Water is Essential. And so are California’s

Clean Water Professionals.

WHAT’S THE VALUE OF WATER?

2015 Member Value ReportValue of Water Coalition artwork used with permission

PRESIDENT’S REPORTWhat’s the Value of Certification?

Phil Scott CWEA President District Manager West Bay Sanitary District

Collection Systems Maintenance Grade 4

Drinking Water Treatment Operator Grade 2

Drinking Water Distribution System Operator Grade 4

Dear Members and Colleagues:CWEA’s members are worth it! And it’s worth getting a certification.

This year, CWEA is developing a strategic plan for our Certification program. Wow, sounds boring! But it’s super important. Let me tell you why I think it’s important.

When I entered the wastewater profession in 1981, I started out digging trenches. I was a ditch digger and I could dig like nobody’s business. Ditch digging is the only occupation where you start at the top and work your way to the bottom.

My partner and I dug a 14-foot deep trench on a street in Hayward to replace a broken lateral. This was back when sewer work was listed as the most dangerous occupation in America — because dummies like me didn’t use shoring to hold up the sides of the trench wall.

I didn’t even know what shoring was. I could have easily been digging my own grave and didn’t even know it.

I was also entering manholes, on my own. One I remember was 25 feet deep at a community college and no one knew I was there. I climbed down the manhole, with corroded old steel steps, to retrieve a stick in the line to keep the sewer from clogging. I didn’t know about deadly methane, H2S, or the other gases that could have killed me. I didn’t have a CWEA certification.

Now everyone who works for me is required to have a Grade 1 CWEA certificate in Collection Systems Maintenance.

I’ll pay them premiums if they get a grade 2 or above. This way I know they have a minimum level of competence. I know they understand basic safety principles.

If they get a grade 2, I know they understand journeyman methods and techniques. If they have a grade 3, they have an understanding of advanced methods related to their vocation and understand basic supervisory principles.

If they have a grade 4, I know they are master technicians and possess a supervisory and managerial understanding of their profession. I don’t worry about them.

Are CWEA MEMBERS worth it? You bet your life they are and it’s worth everyone’s time and effort to help our fellow members get their certification. I have found CWEA certified workers are safer, smarter and more creative in developing solutions.

They’re worth every penny my agency invests in their education. CWEA plays a huge role in our District’s ongoing career development and training program.

Certification Strategic Plan Now CWEA is embarking on a strategic plan for Certification that will help move the sector into the 21st century and explore what changes, additions, or modifications to the certification program are needed to help members succeed in their careers.

We’ll ask tough questions about how to make our program better. “Do we need ’micro-credentials’ for our vocations?” Examples of a micro-credential include a certificate focused on sewer line televising for Collection System Maintenance certificates or a Pump Impeller micro-credential for Mechanical Technologists.

Should members be able to craft custom certificates that better suit the job they have? How do we make that affordable and sustainable? What type of education should CWEA provide for certification preparation? These are the kinds of things we’ll be exploring over the next year.

If you are a manager who wants to make wise investments in your employee’s training and development, we especially need your input. Email us to get involved:pscott@westbaysanitary.org and Chris Lundeen, Director of Certification clundeen@cwea.org

We look forward to your input. Together we can be the best and the safest!Sincerely,

Phil Scott CWEA President

www.cwea.org CWEA MEMBER VALUE REPORT

Top CWEA Projects 15-16

Our goals this fiscal year include:

1. Build and renew our Association’s infrastructure to support continuing growth. Including: staff reorganization; onboarding staff; expanding the use of association management software; and developing a marketing plan

2. Develop a new strategic plan for the certification program so we can maintain our high standards

3. Implement our 21st Century Education Plan

4. Enhance Local Section Support and Services

1 www.cwea.org

PRESIDENT’S LETTER

What do you think? We need your support and want your input.

Please get involved and help us forge a path going forward.

MEMBERS MOVING FORWARDFEATURED MEMBERS

CWEA’s Certification Leaders

Cassie Prudhel CWEA Board of Directors

Chair, Training Coordination Meeting President, Cassandra Prudhel Consulting

Laboratory Analyst, Grade 4 Environmental Compliance Inspector, Grade 4

Cassie Prudhel started working in a wastewater laboratory in 1977 when she joined the City of South San Francisco.

