News

At its annual conference today, California Special Districts Association honored Olivenhain Municipal Water District with its Exceptional Outreach and Advocacy Award for OMWD’s engagement with legislators and policymakers.

“OMWD is honored to be recognized for our efforts shaping water policy, representing our ratepayers at the state and federal levels, and collaborating with regional partners,” said OMWD Board Director Marco San Antonio.

Each year, CSDA presents the Exceptional Outreach and Advocacy Award to one public agency in California with an annual budget of over $10 million. The award recognizes OMWD for effective communication with legislators and policymakers on topics such as water affordability, water use efficiency regulations, and reliable water supplies.

For example, OMWD provided testimony opposing legislation that could increase costs for its ratepayers. OMWD also educated state and federal policymakers on the need to invest in water infrastructure and the development of water supplies. Specifically, OMWD worked successfully with Congress to include grant funding in the federal budget for water infrastructure projects.

CSDA also celebrated OMWD’s ongoing advocacy efforts with eight other water and wastewater agencies that make up the North San Diego Water Reuse Coalition.

As the lead agency of the Coalition, OMWD developed strong relationships with legislators and state and federal agencies, successfully securing $30 million in grants from US Bureau of Reclamation for a regional water recycling project. In addition, the Coalition achieved an additional $5 million in grant funding through California Department of Water Resources’ Integrated Regional Water Management Program. The Coalition’s project will deliver up to three billion additional gallons of recycled water each year after its completion.

CSDA represents more than 1,000 special districts, which are public agencies that provide essential services throughout California. These districts provide services such as water, sanitation, fire protection, park and recreation, and other community services that in some way benefit California’s 39 million residents.