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REGIONAL COLLABORATION – UTILITIES WORKING TOGETHER TO TACKLE TODAY’S CHALLENGES

Explore the overview of Bay Area utilities and the significance of regional collaboration in addressing common challenges. Learn about the collaborative model, project insights, and outcomes to enhance service, efficiency, and preparedness.

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REGIONAL COLLABORATION – UTILITIES WORKING TOGETHER TO TACKLE TODAY’S CHALLENGES

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  1. REGIONAL COLLABORATION – UTILITIES WORKING TOGETHER TO TACKLE TODAY’S CHALLENGES Michael J. Wallis

  2. Today’s Topics • Overview of Bay Area utilities • What is regional collaboration? • WRF project on collaboration • Bay Area collaboration

  3. 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

  4. Overview of Bay Area Contra Costa WD East Bay MUD Santa Clara Valley WD San Francisco PUC

  5. What is Regional Collaboration? Current perspective: • Agencies achieve more consistent, reliable, and efficient water service from working together across a regional area.

  6. WRF Project “Bay Area Water Utilities Operations Collaborative: Model for Inter-regional Utility Cooperation” • Objectives: • - Explore models of regional cooperation • - Identify key areas for cooperation • - Develop regional initiatives • - Develop a template for other utilities

  7. Generic Collaboration Model Meet With Potential Collaborators Consider Regional Drivers • Linear process • Requires leadership • Sustainable collaborations • demonstrate results • Periodic revitalization • needed Define Shared Interests Select Collaborative Model ID & Document Governance, Process, & Metrics Implement

  8. WRF Project: Bay Area Model Steering Committee (SC) CCWD EBMUD SCVWD SFPUC Agreement of General Principles for Collaboration Signed by Ops Managers Workforce WG Water Quality WG Asset Management WG Emergency Response WG Future WGs Chair Chair Chair Chair Chair General Principles Endorsed by Steering Committee Plans & Resource Commitments Developed by Working Groups & Approved by Steering Committee Annual Work plan Annual Progress Report Summary of Deliverables Developed by Working Groups

  9. 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

  10. Conclusions √ Utilities have many common topics and challenges Collaboration can improve service reliability and save cost √

  11. Bay Area Collaboration • Operates under a charter • Key areas of collaboration • - Workforce development • - Emergency response • - Water quality • - Asset management

  12. 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

  13. Workforce Planning Formed “Baywork”: • 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

  14. Emergency Exercises • Conduct table top exercises involving a major earthquake • Cooperation of emergency operations teams from each agency

  15. Emergency Exercises Developed a multiyear plan including: Workshops, training, exercises Developed plan to identify and share resources

  16. Water Quality • Formalized workgroup • Input on legislation and regulation • Share information and technical resources • Research cost-sharing • Invasive species • Research prioritization

  17. Asset Management • Formalized workgroup • Launched detailed benchmarking study • Maintenance practices • Contracting out • Maintenance and capital planning • Share best practices

  18. Other Outcomes of Collaboration • SCADA Workshop • Developed intertie agreements

  19. System Interties EBMUD/CCWD • SCVWD/SFPUC Intertie • Completed in 2002 • 40 mgd capacity • Treated water intertie SFPUC/EBMUD • SFPUC/EBMUD Intertie • Completed in 2004 • 30 mgd capacity • Treated water intertie SCVWD/SFPUC =Interties • EBMUD/CCWD Intertie • Completed in 2008 • 100 mgd capacity • Raw water intertie

  20. Bay Area Collaboration Conclusions • Shared best practices yields efficiencies • Improved emergency preparedness and response • Leverage resources • Effective workforce planning

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