PWD & Ventura County-Based Water District Sign MOU to Share Resources by Palmdale Water District Jan 14, 2022 Member Submitted News PALMDALE – Following nearly a year of exploratory meetings, Palmdale Water District (PWD) and United Water Conservation District (UWCD) have signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) to share resources and work on large-scale projects that are of mutual benefit. The projects outlined in the agreement include the coordinated development and use of water resources, recreation areas, intern and apprenticeship programs, and advanced water treatment. “I am extremely pleased that our boards have agreed to formally enter into a partnership,” said PWD Board President Gloria Dizmang. “UWCD is a highly regarded agency with an exceptionally talented and educated staff. I am confident that both districts will benefit tremendously from each other.” “Thanks to the foresight of both agencies’ General Managers, our respective Boards and management teams were able to identify solutions and opportunities for mutually resolving many of the challenges our agencies now deal with,” added UWCD Board President Michael Mobley. “There are many advantages to United Water District and Palmdale Water District sharing specific expertise, knowledge and experiences, and this Memorandum of Understanding simply acknowledges the potential benefits.” Both PWD and UWCD boards of directors voted unanimously at their meetings this week to approve the MOU. Presidents Dizmang and Mobley have been part of the ad hoc committee that has been meeting to solidify the partnership, an idea proposed by Bill Mathis, a consultant for both districts. The other members of the committee are PWD Director Kathy Mac Laren-Gomez and UWCD Directors Bruce Dandy and Daniel Naumann. “When (PWD General Manager) Dennis LaMoreaux and his management staff first visited our District, it was immediately apparent that each team excelled in specific areas of water management that could be of benefit to the other. Engaging our respective Boards in these discussions helped to expand the identification of numerous shared opportunities, including a collaborative regional water-related internship and apprenticeship program that will be instrumental in developing the next generation of best-in-class water professionals. This is an expansive collaboration in the truest sense of the word,” said United Water District General Manager Mauricio E. Guardado, Jr. Through this partnership, PWD anticipates that UWCD can provide assistance with at least two big projects – the Palmdale Regional Water Augmentation Project (PRWAP) and a potential rebirth of the recreation area at Littlerock Reservoir. UWCD has proven expertise with handling brackish water and operating Lake Piru’s recreation area. “We are excited about working with UWCD on these initiatives,” LaMoreaux said. “This collaboration is unique and will provide a great benefit to the communities served by both agencies.” UWCD has proposed a coastal brackish groundwater treatment plant on U.S. Navy Base Point Mugu to provide a sustainable solution to combat seawater intrusion and treat aquifer salinity contamination. The proposal is for the plant to use extracted brackish groundwater for treatment. Similarly, PWD’s plans for the PRWAP is to treat recycled water from the Sanitation Districts of Los Angeles County for reuse purposes. Both programs are critical to each agency’s water sustainability needs. As for water agencies operating recreational areas at reservoir sites, UWCD has shown it is possible. The agency is the operator of the Lake Piru recreation area, offering overnight camping, fishing, watersports, picnicking and other outdoor activities. The MOU also calls for engaging in transfers and exchanges of available State Water Project water. Both PWD & UWCD are State Water Contractors. Originally formed in 1927, UWCD operates the Santa Felicia Dam, Lake Piru Reservoir and the Freeman Diversion. They serve as a wholesaler, providing water to the cities of Oxnard, Port Hueneme, Ventura, Santa Paula and Fillmore. They also serve the Naval Base Ventura County and several mutual water districts, farms and individual pumpers. For more information about UWCD, visit www.unitedwater.org. Since 1918, the Palmdale Water District has provided high-quality water at a reasonable cost. We pride ourselves on providing great customer care; advocating for local water issues that help our residents; educating the community on water-use efficiency; and leading our region in researching and implementing emerging technologies that increase operational efficiency. For more information about PWD, visit www.palmdalewater.org. ###