Recording Now Available: Insights on State and Federal Funding Opportunities for Wastewater Agencies
The recording for CASA’s webinar, Insights on State and Federal Funding Opportunities for Wastewater Agencies, is now available. Identifying and successfully obtaining infrastructure funding is consistently identified as one of the highest priorities for CASA member agencies. This workshop covered a wide range of federal funding opportunities with Central Coast Regional Board Member and Dudek regional project manager, Jane Gray. This session also delved into the contours of recent state funding opportunities such as the arrearages program, septic to sewer project funding, recycled water funding, updates to the State Revolving Fund program and Intended Use Plan, and much more from State Water Board program leads. In case you missed it live, view the webinar now! Access the Recording 

 

NACWA Members Alert: Act Now to Secure Federal Funding for Your Community
The public clean water sector has secured billions of dollars in new federal funding over the past two years. These funds, which include COVID-19 relief funds and new investments from the recent bipartisan infrastructure law (BIL), are long overdue and reflect the collective work of the sector for over a decade. These dollars, however, will only be fully put to use if the clean water sector steps up to use them. This NACWA Advocacy Alert outlines the various pots of money available and how to apply for them to make needed investment in local clean water infrastructure. NACWA Members- Be sure to check out Available Federal Programs for Clean Water Infrastructure.

 

Notice of Funds Available: Co-Digestion Grant Program
CalRecycle is announcing the application release for the Co-Digestion Grant Program, Cycle1, for Fiscal Years 2021-22 and 2022-23. This program provides funding to build new and expanded food waste co-digestion projects at existing wastewater treatment plants to achieve greenhouse gas emissions reductions by significantly increasing the tonnage of California-generated organic waste diverted from landfills to co-digestion systems. To access the application and information regarding eligibility and program criteria, please visit the Notice of Funds Available webpage at: https://calrecycle.ca.gov/fy202123/.  Applications are due by May 19, 2022. All questions should be directed to GHGReductions@CalRecycle.ca.gov.

 

US Water Alliance Releases New Toolkit for Promoting Workforce Diversity
Like many sectors, the water sector is facing a wave of retirements. For years, leaders knew there would be a “silver tsunami” of older water workers who would opt to retire, and the COVID-19 pandemic only accelerated many of those departures. In 2018, Brookings studied the composition of the water workforce at the request of utility leaders and found that the current workforce is older, more racially homogenous, and more male than the communities that water utilities serve. Brookings also found good news: working in water can provide a great career, including for women, people of color, and younger employees who are just entering the workforce. After this research and testing, the US Water Alliance translated their findings into creative content that can be used by any organization in the water sector to recruit new employees. The US Water Alliance is excited to announce the release of the Value of Water Campaign’s Recruiting a Diverse Water Workforce Toolkit!

 

Governor’s Executive Order on Drought
On March 28, 2022, Governor Gavin Newsom released an executive order calling on local water suppliers to activate drought contingency plans as the Western drought worsens. Read the official release here.