Cal Water is scheduled to begin work on a water infrastructure upgrade next week that will improve water supply reliability and fire protection in central Chico. The project will include installation of 3,300 feet of new 6- and 8-inch water main.

"Infrastructure improvements like this help Cal Water maintain a reliable water supply for both everyday and emergency needs, while also preventing water loss from aging pipes," said Evan Markey, Chico District Manager.

Installation will take place, weather permitting, over the next 10 to 12 weeks on the following streets:

• Bryant Avenue, between E. 1st Avenue and Hill View Way
• Downing Avenue between E. 1st Avenue and Palmetto Avenue
• Downing Avenue and Terrace Lane
• Palmetto Avenue, southwest of Downing Avenue to northeast of Karen Drive
• Karen Drive, southeast of Palmetto Avenue

The majority of the work will be performed between 7 a.m. and 5 p.m., Monday through Friday; however, some work may be performed after regular business hours or during the weekends to help alleviate traffic issues. Temporary asphalt will be applied until permanent paving is completed, which can be up to 30 days after project completion.

"We will work hard to minimize any temporary inconvenience to residents in this neighborhood as we make water system improvements that will benefit our community for years to come," Markey said.

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​To support local fire departments and their efforts to provide rescue and emergency services, Cal Water today announced it will award more than $175,000 in grants to seven California fire departments as part of the utility's sixth annual Firefighter Grant Program.

"As a water provider, we partner closely with fire departments in our service areas, so they have access to a reliable supply of water and pressure to keep our communities safe," said Martin A. Kropelnicki, Cal Water Chairman and CEO. "Beyond that, we proudly support our local first responders, because when lives are at stake and minutes matter, we want to help these heroes putting their lives on the line to protect others to have the equipment and supplies they need."

From refurbishing a regional firefighter training facility to outfitting firefighters with personal protective equipment, the grants are designed to offset costs associated with fire protection efforts, life-saving equipment, and training. The financial support is greatly needed, which has made the program popular since its start in 2019, according to the utility. That's one of the reasons Cal Water has nearly tripled its funding for this critical program.

Cal Water is awarding its 2024 grants to the following departments in its service areas, based on the need for resources to protect citizens or firefighters:

• Dixon Fire Department, for gear including ballistics helmets and bullet-proof body armor that would protect personnel as they help save lives during active shooter and other violent incidents.
• Marysville Fire Department, to refurbish a four-story training tower that is in dire need of repairs so that it can continue to serve as a training resource for the region.
• Northshore Fire Protection District, to replace personal protective equipment that is over a decade old, and to purchase packs that help their firefighters carry fire shelters, water, tools, and medical equipment needed during wildland fires.
• Redondo Beach Fire Department, for mental wellness coaching and a training app, both of which are intended to help firefighters manage the high levels of stress they experience in their careers.
• Selma Fire Department, to replace portable radios that allow first responders to provide essential functions and the highest level of health care, and tactical helmets for firefighters to wear when responding to active shooter, violent, or potentially violent incidents.
• Sunnyvale Fire Department, for specialized wildland firefighting personal protective equipment that helps protect firefighters against the unpredictable and extreme conditions they encounter when responding to wildfires.
• Willows Fire Department, for a cardiac EKG monitor, which will increase the department's ability to provide a higher level of care for critically ill or injured patients in the community as an Advanced Life Support provider.

The firefighter grants are funded through Cal Water's philanthropic giving program and do not impact customer rates.

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“Infrastructure improvements like this help Cal Water maintain a reliable water supply for both customers' everyday needs and firefighters' emergency needs, while also preventing water loss from aging pipes,” said Tammy Johnson, Director of Field Operations.

The project is expected to last six months and will take place in three phases. Work in the first phase is occurring on Service Street-the alley between 19th and 20th Streets, crossing L, M, and N streets, weather permitting. Work will be performed Monday through Friday between 7:30 a.m. and 4:30 p.m.

The second phase will take place between Chester Avenue and K Street; the third phase will take place between H Street and Eye Street.

“We will make every effort to minimize traffic delays during construction, and we will notify customers in advance in instances when after-hours work may be needed,” said Johnson, noting that customers can log into their account to confirm that their contact information is up to date, along with their preferences on how they would like to be notified.

Temporary asphalt will be applied until permanent paving is completed, which can be up to 30 days after project completion.

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Crews are installing ion-exchange treatment and associated site piping weekdays from 7 a.m. to 5 p.m. at a well site on West Packwood Drive, and granular-activated carbon treatment and associated site piping at a well site on Akers Street. The different treatment methods were determined based on well production capacity and site size.

