Winter Conference Recap

What a great start to 2023! Our Winter Conference at the Hilton Palm Springs was a resounding success. Together with some of the clean water sector’s best and brightest, we focused on complex challenges facing the wastewater community, looking toward the future and preparing the next generation. For those who were unable to attend, check out our website to view the informative presentations and handouts shared by our speakers and panelists. Thank you everyone who attended or served as a speaker, and we look forward to seeing you at next year’s conference!

Eugene Scott to Keynote at CASA’s Washington D.C. Policy Forum

Join us at the Willard InterContinental in Washington, D.C., for the CASA DC Policy Forum February 27 - 28, 2023 for a chance to hear from keynote speaker Eugene Scott. Eugene is a senior political reporter covering Congressional leadership for Axios and the co-author of the forthcoming newsletter Hill Leaders. He previously covered national politics for the Washington Post and hosted the Next Four Years, an Amazon Music podcast about the 2020 election and what it meant for the future of American politics. Prior to that, Scott was a Washington Correspondent for CNN Politics Digital. He has been an award-winning multi-media journalist for two decades with his work appearing in CBS, USA Today, TIME Magazine, NPR, MSNBC and more. Check out some of his stories here.

This year, we have set aside time for agencies to make their own appointments for Congressional visits, with the assistance of our federal advocates, so if you plan to attend the Forum and want to meet with your Representatives, please be sure to reach out to Sarah Sapirstein by Wednesday, February 15! If you are interested in attending the USEPA meetings instead, please contact Greg Kester so he can include you in the meeting preparations.

We hope to see you there!

We Want to Celebrate YOU

Your organization works hard to do what’s right for California. Recognition from the leading clean water association honors your hard work and accomplishments. It’s a symbol of respect, credibility, and innovation. CASA seeks to recognize members who provide essential public services and go above and beyond to protect public health and the environment. All member agencies and associates are invited to submit an Award of Excellence application by Friday, April 28, 2023. Award recipients will be announced (and celebrated!) during CASA’s Annual Conference in August. For more information about the award criteria and categories, please visit the Awards Program Webpage.

Committee Seeks Suggestions for Potential CASA Board Members 

The CASA Nominating Committee, chaired by past president Jasmin Hall, will convene in early spring to consider CASA Board of Directors candidates for the August 2023 ballot. The committee will be recommending candidates for four of the twelve elected seats. The Board of Directors is the governing body responsible for CASA’s high-level policy decisions and oversight of the executive director. If you know someone who would be a valuable board member, please send a brief email to Nominations@casaweb.org with their name, agency and a few sentences about his or her qualifications. Recommendations must be submitted by March 15, 2023.

Oro Loma Sanitary District Selects New General Manager

In January, the Oro Loma Sanitary District Board officially selected Jimmy T. Dang, P.E., MPA, CHST, as the new General Manager for the District. His selection was the culmination of a national search to fill the position. According to the Board’s Selection Committee, there were many qualified candidates but Mr. Dang’s unique combination of industry experience, relevant education, and focus on customer and employee satisfaction made him the best choice for Oro Loma. They added that he has proven himself to be a valuable visionary and leader at Oro Loma since his arrival in 2011. “I am excited to have this opportunity to lead Oro Loma. We are known as innovators and forward-thinkers and my goal is to continue in that vein, building on what’s in place and planning for future initiatives.” said Mr. Dang. Read the full press release here. Congratulations from the CASA team, Jimmy!

Monterey One Water to Receive EPA Grant to Combat Food Waste, Climate Change

The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) announced two grants to organizations in California – Monterey One Water and the Yurok Tribe – to divert food waste from landfills by expanding anaerobic digester capacity. Monterey One Water plans a study to evaluate the conversion of anaerobic digesters at its wastewater treatment facility to equip them to co-digest sewage sludge with food and other organic wastes. “Completion of this study and implementation of co-digestion will be key in helping Monterey One Water and our project partner, ReGen Monterey, adapt to the changing climate and enhance the services we provide the community,” said Paul A. Sciuto, Monterey One Water General Manager. “Thanks to this funding from EPA, we hope to be a model for cross-sector collaboration as we work together to meet State requirements to divert organics from landfills and increase our renewable energy production to help secure the power needs our essential, 24/7 operations require.” Read more in the full press release here.

