a member of the agency’s pre-treatment program, an assignment that puts him in contact with a wide range of industrial and commercial accounts. “I’m...

As the History Committee started to review our archives, it was found that the biographical documentation of our Association’s Past Presidents for CWEA’s first decade was noticeably lacking and photographs of our Past Presidents were almost non-existent.  Thus, the challenge of documenting our early Past Presidents is the perfect task for the CWEA History Committee.  We learned,...

The Water Environment Federation (WEF) has announced that Eshani Jha of Lynbrook High School in San Jose is the winner of the 2021 U.S. Stockholm Junior Water Prize for her project on using engineered biochar for the removal of toxic contaminants from water. Jha’s project, Thiol Functionalized and Manganese Doped Biochar for the Removal of Toxic...

As of June 17, 2021 Gavin Newsom signed the Executive Order N-09-21, which allows the Emergency Temporary Standards (ETS) to take effect. This was immediately following the Cal/OSHA Standards Board meeting, which had voted to pass the revised language from June 11, 2021 that same day. Download a full copy of the standard. To see what these...

The gavel was passed for the second time in a virtual setting, this time from CWEA’s Outgoing President Wendy Wert to our new President Arvind Akela.  Arvind is Engineering Director with Silicon Valley Clean Water. Congratulations Arvind! Meet your 17-person CWEA Board. Voted in as CWEA Board members after the June e-vote: Jeff Tucker, CWEA...

In the review of the NEW proposed 3205 Emergency Temporary Standards (ETS) changes for the adoption posted on Friday, June 11, 2021 the CWEA Safety Committee wanted to summarize the Key Modifications. The modifications will be considered at the Occupational Safety and Health Standards Board Meeting on June 17, 2021. For a copy of the...

The CWEA staff is excited to welcome Nick Bailey as the new Online Education and Learning Management System Manager. This is a new position for CWEA as we build more training content accessible to all CWEA members. Nick has extensive experience in the areas of learning & development, research, member care & membership engagement, diversity, volunteer...

NFPA 70E requirements for safe work practices to protect personnel by reducing exposure to major electrical hazards. Originally developed at OSHA’s request, NFPA 70E helps companies and employees avoid workplace injuries and fatalities due to shock, electrocution, arc flash, and arc blast, and assists in complying with OSHA 1910 Subpart S and OSHA 1926 Subpart...

CWEA selected Eshani Jha from Lynbrook High School as California’s first place winner of the Stockholm Junior Water Prize, 2021. Jha’s project, Thiol Functionalized and Manganese Doped Biochar for the Removal of Toxic Organic and Inorganic Contaminants from the Water was selected as the first place project for California out of 21 papers submitted. Eshani,...

CWEA held its third Student Design Competition (SDC) on Saturday, May 15th.  It was the second virtual competition lead by the SDC Chair, Board of Director and Past President, Debi Lewis. A panel of distinguished CWEA members served as judges assembled by CWEA Board of Director, Brian Peck from Carollo. Two strong presentations by teams from San...

Name: Thomas Bond Current Position: Electromechanical Technician (EMT) Experience/Certifications: 39 years in the Water and Wastewater industries. I currently hold a CA T3 D3 1. What is your current role in water/wastewater? I currently perform the duties of Electromechanical Technician which include but are not limited to performing scheduled preventive and predictive maintenance tasks on...

All CWEA members are invited to vote on the incoming officers for the board of directors online. This is your chance to have a say in CWEA leadership and meet the nominees. For continuity of our board leadership, CWEA will conduct the election of its 2021-2022 slate electronically, so watch for a special email to...

2021 FOG Workshop Thursday, March 11 12:30 p.m. – 4:00 p.m. Co-located with the 2021 P3S Virtual Conference and Expo REGISTER HERE Speaker profile: Fanny Mui, Laboratory Analyst / Environmental Compliance Inspector Carmel Area Wastewater District ​”The biggest challenge has been not being able to go out to do inspections during the pandemic. A lot...

For all water jobs posts, please visit CAWaterJobs.org Emerging Leader: Jacelyn Renwick, Laboratory Supervisor The Microscopic Examination of Activated Sludge Part 3: Filamentous Bacteria and your Process – Live Webinar AC23 – Partial Nitrification for Clear Secondary Effluent SPUC Biosolids Digester Facilities Project Tour & Meeting, September 21 Safety Committee meeting: Hazardous Animals, Insects and...

  A friendly face at the Registration Desk. That’s always been the right way to start the morning at a Santa Ana River Basin Section (SARBS) Professional Development Committee (PDC) seminar.  For over twenty years a smile, a kind word and a helpful direction to the day’s events were provided by Linda Losurdo. We all...

CWEA’s Stockholm Junior Water Prize runner up from 2019 and 2020, Shreya Ramachandran, was recently featured in Discover Magazine, ABC7 News, Sierra Magazine and  a climate documentary for her research and outreach on grey water which premiered on PBS’s Peril and Promise.  The Grey Water Project is a non profit Shreya started which teaches people...

The Wastewater Operator Certification Program (WWOCP) Advisory Committee has openings for the following positions: Wastewater Treatment Plant Operator Representative – An operator who is employed at a wastewater treatment plant and who is a member of a statewide organization representing wastewater treatment plant operators (one position); Local Sanitation Agency Representative – An individual from a...

California is far from the only region in the world moving toward direct potable reuse (DPR). Windhoak, Namibia, with a population of more than 350,000, is the first and longest running DPR plant in the world. Windhoak has been using DPR for drinking water purposes for more than 50 years. The Goreangab Reclamation Plant currently...

Converting Waste to Resource The Hyperion Water Reclamation Plant (HWRP), located in Playa Del Rey, CA, is one of the largest reclamation plants in the nation, treating an average of 260 million gallons per day (MGD) to full secondary standards. HWRP currently treats 82 percent of Los Angeles’ wastewater and discharges most of its effluent...

This article is part of our water reuse coverage, supported by Hazen & Sawyer > The California state Water Board is beginning the development of Direct Potable Reuse (DPR) statewide regulations by assembling an Expert Panel as required by AB 574 (Quirk-2017). This panel is expected to assist the Water Board’s Division of Drinking Water...

This article is part of our water reuse coverage, supported by Hazen & Sawyer > Public water supplies in California come from groundwater and surface water in a wide range of locations and with characteristics that reflect the geographical diversity of the state. Factors such as population growth and extended droughts are stressing these supplies....

Great news – on December 19th, State Water Board approved the DPR regulations. California water associations applaud new rules with a unified, one voice > We are living in a hotter, drier California. 2020 is on track to be one of the hottest on record. Seven of the ten most destructive wildfires in California’s history have burned in the last five years.  And, California has only recently...

Welcome to the City of Ukiah, CA The City of Ukiah is a modest community of about 16,000 people set in the heart of Mendocino County. Conveniently located along the historical Highway 101, Ukiah’s location makes it an accessible cultural and financial hub not only to Mendocino County but to neighboring Lake County as well....

A message from SARBS: I wanted to take this opportunity to reach out to all our SARBS members and say THANK YOU!! As we navigate through this Holiday season and look forward to 2021, we remember a year full of challenges. COVID-19 changed the way we operate in every aspect of our lives, but it...

The Advanced Water Treatment Operator Certification was developed by water professionals, for water professionals and jointly administered by CA-NV AWWA and CWEA. Professional certification is different than a training or educational program. Training programs offer a certificate of attendance when an individual completes the coursework, but they do not generally award a credential or require...

The Advanced Water Treatment Operator Certification was developed by water professionals, for water professionals and jointly administered by CA-NV AWWA and CWEA. Professional certification is different than a training or educational program. Training programs offer a certificate of attendance when an individual completes the coursework, but they do not generally award a credential or require...

waterTALENT Operator – Sabrina Sims Water Systems Manager – City of McCall, ID Director of Operations – Western Area Water Supply Laboratory Specialist/Manager – City of Williston, ND Emergency Response Operator – waterTALENT Water & Wastewater Superintendent – City of Alexander, ND Owner/Operator – WETWorks Public Works Director – City of Ranchester, WY Certifications: ID,...

Water professionals are sought-after participants in the United Nations’ UNLEASH Hacks program, which convenes talented young researchers, practitioners, and influencers from around the world to develop new solutions to further the United Nations’ Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) during intensive, 2-day seminars. Water professionals play a direct role in achieving several of the SDGs, including SDG 6: Clean Water and...

LEE + RO, Inc., today announced that it has appointed Jay Jung, P.E., as vice president of operations. Jung will be responsible for overseeing the company’s operations, resource management and planning, as well as staff development and training. He’s also a member of the senior management team and reports directly to the CEO. Jung has...

Reprinted with permission from the ICMA issue of icma.org/news, published and copyrighted by ICMA, the International City/County Management Association, Washington, D.C. 2020. Often thought of as the invisible disability, people of all neurological processing types should be accepted and included We all want inclusion, diversity, equity, and acceptance (IDEA) in our workplaces. Corporations are creating...

LEE + RO, Inc., today announced that Vice President Eric Lovering, P.E., has been named the company’s chief engineer. In this new role, Lovering will apply his 20 years of engineering experience, strong leadership qualities and problem-solving skills to helping solidify the company’s position as a leader in the design, engineering, and implementation of water,...

Read the Member Value Report in the Fall issue of Clean Water 2019-20 Achievements  

AC20 goes on. Register for an all-access pass to recorded content, earn contact hours. Offer ends 12/31/20. Learn more > The 2020 Annual Conference wrapped up on October 20th with a fun and interactive closing session. CWEA members did it. You did it. Organizing our first ever virtual conference and digital expo! We are so...

Brian Prenger Maintenance Worker 1 Costa Mesa Sanitary District Certifications : CWEA Grade 1 Collection Systems Maintenance Branch and Years of Service: USMC 1988-1992 What is your role? My role is of a Maintenance Worker 1 for the  Costa Mesa Sanitary District and our Mission is protecting the health and the environment. My tasks are preventive...

