California Water Efficiency Partnership

Programs: Conservation & research programs - cuwcc, in partnership with the east bay municipal utilities district, expanded its community-based social marketing (cbsm) resources to include a cbsm sustainable landscaping and outdoor water use survey and accompanying best practices guidebook. The survey was prepared by social and behavior science experts and is intended for water conservation practitioners looking to gather customer feedback on the following: 1) how residents perceive and value turf and water-wise landscaping; 2) how residents receive information about water-wise landscaping; 3) identify barriers to turf replacement; 4) identify benefits and potential motivator for turf replacement; 5) identify knowledge gaps regarding water-wise landscaping; 6) identify knowledge gaps regarding outdoor water use. The survey guidebook offers suggestions on best approaches for administration to increase response rates. In the fall of 2017, cuwcc partnered with three water agencies, east bay municipal utilities district, rancho california water, and long beach water to pilot the landscaping and outdoor water use survey. The survey was issued electronically via e-mail to historically high-water users who had not participated in regional turf rebate programs. Collectively more than 2,600 responses were received. The results were analyzed and will be published as a supplemental resource to the survey in 2018. Cuwcc officially launched the wiki-based toolbox, a clearinghouse for sharing water conservation research and tools in an open platform, at the water smart innovations conference in las vegas, nevada in october 2017. Additional features added to the toolbox in 2017 include an interactive mapping platform of water conservation demonstration gardens located throughout the state of california. Cuwcc, in partnership with the alliance for water efficiency (awe), initiated a nation-wide survey of outdoor water conservation programs and local ordinances impacting water conservation. In total 24 cities were surveyed and an interactive matrix with links to conservation program content was developed and posted on the cuwcc website. The findings from the survey were presented during an epa watersense webinar on october 12th, 2017. Cuwcc continued its smart rebates program in 2017 with 5 member agencies participating in the program. All participating agencies offer conservation product and appliance rebates for residential and commercial customers. Cuwcc began to recruit water agencies to participate in an automated metering infrastructure (ami) interoperability study scheduled to commence in 2018. The ami study intends to benefit both water suppliers who are considering investing in ami systems, and those that have already invested in these technologies. Utilities will learn how to choose the correct system, how to bid it properly, and how to properly implement its functionality. In august the council awarded a grant of $222,370 to the water foundation as part of an agreement to restructure the organization. The funds will be disbursed by the foundation to organizations with projects that are consistent with council goals.

technical assistance & training - in june the council held its second peer-to-peer event, which was attended by over 100 people. The event offered tools and training in an interactive format over 2 days.

membership - the council published 38 issues of our e-newsletter in 2017. We also sent members regular council alerts with timely news items. Cuwcc hosted three plenary meetings at different member agency locations across california. The plenary meetings served as a forum for researchers and other key figures tackling water conservation issues to share their findings and expertise, including legislative information impacting water conservation in the state, with a wide audience of water professionals. A list of these meetings, their location and speakers are provided below:april 5th, solano county water agency:water conservation framework & long-term regulations - peter brostrom, section chief, dwr water use and efficiency branch drought emergency regulations & next steps - erik ekdahl, director, state water resources control board office of research, planning & performance september 20th, san jose water company:keynote on the future of conservation trading - jamie workman aquasharesdiscussion panel on conservation trading carrie pollard, sonoma county water agency; newsha ajami, stanford center for water in the west; jamie workman, aquashares; mary ann dickinson, cuwccupdate on conservation framework legislation - peter brostrom, dwrdecember 13th, chino basin water district:keynote on water supply and water quality act of 2018 - jerry meral, natural heritage institutepotential water conservation study - los angeles dept. Of water and power staffcalifornia data collaborative update - patrick atwater

database application - in 2017 the council database application was available for members and reclamation contractors to report on the implementation of best management practice with 20 reports completed. Other - members voted in december 2016 to allow the california urban water conservation council to sunset so that a refocused and restructured organization could emerge on january 1, 2017. The california urban water conservation council effective in 2018 is the california water efficiency partnership. Council board members reached an agreement to grant a portion of the council's net cash assets to the water foundation for a project consistent with the mission of the council. This arrangement was necessary to overcome an impasse and allow the organization to refocus and restructure itself. In 2016 members voted to eliminate categorizing members into groups, which was effective january 1, 2017. In 2017, members voted to modify the organization's bylaws to remove members with the power to elect any members of the board of directors. Effective january 1, 2018 members of the board are now elected by the board itself.