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AGENDA COMMUNICATIONS AND LEGISLATIVE LIAISON COMMITTEE MEETING WITH BOARD OF DIRECTORS* ORANGE COUNTY WATER DISTRICT 18700 Ward Street, Fountain Valley, CA (714) 378-3200 September 2, 2021 8:00 a.m.

*The OCWD Communications and Legislative Liaison Committee meeting is noticed as a joint meeting with the Board of Directors for the purpose of strict compliance with the Brown Act and it provides an opportunity for all Directors to hear presentations and participate in discussions. Directors receive no additional compensation or stipend as a result of simultaneously convening this meeting. Items recommended for approval at this meeting will be placed on the September 15, 2021 Board meeting Agenda for approval.

SPECIAL NOTICE – Telephonic Accessibility for Board Members and the General Public

Due to the spread of COVID-19 the Orange County Water District will be holding its September 2 Communications and Legislative Liaison Committee Meeting by Zoom Webinar and will be available by either computer or telephone audio as follows:

Participation by Committee Members will be from remote locations. Public access and participation will only be available telephonically/electronically.

Computer Audio: You can join the Zoom meeting by clicking on the following link: https://ocwd.zoom.us/j/99465334409

Telephone Audio: (669) 900 9128

Webinar ID: 994 6533 4409

ROLL CALL

ITEMS RECEIVED TOO LATE TO BE AGENDIZED

RECOMMENDATION: Adopt resolution determining need to take immediate action on item(s) and that the need for action came to the attention of the District subsequent to the posting of the Agenda (requires two-thirds vote of the Board members present, or, if less than two-thirds of the members are present, a unanimous vote of those members present.)

VISITOR PARTICIPATION

Time has been reserved at this point in the agenda for persons wishing to comment for up to three minutes to the Board of Directors on any item that is not listed on the agenda, but within the subject matter jurisdiction of the District. By law, the Board of Directors is prohibited from taking action on such public comments. As appropriate, matters raised in these public comments will be referred to District staff or placed on the agenda of an upcoming Board meeting.

At this time, members of the public may also offer public comment for up to three minutes on any item on the Consent Calendar. While members of the public may not remove an item from the Consent Calendar for separate discussion, a Director may do so at the request of a member of the public.

1 CONSENT CALENDAR (ITEM NO. 1)

All matters on the Consent Calendar are to be approved by one motion, without separate discussion on these items, unless a Board member or District staff request that specific items be removed from the Consent Calendar for separate consideration.

1. MINUTES OF COMMUNICATIONS AND LEGISLATIVE LIAISON COMMITTEE MEETING HELD AUGUST 5, 2021

RECOMMENDATION: Approve minutes as presented

END OF CONSENT CALENDAR

MATTERS FOR CONSIDERATION

2. STATE LEGISLATIVE UPDATE

RECOMMENDATION: Agendize for September 15 Board meeting: Take action as appropriate

3. FEDERAL LEGISLATIVE UPDATE

RECOMMENDATION: Agendize for September 15 Board meeting: Take action as appropriate

INFORMATIONAL ITEMS

4. OC WATER SUMMIT UPDATE

5. PUBLIC AFFAIRS OUTREACH REPORT (AUGUST 2021)

CHAIR DIRECTION AS TO WHICH ITEMS IF ANY TO BE AGENDIZED AS A MATTER FOR CONSIDERATION AT THE SEPTEMBER 15 BOARD MEETING

DIRECTOR’S ANNOUNCEMENTS/REPORTS

GENERAL MANAGER’S ANNOUNCEMENT/REPORT

ADJOURNMENT

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COMMUNICATION AND LEGISLATIVE LIAISON COMMITTEE MEMBERS

Vacant - Chair Cathy Green - Vice Chair Dina Nguyen Roger Yoh Bruce Whitaker

Tri Ta Kelly Rowe Nelida Mendoza Denis Bilodeau Steve Sheldon

Agenda Posting: In accordance with the requirements of Government Code Section 54954.2, this agenda is posted in the window of the guard shack at the main entrance of the Orange County Water District, 18700 Ward Street, Fountain Valley, CA and on the OCWD website: www.ocwd.com not less than 72 hours prior to the meeting date and time above. All written materials relating to each agenda item are available for public inspection in the office of the Assistant District Secretary. Backup material for the Agenda is available at the District offices for public review and can be viewed online at the District’s website: www.ocwd.com.

Accommodations to the Disabled: Pursuant to the Americans with Disabilities Act, persons with a disability who require a disability-related modification or accommodation in order to participate in a meeting, including auxiliary aids or services, may request such modification or accommodation from the District Secretary at (714) 378-3233, by email at [email protected] by fax at (714) 378-3373. Notification 24 hours prior to the meeting will enable District staff to make reasonable arrangements to assure accessibility to the meeting.

Availability of Agenda Material: As a general rule, agenda reports or other written documentation that has been prepared or organized with respect to each item of business listed on the agenda can be reviewed at www.ocwd.com. Copies of these materials and other disclosable public records distributed to all or a majority of the members of the Board of Directors in connection with an Open Session agenda item are also on file with and available for inspection at the Office of the District Secretary, 18700 Ward Street, Fountain Valley, California, during regular business hours, 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m., Monday through Friday. If such writings are distributed to members of the Board of Directors on the day of a Board meeting, the writings will be available at the entrance to the Board of Directors meeting room at the Orange County Water District office.

3 1 MINUTES OF BOARD OF DIRECTORS MEETING WITH COMMUNICATIONS AND LEGISLATIVE LIAISON COMMITTEE ORANGE COUNTY WATER DISTRICT August 5, 2021, 8:00 a.m.

Due to the Governor’s Executive Order N-25-20, Chair Brandman called the Communications and Legislative Liaison Committee meeting to order via Zoom webinar. Members of the Board and the public participated via Zoom. The Secretary called the roll and reported a quorum as follows:

Committee Members OCWD Staff Jordan Brandman Mike Markus– General Manager Cathy Green Alicia Dunkin - Legislative Affairs Liaison Dina Nguyen Gina Ayala – Director of Public Affairs Roger Yoh Crystal Nettles – Senior Communications Specialist Bruce Whitaker Christina Fuller – Assistant District Secretary

Alternates Tri Ta Kelly Rowe Nelida Mendoza (absent) Denis Bilodeau Steve Sheldon

CONSENT CALENDAR The Consent Calendar was approved upon motion by Director Green, seconded by Director Yoh and carried [5-0] as follows: Ayes –Brandman, Green, Nguyen, Yoh, Whitaker

1. Minutes of Previous Meeting

The minutes of the July 8, 2021 Communications/Legislative Liaison Committee meeting are approved as presented.

MATTERS FOR CONSIDERATION

2. State Legislative Update

State Legislative consultants reported that the Legislature is on summer recess until August 16 and will adjourn on September 10. Consultants provided an update on PFAS funding, along with AB 339 (Lee

and C. Garcia) State and local government: open meetings.

3. Federal Legislative Update

Federal consultants provided updates on the Congressional schedule, funding priorities and Infrastructure and PFAS next steps.

INFORMATIONAL ITEMS

4. OC Water Summit Update

Director of Public Affairs Gina Ayala provided an update on the event planning and noted there are 145 registrants thus far and $40,000 has been raised in sponsorships.

5. Public Affairs Outreach Report (July 2021)

Ms. Ayala reported that 200 attendees participated in the webinar "How Today’s Drought Affects Southern California” which was held June 29. She noted that the August webinar will focus on local and state water quality programs.

ADJOURNMENT

There being no further business to come before the Committee, the meeting was adjourned at 8:45a.m.

______Jordan Brandman, Chair

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AGENDA ITEM SUBMITTAL

Meeting Date: September 2, 2021 Budgeted: N/A Budgeted Amount: N/A To: Communications/Leg. Liaison Cte. Cost Estimate: N/A Board of Directors Funding Source: N/A Program/Line Item No.: N/A From: Mike Markus General Counsel Approval: N/A Engineers/Feasibility Report: N/A Staff Contact: G. Ayala/A. Dunkin CEQA Compliance: N/A

Subject: STATE LEGISLATIVE UPDATE

SUMMARY

The Orange County Water District (OCWD; the District) staff and consultants will provide a verbal update on efforts to gain $250 million in the state budget for PFAS cleanup grant funding and on the status of bills of interest to the District.

ATTACHMENTS

• Joe A. Gonsalves and Son – Edelstein Gilbert Robson & Smith August 2021 State Legislative Update • State Bill Matrix • August Letter to Gain $250 million in grant funding for PFAS cleanup

RECOMMENDATION

Agendize for the September 15 Board meeting: Take action as appropriate.

ACTIVITIES

• OCWD consultants and staff continue to work to gain $250 million in state grant funding included in the budget. This August, the following coalition worked with OCWD staff and consultants to distribute the attached letter to the Governor’s office, the OC Delegation, key legislators and their staff: Water Replenishment District, California Groundwater Coalition, County Sanitation Districts, Santa Clarita Valley Water, Western Municipal Water District, Orchard Dale Water District, San Gabriel Valley Municipal Water District, Chino Basin Watermaster, City of Pico Rivera, City of Downey, City of South Gate, City of Lakewood, City of Paramount, San Gabriel Basin Water Quality Authority, Elsinore Valley Municipal Water District, Mission Springs Water District, Main San Gabriel Basin Watermaster, and Raymond Basin Management Board.

• In addition, OCWD consultants and staff have worked, and continue to work, with Assemblymember Christina Garcia, the OC delegation, and a coalition of other stakeholders, to request $250 million for PFAS funding. The elected officials from the OC delegation that have signed the letter in support of PFAS funding include:

1 Assemblymember Quirk-Silva, Assemblymember Davies, Senator Min, Senator Nguyen, Senator Umberg, and Senator Archuleta. PFAS funding is expected to be specified in a budget trailer bill.

• Alicia Dunkin worked to gain $250 million for PFAS cleanup funding through email and phone outreach to impacted agencies and cities in Orange County and surrounding areas. She also participates in ongoing ACWA and CMUA funding workgroups to have associations add the PFAS funding request to their advocacy efforts.

• Alicia Dunkin participated in the Southern California Water Coalition legislative meeting, as well as virtual meetings of the Santa Ana Watershed Project Authority (SAWPA), the Association of California Water Agencies (ACWA) Federal Committee, the California Municipal Utilities Association (CMUA) Legislative/Policy Committee, and the ACC-OC Legislative and Regulatory Committee.

• Roy Herndon and Alicia Dunkin provided a PFAS update to the ACC-OC Water and Energy Committee and discussed OCWD’s priority legislative policies.