In the mid-1990s the Santa Clara Valley Section needed a local section lab chair and she was recruited. Cassie volunteered and began planning training.

“I have most enjoyed planning training both at the local section level and the state level,” said Cassie.

Being a certified laboratory professional meant she had demonstrated her knowledge. To become a supervisor, her agency required a Grade 4 Lab Certification. Her advice to test takers is simple, “Study, study, study and don’t give up.”

“Wastewater will be the salvation of many drought stricken areas and it is exciting to be a part of that,” said Cassie. “You make many contacts in CWEA and can build a huge network of skilled professionals. You get back what you put in and I have put a lot of time into CWEA. I believe I’ve gotten back everything that I put in.”

Roy Reynolds CWEA Board of Directors

Chair, Technical Certification Program Maintenance Superintendent, Plant 1

Orange County Sanitation District

Mechanical Technologist, Grade 3

Roy Reynolds was recently promoted to Maintenance Superintendent for OCSD’s Plant #1 after 23 years of experience as a maintenance professional. He also spent 13 years as a CWEA leader serving on several committees. This year Roy chairs the Technical Certification Program and is on the Board of Directors.

“The benefit of CWEA for me is the incredible amount of contacts – I know more people through CWEA than anywhere else,” said Roy.

Like many, Roy didn’t start his career wanting to work at a wastewater treatment plant. “I just kind of fell into it,” he said.

Looking for work in the 1990s he applied to the Moulton Niguel Water District thinking he’d work at a drinking water plant. Turned out it was wastewater.

“Even 23 years ago Moulton Niguel was working on cutting edge stuff – water reuse and biosolids reuse. I really liked what they were doing, those are things I believe in as well. I saw a lot of job security in this sector and decided to stay.”

Dennis Lambert Volunteer TCP Moderator Collections Crew Leader Rodeo Sanitary District

SWRCB Operator, Grade 4 Collections Systems Maintenance, Grade 3

Electrical & Instrumentation, Grade 2 Industrial WTPO, Grade 2

Lab Analyst, Grade 1

During the recession of 2009, Dennis Lam-bert found himself out of a job and at a dead end with job searches until a fateful bike ride with his daughter as they rode by the Pinole WWTP. He noticed some opera-tors in “cool uniforms” and clipboards and thought to himself, “I can do that.” Several site visits later, he discovered CWEA and convinced himself to join as an operator-in-training.

He attended many dinner meetings, safety trainings and networking events, climbed up the certification ladder and became a Crew Leader with the Collections Depart-ment where he volunteers with the CWEA Collection Systems Committee today.

“I think what I like most about the Collec-tions Committee is the cohesion and dili-gence. We truly are brothers and sisters of the sewers,” said Dennis.

“Every class I have taken to prepare for my certifications has enhanced my under-standing of the great complexity of our tasks. Problems that I encounter are more easily resolved by the exposure that I have to all the moving parts.”

He prides himself on the daily activities that are focused on making the planet a better place to live, especially for our chil-dren. “Heck, sometimes I think my uniform should come with a cape!” he exclaims.

Dennis offers this advice to newbies, “be persistent, it will come…”

www.cwea.org 2

On the CoverThe Value of Water Coalition and our Water Environment Federation have rolled out a public relations campaign emphasizing water is essential. Your agency may use the ads free of charge.

www.TheValueofWater.org

WHAT’S THE VALUE OF WATER?Without clean water, soccer uniforms would never make it through the season.

Most of us never think about how clean water gets to us or where our dirty water goes. Luckily we don’t have to. Pumps, treatment plants, and pipes bring us clean water and carry our wastewater away.

But here’s a dirty secret about our water systems: They’re aging. They need investment so they can continue to deliver life’s most precious resource. All day, every day.

Water—Essential. Reliable. Invaluable.

#ValueWater

Learn how water works for you. Visit TheValueofWater.org.