The CWEA offices will be closed on November 11 in observance of Veterans Day. VIEW CWEA’s COLLECTION OF VETERANS IN WATER STORIES

ELAP has updated its accreditation offerings for microbiology analysis in wastewater and ambient water analysis. FOT 107: Microbiological Methods for Non-Potable Water and Sewage Sludge Subgroup Code Analyte Code Parameter Analytical Method Change 107.005 001 E. coli, Enumeration SM 9223 B-2004 Removed subgroup; duplicative with 107.013 and 107.015 107.013 001 E. coli, Enumeration SM 9223...

The Water Environment Federation is thrilled to announce that the Brave Blue World documentary that paints an optimistic picture of how humanity is adopting new technologies and innovations for a sustainable water future is available on Netflix as of October 21. WEF is a production partner for the film, which will now be available to...

Earlier this year, CWEA hosted its 3rd Annual California Student Design Competition virtually. Six teams competed, 2 in the wastewater category and 4 in the engineering category. Four teams from San Diego State University and two teams from University of California, Irvine. Thank you for entering the competition and competing virtually! Thank you to the...

Published September 17, 2020 *State of California Department of Industrial Relations COVID-19 Infection Prevention Requirements (AB 685) Enhanced Enforcement and Employer Reporting Requirements Assembly Bill 685 (Reyes) enhances Cal/OSHA’s enforcement of COVID-19 infection prevention requirements by allowing for Orders Prohibiting Use and citations for serious violations related to COVID-19 to be issued more quickly. The...

Every year brings its own cyber incidents and threats, and with each of these there are lessons for what should be done in terms of cybersecurity. 2020 still has over a couple months to go, but already it’s provided its fair share of crises that we can learn from. And now that it’s Cybersecurity Awareness...

After an extensive state-wide recruitment the West Bay Sanitary District has announced that Sergio Ramirez will become their new District Manager effective July 1.  Sergio will replace Phil Scott, who served as District Manager for 10 years before recently announcing his retirement. Sergio began his career in public service at Bayshore Sanitary District of Brisbane...

As a member of the City and County of San Francisco’s leadership team, a father of two young sons, a black man and a human being, I am outraged and horrified at the environment in which we find ourselves today. It is a difficult conversation that I am having, yet again, with my children. They...

Irrespective of gender, race, or culture, young people have unlimited opportunities in clean water and other ‘green’ professions. “They only need to knock and doors will open,” says Mark Harris, operations superintendent at the Town of Hillsborough. “I know that because I’ve lived it,” he adds about his 32 years in the field–from apprentice to...

For Cheyanne Harris, it all started in middle school. Growing up in Sacramento, she attended the School of Engineering and Sciences – a specialized school that invited guest speakers from the math, science and engineering industries. What appealed to Cheyanne about engineering was the opportunity to make a positive impact on the community using math...

Don’t be surprised if Alejandro (Alex) Lopez becomes president of the California Water Environment Association someday. Just a fifth-year senior at Cal Poly Pomona, Alex already has enough internships, scholarships, and projects in the water environment field to fill out an impressive resume. And it all began in sixth grade. “I went on a camping...

Akin Babatola entered the industry as a professional microbiologist at the City of San Jose’s Wastewater Treatment Plant in 1992. Having earned his degrees in Microbiology and Molecular Biology, he worked as a Research Microbiologist at Sola Barnes-Hind in Sunnyvale until it was sold and the R&D program was released in 1991. It seemed an...

Name: Alexander Avila Title: Compost Worker Tenure and certifications held: 7 Months/Confined space, Lockout Tag out, Respirator fitting Name of agency: Inland Empire Utilities Agency (IEUA) Branch and years of service: Army National Guard/ 8 years What is your role? In the Army I was a team leader responsible for supervising 6 soldiers. Today I...

  Name: Kenneth Monfore Title: Manager of Asset Management Certifications: Certified Reliability Leader (CRL), Certified Maintenance & Reliability Professional (CMRP) – Expected completion 2021 Name of agency: Inland Empire Utilities Agency (IEUA) Branch and years of service: United States Navy – 24 years as a Nuclear Submarine Naval Officer I am the Inland Empire Utilities...

Name: Manuel Moreno Title: Operations Supervisor Tenure and certifications held: Wastewater Treatment V, Potable Treatment II, Certified Reliability Leader (CRL) Name of agency: Inland Empire Utilities Agency (IEUA) Branch and years of service: Air Force 4 years active duty What is your role? As Operations Supervisor, I ensure we maintain safety and compliance through day...

We are handing over the reins once again of our Instagram page to two CWEA members during California Water Professionals Appreciation Week. They will give you a first hand look into their lives as wastewater champions. Be sure to follow along: CWEA Instagram: @cweamembers Tyler Lee: Tyler is a WRRF Operator for the City of...

Name: John Philip A. Nolasco Title: Water Reclamation Plant Operator Tenure and certifications held: CA Water Resource Control Board Grade III Wastewater Treatment Plant Operator Certificate CA Water Resource Control Board Grade D1 Water Distribution CA Water Resource Control Board Grade T2 Water Treatment Name of agency: Eastern Municipal Water District Branch/years of service: U.S....

Name: Dr. Kumudini Dharmawardana Title/Agency: Public Works Supervisor – Laboratory Certifications: CWEA Laboratory Analyst Grade IV Dr. Kumudini Dharmawardana always knew she wanted to pursue a scientific career that would make a positive impact in the world. After receiving her master’s degree in Analytical Chemistry and PhD in Biochemistry, Dharmawardana began working in medical research...

Name: Lisa Boyko-Davidson Title/Agency: Laboratory Technician, City of Livermore Certifications: CWEA Laboratory Analyst Grade IV, CWEA Environmental Compliance Inspector Grade I Lisa Boyko-Davidson had an early start in the science field. “Growing up, my dad worked in an environmental laboratory and I remember helping him run biochemical oxygen demand tests when I was six years...

Name: Farnoush Levers Title/Agency: Associate Civil Engineer, City of Livermore Certifications: Professional Engineer (PE), Construction General Permit Qualified Stormwater Pollution Prevention Plan (SWPPP) Practitioner/ Qualified SWPPP Developer (QSP/QSD) Only one in ten civil engineers are women, but that statistic did not deter Farnoush Levers from being drawn to the field. After completing her civil engineering...

Name: Brenda Gastelum Title: Water Utility Mechanic II Tenure: 2 years, 3 months Agency: Long Beach Water Department What is your role? My role as a Water Utility Mechanic ll is to clean, inspect and make repairs on sewer lines. Currently, I am a member of our sewer section Pipe Patch crew. This is a...

Name: Alondra Soto  Title: Water Utility Mechanic 2 Tenure and certifications held: 2 years and 2 months.  Distribution 2, CWEA 1 and scheduled to take my CWEA 2 on October 2!  Name of agency: Long Beach Water Department  What is your role? I work in the sewer division of the Long Beach water department. My...

Name: Anna Bell Title: Lab & Compliance Supervisor Certifications Held: Wastewater Operator Grade V and Laboratory Analyst Grade II Employer: Valley Sanitary District Tenure: With VSD since 2013, In Industry since 2007 What is your role? I am the Laboratory & Compliance Supervisor and a Wastewater Grade V Operator. When not directly overseeing the Laboratory...

The Orange County Sanitation District (OCSD) has received national recognition as a Utility of the Future Today for Energy Generation and Recovery. OCSD is one of 65 water utilities being recognized for transformational work in community engagement, watershed stewardship, and recovery of resources such as water, energy, and nutrients. OCSD is being recognized for a...

Eric Magee, P.E., has joined LEE + RO, Inc. as a supervising engineer working out of the San Diego office where he brings more than 23 years of engineering experience in water, wastewater, and recycled water engineering. His experience also includes master planning for wastewater collections and stormwater projects, as well as projects for private,...

Long time CWEA member and volunteer, Linda Losurdo has recently been diagnosed with multiple myeloma. A GoFundMe page has been set up in her honor to help with necessities during this difficult time. GoFundMe for Linda Losurdo > Linda has been a loyal and dedicated member of the CWEA and local section of Santa Ana...

The Kirt Brooks Memorial Water Environment Scholarship is a scholarship for students in or interested in the water environment industry who are members of CWEA or sponsored by a CWEA member. Scholarships are given for the Fall – Summer school year following the application deadline. Applications are due on January 15 for the school year beginning the following...

On August 25, U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) Administrator Andrew Wheeler launched an innovation challenge to identify solutions to destroy PFAS. The Innovative Ways to Destroy PFAS Challenge is a partnership between federal and state agencies seeking detailed plans for non-thermal technologies to destroy PFAS in concentrated aqueous film forming foam (AFFF), used in firefighting. This challenge...

Congratulations to Los Angeles County Sanitation Districts, winner of the Public Communication and Outreach Award! The utility initiated a sewer science education and outreach program that has reached more than 500 educators and more than 80,000 students, many of whom are advancing the water profession. The utility will be recognized on Oct. 7 at the WEF...

Video Profile “The requirement to continue training is vital because it ensures we stay up to date with current trends in the field.” Tara McClinton Volunteer TCP Moderator Lab Technician II Napa Sanitation District Laboratory Analyst, Grade 4 Environmental Compliance Inspector, Grade 4 This month’s member Q&A is with Tara McClinton, a CWEA member since...

I am pleased to announce the opening of nominations for the 2021 CWEA State Board of Directors positions. Your local section and committee officers will receive the Executive Committee request for nominations for CWEA Directors and Officers this week. Below is a summary of the nomination process – and how you can become involved in selecting your...

From the State Water Board… The San Francisco Bay Regional Water Quality Control Board fined the Phillips 66 Co. $285,000 for discharging more than 5 million gallons of partially treated wastewater from its San Francisco Refinery to San Pablo Bay. The fine stems from a Feb. 14, 2019, discharge that exceeded the suspended solids load...

From the CWEA San Diego Section… The CWEA San Diego Section would like to say thank you to APWA and MSA for teaming up with CWEA San Diego Section to host the first ever Virtual Food Drive! In an effort to help those most in need and to honor our community of essential workers during these unprecedented...

