Get to Know the CASA Team: Sarah Sapirstein, Federal Legislative and Policy Analyst
Sarah Sapirstein joined ENS Resources Inc. as a Legislative and Policy Analyst and Associate in 2017 after working in both the public policy and water resources arenas. While earning her undergraduate degree, Sarah interned for offices in the U.S. House of Representatives and the U.S. Senate, including Congresswoman Grace Napolitano of California and former-Congressman George Miller of California. In the U.S. Senate, she interned for Committee on the Judiciary Chairman Patrick Leahy. Sarah also gained experience beyond Capitol Hill when she interned at the National Association of Clean Water Agencies. At NACWA, she assisted staff monitoring federal clean water policy and non-flushable wipes developments. At ENS Resources Inc., Sarah manages House and Senate legislative activities involving the analysis of legislative and regulatory initiatives and developing legislative strategies related to water quality, water supply, resource recovery and climate change issues. In this role, she routinely communicates with Members and their staff as well as key House and Senate environmental and natural resources committee staff. Sarah graduated with honors from the University of Vermont where she received a B.A. in Political Science and Communications and is currently pursuing a Master of Policy Management from Georgetown University.

Sarah beyond the office:

If you could instantly become an expert in any skill or subject, what would it be and why?
I would love to become an expert in oil painting. Being not incredibly athletically inclined, I grew up going to art camps and still use drawing and painting to relax and unwind. I’ve dabbled in oil painting in the past and loved the forgiveness of the activity and techniques used. I also really enjoy the concept of just sitting in a meadow or on the seaside for hours as I paint landscape!

What’s something you’re currently reading, watching, or listening to that you’d recommend?
I loved The Wager by David Grann if you enjoy whodunit mysteries and history. I highly recommend it as a vacation/beach read if that’s in your future! I also am rewatching 30 Rock and having a great time!

What’s something on your bucket list that you haven’t done yet?
Two big travel bucket list items are Alaska and Patagonia.

What’s your favorite type of weather, and what do you enjoy doing during that weather?
I love the range between 74-76 when you walk outside and can’t really tell what temperature it is but are comfortably existing in it. I really enjoy a good long run when it’s this temperature.

 

Special Events at the CASA Winter Conference
Registration is open for CASA’s 2025 Winter Conference! Join us January 29-31, 2025, at the Hilton in downtown Palm Springs for a dynamic event filled with learning and networking. This year’s agenda features a whole host of technical sessions packed with real-world insights and strategies for your agencies. These sessions will cover topics such as implementation of advanced technologies, asset management, and cutting-edge research. A special extended session on Thursday will dive into how Artificial Intelligence is being used at local clean water agencies.

This year’s conference offers a special opportunity to collaborate with two esteemed associations, NACWA and CAAWEF, to elevate your experience. Learn more about these unique events below!

Joint Reception with NACWA The National Association of Clean Water Agencies (NACWA) will also be hosting its 2025 Winter Conference in nearby Rancho Mirage the same week, and we’re looking forward to hosting a joint reception on the evening of Thursday, January 30. The concurrent NACWA and CASA events will present a great opportunity for attendees to network with top water leaders from both California and the nation. Transportation will be provided from the CASA conference to the reception, please note your interest when registering. Stay tuned for more information in future publications!

Strategic Leader Training In collaboration with NACWA and CORE Consulting, this full-day, in-person workshop is affiliated with the NACWA Winter Conference at the Westin Rancho Mirage Golf Resort & Spa, and is part of a dynamic 3-part experience for clean water professionals transitioning into a higher-level strategic, executive role at their agency.

Program Schedule

Part 1: Program Orientation (virtual) – January 14, 1:00-2:30 PM EST

Part 2: Full-day, in-person workshop on Tuesday, January 28. This is the day before the CASA Winter Conference begins and will take place less than 10 miles from the conference hotel location at The Westin Rancho Mirage Golf Resort & Spa. The workshop is from 9AM – 4:30 PM PST. This is separate from the CASA Conference and requires a separate registration and fee.

Note: If you plan to stay for the full conference that week, you must register separately for the CASA Winter Conference and book your lodging through the conference website.

Part 3: Small group coaching session (virtual), NOTE: You will only attend one of the options below for Part 3. However, please hold all four dates for now.

