The Zenith Solutions Center for CalMutuals JPRIMA Workers’ Compensation Customers

Click on the image below for an update from CalMutuals’ Executive Director, Adán Ortega on benefits for members:

CalMutuals JPRIMA Workers’ Compensation customers now have access to an online solution center made possible through our partnership with Zenith Insurance Company.

The Zenith Solution Center – a comprehensive risk management and safety resources website designed specifically for water systems – features access to online training programs, compliance tools, human resources management best practices, and more.

To learn more about the benefits of obtaining workers’ compensation insurance through CalMutuals JPRIMA, please contact Christine Graves at 415.602.3972 or email her at cgraves@alliedpublicrisk.com.

To download the step-by-step guide to all of your management and HR needs, click here.

Already a customer? Click here to access the Zenith Website and click on “Log In” to access your account and/or sign-up. If you have any issues logging in, please contact us!

California Water Systems Required to Provide Lead Testing in Public Schools

The State Water Resources Control Board is requiring water systems to provide lead sampling services to K-12 schools upon request by school officials.

Under the requirement, testing is voluntary for schools, but if the schools make a written request, the community water systems must collect the samples within three months and report the results back to the school within two business days.  Sampling locations can include drinking fountains, cafeteria and food preparation areas, and reusable water bottle filling stations.

The community water systems are responsible for the costs associated with collecting drinking water samples, analyzing them and reporting results through this new program.  In addition, the State Water Board’s Division of Financial Assistance will have some funding available to assist with addressing lead found in tests, with a particular focus on schools in disadvantaged communities.

To download a helpful guide for mutual water companies that receive questions regarding lead sampling, click here.

For more background on this requirement, click here.

Revolutionary Nitrate Removal Technology

One of our members – Sunny Slope Water Company – has partnered with green tech pioneer Microvi to launch the world’s most advanced nitrate removal technology.

The new system will provide more than 200 million gallons of potable water to Sunny Slope’s 30,000 households.  The advanced nitrate removal technology – which generates no secondary waste – is the first of its kind in Southern California and will bring significant benefits to Sunny Slope’s customers.

Our customers deserve the safest and best solutions, and we are happy to be the first to bring this innovative technology to the region, ” said Ken Tcheng, General Manager of Sunny Slope Water Company.

State Water Board Ceases Practice of Obscuring Locations of Public Water System Wells

The State Water Resources Control Board (State Water Board) has announced that it will cease its practice of obscuring or redacting the actual locations of public water system wells.

Since 2001, the State Water Board has obscured the actual locations of certain wells in the GeoTracker and GeoTracker GAMA information systems and redacted documents to remove the locations of public water system wells that were provided to the public in response to Public Records Act requests.

In a letter released by the State Water Board, an explanation is provided outlining the previous practice and why the policy change has taken place. To read the letter, click here.

Free Rate Study Workshop

CalMutuals has been presented with the opportunity to host a FREE Rate Study Workshop for members. The cost to attend rate study workshops usually range between $150-$200+. If you are considering conducting a rate study – please contact us! Our office will plan a workshop based on the feedback we receive. 

 
Rate Study objectives include:
  • Cost recovery
  • Stability and predictability of rates to deal with unexpected and adverse changes
  • Apportionment of total costs
  • Promotion of efficient water use.
For questions or to learn more, please contact Susan Allen at Susan@CalMutuals.org or call (714) 449-8403.

Discounted Training Available for CalMutuals Members

Industrial safety training programs are being offered to CalMutuals members at a discounted rate.

Training programs include:

  • Confined Space Entry
  • Trench & Excavation Safety
  • Hazardous Material Safety
  • Fall Protection
  • Hazardous Waste Operations and Emergency Response Standard (HAZWOPER)
  • Accident Investigation

If you’re interested in any of these trainings, please call our office at (714) 449-8043 or email Susan@CalMutuals.org

Technical Assistance Available through Prop 1

Is your mutual in need of technical assistance? If so, help is available to mutual water companies through Proposition 1 (the Water Bond).

CalMutuals’ staff has already helped Maywood Mutual Water Company #1, located in Los Angeles, receive technical assistance for a water tank project from the State Water Resources Control Board (SWRCB). The process to complete and submit a technical assistance form took less than three (3) hours and has already been approved.

To find out if your system qualifies, please click here to download and complete a Technical Assistance Request Form.

For questions or more information, please contact Susan Allen at (714) 449-8403 or via email at Susan@CalMutuals.org

Governor Brown Signs Legislation Supported by CalMutuals

This fall, Governor Brown signed AB 1794 (C.Garcia), impacting mutual water companies in the Central Basin Municipal Water District (“Cental Basin”). The bill expands Central Basin’s board to seven (7) members with the addition of three (3) purveyor members. The legislation also includes other reforms affecting the contracting and hiring practices of Central Basin. The new law will bring greater transparency to a district that, for years, has been plagued by corruption. Mutual water companies in Central Basin’s district will now have the opportunity to help elect a representative that will support small system priorities. 

AB 1794 does not impact mutual water companies statewide but does serve as an example of what can be accomplished through the combined efforts of our members. We appreciate Assemblymember Cristina Garcia’s continued support of mutual water companies and small systems. The success of AB 1794 would not have been possible without the support of our legislative committee, and members in, and around the Central Basin Municipal Water District. 

To review AB 1794 in greater detail, please click here.

CalMutuals Meets Members

Meeting with Members

During the month of April, CalMutuals President, Directors and Staff met with Valley View Mutual Water Company in Baldwin Park, Vaughn Water Company and Oildale Mutual Water Company in Bakersfield, Atascadero Mutual Water Company in Atascadero, Blue Lake Springs Mutual Water Company in Arnold, La Cumbre Mutual Water Company in Santa Barbara, and Crestview Mutual Water Company in Camarillo to discuss this year’s legislative agenda and learn more about the concerns impacting mutual water companies throughout the state.
 
Have an issue you’d like to discuss?
We encourage our members to contact us for a visit.  We’re committed to learning more about the issues impacting your mutual water company. Click here to contact Us!

USDA Rural Development Funding Available

The USDA is providing long term and low interest loans to rural areas and towns with fewer than 10,000 people

Eligible addresses linked here.

How may the funds be used?
Funds may be used to finance the acquisition, construction or improvement of:

  • Drinking water sourcing, treatment, storage and distribution
  • Sewer collection, transmission, treatment and disposal
  • Solid waste collection, disposal and closure
  • Storm water collection, transmission and disposal

In some cases, funding may also be available for related activities such as:

  • Legal and engineering fees
  • Land acquisition, water and land rights, permits and equipment
  • Start-up operations and maintenance
  • Interest incurred during construction
  • Purchase of existing facilities to improve service or prevent loss of service
  • Other costs determined to be necessary for completion of the project
  • For a complete list, click here

What is the loan term and rate?

  • Up to 40-year payback period, based on the useful life of the facilities financed
  • Fixed interest rate
  • The interest rate is based on the need for the project and the median household income of the area to be served
  • Contact a USDA state office for details and current interest rates applicable for your project

Are there additional requirements?

  • Borrowers must have the legal authority to construct, operate and maintain the proposed services or facilities
  • All facilities receiving federal financing must be used for a public purpose
  • Partnerships with other federal, state, local, private and non-profit entities that offer financial assistance are encouraged
  • Projects must be financially sustainable

Click Here to Apply Now!

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