It’s Time to Celebrate YOU (California Water Professionals)
This week we are thrilled to celebrate the fifth annual California Water Professionals Appreciation Week, during which time we are extra thankful for all of the men and women who work hard to protect public health and the environment, 24/7, 365. We encourage CASA member agencies to showcase the programs and (virtual) events that educate California water customers, local elected leaders, state and federal legislators and other key audiences. Sharing your agency’s activities during the week highlights the value of water and wastewater services and the important role that water professionals play in providing these services. It is also an opportunity to showcase careers in the water industry. Please share information on your website and social media accounts. For more information, visit CWEA’s California Water Professionals Appreciation Week webpage.
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New Law Establishes 120 Day Statute of Limitations for Water and Sewer Fees
Governor Newsom has signed the Association of California Water Agencies’(ACWA) sponsored bill, SB 323 (Caballero), establishing a 120-day statute of limitations for disputing water and sewer rates. This 120-day statute of limitations has been in place for other utilities for several years. Extending this statute to water and sanitation agencies will allow greater financial stability for agencies that have had difficulty planning for lawsuits arising years after adopting rates. The bill was signed last week and goes into effect January 1, 2022. CASA is proud to have supported this bill, and we are appreciative of our partners at ACWA for sponsoring this important piece of legislation.
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Federal Legislative Update |
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House and Senate Committees Continue to Address PFAS
This month, House and Senate committees will hold hearings to review the problem of PFAS contamination and what actions the federal government should take to address the problem. On October 6, the House Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure Subcommittee on Water Resources and Environment will hold a hearing entitled “Emerging Contaminants, Forever Chemicals, and More: Challenges to Water Quality, Public Health, and Communities.” The subcommittee will hear from witnesses ranging from former U.S. Environmental Protection Agency officials, the scientific community, local community and government, and the clean water sector. Later in the month, on October 20, the Senate Committee on Environment and Public Works will hold its own hearing entitled “Evaluating the Federal Response to the Persistence and Impacts of PFAS Chemicals on our Environment.” The hearings are part of an ongoing effort by Congress to try to address the pervasive contamination problems PFAS pose, especially when it comes to the nation’s water resources, and what role the federal government should play to assist efforts to respond to, restrict and remediate contamination in communities.
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Special District COVID-19 Relief Funds Available
Earlier this year, CASA joined a coalition led by the California Special Districts Association (CSDA), along with over 700 districts statewide, to urge the legislature and Governor to provide access to COVID-19 relief funding for special districts. Ultimately, $100 Million was allocated specifically for independent special districts that can demonstrate fiscal impacts due to the COVID-19 Public Health Emergency. This fund is for agencies that do not otherwise have access to COVID-19 relief funding directly from the state or federal government. Therefore, agencies with wastewater rate arrearages will need to choose between applying for this fund or applying for the State Water Resources Control Board’s arrearage relief funding program. The application for this fund is now live and must be submitted by October 15. Don’t miss out, apply now!
Application Period: October 1, 2021 through October 15, 2021
Funding Released: Funding is anticipated to be released by the State Controller’s Office to county-auditor controllers by December 9th, 2021 and released to eligible special districts within 30 days of that date.
Recorded Webinar: View webinar here*. During the California Special Districts Association (CSDA) webinar with the Department of Finance (DOF), presenters discussed the allocation process, provided a preview of the web portal, and answered questions.
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Green Science Policy Institute Releases PFAS Data Hub
Last week, the Green Science Policy Institute released a new data resource, the PFAS Data Hub. The PFAS Data Hub currently provides over 75 links to databases with PFAS information, including PFAS in products, contaminated sites, government and private sector initiatives, biomonitoring, toxicity and more. Read the short blog describing how they discovered these databases, and the holes where more information is urgently needed. If you are aware of other databases that should be included, be sure to let GSPI know by clicking the first link on the homepage.
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Webinars, Workshops & Events |
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Veterans in Water
California’s water utilities are now hiring and veterans have the skills utilities need. How do veterans transition into water careers? Our panel of Federal representatives and veterans who lead in the California water sector will share their stories, offer advice and answer your questions. Veterans who attend this webinar will learn how to start their water career and agencies will learn what resources can help make the transition easier for veterans.
This one hour webinar is part of California Water Professionals Appreciation Week, October 2-10. We appreciate California’s water professionals and we appreciate our veterans! Register today!
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Diversity in California Water Webinar
The California water sector is rapidly hiring. How do we reflect California’s diversity at all levels of our workforce and foster a more inclusive environment with our co-workers? Join this panel of water leaders for an in-depth discussion about new workforce development programs, new DEI efforts and a discussion about what can hold back diversity efforts and the champions we need to move these efforts forward. This webinar is free and open to water professionals, leaders, HR professionals and anyone interested in our sector to join this critical discussion. The webinar is part of our series celebrating water professionals for California Water Professionals Appreciation Week. Register today!
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CASA-CWEA Biosolids and Renewable Energy Seminars
We are pleased to announce the return of the ever popular Biosolids and Renewable Energy Seminars, co-hosted by CASA and CWEA. These seminars will be held, with special thanks to our hosts, on October 13th at the San Francisco Regional Water Board office in Oakland and October 14th at the Southern California Coastal Water Research Project facilities in Costa Mesa. Please note the change in location for the Southern California event. The agenda will be identical at each location. The early bird registration rate has been extended to October 7th, be sure to register today! Registration and the agenda can be found here, we hope to see you there!
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WELL Webinar: The Future of Water Jobs
Join the Water Education for Latino Leaders (WELL) on October 13, 2021, from 12:00pm to 1:00pm for a webinar, The Future of Water Jobs: Training the Next Generation of Water Sector Practitioners. WELL have brought together a panel of subject-matter experts from different industries, including three panelists, Channing Hawkins, Board Director at the West Valley Water District, Beverli A. Marshall, General Manager at the Valley Sanitary District, and Chris Hannan, Executive Secretary at the Los Angeles/Orange Counties Building and Construction Trades Council. Joining as moderator will be Stephan Tucker, General Manager at the Water Replenishment District of Southern California. Together, they will highlight workforce development initiatives, job training and apprenticeship programs, and discuss related funding to help assist women, people of color, and other underrepresented individuals seeking employment in good, high-paying jobs in the water sector. Register today!
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CFCC Free Virtual Funding Fair
The California Financing Coordinating Committee (CFCC) is hosting a free virtual funding fair on October 21 and 28, 2021. The funding fair will provide the opportunity to learn more about available grant, loan, and bond financing options for infrastructure projects from federal, state, and local agencies. Representatives from water industry professionals, including city managers and planners, economic development and engineering professionals, officials from privately owned facilities, water and irrigation district managers, financial advisors, and project consultants are encouraged to attend. For more information about CFCCC, please visit the website at www.cfcc.ca.gov.
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PPIC Water Policy Center Conference
Save the date for the Public Policy Institute of California’s annual November water policy conference, “Seizing the Drought: Water Priorities for Our Changing Climate.” The event will include three late morning webinars (11:00 AM –12:00 PM) on November 15, 16, and 17.
At the conference, the PPIC Water Policy Center will convene a diverse group of experts to discuss how to tackle the highly disruptive effects of climate change on our water system, including immediate actions we can take to boost the state’s resilience. Keep an eye out in future Connects for a link to registration.
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CAAWEF Leadership Summit and Fundraiser
Save the date for the California African American Water Education Foundation’s (CAAWEF), Second Annual Leadership Summit and Fundraiser on Friday, November 19, in Long Beach, CA.
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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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