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TO: ORANGE COUNTY WATER DISTRICT

FROM: JOE A. GONSALVES AND SON EDELSTEIN GILBERT ROBSON & SMITHLLC

SUBJECT: LEGISLATIVE UPDATE

DATE: August 24, 2021

The Legislature returned from its summer recess on August 16. They have only a few weeks to complete their work before adjourning on September 10.

The end of session is always a busy time in Sacramento. Legislators will spend much of the remaining time in session on the floor of their respective houses. Bills must be passed by the Assembly and Senate before September 10, otherwise they cannot be acted on until 2022. For noncontroversial bills, this is more of a procedural hurdle than anything else. In some cases, however, unresolved issues in controversial bills manifest in dramatic floor fights with authors and proponents of legislation attempting to marshal enough support to pass the bill and opponents trying to keep them from doing so.

Controversial or not, it takes time for the Legislature to take up and pass each of the hundreds of bills that are still pending. As bills fail to pass, tensions will amp up between the Assembly and Senate which, in turn, leads to retaliation and holding bills “hostage.” Last year all of this added up to the Legislature running out of time and leaving several high-priority bills on the table when they adjourned the session. It remains to be seen how 2021 will play out.

PFAS Funding Budget negotiations between the Senate, Assembly, and Governor continue on a drought resiliency funding package.

Our firms continue to advocate for additional PFAS funding to be included in this appropriation. In addition to working to secure the support of the Orange County delegation as we’ve reported previously, we have worked over the summer recess to broaden the coalition of stakeholders supporting this request. To that end, we arranged a meeting of other stakeholders who are grappling with PFAS contamination. The expanded coalition has submitted a letter to Assembly and Senate Leadership as well as the Governor’s Office supporting our request for additional funding in the budget for PFAS contamination. We have made our allies in the Legislature aware of this letter and believe it will further demonstrate the statewide need for funding.

In additions, our firms have provided a grassroots advocacy plan for outreach to support our efforts in Sacramento. We will keep you apprised of further developments.

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Measure Author Topic Location Summary Position AB 339 Lee D Local government: 8/17/2021-S. THIRD Existing law, the Ralph M. Brown Act, requires, with specified exceptions, Oppose open and public READING that all meetings of a legislative body of a local agency, as those terms are Unless meetings. defined, be open and public and that all persons be permitted to attend and Amended participate. Under existing law, a member of the legislative body who attends a meeting where action is taken in violation of this provision, with the intent to deprive the public of information that the member knows the public is entitled to, is guilty of a crime.This bill would require local agencies to conduct meetings subject to the act consistent with applicable state and federal civil rights laws, as specified.This bill contains other related provisions and other existing laws. AB 361 Rivas, Open meetings: local 7/15/2021-Read second Existing law, the Ralph M. Brown Act requires, with specified exceptions, Support Robert D agencies: time. Ordered to third that all meetings of a legislative body of a local agency, as those terms are teleconferences. reading. defined, be open and public and that all persons be permitted to attend and participate. The act contains specified provisions regarding the timelines for posting an agenda and providing for the ability of the public to directly address the legislative body on any item of interest to the public. The act generally requires all regular and special meetings of the legislative body be held within the boundaries of the territory over which the local agency exercises jurisdiction, subject to certain exceptions. The act allows for meetings to occur via teleconferencing subject to certain requirements, particularly that the legislative body notice each teleconference location of each member that will be participating in the public meeting, that each teleconference location be accessible to the public, that members of the public be allowed to address the legislative body at each teleconference location, that the legislative body post an agenda at each teleconference location, and that at least a quorum of the legislative body participate from locations within the boundaries of the local agency’s jurisdiction. The act provides an exemption to the jurisdictional requirement for health authorities, as defined. The act authorizes the district attorney or any interested person, subject to certain provisions, to commence an action by mandamus or injunction for the purpose of obtaining a judicial determination that specified actions taken by a legislative body are null and void.This bill would authorize a local agency to use teleconferencing without complying with the teleconferencing requirements imposed by the Ralph M. Brown Act when a legislative body of a local agency holds a meeting for the purpose of declaring or ratifying a local emergency, during a declared state of emergency or local emergency, as those terms are defined, when state or local health officials have imposed or recommended measures to promote social distancing, and during a declared local emergency provided the legislative body determines, by majority vote, that meeting in person would present imminent risks to the health or safety of attendees. The bill would require legislative bodies that hold teleconferenced 2

meetings under these abbreviated teleconferencing procedures to give notice of the meeting and post agendas, as described, to allow members of the public to access the meeting and address the legislative body, to give notice of the means by which members of the public may access the meeting and offer public comment, including an opportunity for all persons to attend via a call-in option or an internet-based service option, and to conduct the meeting in a manner that protects the statutory and constitutional rights of the parties and the public appearing before the legislative body. The bill would require the legislative body to take no further action on agenda items when there is a disruption which prevents the public agency from broadcasting the meeting, or in the event of a disruption within the local agency’s control which prevents members of the public from submitting public comments, until public access is restored. The bill would specify that actions taken during the disruption are subject to challenge proceedings, as specified. The bill would prohibit the legislative body from requiring public comments to be submitted in advance of the meeting and would specify that the legislative body must provide an opportunity for the public to address the legislative body and offer comment in real time. When there is a continuing state of emergency, local emergency, or when state or local officials have imposed or recommended measures to promote social distancing, the bill would require a legislative body to make specified findings not later than 30 days after the first teleconferenced meeting pursuant to these provisions, and to make those findings every 30 days thereafter, in order to continue to meet under these abbreviated teleconferencing procedures.This bill contains other related provisions and other existing laws. 3

AB 377 Rivas, Water quality: 5/25/2021-Failed Under existing law, the State Water Resources Control Board and the 9 Oppose Robert D impaired waters. Deadline pursuant to California regional water quality control boards regulate water quality and Rule 61(a)(5). (Last prescribe waste discharge requirements in accordance with the federal location was APPR. national pollutant discharge elimination system (NPDES) permit program SUSPENSE FILE on established by the federal Clean Water Act and the Porter-Cologne Water 5/19/2021) Quality Control Act. Existing law requires each regional board to formulate (May be acted upon and adopt water quality control plans for all areas within the region, as Jan 2022) provided.This bill would require, by January 1, 2023, the state board and regional boards to prioritize enforcement of all water quality standard violations that are causing or contributing to an exceedance of a water quality standard in a surface water of the state. The bill would require the state board and regional boards, by January 1, 2025, to evaluate impaired state surface waters and report to the Legislature a plan to bring all water segments into attainment by January 1, 2050. The bill would require the state board and regional boards to update the report with a progress summary to the Legislature every 5 years. The bill would create the Waterway Recovery Account in the Waste Discharge Permit Fund and would make moneys in the Waterway Recovery Account available for the state board to expend, upon appropriation by the Legislature, to bring impaired water segments into attainment in accordance with the plan. The bill would require penalties obtained pursuant to the above-described prioritized enforcement of water quality standards to be deposited into the Waterway Recovery Account. The bill would require, by January 1, 2026, and subject to a future legislative act, 50% of the annual proceeds of the State Water Pollution Cleanup and Abatement Account to be annually transferred to the Waterway Recovery Account. The bill would require the state board, upon appropriation by the Legislature, to expend 5% of the annual proceeds of the State Water Pollution Cleanup and Abatement Account to fund a specified state board program.This bill contains other existing laws. AB 588 Garcia, California Safe 4/30/2021-Failed (1)Existing law, the California Safe Drinking Water Act, requires the State Support Eduardo D Drinking Water Act: Deadline pursuant to Water Resources Control Board to adopt primary drinking water standards for compliance. Rule 61(a)(2). (Last contaminants in drinking water. Existing law requires the state board to location was E.S. & consider specified criteria when it adopts a primary drinking water standard, T.M. on 3/25/2021) including the technological and economic feasibility of compliance.This bill (May be acted upon would require the state board to identify actions necessary to assist specified Jan 2022) water systems to achieve compliance within any compliance period established.This bill contains other related provisions and other existing laws. AB 652 Friedman D Product safety: 8/19/2021-S. THIRD Existing law prohibits a person from manufacturing, selling, or distributing in Support juvenile products: READING commerce any bottle or cup that contains bisphenol A, at a detectable level chemicals: above 0.1 parts per billion, if the bottle or cup is designed or intended to be 4

perfluoroalkyl and filled with any liquid, food, or beverage intended primarily for consumption polyfluoroalkyl from that bottle or cup by children three years of age or younger. Existing law substances. prohibits a person or entity from manufacturing, selling, or distributing in commerce any toy or child care article that contains di-(2-ethylhexyl) phthalate, dibutyl phthalate, or benzyl butyl phthalate, in concentrations exceeding 0.1%. Existing law prohibits a person from manufacturing, selling, or exchanging, having in their possession with intent to sell or exchange, or exposing or offering for sale or exchange to any retailer, any toy that is contaminated with a specified toxic substance.This bill would, on and after July 1, 2023, prohibit a person, including a manufacturer, from selling or distributing in commerce in this state any new, not previously owned, juvenile product, as defined, that contains intentionally added perfluoroalkyl and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS), as defined. The bill would require a manufacturer to use the least toxic alternative when replacing PFAS chemicals in a juvenile product.