A panel of wastewater and public health experts has determined that occupational risk of COVID-19 infection for wastewater workers is low. The panel also found that standard wastewater treatment processes inactivate the virus and additional research should be conducted to further increase understanding of hazards and protections for personnel. WEF convened this blue-ribbon panel of...

Anna Bell not only knows her laboratory, she understands the treatment process and how the lab data affect plant operations.  That’s because she’s not only a certified laboratory analyst, she’s also a grade V wastewater operator, and that enables her to know exactly what the analytical data mean out there where the wastewater meets the...

Oyuna Jenkins has been working all her professional life to serve the public.  That ethic goes back to her native Mongolia, where she earned a university degree in chemical engineering. In the U.S. she says she wanted to find a job that capitalized on her education, and she worked for a small analytical laboratory for nine years...

Joey Hilliard does a little bit of everything for the Goleta West Sanitary District.  As a Utility 4 worker, sometimes he runs the Vactor unit or the CCTV truck, other times he’s maintaining lift pumps, implementing the utility’s FOG program, inspecting projects like lateral replacements, taking care of billing, and filling out permitting forms. He was named Collection...

Those familiar with Jose Rodriguez know he’d rather be out in the field than stuck in an office.   “I enjoy being out in nature,” he says, “doing Mother Nature’s job and getting my hands dirty.”  Jose is supervisor of both water and wastewater at the Sunnyvale County Water District in Hollister. He’s been in his current position for...

Thomas Johnson started in the wastewater business by answering the phone, filing customer information, taking out the trash, and shipping products for his father’s company.  And he was only 15 years old.  Today, 17 years later, he is sales manager at WECO Industries, and poised to take over the business someday. “I grew up with...

At CWEA, we celebrate the critical work of our members every day, but especially during the fourth annual California Water Professionals Appreciation week! On October 3-11, we will join hundreds of agencies throughout California in recognizing all you do—from keeping essential wastewater service flowing to taking action to protect California’s waterways. Career Roundtable Webinars for New and...

“It was inspiring to see our community work together to help each other out. We’ve learned some important lessons. We did not have enough cleaning supplies and PPE to get us through the pandemic, and adjusting to social distancing is tough.”  – Kody Tompkins, CWEA WEF Delegate Director, City of Barstow “I learned when something as big as the pandemic hits, the community rallies together to help each other beyond all...

The Water Environment Federation (WEF) announced that Zoe Gotthold is the winner of the 2020 U.S. Stockholm Junior Water Prize (SJWP), the nation’s most prestigious youth competition for water-related research. Gotthold, a student at Richland High School in Richland, Wash., developed prototypes of devices that promote oil flocculation at the surface and increase the efficacy...

On Friday, May 1st the gavel was passed for the first time in a virtual setting, from CWEA’s Outgoing President Kevin Calderwood to our new President Wendy Wert.  Wendy is a Civil Engineer in the Facilities Planning Division, Sanitation Districts of Los Angeles County. Congratulations Wendy! Members unanimously approved the slate of nominees for the...

CWEA is proud to announce the state winners of the Annual Awards program. These individuals and agencies were selected by CWEA’s Committees from over 300 applications. Due to the postponement of AC20, we will present the award plaques during the rescheduled Annual Conference on October 27-30 in Reno. Special thanks to Xylem as the lead supporter for the...

This is a message from the State Water Resources Control Board As a result of the Coronavirus 2019 (COVID-19) emergency, and state and federal guidance related to social distancing, the April 18th Wastewater Operator Certification Examination has been cancelled. The State Water Resources Control Board understands this decision will have negative effects on a lot...

Robin Hamers, CMSD District Engineer for the Costa Mesa Sanitary District (CMSD) for 37 years, passed away suddenly Jan. 9. “We are shocked and deeply saddened by the loss of a close friend and the finest engineer in the wastewater profession,” said Board President Jim Ferryman. Hamers joined CMSD in 1982 as an independent contractor....

It was a full year for CWEA members: responding to proposed ELAP regulations; honoring our Veterans in Water; celebrating the third annual California Water Professionals Appreciation Week and welcoming our new Executive Director Jenn Jones. Thank you for being a member, volunteering your time and dedicating your career to clean California water! “The beginning is...

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Use alkalinity profiling in wastewater operations to control biological activity and optimize process control The Water Environment Federation’s new Operations Challenge laboratory event will determine alkalinity needs to facilitate nitrification. Operators will evaluate alkalinity and ammonia by analyzing a series of samples similar to those observed in water resource recovery facilities. This event will give operators...

Read the Member Value Report in the Fall issue of Clean Water CWEA also celebrated the retirement of Elizabeth Allan And welcomed new Executive Director Jenn Jones CAE, IOM 

Wendy Wert Los Angeles County Sanitation Districts, CWEA President-Elect 5S 2011 In my town we have bears. They eat our garbage then bathe in our pools. This past weekend I was wearing the new California Bear 5S pin when I ran into one of my neighbors. Sandy (my neighbor) asked what the bear-pin was for....

Arvind  Akela, P.E.  Silicon Valley Clean Water , CWEA Vice President  5S 2016     Select Society of Sanitary Sludge Shovelers  (5S Society) is an esteemed group of people in the wastewater field and I feel very proud to be part of it. Every CWEA event I walk into; I make sure I have shovel with me and is...

Dave A. Alaskin Sanitation District Maintenance & Operations Supervisor Sacramento Area Sewer District  How did you get your first job in the wastewater sector?  I got my first job in the wastewater industry as an intermittent employee to help out in Sacramento’s busy season and got picked up as a permanent employee seven months later. I...

WEFTEC 2019—the Water Environment Federation’s 92nd annual technical exhibition and conference—in Chicago hosted its most anticipated event, the Operations Challenge. OPS Challenge is a unique and fast-paced test of the essential skills needed to operate and maintain wastewater treatment facilities, their collections systems and laboratories — all vital to the protection of public health and...

Water professionals from all over California were once again recognized for the significant impact they are making in our water environment. CWEA joined hundreds of agencies throughout California to celebrate the third annual Water Professionals Appreciation Week between Oct. 5-13. In an effort to encourage more women and veterans to join our profession, we again...

Coverage of water workforce topics supported by waterTALENT Dear Fellow Water Professionals, During CA Water Professionals Appreciation Week, Oct 5-13, we encourage all water professionals, agencies and firms to get out there and celebrate their amazing people. Download the CA Water Professionals Week logo and artwork from the toolkit below. In addition next week, CWEA...

Tim Bratcher, Business Systems Programmer Davis Doane, Plant Maintenance Supervisor Valentin Martinez, Instrument and Control Technician III| Javier Natividad, Field Crew Supervisor Doug Roberts, Program Specialist Arturo Tejeda, Principal Engineering Technician Mike Wallace,Engineering Manager – Construction/Watershed Management Name: Tim Bratcher Title: Business Systems Programmer Branch/years of service: Navy, 10 years, 8 months What/who inspired you...

Steve Jackson, Chief Water Treatment Plant Operator Shawn Triplett, Facilities Maintenance Supervisor Jon Meredith, Senior Maintenance Mechanic   Steve Jackson, Chief Water Treatment Plant Operator What is your role? I’m the Chief Water Treatment Plant Operator for Las Virgenes Municipal Water District’s (LVMWD) Westlake Filtration Plant. I have a Water Treatment 4 certification with the...

At the 34th Annual WateReuse Symposium in San Diego, California, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) announced the release of a draft National Water Reuse Action Plan that identifies priority actions and the leadership and collaboration that is needed between governmental and nongovernmental organizations to implement these actions. Water reuse represents a major opportunity to support our nation’s...

Coverage of water workforce topics supported by waterTALENT The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) announced the Water Workforce Initiative to help cities and communities across the country that are facing critical staffing shortages for the operation and maintenance of essential drinking water and wastewater infrastructure. The goal of this new initiative is to provide federal leadership,...

Tim Gray, Maintenance Ranger with Helix Water District Tenure: 9 years Certification held: N/A Branch/years of service: Navy 4 years What is your role? I work at Lake Jennings, one of Helix Water District’s reservoirs. My role is to maintain and protect the reservoir and surrounding area. This includes cutting fuel breaks to protect it...

Rita Mooney, Administrative Assistant with Helix Water District Tenure: 13 years Certification held: D2 Branch/years of service: US Army/3 Years What is your role? I support the safety office.  I manage training and the medical surveillance program and I provide admin support for emergency operations, safety programs, safety committee and the wellness program. I conduct...

Clint Lorimer, Distribution Operator III Carmichael Water District Army Veteran (3 years) What is your role? I am currently a Distribution Operator III. This is a journey level position, and some of my duties include the installation, repair and replacement of aging water services, new water mains, and fire hydrants to further support future needs...

Chris Nelson, Public Information Officer Tenure and certifications held:  20 Years with Carmichael Water District and 5 years prior with Arcade Water District.  Cross Connection Control Specialist, Distribution Operator Grade 3, Water Treatment Grade 2, Water Use Efficiency Practitioner Grade 2, Certified Landscape Irrigation Auditor Name of agency:  Carmichael Water District Branch and years of...

Colleen Larsen, Geographical Information Services Coordinator Twenty-one years at Padre Dam Municipal Water District US Naval Reserves: Eleven years Colleen Larsen, a veteran of the US Naval Reserves, now serves the community as the Geographical Information Services (GIS) Coordinator at Padre Dam Municipal Water District. In her eleven years in the Naval Reserves, Colleen supported...

Joe Guzzino, Water Quality Specialist Seventeen Years at Padre Dam Municipal Water District Four years in the Marine Corps Joe Guzzino is the Water Quality Specialist at Padre Dam Municipal Water District and a veteran of the Marine Corps. It is Joe’s responsibility to ensure that every time a Padre Dam customer turns on their...

Paul Clarke, Director of Operations and Water Quality Twenty-two years at Padre Dam Municipal Water District Marine Corps – four years Paul Clarke is the Director of Operations and Water Quality at Padre Dam Municipal Water District. He became interested in water while serving in the Marine Corps, where his platoon operated and maintained reverse...

