HomeMy WebLinkAbout3.21.22 Board Correspondence - FW_ UFR IRWM Water Shortage Preparedness and Contingency Planning Pilot Project.ATTENTION: This message originated from outside Butte County. Please exercise judgment before opening
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From:Paulsen, Shaina
To:BOS
Subject:Board Correspondence - FW: UFR IRWM Water Shortage Preparedness and Contingency Planning Pilot Project
Date:Monday, March 21, 2022 11:32:06 AM
Attachments:PPT_DACI_Fact_Sheet 3-21-22_FINAL.pdf
UFR IRWM LSWS SSWS Cover Memo_Fact Sheet_3.21.22.pdf
Please see Board Correspondence.
Shaina Paulsen
Associate Clerk of The Board
Butte County Administration
25 County Center Drive, Suite 200, Oroville, CA 95965
T: 530.552.3304 | F: 530.538.7120
From: Uma Hinman <uhinman@comcast.net>
Sent: Monday, March 21, 2022 10:58 AM
Cc: Tracey Ferguson <TraceyFerguson@countyofplumas.com>; robrobinette@countyofplumas.com
Subject: UFR IRWM Water Shortage Preparedness and Contingency Planning Pilot Project
To: Stakeholders of the Upper Feather River IRWM Region
From: Upper Feather River Integrated Regional Water Management Group and Plumas
County
RE: UFR IRWM Region Water Shortage Preparedness and Contingency Planning Pilot
Project
In 2020, the UFR RWMG selected Plumas County to implement a technical assistance grant for a
pilot project intended to reduce the challenges that burden small water systems within DACs, EDAs,
Tribes, and rural communities in the Upper Feather River (UFR) Integrated Regional Water
Management (IRWM) Region by providing technical assistance, long-term planning strategies,
outreach, and coordination to increase resiliency and access to safe and affordable drinking water.
The Upper Feather River IRWM Region Water Shortage Preparedness and Contingency Planning Pilot
Project developed a framework for long-term water shortage preparedness and contingency
planning strategies that are tailored to the water needs and system vulnerabilities of Disadvantaged
Communities (DAC), Economically Distressed Areas (EDA), Tribal communities, and
underrepresented communities. The intent of the Pilot Project was to create a process and template
that could be replicated and implemented throughout the UFR Region.
Please join Plumas County for a webinar on March 31, 2022 at 11a.m. presenting the methodology
and results of a Upper Feather River Region Water Shortage Preparedness and Contingency Planning
Pilot Project.
Zoom Link: https://us02web.zoom.us/j/87901779918
By Phone: 1-669-900-6833
Meeting ID: 879 0177 9918
Attached to this email are a Cover Memorandum, Pilot Project Fact Sheet and a PowerPoint of the
webinar presentation.
Please contact me or Tracey Ferguson, Plumas County Planning Director, at (530) 283-6214 or by
email with any questions.
Uma Hinman, UFR RWMG Coordinator
Hinman & Associates Consulting, Inc.
(916) 813-0818
http://umahinman.com
Analysis of State Small and Local Small Water Systems
in the Mountain Counties Funding Area for the
Disadvantages Community Involvement Grant Program
FACT SHEET
Prepared in association with Sierra Institute and the Upper Feather River Integrated
Regional Water Management Group and funded through DWR Proposition 1
Disadvantaged Community Involvement Grant for the Mountain Counties Funding Area
March 31, 2022
Pilot Project Background
•2018: Sierra Institute entered into a Grant Agreement with the DWR to implement
the Proposition 1 Disadvantaged Community Involvement (DACI) Project for the
Mountain Counties Funding Area (MCFA)
•Memorandum of Commitment -each of the nine IRWM regions in the MCFA eligible
for approximately $45,000 in technical assistance (TA) funding
•The UFR RWMG selected Plumas County to implement the DACI TA project
•Pilot Project to develop long-term water shortage preparedness and contingency
planning strategies tailored to the water needs and system vulnerabilities of DACs,
EDAs, Tribal communities, and underrepresented communities in the UFR IRWM
Region
Pilot Project Objective
The Water Shortage Preparedness and Contingency Planning Pilot Project aims to
o Reduce the challenges that burden small water systems
o Provide technical assistance, long-term planning strategies, outreach, and coordination to increase
resiliency and access to safe and affordable drinking water
The intent of the Pilot Project is to create a process and template for implementation
throughout the UFR IRWM Region.
