CSDA “Innovative Project of the Year” Award Presented to Rancho Water by Rancho California Water District Sep 12, 2024 Member Submitted News TEMECULA — The Rancho California Water District (Rancho Water/District) was this year’s recipient of the Innovative Project of the Year Award from the California Special Districts Association (CSDA) for its development of an innovative well depth measurement system (WDMS). The award was presented at the CSDA Annual Conference and Exhibitor Showcase in Indian Wells, California on September 11, 2024. Rancho Water’s WDMS is a groundbreaking system that significantly improves upon traditional well depth measurement methods – an important tool for monitoring water levels in drought-prone California. Traditional practices, such as manual sounding, require significant human labor, are susceptible to inaccuracies, and necessitate frequent maintenance. The WDMS, developed by Rancho Water’s Electrical Services department, automates the well depth measurement process, thereby eliminating the inefficiencies and limitations of manual methods. Following prototype development and implementation, the WDMS is now functional in many of the District’s wells and in consistently delivering precise and reliable water measurements. It offers a cost-effective, accurate, and low-maintenance solution to well monitoring that is scalable and easily integrated into existing wells. The District plans to share its design with other water agencies so they may replicate this solution for their own water infrastructure. “The district is quite impressed with our team for devising this innovative idea, which goes above and beyond their usual responsibilities,” Rancho Water General Manager Jason Martin said. “The Electrical Services team not only had the vision to conceive this idea but also the dedication to successfully implement it. Their extraordinary effort surpasses all expectations.” The CSDA Innovative Project of the Year Award is given on an annual basis to special districts in recognition of programs and projects which have shown originality, produced tangible results, and decreased district costs while creating value and enhancing quality of service. The CSDA represents more than 1,300 organizations throughout California including water districts, parks, libraries, community services, and more. Find more information about the CSDA at csda.net.
