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...

The CWEA community is heartbroken to share the news about the passing of Ron Wade, a longtime CWEA member and owner of the private O&M consulting firm Facility Process Solutions Consulting. Ron was passionate about the environment and about water. He also understood people and would do things to convince them to be just as...

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...

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...

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...

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)...

View the CA Water Week resource page > Oct 15   View this post on Instagram   A post shared by CWEA (@cweamembers) Oct 13   View this post on Instagram   A post shared by CWEA (@cweamembers) Oct 8   View this post on Instagram   A post shared by CWEA (@cweamembers) Oct 7...

Standing in the lobby of the City of Oxnard’s water resource recovery facility on a sunny Friday morning, mentor Nirmala Mahadevan and mentee Sian Bashkiroff are laughing and joking as they catch-up on stories about work, family, and industry events. Whenever they get together, the conversation just flows. “We’re both talkers,” said Sian. CWEA’s inaugural...

CWEA is heartbroken to share the news that DAMS President Ronald Scriven has passed away. Ron was the General Manager of Crestline Sanitation District in the mountain region of Southern California, and worked for the district for over 20 years. Ron is survived by his wife and children. His friends and co-workers at Crestline have...

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...

Dear CWEA Members, We hope this letter finds you well. Today, we would like to take a moment to reflect on the life and extraordinary contributions of Dr. David Jenkins, a beloved member of our water community. Dr. Jenkins was not only a respected professor and expert in wastewater treatment but also a compassionate volunteer...

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...

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...

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...

Calling all CWEA members: you can provide a lasting memorial for California’s distinguished professor Dr. David Jenkins by donating to the WEF Operator Scholarship Fund. DONATE TO THE DR. JENKINS FUND Professor David Jenkins has left a distinguished and influential legacy in education, research, and scientific advances in the water sector. His hallmark was to...

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...

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...

Some may have retired to a life of golf and relaxation after spending more than 40 years as a civil engineer and serving as the Director of Wastewater for the East Bay Municipal Utility District (EBMUD) in Oakland. However, Dave Williams felt he still had more to give. Before retiring in 2013, Dave decided to...

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...

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...

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...

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...

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,...

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,...

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...

  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...

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 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...

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....

In the Bayview this past spring, as huge concrete biosolids digesters began to rise on the Southeast Treatment Plant (SEP) site, Senior Project Manager Carolyn Chiu took a moment to reflect on the progress. Chiu is the Senior Project Manager on the SFPUC’s Biosolids Digesters Facilities Project (BDFP), the SFPUC’s largest infrastructure project under the...

For several years in a row, Jamie Johnson ran for chair of the San Francisco Bay Section’s (SFBS) Students and Young Professionals (SYP) committee with little success. It was a position she thought would be exciting and inspiring, but she never thought she would take on that role amid the COVID-19 pandemic and the challenges...

Supervisor of the new Yucca Valley Water Reclamation Facility, Matt Mayo, enjoys making his membrane bio-reactor operation better each day, especially as flows increase as more and more septic systems are hooked up to the collections system. This Emerging Leader says the new facility’s startup was exciting – even fun. “There’s always more than one...

Operators join the wastewater team for a variety of reasons, but for Sergio Villegas, it was a case of curiosity at a cheese plant. “I was working at a cheese plant, and we had to control the amount of Biochemical Oxygen Demand we were putting into the local sewer system,” he recalls. Since he loves...

A social media post has led to a successful career in the clean water profession for Ivan Pedraza. Pedraza started his career in wastewater after seeing a post on Facebook that said the East Bay Municipal Utility District was looking for a laboratory assistant. Even though it was only for an internship, it was a...

Despite her 21 years of experience, a steady pace up the proverbial ladder, a bachelor of science degree in civil engineering from UCLA, and a master of science in civil and environmental engineering from UC Berkeley, this emerging leader is not through learning and is back in school working to a obtain a master’s degree...

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...

CWEA member, Luis León, has over 37 years of U.S. and international engineering and management experience in the areas of master planning, feasibility studies, asset management, design (plans, specifications, and estimates), permitting, and construction management of public and private infrastructure projects. These projects have included wastewater collection systems, water distribution facilities, storm drainage, transportation systems,...

