California’s Ukiah Valley Water Authority expands with Willow County Water District
Ukiah, Calif. (UI) — The Ukiah Valley Water Authority (UVWA) has expanded its reach with Willow County Water District joining as its latest member.
Formed earlier this year, the joint powers authority now oversees water services for 9,100 connections across the Greater Ukiah Valley, including Millview County Water District, Redwood Valley County Water District, and the City of Ukiah.
The move aims to bolster water service reliability and enhance collaboration on infrastructure and resource management in the region. UVWA Board Member and Ukiah City Councilmember Doug Crane emphasized the importance of this unified approach, particularly as the decommissioning of PG&E’s Potter Valley Project threatens local water supplies.
“The Greater Ukiah Valley has a broad portfolio of water rights, including surface and groundwater as well as the City of Ukiah’s recycled water system,” Crane said. “By integrating our resources and enabling delivery across the community, we can break down barriers to efficient resource use. Now more than ever, regional cooperation is critical to securing and expanding our water supply.”
Water districts across California face increasing challenges due to prolonged drought conditions and aging infrastructure. State agencies have encouraged consolidation of districts, offering grants to fund system upgrades and improve water mobility.
“For decades, we’ve seen volatility in our water resources, with droughts and state regulations threatening supplies,” said UVWA Board Member Jerry Cardoza of the Millview County Water District. “Now, we can work together across a larger geographic area to achieve efficiencies and secure a more reliable water future.”
The UVWA is conducting an infrastructure assessment to identify gaps and determine necessary capital projects, such as pipeline extensions, interties, storage tanks, wells, and booster stations. Grant funding will be pursued to support these improvements.
Redwood Valley County Water District Board Member Adam Gaska highlighted the importance of addressing long-standing infrastructure needs. “Joining the Water Authority provides more resources and access to grant funding, which is essential to upgrading our aging water systems.”
Founded on shared values of reliability, efficiency, sustainability, and transparency, the UVWA is positioned to protect regional water interests while fostering sustainable growth.
The next UVWA meeting is scheduled for November 7, 2024. Customer billing transitions for Millview and Redwood Valley are set to begin in January 2025, with Willow County’s integration following later in the year.
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