"Our team is hard at work to bring any affected sources into compliance with the new maximum contaminant levels (MCLs) sooner than required because, above all, protecting our customers' health and safety is our highest priority," said Stephen Johnson, District Manager of Cal Water's Visalia District. "These improvements will enhance water quality, along with supply and system reliability for both everyday and emergency needs."

Generally, PFAS are manmade compounds that are found in a number of everyday products; these compounds are soluble in water and can travel long distances. Under the new PFAS regulation, EPA established MCLs of 4 parts per trillion (ppt) for both PFOA and PFOS; MCLs of 10 ppt for PFHxS, PFNA, and GenX; and a combined Hazard Index of 1.0 for PFBS, PFHxS, PFNA, and GenX. Under the new PFAS regulation, water utilities across the country are required to monitor for these PFAS by 2027, and impacted water systems must comply with the MCLs and Hazard Index by 2029.

Cal Water regularly assesses the water quality of its existing supply sources, and began monitoring all of its active water sources for these PFAS prior to the EPA ruling, Johnson said. As a result, Cal Water is well-positioned to treat any water sources needed across Visalia within the compliance timeframe, he added.

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Group was one of only three investor-owned water utilities ranked in the Energy & Utilities category. The 2025 list spans 14 industries and recognizes the top 600 out of the 2,000 largest public companies by revenue.

America's Most Responsible Companies were selected this year based on 30 publicly available key performance indicators (KPIs) derived from corporate social responsibility, sustainability, and other reports, along with independent survey results. The KPIs focused on company performance in environmental, social, and governance (ESG) areas, while the survey asked respondents about their perception of company activities related to corporate social responsibility.

"We have long operated by the mantra to always 'do the right thing'-not simply the easy thing-for our customers, communities, employees, and stockholders, and for the environment," said Martin A. Kropelnicki, Group Chairman & CEO. "To be recognized for our efforts by Newsweek for the fourth year in a row is an honor we do not take lightly, and we will continue striving to enhance our efforts each year to do right by those we serve."

The full listing is published on the Newsweek web site.

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Crews are installing granular-activated carbon treatment and associated site piping on the Bakersfield well.

"Our team is hard at work to bring any affected sources into compliance with the new maximum contaminate levels (MCLs) sooner than required because, above all, protecting our customers' health and safety is our highest priority," said Tammy Johnson, District Manager of Cal Water's Bakersfield District. "This improvement will enhance water quality, along with supply and system reliability for both everyday and emergency needs."

Generally, PFAS are manmade compounds that are found in a number of everyday products; these compounds are soluble in water and can travel long distances. Under the new PFAS regulation, EPA established MCLs of 4 parts per trillion (ppt) for both PFOA and PFOS; MCLs of 10 ppt for PFHxS, PFNA, and GenX; and a combined Hazard Index of 1.0 for PFBS, PFHxS, PFNA, and GenX. Under the new PFAS regulation, water utilities across the country are required to monitor for these PFAS by 2027, and impacted water systems must comply with the MCLs and Hazard Index by 2029.

Cal Water regularly assesses the water quality of its existing supply sources and began monitoring all of its active water sources for these PFAS prior to the EPA ruling, Johnson said. As a result, Cal Water is well-positioned to treat any water sources needed across Bakersfield within the compliance timeframe, she added.

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A new piece of equipment is allowing Salinas firefighters to train and test their life-saving fire equipment, while also now saving more than 47,000 gallons of water-enough to fill more than two residential swimming pools-every time it is used. The Salinas Fire Department and Cal Water partnered on the purchase of the new Pump Pod® DRAFTS (Direct Recirculating Apparatus Firefighting Training Sustainability) Unit, which is helping Salinas Fire reduce water usage from 50,000 gallons to 2,500 gallons per training.

Through Cal Water's conservation program, Cal Water and the Salinas Fire Department collaborated to bring the DRAFTS Unit to Salinas as a way to continue regular training and fire equipment testing, while also saving water. While millions of gallons of water are needed for training and testing purposes, the unit allows water used for full-flow training to be recycled and reused instead of going down the drain.

"I want to first and foremost say thank you to Cal Water for its continued partnership and commitment to our community. Everywhere I have turned in my 12 years of service, Cal Water has been there," said Salinas Mayor Kimbley Craig. "Another example of this partnership is the [DRAFTS Unit]; we're incredibly excited about it."

Cal Water estimates that, with this unit, the Salinas Fire Department will save more than 5.8 million gallons of water per year, while fully training firefighters and testing its equipment.

“Cal Water is dedicated to assisting firefighters, not just with a reliable supply of water, but also with their training,” said Christy Colby, Director of Water-Use Efficiency for Cal Water. “As conservation is becoming a way of life in California, Cal Water is investing in making sure firefighter training can happen in ways that significantly reduce water use.”