East Valley Water District held a community ribbon cutting to officially open the Sterling Natural Resource Center (SNRC) and celebrate the completion of the new community facility. Over 1,300 people enjoyed the event activities, which included a free community concert, food truck vendors, and facility tours. “East Valley Water District made a commitment to the...

Kevin Schuler is OC San’s new Maintenance Manager for the Operations and Maintenance Department. He has been part of the OC San family for the last 11 years and has more than 25 years of experience in the wastewater industry. In his former role of Maintenance Superintendent, Kevin played a significant role in enhancing Operations...

The San Francisco Bay Regional Water Quality Control Board announced in June the appointment of CWEA member Eileen White as its executive officer, succeeding Michael Montgomery. Her first day is July 11. White most recently served as director of East Bay Municipal Utility District’s Wastewater Department, where she recently led the development of EBMUD’s Integrated...

On June 1st, the East County Advanced Water Purification Program broke ground, marking an important milestone for the project, East San Diego County, the region and the entire water industry.Program representatives, elected officials and water industry leaders gathered at the future site of the treatment facility in Santee to celebrate the Program that will create a new, local, sustainable and...

Today, the first operating advanced water purification facility in San Diego County was officially dedicated in the City of Oceanside. Elected officials and water leaders throughout southern California commemorated the milestone aptly celebrated on “World Water Day.” Pure Water Oceanside purifies recycled water to create a new local source of high-quality drinking water that is...

Governor Gavin Newsom visited a Metropolitan Water District of Southern California water recycling facility to discuss the administration’s response to the ongoing megadrought affecting the western United States. January through March were the driest first three months in the state’s recorded history, the state’s largest reservoirs are currently at half of their historical averages, and...

The Los Angeles County Sanitation Districts (Sanitation Districts) protect public health and the environment by providing wastewater management for 5.5 million people. The agency operates and maintains a regional wastewater collection system, which includes approximately 1,400 miles of sewers, 48 pumping plants and 11 wastewater treatment plants that convey and treat about half the wastewater...

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...

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 172 applications. “It’s an incredibly exciting time to work in the wastewater industry. From recycled water to green energy to resource recovery, these award winners demonstrate they can step up, work together,...

One of Patrick Green’s first orders of business each day is to open a tap and fill a bottle with sludge. A utilities plant operator in Modesto, a city of nearly a quarter-million people in California’s San Joaquin Valley, Green helps keep the city’s sewers flowing and its wastewater treated to acceptable levels of safety....

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...

According to the Jenkins family, the memorial service in January was cancelled due to COVID and is now being planned for June. The Celebration of Life for David Jenkins is now scheduled for June 5, 2022. Please mark your calendars! CWEA will post the event and more information as soon as we are cleared to...

Perhaps more than anyone else in the clean water profession, Dan Cortinovis, P.E., has been directly affected by the passage of the Clean Water Act. His tenure in our industry dates back to 1967 when he was trained by the U.S. Air Force to operate the treatment plant at the air base in Merced where...

Discover how leadership at two public sector water environment organizations can and has influenced innovation. In 2021 the essential services these organizations provide to help cities and society at large address both longstanding and more recent challenges became clearer.  This requires new thinking, new approaches, and new partnerships.  In arid, Southern California, water is too...

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 member and registered civil engineer Lois Fong-Sakai was formally introduced as a representative of the San Diego County Water Authority to Metropolitan Water District’s Board of Directors Tuesday. Fong-Sakai, who joined the SDCWA board in April 2015 as a representative of the City of San Diego, succeeds Jerry Butkiewicz, who served on Metropolitan’s board...

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...

A long-running local program that benefits the San Luis Obispo community and Cal Poly science and engineering students received international recognition on Oct. 19. San Luis Obispo’s Sustainable Utilities Research and Education (SURE!) program, which is a partnership between City of San Luis Obispo’s Water Resource Recovery Facility and California Polytechnic State University, was awarded the Ralph Fuhrman Medal for Outstanding Water Quality Academic-Practice Collaboration at...

