Cheryl MacKelvie

Navigating PFAS: Data-Driven Communications Strategies for Public Agencies Join us on November 19 from 11:00am to 12:00pm for a joint power lunch webinar as we delve into recent state-wide survey results to gain insights into the public's awareness of PFAS, their primary concerns about these chemicals, and the most impactful messages and trusted messengers. During [...]

Maile Lono-Batura Joins CASA as Director of Renewable Resources We are very excited to share some significant news with the CASA membership! In late October, Maile Lono-Batura will be joining the CASA team, and will take on the role of Director of Renewable Resources following Greg Kester's retirement in February 2025. In this role, she [...]

2024 Legislative Session Comes to a Close On the final deadline for signing or vetoing bills, Governor Gavin Newsom closed out the 2024 Legislative Session by addressing all pending bills on his desk. The second year of the two year 2023-24 Legislative Session concluded with significant developments across a range of policy areas. The year [...]

Effective October 1 – California Direct Potable Reuse Regulations After years of scientific and public health research, extensive regulatory development, and a strict water quality monitoring framework, the state has provided a safe and proven potable reuse option to water agencies for source water alternatives, further ensuring long-term water reliability. The Direct Potable Reuse (DPR) [...]

Orange County Water Agencies Dedicate New PFAS Treatment Plant The Orange County Water District (OCWD) and East Orange County Water District (EOCWD) celebrated the dedication of a new PFAS treatment plant, marking a major milestone in ensuring safe and reliable water for the region. The dedication ceremony brought together local, state, and federal representatives to recognize [...]

California Water Professionals Appreciation Week We are thrilled to celebrate the eighth annual California Water Professionals Appreciation Week on October 5-13. We encourage CASA member agencies to showcase the programs and events that educate California water customers, local elected leaders, state and federal legislators and other key audiences. Sharing your agency’s activities during the week [...]

Get to Know the CASA Team: Alyssa Downs, Manager of Communications Alyssa joined CASA in December 2019 and plays a key role in providing timely, relevant information to both members and legislators on clean water and beneficial reuse issues. Her responsibilities include developing CASA’s communication strategies, producing the CASA Connects newsletter, developing content for traditional [...]

2024 Legislative Session Wrap-Up The 2024 Legislative Session has come to an end, and many bills passed in the final days and weeks of Session are now awaiting the Governor's consideration. The Governor has until October 1 to either sign or veto all the bills sent to his desk. As legislators await the Governor’s decisions, [...]

White House Publishes Federal R&D PFAS Strategic Plan Last month, the Administration’s National Science and Technology Council’s PFAS Strategy Team published the PFAS Federal Research and Development Strategic Plan report. The report is the latest action by the Administration to support its priority to address PFAS contamination, especially within disadvantaged communities. The five strategic R&D [...]

P2 Week – Just Around the Corner! In preparation for Pollution Prevention Week (P2 Week), observed Sept. 16-20, 2024, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) is offering resources to help organizations promote their work in preventing pollution. This year’s theme for P2 Week is "Together We Are One Planet," emphasizing the importance of preventing pollution at [...]