Honoring the Best!
CASA’s Award of Excellence annually honors our members' community outreach, education, innovation, organizational strategies and capital projects. Your organization works hard to do what's right for California, and we want to recognize your accomplishments. The award symbolizes the incredible work being done by water professionals across the state, while strengthening the drive for innovation, creativity and ingenuity. Winning the award positions your agency as a leader to policy makers and residents within your community and across the state. Be sure to apply by April 29, 2022. Winners will be announced at the annual conference in August.
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Let Your Community Know About College Scholarships
The CASA Education Foundation offers several $5,000 scholarships annually to students pursuing higher education in engineering, environmental science, public administration, wastewater operations, or other fields connected to clean water, which includes wastewater treatment, water recycling, and resource recovery. The application deadline is May 15, 2022.
Applicants must be California residents and attending an accredited college or university located in California. This year there is also an additional San Francisco Bay Area specific scholarship dedicated to the memory of Bruce Wolfe. Download the flyer for more information and be sure to share it with colleges in your community! Visit the Foundation webpage for additional information.
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CASA's Ask the Experts Webinar Series
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Virtual State Legislative “Day in the District”
Join us next Thursday, April 14, as we continue our “Ask the Experts” webinar series with a Virtual State Legislative “Day in the District.” Don’t miss this opportunity to get briefed on key issues coming before the Legislature this year that could impact local water and wastewater agencies in significant ways. Be sure to pre-register today!
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Partnering on PFAS Workshop
Finding ways to identify sources of PFAS contamination and manage PFAS in our environment continues to be a hot topic for water and wastewater agencies in 2022. If you are struggling to keep up with all the latest developments on PFAS, we are here to help! Join us on Wednesday, April 27, at 10:00am to hear from experts at CDM Smith, which performed a deep dive on the PFAS data recently collected by the State Water Board, as well as representatives from the State Water Board on what comes next for PFAS regulation. Register Here.
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“Do Not Flush” Labeling Bill Introduced in Senate
CASA is pleased to share that Senators Jeff Merkley (D-OR) and Susan Collins (R-ME) have introduced the WIPPES Act (S. 3956). S.3956 is the Senate companion to the House WIPPES Act (HR 4602). CASA has been working with the Senate offices on the legislation to secure support from both the clean water and the wipes industry sectors. The Senate bill has support from CASA, INDA, Proctor & Gamble, Kimberly-Clark, NACWA, WEF, and the National Stewardship Action Council. Upon introduction a joint press statement from CASA and INDA was released, and a joint letter of support was sent to Merkley and Collins. The Senate press release can be accessed here.
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FY2023 Budget Request- Water Infrastructure Programs
Last week, the White House transmitted their fiscal year (FY) 2023 budget request to Congress. Under the request, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (USEPA) would receive $11.8 billion, of which $4 billion would support the Agency’s water infrastructure programs. This includes $1.638 billion for the Clean Water State Revolving Loan Fund, of which California would receive $114.7 million, funding for twenty new grants programs authorized in the Drinking Water and Wastewater Infrastructure Act (DWWIA), and $126 million to support the Agency’s PFAS activities. A detailed breakout of USEPA’s budget request can be accessed here.
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Recording Now Available: Insights on State and Federal Funding Opportunities for Wastewater Agencies
The recording for CASA’s webinar, Insights on State and Federal Funding Opportunities for Wastewater Agencies, is now available. Identifying and successfully obtaining infrastructure funding is consistently identified as one of the highest priorities for CASA member agencies. This workshop covered a wide range of federal funding opportunities with Central Coast Regional Board Member and Dudek regional project manager, Jane Gray. This session also delved into the contours of recent state funding opportunities such as the arrearages program, septic to sewer project funding, recycled water funding, updates to the State Revolving Fund program and Intended Use Plan, and much more from State Water Board program leads. In case you missed it live, view the webinar now! Access the Recording
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NACWA Members Alert: Act Now to Secure Federal Funding for Your Community
The public clean water sector has secured billions of dollars in new federal funding over the past two years. These funds, which include COVID-19 relief funds and new investments from the recent bipartisan infrastructure law (BIL), are long overdue and reflect the collective work of the sector for over a decade. These dollars, however, will only be fully put to use if the clean water sector steps up to use them. This NACWA Advocacy Alert outlines the various pots of money available and how to apply for them to make needed investment in local clean water infrastructure. NACWA Members- Be sure to check out Available Federal Programs for Clean Water Infrastructure.
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Notice of Funds Available: Co-Digestion Grant Program
CalRecycle is announcing the application release for the Co-Digestion Grant Program, Cycle1, for Fiscal Years 2021-22 and 2022-23. This program provides funding to build new and expanded food waste co-digestion projects at existing wastewater treatment plants to achieve greenhouse gas emissions reductions by significantly increasing the tonnage of California-generated organic waste diverted from landfills to co-digestion systems. To access the application and information regarding eligibility and program criteria, please visit the Notice of Funds Available webpage at: https://calrecycle.ca.gov/fy202123/. Applications are due by May 19, 2022. All questions should be directed to GHGReductions@CalRecycle.ca.gov.
