Slide 1

Disadvantaged Community Pilot Project Sierra Water Workgroup Summit June 2013

Slide 2

Californias North Coast a unique region with a unique identity Size of region Physical and Biotic features Intact fisheries and watersheds Not strongly connected via infrastructure Population Relatively low, expected to increase Demographics & Socio-economic trends Different lifestyles and outlooks Financial challenges Changing economies & opportunities Need for regional planning - Similar issues/challenges - Regional cooperation = effectiveness and more funding resources

Slide 3

A Retrospective: The North Coast Integrated Regional Water Management Plan Started in Fall 2004 Established regional boundary Convened Policy Review Panel Convened Technical Peer Review Committee Memorandum of Mutual Understandings (MoMu) Outreach & Stakeholder Education Project Portfolio & Plan Development

Slide 4

Water and Wastewater Provider Outreach and Technical Assistance Background Workshops and Trainings Sub-Regional Workgroups Water and Wastewater Provider Survey Types of Systems included in Survey Survey Methods 438 providers contacted, 126 Completed Surveys

Slide 5

Water and Wastewater Provider Outreach and Technical Assistance Water and Wastewater Provider Survey Preliminary Results/Observations Overall interest in participation in the program Most prevalent problems identified: Aging Infrastructure, personnel training Most burdensome regulatory challenge: State sampling and testing procedure, particularly with drinking water standards Relative awareness of existing technical service providers such as Cal Rural Water and Rural Community Assistance Corporation. Technical Assistance needs: system infrastructure maintenance and repair; funding opportunities/grant writing; system mapping Training needs: system compliance and operator testing and budgeting, rate setting, and grants

Slide 6

Next Steps & Challenges Providing assistance to those most in need Exportable Components Incorporate into Plan Sharing resources Applications for funding Overwhelming amount of need Bringing providers to the table

Slide 7

Additional Information Jennifer Jenkins Kuszmar 707.268.3795 jjenkins@co.humboldt.ca.us Karen Gaffney & Katherine Gledhill West Coast Watershed 707.433.7377 www.northcoastirwmp.net