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Board Welcomes Belize Water Employees To District
3/6
CCWD's Board of Directors welcomed eight employees from the Belize Water Services company to the District last night.
This is the third time employees from Belize have visited CCWD since the program began in 2011. This year's trip will mark the second phase of the Water Operators Partnership Program funded by the Inter-American Development Bank and UN-HABITAT.
The Belize employees' job titles range from HR/PR Manager to Treatment Plant Operator and Lab Supervisor. None have been to CCWD before.
Four of Belize employees will leave after a week, but the remaining four will stay for another week.
CCWD was the first United States water utility to participate in this program.
Belize Water Services is the water and wastewater utility located in the Central American country and serves approximately 44,000 customers.
See How the President and Vice-President Finish Their Workouts
That's right, with glasses of clean, healthy water that were conveniently left on their desks.
This fun video showcases Michelle Obama and Jill Biden's "Let's Move" exercise and "Drink Up" water campaigns.
Of course, they're working out in shirts and ties and expensive-looking uncomfortable shoes...but still, it's fun. Heck, we'll invite them to the Wildflower Run in April.
Report on Future CCWD Plans Through 2024 Now Online
 2/28
The District's Ten-Year Capital Improvement Program (CIP) and Financial Plan, which identifies 51 projects costing $559 million over the next 10 years, is now available online.
The report, which is updated every year, was produced by Kimberly Lin, Celia Cheung, Jeff Quimby and Lars Sandberg.
It identifies and prioritizes the capital assets and financial tools required over the next 10 years for CCWD to successfully carry out the District's mission to "...strategically
provide a reliable supply of high quality water at the lowest cost possible, in an environmentally
responsible manner."
The CIP includes the Ten-Year Financial Plan that projects revenue requirements to fund the proposed projects and anticipated operating costs.
CCWD Begins Search For Summer Interns
2/28
CCWD has begun it search for summer interns this week, looking for upper division college students to work at the district in the Engineering, Planning or Water Resources departments.
The District has been employing interns for a number of years. Water Quality Superintendent Brett Kawakami was originally hired as an intern at CCWD.
If you know of an upper division or graduate student who is interested in working in the water business, please look here for more information and to apply.
'Can Do' Attitude Lands Employee of Quarter for David Cao
 2/27
An ability to expertly deliver on last minute requests, and a commitment to the success of projects were among the many traits that describe GIS Analyst David Cao, who was named the first Employee of the Quarter in 2014 on Wednesday.
David is the administrator of the myriad of electronic maps of the district, and is a key member of the team that's working to roll out new technology to field crews. He is known for his creative and helpful customer service with management and field crews.
General Manager Jerry Brown said David has, "really helped out on last minute requests and maps. He has a can-do attitude."
In his nomination, it was note repeatedly how he is able to respond to call for help, or troubleshoot new technology. "David is always willing to lend his technical expertise to assist wherever needed."
Blood Pressure Screening Set For March 6
 2/25
Give your body the gift of wellness this year. Have your blood pressure checked. It may be the wisest health decision you will ever make.
Thursday, March 6
East County – Antioch Service Center
Lunch Room
7:30 – 8:30 a.m.
Concord
O & M Bldg. - Maint. Conference Room
3 – 4 p.m.
Look here for more information.
CCWD Slated for 50 Percent Allocation From Bureau
2/21
The Bureau of Reclamation today announced the initial 2014 water supply allocation for the Central Valley Project. In a news release and in a conference call with water users, it was announced that CCWD will be allocated 50 percent of its historic use amount of 170,000 acre-feet.
This low allocation is not surprising considering the continued drought conditions facing California and the current snowpack/reservoir levels recorded.
This represents an amount of water that provides for inside home water use and business water use for CCWD customers.
But it is insufficient for outdoor watering which will have to be accommodated with LV storage, water transfers, and conservation.
The Bureau's announcement is an initial allocation based on Feb. 1 snowpack/reservoir supplies, which means conditions could change depending on what happens in the next several weeks or months. Subsequent updates will be communicated to the Board as they occur.
Consistent with the statewide drought declaration, CCWD has already been encouraging customers to continue their commitment to conservation.
A water supply update and consideration of a drought management program will be brought to the Board in March.
CCWD Hunts for Dreaded Mussels at 'Quagga Condos'
 2/12
If the dreaded Quagga or Zebra Mussels were to take residence at District facilities, the first to find out would likely be Microbiologist Ed Nishikawa. For years, Ed has made at least monthly visits to locations throughout the system in search of signs that would point to a looming infestation.
Quagga and Zebra Mussels are tiny mollusks that can range in size from microscopic to about the size of a fingernail. Because these mussels reproduce at an incredible rate (they are able to produce up to a million offspring per spawning season) and love to cling onto hard surfaces like water pipelines, they have the potential to clog, interrupt and otherwise affect District operations.
Though not found in District facilities, Quagga Mussels have been known to be in California water systems since 2007.
To monitor for these pests, Ed keeps track of a dozen artificial substrate plates—affectionately called Quagga Condos—that would attract early arrivers. In addition to the condos, the District performs regular water sample examinations in which 1,000 liters of water are strained through a mesh.
The District is also involved with the Bay Area Consortium, which aims to prevent the introduction and spread of Dreissenid Mussels in the region and throughout the state.
CCWD Encourages Conservation For Water Quality In News Release
2/12
In a News Release issued today, CCWD asked customers to conserve water to protect water quality.
“CCWD is planning ahead and stepping up the call for conservation in order to reserve more high quality water in Los Vaqueros to help us all weather this drought,” said Joseph L. Campbell, CCWD Board President in the release.
He added that, “CCWD customers invested in Los Vaqueros just for this purpose and it is doing its job; but in these unprecedented conditions, we all must to do our part to conserve as well.”
Read the release here.
District Tells Customers to Evaluate Their Water Use
2/5
CCWD told customers today that now is the time for them to evaluate how they use water, and gave three tips on saving water right away.
Take a look.
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