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US Water Alliance Releases New Toolkit for Promoting Workforce Diversity
Like many sectors, the water sector is facing a wave of retirements. For years, leaders knew there would be a “silver tsunami” of older water workers who would opt to retire, and the COVID-19 pandemic only accelerated many of those departures. In 2018, Brookings studied the composition of the water workforce at the request of utility leaders and found that the current workforce is older, more racially homogenous, and more male than the communities that water utilities serve. Brookings also found good news: working in water can provide a great career, including for women, people of color, and younger employees who are just entering the workforce. After this research and testing, the US Water Alliance translated their findings into creative content that can be used by any organization in the water sector to recruit new employees. The US Water Alliance is excited to announce the release of the Value of Water Campaign’s Recruiting a Diverse Water Workforce Toolkit!
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Governor’s Executive Order on Drought
On March 28, 2022, Governor Gavin Newsom released an executive order calling on local water suppliers to activate drought contingency plans as the Western drought worsens. Read the official release here.
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Pure Water Oceanside Ribbon Cutting
More than 200 water/wastewater industry leaders gathered on March 22, 2022 at the Pure Water Oceanside ribbon cutting to celebrate the first potable water reuse project in operation in the San Diego county region. Pure Water Oceanside will purify recycled wastewater to create a new, local source of high-quality drinking water that is clean, safe, drought-proof and environmentally sound. The program will produce enough water to provide more than 30% of the city's water supply. Learn more about Pure Water Oceanside here.
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EBMUD Wastewater StoryMap
The East Bay Municipal Utility District (EBMUD) recently released their newest online educational resource, “From your tap to the San Francisco Bay”, a virtual tour of the Main Wastewater Treatment Plant. The virtual tour features a variety of engaging videos and interactive maps to help audiences of all levels learn how EBMUD’s wastewater treatment protects public health and the San Francisco Bay. In addition to the new virtual tour, EBMUD continues to demystify the fascinating world of wastewater through their award-winning, live-guided virtual tours: Live-guided virtual tour sign-up. Check them out today!
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Q&A Session – Low Income Household Water Assistance Program (LIHWAP)
The California Department of Community Services and Development (CSD) is hosting a Q&A session this Thursday, April 7, from 2:30 p.m. – 4:00 p.m. on the Low Income Household Water Assistance Program (LIHWAP). CSD encourages you to attend the session if you have not yet enrolled and have questions on the program. Register here for the LIHWAP Q&A Session
Please submit questions in advance via the ZOOM registration.
Please View Enrollment Webinar Recording in Advance
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How has climate change impacted water in the North Bay and what can water leaders do about it? The North Bay Watershed Association (NBWA) Conference will convene experts from around the state this Friday, April 8, to share current information and engage in dialogue with attendees to uncover the relationships our varied communities have with our changed and changing watershed and bay conditions. The virtual conference will include discussions on programs, infrastructure initiatives, and community engagement strategies underway to broaden and deepen our local and regional collaborations in order to adapt to sea level rise, drought, fire, and extreme weather. Join the free NBWA conference to connect with water leaders in the north bay and beyond. Register here.
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Honoring the ‘FlocDoc’ Celebrating the Life of Dr. David Jenkins
Join WEA in Sacramento on April 12 from 6:00pm - 7:30pm to celebrate the life and achievements of Dr. David Jenkins. Share a story - moving and/or funny stories are all welcome. The family has given CWEA permission to host an event and share stories, including the funny ones, as a way to honor him. So bring those great Dr. Jenkins stories! A refreshing beverage and appetizers are included. There is plenty of room for everyone to join, members and non-members, in the Hyatt's beautiful Capitol View Room. Special guests include WEF President Jaime Eichenberger; CWEA President Arvind Akela; Incoming President Megan Yoo Schneider; and Executive Director/CEO Jenn Jones. Register Here.
April 12 from 6:00pm - 7:30pm
Hyatt Regency Sacramento
$35 pp. Everyone is welcome.
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CASA 2022 “Ask the Experts” Webinar Series
Join us for a series of CASA-led “Ask the Experts” webinars! Every month from now until June 2022, we will host a new webinar to facilitate conversation on the hot topics all clean water agencies are concerned with, including infrastructure funding, climate resiliency, public messaging, PFAS, communications and career development, and much more! These virtual workshops are free and open to all CASA members. Check the CASA website and the Connects Newsletter as we will update them with additional details on each webinar as they are confirmed. We hope you will join us!
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ACT Expo
CASA is proud to endorse the Advanced Clean Transportation (ACT) Expo on May 9-12, 2022, in Long Beach, CA. The advanced clean transportation sector continues to grow at a breakneck pace, rapidly rising to the occasion through ongoing innovation. Every year, ACT Expo attendees receive unmatched educational opportunities on the latest trends, policies, technologies, and opportunities in clean tech transportation. The 2022 agenda will enable attendees to:
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Please join the Bay Area Water/Wastewater Workforce Reliability (BAYWORK) on May 12, 2022, from 8:00 a.m. - 2:30 p.m. at the Hilton Oakland Airport for an in-person discussion on how to ensure that our workforce is able to make effective use of new digital tools. Hear real-life case studies from water/wastewater utilities, initiate development of a digital readiness self-assessment tool, and listen in on a panel discussion with utility leaders and community college faculty on training qualified staff. You won’t want to miss it! Register Here.
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Careers and Opportunities |
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CASA represents more than 125 local public agencies engaged in the collection, treatment and recycling of Wastewater and biosolids to protect public health and the environment. Our mission is to provide trusted information and advocacy on behalf of California clean water agencies, and to be a leader in sustainability and utilization of renewable resources. |
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