Ken Aplon, Wastewater Lead Operator III Marlon Brosco, Wastewater Operations Manager Gregory Davis, Water Operator II Denver Finley, Wastewater Maintenance Tech II Chipper Greene, Industrial Pretreatment Coordinator Aaron Kraft, GM Joshua Monday, Water Lead Operator III Mark Perod, Wastewater Operator I Vernon Perry, Water Planner/Scheduler Manuel Sanchez, Water Operator II Stephanee Valencia, Water Operations Manager...

Mark McClintock, Production Superintendent, Carmichael Water District Tenure and certifications held: 13 Years at CWD, SWRCB T5, SWRCB D4, Cross-Connection Control Specialist Branch/years of service: United States Navy, 8 years active duty, 12 years reserve What is your role? My position is Production Superintendent: My primary role is to ensure delivery of safe, high quality...

CWEA’s Kirt Brooks Memorial Scholarship was named after Kirtland “Kirt” Brooks, Association Manager and Bulletin editor for several years in the 1980’s. Kirt had joined the Association in the mid-60’s and become active in the San Francisco bay section and several other northern California sections. Kirt believed that by improving the technical qualification of operators...

Coverage of water workforce topics is supported by waterTALENT Garry Parker, Associate Professor Water Supply Technology, San Bernardino Valley College & Mt San Jacinto College, CWEA Past President 2016 Tenure and certifications held: Plant Maintenance Technologist Grade 4, Electrical Instrumentation Technologist Grade 3 Branch/years of service: US Navy 9 years What is your role? I...

On Thursday, September 12, the Elsinore Valley Municipal Water District (EVMWD) board of directors selected water industry leader Greg Thomas as the General Manager.   In this role, Thomas will carry out board directives, assuring compliance with EVMWD policies, overseeing projects to ensure water security and reliability, and developing and implementing EVMWD’s business plan.   “We are pleased...

Meet Juan Guerreiro, Interim Assistant Director City of San Diego Public Utilities Department, a recipient of the Kirt Brooks Memorial Water Environment Scholarship in 2006. Juan received a Dual-Associate of Science degree in Water and Wastewater Treatment Plant Operations from Cuyamaca College but he didn’t stop there. Going on to get his Master’s, he also...

A message from the Pretreatment, Pollution Prevention, and Stormwater Conference Chair Dear Fellow Water Professionals, It is a fascinating time to work in the field of water. From enhanced source control to identifying constituents of emerging concern, new leaders and policies are emerging and changing the game. It has never been more pertinent for water professionals across...

CWEA held it’s 2nd Annual Student Design Competition on May 4th at the Orange County Sanitation District. A panel of distinguished CWEA members served as judges and three teams from California universities gave their best pitch for engineering designs. The judges were assembled by WEF Past President Jim Clark from Black & Veatch. The Santa Ana...

Richie Arballo, Senior Water Systems Operator, Vallecitos Water District Tenure and certifications held: 15 years, Water Distribution Operator Grade D5, Water Treatment Operator Grade T2, Water Quality Laboratory Analyst Grade 1 Branch/years of service: USMC/ 4 years What is your role? Senior Operator, I work under the Supervisor. When the Supervisor is not available I...

The California State Senate has voted to confirm Sean Maguire as a member of the State Water Resources Control Board, following his appointment by Governor Edmund G. Brown Jr. last year. “It is an honor to be confirmed by the Senate to continue serving the State of California,” Maguire said. “In my mind there is...

The California State Senate has voted to confirm Laurel Firestone as a member of the State Water Resources Control Board, following her appointment by Governor Gavin Newsom earlier this year. “It is an honor to be appointed by Governor Newsom and confirmed by the Senate to serve the people of California in this capacity.” Firestone said....

WEFTEC is the premier water quality event for students and young professionals interested in pursuing or developing a career in the water industry. Attend with your peers or professors to learn from some of the world’s foremost water experts. Explore below to learn about some of WEFTEC’s highlights for students and young professionals. Friday, September...

AFFI Food & Beverage Environmental Conference (FBEC), the only conference designed for and devoted to food and beverage environmental professionals of all disciplines. The 2020 Food & Beverage Environmental Conference (FBEC) presents the 50th annual gathering of food and beverage industry environmental professionals, their environmental consultants and vendors, and the academic community to share environmental...

The State Water Resources Control Board announced updated guidelines for local water agencies to follow in detecting and reporting the presence of perfluorooctanoic acid (PFOA) and perfluorooctanesulfonic acid (PFOS) in drinking water.  The Board also announced it has begun the process of establishing regulatory standards for these chemicals. The updated guidelines are part of the...

The Underground Facilities Safe Excavation Board (Dig Safe Board) has put out an education survey. They want to learn about safety, which education materials you find most useful, and where you think the Dig Safe Board should direct its education and outreach efforts. The survey closes on August 30th. Please take the short education survey HERE.

The Water Environment Federation (WEF) proudly announces 15 distinguished members (two from CWEA) as the 2019 WEF Fellows recipients. This prestigious designation recognizes members’ achievements, stature, and contributions in the water profession. “These outstanding individuals have made a profound impact on the global water environment, and we are proud to recognize and honor their efforts,”...

The Collection Systems Committee held another successful mid-year meeting this past July in Morro Bay. You can download the presentations here:  

The forward-thinking initiatives of 43 water utilities are being recognized as they reimagine partnering and engagement, watershed stewardship, and recovery of resources such as water, energy, and nutrients. Two new CA agencies have been added to the list. The Utility of the Future Today recognition celebrates the achievements of water utilities that transform from the...

Many wipes marketed as flushable are an increasing problem for property owners, sewer systems and ratepayers, AB 1672 seeks to require proper labeling The California Association of Sanitation Agencies (CASA) sponsored Assembly Bill 1672 to require proper labeling of wipe products. The Mammoth Community Water District (District) supports AB 1672 and CASA’s efforts to minimize...

Take a Look Inside the Digital Conference Announcement! 148 Technical Sessions, 27 Workshops, 7 Facility Tours, 1,000+ Exhibitors, and more! WEFTEC gives you the opportunity to engage with water professionals from around the world, participate in prestigious programming, enhance your professional development and leadership skills, expand your business network, earn educational credits, and gain exposure...

The Water Environment Federation (WEF) has named Walter Marlowe, P.E., CAE as its new Executive Director. Marlow brings extensive, high-level experience in association leadership within the areas of civil engineering, construction, certification, and science, including a tenure as a Director at the American Society of Civil Engineers. As the current Executive Director of the American...

Please encourage your House Member to support H.R. 1764, introduced by Representative John Garamendi.   H.R. 1764 would authorize the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency or a delegated state under the Clean Water Act to issue a municipal clean water agency a National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System (NPDES) permit from five to 10 years. This change would...

The City of Palo Alto celebrated the opening of its $30 million sewage sludge processing  facility funded by State Water Board loans and designed to dramatically reduce greenhouse gas emissions, eliminate a hazardous waste stream and reduce energy costs. The Sludge Dewatering and Loadout Facility project, which is part of the City’s Regional Water Quality...

The Jurupa Community Services District (JCSD) Board of Director’s announced that Chris Berch, a twenty-year veteran of the water industry, will become JCSD’s General Manager, beginning on June 3, 2019. Mr. Berch brings a wide range of operational knowledge and management experience to JCSD. Berch comes to JCSD from the Inland Empire Utilities Agency (IEUA)...

After 13 years at the helm, longtime Victor Valley Wastewater Reclamation Authority (VVWRA) General Manager Logan Olds has stepped down to pursue new opportunities. Logan has been the face of VVWRA for a number of years and has been committed to the local community, especially Victor Valley College, where he served on the VVC Foundation...

The 2019 Annual Conference (held at the Renaissance Palm Springs and Palm Springs Convention Center) included tracks on Leadership, Water Reuse, Biosolids, Pump Basics, Laboratory TNI Standards, Declining Flows, Asset Management, just to name a few. With over 1,000 attendees and 720 vendor attendees, the week was full of energy, learning, networking and fun! You can...

Thank you Xylem for supporting our annual awards program! The California Water Environment Association (CWEA) announced the winners of its 2019 awards program at its Annual Conference in Palm Springs on April 12. Nominations that advance through CWEA’s 17 local sections’ awards programs plus a select group of special awards are eligible to compete statewide....

Not all innovations come from a research lab. Sometimes, you need to tackle a persistent problem using just what’s at hand and a big shot of ingenuity. The competition is open to all clever ideas related to treatment processes, maintenance practice, safety measures, collection systems, laboratory practices, stormwater, administration, human resources, or anything else associated...

The Utility of the Future Today recognition program returns for a fourth year to honor water resource recovery facilities for community engagement, watershed stewardship, and recovery of resources such as water, energy, and nutrients. The deadline to apply for recognition this year is May 31. The Utility of the Future concept is being promoted as...

Upcoming events: CWEA’s annual WDR training workshops will be held in May. Workshops will be held in San Ramon (May 8th); San Luis Obispo (May 15th); and Los Angeles (May 22nd).  One of the most talked-about topics is the update to the Statewide Sanitary Sewer Systems General Order.  The State Water Board is holding five...

The Sewer Authority Mid-Coastside (SAM) announced that sewer spills on the Coastside were at an historic low, zero in 2018, thanks to the dedication, hard work, and proactive measures taken by management and staff. “As part of its 2017 Strategic Plan, SAM committed to making operational and maintenance changes to achieve zero sewer spills within...

By Elise Chen1, Aleks Pisarenko1, Juan Guerreiro2 1 Trussell Technologies, Inc., Solana Beach, CA 92075 Email: [email protected], [email protected] 2 City of San Diego, Public Utilities Department, San Diego, CA 92123 Email: [email protected] California is seeing a major expansion of water reuse applications throughout the state from non-potable recycled water to potable reuse. Non-potable recycled water...

