Full Newsletter

View this email in your browser

Zone 7 Receives Esteemed Financial Award from the GFOA for Third Year in a Row
Zone 7 Recognized for Being a Leader in Groundwater Management
Investing in our Future
The High-Efficiency Clothes Washer Rebate Returns


	FINANCIAL ANALYST, ZONE 7 Filing Deadline: August 9, 2019, 5 p.m. http://www.zone7water.com/working-here

GARDENING WORKSHOP
Date: Wednesday, July 31, at 6 p.m. – 8:30 p.m.
Where: Dublin San Ramon Services District
7051 Dublin Boulevard, Dublin, CA
RSVP Required, space limited
http://www.trivalleywaterwise.com/events/

FINANCE COMMITTEE MEETING
Date: Monday, August 5, at 9 a.m.
Where: Zone 7 Water Agency
100 North Canyons Parkway, Livermore, CA

BOARD OF DIRECTORS MEETING
Date: Wednesday, August 21, at 7 p.m.
Where: Zone 7 Water Agency
100 North Canyons Parkway, Livermore, CA

The Government Finance Officers Association (GFOA) awarded Zone 7 Water Agency the Certificate of Achievement in Excellence for Financial Reporting for its Fiscal Year 2017-18 Comprehensive Annual Financial Report.

The certificate is GFOA’s highest form of recognition in the area of governmental accounting. This is the third consecutive year the Agency has been recognized by GFOA for satisfying nationally recognized guidelines in preparing its financial statement

The award represents a significant achievement as it reflects the commitment of the Agency’s Board of Directors and staff to using the highest principles of governmental accounting and financial reporting. It also recognizes the Agency’s dedication to public transparency and accountability.

“This is a prestigious national award that recognizes the Agency’s commitment to going beyond the minimum requirements of generally accepted accounting principles,” General Manager Valerie Pryor said. “I am proud of the hard-working and dedicated employees who produced an annual financial report that demonstrates openness and disclosure, which align with Zone 7’s mission, vision and values.”

DWR approves Alternative Groundwater Sustainability Plan

In July, the California Department of Water Resources (DWR) announced the approval of Zone 7’s Alternative Groundwater Sustainability Plan, a significant recognition of the agency’s proactive policies of managing groundwater.

The plan was developed to meet the requirements of the Sustainable Groundwater Management Act (SGMA), legislation passed by the state to ensure groundwater supplies are sustainably managed by local agencies.

Zone 7 has been actively monitoring and managing the local groundwater supply, a basin that lies under the cities of Dublin, Livermore, and Pleasanton, since the early 1960s. Previously, the basin was in overdraft condition, meaning too much water had been pumped for local use and agriculture. The basin, referred to as the Livermore Valley Basin in official state documents, has since recovered from overdraft and has been in a condition of sustainable management since the mid-1970s.

As part of the SGMA, DWR ranked California basins as high, medium or low priority. The Act requires that a Groundwater Sustainability Plan is created for each medium- or high-priority groundwater basin in the state. The Livermore Valley Basin was identified as a medium-priority basin.

The SGMA gave agencies that were already sustainably managing basin groundwater an opportunity to submit an Alternative Groundwater Sustainability Plan to DWR.

After extensive review, DWR identified Zone 7’s Alternative Groundwater Sustainability Plan as one of nine plans submitted by agencies across the state that met SGMA standards for management and protection of groundwater in California.

“It is clear that a number of local agencies have been addressing groundwater issues in their basins for many years,” said DWR Director Karla Nemeth. “Their continued commitment to sustainably manage their basins will help protect California’s groundwater reserves as the state confronts critical water challenges.”

A map of the basin and official information regarding SGMA and the Alternative Groundwater Sustainability Plan is available online at https://sgma.water.ca.gov/portal/alternative/print/2

Zone 7 Water Agency is cultivating the next generation of water industry professionals in preparation for the Silver Tsunami – the retirement of a large segment of highly skilled members of the workforce over the next decade.