Presented in cooperation with the Value of Water coalition

FEATURED MEMBERS

Certification Leaders

Tara McClinton Volunteer TCP Moderator

Lab Technician II Napa Sanitation District

Laboratory Analyst, Grade 4 Environmental Compliance Inspector, Grade 4

After a train derailment spilled toxic chemicals in the Sacramento River, high school student Tara McClinton started asking how the habitat would recover.

Fast forward to today and she is a lab technician at Napa Sanitation District. She received her degree in chemistry and environmental sciences from UC Santa Barbara and started off with a hazardous waste firm. Tara is now happily fulfilling her dream of keeping local watersheds and the San Francisco Bay clean.

As a lab analyst she was introduced to CWEA by her supervisor and started attending training events. In recent years Tara has volunteered to help with the Laboratory Analyst exam revalidation.

“Certification is important to our profession because it combines job knowledge and education to gauge the knowledge needed to perform specific tasks.”

Tara appreciates all the knowledge exchanged at CWEA events along with the networking opportunities. She believes certification is an invaluable resource.

“It has been fascinating to learn how the exam creation process functions. Learning how other labs perform analysis is always captivating and eye opening.”

Robert Gerena Volunteer TCP Moderator

Operations & Maintenance Supervisor City of Hayward Utilities

Mechanical Technologist, Grade 4

After completing his service in the Navy, Robert Gerena took college courses in wastewater treatment and today serves as the Utilities Operations and Maintenance Supervisor for the City of Hayward.

Serving as a moderator for the 2013 Mechanical Technologist Exam Revalidation Project, Robert grew familiar with the CWEA exam series.

“Certifications can be excellent avenues of conversation during interviews. It highlights intangible qualities an employer may be looking for such as versatility, motivation, the ability to adapt, dealing with stress, experience and knowledge.”

Certification is also an important way to prepare for leadership roles.

“Being certified and being certified at a level beyond what is required demonstrates initiative and can inspire and motivate subordinate employees to work beyond their job descriptions.”

Robert offers these tips for exam takers, “Use the study guides. Don’t memorize formulas, know what they mean. Knowing the math makes figuring out what’s being asked a much more logical process, and allows the test-taker to avoid being confused by the wording of a question.”

Robert suggests if you’re interested in working at a treatment plant – talk to people who work there & take plant tours.

Once you get hired, make yourself a valuable commodity. Become the authority on your plant’s operations. Devote effort to becoming known as the person who gets things done. You never when an opportunity for advancement will come your way.

CertificationBY THE NUMBERS

6,1234,000

1,400

500135

Certified Members

Members involved in Collection Systems

New applications for certification

Members attended a local certification preparation class.

Trained moderators who can host a cert prep class

CWEA MEMBER VALUE REPORT

Certification prep class in Los Angeles.

Certified Grade 3 or 4?Help Shape CWEA’s

Certification ProgramTake your knowledge and experience to a new level by volunteering to help develop CWEA’s certification exams and study guides. There is a wide range of opportunities that can fit your interests and your schedule.

To volunteer or learn more, contact: Vivien Malig Certification Manager 510.382.7800 x106 vmalig@cwea.org

“The requirement to continue training is vital because

it ensures we stay up to date with trends in the field.”

“Look for where you want to be and set yourself up to get there. Take classes, get certified and

interview for jobs. By doing this, you will be ready.”

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2014-2015 STRATEGIC PROJECT

21st Century Education

EducationBY THE NUMBERS

4,118

89%67%

1,879227

Attendees at State training events & conferences

Of attendees said sessions were valuable

Used what they learned to teach others

Attendees & Exhibitors

Educational Sessions

CWEA MEMBER VALUE REPORT

Enjoy Annual Conference?Help Plan AC 2016!

We’re looking for great volunteers to help organize the Annual Conference in Santa Clara. For details contact: conferences2@cwea.org

AC 2015 STATISTICS

I did really like the Opening Session and I felt the interactiveness worked well during the opening session

I enjoyed the wipes panel discussion and a presentation by the Irvine Ranch Water District

on their new plant upgrades.

The best tracks? All sessions in Fine-Tuning Filtration

Treatment Options & Utility of the Future

I really liked the message and delivery from

(Slam Poet) David Bowden

Awesome Opening Session! 5 stars. It captivated us and

grabbed our attention.