As she retires, CWEA executive director Elizabeth Allan points with pride to the many achievements of the organization during her 17 years serving as the leader of the association’s professional staff. But it’s the people and the professional relationships she’s built that she will miss most once she leaves this spring. “We have great volunteers,...

Introducing the new incoming CWEA Board of Directors. It was a unanimous vote at the Business Luncheon on Friday, April 12 in Palm Springs.  Joining the board for 2019 is: Vice President from the North—Arvind Akela Director from the North (to be Treasurer)—Shawn Nesgis Director from the South—Soma Bhadra WEF Delegate Director from the North—Debi...

Angela Lowrey was named by the California Association of Public Information Officials (CAPIO) as the state’s Communicator of the Year for 2019, recognizing her dedication to clean water education and resource recovery outreach, her overall expertise in the communications field and for her award-winning creativity in her work. She was presented with the Communicator of...

This year our entire available regular staff will be at AC.  That’s teamwork!  As a result, we are closing our physical office from April 8 through April 12, reopening Monday April 15. To leave a message with questions or issues that are not urgent you can call our office at (510) 382-7800 and leave a message at...

This was a two day, in-depth Lab workshop focused on TNI topics. These are the TNI topics members told us are their top educational priorities: Quality Systems and the Chemistry and Microbiology modules in TNI 2016. We were proud to bring together a group of TNI experts from across the country to provide in-depth TNI...

Recently a group of students at Antioch’s Deer Valley High School had the opportunity to build a video from start to finish that would allow them to see what it would be like to work as video producers in the real world. What they found wasn’t as easy as making up a skit and aiming...

Coverage of asset management topics is supported by MentorAPM AN INTERVIEW WITH WATER EXPERT PAUL BROWN California’s wastewater systems were designed decades ago with flow rates predicted to be much higher than what we’re seeing today. Corrosion, odor, grit, nutrients and less water for reuse are all consequences of declining sewer flows. So now what? To...

  View this post on Instagram   Some of SoCal water’s best & brightest gathered today at the City of San Diego’s Utilities Training Center for an EPA Effective Utility Management workshop. We’re building the utilities of the future today! Kicked off by Don Jones, Center for Water Studies @cuyamacacollege & Ed McCormick, Past President...

Bureau of Reclamation Commissioner Brenda Burman announced that Reclamation is awarding $35.3 million for six authorized Title XVI water reclamation and reuse projects in California. The funding will be used to improve flexibility during water shortages and diversify the water supply. “Title XVI projects provide opportunities for communities to recycle wastewater and treat water that...

Judge Gordon Bennett Cologne, a California legislator, jurist, and recycled water advocate, died January 4, 2019 in Rancho Santa Fe, California at the age of 94. During his tenure in the California legislature, he was Chairman of the Senate Water Resources Committee and became recognized for his role in championing water quality issues. “Judge Gordon...

Now Available: Wastewater Treatment Fundamentals Fact Sheets Chapters 1-10 Training for the operator of the future is at your finger tips today with WEF’s Operator fact sheets located in the On-Demand Wastewater Library. Members can now access fact sheets that support study efforts for all ten chapters of our Wastewater Treatment Fundamentals (WWTF) training resource. Visit the library...

IT consultancy and managed services provider (MSP) SDI Presence LLC (SDI) announces that the Union Sanitary District has selected SDI to develop an IT Master Plan for the California-based water utility. The SDI project will deliver a comprehensive technology roadmap, and tools to ensure that the Plan remains in alignment with the District’s changing priorities...

In response to requests from Stakeholders and the laboratory community, California Environmental Laboratory Accreditation Program has extended the comment submittal date for the Third Preliminary Draft Regulations to February 8, 2019. For comment submittal instructions, please view ELAP’s Regulation Homepage.

CWEA is gathering nominations for an Emerging Leaders story to appear in the Summer 2019 Clean Water. We are looking for accomplished water professionals who are making a significant, positive impact on California’s water and they have not yet been recognized for that effort. CWEA Definition of Emerging Leader Emerging leader describes an individual who: Has...

Ever wonder who keeps the local sections running, offering training to their members, planning dinner meetings and social gatherings and updating the websites? Meet the volunteer Board Members behind the North Coast Section. Michael Hansen – President My name is Michael Hansen and I am the President for the North Coast Section of the CWEA....

CWEA along with WEF and several member associations in the water sector recently signed the following Water Infrastructure Letter to Congress in response to Congress urging that water infrastructure funding and financing be included in the expected major infrastructure package: The undersigned organizations write to urge Congress to include funding and financing for drinking water,...

CWEA member Peter Jay Laubenheimer passed away in Sacramento on December 18, 2018. Pete joined Kennedy/Jenks in 1980 and established himself very rapidly as an in-house expert in hydraulics and wastewater treatment. Throughout the ’80s, he worked on large wastewater treatment plant design projects under the Federal Clean Water Program at Carmel, Reno-Sparks and many...

Coverage of new ELAP regulations supported by LabWorks, waterLIMS™ This is a message from the State Water Resources Control Board. The Environmental Laboratory Accreditation Program (ELAP) has released a third preliminary draft of the proposed regulations amendment text (Third Preliminary Draft Regulations text). The third draft was developed in collaboration with stakeholders with suggested changes...

The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has awarded more than $187.3 million to California for drinking water and wastewater infrastructure improvements. “These funds will be used for 183 local projects that will boost the economy while improving water systems,” said EPA Pacific Southwest Regional Administrator Mike Stoker. “EPA is committed to investing in local infrastructure that...

City of Modesto recently featured Thomas Sinclair, an Environmental Regulatory Compliance Manager for the City of Modesto in their Friday Feature on Facebook. Thomas is responsible for planning, developing and overseeing the work of staff involved in pretreatment and storm water inspection and enforcement programs that promote a safer environment for the citizens of Modesto....

The Las Gallinas Valley Sanitary District has hired Mike Prinz, a longtime North Bay wastewater official, as its general manager. Prinz, 48, of Santa Rosa, is an outgoing deputy director at the Santa Rosa Water Department and has more than 20 years of experience in water and wastewater management. The Las Gallinas sanitary district board...

EPA, working with utility leaders from around the country, has just posted the following two documents designed to help utilities implement programs based on the EUM Attributes of Effectively Management Utilities, endorsed by EPA and nine other water sector organizations. EUM Case Examples—documents the experiences and benefits seen by a group of utilities that are...

The Pure Water San Diego Program took a major step forward on Thursday, Nov. 15 when the City Council voted to proceed with construction of the Phase 1 – North City Projects. This decision authorizes Mayor Faulconer to execute construction contracts to the lowest responsible and reliable bidders for the Phase 1 – North City...

WEF is seeking Spanish language abstracts for WEF/IWA Residuals and Biosolids Conference 2019. More information about this conference can be found here. Download this PDF call for abstracts in Spanish that you to distribute among your networks. Abstracts are due via e-mail by November 26th.    

Anaergia Inc. held a ribbon cutting ceremony to mark the official opening of its Combined Heat and Power (CHP) system at the Hale Avenue Resource Recovery Facility (HARRF), in the City of Escondido, California. This CHP system utilizes digester gas from the wastewater treatment process to generate renewable electricity and heat for the facility’s operations....

Member Value Report Mauricio Marin of Victor Valley Wastewater Reclamation Authority (VVWRA) is no stranger to instrumentation, controls and a switchboard. With his 25 years experience in the automation industry, the last 12 at VVWRA, he has provided electrical safety programs, initiated the first ever Main Switchboard electrical maintenance program at VVWRA and continues to provide training to plant personnel...

Attention pollution prevention, pretreatment, and stormwater professionals:  the CWEA P3S Committee is offering grants for P3S-related projects and has just extended their deadline to November 30! Don’t miss out and complete your application today! The Committee is excited to continue the grants program for P3S-related projects. Agencies are encourages to get creative and partner with community groups...

This post sponsored by ehs. Each year, the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) announces its Top 10 most frequently cited workplace safety violations. OSHA’s Top  10 Most Cited for Fiscal Year 2018 Download the Safety Tailgates PDF from ehs at http://www.ehsinc.org/Free.html

The Environmental Laboratory Technical Advisory Committee (ELTAC) will meet on November 13, 2018 at two locations: California Environmental Protection Agency Building 1001 I Street, Klamath Room Sacramento, CA 95814 And Metropolitan Water District of Southern California 700 North Alameda Street, Room 2-145 Los Angeles, CA 90012 Both locations are open to the public and the meeting will also...

Are you, your colleagues or your staff looking to improve their leadership skills? The Water Leadership Institute (WLI) is now accepting applications for the 2019 program. WEF is looking for a diverse group representing all aspects of jobs in water sector (operators, engineers, scientists, communications staff, etc.) to join the 237 alumni active around the world.  WEF membership...

This is a sponsored post from Haaker Every wastewater system is unique: Age, geography, pipe materials, rehab methods, and climate all shape infrastructure over time. But even in the diverse landscape of American utilities, some systems stand out. Big Bear, Calif., is one of these outliers. The sewer department for this unincorporated community in San Bernardino...

CWEA has decided to change vendors on the CWEA Local Section and State plaques. The new vendor is Rivanna, which is the same vendor as WEF award plaques. These new plaques are Bamboo 24 Gold Spectrum Plaque with a satin gold aluminum front plate. Bamboo is a grass and a rapidly renewable resource. Rivanna bamboo...

In honor of Cybersecurity month, CWEA pulled together a list of resources that focus on cybersecurity for control systems that are frequently used in water/wastewater. Thank you Daniel Groves of West Yost for the Cybersecurity tips! ICS-CERT – https://ics-cert.us-cert.gov/ SANS Institute – sans.gov AWWA – https://awwa.org/cybersecurity WaterISAC  – https://www.waterisac.org/ Google News Alerts – https://www.google.com/alerts (enter...

The State Water Board will hold public hearings to receive oral comments regarding proposed updates to the: (1) Cannabis Policy; and (2) Cannabis Cultivation General Order. The State Water Board may adopt each of these items after their respective hearings. If the updates to the Cannabis Policy are adopted, it will be sent to the...

