HomeMy WebLinkAboutAgenda Packet - Community Advisory Commission - 08/18/2026COMMUNITY ADVISORY COMMISSION
AUGUST 18, 2026
East Valley Water District was formed in 1954 and provides water and wastewater services to
107,000 residents within the cities of San Bernardino and Highland, and portions of San
Bernardino County.
EVWD operates under the direction of a 5member elected Board.
COMMISSIONERS
Vacant
Commissioner
Jose Ibarra
Commissioner
Jeannie Lindberg
Commissioner
Judy Walsh
Commissioner
Dwayne Anthony
Commissioner
Byanka Velasco
Commissioner
Mark Falcone
Commissioner
William Ringland
Director of External Affairs & Customer Experience
Community Advisory Commission Meeting
August 18, 2026 6:00 PM
31111 Greenspot Road, Highland, CA 92346
www.eastvalleywater.gov
PLEASE NOTE:
Materials related to an item on this agenda submitted to the Board after distribution of the
agenda packet are available for public inspection in the District’s office located at 31111
Greenspot Rd., Highland, during normal business hours. Also, such documents are available
on the District’s website at eastvalley.org and are subject to staff’s ability to post the
documents before the meeting.
Pursuant to Government Code Section 54954.2(a), any request for a disabilityrelated
modification or accommodation, including auxiliary aids or services, that is sought in order
to participate in the above agendized public meeting should be directed to the District Clerk
at (909) 8854900 at least 72 hours prior to said meeting.
In order to comply with legal requirements for posting of agenda, only those items filed
with the District Clerk by 12:00 p.m. on Wednesday prior to the following Wednesday
meeting not requiring departmental investigation, will be considered by the Board of
Directors.
CALL TO ORDER
PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE
ROLL CALL OF BOARD MEMBERS
PUBLIC COMMENTS
Any person wishing to speak to the Board of Directors is asked to complete a Speaker Card
and submit it to the District Clerk prior to the start of the meeting. Each speaker is limited to
three (3) minutes, unless waived by the Chairman of the Board. Under the State of California
Brown Act, the Board of Directors is prohibited from discussing or taking action on any item
not listed on the posted agenda. The matter will automatically be referred to staff for an
appropriate response or action and may appear on the agenda at a future meeting.
AGENDA – This agenda contains a brief general description of each item to be considered.
Except as otherwise provided by law, no action shall be taken on any item not appearing on
the following agenda unless the Board of Directors makes a determination that an emergency
exists or that a need to take immediate action on the item came to the attention of the District
subsequent to the posting of the agenda.
1.Approval of Agenda
APPROVAL OF CONSENT CALENDAR
All matters listed under the Consent Calendar are considered by the Board of Directors to be
routine and will be enacted in one motion. There will be no discussion of these items prior to
the time the board considers the motion unless members of the board, the administrative staff,
or the public request specific items to be discussed and/or removed from the Consent
Calendar.
2.Approve the May 19, 2026 Community Advisory Commission Meeting Minutes
INFORMATIONAL ITEMS
3.Conservation Update
4.InHouse Pipeline Replacement Construction Update
REPORTS
5.Commissioners’ Comments
6.Staff’s Comments
ADJOURN
COMMUNITY ADVISORY COMMISSIONAUGUST 18, 2026East Valley Water District was formed in 1954 and provides water and wastewater services to107,000 residents within the cities of San Bernardino and Highland, and portions of SanBernardino County.EVWD operates under the direction of a 5member elected Board.COMMISSIONERSVacantCommissioner Jose IbarraCommissionerJeannie LindbergCommissioner Judy WalshCommissionerDwayne AnthonyCommissioner Byanka VelascoCommissioner
Mark Falcone
Commissioner
William Ringland
Director of External Affairs & Customer Experience
Community Advisory Commission Meeting
August 18, 2026 6:00 PM
31111 Greenspot Road, Highland, CA 92346
www.eastvalleywater.gov
PLEASE NOTE:
Materials related to an item on this agenda submitted to the Board after distribution of the
agenda packet are available for public inspection in the District’s office located at 31111
Greenspot Rd., Highland, during normal business hours. Also, such documents are available
on the District’s website at eastvalley.org and are subject to staff’s ability to post the
documents before the meeting.