Overall, I thought this conference was one of the best

Annual Conferences. The Opening Session was great, as

was the Awards Lunch.

CWEA’s Education Team and Committees continue to work with our speakers to implement 21st Century Education principles, and we’re seeing great results.

We have reworked our educational planning process. First, we interview sector leaders to research the hot topics. What keeps them up at night? What do we need to focus on right now? What will help members get promoted?

This feedback then flows into our new AC Education Committee for the selection of

speakers. Next, we work with speakers to develop on target presentations on the critical issues and continue to build sections of audience interaction to ensure knowledge is transferred.

With better knowledge transfer and networking, good practices spread throughout our profession.

Next up? We’ll try, learn and adapt for all our programming including how to implement the Education Committee more widely to guide CWEA into the future!

Opening Session 2015. Photo by Eddie Salinas

CWEA leaders. Photo by Ralph Palomares

OCSD’s Jim Herberg and CWEA Past-President Simon Watson. Photo by Eddie Salinas

Collection Systems Breakfast. Photo by Cheryl Reiber

What2Flush Summit meeting. Photo by Cheryl Reiber

FEEDBACK FROM AC 2015 ATTENDEES

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INCOME EXPENSE

NET INCOME/ EXPENSE

PROGRAM Unaudited Unaudited Unaudited

Member benefits (supported by member dues)Awards program $0 $90,559 -$90,559Governance $0 $351,075 -$351,075Committee support $22,712 $69,476 -$46,763Local Sections support $0 $86,388 -$86,388Membership (dues/processing) $1,374,772 $370,369 $1,004,403Member Publications (E-Bulletin, Wastewater Professional, online directory, web site) $36,201 $137,533 -$101,332Miscellaneous* $874 $5,649 -$4,775Water Environment Federation $18,750 $48,378 -$29,628

Subtotal $1,453,310 $1,159,427 $293,882

Programs supported by user-fees (members receive discounted rates)

Conferences $1,376,950 $1,624,337 -$247,387Jobs Available Service (plus miscellaneous) $126,879 $0 $126,879Study guides $3,987 $6,822 -$2,835Technical Certification Program $756,052 $733,237 $22,815

Subtotal $2,263,867 $2,364,395 -$100,528

TOTAL $3,717,177 $3,523,822 $193,355

* Miscellaneous = SWRCB Op Cert exam support,Labels, Tri-TAC, Contengincy, SJW Prize, Water forPeople & WERF Donations

CWEA Income & Expenses by Program, FY 14-15 As of June 30, 2015

UNAUDITED(Local Section/Committee & Investment Activity not Included)

2014-2015 FINANCIAL REPORT

www.cwea.org

CWEA provides members with FY 14-15 audited results, including local section and committee financial activity, after their approval by the Board in January 2016. Watch your E-Bulletin and Wastewater Professional for them.

Top Volunteer Opportunities2015-2016

CWEA has volunteer leadership openings to fit your interests and your schedule. Contact a member of the CWEA Board of Directors to learn more! Some examples:

• Training Coordination Committee Vice Chair - help coordinate certification prep sessions across the State. Contact: Cassie Prudhel cprudhelconsulting@gmail.com

• Community Engagement & Outreach Committee Vice Chair from the South - help organize training events. Contact: Gretchen Mueller gmueller@cmsa.us

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CWEA Balance Sheet as of June 30, 2015

UNAUDITED versus June 30, 2014 Audited (Local Section & Committee Assets & Liabilities included)

2014-2015 FINANCIAL REPORT

CWEA Balance Sheet As of June 30, 2007

UNAUDITED(Local Sections Committees not included)

PreliminaryUnaudited AuditedJun 30, 15 Jun 30, 14 $ Change % Change

ASSETSCurrent Assets

Checking/SavingsGeneral Checking $193,198 $417,062 -$223,864 -54%Savings (Reserves) $580,872 $100,473 $480,399 478%

Total Checking/Savings $774,070 $517,535 $256,536 50%

Local Section & Committee Bank AccountsLocal Sections Checking Accounts $362,115 $355,958 $6,156 2%Conferences Committee Bank Accounts $177,986 $196,690 -$18,704 -10%Committee Bank Accounts $0 $34,557 -$34,557 -100%

