San Gabriel Valley Municipal Water District

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H₂Owl Mascot Partnership Program

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Introduction

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Ultra Low-Flush Toilet Program

WATER STATS

LA Rainfall : LA RAINFALL Source: Los Angeles Times Daily Weather Section; downtown Los Angeles readings. The LA Times utilizes data on a season/annual basis that begins July 1 and ends June 30 of each year. Thus, current season means “from July 1, 2009 to date”, and season norm means “from July 1 to date.” Each of these data are updated daily by the LA Times, and updated monthly on this web site. [CLOSE] Since July 1: 5.06" (67% of normal)	?
California Snow Levels: [CLOSE] CALIFORNIA SNOW LEVELS Source: California Department of Water Resources; California Data Exchange Center; California Cooperative Snow Surveys; this statistic shows two key statistics describing the percent of snow water equivalents (i.e., moisture content in the snow pack): 1) as a percent of normal; and 2) based on the assumption of an April 1 “peak snow water accumulation” date. Note: The most important characteristic of snow to water managers and hydrologists is its water content. However, depth is of interest to many people also. State data collection equipment measures the weight of the snowpack, and therefore its water content. New-fallen snow can range in density depending on the air temperature and intensity of the storm. In California, densities of 12% are common. This means that for every 10 inches of snow that accumulates, it will melt to a pool of water 1.2 inches deep. After snow falls, it settles and compacts. The snowpack gets less and less deep, but the snow doesn't melt or go anywhere. Rather, its density increases. Therefore, snow depth is a fleeting indicator of the snowpack. By obtaining a measure of the water content of the snow, which doesn't change unless more precipitation occurs or the pack melts, we have a good handle on how the rivers will react in the spring. After May, the snowpack melts due to both rainfall and the intense sunshine of late spring and summer, which is the principal melting energy source. [CLOSE] 36% of normal /23% of peak	?
California Reservoir Levels: CALIFORNIA RESERVOIR LEVELS Source: California Department of Water Resources; California Data Exchange Center; Summary of Storage in Major Reservoirs; includes 158 reservoirs in California, North Coast, and Colorado River (Lake Mead, Lake Powell); these statistics show reservoir levels statewide, both as a percentage of average and a percentage of capacity as of December 31, 2008. [CLOSE] 95% of average /64% of capacity	?
Watering Index: 35% [CLOSE] WATERING INDEX Source: Metropolitan Water District. The Watering Index is a scientifically based guide to help people adjust watering schedules for landscape irrigation controllers (also commonly known as "timers") that include a water budget adjustment feature. This feature - either a button or a dial - permits the watering run times for all electric valves managed by a controller to be increased or decreased with just one adjustment. The Watering Index represents the recommended percentage setting for the watering adjustment feature. The index is normally 100 percent for much of July and August. Over the course of the year the index changes to reflect the landscape’s changing need for water as climatic conditions change. As new Watering Index values are published weekly, the controller’s percentage adjust feature should be changed to match the current index value. MORE INFORMATION AT BEWATERWISE.COM Note: the Watering Index does not provide watering times for each electric valve or station. Instead, it simply specifies a value that the percentage adjust feature should be set at. The watering times will automatically change across the board when the percentage adjust setting is changed. [CLOSE]	?
Key Well Elevation Chart

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PREVIOUS HOME PAGE ARTICLES

Board of Directors and Committee Appointments
in Place for 2011

Current Board Members (left to right):
John Leung, Division II; Raul Romero, Division V;
Joe Reichenberger, Division III;
Tom Love, Division IV; Mark Paulson, Division I

Re-elected Directors Tom Love (Division IV) and Mark Paulson (Division I) were joined by newly elected Director Raul Romero (Division V) in being sworn in for their new terms prior to the regularly scheduled board of directors meeting on Monday, January 10, 2011. Both Love and Paulson ran unopposed in the November 2010 election, while Romero prevailed over incumbent Carol Montano.

In other board of directors' business, Director Joe Reichenberger was re-elected President by the board, Director Tom Love was re-elected Vice President, Director John Leung was re-elected Secretary, Director Mark Paulson was re-elected Treasurer and General Manager Darin Kasamoto was elected Deputy Secretary and Deputy Treasurer. The board also voted on appointments to key water-related and civic committees. Director Leung was elected representative to the Water Quality Board, with Director Love as alternate, and Director Love was elected representative to the Main San Gabriel Basin Watermaster. For a full listing of internal and external committee appointments please click HERE.

Director Tom Love has served on the board since being appointed in February 2002, and has been elected twice before in November 2002 and November 2006. Mr. Love is the General Manager/Chief Executive Officer of the Inland Empire Utilities Agency (IEUA), a municipal water district serving 850,000 people in the western portion of San Bernardino County. Mr. Love has nearly thirty years experience in public agency, water resources and engineering management.