Pursuant to Government Code Section 54954.2(a), any request for a disabilityrelated
modification or accommodation, including auxiliary aids or services, that is sought in order
to participate in the above agendized public meeting should be directed to the District Clerk
at (909) 8854900 at least 72 hours prior to said meeting.
In order to comply with legal requirements for posting of agenda, only those items filed
with the District Clerk by 12:00 p.m. on Wednesday prior to the following Wednesday
meeting not requiring departmental investigation, will be considered by the Board of
Directors.
CALL TO ORDER
PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE
ROLL CALL OF BOARD MEMBERS
PUBLIC COMMENTS
Any person wishing to speak to the Board of Directors is asked to complete a Speaker Card
and submit it to the District Clerk prior to the start of the meeting. Each speaker is limited to
three (3) minutes, unless waived by the Chairman of the Board. Under the State of California
Brown Act, the Board of Directors is prohibited from discussing or taking action on any item
not listed on the posted agenda. The matter will automatically be referred to staff for an
appropriate response or action and may appear on the agenda at a future meeting.
AGENDA – This agenda contains a brief general description of each item to be considered.
Except as otherwise provided by law, no action shall be taken on any item not appearing on
the following agenda unless the Board of Directors makes a determination that an emergency
exists or that a need to take immediate action on the item came to the attention of the District
subsequent to the posting of the agenda.
1.Approval of Agenda
APPROVAL OF CONSENT CALENDAR
All matters listed under the Consent Calendar are considered by the Board of Directors to be
routine and will be enacted in one motion. There will be no discussion of these items prior to
the time the board considers the motion unless members of the board, the administrative staff,
or the public request specific items to be discussed and/or removed from the Consent
Calendar.
2.Approve the May 19, 2026 Community Advisory Commission Meeting Minutes
INFORMATIONAL ITEMS
3.Conservation Update
4.InHouse Pipeline Replacement Construction Update
REPORTS
5.Commissioners’ Comments
6.Staff’s Comments
ADJOURN
COMMUNITY ADVISORY COMMISSIONAUGUST 18, 2026East Valley Water District was formed in 1954 and provides water and wastewater services to107,000 residents within the cities of San Bernardino and Highland, and portions of SanBernardino County.EVWD operates under the direction of a 5member elected Board.COMMISSIONERSVacantCommissioner Jose IbarraCommissionerJeannie LindbergCommissioner Judy WalshCommissionerDwayne AnthonyCommissioner Byanka VelascoCommissionerMark FalconeCommissioner William RinglandDirector of External Affairs & Customer ExperienceCommunity Advisory Commission MeetingAugust 18, 2026 6:00 PM31111 Greenspot Road, Highland, CA 92346www.eastvalleywater.govPLEASE NOTE:Materials related to an item on this agenda submitted to the Board after distribution of theagenda packet are available for public inspection in the District’s office located at 31111Greenspot Rd., Highland, during normal business hours. Also, such documents are availableon the District’s website at eastvalley.org and are subject to staff’s ability to post thedocuments before the meeting.Pursuant to Government Code Section 54954.2(a), any request for a disabilityrelatedmodification or accommodation, including auxiliary aids or services, that is sought in orderto participate in the above agendized public meeting should be directed to the District Clerkat (909) 8854900 at least 72 hours prior to said meeting.
In order to comply with legal requirements for posting of agenda, only those items filed
with the District Clerk by 12:00 p.m. on Wednesday prior to the following Wednesday
meeting not requiring departmental investigation, will be considered by the Board of
Directors.