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...

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...

For member Tony Pollak, the pandemic and sudden chlorine shortage that hit this spring have pushed his operations team to redouble their efforts. Tony is the Assistant Deputy Director of Operations for Western Municipal Water District in Riverside County. In late May, the District’s chlorine supplier informed them a west coast shortage would delay deliveries....

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...

If you work in the Bay Area’s wastewater sector you likely know Levi Fuller. After thirty-one years on the job, most recently as the Operations Supervisor for Dublin San Ramon Services District, Levi has decided it’s time for some new adventures. He’s switching off his work cell phone for good and heading out into retirement....

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...

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...

When I was a child, my image of a hero was largely influenced by my surroundings, rural Pennsylvania.  A hero was someone who could protect us from disasters.  Heroes could chase a bear, ford a stream, and summit a peak. As urban dwellers, our opportunities to brave the forces of nature are limited. But what’s...

Schedule of Events Panel Discussions Celebrating Water Professionals Virtual. The webinars are organized and promoted by a coalition of California water associations including ACWA, BAYWORK, CA-NV AWWWA, CASA and CWEA. Oct 6th – Veterans in Water panel discussion (virtual) Register Event Flyer Oct 7th – Diversity in California Water panel discussion (virtual) Register Event Flyer...

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...

Most people plan to retire after a long career, but that was never a consideration for the San Diego Section’s 2020 “Denis Pollak Mentor of Many” award winner, Jack Kubota. At 92, Jack is still working part-time for a growing local engineering firm and mentoring colleagues of all ages on a bit of everything he...

CWEA member Adel Hagekhalil, a national water and infrastructure leader, will take the helm of the nation’s largest drinking water provider – the Metropolitan Water District of Southern California – following a vote Tuesday evening by the agency’s board of directors. The 38-member board approved Hagekhalil’s contract, making him the 14th general manager in the...

CWEA had so much fun holding our “Wastewater Champions” social media contest this summer. We distributed fun CWEA stickers to all members and asked wastewater pros to show they are proud to be champions of wastewater by posting a selfie on social media. Thank you to all those members who were able to post a...

Join the Students and Young Professionals Committee Brownbag Luncheon on Mentoring with speaker Kerrie Greenfelder, Kansas City Municipal Water Division Department Manager for Burns & McDonnell and inaugural winner of the 2020 WEF Mentorship Award on June 9 at 12:00 p.m. Students can register for free. Members get a $130 discount before April 23. Cecilia...

Having diversity, equity, and inclusion in all levels of the workforce is vital to innovation and growth in the water sector. WEF’s Board of Trustees has established a Diversity, Equity and Inclusion Subcommittee to provide guidance on programs, communications, and membership as the next step in the journey toward becoming as a fully diverse, inclusive,...

CWEA is here to support and empower wastewater professionals to help protect California’s most critical resource: clean water. We are a passionate and diverse community of over 10,000 members. To successfully accomplish our mission, CWEA needs the ongoing support and participation of innovative companies. Our new annual Sustaining Sponsorship is designed to support CWEA’s programs and members. Sponsorship offers...

Howard Brewen Water Resource Recovery Facility Superintendent (Retired) Public Utilities City of San Luis Obispo Howard Brewen took the road less traveled to his position as superintendent of the Water Resource Recovery Facility for the City of San Luis Obispo.  Raised on his family’s ranch in north San Luis Obispo County, he followed in his...

Costa Mesa Sanitary District’s Board of Directors announced today that it has successfully defended itself in a federal lawsuit filed by a group that accused CMSD of violating the Clean Water Act. On May 11, 2020, California River Watch (CRW), a non-profit organization located in Sebastopol, California, served CMSD with a 60-day. Notice of Violations...

Quick links: About Dr. Jenkins   |   Remembrances It is with a heavy heart we report Dr. David Jenkins passed away this weekend. He was 85 years old. Dr. Jenkins was a Professor Emeritus of Civil and Environmental Engineering (CEE) at UC Berkeley from 1966 to 1999, a member of their Academy of Distinguished Alumni, a...