Director Mark Paulson was elected to serve on the board in January 2007. Mr. Paulson is former mayor and city council member in Alhambra, serving from 1994-2006. Mr. Paulson is a senior sales associate with Anthony Venti Realtors, located in Alhambra, California.

Director Raul Romero is the newly elected representative of Division V, the City of Azusa. Mr. Romero has worked as a Union Representative/Organizer for more than twenty five years for four different unions: Service Employees International Union, American Federation of Government Employees, United Auto Workers and United Domestic Workers of America. A long time resident of Azusa, Mr. Romero is a board member of the San Gabriel Valley Civic Alliance.

Member Cities Review
Automated Meter Reading Pilot Project

Representatives from Alhambra, Azusa, Monterey Park and Sierra Madre Discuss Automated Meter Reader (AMR) Pilot Project

Representatives from Water and Public Works departments in each of the District's member cities attended a workshop on December 9, 2010 at District headquarters. The purpose of the workshop was to review and learn from the Automated Meter Reading (AMR) Pilot Project being operated by the City of Monterey Park. The Project was made possible by a $65,000 grant from the District to the City of Monterey Park. The grant has funded new water meters, register upgrades and radios.

AMR is a system of electronic meter reading equipment that has the potential to enhance water conservation and aid municipal budgets by increasing revenue from water sales, identifying leaks and reducing labor costs. AMR enables water meters to be read from a moving or stationary vehicle or an office computer, replacing the need to manually walk and chart meters. Reports produced as a result of this technology can detect leaks much easier and can also pinpoint times/days of excessive water usage.

The grant for the Monterey Park AMR Pilot Project was announced in June 2009; equipment was purchased and installed in late 2009; and the project began operating on one of 38 routes in the City in 2010. The route selected has 260 residential, commercial and industrial accounts.

Preliminary results identified leaks in about 20 percent of the accounts and reduced the time necessary to read an entire route from two days by foot to 15 minutes by truck. The pilot has also identified the importance of training and preparing staff to operate the equipment and to repair leaks. Monterey Park officials describe customers as being “amazed and appreciative” when they see charts and graphs that vividly depict unaccounted for water usage.

The Water District and Monterey Park are working together to produce more detailed performance and financial data by mid-2011. The District's board and other member cities will be considering the feasibility of further AMR programming once those results are analyzed.

Public Education Events Emphasize Water Supply Solutions

The spring and summer months were busy times for the Water District's public education program. With water supply solutions as our theme, Board members, staff and H₂Owl have made dozens of appearances to talk with stakeholders.

The slide show captures "teaching moments". Some are serious and formal, some are happy and fun. All are progress in the name of informing people about water conservation, imported water, recycled water, stormwater capture, groundwater replenishment and more. The photos you are watching include events from throughout our service area such as the Monterery Park Ultra Low Flush Toilet Give Away, Azusa Concerts in the Park, Sierra Madre Mt. Wilson Trail Run, Azusa Summer Reading Carnival, Alhambra Gateway Dedication, Monterey Park Cinco de Mayo, and city council meetings in Alhambra, Azusa, Monterey Park and Sierra Madre.

Dave Johnson - 30 Years of Service to Our District

Assistant General Manager Dave Johnson was recognized at the District's board meeting on Monday, October 11, for 30 outstanding years of service. Dave started with the District on October 6, 1980 , and was promoted to Assistant General Manager in April 2006. Dave is the District's longest term employee and has been involved in nearly all the District's major accomplishments over the years.

He's had oversight or involvement in projects including pipeline construction, imported water deliveries, management of pressure reducing stations, and hydroelectric power generation. As General Manager Darin Kasamoto commented, "Dave is not only assistant general manager, but often he pitches in as one of the field operations personnel if other staff are unavailable for any reason."

Dave is keeping busy as always. For the better part of the last year, in addition to his ongoing operational duties, he worked with a local residential real estate developer to coordinate plans to redesign streets and setbacks in the area neighboring the headquarters office. This resulted in beautiful new landscaping, fencing, lighting and road/parking lot surfacing for the headquarters.

Dave lives in San Dimas and is a proud family man. He spends free time with his wife and two daughters and enjoys horse back riding and water sports, among other interests. We can thank Dave for the efficiency and superb design of most of our operations, and, at least in part, for the low supplemental water rates and property tax rates enjoyed by our member cities and stakeholders.

SGVMWD Officials Meet with Legislators

Pictured (from left to right): Director Tom Love, General Manager Darin Kasamoto, Assemblyman Mike Eng, and Board President Joe Reichenberger.

San Gabriel Valley Municipal Water District officials recently met with legislators representing the District's member cities (Alhambra, Azusa, Monterey Park and Sierra Madre).

District officials thanked the legislators for their ongoing support of efforts to bring supplemental water to the San Gabriel Valley and their leadership on water conservation efforts in Sacramento, and provided updates on District-specific initiatives. District officials met with local representatives including Senator Gil Cedillo, Assemblymembers Adams, Eng, Hernandez and Portantino, and officials from Senator Huff's office.