CALL TO ORDER
PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE
ROLL CALL OF BOARD MEMBERS
PUBLIC COMMENTS
Any person wishing to speak to the Board of Directors is asked to complete a Speaker Card
and submit it to the District Clerk prior to the start of the meeting. Each speaker is limited to
three (3) minutes, unless waived by the Chairman of the Board. Under the State of California
Brown Act, the Board of Directors is prohibited from discussing or taking action on any item
not listed on the posted agenda. The matter will automatically be referred to staff for an
appropriate response or action and may appear on the agenda at a future meeting.
AGENDA – This agenda contains a brief general description of each item to be considered.
Except as otherwise provided by law, no action shall be taken on any item not appearing on
the following agenda unless the Board of Directors makes a determination that an emergency
exists or that a need to take immediate action on the item came to the attention of the District
subsequent to the posting of the agenda.
1.Approval of Agenda
APPROVAL OF CONSENT CALENDAR
All matters listed under the Consent Calendar are considered by the Board of Directors to be
routine and will be enacted in one motion. There will be no discussion of these items prior to
the time the board considers the motion unless members of the board, the administrative staff,
or the public request specific items to be discussed and/or removed from the Consent
Calendar.
2.Approve the May 19, 2026 Community Advisory Commission Meeting Minutes
INFORMATIONAL ITEMS
3.Conservation Update
4.InHouse Pipeline Replacement Construction Update
REPORTS
5.Commissioners’ Comments
6.Staff’s Comments
ADJOURN
Agenda Item
#2
August 18, 20261
Meeting Date: August 18, 2026
Agenda Item #2
Consent Item
Regular Meeting
TO: Commission Members
FROM: Director of External Affairs & Customer Experience
SUBJECT: Approve the May 19, 2026 Community Advisory Commission Meeting
Minutes
RECOMMENDATION
That the Community Advisory Commission approve the May 19, 2026 meeting minutes.
DISTRICT PILLARS AND STRATEGIES
V - Community Engagement, Advocacy, and Leadership
a. Utilize Effective Communication Methods to Foster Exceptional Community
Relations
FISCAL IMPACT
There is no fiscal impact associated with this agenda item.
Respectfully submitted:
________________
William Ringland
Director of External Affairs and Customer
Experience
ATTACHMENTS
May 19, 2026 Meeting Minutes
Page 1 of 3
2
7
4
1
Draft pending approval
EAST VALLEY WATER DISTRICT May 19, 2026
COMMUNITY ADVISORY COMMISSION
MINUTES
PUBLIC COMMENTS
APPROVAL OF CONSENT CALENDAR
CRISIS COMMUNICATIONS PLAN
Page 2 of 3
2
7
4
1
and other emergencies. Mr. Ringland explained that the team reviewed communication
channels that would be available during an emergency, including but not limited to
NextDoor, Social Media, Ring, FEMA IPAS alerts, press releases, physical notices, and
coordination with local and regional mutual aid assistance. He stated the plan is supported
by incident-information checklists, prewritten messaging, and regular tabletop exercises
to help the District communicate timely and accurate information during a crisis.
FISCAL YEAR 2026-27 BUDGET OVERVIEW
COMMISSIONERS’ COMMENTS
STAFF COMMENTS
Page 3 of 3
2
7
4
1
The Director of External Affairs & Customer Experience thanked the Finance team for
their work on the Budget which will be presented for adoption prior to the end of the
fiscal year. Mr. Ringland shared the upcoming changes to the Consumer Confidence
report and the continued development of the District’s annual newsletter, The Pipeline.
He presented the Commission with the Water Education Foundation’s Laypersons Guide
to Groundwater, stating that groundwater represents approximately 75 percent of the
District’s overall water supply and is an important resource during drought conditions.
Information only.
ADJOURN
The meeting adjourned at 7:02 p.m.
William Ringland
Public Affairs/Conservation Manager
Agenda Item
#3
August 18, 20261
Meeting Date: August 18, 2026
Agenda Item #3
Informational Item
Regular Meeting
TO: Commission Members
FROM: Director of External Affairs and Customer Experience
SUBJECT: Conservation Update
RECOMMENDATION
This agenda item is for informational purposes only, no action is required.
