In This Issue:
President’s Message—Legislative Recap 2016
The Orange County Water District’s legislative team was successful in protecting many of the interests of the District and its 19 groundwater producers leading to the development of new state and federal water-related legislation and policies.
In 2016, OCWD reviewed 2,331 California state legislative bills, 70 state and 12 federal measures that directly impacted the District. This included legislation addressing water supply, water quality, groundwater management, greywater, federal funding of grants and low-interest loans, drought resiliency, water infrastructure, and regulatory reform initiatives. Read More…
 | Cathy Green President |
Earthquake Fair Hits OCWD
OCWD employees got all shook up at the recent Earthquake Preparedness Fair when they got to experience a 7.0 earthquake in the Big Shaker simulator.
Representatives from the American Red Cross, Ready OC, SOS Survival Products, Allstate Insurance, Ready America, Grainger, and Pet First Aid & CPR were on hand to provide valuable information about being prepared for inevitable large tremors, what to put in disaster kits and more. Representatives also brought preparedness kits and other items for sale to help complete home kits.
According to Be Prepared California these are the top six things to do indoors when a quake hits:
- • Take cover under a heavy desk or table; if it moves, try to move with it.
- • If other cover isn’t available, go to an inner corner or doorway.
- • Stay away from glass, windows, hanging objects and large furniture that could fall; watch for falling bricks from chimneys and fireplaces and cabinets with doors that could swing open.
- • Use a blanket or pillow to shield your head and face from falling debris and broken glass.
- • If the lights go out, use a battery-operated flashlight. Don’t use candles, lighters or matches in case of a gas leak that would lead to explosion.
- • If in the kitchen, quickly turn off the stove and take cover at the first sign of shaking.
For more information about earthquake preparedness and safety visit the California Department of Public Health’s Be Prepared California site.
OCWD Garners Multiple Awards in 2016
Since 2006, the District has received 70 awards for its service efforts and accomplishments—more than 15 just in the past year—the second largest number it has garnered in a calendar year.
A major reason for many of the 2016 awards is the Groundwater Replenishment System (GWRS) initial expansion, which added 30 million gallons more per day for a total of 100 million gallons of water. The GWRS now supplies enough “new” water for 850,000 people daily in north and central Orange County. It is a joint venture of OCWD and the Orange County Sanitation District. Through this collaboration, the GWRS has emerged as one of the most celebrated civil engineering and water reuse projects in the world.
The successful operation of this project, its completed expansion, and planned future expansion are the reasons it receives ongoing recognition and truly demonstrates the value of this significant investment.
Among OCWD’s many accolades in 2016…Read More…
Fritz Coleman to Emcee 10th Annual OC Water Summit
Mark your calendars now for the 10th annual OC Water Summit that will take place at the beautiful Grand Californian Hotel at the Disneyland Resort in Anaheim on June 16.
KNBC broadcasting icon and weathercaster Fritz Coleman will emcee the event. The OC Water Summit examines California’s water challenges and their global impacts and features inspirational stories of innovation within the water industry. Prominent authors, world-renowned experts, and distinguished speakers will deliver presentations and engage in dialogue with participants on these critical issues. The OC Water Summit draws more than 400 national and state policy makers, elected officials, scientists, financial experts and business leaders each year. The event is hosted by the Orange County Water District, the Municipal Water District of Orange County and the Disneyland Resort. Look for additional information in upcoming issues of Hydrospectives or visit OCWaterSummit.com.
Public Comment Request by SAR Conservancy
The Santa Ana River Parkway & Open Space Plan is being developed by the State Coastal Conservancy’s Santa Ana River Conservancy Program to help jurisdictions along the river corridor collaborate on a shared vision for the Santa Ana River Parkway.
According to its proposed vision: The Santa Ana River Parkway and Open Space is a regionally celebrated resource that provides varied opportunities for residents and visitors to experience the river corridor along its entire length, while providing necessary flood protection, drinking water supply, habitat continuity, and recreation, education, and health benefits.
Draft guiding principles and a vision map are both open to public comment through December 30, 2016.
OCWD participates in several environmental programs to balance human activity on the Santa Ana River. Through habitat restoration, wildlife management, public education, and the control of non-native species, OCWD ensures that our natural environment will be accessible to future generations.
The District has dedicated more than 200 acres of its lands for public trails and recreation, ensuring that the public will continue to be able to enjoy open space in Orange County for years to come. Shown is the Anaheim Coves walking path/bike trail along OCWD’s Burris Basin in Anaheim.