The Senate voted on – and passed nearly unanimously by a vote of 99-1 – the biennial Water Resources Development Act (WRDA), which include a number of major provisions that benefit drinking water, wastewater, and stormwater infrastructure and policy. The conference report for the bill, known as America’s Water Infrastructure Act (S. 3021), was passed unanimously by...

The Sewer Authority Mid-Coastside (SAM) announced that it is partnering with OpenGov– the leading Budgeting and Performance company powering more effective and accountable government – to introduce a new site that offers insight into SAM’s finances. “SAM is committed to ensuring that finances are understandable by the Board, member agencies, and the public. As part...

Valerie Leone became interested in the water profession when she was working for a metal finisher. It was there she learned about wastewater regulations and decided she wanted to be a part of something that allowed her to benefit the environment, community and future generations. As the Industrial Source Reduction and Control Program (ISRCP) manager at...

The draft Establishment of the Water Quality Control Plan for Inland Surface Waters, Enclosed Bays, and Estuaries of California; and draft Toxicity Provisions, and the Draft Staff Report, including the Draft Substitute Environmental Documentation, for the Toxicity Provisions are now available. The documents can be found at the State Water Boards’ Statewide Toxicity Provisions Website...

CWEA joined hundreds of agencies throughout California to celebrate the second annual Water Professionals Appreciation Week between Oct. 6-14. This year, we focused on Women In Water and Veterans in Water by highlighting career opportunities and recognizing women and veterans dedicated to serving their communities. CWEA partnered with CASA, Katz and Associates, ACWA, and several...

This content is available only for CWEA members. Click here to login. LASAN’s Industrial Waste Management Division (IWMD) has developed inspection forms to be used during routine inspections. The 6Ps model serves as a navigational tool for IWMD inspectors and stands for Products, Processes, Pollutants, Pretreatment System (PTS), Parameters, and Plan of the Shop. An...

Stephen P. Keller is a self-employed Manufacturer’s Rep. starting Keller Maritime Associates in 2005 when he moved to California. He is Past Chairman of the New York Metropolitan Section, Society of Naval Architects and Marine Engineers (SNAME) and Past President, Sacramento Area Section, CWEA. What do you believe is the future of the water profession?...

NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN that the State Water Resources Control Board (State Water Board) will receive public comments on the proposed Establishment of the Water Quality Control Plan for Inland Surface Waters, Enclosed Bays, and Estuaries of California; and Toxicity Provisions (hereafter Toxicity Provisions) and the Draft Staff Report, including the Draft Substitute Environmental Documentation,...

Meet Cari Dale, Water Utilities Director, City of Oceanside, a recipient of the Kirt Brooks Memorial Water Environment Scholarship in 2004. Cari graduated from Cal State San Bernardino with a Master’s Degree in Public Administration with an emphasis on Water Resources in 2005. Her Master’s project focused on Achieving Effective Asset Management for Water and Wastewater...

by Scott Carroll, General Manager of the Costa Mesa Sanitary District Firefighters statewide are being praised for their valiant and heroic efforts to save property and lives in the countless wildfires that have burned recently throughout California, and they absolutely deserve this praise.  In particular, their courage and commitment to protecting the community was demonstrated in...

The WateReuse Association presented the Annual Awards for Excellence on Monday, September 10 during the 33rd Annual WateReuse Symposium in Austin, Texas. The program recognizes individuals and projects that have made significant contributions in support of greater adoption of water reuse. Recipients are successfully advancing the development of alternative water supplies or developing a novel...

BY TOM ABATE AND ANDY MYERS A new wastewater treatment plant under construction in Redwood Shores will be the largest to test Stanford-developed technology that significantly reduces the cost of cleaning water. The key: bacteria that eschew oxygen while producing burnable methane. Billions of years ago, when Earth’s atmosphere reeked of unbreathable gases, microbes evolved...

AUTHORS Arvind Akela, Senior Engineer, Silicon Valley Clean Water Chuck Fenton, Operations Consultant, Silicon Valley Clean Water Allan Lacson, Customer Relationship Manager, PG&E OTHER CONTRIBUTORS Kevin Johnson, Senior Program Engineer, PG&E Dan Thomas, Technical Sales Support Specialist, PG&E Mike Tooley, CEO, MISCOWater Dwight Craig, MISCOWater Marcel Huijboom, INVENT For questions regarding PG&E’s Energy Efficiency Programs,...

CWEA’s coverage of the water workforce issues is supported by WaterTalent In a recent interview published in TPO Magazine, Ingrid Bella of Santa Clara Valley Water District shares how their agency partners with organizations like BAYWORK to recruit the next generation of water professionals. BAYWORK, in the San Francisco area, is taking a regional collaboration...

Legislation co-sponsored by Eastern Municipal Water District (EMWD) that would improve resources for failing water systems now awaits the signature of Gov. Jerry Brown after gaining widespread support from both houses of California’s legislature. Assembly Bill 2050 – the Small System Water Authority Act of 2018, which is authored by Assemblywoman Anna Caballero (D-Salinas) –...

The United States Bureau of Reclamation recently announced its selection of sixteen research projects to receive funding under the Desalination and Water Purification Research Program (DWPR), two of which will be conducted in part by Orange County Water District’s (OCWD) research and development staff. Of the $3.5 million that the DWPR awarded, $350,000 will go...

In his new role, Brian will have responsibility for management and oversight of an Engineering Services Department which includes ten staff members largely responsible for development and implementation of the District’s Capital Improvement Program. During his 19-year career in the wastewater industry, Brian worked as a consultant and has undertaken engineering leadership roles at Central...

Moulton Niguel Water District is celebrating its 50th year of operating one of the state’s most successful water recycling programs, which reuses more than 2 billion gallons of water every year. As one of the first agencies to use recycled water in Orange County in the early 1960s, Moulton Niguel Water District now provides recycled water...

The Water Environment Federation has released a line of training tools to equip operators with 21st century wastewater treatment methods and practices. The series helps prepare operators for the first three levels of certification examinations and qualify for continuing education credits (CEUs). The first publication in the series, Wastewater Treatment Fundamentals I: Liquid Treatment, covers all...

  By Connie Leonard, 2018-2019 CWEA President & Executive Committee Chair, CDM Smith, [email protected]. I am pleased to announce the opening of nominations for the 2019 CWEA State Board of Directors positions. Your local section and committee officers received the Executive Committee request for nominations for CWEA Directors and Officers last week.  Below is a...

 The California Water Commission (Commission) recently announced that Regional San will receive $280.5 million—the maximum requested funding amount—in Proposition 1 grant funding to help make the South County Ag Program a reality for the Sacramento region. The South County Ag Program will deliver highly treated recycled water for agricultural irrigation in the southern portion...

2018 Environmental Communications Awards Competition Winner The Sanitation Districts have a legacy of cost-effectively converting waste into resources such as recycled water, renewable energy, and recycled materials. Southern California’s complex jurisdictional boundaries have allowed this service to occur largely unnoticed for the past 95 years. However, the recent need to invest in aging infrastructure identified...

California’s water and wastewater agencies need approximately 6,000 new workers every year and that number continues to grow as more and more water professionals retire. Water careers provide an incredible opportunity for individuals who enjoy working with their hands, working outdoors and working as part of a larger team. Water careers offer great salaries and...

Support for coverage of safety issues in provided by ehs Much of the country has been dealing with a heat wave and California is no exception. With the increase in temperature comes the dangers of working outside. Knowing how to work safely in hot weather can help prevent heat related illnesses and heat stroke.   According to the Centers...

On May 31, 2018, Governor Brown signed two bills which build on the ongoing efforts to “make water conservation a California way of life.” SB 606 (Hertzberg) and AB 1668 (Friedman) reflect the dedicated work of many water suppliers, environmental organizations, and members of the Legislature. SB 606 and AB 1668 emphasize efficiency and stretching...

Support for our coverage of Women in Water is provided by DN Tanks. The Silicon Valley Clean Water (SVCW) Commission unanimously selected Teresa Herrera as manager, succeeding Daniel T. Child, who retired from public service and has begun his own wastewater consultancy business. Herrera becomes the third manager in SVCW’s nearly 50-year history following Child...

The Samueli School Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering held a water symposium to honor the exemplary career of longtime faculty member and CWEA member Betty Olson. Olson, who researches public health aspects of water and wastewater, joined UC Irvine in 1974. In her 44-year career, she also served as a professor of environmental health,...

Leading biosolids and organics solutions provider, Lystek International Ltd. (Lystek), is pleased to announce that it has been awarded multi-year, multi-million dollar contracts by the both the City of Benicia (Benicia) and the City of Palo Alto (Palo Alto) for Biosolids Management. The two agreements will see Lystek accept biosolids generated in both cities, converting them into LysteGro®,...

This is a message from the State Water Resources Control Board. The State Water Board, Division of Financial Assistance, Senior Cultural Resources Officer wants to remind you not to reveal locations and records of Native American archaeological sites, burial sites, and sacred sites to the public if you encounter them during your project planning and...

Advancing the cause of sustainability, Irvine Ranch Water District (IRWD) and Macquarie Capital today announced completion of the nation’s largest energy storage system being used for on-site power – a 2.5 MW/15MWh installation now powering the District’s largest water recycling plant. The award-winning behind-the-meter battery system at IRWD’s Michelson Water Recycling Plant is the centerpiece...

Support for coverage of safety issues in provided by ehs The Office of the State Fire Marshal (OSFM) is providing Notice of a 45-Day Public Comment Period of proposed code changes to California Code of Regulations, Title 19, Division 4, Chapter 1, related to California Underground Facilities Safe Excavation Board Fees. The Notice of Proposed Rulemaking...

Introduction  East Bay Dischargers Authority (EBDA) is a joint powers agency consisting of five local agencies including Oro Loma Sanitary District, Union Sanitary District, City of San Leandro, City of Hayward and the Castro Valley Sanitary District. EBDA conveys treated wastewater from its member agencies together with treated wastewater from Livermore-Amador Valley Water Management Agency (LAVWMA),...

