Aqueduct spring2017_Aque_winter14 4/20/17 12:16 PM Page 1
Volume 19, Issue 4
A Message
From the
General
Manager
Like many Bay Area water utilities, ACWD
recently implemented significant rate
increases. No one enjoys a rate increase,
and I assure you that ACWD did not take
this action casually.
Before increasing rates, we adopted numerous measures to manage costs and make
the most of our revenues. We modernized
business processes to reduce expenses —
without diminishing the high-quality service
our customers have come to expect. We
entered into partnerships to get the most
value for our customers’ money. And, we
approached infrastructure decision strategically to ensure these investments were as
effective as they could be.
Despite these actions, our Board still faced
tough choices on finances. In a series of
seven financial workshops, the Board evaluated all the options facing our District. With
input from our customers, the Board analyzed
a number of alternative rate structures. And,
we took an honest, hard look at our longterm financial obligations and decided the
right thing to do was to meet them head-on,
not postpone the problem for another day.
It was at this series of public workshops that
another Board action began to take shape.
To help our most vulnerable customers, the
Board of Directors approved a new customer
assistance program. By now, you should
have received a postcard in the mail
describing the “Help on Tap” program.
There is also more information on our website, and in this issue of the Aqueduct.
Although ACWD’s water rates still compare
favorably with those paid by residents of
other Bay Area communities, we heard from
many of you, in written protests and at our
February 9 public hearing, that customers
want more assurances that they are receiving good value for their hard-earned money.
We heard you.
ACWD’s biggest financial challenge is one
shared by most water districts in our state —
current business models for water agencies
are not built around declining water usage.
For the last 100 years in California, water
usage has increased year over year. With that
model changing abruptly, water agencies are
working hard to change their financial planning models.
At ACWD, we will continue to focus on efficiency and productivity. We will do this while
maintaining our priority of reliably delivering
high-quality water while protecting our environment. And, while we have to maintain stability in our work force during these changing
times, we will seek to work with our employees and their unions to control the costs of
health and retirement benefits.
But, don’t take my word for it. See for yourself. I encourage you all to attend our Board
meetings, or to watch the videos posted on
our website at www.acwd.org a few days
after each meeting. For a representative
form of government like ACWD to work at
its best, your elected Board of Directors
needs to hear you.
Robert Shaver
General Manager
News and Information for the Customers of
the Alameda County Water District
Spring, 2017
California Drought
Officially Over
On Friday, April 7, Governor Edmund G. Brown Jr. declared an official end to the California
drought. The announcement came following months of rain that filled reservoirs, turned
mountainsides a brilliant green, and snowfall in the Sierra Nevada offered ski conditions
better than they had been in years.
But, just because the winter was wetter doesn’t mean water should be wasted.
“This drought emergency is over, but the next drought could be around the corner,”
the governor said. “Conservation must remain a way of life.” Some state restrictions
and prohibitions remain in effect, such as not watering during rain storms and not hosing
off sidewalks. The next drought could be right around the corner, so please continue to
use water wisely.
Quality Assured – ACWD Drinking Water
Meets All State and Federal Standards
2016 Annual Water Quality Report is Now
Available Electronically
The Annual Water Quality Report, also
known as the Consumer Confidence
Report (CCR), is now available online. In
previous years, this report was mailed to
all addresses within ACWD’s service area
of Fremont, Newark and Union City. The
State Water Board now allows this report
to be delivered electronically, saving
money, time and paper.
The current report provides the results of
thousands of analyses of drinking water
tests ACWD performs each year, and affirms
that our water meets all state and federal
standards. The report also provides information on our water supply sources, the importance of protecting our critical water
resources, and on the infrastructure and
services required to deliver safe drinking
water to your home or business.
To view your 2016 Annual Water Quality
Report and to learn more about your drinking water, please visit
www.acwd.org/2016CCR
If you would like to have a paper copy of
the 2016 Annual Water Quality Report
mailed to you or would like to speak with
someone about the report, please call
(510) 668-6500.
This notice contains instructions for you to obtain important information
about your drinking water.
Translate it, or speak with someone who understands it.
Este reporte contiene las instrucciones mas recientes para obetener
informacion importante sobre su agua potable.
Traducir, o hablar con alguien que lo entienda.