BACKGROUND / ANALYSIS
East Valley Water District is guided by its adopted Strategic Plan and 5-Year Work Plan,
which establish the District’s organizational priorities and identified initiatives. These
planning documents provide the broader direction for District programs, while individual
program strategies define how that direction will be carried out through specific
activities, timelines, and performance measures.
The strategy provides a more detailed roadmap for the program and identifies the
activities staff will focus on to support regulatory compliance, water-use efficiency,
customer education, community partnerships, and program tracking. It is intended to
connect the District’s long-term direction with the day-to-day work needed to move
these efforts forward.
Conservation is also entering a new phase as State requirements continue to expand.
While education, rebates, and customer outreach remain important, the program is
taking on a larger role in long-term planning, regulatory reporting, data management,
compliance tracking, and customer support.
The strategy identifies several priority areas, including nonfunctional turf outreach,
water-use efficiency analysis, required report submissions, landscape area
measurement, rebate and education enhancements, community workshops, and review
of the District’s Water Shortage Contingency Plan.
At its core, the strategy is intended to keep the program focused, organized, and
responsive to changing requirements while continuing to support customers in a
practical and helpful way.
DISTRICT PILLARS AND STRATEGIES
I - Effective Solutions
a. Identify Opportunities to Optimize Natural Resources
Agenda Item
#3
August 18, 20262
Meeting Date: August 18, 2026
Agenda Item #3
Informational Item
d. Utilize Current Technology and Invest in Future Solutions
II - Sustainability, Transparency, and Accountability
d. Develop a Resilient Local Water Supply
V - Community Engagement, Advocacy, and Leadership
d. Provide Education Programming that Empowers the Community
FISCAL IMPACT
This item is funded in the current fiscal year budget.
Respectfully submitted:
________________
William Ringland
Director of External Affairs and Customer
Experience
ATTACHMENTS
Presentation
Program Strategy
CONSERVATION UPDATE
Community Advisory Commission
August 18, 2026
2026-27/2027-28 PROGRAM STRATEGY
2
•Strategy Builds Upon the Priorities
Established in the District’s 5-Year
Work Plan
•Provides Focused Roadmap for:
•Regulatory Compliance
•Customer Education
•Water-Use Efficiency
•Community Partnership
•Program Measurement
PROGRAM PHILOSOPHY
3
•Partnership Supporting
Compliance Through Support
•Strategy Positions Conservation
as a Resource, Not a Punitive
Program
NEW ERA OF WATER EFFICIENCY
4
•State Requirements Are
Shifting Conservation’s Focus
•Traditional Focus
•Education
•Rebates and Incentives
•Emerging Focus
•Long-Term Planning
•Compliance Tracking
•Data Management
•Customer Support
5-YEAR WORK PLAN ITEMS
5
Digitize
Conservation
Rebate
Applications
Nonfunctional Turf
Ordinance Update
CII Nonfunctional
Turf Resource
Development
DIM/SLA
Landscape Area
Measurement
Water Shortage
Contingency Plan
Update
Rebate and Water
Education
Enhancements
CONSERVATION PROGRAM INITIATIVES
6
Customer Support
•Nonfunctional Turf Outreach
and Customer Resources
•Water Education Program
With Local Schools
•Community Workshops and
Waterpalooza Festival
•Rebate Program
Enhancements
Compliance + Data
•Required Report Submissions and Water Loss Reporting
•Water-Use Efficiency Analysis
•DIM/SLA Landscape Area Measurement
•Water Shortage Contingency Plan Review
NONFUNCTIONAL TURF FOCUS
7
•Develop Customer-Facing
Materials and Website Tools
•Host a Targeted September
2026 Workshop for
Landscapers and Impacted
Groups
•Plan a Turf Replacement
Rebate Structure That
Supports Residential and CII
Customers
Local Government
Properties
January 1, 2027
Commercial, Industrial, and
Institutional Properties
January 1, 2028
Common Areas of HOAs
January 1, 2029
DISCUSSION
PROGRAM STRATEGY
C O N S E R V A T I O N
Fiscal Year 2026-27 � 2027-28
L E A D E R S H I P | P A R T N E R S H I P | S T E W A R D S H I P
TABLE OF CONTENTS
Program Summary ...............................................................................................................................................3
Program Philosophy .............................................................................................................................................3
Conservation Regulatory Requirements ............................................................................................3
5-Year Work Plan ....................................................................................................................................................4
Conservation Program Initiatives .............................................................................................................5
Nonfunctional Turf (NFT) .....................................................................................................................................5
Report Submissions..............................................................................................................................................6
Water Use Efficiency Analysis ..........................................................................................................................6
