Annual Conference Recap
CASA’s recent Annual Conference in San Diego was a resounding success! Together with over three hundred and thirty of the clean water sectors’ best and brightest, we networked and prepared for a new generation of challenges and opportunities, staying true to our conference theme “The New Water Era”. Thank you to all the speakers, moderators and panelists who joined us to share their knowledge and experiences with CASA members.

For those who were unable to attend, check out our website to view the informative presentations and handouts shared by our speakers and panelists.

We kicked off the first day of the conference with concurrent general sessions focusing on regulatory hot topics, wastewater-based epidemiology, advanced treatment and agency financing. On day two we heard from keynote speaker Tani Cantil-Sakauye, President and CEO of the Public Policy Institute of California, who shared her perspective on state and local government relations, the economy, and her thoughts on where the state is headed, including work being done at PPIC Water Policy Center. During the Thursday afternoon session, we got the opportunity to congratulate and hear from the agencies and associates who received the CASA Award of Excellence in 2023, as well as the recipients of the 2023 CASA Education Foundation Scholarships. You can read more about all the winners and recipients in the following article.

Friday morning, we received state and federal legislative updates from CASA’s subject matter experts and learned more about what we can expect in the 2023 legislative session and in Washington D.C. in the coming months. The conference concluded with the passing of the gavel and installment of CASA’s new Board President, Roland Williams. Congratulations Roland!

Thank you everyone who attended CASA’s 68th Annual Conference! We look forward to seeing you at the CASA Winter Conference in Palm Springs in January.

 

CASA Celebrates 2023 Awards of Excellence Winners
Congratulations to the recipients of CASA’s 2023 Awards of Excellence! CASA is proud to recognize the hard work your agencies do to provide an invaluable service to California communities. To see the full list of award applicants and a description of their projects, be sure to check out the Awards Brochure. Interested in submitting your project? Mark your calendar! We will begin accepting applications for the 2024 Awards of Excellence in March: CASA Awards Program. Check out this year’s winners below:

Excellence in Innovation and Resiliency

  • Small Agency: Victor Valley Wastewater Reclamation and Anaergia Services, LLC

 SoCal Biomethane Waste to Renewable Natural Gas Project

  • Large Agency: Los Angeles County Sanitation Districts

Food Waste to Energy Program

Public Outreach and Education

  • Small Agency:  Leucadia Wastewater District and Rising Tide Partners

Emergency Preparedness Training Drill Video with the City of Encinitas

  • Large Agency: Sacramento Area Sewer District

Stop the Clog Campaign

Organizational Excellence

  • Ross Valley Sanitary District

Enhancing Workplace Efficiency and Consistency with Competency-Based Training 

Outstanding Capital Project

  • Orange County Sanitation District

Final Completion of the Groundwater Replenishment System

 

Michael F. Dillon Public Service Award [New this year!]
We are excited to announce that Kenton (Kent) Alm, long-time general counsel for the Central Contra Costa Sanitary District was awarded the inaugural Michael F. Dillon public service award during the CASA Annual Conference.  The new award was established by the CASA Board of Directors this year in honor of Michael Dillon, CASA’s long time Executive Director and Lobbyist who retired at the end of 2023. The award is given to a member of the CASA community who has demonstrated exemplary public service to the wastewater sector. Kent has been an active member of CASA for many years, serving on the State Legislative and Attorneys Committee, and has been generous with his time and wisdom in helping assist CASA in our advocacy efforts over the years. Congratulations to Kent and thank you for your dedication to sound public policy!

 

CASA Acknowledges 2023 Education Foundation Scholarship Recipients
The CASA Education Foundation (CEF) was formed to enhance the future of California’s clean water community by attracting new professionals into the clean water sector through scholarships. This year, the CEF presented $5,000 scholarships to four worthy students in 2023, including the second annual Bruce Wolfe scholarship. Learn more about the scholarship recipients and view their thank you videos here. 

 

Learn About CASA’s Committees & Workgroups!
Participating in CASA’s Committees and Workgroups is an excellent way to contribute to the clean water community and get the most out of your agency’s CASA membership. Most CASA Committee seats are two-year terms, but some committees may have openings throughout the year. If you are interested in subscribing to any of the Committee or Workgroup LISTSERVs or learning more about our various committees, please email Cheryl MacKelvie at cmackelvie@casaweb.org and identify the committee or Workgroup you are interested in. Below please find a brief description of each Committee and Workgroup:

CASA COMMITTEES:

  • Associates Committee– The associates committee provides a forum for associate members, which include private sector consultants and technology providers, to network, learn about new technologies and capital projects, discuss issues of interest and assist CASA with special projects.
  • Attorneys Committee– The attorneys committee provides a forum for discussion of legal issues and an opportunity for continuing education for members of the local wastewater agency bar. The committee approves CASA’s participation as a friend of the court in litigation and provides recommendations to the Board of Directors regarding participation in litigation as a party. The committee also provides input to the state and federal legislative committees on measures that require legal expertise.
  • Communications Committee– The committee assists CASA in its mission to provide excellent service to its members in the areas of education, outreach and public information. The committee draws on its expertise in communications and public relations to support CASA members directly and indirectly through preparation of toolkits and materials, hosting workshops, presentations at conferences, coaching on best practices and development of strategies and information campaigns.
  • Federal Legislative Committee– The federal legislative committee establishes CASA’s position on proposed federal legislation and executive branch policies. The committee also assists in planning the program for the annual Washington D.C. policy forum and collaborates with other associations on the development of federal policy proposals.
  • Program Committee– The program committee assists in planning the program themes, focus, content, and speakers for CASA’s two major conferences held in January and August.
  • State Legislative Committee– The state legislative committee establishes the association’s position on proposed state legislation and ballot measures and assists in the development of annual public policy priorities and sponsored legislation.

CASA WORKGROUPS:

  • HR and Workforce Development Group (NEW!) – This workgroup is an opportunity for human resources professionals within CASA’s member agencies to engage on workforce development issues and get questions answered related to issues of common interest among clean water agencies.
  • Regulatory Workgroup – The regulatory workgroup: (1) establishes CASA’s position on state and federal regulatory proposals that affect wastewater agencies, (2) assists in drafting comment letters and regulatory language, and (3) provides a forum for members to learn about the latest regulatory developments on biosolids, water quality, and recycled water. The workgroup is divided into two subgroups with a biosolids focus and a water focus.
  • Collection Systems Workgroup – The collection systems workgroup reviews and comments on regulatory proposals and permits relating to sewer collection systems, serves as a clearinghouse for collection system performance metrics and other data and coordinates with other associations working on collection system issues.
  • Air Quality, Climate Change and Energy Workgroup (ACE) – The air quality, climate change and energy workgroup reviews and comments on regulatory, legislative and policy proposals related to energy and climate change. The workgroup serves as a forum to discuss regulatory and policy initiatives, new technologies, funding opportunities and capital projects.

 

Last Chance to Apply for the 2023-24 CASA Mentorship Program
Apply today to join us as a mentor or mentee to inspire others, share knowledge and drive change through the CASA Mentorship Program! This 11-month comprehensive program, kicking off in October and concluding in August 2024, serves to connect clean water professionals from across the state of California. The program is open to both associates and agency members. If you have any questions, please email Alyssa Downs (adowns@casaweb.org).

Follow this link to the mentor or mentee application.

 

A Blast from the Past
In honor of our CASA Connects re-design, join us in taking a look back at the very first CASA newsletter developed by former Executive Director, Mike Dillon!