本通知包含
所獲取的飲用水之有關重要信息說明。
請翻譯此文，或向懂得該文之人詢問內容。
Ang abisong ito ay naglalaman ng mga instruksyon kung paano kayo
makakakuha ng mahahalagang impormasyon tungkol sa inyong iniinom
na tubig.
Isalin-wika ito, o makipag-usap sa isang taong nakakaunawa nito.
इस
शश
स म आप के
ह।
इसका अनुवाद कर, या
पीनेके पानी के बारे म
ऐसे
वपूण जानक ा
क रनेके
सेबात कर जो इसेसमझत ा हो।
Thông báo này chứa các hướng dẫn để quý vị có được thông tin quan
trọng về nước uống của quý vị.
Hãy dịch thông báo này, hoặc nói chuyện với người nào đó hiểu được
thông báo này.
.‫اﯾﻦ اﻃﻼﻋﯿﮫ ﺷﺎﻣﻞ دﺳﺘﻮراﻟﻌﻤﻠﯽ در ﻣﻮرد درﯾﺎﻓﺖ اﻃﻼﻋﺎت ﻣﮭﻢ ﻣﺮﺑﻮط ﺑﮫ آب آﺷﺎﻣﯿﺪﻧﯽ ﺷﻤﺎ اﺳﺖ‬
.‫ ﯾﺎ درﺑﺎره آن ﺑﺎ ﺷﺨﺼﯽ ﮐﮫ آن را درک ﻣﯽ ﮐﻨﺪ ﺻﺤﺒﺖ ﮐﻨﯿﺪ‬،‫آن را ﺗﺮﺟﻤﮫ ﮐﻨﯿﺪ‬
이 고지사항에는 귀하의 식수에 관한 중요한 정보를 얻는 방법이
설명되어 있습니다.
이것을 번역하여 다른 사람에게 알려주십시오.
‫اس ﻧﻮ ٹس ﻣﯽ ں ﭘﯿﻦے والے ﭘﺎﻧﯽ کے ﺑﺎرے ﻣﯽ ں ا ہم ﻣﻌﻠﻮﻣﺎت ﺣﺎﺻﻞ ﮐﺮنے ﮐﯽ ہداﯾﺎت دی ﮔﺌﯽ‬
‫ہی ں۔‬
‫اسے ﺗﺮﺟﻢ ہ ﮐﺮی ں ﯾﺎ ﮐﺴﯽ اﯾﺲے ﻓﺮد سے ﺑﺎت ﮐﺮی ں ﺟﻮ اسے ﺳﻤﺞ ھ ﺳﮏے۔‬
このお知らせにはあなたの飲料水についての重要な情報を得るための指
示が含まれています。
翻訳をするか、理解できる方に話してください。
Este aviso contém instruções para a obtenção de informações
importantes sobre a água que você bebe.
Traduza-o ou converse com alguém que consiga entendê-lo.
.‫ﯾﺤﺘﻮي ھﺬا اﻹﺷﻌﺎر ﻋﻠﻰ ﺗﻌﻠﯿﻤﺎت ﻟﻚ ﻟﻠﺤﺼﻮل ﻋﻠﻰ اﻟﻤﻌﻠﻮﻣﺎت اﻟﮭﺎﻣﺔ ﺑﺸﺄن ﻣﯿﺎه اﻟﺸﺮب اﻟﺘﻲ ﺗﺘﻨﺎوﻟﮭﺎ‬
.‫ أو ﺗﺤﺪث إﻟﻰ ﺷﺨﺺ ﯾﻤﻜﻨﮫ ﻓﮭﻢ ﻣﺎ ﺑﮫ‬،‫ﻗﻢ ﺑﺘﺮﺟﻤﺔ ھﺬا اﻹﺷﻌﺎر‬
В данном уведомлении содержатся инструкции для вас, чтобы
получить важную информацию о вашей питьевой воде.
Переведите это, или поговорите с кем-то, кто понимает это.
Aqueduct spring2017_Aque_winter14 4/20/17 12:16 PM Page 2
The People of ACWD
If a customer calls our emergency hotline to report a leak, a water pressure issue, or other emergency, chances are David Kim will be
the first responder. With more than 20 years on the job, Kim, a Utility Worker III and Newark native, is committed to providing excellent
customer service with prompt assessments of emergencies and other customer needs.
