EVMWD Celebrates 75 Years
On September 15, the Elsinore Valley Municipal Water District (EVMWD) celebrated 75 years of service with an evening event at Glen Ivy Golf Club in Corona. Guided by the Board’s 75th Anniversary Ad Hoc Committee, which included Vice President Harvey Ryan and Board Member Andy Morris, the event was organized by Community Affairs Supervisor Sylvia Ornelas and her team — Jessica Winn, Haley Munson, Sandy Villamil, and Skyler Munson. The celebration welcomed more than 200 attendees and began with a VIP networking hour featuring a “walk through the decades” display highlighting EVMWD’s history.

The evening was kicked off virtually by Board President Chance Edmondson, followed by opening remarks from Ryan and General Manager Greg Thomas. Ornelas served as the evening’s emcee.

The program included remarks from Sen. Kelly Seyarto and Riverside County Supervisor Karen Spiegel, along with recognitions from Assemblymembers Natasha Johnson and Kate Sanchez. EVMWD was also honored with resolutions and certificates from U.S. Reps. Ken Calvert and Darrell Issa, federal and local representatives, and leaders from regional and statewide agencies. Thanks to the generosity of sponsors, the event was fully funded without the use of ratepayer dollars.

The milestone capped off a year of activities highlighting EVMWD’s legacy and its commitment to providing safe, reliable water and wastewater service.

EVMWD serves more than 163,000 residents across 98 square miles in western Riverside County, including the cities of Lake Elsinore, Canyon Lake, Wildomar, portions of Murrieta, and unincorporated areas of Riverside County.

  

The Strangest Scavenger Hunt in Contra Costa County
A recent media article highlights a creative public engagement effort by the Central Contra Costa Sanitary District (Central San). The piece focuses on Central San’s redesign of its maintenance access covers—formerly labeled “CCCSD”—which now feature the updated “Central San” name and artistic imagery reflecting the East Bay region.

The article describes how this redesign serves not only a branding purpose but also acts as the foundation for a community scavenger hunt. Through its “Pipeline” newsletter and an interactive map called Go With The Flow, Central San encourages residents to spot the new covers, snap photos, and engage with the often-invisible infrastructure beneath their feet.

This initiative demonstrates how thoughtful design and outreach can foster public connection to wastewater systems in a lighthearted but meaningful way. Read the article here!

 

Monterey One Water Cuts the Ribbon on the Expansion of Pure Water Monterey
On October 2, Monterey One Water hosted federal, state, and local leaders to celebrate the completion of the expansion of Pure Water Monterey, a groundwater replenishment project and major investment in Monterey Peninsula’s water supply. The Expansion is a multi-benefit, multi-agency effort showcasing the opportunity created when organizations collaborate and prioritize regional resilience. This project adds 2,250 acre-feet per year, enough to supply over 11,000 households, and brings total groundwater replenishment to 5,950 acre-feet per year.

“The expansion of Pure Water Monterey is a victory for our region and a big step forward in ensuring the vibrancy of our community and environment,” said Tyller Williamson, Mayor of Monterey and Chair of the Monterey One Water Board of Directors. “The increase to our water supply has wide and diverse implications – supporting direly-needed housing projects, reducing negative human impacts on the environment, and making it possible to remove the moratorium on new water connections.” Read more in the full press release.

 

City of Sausalito Transfers Sewer Collection Responsibilities to Sausalito-Marin City SD
After extensive planning and coordination, the City of Sausalito has officially transferred responsibility for its sewer collection system to the Sausalito-Marin City Sanitary District (SMCSD). This strategic transition will streamline service delivery, reduce billing confusion, support long-term infrastructure improvements, and achieve economies of scale for the community.

A More Unified Approach to Sewer Services. As of August 22, 2025, the City of Sausalito no longer owns or operates its sewer collection infrastructure, including pipelines and pump stations within city limits. SMCSD has now fully assumed these responsibilities.

Historically, SMCSD has owned and managed the conveyance pipelines that transport wastewater from Sausalito to its treatment plant, as well as the treatment plant itself. With this change, SMCSD has become the sole agency responsible for both sewer collection and treatment services within Sausalito, creating a fully integrated and more efficient system.

SMCSD also continues to own and manage the sewer collection system in Marin City, and provides treatment services for the Tamalpais Community Services District (TCSD) and the National Park Service (NPS).

How the Transfer Will Benefit Customers

  • This transfer will not negatively affect ratepayers in Sausalito, Marin City, TCSD, or the National Park Service (NPS). Each customer base maintains separate rates based on the services they receive.
  • Improved Efficiency and Strategy. Combining services under a single agency enables more effective and strategic management of the entire system.
  • One Unified Bill. Starting in the 2026/27 tax year, Sausalito residents will receive a single sewer bill, replacing the current two-bill system.
  • Higher Service Quality. A consolidated system supports better staffing, advanced technologies, and a higher overall level of service.
  • Cost Savings. Eliminating redundancies helps reduce administrative and operational expenses.
  • Better Infrastructure Planning. Standardized construction, inspection, and maintenance practices will now apply across the entire system.

Thanking Key Contributors. SMCSD General Manager Jeffrey Kingston emphasized that “SMCSD is proud of this change and extends its sincere thanks to the many individuals who played a vital role in making this transition possible.” Their foresight and leadership helped navigate the financial, operational, legal, and institutional complexities involved in the transfer.

Special recognition goes to the SMCSD Sewer Committee, including Dan Rheiner, Don Beers, and former Director Ann Arnott. Appreciation is also extended to SMCSD Board Members Barbara Rycerski and Shirely Thornton and former Directors William Ring and Jim DeLano.

The Sanitary District also gratefully acknowledges the contributions of the Sausalito City Council (past and present), and the City’s Sewer Committee, including Jill Hoffman, Steve Woodside, and former Mayor/Council Member Ray Withy.

The operational transfer took place on Friday, August 22. The transfer was also approved by the Regional Water Quality Control Board, a key regulator for both agencies.