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...

  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...

Hazen Welcomes Rion Merlo as West Region Wastewater Practice Leader Hazen and Sawyer has announced the appointment of CWEA member Dr. Rion Merlo, Senior Associate, as the firm’s new West Region Wastewater Practice Leader. Dr. Merlo has 25 years’ experience in the planning, pilot testing, and design of wastewater and water reuse projects, successfully delivering...

This is a letter to the editor from CWEA member Beverli Marshall published in The Desert Sun on Feb 5, 2021. View CWEA’s coverage of the California vaccine roll-out for water and wastewater workers. Aside from wearing a mask and social distancing, what’s the single most important action we can take to stay healthy? Washing...

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...

The San Francisco Public Utilities Commission (SFPUC) is once again extending its Emergency Residential Community Assistance Program, which is designed to help residential customers struggling to pay their water, sewer and Hetch Hetchy power bills during the COVID-19 pandemic. The program, which launched in May, was set to expire at the end of the year,...

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...

Congratulations to the 65 Utility of the Future Today honorees for 2020!   This is the fifth year of the Utility of the Future Today (UotFT) program and saw the greatest number of applicants and honorees. These honorees have received a Certificate of Recognition and/or a UotFT banner or a 2020 flag.  This year, as a...

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,...

Announcement from the State Water Board’s ELAP office… Announcing the 2021-2022 Environmental Laboratory Technical Advisory Committee (ELTAC) Voting Members ELTAC provides constructive scientific advice and feedback to ELAP and the California regulatory agencies who use laboratory data to make decisions to protect the state’s environmental and public health. The 2021-2022 Committee has been built to...

Show off your PPE Whatever happens in this pandemic, the wastewater keeps flowing. CWEA members are #essentialworkers out there keeping #essentialservices going. We are the ones on the front lines, making sure wastewater gets cleaned up to protect our communities and the environment. Job #1 is keeping you and your teammates safe. If you’re a...

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: 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: 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...

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...

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...

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...

Sad to learn that CWEA and WEF Past-President Harry Tow has passed away in May.  Announcement from QK (formerly Quad-Knopf),  the engineering firm Harry helped found. It is with great sadness and heavy hearts that we share the peaceful passing of QK co-founder Harry Tow, PE, AICP. He was 94 years old. Throughout his 48...

View all Coronavirus stories > Join the fourth CWEA-CASA webinar featuring six top utility executives from the San Francisco PUC, Regional San in Sacramento and the Orange County Sanitation District (OCSD). They will share their plans for dealing with unique O&M challenges while also preparing for new emergencies as the COVID-19 pandemic continues. This is...

Flor Burrola is committed to environmental sustainability. As a civil engineering associate II with LA Sanitation & Environment (LASAN), she feels great about where she is and passionate about the projects she works on.    “I’m lucky to be working with the city’s Wastewater Engineering Services Division, planning and collaborating with multiple departments and agencies,” she says.   A recent example was a...

We would like to inform you that  LACity’s LASAN and the environment applied for the MyLA2050 grant and has been selected as one of the 25 finalists this year! The application is titled “LA Industry: Circular Textiles” and is focused on creating a HUB and online platform to increase reuse rates, create green markets, resource conservation...

Our June COVID-19 webinar covered wastewater surveillance and how wastewater agencies can help monitor the spread of the virus in communities. The webinar was sponsored by WEST YOST. COMING-UP: The next CASA-CWEA COVID-19 webinar is on July 22nd. The title is Overcoming O&M Challenges to Maintain Essential Services. The webinar is free for water and...

City of San Luis Obispo Matt Anderson, Lab Manager Ingredients: 2/3 isopropyl alcohol (99.9%) 1/3 aloe vera juice (100%) Gives us an alcohol concentration of 67%. For a 1-liter batch the formula is: 667mL isopropyl alcohol 333mL aloe vera juice Notes: this is a liquid sanitizer, not a gel. We also made batches with essential...