Water Education Program ..................................................................................................................................6
Rebate Program Enhancements .....................................................................................................................6
Conservation Workshops ...................................................................................................................................7
Water Shortage Contingency Plan .................................................................................................................7
Program Tracking and Success .................................................................................................................7
Conclusion ..................................................................................................................................................................8
page 2
PROGRAM SUMMARY
Conservation supports the District through programs that facilitate and encourage sustainable water use
throughout the service area. The program provides resources, education, rebates, customer support, and
regulatory reporting to help residents, businesses, and community partners use water efficiently while
maintaining compliance with evolving State conservation requirements.
As conservation regulations continue to expand, the program plays an increasingly important role in preparing
regulatory compliance reports, communicating conservation standards, monitoring new requirements
that impact District customers, and coordinating with departments across the District. Through water use
efficiency efforts, customer engagement, data analysis, and long-term planning, Conservation helps advance
the District’s commitment to responsible resource management and stewardship of the community’s water
resources.
Program Philosophy
East Valley Water District’s conservation efforts are intended to support, educate, and partner with the
community. While State regulations continue to create new requirements for water agencies and customers,
the District’s approach is to provide clear information, practical resources, and meaningful support before
customers are faced with compliance challenges.
The District does not seek to position conservation as a punitive program. Instead, Conservation should be
viewed as a community resource that helps customers understand their water use, identify available tools, and
take action in a way that supports both individual needs and long-term water efficiency goals.
Achieving a more efficient and sustainable future requires partnership between the District and the community.
Through education, rebates, customer resources, and direct engagement, Conservation will continue helping
customers take meaningful action while supporting the District’s broader efforts to protect the community’s
water resources, now and in the future.
CONSERVATION REGULATORY REQUIREMENTS
The Conservation program is entering a new phase as State conservation requirements continue to evolve.
Historically, conservation efforts have focused on customer education, rebate programs, drought response,
and voluntary water efficiency practices. While these efforts remain important, the State’s Making Conservation
a California Way of Life framework has created new requirements that will guide much of the program’s work
over the coming years.
These requirements include water use efficiency standards, water loss reporting, landscape area measurement,
commercial, industrial, and institutional customer classification, and nonfunctional turf requirements. Together,
these regulations are shifting conservation from a primarily education and incentive-based program to a
program that also requires long-term planning, compliance tracking, data management, and customer support.
To support this shift, the District has developed a Pathway-to-Compliance Report that identifies key milestones
and deadlines through 2040. These milestones provide a clear roadmap for the Conservation program
and help staff prepare for upcoming requirements in a proactive and organized manner. Near-term efforts
include ordinance updates, CII customer classification, landscape area measurement, and customer outreach.
Longer-term milestones include changes to indoor and outdoor water use standards, dedicated irrigation
meter requirements, mixed-use meter landscape requirements, and water loss standards.
page 3
Meeting these milestones will require ongoing coordination across Customer Service, Engineering,
Operations, Finance, Public Affairs, and District partners. This coordination will help ensure the District can
collect and report accurate data, communicate requirements clearly to customers, update necessary policies
and ordinances, and provide practical resources that support efficient water use.
As the regulatory framework continues to progress toward 2040, Conservation will serve as a key resource
in helping the District meet State requirements while supporting long-term water efficiency throughout the
community.
page 4
5-YEAR
WORK PLAN
Through the District’s 5-Year Work Plan process, strategic initiatives were developed to identify and organize
projects spanning multiple years. Conservation has identified key activities over the upcoming years needed
to further the District’s exceptional standards.
