Member Spotlight!
Teresa Herrera is General Manager for Silicon Valley Clean Water and has been working in the water and wastewater industry for over three decades. She recently made history by becoming the first appointed female to assume this role. As she looks back on her career, Herrera says she is extremely proud of being a woman of color in a top position. Teresa has also initiated three very large capital projects using a Progressive Design-Build process ($490 million budget).

What attracted her to the water and wastewater industry is being able to make a difference. “Taking something harmful to people and the environment and turning it into something harmless or, even better, beneficial, was a dream come true!” says Herrera.
Legislative Update
We're Organizing In-Line Field Studies of “Flushable Products” – Volunteers Needed!
In anticipation of moving our sponsored wet wipes labeling legislation forward early next year, CASA will be undertaking several activities to help support our 2020 legislative advocacy efforts. One key effort is to establish current California data about how “flushable” wipes products on the market today affect California sewers.

To obtain the data, CASA is organizing field studies in the coming months with agency volunteers to evaluate the dispersibility of several different wipes products in a controlled process. The data will help illustrate the importance of establishing performance requirements for marketing wet wipes as “flushable.” All agencies are encouraged to participate!
Conference Update
Expert to Talk about Crisis Communications at August Conference
CASA’s Annual Conference is just a few months away! Are you registered to be there August 21-23 in San Diego? Don’t miss a full slate of topical speakers to keep your agency “ahead of the curve.” On Thursday, the afternoon session will feature Stephanie York, vice president and in-house counsel for Hennes Communications.

With over 25 years of experience in law and communication, she will focus on a highly strategic approach to communicating during emergency or crisis situations. York will offer methods to establish and maintain control of the message so you can best serve your customers and stakeholders during a crisis.  Join us  to hear her and our other excellent speakers!
Warning! Conference Hotel Booking Scam
CASA has received several reports from members contacted by outside third parties about the upcoming August conference hotel accommodations at the Manchester Grand Hyatt. This appears to be a scam and is not authorized by CASA or the hotel. Please remember to guard your personal information carefully and only register directly through the hotel and CASA. No one working on behalf of CASA or the hotel will reach out to you directly about accommodations.
We’re Saving Your Seat at the 64th Annual CASA Conference!
This years CASA’s annual conference is at the  Manchester Grand Hyatt  in San Diego from Wednesday, August 21 to Friday, August 23. This year’s conference theme "Ahead of the Curve" will feature panels on innovative efforts to produce a resilient water supply, prepare your workforce for the future and more. Come network with the top water leaders and see what challenges lie ahead.

Hotel room cut-off is Tuesday, July 30. Register  here .
Association News
Third-Party Reports Focus on Issue of Importance to CASA Members
The Public Policy Institute of California released an article that follows its recent report on impacts of conservation and drought to wastewater systems. It emphasizes how recycled water production can be affected by reductions in water use and how demand for recycled water is growing and changing over time.

CASA's Adam Link was featured in an  article  in the Water Education Foundation’s publication Western Water to reports on the impacts of indoor water conservation at length, citing the PPIC report and several other publications featuring issues experienced at wastewater agencies.

CASA has been involved with this issue for several years and it is exciting to see the effects of indoor water conservation and drought on wastewater systems getting attention and focus from policy makers.
Member News
El Toro Water District Announces New Board Member and General Manager Retirement
General Manager Robert R. (Bob) Hill from El Toro Water District is retiring after a career spanning over four decades. As he plans his retirement in July, Hill looks back on his 45 years of dedicated service with El Toro Water District with gratitude. “It has truly been an honor to serve our customers and community,” says Hill.

Hill has served as general manager for the ETWD since 2001. Prior to his position as general manager, he served as assistant general manager, operations manager and previously held positions spanning from operations to contract administration.

Hill is recognized for the many programs, initiatives and infrastructure projects that ETWD customers have benefited from today. He looks forward to spending more time with his wife and family while enjoying planning the next phase of life.
Welcome to the El Toro Water District Board of Directors Kay Havens
Laguna Woods resident Kay Havens has recently been appointed to the El Toro Water District Board of Directors. She is filling the vacancy after former Board of Directors member Scott Goldman moved from the district.

“We’re thrilled to have such a qualified community member fill this role. Her local involvement and water quality knowledge are synergistic with our mission” stated El Toro Water District General Manager, Bob Hill.

Havens has a Bachelor of Arts degree in Social Ecology from University of California at Irvine which includes specializations in environmental analysis and water quality. Additionally, she has expertise in public education programs and community engagement among other areas and is highly involved in the community.
Check out Silicon Valley Clean Water’s Ties to a Greek Goddess  
Silicon Valley Clean Water has named the large tunneling machine that will be used in their nearly half a billion dollar infrastructure program after the Roman Greek Goddess Salus. A lucky customer proposed the winning name.

SVCW says Salus is the Roman goddess of safety and well-being. The machine will support the agency’s $495 million infrastructure program which includes rehabilitating 3.3 miles of the agency’s raw wastewater conveyance piping system and installation of a new gravity pipeline.
Welcome New Member!
  • Nexinite LLC
Mark Your Calendar
STORMS Seminar: Multivalent Stormwater Actions in an Era of Climate Change
To focus on the many challenges Californians face associated with climate change, Strategy to Optimize Resource Management of Stormwater will conduct a seminar Thursday, July 11, 2019. STORMS will profile nature-based solutions to amplify positive climate change outcomes. Melanie Winters and Johnathan Perisho from The River Project will be the featured guest speakers. The free event is from 11:00 a.m. -12:30 p.m. at Byron Sher Auditorium, Cal EPA. Sign up  here  to register or you can watch it via  webcast .
CASA/CWEA Biosolids Energy Seminars
Registration is now open for the CASA/CWEA joint seminars on innovative technologies! As regulations are developed to implement the organics diversion requirements in SB 1383, the wastewater sector will face new challenges and opportunities for renewable energy, biosolids management and other topics. The seminars cover innovative technologies including lessons learned and the latest cutting-edge technologies fresh from university labs, the private sector and public resource recovery facilities.

These fast-paced seminars are hosted by CASA's Greg Kester and brings together utilities, academia, regulators, operators and engineering professionals to solve California's toughest resource recovery challenges.  Register  by August 23 and save $20!

Wednesday, September 11 Tuesday, September 17
8:00 a.m. 8:00 a.m.
Elihu M. Harris State Office Building Los Angeles Environmental Learning
2nd Floor - Room 1 Center at Hyperion
1515 Clay Street 12000 Vista Del Mar
Oakland, CA 94612 Playa Del Rey, CA 90293
Aug. 21-23, 2019