City if LA’s main environmental laboratory has ramped-up production of hand sanitizer to help their fellow team members on the front lines during the pandemic. LASANitizer HAND SANITIZER To make 10 L of hand sanitizer, mix the following according to instructions below: 500 mL         100% Glycerin 8420 mL       95% Ethanol (EtOH) 1040 mL       Deionized...

Lee Raymond Badertscher November 20, 1953 — May 18, 2020 Almost everyone who first met Lee Badertscher had that moment, where they weren’t sure if Lee was angry, miffed, or otherwise unhappy to see them. Every engineer who has reported to their first day at LEE + RO remembers meeting Lee for the first time....

Read the full case study on Water News Network

Each year volunteers with the California Water Environment Association (CWEA) collaborate with the Water Environment Federation (WEF) in the selection of an individual to receive the Stockholm Junior Water Prize (SJWP).  The SJWP is the world’s most prestigious youth award for a water-research science project.    All high school students who have reached the age of...

Update: On June 26th the CWEA Board formed a Diversity and Inclusion Task Force As water environment professionals, our mission is protecting and saving lives and operating systems that make our communities cleaner, healthier places for everyone to live in. Racism, inequality, and acts of violence are against everything CWEA stands for. CWEA stands with...

By Paula Hansen and Artem Dyachenko East Bay Municipal Utility District Ultraviolet germicidal irradiation (UVGI) is a disinfection method that uses short-wavelength ultraviolet (UVC – approximately 254 nm) light to kill or inactivate microorganisms (e.g. bacteria, viruses, molds, and other pathogens). It destroys nucleic acids of the microorganisms and disrupts their DNA, leaving them unable...

View our complete coverage of coronavirus worker safety > Facing an extreme shortage of hand sanitizer in the early days of the COVID-19 pandemic, the East Bay Municipal Utility District (EBMUD) produced its own. This was especially important for water and wastewater workers who often do not have access to soap and running water in...

Story from Blue-White pumps… When officials in Huntington Beach, became concerned whether enough ventilators would be available to treat the anticipated surge in COVID-19 patients, the city turned to Blue-White Industries, a local manufacturer of chemical metering pumps, flowmeters and water treatment accessories. City officials asked Blue-White to quickly develop and build temporary ventilators that met multiple specifications...

Below is an email that was targeted to some of our CWEA leaders. Thankfully, they were able to recognize this as a scam and did not transfer funds. Do not fall for these kinds of attacks. Scammers can find your section President and Treasurers information on the website, making these attacks more believable. Please be...

View all coronavirus stories > WEF releases an updated and expanded version of “The Water Professional’s Guide to COVID-19” Authors: Rasha Maal-Bared, Naoko Munakata, Kyle Bibby, Kari Brisolara, Charles Gerba, Mark Sobsey, Scott Schaefer, Jay Swift, Lee Gary, Samendra Sherchan, Akin Babatola, Lola Olabode, Robert Reimers, Robert Bastian, and Albert Rubin  Primary Messages The research...

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...

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....

Paula Zeller Senior Plant Operator, CWEA Past President 5S 1999 I got my shovel when we had mammoths and saber-toothed tigers in the treatment plant. The ceremony was conducted by guys who worked with pterodactyls and spinosaurus. I had done some behind-the-scenes stuff for SARBS, the biggest local section in CWPCA [now CWEA], like: Writing...

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....

Gary Warren East Bay Municipal Utility District 5s 2019 Gary Warren was recognized by his peers in receiving a 5S Award in April at the Annual Conference 2019 in Palm Springs. His CWEA participation started simply, by attending various local dinner meetings and training seminars in the San Francisco Bay Area. These CWEA events provided...

Steve Jepsen Southern California Alliance of POTWs 5S 2016 After I did my cycle as first director through past president with the CWEA San Diego Section, I received the treasured gold shovel and a lifetime membership to the secret society of sludge shovelers.I proudly wear my gold shovel at professional events.One of my first public...

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...

Adel Hagekhalil, general manager of L.A.’s Bureau of Streets joins the climate discussion during the WEX Global event in Porto, Portugal View full story by Angela Godwin for Water World here..