AB 1200 Ting D Plant-based food 8/24/2021-S. THIRD Existing law prohibits the manufacture, sale, or distribution in commerce of Support packaging: READING any toy or child care article, as defined, that contains phthalates exceeding a cookware: hazardous specified percentage. Existing law prohibits the manufacture, sale, or chemicals. distribution in commerce of any bottle or cup that contains bisphenol A, above a specified detectable level, if the bottle or cup is designed or intended to be filled with any liquid, food, or beverage intended primarily for consumption from that bottle or cup by children 3 years of age or younger. Existing law, beginning January 1, 2025, prohibits the manufacture, sale, delivery, hold, or offer for sale in commerce of any cosmetic product that contains any of several specified intentionally added ingredients, such as perfluoroalkyl and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS), except under specified circumstances.This bill would prohibit, beginning January 1, 2023, any person from distributing, selling, or offering for sale in the state any food packaging that contains intentionally added perfluoroalkyl and polyfluoroalkyl substances or PFAS, as defined. The bill would require a manufacturer to use the least toxic alternative when replacing PFAS chemicals. The bill would define “food packaging,” in part, to mean a nondurable package, packaging component, or food service ware that is comprised, in substantial part, of paper, paperboard, or other materials originally derived from plant fibers. This bill contains other related provisions. AB 1434 Friedman D Urban water use 5/25/2021-Failed Existing law requires the Department of Water Resources, in coordination with Oppose objectives: indoor Deadline pursuant to the State Water Resources Control Board, and including collaboration with and residential water use. Rule 61(a)(5). (Last input from stakeholders, to conduct necessary studies and investigations and location was APPR. on authorizes the department and the board to jointly recommend to the 4/27/2021) Legislature a standard for indoor residential water use. Existing law, until 5

(May be acted upon January 1, 2025, establishes 55 gallons per capita daily as the standard for Jan 2022) indoor residential water use. Existing law establishes, beginning January 1, 2025, 52.5 gallons per capita daily and, beginning January 1, 2030, 50 gallons per capita daily, as the standards for indoor residential water use, unless the department and the board recommend more appropriate standards for indoor residential water use. This bill would establish, beginning January 1, 2023, until January 1, 2025, the standard for indoor residential water use as 48 gallons per capita daily. The bill would establish, beginning January 1, 2025, the standard as 44 gallons per capita daily and, beginning January 1, 2030, 40 gallons per capita daily. SB 45 Portantino D Wildfire Prevention, 6/1/2021-Ordered to The California Drought, Water, Parks, Climate, Coastal Protection, and Watch Safe Drinking inactive file on request Outdoor Access For All Act of 2018, approved by the voters as Proposition 68 Water, Drought of Senator Portantino. at the June 5, 2018, statewide primary direct election, authorizes the issuance Preparation, and of bonds in the amount of $4,100,000,000 pursuant to the State General Flood Protection Obligation Bond Law to finance a drought, water, parks, climate, coastal Bond Act of 2022. protection, and outdoor access for all program. Article XVI of the California Constitution requires measures authorizing general obligation bonds to specify the single object or work to be funded by the bonds and further requires a bond act to be approved by a 2/3 vote of each house of the Legislature and a majority of the voters.This bill would enact the Wildfire Prevention, Safe Drinking Water, Drought Preparation, and Flood Protection Bond Act of 2022, which, if approved by the voters, would authorize the issuance of bonds in the amount of $5,595,000,000 pursuant to the State General Obligation Bond Law to finance projects for a wildfire prevention, safe drinking water, drought preparation, and flood protection program.This bill contains other related provisions. SB 222 Dodd D Water Rate 8/19/2021-A. APPR. Existing law, the California Safe Drinking Water Act, requires the State Water Watch Assistance Program. SUSPENSE FILE Resources Control Board to administer provisions relating to the regulation of drinking water to protect public health. Existing law declares it to be the established policy of the state that every human being has the right to safe, clean, affordable, and accessible water adequate for human consumption, cooking, and sanitary purposes. This bill would establish the Water Rate Assistance Fund in the State Treasury to help provide water affordability assistance, for both drinking water and wastewater services, to low-income ratepayers and ratepayers experiencing economic hardship in California. The bill would require the Department of Community Services and Development to develop and administer the Water Rate Assistance Program established by the bill. The bill would make moneys in the fund available upon appropriation by the Legislature to the department to provide, in consultation with the state board, direct water bill assistance, water bill credits, and water crisis assistance. The bill would authorize the department to identify and contract with a third-party fund administrator. The bill would impose requirements on the department, in consultation with the state board, in connection with the 6

program, including, among others, developing guidelines and fund oversight procedures for implementation of the program by January 1, 2023, consulting with an advisory group, and adopting an annual fund expenditure plan.This bill contains other related provisions and other existing laws.

SB 223 Dodd D Discontinuation of 5/25/2021-Failed Existing law prohibits an urban and community water system, defined as a Oppose residential water Deadline pursuant to public water system that supplies water to more than 200 service connections, Unless service. Rule 61(a)(5). (Last from discontinuing residential water service for nonpayment until a payment Amended location was APPR. by a customer has been delinquent for at least 60 days. Existing law requires an SUSPENSE FILE on urban and community water system to have a written policy on discontinuation 5/17/2021) of residential service for nonpayment, including, among other things, specified (May be acted upon options for addressing the nonpayment. Existing law requires an urban and Jan 2022) community water system to provide notice of that policy to customers, as provided.This bill would apply those provisions, on and after July 1, 2022, to a very small community water system, defined as a public water system that supplies water to 200 or fewer service connections used by year long residents. The bill would require the written policy on discontinuation of residential service for nonpayment to include an arrearage management plan, as specified, and, for those systems that provide water use audits or have the capacity to do so, to include a water use audit offered at no additional charge to low-income households.This bill contains other related provisions and other existing laws. SB 230 Portantino D State Water 5/25/2021-Failed Existing law, the California Safe Drinking Water Act, requires the State Water Watch Resources Control Deadline pursuant to Resources Control Board to administer provisions relating to the regulation of Board: Constituents Rule 61(a)(5). (Last drinking water to protect public health. The state board’s duties include, but are of Emerging location was APPR. on not limited to, conducting research, studies, and demonstration programs Concern Program. 3/15/2021) relating to the provision of a dependable and safe supply of drinking water, (May be acted upon enforcing the federal Safe Drinking Water Act, and adopting and enforcing Jan 2022) regulations.This bill would require the state board to establish, maintain, and direct an ongoing, dedicated program called the Constituents of Emerging Concern Program to assess the state of information and recommend areas for further study on, among other things, the occurrence of constituents of emerging concern (CEC) in drinking water sources and treated drinking water. The bill would require the state board to convene, by an unspecified date, the Science Advisory Panel to review and provide recommendations to the state board on CEC for further action, among other duties. The bill would require the state board to provide an annual report to the Legislature on the ongoing work conducted by the panel.This bill contains other related provisions.

SB 273 Hertzberg D Water quality: 8/23/2021-S. Under existing law, the State Water Resources Control Board and the Support municipal California regional water quality control boards prescribe waste discharge 7

wastewater agencies. CONSENT requirements for the discharge of stormwater by municipalities and industries CALENDAR in accordance with the National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System permit program and the Porter-Cologne Water Quality Control Act. Existing law requires regulated municipalities and industries to obtain a stormwater permit. This bill would authorize a municipal wastewater agency, as defined, to enter into agreements with entities responsible for stormwater management for the purpose of managing stormwater and dry weather runoff, as defined, to acquire, construct, expand, operate, maintain, and provide facilities for specified purposes relating to managing stormwater and dry weather runoff, and to levy taxes, fees, and charges consistent with the municipal wastewater agency’s existing authority in order to fund projects undertaken pursuant to the bill. The bill would require the exercise of any new authority granted under the bill to comply with the Cortese-Knox-Hertzberg Local Government Reorganization Act of 2000. The bill would require a municipal wastewater agency that enters into or amends one of these agreements after January 1, 2022, to file a copy of the agreement or amendment with the local agency formation commission in each county where any part of the municipal wastewater agency’s territory is located, but would exempt those agreements and amendments from local agency formation commission approval except as required by the Cortese-Knox-Hertzberg Local Government Reorganization Act of 2000. To the extent this requirement would impose new duties on local agency formation commissions, the bill would impose a state-mandated local program. This bill contains other related provisions and other existing laws. 8

SB 323 Caballero D Local government: 8/23/2021-A. THIR The Mitigation Fee Act authorizes a local agency to establish, increase, or Watch water or sewer D READING impose a variety of fees, dedications, reservations, or other exactions for service: legal services, and in connection with the approval of a development project, as actions. defined. Existing law prohibits a local agency from imposing fees for specified purposes, including fees for water or sewer connections, as defined, that exceed the estimated reasonable cost of providing the service for which the fee is charged, unless voter approval is obtained. Existing law provides that a local agency levying a new water or sewer connection fee or increasing a fee must do so by ordinance or resolution.This bill would require any judicial action or proceeding to attack, review, set aside, void, validate, or annul an ordinance, resolution, or motion adopting, modifying, or amending water or sewer service fees or charges adopted after January 1, 2022, to be commenced within 120 days of the date of final passage, adoption, or approval of the ordinance, resolution, or motion, except as provided.Articles XIIC and XIIID of the California Constitution generally require that assessments, fees, and charges be submitted to property owners for approval or rejection after the provision of written notice and the holding of a public hearing. Existing law, the Proposition 218 Omnibus Implementation Act, prescribes specific procedures and parameters for local jurisdictions to comply with Articles XIIIC and XIIID of the California Constitution and defines terms for these purposes.This bill would require a water or sewer agency mailing a written notice to the record owner of a parcel affected by a proposed fee or charge pursuant to Article XIIID to include a statement that there is a 120-day statute of limitations for challenging any new, increased, or extended fee or charge. This bill would provide that the provisions of this bill do not apply to a judicial action arising from overbilling, or other billing errors due to the defective implementation of an ordinance, resolution, or motion adopting, modifying, or amending a fee or charge for water or sewer service. Because this bill would require an agency issuing a notice pursuant to Article XIIID to include additional information in the notice, it would impose a state-mandated local program. The California Constitution requires the state to reimburse local agencies and school districts for certain costs mandated by the state. Statutory provisions establish procedures for making that reimbursement.This bill would provide that, if the Commission on State Mandates determines that the bill contains costs mandated by the state, reimbursement for those costs shall be made pursuant to the statutory provisions noted above.This bill contains other existing laws.

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August 19, 2021

Members of the Legislature:

Our organizations represent areas of the state that have been impacted by PFAS groundwater contamination. The cost for public water systems in California to treat drinking water contaminated by per- and polyfluoroalkyl (PFAS) contamination is now anticipated to exceed $500 million, and the ultimate scope of the problem is not yet fully defined. Contamination of groundwater with PFAS is compounding the impacts of the drought and of arrearages associated with the COVID-19 pandemic, as explained below. PFAS comprises a family of over 5,000 chemical compounds used in products like non- stick and water repellent products, fire-fighting foams, cleaning products, polishes and waxes, electronics manufacturing and other industrial activities, and certain types of food packaging.

Existing law requires a water system to stop well production or issue a public notice if perfluoroalkyl and polyfluoroalkyl substances are detected above a regulatory response level. A water system operator must remediate the PFAS-affected well or remove the well from operation. Remediation can cost over $4 million per well. If the well is removed from operation, ratepayers must pay up to 50% more to import water compared to extracting and treating groundwater—and shifting to imported surface water supply places added pressure on drought-impacted water supplies. Water system operators are in dire need of financial assistance to maintain affordable water rates. There are few public funding options other than ratepayer revenue to pay for well treatment facilities.

Water system operators are experiencing financial constraints because of the COVID- 19 pandemic. The State Water Resources Control Board released a study in January that estimates 12 percent of households in California have not paid their water bills, creating a "water debt" that today exceeds $1 billion. This reduction in revenue places water operators in a precarious position as they seek to treat PFAS-affected wells.