All items listed below are included in the District’s 2026-27 5-Year Work Plan:
Pillar One:
Effective
Solutions
Pillar Two:
Sustainability,
Transparency, and
Accountability
Pillar Three:
Organizational
Resiliency
Pillar Four:
Planning,
Maintenance, and
Preservation of
District Resources
Pillar Five:
Community
Engagement,
Advocacy, and
Leadership
• Digitize Conservation Rebate Applications
• Nonfunctional Turf Ordinance Update
• Commercial, Industrial, and Institution (CII)
Nonfunctional Turf Resource Development
• DIM/SLA Landscape Area Measurement
• Update Water Shortage Contingency Plan
• Conservation Rebate
Program Enhancements
• Water Education Program
Enhancements
page 5
CONSERVATION PROGRAM INITIATIVES
The Conservation approach is guided by the District’s 5-Year Work Plan and provides focused tactics for
work planned over the next two fiscal years. The items below outline key program initiatives that will support
regulatory compliance, strengthen customer resources, and advance efficient water use throughout the
District’s service area.
Nonfunctional Turf (NFT)
Nonfunctional turf regulations will be a major area of focus for the Conservation program over the coming
years. Assembly Bill 1572 established new requirements that prohibit the use of potable water to irrigate
nonfunctional turf at certain properties. These requirements will be phased in over several years, beginning
with State and local government properties in 2027, followed by commercial, industrial, and institutional (CII)
properties in 2028, and common areas of homeowner associations in 2029. Staff will review and update the
District’s conservation ordinance to reflect State requirements and bring necessary policy updates forward for
Board consideration.
Conservation will develop a targeted approach to support impacted customers through education, resources,
and direct engagement. While the District’s conservation efforts have traditionally focused on residential
customers, these regulations create a need to strengthen business-to-business outreach with CII customers.
This refocused engagement will help business owners, property managers, store managers, homeowner
associations, and other impacted customers better understand the requirements, available resources, and
potential pathways for compliance.
The District will host a targeted nonfunctional turf workshop in September 2026 for homeowner associations,
landscapers, and other impacted groups. This workshop will provide an opportunity to review AB 1572
requirements, discuss upcoming compliance timelines, and share resources that participants can take back to
their properties. By bringing these groups together early in the process, the District can help support a clearer
understanding of what is expected and encourage proactive planning for future landscape conversion needs.
Over the next two fiscal years, staff will develop customer-facing materials, enhance the District’s website,
and create tools that provide clear information on nonfunctional turf requirements. These resources will be
designed to explain who is impacted, what actions may be needed, and how customers can begin planning
for turf removal or landscape conversion. By providing information in a clear and accessible format, the District
can help customers understand the regulatory requirements while encouraging long-term water-efficient
landscaping practices.
Finally, Conservation will work to develop a turf replacement rebate program that supports landscape
conversion efforts for both residential and commercial customers. While the rebate will be available to all
ratepayers, special emphasis will be placed on creating a structure that supports CII customers as they
evaluate options for nonfunctional turf removal.
page 6
Report Submissions
Conservation is responsible for preparing and supporting various regulatory report submissions related to
water use efficiency, water production, and State compliance requirements. As part of the Making Conservation
a California Way of Life framework, staff will coordinate with Customer Service, Finance, Engineering, and
Operations to gather the necessary data and complete required reporting on schedule.
In addition to these compliance reports, Conservation leads the District’s annual water loss submission to the
State of California. Staff will continue coordinating across departments to complete this reporting and support
the District’s broader efforts to track system efficiency and manage water resources responsibly.
Water Use Efficiency Analysis
Conservation will analyze the District’s water use efficiency objective under the Making Conservation a
California Way of Life framework to better understand what is needed to meet objective requirements. This
effort will include evaluating available data, customer usage patterns, and conservation opportunities to
identify which programs, rebates, and initiatives can have the greatest impact.