Whether it’s as simple as replacing a broken water meter lid, or
as critical as a full-scale main
rupture, Kim is prepared to control the incident through his
years of experience and training
received in the Incident
Command System (ICS). His vital
David Kim
role as the first on scene incident
Utility Worker III
commander, assure customers
will get their water back in service in a timely manner.
Tell us about your job:
On any given day, I may respond to as many as 20 calls. A customer’s water service may be interrupted, and quickly identifying
the cause for water loss is important. Our response time is typically less than one hour, with more rapid response for critical
safety and property damage emergencies. Quick action not only
gets the customer back in service but reduces water waste that
may be caused by leaks or a broken water line.
Because safety is the priority, my role in contacting Underground
Service Alert (USA) to identify other underground utilities is
very important. When making water main repairs, we want to
ensure gas, electric, sewer, communication lines, are properly
marked prior to beginning repair work to ensure the safety of
those on scene.
HELP
ON
TAP
What certifications or special skills are required
for your position?
Working with potable water distribution lines, it’s critical to follow proper regulatory protocol. My possession of a State Water
Resources Control Board Distribution II certification demonstrates my knowledge, skills and ability to meet regulatory standards. I am also certified to operate a backhoe and forklift;
through my 20 years’ experience, I have become very proficient.
You’ve had a lengthy career with the District. What is your
biggest professional accomplishment?
In 2006, ACWD sent me and five others to provide mutual aid
in recovery efforts following Hurricane Katrina. Witnessing
firsthand devastation and disaster was humbling and something I’ll never forget. We worked from sunrise to sunset for
12 straight days to help restore water service. We lost count
of how many repairs were made, but knowing I was able to
help during that crisis — that is my biggest professional
accomplishment.
It can’t be all work and no play. What do you enjoy while
away from the workplace?
The Bay Area has so much to offer that I like to spend my time
outdoors: hiking, mountain biking, and fishing. When the season
is right, I spend time on the northern coast diving for abalone and
spear fishing.
Help on Tap Qualifying Customers Can Save Nearly
$200 in Two Years — Applications Now Accepted
Income-qualified customers are now eligible to receive a $15
credit on the bimonthly water service charge. The application
process takes just a few minutes to complete and if you qualify,
you could save $180 over the next two years. Eligibility requirements apply.
To apply or receive program details, visit www.acwd.org/HOT or call 510.668.4200.
Water-Efficient Landscape Workshop —
Alternatives to Lawn
It’s not just rock gardens or saguaros that are an alternative to lawn. With
the right design plan and techniques, you can create a lively Bay-friendly
garden that attracts wildlife, uses fewer resources and allows you to say
adios to that water-hog lawn.
Date:
Time:
Location:
Address:
Contact:
Cost:
Link:
June 1, 2017
6:00 PM - 8:00 PM
ACWD Headquarters
43885 S. Grimmer Blvd. Fremont, CA 94538
650-349-3000
Free. Registration is required.
www.bawsca.org/classes
The ACWD
Aqueduct
A publication of the Alameda
County Water District
Board of Directors
John H. Weed, President
Paul Sethy, Vice President
Aziz Akbari
James G. Gunther
Judy C. Huang
Board meetings are open to
the public and held in the ACWD
Board Room, 43885 South Grimmer
Blvd., Fremont. Please visit
www.acwd.org/BoardMeetingUpdates
for 2017 Board meeting dates.
Robert Shaver, General Manager
Information on upcoming workshops can be found at
www.bawsca.org/classes.
Business Office:
Once again, ACWD is teaming up with the City of Fremont, and the City
of Union City to bring the California Youth Energy Services (CYES)
Green House Calls program to ACWD service area residents.
Professionally trained, local Youth Energy Specialists visit your home to
conduct energy and water audits and install FREE energy and water
saving equipment. Green House Calls can be booked for early July through
mid-August. Call (510) 665-1501 x5 or visit www.risingsunenergy.org
to make a reservation.
(510) 668-4200
Free “Green” House Calls Home Water Audit Program
43885 South Grimmer Blvd.
Fremont, CA 94538
www.acwd.org
Printed on Recycled Stock