Follow the Flush is a uniquely humorous, educational and participatory 5K walk that follows the path of Santa Cruz wastewater through natural and urban landscape. The free family-friendly event, recently held in May began at UC Santa Cruz and concluded at the City of Santa Cruz Wastewater Treatment Facility where free tours were offered. The...

The Water Environment Federation (WEF) proudly announces that Braden Milford has won the 2018 U.S. Stockholm Junior Water Prize (SJWP), the nation’s most prestigious youth competition for water-related research. Milford, a student at Cascia Hall Preparatory School, developed a system using naturally occurring bacteria to remove heavy metals from contaminated abandoned mine sites. He won...

The much-anticipated Regional Environmental Sewer Conveyance Upgrade (RESCU) program begins construction soon at Silicon Valley Clean Water (SVCW). Beginning in July, SVCW will break ground for the Front of the Plant (FoP) facilities and the gravity pipeline tunnel, culminating four years of planning and design to rehabilitate the agency’s aging infrastructure and facilities. The first...

Thank you Student Design Competition Supporters We’ve started an important, new tradition at CWEA. We held our first ever Student Design Competition on Saturday, May 19th. A panel of distinguished CWEA members served as judges and five teams from California universities gave their best pitch for engineering designs. The judges were assembled by WEF Past President Jim Clark from Black...

CWEA President Debi Lewis updated attendees at the April 20th Annual Business Meeting on the State of the Association. The Association received a clean audit for FY16-17 with one departure from Generally Accepted Accounting Principles (GAAP), which we anticipated (for treatment of membership dues on a cash basis). CWEA’s fiscal year ends June 30th; a...

Reprinted from National Water Research Institute (NWRI) To continue our celebration of the upcoming 25th anniversary of the Clarke Prize Award, NWRI is pleased to showcase Laureate Dr. Perry McCarty, who won the award in 1997 for his research in environmental biotechnology.  McCarty is the Silas H. Palmer Professor of Civil and Environmental Engineering Emeritus...

U.S. Senator Kamala D. Harris introduced the Water Affordability Act of 2018, legislation that would help low-income families across the country pay for rising sewer and water bills. As municipalities work to comply with The Clean Water Act, the cost of compliance is placing a high burden on low-income families who pay for sewer and water...

The Water Environment Federation (WEF) is asking utilities to help assemble baseline data on the amount of resource recovery taking place at facilities in the U.S. and Canada. WEF is asking water resource recovery facilities to complete a survey by June 29 on current practices for water reuse, nutrient recovery, and energy generation. By participating...

Six years ago, 2017 Water Environment Federation (WEF; Alexandria, Va.) Fellow Ed McCormick led the development and implementation of an energizing program for the water sector. The program cemented East Bay Municipal Utility District (EBMUD; Oakland, Calif.) as the first North American water resource recovery facility to be a net producer of renewable energy. But according to McCormick,...

Energy and sustainability expert Schneider Electric announced it has been selected to pursue a $2.7 million grant from the California State Water Resources Control Board to help fund an infrastructure improvement project at the City of Anderson’s Water Pollution Control Plant. When approved, the proposed project will improve energy efficiency in the plant’s aeration process...

The California Water Environment Association (CWEA) announced the winners of its 2017 awards program at its Annual Conference in Sacramento on April 20. Nominations that advance through CWEA’s 17 local sections’ awards programs plus a select group of special awards are eligible to compete statewide. To kick off the ceremony, Small Plant of the Year winner,...

Coverage of biosolids and co-digestion supported by Anaergia East Bay Municipal Utility District Waste Received: fats, oil and grease (FOG), poultry blood, food waste (e.g., dairy, winery, brewery), cheese waste and more Stats: plant receives a total of 100 trucks per day, or 500,000 gallons per day – about 40% of this, or 200,000 gallons...

CWEA is excited to announce that Visala Tallavarjula of Santa Clara, California will once again represent the state of California for her project titled, “Irrigation Water Usage Efficiency Improvement by Modification of Root Zone Soil Properties Using Carbon Sequestration.” Visala was California’s winner in 2016, 2017 and this year! Visala Tallavarjula, one of 57 state winners announced by the Water...

On Friday April 20th the gavel was passed from CWEA’s Outgoing President Debi Lewis to our new President Connie Leonard.  Connie is a Project Manager for CDM Smith, based in the LA region. Congratulations Connie! Members unanimously approved the slate of nominees for the 2018-19 Board of Directors as recommended by the Board: Vice President...

One month ago CWEA held its Annual Conference in Sacramento to a record number of 1,628 attendees. “We need to serve our communities – communities where we all live with our families. Stronger together means you can ask for help and it also means that you will find it.” – Debi Lewis CWEA Past President,...

The lead sponsor for the Women Impacting Water breakfast is CDM Smith. CWEA held its first Women Impacting Water breakfast meeting at the Annual Conference in Sacramento this past April. The event was so popular it sold out. It was an inspiring morning of networking and discussion with California water leaders, engineers, operators and scientists....

The Water Environment Federation (WEF) is an avid supporter of innovation in the water sector. In fact, one of WEF’s critical objectives is to “establish the conditions that promote accelerated development and implementation of innovative technologies and approaches.” As part of this initiative, WEF and The Water Research Foundation (WRF) jointly created the Leaders Innovation...

LA Sanitation was recognized as a Leading Utilities of the World in recognition of its leadership and innovation in many programs, including the One Water LA Plan, water recycling, resource recovery, watershed protection, green infrastructure, sewer spill reduction, pollution control and stakeholder engagement. LA Sanitation’s One Water LA Plan separately received the National Environmental Grand Prize for Planning from the...

On April 24th, US Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) Administrator Scott Pruitt signed a proposed rule that would bar studies to be used in the development of federal environmental regulations if data is not publicly available. This includes epidemiological studies, which use private medical information that researchers are required to keep confidential. Pruitt made an announcement...

Researchers at the University of California, Riverside have discovered a method to dramatically improve the way pollutants are removed from wastewater using Advanced Oxidation Processes (AOPs). AOPs are a group of chemical treatment processes that use oxidation to remove organic materials from water. The reactions are performed by hydroxyl radicals (·OH) created by the decomposition...

Recently the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency and the San Francisco Bay Regional Water Quality Control Board announced that the East Bay Municipal Utility District (EBMUD) and five East Bay communities will be assessed $389,300 in penalties for violating the terms of a 2014 settlement designed to prevent untreated sewage from entering San Francisco Bay. “East...

The EPA announced a new rulemaking process surrounding the use of “blending” by wastewater treatment plants. Blending is used to manage high flow events at wastewater treatment plants while maintaining compliance. EPA announced their intent in this new process is to provide regulatory clarity and certainty with respect to the use of blending. Their goal...

The Utility of the Future (UOTF) concept is being promoted as the nation’s water systems transform operation through innovation and technology.  The Utility of the Future model for utilities of all sizes to achieve more efficient operations, enhanced productivity, and long-term sustainability. “It is inspiring to see the many ways utilities are using innovation to...

WEFTEC® 2018 will host the seventh annual Operator Ingenuity Contest. Not all innovations come from a research lab. Sometimes, you need to tackle a persistent problem using just what’s at hand and a big shot of ingenuity. The competition is open to all clever ideas related to treatment processes, maintenance practices, safety measures, collection systems,...

Story provided by Society of Women Engineers A joint Society of Women Engineers (SWE) and National Society of Black Engineers (NSBE) research study recently released found that there is a lack of role models for women of color in engineering, gender and racial biases encountered in the workplace, and a level of disillusionment regarding the level of...

Today, EPA announced the availability of approximately $5.5 billion in credit assistance for water infrastructure projects under the Water Infrastructure Finance and Innovation Act (WIFIA) program. This financing will help support approximately $11 billion in total infrastructure investment. In the Notice of Funding Availability (NOFA), the WIFIA program solicits letters of interest from prospective borrowers seeking credit assistance from EPA....

Energy and sustainability expert Schneider Electric today announced it has secured a $1.6 million grant to help fund a facility improvement project at the El Centro Wastewater Treatment Plant in Imperial County, California. Representatives from Schneider Electric presented a check to El Centro city officials during a recent City Council meeting to mark this important...

The 45th Annual Pretreatment, Pollution Prevention and Stormwater Conference was held in Riverside at the Riverside Convention Center on February 12–14, 2018. The conference offered up to 19.1 CWEA contact hours toward all technical certifications, up to 5 SWRCB Drinking Water contact hours for distribution hours, and 2.4 SWRCB WastewaterCEU’s. Conference brochure (pdf).

UC Riverside researchers conduct first blind taste test of recycled wastewater by J.D. Warren Here’s a blind test taste like Pepsi never imagined. Researchers at the University of California, Riverside, recently published a study of recycled wastewater that did not focus on its safety-which has long been established-but rather its taste. After years of drought, the...

IDE Technologies, a world leader in water treatment solutions, today announced that its technology will be used in two new wastewater reuse demo facilities in California: The Central Coast Blue Advanced Water Purification Demo Facility, in partnership with the City of Pismo Beach, and the Regional Recycled Water Advanced Purification Center Demo Facility, in partnership with the Metropolitan Water...

The San Francisco Public Utilities Commission is sponsoring SB 966 that requires the State Water Resources Control Board to establish regulations for risk-based water quality standards for onsite non-potable water systems in multi-family residential, commercial, and mixed-use buildings. See factsheet for more information. The bill has been referred to the Senate Environmental Quality Committee and...

Every two years, the odor community comes together to share the latest developments, resolve challenges, and network, and this year the Odors and Air Pollutants Conference takes place in Portland, Oregon from March 25-28.  A committed team of volunteers have worked for months to develop the conference program, including speakers from across the world who will share...

CWEA members are invited to attend CWEA’s Annual Business Meeting and vote on the incoming CWEA Slate of Officers. This year, the voting session will occur April 20 at 11:00 AM—11:30 AM at the beginning of the Awards Luncheon at CWEA’s Annual Conference. You do not have to register for the Annual Conference to attend the Annual Business...