Conservation is working with Eagle Aerial to complete the Dedicated Irrigation Meter and Special Landscape
Area measurement assessment. This effort is being completed in close coordination with staff and will support
the District’s compliance with State water use efficiency objectives. Through this work, staff will review
available landscape data, confirm measurement needs, and use the information to support future reporting
and conservation planning.
Finally, staff will assess how existing technology, systems, and customer tools can be better utilized to support
conservation efforts. By using data to guide program decisions, Conservation can focus resources on the
most effective strategies, strengthen customer support, and ensure the District’s approach remains aligned
with State requirements.
Water Education Program
Conservation will continue to engage local schools through classroom presentations focused on water use
efficiency, the water cycle, and the importance of protecting water resources. With the District’s Water Use
Efficiency Specialist certified in Project WET, staff can provide curriculum-based presentations that support
early water education for elementary students. Over the next year, staff will continue engagement with local
schools while also assessing opportunities to expand the program through school assemblies or other larger
educational formats.
Conservation will also continue exploring partnerships with organizations such as the Wyland Foundation,
which provides hands-on water education programs for classrooms and communities. These partnerships
help expand the District’s reach and provide additional resources to support meaningful water education
throughout the community.
Rebate Program Enhancements
East Valley Water District offers indoor and outdoor rebates to help customers replace older fixtures and
equipment with more water-efficient options. Current rebate opportunities include high efficiency toilets,
shower heads, washing machines, sprinkler nozzles, weather-based irrigation controllers, and water efficient
landscaping.
page 7
Over the next two fiscal years, Conservation will assess opportunities to enhance the rebate program and
ensure it continues to support meaningful water savings. This includes evaluating whether existing rebates
should be updated to encourage higher-efficiency products, address end-of-life equipment, and better align
with the District’s water use efficiency objectives. Staff will also work to digitize the rebate application process
to improve accessibility, tracking, and efficiency for both customers and staff.
Conservation Workshops
Conservation will continue to host community workshops that provide customers with practical information on
water use efficiency, outdoor water savings, and water-wise landscaping. These workshops allow the District
to bring in subject matter experts, provide hands-on learning opportunities, and connect customers with tools
and resources that support efficient water use. Over the next year, staff will offer a combination of targeted
and community-based workshops.
The District will also continue hosting Waterpalooza at the Sterling Natural Resource Center. This larger
community event brings together residents, community partners, equipment demonstrations, and District
programs to highlight conservation and the District’s role in protecting water resources. Building on the
success of previous events, staff will continue to use Waterpalooza as an opportunity to educate, engage, and
connect with the community.
Finally, staff will continue evaluating workshop formats, including smaller hands-on workshops, to determine
which approaches provide the greatest value to customers. Through these efforts, Conservation will continue
offering meaningful opportunities for the community to learn, participate, and take action toward long-term
water efficiency.
Water Shortage Contingency Plan
Conservation will review the District’s Water Shortage Contingency Plan to assess whether any updates are
needed to strengthen drought response and water shortage planning. This review will focus on evaluating the
effectiveness of current shortage stages, response actions, customer communication needs, and conservation
measures.
If updates are needed, staff will develop recommended revisions and bring the plan forward for Board
consideration. This effort will help ensure the District remains prepared to respond to future water supply
challenges while maintaining clear and practical guidance for customers.
page 8
CONCLUSION
The Conservation Program Strategy provides a focused framework for advancing water use efficiency,
supporting regulatory compliance, and strengthening customer resources throughout the District’s service
area. As State requirements continue to evolve, Conservation will play an important role in helping the District
prepare for future milestones while maintaining a practical and customer-focused approach.
Through program enhancements, education, data analysis, report submissions, and ongoing coordination
across departments, Conservation will continue supporting the District’s commitment to responsible resource
management. These efforts will help ensure East Valley Water District remains proactive in meeting regulatory
requirements, promoting sustainable water use, and protecting the community’s water resources now and in
the future.