To attract new talent, Zone 7 partnered with the Bay Area Water/Wastewater Workforce Development Collaborative known as BAYWORK. BAYWORK is a group of 30 Bay Area water and wastewater agencies that recruit and train qualified candidates for mission-critical jobs.

Most recently, BAYWORK, the non-profit Ignited, Zone 7 and the East Bay Municipal Utility District (EBMUD) hosted seven local teachers for a week-long externship. The group started at the Del Valle Water Treatment Plant, where they had the opportunity to see how Zone 7 collects and treats surface water for the Tri-Valley area. The group met plant operators and water quality lab professionals, and attended several presentations on Zone 7 operations and career opportunities.

The tour was designed to highlight jobs available in the water industry, particularly for students who might not be interested in the traditional four-year college path but want to pursue careers where they are well-compensated and have opportunities for growth and advancement. Water industry jobs such as plant mechanic, electrician, lab technician and water operator are ideal for students who excel at trouble-shooting problems and enjoy on-the-job learning.

The teachers also toured EBMUD facilities to learn about opportunities in that district before returning to Zone 7 to process what they learned and draft curriculum to foster an interest in water industry careers. The lesson plans created by the group will be shared on the BAYWORK website and will be free for other educators to utilize.

Zone 7 is proud to support local teachers in the instruction of tomorrow’s workforce. We are excited that we were able to play a role in teaching students the value of water and the role it plays in our daily lives, how it shapes our communities and drives commerce. We hope that some of these educators’ future students will be inspired to take up the reigns from our retiring workforce to be the next generation of leaders that ensure the safety and quality of our local water supply.

Zone 7 and its water retailers have approved a $75 rebate offer for residential customers who replace their water-guzzling clothes washer with one from Energy Star’s Most Efficient Models list. Retroactive rebate applications are being accepted for washers purchased May 1 through July 31, 2019.

Since doing laundry accounts for up to 40% of the overall water consumption inside a typical four-person home, washing machines are a great place to start conserving.

Before new standards were adopted in 2010, clothes washers used approximately 30 to 45 gallons of water per load. With a typical family of four generating more than 300 loads of wash per year, a standard size, older washer uses about 12,000 gallons of water annually. High-efficiency washers reduce water use by more than half; they also consume less energy, clean clothes better, use less detergent, and reduce fabric wear.

Zone 7 Water Agency is committed to providing a reliable supply of high quality water and an effective flood control system to the Livermore-Amador Valley. In fulfilling our present and future commitments to the community, we will develop and manage the water resources in a fiscally responsible, innovative, proactive, and environmentally sensitive way.

To be recognized as the platinum standard water and flood control district in which to live, work and do business by enhancing the quality of life, economic vitality and environmental health of the communities we serve.

	OPEN AND TRANSPARENT – The Board's meetings and communications shall be open and public, except when the Brown Act authorizes otherwise.
	CUSTOMER SERVICE – Our commitment to the community requires prompt, respectful and courteous relations with our customers, both internal and external, as well as pursuing community partnerships and collaboration with other area public agencies when beneficial to the public.
	INTEGRITY – We practice the highest ethical standards and maintain open, honest communications at all levels of the organization at all times.
	FISCALLY RESPONSIBLE – We will operate in a productive, cost effective, transparent and efficient manner to ensure sound financial stability.
	ENVIRONMENTALLY SENSITIVE – In carrying out our mission, we are dedicated to preserving and enhancing the environment while complying with regulations.
	INNOVATIVE/PROACTIVE – We encourage innovation, creativity and ingenuity, seeking constant improvement and keeping up with the latest economical technologies and management practices.
	SAFETY – We are committed to public and employee safety to maintain a healthy work environment. We work safely and provide safe products and services.
	EMPLOYEE DEVELOPMENT – We foster a respect for diversity, equality, a spirit of performance-based accountability and productivity along with personal and professional growth for all team members so as to achieve excellence through the collective energy that comes from a work environment where each employee can flourish and succeed to their highest potential.

Zone 7 Water Agency, 100 North Canyons Parkway, Livermore, CA 94551

925-454-5000

www.zone7water.com

unsubscribe from this list | update subscription preferences | view email in browser