By teaming up with Cal Water's Conservation Department, the utility was able to provide the Salinas Fire Department more than $124,965 as a rebate to purchase the DRAFTS Unit.

Chris Knapp, Salinas Fire Division Chief/Fire Marshal, said saving water while training firefighters is a win-win. "With the acquisition of this [DRAFTS unit] that is fully funded by Cal Water's conservation rebate program, Salinas Fire can reuse 2,500 gallons of water and still prepare our members for any pump operation they may encounter in the field," he said.

Brenda Granillo, Cal Water Salinas District Manager, thanked Salinas Fire for its continued partnership to keep the community safe. "As a water provider, we're in regular communication with Salinas Fire to supply the water and pressure they need to extinguish fires and save lives and property," she said. "We appreciate their leadership in making conservation a way of life, and are happy to support them with equipment that will help keep our community safe."

Cal Water offers customers a number of incentives to save water every day through conservation rebates and programs. To learn more, visit the conservation section.

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Work will be performed on weekdays between 7 a.m. and 4 p.m. through December 20.

To minimize any inconvenience, Cal Water is taking steps to reduce dust during construction and has planned the project to minimize interruptions to water service. Additionally, Cal Water will maintain driveway access during construction.

If you have any questions, please call our Customer Operations Center at (323) 263-4145.

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“Every year, Operation Gobble allows us to make a big impact for those who are struggling, by giving to these organizations that get the most out of every donation to support individuals and families who depend on their services,” said Brenda Granillo, Salinas District Manager.

This is Cal Water's 35th year distributing turkeys or turkey gift certificates as part of Operation Gobble. While Cal Water is an integral part of the Salinas Valley community year-round, the holidays are an especially important time for the utility to help those in need. It's one of the reasons it began working with local legislators and non-profit organizations to help provide Thanksgiving meals to so many as an important part of the utility's philanthropic commitment.

"It's another great year continuing our partnership with Cal Water in the spirit of giving. We are also grateful to our local nonprofits that work to ensure that our struggling families are able to celebrate Thanksgiving," said Salinas Mayor Kimbley Craig.

Supervisor Chris Lopez also finds this work important.

"This is the time of year when we all give thanks for the blessings and bounty in our life," Supervisor Lopez said. "Cal Water's Operation Gobble makes sure that those in need in our community don't go without. I continue to be thankful for their programs and contributions not just during the holidays, but year-round."

Representatives for Assemblymember Robert Rivas and State Senator Anna Caballero also assisted with the distribution. A total of 425 Butterball turkey certificates were distributed between local non-profit organizations chosen by the elected officials and Cal Water. Charities receiving either turkey vouchers or financial contributions included: YWCA of the Monterey County, Digital Nest, Hebbron Family Center, Boys & Girls Club of Monterey County, The Food Bank of Monterey County, Partners for Peace, Salvation Army of Salinas, Dorothy's Place, Loaves & Fishes, The Salvation Army of Soledad/King City, and Santa Lucia Rotary Food Drive.

Cal Water's Operation Gobble donations come from the utility's philanthropic giving program, not from water rates.

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“Infrastructure improvements like these help Cal Water maintain a reliable water supply for both everyday and emergency needs and enable us to keep providing quality, service, and value to our customers,” said Dawn Smithson, Bear Gulch District Manager.

In Redwood City, Cal Water is expected to complete its installation of new earthquake-resistant water main to replace aging, smaller water pipes, along with the new fire hydrants on Oct. 30 to help provide a more reliable water supply in the mountain area with a known landslide. The work is occurring just west of Skyline Boulevard on Old Ranch Road, Henrik Ibsen Road, Ware Road, and Big Pine Road.

Nearby, in Menlo Park, crews are upgrading the water main and replacing nine fire hydrants, plus adding an additional hydrant for increased fire protection. Work is taking place between 8 a.m. and 4:30 p.m., Monday through Friday, near the intersections of Lee Drive and Valparaiso Avenue and Roble Avenue and University Drive. Any road closures and detours required will be clearly marked until the project's completion, which is expected in March 2025.

Also, in Woodside and Portola Valley, crews are working to rebuild both stations east of Highway 280. Both projects are expected to be completed by mid-November 2024, weather permitting.

• In Woodside, work is being done Monday through Friday between 8 a.m. and 3 p.m. at the intersection of Wildwood Way and Woodside Drive.
• In Portola Valley, work is occurring Monday through Friday from 8 a.m. and 3 p.m. at the intersection of Sioux Way and Cervantes Road.

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