We support the inclusion of at least $250 million for PFAS treatment in the drought and water resilience package in the state budget as a good-faith investment in maintaining an uninterrupted supply of affordable water for Californians impacted by PFAS contamination, as well as drought and the COVID-19 pandemic.

3 AGENDA ITEM SUBMITTAL

Meeting Date: September 2, 2021 Budgeted: N/A Budgeted Amount: N/A To: Communications/Leg. Liaison Cte Cost Estimate: N/A Board of Directors Funding Source: N/A Program/Line-Item No.: N/A From: Mike Markus General Counsel Approval: N/A Engineers/Feasibility Report: N/A Staff Contact: G. Ayala/A. Dunkin CEQA Compliance: N/A

Subject: FEDERAL LEGISLATIVE UPDATE

SUMMARY

Orange County Water District (OCWD; the District) federal advocates will provide a summary of proposed federal funding and policy bills of interest to the District.

Attachment(s):

• James McConnell August 2021 Report • ENS Resources August 2021 Report • Federal Bill Matrix August • OCWD Federal Legislative Priorities

RECOMMENDATION

Agendize for September 15 Board meeting: Take action as appropriate.

DISCUSSION/ANALYSIS

Orange County Water District (OCWD; the District) federal advocates will provide the status of proposed federal funding and policy bills of interest to the District.

ACTIVITIES

• Board President Steve Sheldon and OCWD staff met with U.S. Representatives Kim (CA-39) and Steel (CA-48) on August 19 in their district offices to discuss OCWD positions on federal legislation. Please see the attached OCWD Federal Legislative Priorities that were discussed.

• Board President Steve Sheldon, Board Member Denis Bilodeau and OCWD staff met with U.S. Representative Katie Porter (CA-45) on August 20 to provide a tour of the PFAS treatment facility at Serrano Water District (SWD) and discuss OCWD key federal positions. SWD staff and directors also joined the tour.

1

• Alicia Dunkin and OCWD consultants met via Zoom with Senate Environment and Public Works staff, Christophe Tolou and Laura Gentile to discuss OCWD key federal positions on August 25. An invitation to visit OCWD and tour the GWRS was also extended.

• Alicia Dunkin and OCWD consultants met via Zoom with House Subcommittee on Water Resources and Environment staff, Alexa Williams, to discuss OCWD key federal positions on August 25. An invitation to visit OCWD and tour the GWRS was extended and the opportunity to hold a committee meeting at OCWD was discussed.

UPCOMING ACTIVITIES

• OCWD board members and staff will meet with U.S. Representative Alan Lowenthal (CA-47) and his staff on August 31 in his district office.

2

JAMES F. MCCONNELL ATTORNEY-AT-LAW 1901 PENNSYLVANIA AVENUE, N.W. SUITE 700 WASHINGTON, D.C. 20006 917-434-3603 [email protected]

ORANGE COUNTY WATER DISTRICT Washington Report August 2021

A. Representative Michelle Steel (James McConnell) 1. Work with Congresswoman’s staff on in-person, in district briefing by OCWD Board and staff on PFAS and other issues of concern; set August 19 for in-person meeting— July 29 & 30, August 2, 4, 6, 10, 11, 15 & 16 2. Send OCWD thank you letter re: HR 2467, and follow up with staff—August 3, 4 3. Phone call with Congresswoman about OCWD and plans for August 19 briefing by OCWD Board Members and general manager

B. Representative Young Kim (James McConnell) 1. Send OCWD thank you letter re: HR 2467, and follow up with staff—August 3, 4 2. Work with Congresswoman’s staff on in-person, in district briefing by OCWD Board and staff on PFAS and other issues of concern; set August 19 for in-person meeting— August 2, 5, 6, 10, 13, & 16

C. Representative Katie Porter (James McConnell) 1. Work with OCWD staff on tour of PFAS clean-up site for Congresswoman during August recess—August 2, 4, 10, 16, 19 & 20

D. Representative Mike Levin (James McConnell) 1. Work with Congressman’s district staff to set up briefing by OCWD staff –July 26, August 2, 3 & 4

E. OCWD staff (James McConnell) 1. Work on August congressional recess meetings with Members of the O.C. congressional delegation for OCWD Board and staff—July 29 & 30, August 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 10, 11, 13, & 16 2. Beginning planning outreach to congressional committees re: PFAS and other issues of concern to OCWD—August 19, 20 & 23

F. OCWD staff (Zachary Israel) 1. Sent initial summary of the Senate’s Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act—August 2 2. Sent detailed information regarding the Bureau of Reclamation’s FY 2022 WaterSMART Drought Response Program solicitation—August 2 3. Sent information regarding $10 billion in PFAS-related funding in the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act—August 2 4. Sent information regarding amendments #2182 and 2432, filed by Sen. Kirsten Gillibrand (D-NY), to the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act regarding Clean Water Act effluent limitations guidelines and standards and water quality criteria for PFAS—August 4 5. Sent information regarding the FY 2022 budget resolution and reconciliation process for the upcoming $3.5 trillion bill—August 9 6. Sent detailed information (to update OCWD fact sheet) regarding the $8.3 billion in supplemental appropriations for western water infrastructure, $1.8 billion for California’s Drinking and Clean Water SRFs, and $10 billion to address PFAS contained in the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act—August 11 7. Sent information regarding timeline of Congressional action on infrastructure legislation—August 12 8. Researched relevant congressional committee staff for OCWD to meet with to discuss problematic PFAS-related provisions in various pieces of legislation—August 13 9. Edited sections of the OCWD fact sheet regarding PFAS—August 16 10. Sent detailed TFG Special Report on the Senate-passed Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act—August 16 11. Verified accuracy of OCWD information regarding PFAS—August 17 12. Sent meeting requests to staff on the House Transportation & Infrastructure Committee, House Energy & Commerce Committee, and the Senate Environment and Public Works Committee—August 18 & 24 13. Sent information regarding how OCWD’s House delegation voted on various PFAS- related legislation—August 20 14. Conducted a brief presentation to the Southern California Water Coalition’s Recycled Water Task Force regarding the water reuse/recycling provisions of the Senate-passed infrastructure bill on behalf of OCWD—August 23

TO: Alicia Dunkin

FROM: Eric Sapirstein

DATE: August 22, 2021

SUBJECT: Washington Update

Congress was on its summer recess for the past month and will remain on recess until mid-September except for a three day return to work for the House to address the pending fiscal year 2022 budget resolution. When Congress returns to work, it faces a substantial must do list of legislation that includes finalizing an infrastructure bill, considering a $3.5 trillion reconciliation package to address “soft” infrastructure, debt ceiling increase and finalization of the annual spending bills. Given the balkanized nature of House Democrats (centrists versus progressives) each of these priorities face a huge headwind to secure passage. Like past years, it is a given that Congress will need to pass a stopgap spending bill to maintain governmental operations. For now, it appears that Congress will work on these issues well into November and possibly into December to reach compromises on each of these matters within the House, Senate and the two chambers.

The following summarizes the outlook for congressional activities in the coming months.

Infrastructure Legislation Key Focus It now appears all but certain that the Senate-passed bipartisan infrastructure bill, the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act (H.R. 3684), will be considered by the House without amendments later in the fall. Speaker Pelosi resolved a stand-off with ten House Democratic moderates. These Members have indicated that they would not vote on the budget resolution that sets overall spending limits for the $3.5 trillion soft infrastructure legislation, before voting on the Senate bipartisan infrastructure bill, H.R. 3684, that they support. Conversely, Pelosi has made it clear that the House will not vote on the infrastructure package until such time as the Senate approves its reconciliation legislation that specifies how the $3.5 trillion authorized by the resolution will be appropriated. Given the fact that the Speaker has only a four seat majority, the moderates prevailed, reaching a compromise that sets a final vote on H.R. 3684 on September 27. In exchange, the moderates agreed to vote to deem the budget resolution. This avoids a situation where the House would be unable to move forward on the resolution or infrastructure measures. It is ENS Resources, Inc. 1901 Pennsylvania Avenue, N.W./Suite 1005 Washington, D.C. 20006 / Telephone (202) 466-3755 Telefax: (202) 466-3787 www.ensresources.com important to note that it is all but inevitable that the Senate-passed H.R. 3684 will be approved in the House, setting the stage for enactment as early as October. Once enacted the previously reported funding levels for water storage, drinking water, water recycling and desalination projects will become available over five years. For California, this means that the State should receive approximately $1.7 billion in SRF assistance. An important aspect of the infrastructure funding is the fact that a state must use 49% of the assistance to provide either loan forgiveness or 100% grants assistance to disadvantaged communities. This new funding would be in addition to annual appropriations Congress provides for the SRF and other water-related programs.

Soft Infrastructure Package Taking Shape Both the Senate and House are taking steps to finalize each chamber’s priorities for the reconciliation package. This package would fund the soft or “human” infrastructure package that the Biden Administration is seeking. Congressional committees have been directed by leadership to deliver recommendations on how to allocate the overall $3.5 trillion spending package. When the House committees provide the House Budget Committee with recommended program funding levels, expect that efforts will be made to boost water infrastructure programs’ funding. At the same time, given the fact that the budget reconciliation precludes including policy provisions in the package, it highly unlikely that any PFAS liability provisions would be considered germane and eligible to be part of the budget package.

In addition to developing funding recommendations, an effort to roll back the elimination of state and local tax deductions is under consideration. If a rollback is included in the reconciliation packaged and adopted, it would reinstate the ability of taxpayers to deduct from their federal tax liability, the taxes paid to states and local governments.

Reconciliation only requires a simple majority in the Senate of 51 votes. This avoids the need to secure sixty votes to avoid a filibuster. Because the Senate is evenly divided, it makes the outcome uncertain. All Democratic Senators would have to vote to approve the $3.5 trillion spending level. Due to concerns about the impacts of such spending on the national debt and inflation, Senators Joe Manchin (D-WV) and Kristen Synema (D-AZ) have stated they hold deep concerns over the proposed spending, complicating passage of reconciliation. A similar circumstance exists in the House where moderate Democrats have signaled doubts about supporting the spending. Therefore, action on any final reconciliation package will not be seen until November at the earliest according to congressional staff.

Fiscal Year 2022 Appropriations The House and Senate must finalize spending for fiscal year 2022 by October 1, 2021, when the fiscal year begins. The House has approved the USEPA spending bill, providing almost three billion dollars for the SRF program. Other water resources programs such as the WaterSmart, water recycling and desalination programs are expected to receive current year funding levels supplementing the expected enactment of approximately $8.3 billion supporting western water needs.