North and South Basin Cleanup Report
The Orange County Water District continues to work toward remediating both the North Basin and South Basin groundwater contaminant plumes to protect our local drinking water supplies. Our work includes many different components. The initial phase is the Remedial Investigation and Feasibility Study (RI/FS), which is now underway for both areas. OCWD has submitted applications for California Proposition 1 grant funding support for the RI/FS for both North and South Basin areas. We also continue to seek financial participation for the investigation and cleanup costs from the parties responsible for the contamination. Read More…
Out in the Community
As part of its standard to forge and maintain long-term, positive and proactive relationships with members of the local community and greater water industry and to be transparent about its operations and programs, OCWD board members and staff speak regularly before groups and at events. We participated in the following during November:
- • OCWD Directors Cathy Green and Denis Bilodeau, General Manager Mike Markus and Executive Director of Planning & Natural Resources Greg Woodside traveled to Washington, D.C. on a two-day legislative trip and spoke to nearly 20 legislators and staff, team, and committee members. (Read more about legislative efforts in the President’s Message.)
- • Mike Markus participated on a panel at the Virginia Coastal Policy Center’s Annual Conference titled “Sustainable Water Initiatives for Tomorrow.”
- • Director of Water Production Mehul Patel gave a presentation regarding the GWRS at the iwater International Integrated Water Cycle Show in Spain.
- • Principal Engineer Sandy Scott-Roberts gave a presentation entitled “Considerations for the Groundwater Replenishment System Final Expansion Project” at the Orange County Water Association’s monthly meeting.
OCWD in the News
OCWD continues to be recognized for its leadership in the water industry. Below are a few of the District’s recent media highlights that feature OCWD and the GWRS:
- • Planning Report: Orange County Water District Leads On Recycling & Groundwater Management
- • True Viral News: Are Americans Ready to Start Drinking Their (Treated) Toilet Water?
- • Orange County Breeze: Water Manufacturing Process Presentation Earns Gold MarCom Award
- • TrojanUV: UV-Oxidation and the Groundwater Replenishment System
OCWD Employees
OCWD’s employees are its most valuable resources. It is committed to recruiting the best and enriching their lives to grow within the water industry and the District family.
New Hires
Hannah LibaoChemistLaboratory
Andrew DinhR&D FV Lab InternLaboratory
Ana GonzalezEnviron. Specialist/Data AnalystHydrogeology
Samantha DobrevTemp. Communications Rep.Public Affairs
Retiree
Congratulations to Lynn McConnell on her recent retirement from OCWD after nearly 23 years of service.
Lynn McConnellEnviron. Specialist/Data AnalystHydrogeology
Upcoming Events
December 21: 5:30 p.m. Board of Directors Meeting (Boardroom)
December 23: Holiday
December 26: Holiday
January 2: Holiday
January 4: 5:30 p.m. Board of Directors Meeting (Boardroom)
January 5: 8:00 a.m. Communications and Legislative Liaison Committee Meeting (C-2)
January 11: 8:00 a.m. Water Issues Committee Meeting (Boardroom)
January 12: 8:00 a.m. Admin Finance Committee Meeting (C-2)
January 18: 5:30 p.m. Board of Director Meeting (Boardroom)
January 24: 8:00 a.m. Retirement Committee Meeting (C-2)
January 25: 8:30 a.m. Municipal Water District of OC/OCWD Joint Planning Meeting (MWDOC 101)
January 27: noon Property Management Committee Meeting (C-2)
November Tours
Thank you to the more than 350 guests who toured OCWD’s facilities in November:
Guests included members of Shepherds Grove Church in Garden Grove, Calif.; students from the Santa Ana College Math, Engineering, Science Achievement (MESA) program; students from Irvine Valley College, Orange Coast College, Golden West College, Cal State Dominguez Hills, and Mt. San Antonio College; students from the Cal State Fullerton Nursing Program; staff and board members from the Las Virgenes Municipal Water District; the Consulate General of Canada; an environmental delegation of sanitary engineers, scientists and administrators from various provinces in China; senior managers of the Tulare Irrigation District; members of the Students and Young Professionals Association and the Del Almo Action Committee; members of the Cal Water Service Company (shown); and students from the Cal Poly Pomona Civil Engineering and Environmental Engineering Program.
Public tours of the Groundwater Replenishment System are offered at 10 a.m. on the first Friday of every month; reservations are required. Tours may be scheduled for other days of the week, depending on staff availability. To schedule a tour, request more information or schedule a speaker, please visit ocwaterdistrict.mystagingwebsite.com.
CONTACT USocwaterdistrict.mystagingwebsite.com18700 Ward StreetFountain Valley, CA 92708
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