Please forward this newsletter to anyone who may be interested.                                  March 28, 2016
CASA Charts a Path Forward on Key Legislation
The 2016 legislative session is in full swing as policy committees begin to meet and deadlines loom. CASA's State Legislative Committee met on March 11 to review legislation of interest. As we've come to expect this time of year, more than a thousand bills were introduced immediately prior to expiration of the deadline, signifying it's going to be another busy year in Sacramento. Read more...
Court Dismisses Clean Water Act Lawsuit Against Eastern Municipal Water District
In a rare instance of good news on the Clean Water Act citizen suit front, a judge has dismissed a case brought by California River Watch against CASA member Eastern Municipal Water District. 

U.S. District Judge Virginia Phillips approved a judgment dismissing California River Watch's claims against Eastern Municipal Water District for alleged sanitary sewer discharges into Temescal Creek. The dismissal was "with prejudice", meaning that River Watch cannot re-file its complaint. Read more...
Engaging Young Professionals a CASA Strategic Initiative
Engaging young professionals in committees, workgroups and conference programs is a key element of CASA's strategic plan, which recognizes the need for organizational development and succession planning. Other initiatives in development include use of social media, online forums and discounted CASA conference registrations for young professionals.

What is your organization doing to recruit or develop young professionals? Please join the conversation our Executive Director Bobbi Larson started in our new online forum!
Developing Young Professionals through Continued Education
On April 27, CASA will present two in-depth workshops targeted toward young wastewater professionals. As part of the California Water Environment Association annual conference in Santa Clara, CASA is sponsoring Deep Dive Sessions on What to do When a Lawsuit Lands on Your Desk and I Want to be a General Manager. Speakers include CASA agency and associate representatives and will include a focus on leadership attributes. Please encourage younger staff attending the CWEA conference to participate in these important sessions.
Why Does Wastewater Infrastructure Matter?
Marco Palilla Blogs on Wastewater Infrastructure
I Appreciate Wastewater Infrastructure! 
(So Why Doesn't Everyone?) 

That's the title of our latest blog by guest contributor, Marco Palilla, Associate President of HDR Engineering, and CASA Associate Committee Chair. 

Marco shares his insight and passion for infrastructure and invites you to chime in. Read the blog and join the conversation!
View Key Committee Meetings on our Calendar

We've just enhanced our website with yet another great new feature... 

Now you can view all CASA events and some of our key committee meetings on our calendar! 

See You At The Public Policy Forum!
The 2016 joint CASA/WateReuse Public Policy Forum is next week! Haven't registered? No problem - but please register now so we can save you a seat. 

Here are some highlights of the program:
  • Assembly Member Gordon will share his perspective on water recycling, conservation, climate change and other water issues.
  • Paige Brokaw, Assembly Environmental Safety & Toxic Materials Committee, to speak
  • Panel Update on Recycled Water Funding Projects and Status
  • Capitol Visit Team Preparation: 2016 Key Legislation and Priority Issues Briefing
  • Assembly Member Marc Levine to speak
  • Prearranged visits with team leaders to Capitol legislative offices.
Mixed Bag
Xylem, a global water technology company, surveyed more than 3,000 California voters to gauge their perceptions about the use of recycled wastewater. The survey found that 76 percent of respondents believe recycled water should be used as a long-term solution, regardless of whether or not a water shortage continues.  Read more... 

One of our CASA members has posted a topic discussion item in our new online forums. He's looking to find out if anyone has adopted an Environmental Justice Policy. Can you provide any input? 

Now Hiring!
Agency News

The San Elijo Joint Powers Authority recycles and reuses more than 50% of their average flow of wastewater to make irrigation quality water.  They're doing their part to wean big irrigation users off of potable water and toward recycled water. They made a large investment in 2013 in a reverse osmosis and micro filtration system to improve the quality of their recycled water, and just received an ward from WateReuse for their efforts. Read more...

The State Water Board posted draft adjusted water conservation standards which show the Vallecitos Water District (Vallecitos) will now have a water conservation target of 16 percent. Previously, the State mandated a 24 percent reduction in potable water use for Vallecitos from 2013 demands. The eight percent reduction is based on the fact that Vallecitos now receives up to 4,083 acre feet of desalinated water annually from the Claude "Bud" Lewis Desalination Plant. Vallecitos is currently the only retail water provider that has a direct connection to the Desalination Plan.









WateReuse Association California has named Dublin San Ramon Services District employee Stefanie Olson as 2015 Staff Person of the Year for her work on the hugely popular Residential Recycled Water Fill Station program. 
Events
 
Date
Organization
Event
Location
March 13-15, 2016
WateReuse
Santa Rosa
April 3, 2016
WEF
Milwaukee
April 6, 2016
CASA & WateReuse
Sacramento
April 10-16, 2014
Multiple organizations
Washington, D.C.
April 14, 2016
The Freshwater Trust
Sacramento
April 27, 2016CWEA Santa Clara
Aug. 10-12, 2016
CASA
Monterey
In Case You Missed It...
CASA Connects March 14
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