OC San Wastewater 101

The Orange County Sanitation District’s Free Virtual Wastewater 101 Citizens Academy is slated to start on March 9. The Academy consists of four virtual workshops and will be available for individuals who are 18 years or older. To sign-up or for more information, please visit the Virtual Wastewater 101 Citizens Academy page.

Central San Externship Program

This spring, Central San is bringing back their Externship Program and holding it for the first time in person, after doing virtual sessions in 2021 and 2022. The Externship Program welcomes college students and recent grads to Central San’s facilities in Martinez over the course of one week. Central San is holding the week-long program between March 27 and 31 with daily sessions from 10-3 with a one-hour lunch break. The goal is for staff from across Central San to share different careers in wastewater with the participants, and hopefully inspire them to find a pathway in our industry. Applications are accepted now until March 24. The program is open to current college students (including technical and vocational schools) or graduates who matriculated ≤1 year ago. Please share this flyer with anyone who may be interested!

In Memoriam

We are deeply saddened to inform the CASA membership of the passing of Mt. View Sanitary District (MVSD) Board Member, Stan Caldwell. Stan was elected to the Mt. View Sanitary District Board of Directors in 1993 and continued to serve in this capacity until his passing. At the district, Stan has held the seats of Vice-President and President of the Board, has served on the District’s Finance and Public Information/Public Outreach Committees. He was also very active in the California Special Districts Association (CSDA), serving as a board member and past president. “Stan played a significant role in CSDA’s growth over many years and it was an honor to work with him. His passion for districts and public service will carry-on in the work we do on behalf of our members.” said CSDA CEO Neil McCormick. CASA extends their deepest condolences and sympathy to Stan’s family, friends, and all those whose lives he touched, especially within the CASA, CSDA, and the Contra Costa County communities. See more in the CSDA news release here.

Sign up for CASA’s Regulatory Updates

CASA’s Regulatory Workgroup regularly puts together a comprehensive e-newsletter to share all regulatory updates on key issues and workgroup initiatives with the CASA membership. If you are interested in receiving these regulatory updates, please contact Jared Voskuhl. The latest edition is available here.

$80 million in Bipartisan Infrastructure Law Funds Available

The Bureau of Reclamation is making approximately $80 million from President Biden’s Bipartisan Infrastructure Law available for water conservation, water management and restoration projects that will result in significant benefits to ecosystem or watershed health. The Environmental Water Resource Projects selected in response to this funding opportunity are part of the WaterSMART Program, which received a $1 billion boost from the Infrastructure Law. The Bipartisan Infrastructure Law provided $8.3 billion for Reclamation water infrastructure projects over five years to advance drought resilience and expand access to clean water for families, farmers and wildlife. The investment will repair aging water delivery systems, secure dams, complete rural water projects, and protect aquatic ecosystems. The funding opportunity is available at grants.gov under opportunity number R23AS00089. Applications are due by March 28, 2023, at 4 p.m. MDT. Learn more here.

RFA Annual Meeting

Please join us on March 7, 2023 from 11am – 12pm for the Responsible Flushing Alliance’s second Annual Meeting for a chance to hear updates on progress made in 2022 and plans for 2023. CASA’s Jessica Gauger and Heidi Sanborn with the National Stewardship Action Council will share updates from the wastewater and environmental perspective. Register for the event here.

Save the Date - PFI Event

Save the date for the CWEA and CASA Partnering for Impact (PFI) event happening on June 6, 2023 from 9:00am to 4:15pm in Berkeley, CA. The goal of Partnering for Impact is to build stronger utility, university, and industry collaborations for innovation and find areas where we can create a positive impact together. At this year’s event, we’ll discuss ways we can implement innovative solutions even faster. This year’s featured topics include the risks and rewards associated with various technologies, and what we’re learning about innovations in biosolids resource recovery.