Pictured (from left to right): Director Tom Love, General Manager Darin Kasamoto, Assemblyman Mike Eng, and Board President Joe Reichenberger.

Bus shelter signage

Newspaper public info article

New Water Awareness Campaign Debuts on Earth Day

Happy Earth Day to all our Water Worshipers! Please celebrate Earth Day by saving water at home or at work, and read our newest public information article (left) which is running in the San Gabriel Valley Tribune and its sister publications on Earth Day. The Water District has had a strong focus on water conservation the past few years. This year we will be expanding our public education efforts to inform stakeholders about additional long-term water supply solutions such as imported water, recycled water, grounvdwater replenishment and stormwater capture. Our public information campaign features this website, innovative pilot projects, a variety of publications, bus shelters (left), street banners, the H₂Owl mascot, school outreach and community presentations. Let's conserve water and make every day Earth Day here in the San Gabriel Valley.

Annual Low Flush, Water Saving Toilet Program Kicks Off Water Awareness Month

May is Water Awareness Month in California. Earlier this Spring, students students from high schools in the Water District's service area assisted hundreds of residents exchange older, less water-efficient toilets for newer, water-efficient models. The units are provided free to residents. Pictured is the Ultra Low Flush Toilet exchange program in Monterey Park, with students from the Mark Keppel High School Project Green providing support and earning "service hours" for their school. In addition to the toilet exchange, residents received water saving information and met the District's mascot, H₂Owl.

Your One-Stop Shop for Water News and Legislation

Our web site has another new and helpful feature to kick off the New Year! We'll continue to post "breaking news" on our home page related to water news, policy and legislation. And now, we're going a step further to provide additional insight and information for the serious water "student".

It's a section devoted to helping our stakeholders access the latest governmental or policy developments related to water. Whether it's new water legislation or new water funding, whether it's at the federal, state or local levels, you'll find it HERE.

In addition, we've researched names and contact information of key leaders or influencers throughout the state of California who influence water policy and legislation. From the Governor's office, to the legislature, to key committees, to key environmental organizations, you'll find it HERE. This section will help you know who and how to communicate with to make sure your questions are answered and your opinions are considered.

Get to Know Your Water District!

By Joseph C. Reichenberger
President, San Gabriel Valley Municipal Water District Board of Directors

You know who your electric and gas companies are, right? And you probably know the names of your bank, landlord, phone, cable and internet companies.

VIDEO

But do you know your local water district? Some people are vaguely familiar with their local water utility, if they have one, but few know much about water districts. For decades, most of us have turned on the faucet, at home or at work, and out comes water. Clean, safe, and healthy. Plentiful and cheap.

But now we are in a water crisis in southern California due to the ongoing drought, population growth, environmental restrictions, changing legislation, and the continuing risk of water contamination. Water is an increasingly complex and expensive resource to develop. Our water originates from a number of sources - some nearby such as wells, and some far away such as northern California rivers and reservoirs. Do you know who works to move this water through this complex maze of reservoirs, canals, pump stations and pipelines?

The answer is water districts, which in California are by definition "special districts," which are units of local government established (usually by a vote of the residents of an area) to provide a service not provided by the county or city. Within California there are 58 counties, 468 cities, and over 3,400 special districts, exclusive of school districts.

You might ask "why do we need so many?" Well, as cities formed, each needed to have their own water department to serve their residents and businesses. Over time it became evident that as population grew, water providers needed to go farther and farther to obtain water. Cities and some unincorporated areas could not do this on their own, so they joined together to form water districts to finance and construct regional projects.

There are a number of water districts serving the San Gabriel Valley. Although "water" is in their name, each provides a different range of services including direct water sales to individual consumers (we call them "retailers") or indirect water sales to retailers who then deliver water to customers. Water districts may import water, or treat, store and provide recycled water, and more. The Governor and Legislature are trying to solve the water shortage, but by getting to "know your water district" you can be a part of the decision making process and help solve our water challenge.

The San Gabriel Valley Municipal Water District was created in 1959 by vote of the people in Alhambra, Azusa, Monterey Park and Sierra Madre. Our mission is to provide imported water to meet the needs of our cities, and we contracted with the State Department of Water Resources for a "share" of the State Water Project (the big canal or aqueduct you see when you drive up I-5 to northern California ). We also provide loans and grants to improve water quality water infrastructure. And we have made a major commitment to water conservation and water recycling programs. There are a number of other water districts in the area such as the Upper San Gabriel Valley Municipal Water District and Three Valleys Municipal Water District.

Elected representatives, people you've voted for, oversee the operation of our District and most water districts. We meet regularly to set policy, water rates, and tax rates. You are welcome to attend these meetings and participate in the decision-making process. We encourage you to visit our website or call Darin Kasamoto, General Manager, for more information (626-969-7911).