Chris Lehman Supervisor City of San Luis Obispo WRRF 6 years US Navy, Radar Electrician What is your role? Water Resource Recovery Facility Supervisor at City of San Luis Obispo. What inspired you to work in water? In 2010 I left the Navy and moved back to California  [San Luis Obispo]. I was initially exploring...

Kody Tompkins, Chief Plant Operator Army/Served 9 years What is your role? I’m the Chief Plant Treatment Plant Operator for the City of Barstow’s Wastewater Treatment Plant. I hold a Grade V Wastewater Treatment Plant Operator, Grade IV Collection System Maintenance, Grade II Water Treatment Operator, and Grade II Water Distribution Certificates. What / who...

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...

We are handing over the reins of our social sites, Instagram and Twitter to four accomplished and technically savvy wastewater operators during California Water Professionals Appreciation Week. That’s right, they will give you a first hand look into their lives next week and we can’t wait to go on that ride! Be sure to follow...

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...

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...

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...

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...

Industry leader Dr. Zeynep Erdal to deliver integrated ‘one water’ solutions for clients With clients’ growing focus on sustainable, resilient and reliable water solutions, Black & Veatch announced that CWEA member Dr. Zeynep Erdal, PE, has been named Integrated Solutions Leader in Black & Veatch’s Water business. Erdal is focused on global “one water” solutions,...

Support for our coverage of Women in Water is provided by DN Tanks. The Professional Development Committee and the Students and Young Professionals Committee of the San Francisco Bay Section of the CWEA held a Supporting Women in Wastewater Workshop and networking dinner on May 9, 2019. The event had almost 90 attendees and kicked...

Support for our coverage of Women in Water is provided by DN Tanks. At AC19 Palm Springs, CWEA held it’s Second Annual Women Impacting Water Breakfast. It was a morning of networking, inspiration, encouragement and career advice. Megan Yoo Schneider of Seven Management Consulting lead the audience and panelists on an interactive discussion on challenges,...

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...

Marc Serna named Chief Engineer at South Coast Story by Sonja Wassgren Morgan     South Coast Water District (SCWD) is pleased to announce CWEA Member Mr. Marc Serna recently joined the executive management team at the District. On May 1, 2019, Marc assumed the role of Chief Engineer that was held previously by Rick...

Cástulo Estrada grew up in the eastern end of the Coachella Valley – an area that had little if any water and wastewater infrastructure. Today, as a member of the Coachella Valley Water District board of directors, he’s proud of a special program bringing clean water infrastructure to disadvantaged communities in eastern Riverside County. Called the...

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....

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....

In this edition of WEF’s Words on Water Podcast, three leaders from the Las Virgenes Municipal Water District share their experiences from the November 2018 Woolsey Fire. It decimated communities in Malibu and Ventura County, destroying 1,643 structures, killing three people and forcing 250,000 people to evacuate. Staff at Las Virgenes did not evacuate and...

Great things happening in our Monterey Bay Section…. Hello Again, this is the last quarterly report for the 2018 CWEA-MBS Year These past few months have turned cold and thankfully brought some much needed rain.  But that hasn’t stopped the dedicated Sewer Rats from congregating!  This past October we had a great stormwater training luncheon at the...

Coverage of asset management topics is supported by MentorAPM  November 14th, 2018 Uncovering Sewer Laterals: How to Optimize Your Lateral Strategy Managing sewer laterals is challenging. Learn about the “Lateral Strategy Toolbox”, hear agency stories about success and challenges, and find ways to maximize the benefits of improving laterals – while balancing the impacts to...

It’s the new “abnormal” as Governor Jerry Brown calls it. Bigger and more intense fires have killed more people in California and destroyed more property than ever before. Even as the fires are put out, water professionals know there’s a new threat. Floods. Fires and floods happen so often throughout California’s history, some regions have...

The LA Wrecking Crew from Los Angeles County Sanitation Districts represented California in this year’s WEFTEC Ops Challenge competition. Photos by Michael Spring (New England WEA and Alec Mackie, CWEA). Team members included Will Hoeing, Carlos Vasquez, Joseph Gevas and team captain Nicholas Janicke. Other CWEA members attending included Stephen Johnson (Jr.) from LACSD and...

