REGIONAL COLLABORATION – UTILITIES WORKING TOGETHER

TO TACKLE TODAY’S CHALLENGES

REGIONAL COLLABORATION – UTILITIES WORKING TOGETHER

TO TACKLE TODAY’S CHALLENGES

Michael J. Wallis

Today’s Topics

• Overview of Bay Area utilities

• What is regional collaboration?

• WRF project on collaboration

• Bay Area collaboration

Overview of Bay Area

• Over 60 water/wastewater utilities

• 9 counties; > 6.7 million population

• Range from small community service districts to large multi-service utilities

• Water supply ranges from local groundwater to imported Sierra water

Overview of Bay Area

Santa Clara Valley WD

Contra Costa WD

East Bay MUD

San Francisco PUC

What is Regional Collaboration?

Agencies achieve more consistent, reliable, and efficient water service from working together across a regional area.

Current perspective:

WRF Project

Objectives: - Explore models of regional cooperation - Identify key areas for cooperation - Develop regional initiatives - Develop a template for other utilities

“Bay Area Water Utilities Operations Collaborative: Model for Inter-regional Utility Cooperation”

Generic Collaboration Model

Select Collaborative ModelSelect Collaborative Model

Define Shared InterestsDefine Shared Interests

Consider Regional DriversConsider Regional Drivers

Meet With PotentialMeet With PotentialCollaboratorsCollaborators

ImplementImplement

ID & Document ID & Document Governance, Process, & Governance, Process, &

MetricsMetrics

• Linear process• Requires leadership• Sustainable collaborations demonstrate results• Periodic revitalization needed

WRF Project: Bay Area Model

Workforce Workforce WGWG

EmergencyEmergencyResponseResponse

WGWG

Asset Asset Management Management

WGWG

Water Water QualityQuality

WGWG

Future Future WGsWGs

Agreement of General Principles for Collaboration Signed by Ops

Managers

General Principles Endorsed by Steering

Committee

Annual Work planAnnual Work plan

Annual Progress Annual Progress ReportReport

Plans & Resource Commitments Developed by Working Groups & Approved by Steering Committee

Summary of DeliverablesDeveloped by Working Groups

Steering Committee (SC)Steering Committee (SC)EBMUD SCVWD SFPUCCCWD

Chair Chair Chair Chair Chair

WRF Project: Lessons Learned

• Collaboration can leverage resources• Collaborations should be sensitive to “territory” • Establishing trust is key• Management champions needed• Effective collaborations consider focus, formality &

finance• Must have shared vision and agreed upon

governance• Large collaborations can move slowly• Formal or informal reporting should be maintained and

evaluated periodically

Conclusions

Utilities have many common topics and challenges

√

√ Collaboration can improve service reliability and save cost

Bay Area Collaboration

• Operates under a charter • Key areas of collaboration

- Workforce development - Emergency response - Water quality - Asset management

Identified 5 mission critical jobs• Mechanic• Electrician • Instrument Technician• Water Treatment Operator• Wastewater Treatment Operator

Labor Forecast• Conducted survey of 6 counties• Response from 45 utilities• 1,575 staff with 40% eligible to retire in 5 yrs

Workforce Planning

Workforce Planning

• Reduced cost of training• Technology/Sharing

• Outreach to attract staff• Website – www.baywork.org

•Outreach materials – videos and pamphlets• Cooperation with community colleges

• Developed programs for electricians, plumbers, mechanics

Formed “Baywork”:

Emergency ExercisesEmergency Exercises

• Conduct table top exercises involving a major earthquake

• Cooperation of emergency

operations teams from each agency

Emergency ExercisesEmergency Exercises

• Developed a multiyear plan including:₋ Workshops, training,

exercises• Developed plan to identify

and share resources

Water Quality

• Formalized workgroup₋ Input on legislation and regulation₋ Share information and technical resources

• Research cost-sharing₋ Invasive species

• Research prioritization

Asset Management

• Formalized workgroup• Launched detailed

benchmarking study₋ Maintenance practices₋ Contracting out₋ Maintenance and capital

planning• Share best practices

• SCADA Workshop• Developed intertie agreements

Other Outcomes of Collaboration

System Interties

=Interties

SFPUC/EBMUD Intertie• Completed in 2004• 30 mgd capacity• Treated water intertie

SFPUC/EBMUD

EBMUD/CCWD Intertie• Completed in 2008• 100 mgd capacity• Raw water intertie

EBMUD/CCWDSCVWD/SFPUC Intertie• Completed in 2002• 40 mgd capacity• Treated water intertie

SCVWD/SFPUC

Bay Area Collaboration Conclusions

• Shared best practices yields efficiencies

• Improved emergency preparedness and response

• Leverage resources• Effective workforce planning