  • Tuesday, February 25, 1:00-3:00 PM EST
  • Thursday, February 27, 1:00-3:00 PM EST
  • Monday, March 3, 1:00-3:00 PM EST
  • Wednesday, March 5, 1:00-3:00 PM EST

Registration is separate from the CASA Conference and space is limited!

Cost: $1,350 + Travel expenses to attend Part 2 | Click Here to Register!

Enrollment for this program closes on January 7, 2025.

CAAWEF Luncheon: Join us for a unique opportunity during our Associates Luncheon on Wednesday, January 29 which will feature a workforce development panel with the California African American Water Education Foundation (CAAWEF). CAAWEF is a non-profit water education organization dedicated to catalyzing deeper investment in water systems that serve employ and conduct business with Black Californians. A panel of CAAWEF Board members will discuss their leadership program, workforce development initiatives, and experience in California clean water sector.

Don’t miss out—register early to secure your spot! Our conferences continue to grow thanks to the support of our members, and we may reach capacity at the Hilton this year. We can’t wait to see you in Palm Springs for is sure what to be a memorable event!

 

NEW – CASA Finance Workgroup and Listserv
CASA has launched a new workgroup and LISTSERV dedicated to infrastructure funding and agency financing issues! Funding and finance consistently rank among the top priorities and concerns for clean water agencies. While CASA has frequently hosted workshops and conference sessions on these topics, and has formed dedicated groups on topics like the Clean Water SRF program, we believe it would be a valuable member benefit to bring all these insights together in one place. This new forum will provide a space for recurring discussion on key financial issues. Some of the areas we hope to focus on include:

  • Federal programs and funding opportunities, including traditional funding sources such as WIFIA and WaterSMART, as well as new and emerging programs;
  • Presentations from experts on the latest agency financing opportunities and structures;
  • A forum for member agencies to suggest topics and speakers for future workshops, webinars, and CASA Conference content focused on finance issues;
  • A forum for local agencies to ask questions and share knowledge and best practices.

We’re also open to shaping this group to best meet everyone’s needs. Possible additional topics could include agency rate setting and affordability, but we hope participants will help guide the conversation, so this list isn’t exhaustive. The first step is getting your agencies involved!

In order to get this group established, we need to know if you are interested in joining the LISTSERV and participating in future workgroup meetings on behalf of your agency or firm. Please email Cheryl Mackelvie (cmackelvie@casaweb.org) directly and let us know if you would like to participate. We hope to have our first workgroup meeting toward the end of 2024 or beginning of 2025!

 

Spread Holiday Cheer (and Awareness!) with F.O.G. Education
In the wastewater sector, we all know that the holiday season is synonymous with F.O.G. (Fats, Oils, and Grease). To help you engage your community and promote responsible practices, we wanted to remind you of some helpful outreach materials. The RFA developed a F.O.G. Activity Book that is available for agency use.

This fun and educational resource includes activities designed for kids in Kindergarten through 6th grade, such as:

  • Make-Your-Own F.O.G. Can
  • A creative F.O.G. rap song
  • Coloring sheets for “Do Not Pour” and “Do Not Flush” signs
  • A matching activity for signs and symbols

The activity book is also available in Spanish, making it easy to connect with diverse audiences. Feel free to customize it to meet the needs of your community!

 

The Season of Giving: Support the CASA Education Foundation
The holiday season is here, bringing with it the perfect time to give back to the causes that matter most. The CASA Education Foundation (CEF) is dedicated to ensuring clean water for Californians by supporting students committed to serving the environmental community. Your support helps to further our mission through education as an investment in the next generation of environmental professionals.

As a 100% donation-funded organization, the CEF depends entirely on the generosity of individuals and organizations like you. In 2024, the foundation awarded $5,000 scholarships to four deserving students, including the Bruce Wolfe scholarship recipient.

Thank you to all who have supported us in the past. Together, we can continue making education an investment in our shared future.

Learn more or make a donation today at casaweb.org/casa-education-foundation.

 

Gratitude and Holiday Wishes from CASA
With the holiday season approaching, CASA staff wanted to share how thankful we are to our members for your daily service, and for simply being a great group of people to work with. Happy Holidays to all!

From all of us here at the CASA office, we hope you have a wonderful Thanksgiving!!