ENS Resources, Inc. 1901 Pennsylvania Avenue, N.W./Suite 1005 Washington, D.C. 20006 / Telephone (202) 466-3755 Telefax: (202) 466-3787 www.ensresources.com The Senate Committee on Appropriations has not released its proposed SRF spending level. It is expected to approve the spending measure in September or October. As has been the case in past years, Congress is unlikely to finalize all twelve appropriations bills by the end of September, triggering the need to pass a stopgap spending bill to continue governmental operations most likely through November.

PFAS Control and Management Efforts to require the designation of the PFAS family of chemicals remains pending since the House passed the PFAS Action Act (H.R. 2467). As of this writing, the Senate Committee on Environment and Public Works leadership has indicated that the management of PFAS contaminated waters is a priority, but the concept of designating the chemical as a hazardous substance does not appear to enjoy sufficient support. Instead, the committee continues to look to EPA to issue national drinking water standards for PFAS. At the same time, the House approved the Committee on Appropriations’ EPA spending bill that provides language for the agency to continue to review the value of listing PFAS as a hazardous substance under Superfund. This policy directive is expected to be subject to negotiation with the Senate later this fall when final spending bills are developed.

ENS Resources, Inc. 1901 Pennsylvania Avenue, N.W./Suite 1005 Washington, D.C. 20006 / Telephone (202) 466-3755 Telefax: (202) 466-3787 www.ensresources.com Federal Bill Matrix

Last Updated: July 29, 2021

Bills by Issue Recently Updated Bills (1)

Bill Number Last Action Status Position Priority HR 4712 Referred To The Committee On Natural In House None None Resources And In Addition To The Committee On Science Space And Technology For A Period To Be Subsequently Determined By The Speaker In Each Case For Consideration Of Such Provisions As Fall Within The Jurisdiction Of The Committee Concerned 2021 07 27

Title Bill Summary: Last edited by Sarah Sapirstein at Jul 28, 2021, 6:34 PM To promote desalination project development and drought Authorizes the U.S. Bureau of Reclamation’s desalination grant program resilience, and for other purposes. at $260 million over the next five years for desalination projects and creates new environmental safeguards for the funded projects. Primary Sponsors Mike Levin Introduction Date: 2021-07-27

Organizational Notes

Last edited by Eric Sapirstein at Jul 29, 2021, 10:12 PM Legislation would create a grants program for projects that cost less than $80,000,000 and limit funding go 25% of project costs. The legislation would, if enacted, provide funding to projects in addition pending desalination legislation to support larger desalination projects. #OCWD

OCWD (20) Bill Number Last Action Status Position Priority HR 516 Referred To The Subcommittee On In House Monitor None Environment And Climate Change 2021 02 02

Title Bill Summary: Last edited by Sarah Sapirstein at Feb 23, 2021, 7:40 PM Environmental Justice Mapping and Data Collection Act of 2021 Directs interagency collaboration with EJ stakeholders to create and authorize funding for a system that comprehensively identifies Description demographic factors, environmental burdens, socioeconomic conditions Environmental Justice Mapping and Data Collection Act of 2021 This and public health concerns. The data collected would be used to build bill establishes an interagency Environmental Justice Mapping layered maps that depict what communities experience environmental Committee that must create a tool to identify environmental justice injustices. The bill supports the initiative from the Biden Administration communities. Environmental justice communities are communities to direct 40% of federal investments towards EJ communities. with significant representation of communities of color, low-income communities, or tribal and indigenous communities that Introduction Date: 2021-01-28 experience, or are at risk of experiencing, higher or more adverse human health or environmental effects, as compared to other Labels: ENVIRONMENTAL JUSTICE communities. The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) must establish an environmental justice data repository to maintain the data collected by the committee. The EPA must make the repository available to regional, state, local, and tribal governments.

Primary Sponsors Cori Bush

Bill Number Last Action Status Position Priority HR 616 Referred To The Subcommittee On In House Monitor None Environment And Climate Change 2021 02 02

Title Bill Summary: Last edited by David French at May 27, 2021, 12:52 PM Emergency Water is a Human Right Act Prohibits water shutoffs and ensure water affordability protections for low-income households during COVID-19 national emergency. Provides Description affordability protections for households with incomes up to 150% of the Emergency Water is a Human Right Act This bill creates a grant federal poverty guidelines through authorizing $1.5 billion in grants to program, administered by the Department of Health and Human assist such households pay for drinking water and wastewater services. Services, to provide funds to states and Indian tribes to assist low- Uses Low-Income Home Energy Assistance Act Program (LIHEAP) income households that pay a high proportion of household processes, procedures, policies, and system to deliver assistance income for drinking water and wastewater services. Further, any entity receiving financial assistance under this grant program must Introduction Date: 2021-01-28 ensure that no home energy service or public water system service is or remains disconnected or interrupted during the COVID-19 (i.e., coronavirus disease 2019) public health emergency.

Primary Sponsors Rashida Tlaib Bill Number Last Action Status Position Priority HR 794 Referred To The Subcommittee On In House Monitor Medium Environment And Climate Change 2021 02 05

Title Bill Summary: Last edited by Sarah Sapirstein at Mar 22, 2021, 9:55 PM Climate Emergency Act of 2021 States the findings of the growing climate change threats, would require the President to declare a national emergency due to the climate change Primary Sponsors crisis, and require the federal government to respond to mitigate the Earl Blumenauer emergency and send annual reports to Congress on activities.

Introduction Date: 2021-02-04

Bill Number Last Action Status Position Priority HR 1015 Referred To The Subcommittee On Water In House Support High Oceans And Wildlife 2021 03 15

Title Bill Summary: Last edited by Sarah Sapirstein at Feb 16, 2021, 3:28 PM Water Recycling Investment and Improvement Act Increases the authorization level for the Title XVI Program to $500 million from the current $50 million and makes it a permanent program. Description The bill strikes requirement that projects must be in drought or disaster Water Recycling Investment and Improvement Act This bill makes areas and strikes the requirement that the projects need to be permanent, and otherwise revises, the Bureau of designated in an appropriations legislation. Reclamation's grant program for the funding of water recycling and reuse projects. Specifically, the bill removes priority under the Introduction Date: 2021-02-11 program for projects in areas that, in the preceding four-year period, have been (1) identified as experiencing severe, extreme, or exceptional drought; or (2) designated as a disaster area by a state. Additionally, the bill increases through FY2025 the authorization of appropriations for the program and otherwise revises provisions related to program funding.

Primary Sponsors Grace Napolitano Bill Number Last Action Status Position Priority HR 1352 Referred To The Subcommittee On In House Monitor Medium Conservation And Forestry 2021 04 05

Title Bill Summary: Last edited by Sarah Sapirstein at Mar 22, 2021, 9:43 PM Water Affordability, Transparency, Equity, and Reliability Act of The Water Affordability, Transparency, Equity, and Reliability (WATER) Act 2021 of 2021 is a comprehensive solution that creates a WATER Trust Fund, which dedicates nearly $35 billion towards water infrastructure Description improvements across the United States. Water Affordability, Transparency, Equity, and Reliability Act of 2021 This bill increases funding for water infrastructure, including Introduction Date: 2021-02-25 funding for several programs related to controlling water pollution or protecting drinking water. Specifically, it establishes a Water Affordability, Transparency, Equity, and Reliability Trust Fund. The fund may be used for specified grant programs. The bill increases the corporate income tax rate to 24.5% to provide revenues for the fund. In addition, the bill revises requirements concerning the clean water state revolving fund (SRF) and the drinking water SRF. It also creates or reauthorizes several grant programs for water infrastructure.

Primary Sponsors Brenda Lawrence

Bill Number Last Action Status Position Priority HR 1917 Ordered To Be Reported By Voice Vote 2021 03 In House Monitor High 24

Title Bill Summary: Last edited by David French at Mar 22, 2021, 3:23 PM Hazard Eligibility and Local Projects Act $540 million for the Hazard Mitigation Grant (HMG) program; $249 million for the Predisaster Mitigation (PDM) program; and, $175 million Description for the Flood Mitigation Assistance (FMA) program. Would expedite the Hazard Eligibility and Local Projects Act This bill makes an entity approval of grants for certain property acquisition and relocation seeking assistance under a hazard mitigation assistance program projects that are funded by those programs. The bill would require FEMA eligible to receive such assistance for certain projects already in to approve grants for all applications submitted under those programs— progress. including those submitted after January 1, 2016—if a project satisfies the Primary Sponsors following two conditions: The project is for acquisition or relocation of a Lizzie Fletcher vulnerable property, regardless of whether the applicant initiated planning or construction before or after applying for assistance; and The project is exempt from environmental review requirements under the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA).

Introduction Date: 2021-03-16 Bill Number Last Action Status Position Priority HR 2008 Received In The Senate And Read Twice And In Senate None None Referred To The Committee On Environment And Public Works 2021 06 16

Title Bill Summary: Last edited by David French at Mar 22, 2021, 3:30 PM Local Water Protection Act This bill reauthorizes through FY2024 grants to states for (1) programs that manage and control pollution added from nonpoint sources to Description navigable waters, and (2) groundwater quality protection activities to Local Water Protection Act This bill reauthorizes through FY2026 advance state implementation of such programs. Water pollution from grants to states for (1) programs that manage and control nonpoint nonpoint sources is caused by precipitation picking up pollution as it source pollution (e.g., runoff from a variety of sources) added to moves over or through the ground. navigable waters, and (2) groundwater quality protection activities to advance state implementation of such programs. Introduction Date: 2021-03-18

Primary Sponsors Angie Craig

Bill Number Last Action Status Position Priority HR 2979 Referred To The Subcommittee On Water In House None None Resources And Environment 2021 05 05

Title Introduction Date: 2021-05-04 To amend the Water Infrastructure Finance and Innovation Act of 2014 with respect to the final maturity date of certain loans, and for other purposes.