PROGRAM TRACKING AND SUCCESS
As the Conservation requirements continue to expand, staff will track key activities to evaluate progress and
identify necessary program adjustments. Tracking these efforts helps ensure the program remains aligned with
the District’s 5-Year Work Plan, regulatory milestones, customer needs, and long-term water use efficiency goals.
Program success will be measured through a combination of participation, implementation, reporting, and
planning milestones. This includes tracking rebate participation, workshop attendance, school engagement,
customer outreach efforts, report submissions, and progress toward regulatory requirements. Staff will also
monitor the completion of key program initiatives, including the digitization of rebate applications, development
of nonfunctional turf resources, turf replacement rebate planning, Water Shortage Contingency Plan review, and
DIM/SLA landscape area measurement.
Agenda Item
#4
August 18, 20261
Meeting Date: August 18, 2026
Agenda Item #4
Informational Item
Regular Meeting
TO: Commission Members
FROM: Operations Manager
SUBJECT: In-House Pipeline Replacement Construction Update
RECOMMENDATION
This agenda item is for informational purposes only, no action is required.
DISTRICT PILLARS AND STRATEGIES
IV - Planning, Maintenance, and Preservation of District Resources
a. Develop Projects and Programs to Ensure Safe, Reliable, and Resilient Service
c. Utilize a Comprehensive Asset Management Approach
FISCAL IMPACT
There is no fiscal impact associated with this agenda item.
Respectfully submitted:
________________
Patrick Milroy
Operations Manager
ATTACHMENTS
In-House Pipeline Replacement Construction Update Presentation
IN-HOUSE PIPELINE REPLACEMENT
CONSTRUCTION UPDATE
Patrick Milroy, Operations Manager
Community Advisory Commission – August 18, 2026
INITIATIVE TO BUILD IN-HOUSE CAPABILITIES
2
Reduce Water
Main Breaks
Start Main
Replacement
Program
Ahead of Pipes
Reaching End
of Useful Life
Minimize
Construction
Impact to the
Community
Minimize
Capital
Replacement
Cost to
Customers
Target 3 Miles
Per Year by
2030
(100 Year
Replacement
Cycle)
300 MILE WATER DISTRIBUTION SYSTEM
3
1920-1939 1940-1949 1950-1959 1960-1969 1970-1979 1980-1989 1990-1999 2000-2009 2010-2017
0
10
20
30
40
50
60
70
0.1 1.0
33.3
60.2
42.8
38.2 36.7 36.3
52.5
Le
n
g
t
h
(
M
i
l
e
s
)
Year Installed
WATER MAIN BREAK BENCHMARK
4
Fiscal Year
Ma
i
n
L
e
a
k
s
(
P
e
r
1
0
0
M
i
l
e
s
)
2020-21 2021-22 2022-23 2023-24 2024-25
0
10
20
30
40
50
60
30 29
51
32
20
AWWA Median
STAFFING PLAN
5
Year 1 Year 2 Year 3
0
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
Full Time Employee
Staffing Approach
New Crew Assigned to Water
Main Replacement Projects
FY 2025-26 WATER MAIN
REPLACEMENT
6
WATER MAIN COMPLETED FY 2025-26
7
3,730
Total Linear
Ft. Replaced
302
Avg. Hours
per Project
119
Number of
Services
3,926
Total Hours
Worked
$66,160.77
Avg. Cost
per Project
WATER MAIN COMPLETED FY 2025-26
8
Internal Cost Estimate External Cost Estimate Actual Cost
*Estimates collected June 2025
$247
cost per foot
$679
cost per foot
$257
cost per foot
NEXT STEPS
WATER MAIN REPLACEMENT LOCATION
10
*Map Not to Scale
FY 2026-27
FY 2025-26
LESSONS LEARNED
11
•Project Planning
•Permit Approval by Cities
•Have Proper Permits
Approximately Six Months in
Advance
•Proven In-House Capability
•Completed at Lower Cost
than Contracting
•Demonstrated Strength of
District Staff, Resources and
Project Control
DISCUSSION