ACWA
ACWA is a association that is part of the pulse of the water sector. Here we bring together everything it publishes on Smart Water Magazine: its news, its blogs and the events it takes part in.
Bipartisan WIPPES Act passes U.S. House, requiring labeling of non-flushable wipes
The U.S. House of Representatives during the last week of June passed the Wastewater Pollution Prevention and Environmental Safety (WIPPES) Act, a bipartisan, bicameral, and ACWA-supported legislation. This legislation would require wipe manufacturers to clearly label their products as non-flushable to protect wastewater systems from pollution and structural damage, which can cost millions of dollars to […]
Proposed U.S. bill aims to improve atmospheric river forecasting to reduce flood risks
U.S. Senators Alex Padilla (D-CA) and Lisa Murkowski (R-AK) on Feb. 4 announced bipartisan legislation that aims to reduce flood risks and bolster emergency preparedness by improving atmospheric river forecasting. The bill, supported by ACWA, would require the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) to establish a forecast improvement program within the National Weather Service. […]
California’s Office of Administrative Law approves direct potable reuse regulations
The Office of Administrative Law has approved the direct potable reuse regulations that were adopted by the State Water Resources Control Board on Dec. 19, 2023, a major milestone in diversifying California’s water supply while maintaining its safety, quality and reliability. As approved, the regulations address a number of issues identified in a September comment letter from […]
Water Replenishment District awarded $25M for brackish groundwater desalination project
The Water Replenishment District (WRD) has been awarded a $25 million WaterSMART grant from the U.S. Department of the Interior’s Bureau of Reclamation for the construction of a groundwater desalination project – the largest desalination grant awarded in this round. This project will significantly increase the locally sustainable drinking water supply for the South Bay […]
James Gumpel appointed General Manager of Vallecitos Water District
At the November 15, 2023 board meeting, the Vallecitos Water District (VWD) Board of Directors voted unanimously to appoint James Gumpel as General Manager beginning January 1, 2024. James was born in 1973 in Uijeongbu, South Korea (same location as the fictional 4077th hospital on the television show M*A*S*H) at the army base where his […]
Las Virgenes Municipal Water District (LVMWD) in the Los Angeles area partners with Oceanwell
Entirely dependent on imported water, Las Virgenes Municipal Water District (LVMWD) in the Los Angeles area is constantly seeking innovative ways to diversify its water supply. And now, it may have hit on an experimental process that could not only augment its water supply with locally produced water but make a global difference in making […]
Nation’s largest statewide public water agency coalition elects leadership for 2024-‘25
The Association of California Water Agencies (ACWA) announced the results of an election for its top leadership, with member agency representatives voting in Cathy Green as president and Ernesto “Ernie” Avila as vice president. They will begin their two-year term of service on Jan. 1, 2024. Green, currently ACWA vice president, has served on the Orange […]
Mojave Water Agency urges conservation in response to prolonged drought in California
As the drought continues throughout the state of California, the Mojave Water Agency (MWA) is urging residents and businesses to curb water usage to ensure the groundwater basins in its 4,900 square-mile service area remain a reliable, healthy source of water. As a water wholesaler, MWA doesn’t sell water directly to consumers, but manages the High […]
Soquel Creek Water District breaks ground on new advanced water purification center
With a forward-looking theme of “Water Transformed!” the Soquel Creek Water District held a groundbreaking ceremony last week, commemorating the start of construction on its Advanced Water Purification Center – the heart of the Pure Water Soquel Groundwater Replenishment and Seawater Contamination Prevention Project. The festive groundbreaking event took place at the site of the new facility, […]