Primary Sponsors John Garamendi Bill Number Last Action Status Position Priority HR 3138 Received In The Senate And Read Twice And In Senate Monitor Medium Referred To The Committee On Homeland Security And Governmental Affairs 2021 07 21

Title Introduction Date: 2021-05-12 State and Local Cybersecurity Improvement Act

Description State and Local Cybersecurity Improvement Act This bill requires the Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency (CISA) to establish the State and Local Cybersecurity Grant Program to address cybersecurity risks and threats to the information systems of state, local, or tribal organizations. Eligible grant applicants (i.e., states and certain Indian tribes) must submit a cybersecurity plan— to be approved by CISA as a condition of disbursement—that describes how the applicant will use the funds to address cybersecurity risks and threats to their information systems. Grant funds must be used to implement, develop, or revise the applicant's cybersecurity plan or to assist with activities that address imminent cybersecurity risks or threats. CISA must establish a State and Local Cybersecurity Resilience Committee to provide state, local, and tribal stakeholder expertise, situational awareness, and recommendations to CISA on how to address cybersecurity risks and threats. CISA must develop and maintain a resource guide for state, local, tribal, and territorial government officials to assist with identifying, preparing for, detecting, protecting against, responding to, and recovering from cybersecurity risks, threats, and incidents. In addition, CISA must develop and make publicly available a Homeland Security Strategy to Improve the Cybersecurity of State, Local, Tribal, and Territorial Governments. Finally, CISA must assess the feasibility of implementing a short-term rotational program to detail approved state, local, tribal, and territorial government employees to CISA in cyber workforce positions.

Primary Sponsors Yvette Clarke

Bill Number Last Action Status Position Priority HR 3267 Referred To The House Committee On Energy In House None None And Commerce 2021 05 17

Title Introduction Date: 2021-05-17 Protect Drinking Water from PFAS Act of 2021

Primary Sponsors Brendan Boyle Bill Number Last Action Status Position Priority HR 3282 Referred To The Subcommittee On Water In House None None Resources And Environment 2021 05 18

Title Introduction Date: 2021-05-17 Drinking Water Funding for the Future Act of 2021

Primary Sponsors David McKinley

Bill Number Last Action Status Position Priority HR 3291 Placed On The Union Calendar Calendar No 52 In House None None 2021 06 29

Title Introduction Date: 2021-05-18 Assistance, Quality, and Affordability Act of 2021

Primary Sponsors Paul Tonko

Bill Number Last Action Status Position Priority HR 3404 Referred To The Subcommittee On Water In House Support High Resources And Environment 2021 05 21

Title Bill Summary: Last edited by Sarah Sapirstein at Jun 10, 2021, 2:44 PM FUTURE Western Water Infrastructure and Drought Resiliency Act The FUTURE Western Water Act is a comprehensive package that aims to address western water infrastructure and drought response needs, Primary Sponsors including: infrastructure development, improved technology and data, Jared Huffman water job training and education, and ecosystem protection and restoration.

Introduction Date: 2021-05-20

Bill Number Last Action Status Position Priority HR 4099 Subcommittee Hearings Held 2021 06 29 In House None None

Title Introduction Date: 2021-06-23 Large-Scale Water Recycling Project Investment Act Labels: Water Supply Primary Sponsors Grace Napolitano Bill Number Last Action Status Position Priority HR 4712 Referred To The Committee On Natural In House None None Resources And In Addition To The Committee On Science Space And Technology For A Period To Be Subsequently Determined By The Speaker In Each Case For Consideration Of Such Provisions As Fall Within The Jurisdiction Of The Committee Concerned 2021 07 27

Title Bill Summary: Last edited by Sarah Sapirstein at Jul 28, 2021, 6:34 PM To promote desalination project development and drought Authorizes the U.S. Bureau of Reclamation’s desalination grant program resilience, and for other purposes. at $260 million over the next five years for desalination projects and creates new environmental safeguards for the funded projects. Primary Sponsors Mike Levin Introduction Date: 2021-07-27

Organizational Notes

Last edited by Eric Sapirstein at Jul 29, 2021, 10:12 PM Legislation would create a grants program for projects that cost less than $80,000,000 and limit funding go 25% of project costs. The legislation would, if enacted, provide funding to projects in addition pending desalination legislation to support larger desalination projects. #OCWD

Bill Number Last Action Status Position Priority S 29 Read Twice And Referred To The Committee In Senate None None On Environment And Public Works 2021 01 22

Title Bill Summary: Last edited by Sarah Sapirstein at Feb 16, 2021, 3:35 PM Local Water Protection Act Reauthorizes U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (USEPA) grant program that provides funding to states to develop and implement Description programs that manage nonpoint source pollution or pollution diffusing Local Water Protection Act This bill reauthorizes through FY2025 from runoffs from farms, managed forests and urban areas. The programs within the Environmental Protection Agency that award legislation would reauthorize USEPA's grant program at $200 million grants to states for managing nonpoint source water pollution or annually. protecting groundwater quality. Water pollution from nonpoint sources is caused by precipitation picking up pollution as it moves Introduction Date: 2021-01-22 over or through the ground.

Primary Sponsors Amy Klobuchar Bill Number Last Action Status Position Priority S 91 Read Twice And Referred To The Committee In Senate Support Medium On Finance 2021 01 28

Title Bill Summary: Last edited by Eric Sapirstein at Feb 24, 2021, 7:57 PM Special Districts Provide Essential Services Act S. 91 would provide authority to a Governor to provide financial assistance under COVID-19 relief to Special Districts from State Description allocation. Special Districts Provide Essential Services Act This bill makes special districts eligible for the Coronavirus Relief Fund and the Introduction Date: 2021-01-28 Municipal Liquidity Facility program. Specifically, the bill makes special districts eligible for payments from amounts paid to states from any new appropriations to the fund. A special district must submit a request for payment to the state with information demonstrating that the special district has experienced or is likely to experience during the COVID-19 (i.e., coronavirus disease 2019) emergency * reduced revenue or operational funding derived from provided services, taxes, fees, or other sources of revenue; * reduced indirect funding from the federal government, the state, or a unit of general government below the state level; or * as a result of the COVID-19 emergency, increased expenditures necessary to continue operations. The Board of Governors of the Federal Reserve System shall include special districts as eligible issuers in the Municipal Liquidity Facility program, which was created in response to the COVID-19 emergency to buy municipal securities.

Primary Sponsors Kyrsten Sinema

Organizational Notes

Last edited by Eric Sapirstein at Feb 24, 2021, 8:00 PM S. 91 would provide a Governor with the authority to provide up to 5% of a state's federal COVID-19 revenue assistance to Special Districts. Authority to provide assistance would be to any Special District. A companion bill (H.R. 535) by Representative John Garamendi (D-CA) failed to be adopted as part of the COVID-19 legislation. Efforts underway in the Senate to include provision as part of the pending Senate debate on COVID- 19 package. #OCWD Bill Number Last Action Status Position Priority S 101 Read Twice And Referred To The Committee In Senate Monitor None On Environment And Public Works 2021 01 28

Title Bill Summary: Last edited by Sarah Sapirstein at Feb 23, 2021, 6:22 PM Environmental Justice Mapping and Data Collection Act of 2021 Creates and authorizes funding for a system that comprehensively identifies demographic factors, environmental burdens, socioeconomic Description conditions and public health concerns. Data collected would be used to Environmental Justice Mapping and Data Collection Act of 2021 This build layered maps that depict what communities experience bill establishes an interagency Environmental Justice Mapping environmental injustices. Committee that must create a tool to identify environmental justice communities. Environmental justice communities are communities Introduction Date: 2021-01-28 with significant representation of communities of color, low-income communities, or tribal and indigenous communities that experience, or are at risk of experiencing, higher or more adverse human health or environmental effects, as compared to other communities. The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) must establish an environmental justice data repository to maintain the data collected by the committee. The EPA must make the repository available to regional, state, local, and tribal governments.

Primary Sponsors Ed Markey Bill Number Last Action Status Position Priority S 231 Placed On Senate Legislative Calendar Under In Senate Monitor Medium General Orders Calendar No 55 2021 05 10

Title Bill Summary: Last edited by Eric Sapirstein at Mar 23, 2021, 6:26 PM PFAS Act Provides for PFAS Safety Guidance for Firefighters

Description Introduction Date: 2021-02-04 Protecting Firefighters from Adverse Substances Act or the PFAS Act This bill requires the Federal Emergency Management Agency Labels: PFAS (FEMA) to develop guidance for firefighters and other emergency response personnel on training, education programs, and best practices to protect them from exposure to perfluoroalkyl and polyfluoroalkyl substances, commonly referred to as PFASs, from firefighting foam and to prevent the release of PFASs into the environment. These substances are man-made and may have adverse human health effects. A variety of products contain the compounds, such as nonstick cookware or weatherproof clothing. FEMA shall (1) develop and issue guidance on non-foam alternatives, personal protective equipment, and other firefighting tools and equipment that do not contain PFASs; and (2) create an online public repository on tools and best practices to reduce, limit, and prevent the release of and exposure to PFASs.

Primary Sponsors Gary Peters

Organizational Notes

Last edited by Eric Sapirstein at Mar 23, 2021, 6:27 PM S. 231 is a fire fighters protection measure that would require the establishment of public health standards for the protection of such first responders. In addition, guidance on such measures must updated not less frequently than once every 2 years by the Administrator of the Federal Emergency Management Agency, in consultation with the Administrator of the United States Fire Administration, the Administrator of the Environmental Protection Agency, and the Director of the National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health, shall review the guidance. As such, this guidance could become the basis for guidance for other exposed individuals. #OCWD Bill Number Last Action Status Position Priority S 914 By Senator Carper From Committee On In House Monitor High Environment And Public Works Filed Written Report Report No 117 20 2021 05 10

Title Bill Summary: Last edited by Sarah Sapirstein at Jun 21, 2021, 4:29 PM Drinking Water and Wastewater Infrastructure Act of 2021 A comprehensive bill that contains Senate clean water and drinking water provisions that were dropped out of Water Resources Description Development Act (WRDA) 2020 during conference negotiations. S. 914 Drinking Water and Wastewater Infrastructure Act of 2021 This bill would invest more than $35 billion in water resource development reauthorizes through FY2026 or establishes a variety of programs projects across the country, of which, more than 40% can be directly for water infrastructure. Specifically, it supports programs to used to benefit small, disadvantaged, rural, and tribal communities provide safe drinking water or treat wastewater, such as sewer through additional subsidization from the State Revolving Loan Funds or overflows or stormwater. For example, the bill reauthorizes and direct grant programs. revises the clean water state revolving fund (SRF) and the drinking water SRF. Introduction Date: 2021-03-23

Primary Sponsors Labels: Infrastructure Water Quality Water Supply Tammy Duckworth

Organizational Notes

Last edited by Eric Sapirstein at Apr 29, 2021, 8:44 PM Senate passed, S. 914 provides for the establishment of a Water Reuse Interagency Group to advance the use of recycled water. The group is to leverage the expertise of organizations like OCWD to advance the uses of recycled water. #OCWD

Last edited by Eric Sapirstein at Apr 30, 2021, 12:24 PM Senate passed S.. 914 on April 29 by a vote of 89-2. In passing the measure, it adopted a Sheehan (D-VT) amendment to provide support to underserved and low income communities to address forever chemical impacts upon groundwater well supplies. testing and treatment of PFAS. Funding would be provided to states. Efforts to Authorize funding at $1,000,000,000 per yea for cleanups rejected. For more details, see https://www.shaheen.senate.gov/news/press/senate-to-vote-on-bipartisan-shaheen-amendment-to-address-pfas-and-other-contaminants-in- drinking-water-infrastructure-bill- . #OCWD

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The Orange County Water District manages the Orange County Groundwater Basin that supplies 77% of the water supply to 2.5 million people in north and central Orange County. Below are the District’s top policy priorities for 2021.