Total Local Section & Committee Bank Accts $540,100 $587,205 -$47,104 -8%

Accounts ReceivableCWEA General Accounts Receivable $23,823 $14,014 $9,809 70%Member Dues Receivable $9,901 $11,709 -$1,808 -15%WEF Dues Receivable $14,586 $17,686 -$3,100 -18%Accrued Intereste Receivable $0 $0 $0 0%Annual Conference Receivables $3,120 $2,759 $361 13%

Total Accounts Receivable $51,430 $46,168 $5,261 11%

Other Current AssetsLocal Section & Committee Investments $214,158 $214,125 $33 0%

Inventory of Study Guides $6,780 $6,780 $0 0%

Furniture and FixturesComputer Equipment $134,634 $134,634 $0 0%Accumulated Depreciation -$159,409 -$158,104 -$1,305 1%Furniture and Fixtures--Other $26,073 $26,073 $0 0%

Total Furniture and Fixtures $1,298 $2,603 -$1,305 -50%

Prepaid Expenses $471,383 $349,814 $121,569 35%

Security Deposits $7,167 $7,167 $0 0%Smith Barney investment accounts (Reserves) $1,426,603 $1,406,721 $19,882 1%Local Agency Investment Fund (Reserves) $159,602 $159,212 $389 0%Petty Cash $781 $644 $138 21%

Total Other Current Assets $2,287,771 $2,147,066 $140,705 7%

Total Current Assets $3,653,371 $3,297,973 $355,398 11%

Other AssetsKirt Brooks Memorial Water Environment Scholarship Fund (Restricted) $472,418 $443,697 $28,722 6%

Total Other Assets $472,418 $443,697 $28,722 6%

TOTAL ASSETS $4,125,790 $3,741,670 $384,120 10%

LIABILITIES & EQUITYLiabilities

Current LiabilitiesAccounts Payable $47,334 $27,721 $19,613 71%Other Current Liabilities

Accrued Expenses $24,531 $21,263 $3,268 15%Deferred Revenue $405,404 $284,578 $120,826 42%Accrued Vacation $184,013 $182,435 $1,578 1%

Total Other Current Liabilities $613,947 $488,276 $125,671 26%Total Liabilities $661,281 $515,997 $145,284 28%Equity

Retained Earnings $2,622,624 $2,439,344 $183,280 8%Opening Balance Equity $603,049 $603,049 $0 0%Net Income $238,835 $183,280 $55,555 30%

Total Equity $3,464,508 $3,225,673 $238,835 7%

TOTAL LIABILITIES & EQUITY $4,125,790 $3,741,670 $384,120 10%

CWEA Balance SheetAs of June 30, 2015

UNAUDITED PRELIMINARY vs. Audited(Local Section & Committee Assets & Liabilities included)

6

“Are CWEA members worth it? You bet your

life they are. I have found CWEA certified workers

are safer, smarter and more creative in

developing solutions.”

Phil Scott CWEA President

ANNUAL REPORT

Fall is Awards Season for Local Sections.Learn more at www.cwea.org/awardsNOV: CWEA Leadership Seminars in Walnut Creek and Ontario

NOV: Laboratory Specialty Workshop in FountainValleyandMartinezMAR: P3S Conference, RiversideAPR: CWEA Annual Conference, Santa Clara

Events

See all upcoming events www.cwea.org/calendar

Meet Some of CWEA’s Volunteer Certification Leaders

“You make many contacts in CWEA and

can build a huge network of skilled professionals.”

Cassie Prudhel

“Learning how other labs perform analysis is always captivating and

eye opening.”

Tara McClinton

“The Collection Systems Committee has cohesion and diligence. We truly

are brothers and sisters of the sewers.”

Dennis Lambert

“Look for where you want to be and set

yourself up to get there. Take classes, get certified

and interview for jobs.”

Robert Gerena

“The benefit of CWEA for me is the incredible

amount of contacts – I know more people through CWEA than

anywhere else.”

Roy Reynolds

Read the interviews pages 2-3

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