Association News
Announcing CASA’s New Executive Director!
We are excited to announce the selection of CASA’s new Executive Director! Following an open process, the Board of Directors was pleased to select Adam Link, CASA’s current Director of Operations. Adam will assume the role in January upon Bobbi Larson’s retirement.
CASA’s President Traci Minamide noted, “This is a very exciting time for CASA. Adam’s appointment is an affirmation of CASA’s multi-year succession planning effort. He will provide a fresh leadership perspective while maintaining the high level of advocacy and service our members have come to expect.”
CASA Folds Two Workgroups Together
CASA has folded its Science and Research Workgroup into the Regulatory Workgroup. In 2013, the S&R Workgroup was formed to connect wastewater sector partners with national and local academic institutions and research organizations to advance California’s wastewater knowledge and identify research needs.

The S&R Workgroup made good strides, but after much consideration, CASA and workgroup members decided it will work more effectively to discuss future research needs through its Regulatory Workgroup. Please help us thank the workgroup chairs and members for their leadership and participation over the last several years!
Announcing Leslie Valenzuela: Our New Summer Intern!
CASA is pleased to welcome Leslie Sanchez Valenzuela as our newest summer intern! Valenzuela majored in political science and English from the University of California, Riverside and graduated in three years. She is part of the university’s Loveridge Fellowship that allows students to intern in Sacramento. Valenzuela will attend the University of San Diego in the fall to obtain her master’s degree in public administration. She will be working on several CASA important projects this summer including our flushable wipes research and initiatives.

Welcome, Leslie!
Conference Update
Join “Policy & Pints” Discussion at CASA’s Annual Conference
What better way to recognize San Diego’s ever-growing list of renowned breweries than featuring it as part of our annual conference? The CASA Annual Conference in San Diego August 21-23 closes with a “Policy & Pints” panel on Thursday about the intersection of the water/wastewater sector and the craft brewing community. Panelists feature Charlie Arnold from local Stone Brewery, Scott McClelland from Encina Wastewater Authority and John Helminski from the San Diego Public Utilities Department. Come thirsty! There may be samples available after the session!

Join us to hear other speakers and panels, too! The preliminary program is now available here . Reminder that hotel cut-off is Tuesday, July 30. Click here to make your reservation.
Help Elect CASA’s Board of Directors this August
CASA will hold its annual business meeting August 22-23 during the annual conference at the Manchester Grand Hyatt in San Diego. During the meeting, members will be asked to approve a slate of four nominees for the open seats on the FY 2019-20 board of directors. The slate is recommended by the nominating committee and approved by the board of directors.

The nominees are:
  • Jason Dow, General Manager, Central Marin Sanitation Agency
  • Jim Herberg, General Manager, Orange County Sanitation District
  • Traci Minamide, Chief Operations Officer, City of Los Angeles Sanitation
  • Tony Trembley, Director, City of Camarillo/Camarillo Sanitary District 
Regulatory News
CASA to Comment on Governor Newsom’s Water Initiative
Last month, the California Water Commission hosted its first listening session to discuss Governor Gavin Newsom’s Water Resilience Portfolio Initiative . Earlier this year, the Governor issued an executive order directing several resource agency secretaries to prepare a water resilience portfolio to meet the needs of California’s communities, economy and environment through the 21st century.

Some of the executive order principles that could impact wastewater agencies include efforts to prioritize multi-benefit approaches to water supply, embrace innovation and new technologies and encourage regional approaches among water users sharing watersheds. The initiative is broad in scope and has potential impacts to CASA members that include recycled water production and other issues, CASA is currently working on comments to send to the Water Commission.
New USEPA Rule Prohibits Pharmaceutical Flushing at Healthcare Facilities
Next month, a new U. S. Environmental Protection Agency rule goes into effect which prohibits healthcare facilities from flushing pharmaceuticals down the toilet. The new rule was developed under the Resource Conservation and Recovery Act. It prohibits all healthcare facilities and reverse distributors from discharging hazardous waste pharmaceuticals to a sewer system that passes through a publicly owned treatment works.

In explaining the rationale for the rule, USEPA acknowledges that “disposal [of pharmaceuticals] into sewers is a significant contributor to water pollution and ecological degradation.” The full rule is available here . This is an excellent step toward source control of pharmaceutical waste and will help further CASA’s mission of protecting public health and the environment.
Member News
Association Honors Emerging Leader All Stars!
The California Water Environment Association has announced its 2019 Emerging Leaders All Stars to honor phenomenal and diverse individuals that represent plant management, operations, engineering, industrial pre-treatment, laboratory analysis and collections. The seven new All Stars share a strong sense of protecting the environment for the public now and in the future.

All 2019 winners work for CASA members, including: Ironhouse Sanitary District, City of Los Angeles Bureau of Sanitation, Inland Empire Utilities Agency, City of Los Angeles, Central Marin Sanitary Agency, Novato Sanitary District, and City of Ventura. Read more about these emerging leaders here:
Beverli Marshall Joins Valley Sanitary District as General Manager
The Valley Sanitary District Board of Directors has appointed Beverli A. Marshall as its new General Manager. Marshall was selected to replace Dr. Joseph Glowitz when he retired from the district.

Marshall has over 20 years of public sector finance, budget and management experience including 10 years in the wastewater industry. She recently relocated to Southern California from the San Francisco Bay Area and is excited to get back to her roots. Congratulations Beverli!
Mark Your Calendar
CASA/CWEA Biosolids Energy Seminars
Join us 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 bring 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
8:00 a.m.
Elihu M. Harris State Office Building
2nd Floor, Room 1
1515 Clay Street
Oakland, CA 94612
Tuesday, September 17
8:00 a.m.
Los Angeles Environmental Learning Center at Hyperion
12000 Vista Del Mar
Playa Del Rey, CA 90293
Don’t Miss Important PFAS Updates at July Workshop
The Southern California Alliance of Publicly Owned Treatment Works is hosting a PFAS/PFOA workshop on Wednesday, July 24. It will be held at Irvine Ranch Water District from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. and feature a variety of speakers who closely track PFAS developments.

Please RSVP to Pam Merriam by July 19.
Wastewater Operator Examinees Mark your Calendar
The fall 2019 wastewater exam is right around the corner. The exam will be held on October 12. Applications must be received by August 13 in the Wastewater Operator Certification Program’s office to be considered for the October 12 exam. As a reminder, the WWOCP does not offer exam reviews for those that fail the exam.

If you have questions, contact Valerie Gregory at (916) 341-5741 or e-mail WWOCP at wwopcertprogram@waterboards.ca.gov .
Aug. 21-23, 2019
Sept. 11, 2019
Sept. 17, 2019