Preserve the Safe Drinking Water Act’s use of cost-benefit analysis in the development of 1 drinking water standards such as PFAS family of chemicals and other constituents of emerging concern. Oppose all legislative efforts to amend the Safe Drinking Water Act regarding the use of cost-benefit analysis in the development of drinking water standards, including: 1) Assistance, Quality, and Affordability Act of 2021 (H.R. 3291) and 2) PFAS Action Act of 2021 (H.R. 2467). Under existing law, USEPA ensures that public health benefits of new drinking water standards are reasonably balanced with the compliance costs that water system ratepayers will ultimately incur. Eliminating the current cost-benefit analysis in the development of drinking water standards will burden ratepayers of all income levels with astronomical costs to comply with drinking water standards that far exceed public health benefits.

Exempt water and wastewater agencies from any liability for PFAS clean-up costs. Oppose designation of PFAS family of chemicals and other constituents of emerging concern 2as hazardous substances under the nation’s hazardous waste site cleanup law CERCLA (Superfund) unless public water agencies are exempted from liability for cleanups of such contamination. The PFAS Action Act of 2021 (H.R. 2467) would expose water agencies with across-the-board liability for PFAS-related cleanup that simply receive and treat water supplies and have no responsibility for the presence of PFAS. OCWD requests that you secure an explicit exemption, under any federal PFAS legislation, from Superfund clean-up liability; like the exemption the nation’s airports enjoy. A water utility that complies with applicable and appropriate federal management and treatment standards must not be responsible for current and future costs associated with a PFAS clean-up.

Provide funding for PFAS remediation to water and wastewater agencies. Provide direct grant funding to water and wastewater agencies as provided in the Senate-passed 3Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act (H.R. 3684). Grants would support the treatment of emerging contaminants and provide assistance to develop and implement local source control programs to reduce PFAS discharges into treatment works. As passed by the Senate, H.R. 3684 would provide a total of $10 billion for these activities over FYs 2022—2026.

Prioritize funding to construct large scale water supply facilities to support urban and agricultural needs which otherwise would not be constructed without such funding. Examples 4 of these type of projects should include above and below ground storage of surface and storm water, water reuse, brackish water, and seawater desalination. Local, state and federal officials should collaborate on projects and prioritize the necessary funding. Use of such funds for environmental restoration should be for project impact mitigation and funds for environmental improvements should be classified under their own category.

www.ocwd.com 4

AGENDA ITEM SUBMITTAL

Meeting Date: September 2, 2021 Budgeted: Yes Budgeted Amount: $76,000 To: Communications/Leg. Liaison Cte Cost Estimate: $76,000 Board of Directors Funding Source: 1012.51119 Program/Line Item No.: 9959 From: Mike Markus General Counsel Approval: N/A Engineers/Feasibility Report: N/A Staff Contact: G. Ayala/C. Nettles CEQA Compliance: N/A

Subject: OC WATER SUMMIT UPDATE

SUMMARY

Staff will provide a verbal update on planning efforts for the 2021 Orange County Water Summit (Summit).

Attachment(s):  2021 OC Water Summit Program  2021 OC Water Summit Sponsors

RECOMMENDATION

Informational

DISCUSSION/ANALYSIS

The Orange County Water Summit will take place Friday, October 15, 2021, at Disney’s Grand Californian Hotel and Spa in Anaheim, Calif. This year’s theme, “Water Breaking News,” will focus on important water topics making headlines. Fritz Coleman will serve as event emcee.

Registration is open at www.ocwatersummit.com. As of August 24, cumulative attendance is 212, which includes sponsors, individual registrants, speakers and VIPs.

As of August 24, $49,800 has been raised in sponsorship.

Staff will continue to provide event updates as planning progresses.

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2021 OC Water Summit Program August 2021

WELCOME Welcome address by Directors Sheldon and Thomas, followed by 8:00 – 8:05 the Pledge of Allegiance and introduction of Master of Ceremonies.

Speakers: • Stephen Sheldon, President, Orange County Water District • Jeffery Thomas, Director, Municipal Water District of Orange County • Fritz Coleman, Master of Ceremonies

SESSION 1 Water Prediction— Collaboration Yields Increased Supplies 8:05 – 8:45 Weather forecasting is nothing new, but recent advancements in forecasting are aiding stormwater capture and flood control efforts. From Lake Mendocino to Prado Dam, improved water and weather forecasts allow for more effective management of reservoirs. Learn more about this public-private collaboration that has gained support for developing Forecast Informed Reservoir Operations.

Speakers: • Moderator: Fritz Coleman • Marty Ralph, PhD., Director, Center for Western Weather and Water Extremes, Scripps Institution of Oceanography • David Van Dorpe, P.E., PMP, Deputy District Director, Los Angeles District, US Army Corps of Engineers • Grant Davis, General Manager, Sonoma Water

SESSION 2 The Best Defense to Drought is Water Supply 8:45 – 9:40 Forty-two percent of California is experiencing drought and reservoirs are at historic lows. While Orange County is well prepared for dry conditions, it still must battle with decreased water allocations. Yet, the state has not invested in large scale water infrastructure in decades. Why? What challenges stand in the way? A panel of experts will lay it all on the table as they debate California’s best course of action to sustainably increase its water supply.

Speakers: • Steven Greenhut, Author, The Water Wars • Jennifer Pierre, General Manager, State Water Contractors • To Be Determined

BREAK 9:40-10:00

SESSION 3 PFAS—Where are We Now?

10:00 – 10:40 In 2019, PFAS became a critical issue for the water industry. The Orange County Water District has led the way in exploring how PFAS can be removed from groundwater supplies. Hear from the experts who are researching, designing and constructing PFAS treatment in Orange County.

Speakers: • Moderator: Jason Dadakis, Executive Director of Water Quality and Technical Resources, OCWD • Patricia Tinnerino, Account Manager-Environmental Solutions, Evoqua Water Technologies • Scott Grieco, Ph.D., P.E., Global Technology Leader, Jacobs • Kirk Harns, Owner, Pacific Hydrotech

SESSION 4 The Santa Ana River —What’s Coming Downstream? 10:40 – 11:20 What’s happening in the upper watershed affects Orange County. Learn what’s in store for Southern California’s largest river and how this will impact us downstream.

Speakers: • Moderator: Jeff Mosher, General Manager, Santa Ana Watershed Project Authority • Shivaji Deshmukh, P.E., General Manager, Inland Empire Utilities Agency • Heather Dyer, CEO and General Manager, San Bernardino Valley Municipal Water District • Todd Corbin, General Manager, Riverside Public Utilities • Mike Markus, General Manager, Orange County Water District

SESSION 5 19 Million People, 26 Agencies—Will the Plan Serve All? 11:20-12:15 Hear from the Metropolitan Water District of Southern California about its recently completed Integrated Water Resources Plan

(IRP). What’s in it and does it guarantee a reliable water system for generations to come. Does the audience agree? Hear stakeholder questions tackled live on stage.

Speaker:

• Adel Hagekhalil, General Manager, Metropolitan Water District of Southern California

LUNCH BUFFET 12:45 - Closing remarks from Directors Sheldon and Thomas. 12:15 – 1:30

2021 OC Water Summit Sponsors as of 8/24/21

Presenting Table Orange County Water District Aleshire & Wynder, LLP Municipal Water District of Orange County Black & Veatch CDM Smith Luncheon Eastern Municipal Water District Mesa Water District Hazen and Sawyer Irvine Ranch Water District Program Moulton Niguel water District Irvine Ranch Water District South Coast Water District Trabuco Canyon Water District Décor Yorba Linda Water District Poseidon Water Breakfast Session Dopudja & Wells Consulting Anaheim Public Utilities Butier Engineering Exhibitor PCL Construction American water Works Association

Associate HydroPoint TOTAL: $49,800 Rebuild SoCal

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AGENDA ITEM SUBMITTAL

Meeting Date: September 2, 2021 Budgeted: N/A Budgeted Amount: N/A To: Communications/Leg. Liaison Cte Cost Estimate: N/A Board of Directors Funding Source: N/A Program/Line Item No.: N/A From: Mike Markus General Counsel Approval: N/A Engineers/Feasibility Report: N/A Staff Contact: G. Ayala/C. Nettles CEQA Compliance: N/A

Subject: PUBLIC AFFAIRS OUTREACH REPORT (AUGUST 2021)

SUMMARY

Outreach for the Orange County Water District (OCWD; the District) and its programs and projects continue in a virtual format.

Attachment:

• August 2021 Media Clips Report

RECOMMENDATION

Informational

DISCUSSION/ANALYSIS

Tours

Tours of the Groundwater Replenishment System (GWRS) are conducted virtually in accordance with the District’s COVID-19 policy. Beginning October 1, virtual and in-person tours will be offered. Approximately 30 people attended GWRS tours in August. August tours: • August 6 – Public tour • August 24 – Gubernatorial Write-in Candidate (in-person essential) • August 25 – Kanawaga Institute of Technology; UCI Exchange

Upcoming tours: • September 9 – Cal State Fullerton nursing students • September 10 – Public tour • September 17 – Society of Women Engineers • October 1 – Public tour • October 12 – Cal State Long Beach geography students • October 22 – Irvine Valley College 1

A 30-minute on-demand technical virtual tour is available on the District’s social media channels. The tour in all forms has been viewed more than 4,170 times. A 10-minute on- demand general virtual tour has been viewed more than 970 times.

Speakers Bureau

As part of OCWD’s standard to forge and maintain long-term, positive, and proactive relationships with members of the community and be transparent about its operations and programs, OCWD board members and staff participate, regularly, at conferences and events and speak before civic groups. Due to COVID-19, in-person speakers bureau engagements were cancelled and will resume October 1, 2021. Virtual invitations will continue being accepted.

Below is a listing of August virtual speakers’ bureau engagements: • On August 11, John Kennedy participated in a webinar hosted by the Groundwater Resources Association titled “Managed Aquifer Recharge: Where Will We Get the Water?” Adam Hutchinson moderated the webinar.

