Tours Are Opportunities to Share CVWD Progress and Programs

Dear Community,

Last week, the Crescenta Valley Water District had the pleasure of hosting the Historical Society of the Crescenta Valley for a tour of the operations and facilities that deliver your water and collect wastewater. Also attending were several members of the CV Town Council and a few members of Gov. Newsom’s local office. There was a lot of productive dialogue that reflected a survey of the broader community a couple of years ago. Namely, folks expressed primary interest in learning more about regional partnerships, including with non-profits; emergency preparedness; pursuing alternative sources of water supply; measures to reduce costs. These areas often blend, such as a regional partnership with Arroyos & Foothills Conservancy’s Friends of the Rosemont Preserve, which supports the Conservancy’s educational outreach program for nature-based solutions while providing an area for the District to build an alternative source of water supply (a bioswale that captures stormwater), which in turn translates to savings for our customers. The questions were insightful and it was wonderful to talk about honoring history while making history day-by-day.

Earlier this week, we hosted another tour, this time with Assemblymember Nick Schultz (AD-44). We shared with Assemblymember Schultz some of the District’s ongoing efforts to innovate, partner and save on costs. One example was our in-house pipeline initiative, which recently transitioned from a pilot program to a dedicated program, that shows that in-house crews can replace critical pipeline infrastructure for less than half of what outside contractors would charge. Another example was the District’s work in identifying the most effective and efficient method of removing contaminants from your water, such as the PFAS compounds you’ve likely heard about. An elected official’s authority can provide meaningful support, whether through access to funding or by channeling influence to expedite regional partnerships. We are heartened to be able to bring the assemblymember’s attention to the needs of the Crescenta Valley by demonstrating the value of investing in our community’s “small but mighty” public utility.

Since the last time I wrote, we have adopted and implemented a new “budget-based” rate structure. This rate structure is designed to balance preservation of water resources, complying with state mandates, and tailoring water “budgets” to individual household needs. There has been extended outreach about this change and will continue through additional customer service staff who are ready to take inquiries and proactively reach out to our ratepayers. Customers can also request in-person visits from personnel who will go over the rates while showing you where your water meter is, how to read it and shut it off, and how to sign up for WaterSmart, which is a new service that helps you detect leaks early to save water and avoid costly surprises.

In closing, please join me in welcoming Omar Verduzco, who joined as an Operations & Maintenance worker and has already shown the field awareness and aptitude that make our in-house pipeline program a driver of significant cost savings. Also joining is Jason Jose, our engineering intern finishing up his degree at CSUN.

Thank you as always for reading and continuing the dialogue. See you at National Night Out on the evening of Aug. 5 at the Briggs Sheriff’s Station, 4554 Briggs Ave., La Crescenta.

James Lee, General Manager
CVWD