regional collaboration – utilities working together to tackle todays challenges michael j. wallis
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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