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...

Past CWEA President Christoph Dobson describes the important role clean water pros play in their community. “We provide a very important service for the community and we’re all very proud we’re able to provide this for the community.”  

Two collection system leaders discuss the importance of certification and the role training and technology have in the massive reduction in Sanitary Sewer Overflows. Daryl Lauer is the Collections Superintendent for Carmel Area Wastewater District the Chair of CWEA’s Collection Systems Committee. Ken Merkle is the Senior Collection Systems Supervisor for the City of Stockton...

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...

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...

Coverage of water workforce topics supported by waterTALENT Debi Lewis Past President 2017-2018 Professional Engineer Stantec Debi Lewis’ career began in business administration working for an ad agency. She started as a secretary in the Pasadena office of James M. Montgomery, which later became MWH and is now Stantec. Eventually she became an office manager...

There is no doubt that CWEA has played a huge role in my career and continues to open doors and present opportunities for my future growth in our exciting industry. It feels like yesterday I was attending my first workshop and studying for my first certification. Little did I know that one day I would...

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,...

The annual Ops Challenge competition at WEFTEC is a test of skill, knowledge and endurance. Teams win or lose based on a single question or a fraction of a second in the physical competitions. One of California’s teams, the LA Wrecking Crew from LACSD in Southern California consistently ranks a top contender at WEFTEC. LA...

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,...

Water & Wastewater Digest’s Class of 2018 Young Professionals includes two Californians… Nataly Dakak Environmental Engineering Associate City of Los Angeles Bureau of Sanitation Age: 25 Education: Bachelor of Science in environmental engineering from the University of California, Riverside. Master of Science in civil engineering from the University of California, Los Angeles. Professional accomplishments: Protecting the City...

Water and wastewater utilities have emergency plans for floods, leaks, spills, earthquakes, personnel rescue and terror threats.  But what about wild fires that damage or destroy not only your infrastructure but whole swaths of the community itself?  That was the situation in Santa Rosa following the devastating Tubbs fire last October.    Santa Rosa’s director of...

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.),...

This article first appeared in the March 2018 issue of Treatment Plant Operator magazine, published by COLE Publishing, Three Lakes, Wisconsin. It is reprinted by permission. Cross-training staff in all facets of treatment plant operations, maintenance and laboratory analysis is yielding big dividends at the Carpinteria (California) Sanitary District. One reward was the 2016 Small...

Dear Fellow CWEA Member, 2017 will go down in the California history books as an incredibly challenging year. January 2017 started with record breaking floods; February saw the dam spillway collapse; two of the State’s largest fires in history occurred in October and December; and now, January 2018 begins with tragic mud slides along Southern...

Congratulations to San Francisco Public Utility Commission’s (SFPUC) Karri Ving! Effective at WEFTEC, Karri will serve as the new incoming vice chair for the residuals and biosolids committee for the Water Environment Foundation. Karri also chairs California Association of Sanitation Agencies (CASA) Science & Research Workgroup. CASA has stated they commend her for her ongoing...

Black & Veatch has named CWEA member Joe Lauria as its Vice President and Director of Planning and Growth for the Americas in the company’s water business. In this new role, Lauria will help clients identify and implement sustainable solutions to evolving water challenges. Based in Irvine, California, his primary focus will be on fast-growth U.S....

The National Water Research Institute (NWRI), Orange County Water District (OCWD), and Water Environment & Reuse Foundation (WE&RF) are pleased to announce that Jeffrey J. Mosher, Chief Research Officer at WE&RF, was selected as the 2017 WateReuse Person of the Year for his outstanding leadership in advancing vital research and addressing significant challenges in the...

Press Release from siwi.org Contact: Ms. Rowena Barber Communications Manager, Outreach & Media Relations [email protected] In its citation, the Stockholm Water Prize Nominating Committee recognized Professor McCaffrey’s “path-breaking leadership and legal scholarship in international water law. He has made a unique contribution in three specific areas: his seminal work on Treaty negotiation; his major scholarly works, including his...