Member Spotlight
Meet Lori Schectel: Water Industry Expert and Photographer Extraordinaire 
Lori Schectel is the Environmental and Regulatory Compliance Division Manager for the Central Contra Costa Sanitary District. She has been working in the water/wastewater industry for over 16 years. When asked what attracted her to water industry work, Schectel said “Water at its basic level is essential to sustain our ecosystems and society. I really wanted to be a part of something so impactful.”

Her experience as an environmental lawyer allowed her to transition into the water industry to focus on watershed management and potable water regulation for the San Francisco Public Utilities Commission. One of her recent accomplishments was successfully renewing Central San’s National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System permit. She also played a large role in laying the groundwork to remove raw water as an inclusion in the first statewide NPDES Permit for Drinking Water System Discharges.
Conference Update
One Week and Counting until the Annual Conference!
The hotel room block is officially full, but there is still time to register for the Annual Conference. Check out the final program and, see who among your clean water colleagues is currently registered to attend .

Just added! Senator Ben Hueso will speak on Friday. S enator Hueso represents a large district that spans from San Diego to the International border and also includes all of Imperial County. As the Chair of the Senate Energy, Utilities, and Communications Committee, he oversees all legislation relating to utilities, energy companies, and alternative energy development. Additionally, Senator Hueso is a member of the Senate Committee on Natural Resources and Water, which has purview over many different water and resources issues. We are looking forward to hearing the Senator’s comments on some of the most pressing public policy issues facing the clean water community. 

In addition to hearing from the Senator, t his year’s conference has a little something for everyone including regulatory updates, speakers on high performance culture, crisis communications, lessons from the trenches from agency leaders and so much more. We hope to see you there!
Regulatory Update
Revised Toxicity Provisions from the State Water Board Are Here
The State Water Board recently released a revised draft of the proposed toxicity provisions as well as a notice of staff workshops . The intent of the provisions is to set statewide water quality objectives for both acute and chronic toxicity and establish an implementation program. Over several years, CASA has been working with the Water Board to refine these provisions. These provisions have the potential to significantly impact permit conditions for dischargers to inland surface waters, and could be incorporated into ocean discharge permits in the future. The previous draft was released in October of 2018, and garnered extensive comments from numerous stakeholders, including CASA. CASA has been working with the Water Board to refine these provisions over the last several years.

The most recent draft was responsive to several issues of concern to CASA including provisions related to calculating dilution. The provisions also contain new language of concern that CASA will review and address at the workshop and in written comments. CASA will continue to advocate for a reasonable approach to implement a more efficient plan for the toxicity provisions.
Federal Update
Did someone say drought resilience? Federal Officials Announce Supporting Long-term Priority Actions
Senior administration officials recently participated in the Second National Drought Forum where they released the 2019 Priority Actions Supporting Long-Term Drought Resilience for water districts across the nation. The document outlines key ways in which federal agencies support state, tribal and local efforts to protect the security of our food supply, integrity of critical infrastructure, resilience of our economy and health and safety of our people and ecosystems. It was developed by the National Drought Resilience Partnership, a federal collaborative formed to promote long-term drought resilience nationwide.
Member News
Welcome New Member!

Congratulations CVSD for 80 years of Excellent Service!
On August 6, the Castro Valley Sanitary District Board of Directors and staff celebrated the agency’s 80th anniversary with a proclamation ceremony. CASA’s Executive Director was among those who spoke, acknowledging our founding member’s customer service, safety record and important role in protecting San Francisco Bay. Congratulations, CVSD!
Agency Receives Award for 20 th  Consecutive Year
For the 20 th consecutive year, the Inland Empire Utilities Agency has been awarded the distinguished Certificate of Achievement for Excellence in Financial Reporting award by the Government Finance Officers Association of the U.S. and Canada for its comprehensive annual financial report for fiscal year 2017/18.

This award represents the highest form of recognition in government accounting and financial reporting. Its attainment represents IEUA's commitment to meeting the highest principles of governmental budgeting, financial accountability and transparency.
Calendar
Aug. 21-23, 2019
Sept. 11, 2019
Sept. 17, 2019
Sept. 18-20, 2019
Sept. 21-25, 2019
Nov. 20-22, 2019