• On August 17, Roy Herndon and Alicia Dunkin provided an OCWD and legislative update to the Association of Californian Cities Orange County.

• On August 19, President Steve Sheldon, Director Bruce Whitaker, Mike Markus, and Alicia Dunkin met with Congresswoman Young Kim to provide an update on OCWD federal priorities.

• On August 19, President Steve Sheldon, Mike Markus, and Alicia Dunkin met with Congresswoman Michelle Steel to provide an update on OCWD federal priorities.

• On August 20, President Steve Sheldon, Director Denis Bilodeau, Mike Markus, Alicia Dunkin, and board and staff members from Serrano Water District provided a tour of the Serrano PFAS treatment plant to Congresswoman Katie Porter.

• On August 26, Megan Plumlee spoke at Water Solutions 6 - Technology Pilots and Trials.

Upcoming Speakers Bureau: • September 13-15 – Groundwater Resources Association of California: Western Groundwater Congress • September 14 – Fountain Valley Women’s Club • September 19-21 – WateReuse California Annual Conference • October 5-6 – World Water-Tech North America Virtual Summit • October 15 – OC Water Summit

Webinars

OCWD hosts free monthly webinars on emerging and newsworthy topics. Each webinar features an OCWD expert and District partner as they discuss important OCWD programs 2 and projects that impact the region’s water supply. To date, more than 4,000 people have participated in these webinars in live and on-demand format.

“Putting California’s Water Quality to the Test” was held August 25. Speakers included Pat Versluis, director of water quality, OCWD; Ashley Dummer, senior water resource control engineer, State Water Resources Control Board’s Division of Drinking Water; and Hye Jin Lee, director of public works, City of Fountain Valley. Eighty-one people attended.

Upcoming Webinar: • September - TBD

Media Clips

There were 25 global news hits for OCWD, the GWRS and other District programs and projects. The total reach was approximately 5.4 million. The media clip report for August is attached.

Social Media

The District engages 12,827 followers on its social media channels. Below are statistics for OCWD’s social media for August (as of August 24). OCWD’s Twitter page @OCWDWaterNews • Total followers: 5,373 • Posts: 22 • Profile visits: 589 • Mentions: 6 • Impressions: 15,200

OCWD’s Facebook @OCWaterDistrict • Total page likes: 1,521 • Total page follows:1,834 • Posts: 15 • Engagement: 373 • Reach: 1,522

OCWD’s LinkedIn (Orange County Water District) • Total followers: 4,216 (up 171 from previous period) • Posts: 13 • Engagement: 1,100 • Impressions: 55,000

OCWD’s Instagram @ocwd • Total followers: 1,404 • Posts: 10 • Stories 38 • Engagement: 289 (increase of 103% from previous period) • Impressions: 6,373

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Sampling of top performing social media posts

Most successful organic OCWD post of all time

Website

Below are August analytics for OCWD’s website (as of August 24.) All numbers reflect external visitors, not internal OCWD traffic. • Visitors: 5,073 • Page views: 14,541 • Top five pages: o Home: 2,853 o Job opportunities: 1,025 o GWRS: 596 o Meeting agenda minutes: 455 o My water bill and service: 362 Electronic Publications and Videos

• Staff published a drought page on OCWD’s website. • Staff wrote and distributed the August issue of Hydrospectives, OCWD’s monthly e- newsletter. • Staff wrote and distributed three press releases:

4 o OCWD Director Cathy Green Garners Statewide Support for ACWA Vice President o Water Supply Reliability Expected to Improve at Southern California’s Prado Dam o EPA Announces $131 Million WIFIA Loan for PFAS Treatment and Removal Systems in Orange County, California

• Staff posted four videos to YouTube:

o 2021 Water Quality: Mesa Water District o 2021 Water Quality: City of Fountain Valley o Forecast Informed Reservoir Operations (FIRO) o WEBINAR: Putting California’s Water Quality to the Test

• Staff sent four email blasts: o August 6 WACO Meeting Reminder o REMINDER: August GWRS Virtual Tour o August Water Quality Webinar o Summer Greeting from Cathy Green

Construction Outreach • City of Santa Ana PFAS Treatment Facility Construction o Mike Markus will present to City Council at its September 21 meeting.

o A community meeting for Well #40 - Mabury Park is scheduled for September 30 at 6 p.m. at Cabrillo Tennis Club.

• East Orange County Water District PFAS Treatment Facility Construction o Staff is meeting with EOCWD staff to assist with planning of outreach activities for upcoming treatment facility construction.

• Sunset Gap Seawater Intrusion Project o Construction began on two of five monitoring wells. Staff met with and distributed notifications to businesses surrounding the two well sites.

5 MEDIA CLIPS OCWD GLOBAL AUGUST 2021

Date Source Headline Country URL Reach https://stunewsnewport.com /index.php/2- 1 24-Aug-2021 STU04:17PM News City Manager’s Updates United States uncategorised/11907-city- 7991 The Institution of Top honours for PUB and Keppel https://www.ies.org.sg/ccms. Engineers Marina East Desalination Plant at r?Pageid=6036&tenid=IES&Di 2 24-Aug-2021 Singapore08:55AM Global Water Awards Singapore spMode=goto%7C10625 8786

Huntington Beach Residents Urged to Conserve Water http://www.hbnews.us/com 3 23-Aug-2021 News04:56PM as Drought Conditions Worsen United States munitE.html 2320 Orange County Water District m/doc/orange-county-water- Director Cathy Green Garners district-director-cathy-green- Statewide Support For ACWA Vice garners-statewide-acwa-vice- 4 23-Aug-2021 Water07:24AM Online President United States president-0001 84544 launching Pure Water, https://www.democraticund Democratic largest infrastructure project in erground.com/10021577155 5 23-Aug-2021 Underground06:10AM city's history . . . United States 0 362338 Surf City Voice on Poseidon’s Co- http://www.orangejuiceblog. optation of Labor and Latino com/2021/08/surf-city-voice- 6 19-Aug-2021 Orange06:44AM Juice Blog Groups. United States on-poseidons-co-optation-of- 2631 Fitch Affirms Irvine Ranch Water https://www.fitchratings.com District, CA's COPs and GOs at 'AAA'; /research/us-public- 7 12-Aug-2021 Fitch10:32PM Ratings Outlook Stable United Kingdom finance/fitch-affirms-irvine- 378083 https://www.waterworld.co New CO2-based desalination tech m/technologies/press- 8 12-Aug-2021 WaterWorld07:27PM faces testing United States release/14208580/new- 86729 Desalination tech uses CO2 to tap into municipal wastewater as https://www.eurekalert.org/ 9 11-Aug-2021 EurekAlert!04:33PM alternative freshwater source United States news-releases/925092 1240219

Page 1 of 3 MEDIA CLIPS OCWD GLOBAL AUGUST 2021

Date Source Headline Country URL Reach California Approves Large https://kste.iheart.com/cont Desalination Plant To Help With ent/2021-08-04-california- 10 05-Aug-2021 Talk12:56AM 650 KSTE Drought United States approves-large-desalination- 9078 California Approves Large https://kfbk.iheart.com/cont Desalination Plant To Help With ent/2021-08-04-california- 11 05-Aug-2021 KFBK12:55AM Drought United States approves-large-desalination- 17890 California Approves Large https://star941fm.iheart.com STAR 94.1 - Desalination Plant To Help With /content/2021-08-04- 12 05-Aug-2021 iHeartRadio12:54AM Drought United States california-approves-large- 30473 Cựu Dân Biểu Harley Rouda Cùng https://vietbao.com/a309034 Các Nhà Khoa Học Môi Trường /cuu-dan-bieu-harley-rouda- 13 05-Aug-2021 Việt12:39AM Báo Online Quận Cam Họp Báo Về Vấn Đề Hóa United States cung-cac-nha-khoa-hoc-moi- 81615 California Approves Large https://101kgb.iheart.com/fe KGB - FM - Desalination Plant To Help With atured/san- 14 05-Aug-2021 iHeartRadio12:28AM Drought United States diego/content/2021-08-04- 45710 California Approves Large https://kogo.iheart.com/cont KOGO AM - Desalination Plant To Help With ent/2021-08-04-california- 15 05-Aug-2021 iHeartRadio12:26AM Drought United States approves-large-desalination- 14163 California Approves Large https://rock1053.iheart.com/ ROCK 105.3 - Desalination Plant To Help With content/2021-08-04- 16 05-Aug-2021 iHeartRadio12:25AM Drought United States california-approves-large- 38305 California Approves Large https://jamn957.iheart.com/ Jamn 957 - Desalination Plant To Help With content/2021-08-04- 17 05-Aug-2021 iHeartRadio12:25AM Drought United States california-approves-large- 20319 California Approves Large https://channel933.iheart.co Desalination Plant To Help With m/content/2021-08-04- 18 04-Aug-2021 Channel11:54PM 933 Drought United States california-approves-large- 19710 https://cyprus- mail.com/2021/08/04/thirsty- 19 04-Aug-2021 Cyprus12:33PM Mail Thirsty California looks to the sea Cyprus california-looks-to-the-sea/ 652644

Page 2 of 3 MEDIA CLIPS OCWD GLOBAL AUGUST 2021

Date Source Headline Country URL Reach https://www.governing.com/ California Invests in Recycled Water next/california-invests-in- 20 04-Aug-2021 Governing06:30AM as Droughts Take a Toll United States recycled-water-as-droughts- 161212 NGWA and The Groundwater https://waterwelljournal.com Water Well Foundation Announce 2022 /ngwa-and-the-groundwater- 21 04-Aug-2021 Journal04:54AM McEllhiney Distinguished Lecturer United States foundation-announce-2022- 25984 https://patch.com/us/across- Across America america/getting-past-yuck- 22 03-Aug-2021 Patch.com10:56PM Getting Past The Yuck Factor United States factor 21324 n-an-arid-u-s-west-water- In an arid U.S. West, water agencies agencies-look-to- look to deliver purified wastewater delive%E2%80%8Br%E2%80% directly to customers’ faucets , 8B-purified-wastewater- 23 03-Aug-2021 Ensia07:21PM despite “yuck factor” United States directly-to-customers- 36428 https://www.ibtimes.com.au International Federal Infrastructure Bill Can Help /federal-infrastructure-bill- 24 01-Aug-2021 Business12:00PM Times California Farmers Australia can-help-california-farmers- 65578 https://www.ibtimes.com/fe International Federal Infrastructure Bill Can Help deral-infrastructure-bill-can- 25 01-Aug-2021 Business12:00PM Times California Farmers United States help-california-farmers- 1970621 TOTAL REACH 5,384,695

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