California’s water and wastewater agencies need approximately 6,000 new workers every year and that number continues to grow as more and more water professionals retire. To highlight the wide variety of career paths available in the sector, several California associations have launched CAWaterInterns.org. The site lists available internships, apprenticeships and operator-in-training opportunities at California water...

At WEFTEC® 2017, the Water Environment Federation (WEF; Alexandria, Va.) named James H. Clark, WEF past president, to its latest class of WEF Fellows program honorees. This program celebrates the outstanding contributions WEF members have made to the water and wastewater sectors. Clark, who currently is a Los Angeles-based senior vice president for Black & Veatch (Overland Park, Kan.),...

In 2015 WEF released The Nutrient Roadmap with an aspirational goal: The next generation of wastewater treatment has zero net impact with regard to energy use, greenhouse gas emissions and nutrient discharge by 2040. Achieving this goal requires a dedication to overcoming technical barriers, financial constraints, and regulatory disincentives limiting nutrient removal, greenhouse gas emission...

  Union Sanitary District (USD) is celebrating 100 years of providing wastewater collection, treatment, and disposal services to its communities with a look back at its history, a look forward to the future, and an Open House event on Saturday, May 19, 2018, from 10:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. to share some family-friendly fun with customers. CWEA members are invited to attend as the District features treatment plant tours, kid-friendly activities,...

Groundwater Replenishment System Celebrates 10th Anniversary with Record and Community Event Attended by Hundreds The Orange County Water District (OCWD) and Orange County Sanitation District (OCSD) succeeded in the attempt to set a GUINNESS WORLD RECORDS™ title for the Most wastewater recycled to drinking water in 24 hours. The GUINNESS WORLD RECORDS title was achieved by the...

ACWA, WEF join with U.S. EPA to host seven workshops  Mark Patrick McGuire and Katie Foreman In early December 2017, representatives from 24 state clean water programs involved in managing nutrient pollution as well as headquarters and regional staff from the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) met for 3 days to learn, discuss, and confer...

According to the Workforce Survey from Baywork, Bay Area utilities will need aboutt 828 new workers over the next three years in the electrical, mechanics and instrumentation categories. Electrical Instrumentation techs is one of the most in demand practice areas in our profession . Every agency is looking for one it seems. The water sector...

This season’s FIRST® LEGO® League Jr. and FIRST® LEGO® League Challenges focused on problems within the human water cycle, or the way people find, transport, use, or dispose of water.   CWEA member Matt Kallerud is extremely familiar with this year’s FIRST® LEGO®League Jr. and FIRST® LEGO® League themes – as a civil/environmental engineer, he designs water and wastewater treatment plants. Matt was inspired to pursue a career...

The State Water Resource Control Board has released the draft final report Monitoring Strategies for Constituents of Emerging Concern (CECs) in Recycled Water.  The deadline for submitting comments on the draft report is Friday, March 2 at 5:00pm Pacific Standard Time.  Please see below for additional information: The draft final report updating monitoring recommendations by...

CWEA is gathering nominations for an Emerging Leaders story to appear in the Summer 2018 Clean Water. We are looking for accomplished water professionals who are making a significant, positive impact on California’s water and they have not yet been recognized for that effort. CWEA Definition of Emerging Leader Emerging leader describes an individual who: Has...

The Orange County Water District (OCWD; the District) received the 2017 Governor’s Environmental and Economic Leadership Award (GEELA) for environmental education, California’s highest and most prestigious environmental honor. OCWD’s entry was deemed “exceptional for its innovative spirit and value to California’s environment and economy.” Governor Brown recognized OCWD and other GEELA recipients at an award ceremony in...

The chance to participate in the Singapore International Water Week Scholarship Program was a wonderful opportunity to see how the rest of the world was approaching the same problems I encounter at our agency in Northern California. Singapore has made its approach to water management a business strategy for the country that it uses for...

The California Water Environment Association (CWEA) is opening the application process for the Stockholm Junior Water Prize (SJWP), an annual water research competition for California high school students. Applications are due by April 15, 2018. The Stockholm Junior Water Prize competition is the world’s most prestigious water-science competition for students. The winner of the California...

Coverage of biosolids and co-digestion supported by Anaergia These estimates were developed by contacting some of the largest agencies in the state, plus one medium sized plant, which collectively represent 35% of wastewater flow in the state. Using data on volume of digester capacity and current Mean Cell Residence Time (MCRT) in anaerobic digestion, flow...

FEATURED TRACKS WEDNESDAY, APRIL 18 Are Regulations Spoiling the Co-Digestion Party? Sarah Deslauriers, Engineer, Carollo Engineers State-driven methane reducing mandates are under development that require the wastewater sector’s and local air district’s support to achieve them on time. Collaborate with state and regional regulators to determine if your agency can be part of the solution....

Coverage of the wipes issue is supported by Aqualitec. WEF and NACWA File Amicus Brief in Support of District of Columbia’s Wipes Law By: Brianne Nakamura and Steve Spicer On Nov. 14, 2017 the Water Environment Federation and the National Association of Clean Water Agencies filed an amicus brief in support of a District of Columbia...

A policy perspective By: Amy Kathman In August 2017, a 2-day experts’ workshop, titled Creating the Space to Innovate, culminated a year’s worth of progress in advancing innovation. Leadership, culture, procurement practices, regulatory programs and policies, and permit conditions all contribute to putting innovation into practice as much as does the development of new technologies....

Being honored by the CWEA awards program improves the professional status of all personnel working in the wastewater industry and related fields and stimulates public awareness of the importance of wastewater treatment to public health and the water environment. CWEA has a many special awards that are awarded to individuals in addition to the standard state awards. Follow the links to...

This is a sponsored post from ehs International, Inc. The Indoor Air Quality Association (IAQA) has partnered with ehs International, Inc. (ehsInc) and Aramsco-Interlink (Aramsco). The goal of this partnership between three leaders of their respective industries is to provide client companies and future members with the best in indoor air quality safety standards while also lowering costs. In both...

The National Blue Ribbon Commission for Onsite Non-potable Water Systems released a new set of resources for developing and implementing regulations for water systems that collect, treat, and reuse non-potable water within a building or at the local scale. The success of onsite non-potable water systems (ONWS) depends on strong collaboration between water and wastewater utilities and...

Support for our coverage of Women in Water is provided by DN Tanks. CWEA had the fortunate opportunity to conduct a round table discussion with four inspiring California water leaders. Debi Lewis, Kathy Suter, Tracy Stigers and Heather Collins shared personal experiences of being a woman working in water. Our conversation included the narrowing gender...

  State SJWP Competition Entry Deadline: April 15, 2018| ENTER COMPETITION To be eligible for the state competition, students must complete the online entry form and electronically submit their research paper. There are no specific paper guidelines at the state level, however the file cannot be larger than 2MB. Teams of one or two students may enter....

The WEF Disinfection and Public Health Committee is seeking your input on your current practices regarding the design, operations, and performance of disinfection facilities. This survey was developed to update previous 1979 and 1989 surveys.  Your name and any information you provide will be kept in the strictest confidence, and will only be reported as...

The California Water Environment Association and the California Association of Sanitation Agencies were proud to present the  Seminar on November 14 and 15 in two locations. The focus of the seminars were on successful biosolids management practices and innovative treatment technology for biosolids, renewable energy production and utilization, and climate change mitigation. Download and view...

Parsons—in a design-build joint venture—will design and construct the Silicon Valley Clean Water’s (SVCW’s) Front of Plant project in Redwood City, CA. This project is part of SVCW’s Regional Environmental Sewer Conveyance Upgrade Program, which incorporates conveyance system improvements to transport wastewater from member agencies to the SVCW wastewater treatment plant. The Front of Plant...

An Interview with Garry Brown,  DPR Advisory Group Chair The State’s recent steps toward direct potable reuse (DPR) might seem like an out of the blue solution to many people. Not to Garry Brown, the Executive Director of OC Coastkeeper. A long-time veteran of Southern California’s battles over water and water quality, Garry has watched...

The Water Environment Federation (Alexandria, Va.) and the National Association of Clean Water Agencies (Washington, D.C.) filed an amicus brief in support of a District of Columbia law to regulate disposable wipes. This law, the Nonwoven Disposable Products Act of 2016, aims to protect sewer systems from backups by requiring a regulation that defines the...

INTRODUCTION: A subcommittee of the Orange County Waste Discharge Requirements (WDR) Collection Systems Steering Committee (Committee) was formed to look at the current Fats, Oils and Grease (FOG) program being implemented in central and northern (Northern) Orange County. The current FOG program is over ten years old and has continued to be improved over that...

The State Water Board is about to approve a new regulatory testing procedure on Toxicity. We spoke with Adam Link, Director of Government Affairs for the California Association of Sanitation Agencies (CASA), Steve Jepsen, Executive Director of Southern California Alliance of Publicly Owned Treatment Works (SCAP) and Lorien Fono, Regulatory Program Manager, Bay Area Clean Water Agencies...

Support for coverage of safety issues in provided by ehs Article provided by the CWEA Safety Committee By Michael S. Estep Confined Space work is inherently dangerous. There is nothing normal or routine about confined space work. It has many dangers that are often unseen and hidden. Often this work is approached in a very relaxed...

For Lisa Arroyo, wastewater systems manager for the City of Santa Barbara, the hardest part of being a women in the clean water profession is balancing family with a job. “I have two small children,” she explains. “Sometimes it is hard to turn off work and concentrate on being a mom. Changing your focus is...

 Years ago, Amber Baylor read Marc Reisner’s Cadillac Desert, packed up her car, and headed for California. She’s never looked back. “California represented the most complex water system in the world,” she says, “and I wanted to be part of it.” She got her wish and after 10 years managing a water quality laboratory, she...

Only one in seven engineers in the United States is a woman, according to the Joint Economic Committee of the U.S. Congress. And in wastewater, only one in 20 treatment plant operators across the country is a woman (The Institute for Women’s Policy Research). So, is the gender ration any more balanced in California? Yes...