Pilot Project -Overarching Goals
•Conduct a UFR IRWM region-wide assessment to support the development of Water
Shortage Contingency Planning (WSCP)
•Facilitate the counties in the region to coordinate efforts when pursuing funding for
infrastructure upgrades and in developing regional and multi-benefit projects and
planning efforts
•Pilot Project data can be compared to study trends and patterns for identifying
common vulnerabilities across water systems in similar geographic regions
Project Scope of Work
•Step 1: water system inventory identifying all permitted State Small Water Systems
(SSWS) and Local Small Water Systems (LSWS) within Plumas County
•Step 2: needs assessment survey developed and distributed to SSWS and LSWS
providers to assess the current technical, managerial, and financial status of the
permitted small water systems
•Step 3: survey results tabulated and system vulnerability characteristics noted
•Step 4: development of intranet GIS web map to display permitted SSWS and LSWS
with their system characteristics and needs to inform planning strategies and grant
funding
•Step 5: development of a Fact Sheet, Cover Memo, and Informational Presentation
•Step 6: distribution of Pilot Project information and implementation of outreach
Pilot Project Fact Sheet Findings & Information
•General System Details –System Types
•System Locations
•Management Details
•System Source Information
•System Infrastructure Details
•System Vulnerabilities
General System Details –System Types
•64 total water systems
•21 SSWS
•40 LSWS
•Additional 3 permits are issued as Food Code Exempt Systems
•44 surveys returned (68% return rate)
64
44
40
21
3
0 10 20 30 40 50 60 70
Total Number of Systems
System Survey Received
LSWS
SSWS
Food Exempt
CHART 1: SYSTEM TYPE
System Locations
9754422222222211111111111111111CHART 2: SYSTEM COUNT BY COMMUNITY
Management Details
44%
56%
CHART 3: WATER SYSTEM MANAGEMENT
Owner is Operator Manager Assigned
27%
73%
CHART 4: CAPACITY FOR GRANT
APPLICATIONS
yes No
System Source Information
91%
9%
CHART 5: SOURCE TYPE
Well Spring
6
1
17
3
0 2 4 6 8 10 12 14 16 18
Spring
More than one source
Holding Tank
Treatment of well source
CHART 6: SYSTEM SOURCE INFORMATION
System Infrastructure Details
41%
35%
24%
CHART 7: WELL AGE
<20 years >20 years unknown
0
200
400
600
800
1000
1200
0 10 20 30 40 50 60 70FEET BELOW GROUND SURFACECHART 8: WELL TOTAL DEPTH
System Vulnerabilities
64
25
0
15
11
3
6
2
37
0 10 20 30 40 50 60 70
Total Number of Systems
Known or potential contamination sources
Reported Drought Impacts
Water Supply when power is out (gravity or back up power)
Fire Capacity
Mutual Aid
Standing Boil Water Notice or Bottled Water
Springs upgraded to well with Arsenic Issues
Systems with well logs
CHART 9: VULNERABILITIES
Disaster Preparedness
Local Hazard Mitigation Plan
Plumas County Local Hazard Mitigation Plan (LHMP) (October 2020).
•Action 17: Pilot Project
•System vulnerability assessments to help
identify and prioritize projects for disaster
planning
•Assists with promoting resiliency and
sustainability
•Droughts, wildfire, etc.
Intranet GIS Portal
Goals
•Identify system characteristics,
needs, and the parameter of
vulnerabilities amongst SSWS
and LSWS within Plumas County
•Implement long-term capacity
planning strategies and inform
SB 200 funding and AB 1688
funding
Intranet GIS Portal
Map Characteristics
•Service Area Boundaries
•Parcel Boundaries
•System Source (well or spring)
•System Infrastructure Details
•Holding Tank Details
•Treatment Details
•Connections and Service Details
•Source Type and Source Count
•Closest Systems
•Well Permit and Well Logs
Consolidation Opportunities & Barriers
Barriers
•Financial (Connection Fees)
•Distance to the closest
system
Opportunity
•Administrative consolidation
and/or functional
consolidation 9754422222222211111111111111111CHART 2: SYSTEM COUNT BY COMMUNITY
Active Funding Opportunities
Grant Title (with web links)Grantor Application
Deadline
Opportunity
Type
Total Est. Available
Funding
Period of
Performance
Letter of
Intent
Matched
Funding
Small Community Drought Relief Program Department of
Water Resources
12/29/2023 Grant $192,000,000 (est.
amount per award is
dependent)
3 years No No
The Safe and Affordable Funding for Equity
and Resilience Program (SAFER)
State Water
Resources Control
Board
Ongoing Grant $130,000,000 per year
(est. amount per award
is dependent)
4 years Yes No
Emergency Drinking Water/Cleanup &
Abatement Account Programs
State Water
Resources Control
Board
Ongoing Grant $9,700,000 (est. amount
per award is dependent)
2 years Yes No
Small Community Drinking Water (SCDW)
Funding Program
State Water
Resources Control
Board
Ongoing Grant, Loan $50,000,000
(est. amount per award
is dependent)
3-5 years No No
Small Community Clean
Water/Wastewater (SCWW) Funding
State Water
Resources Control
Board
Ongoing Grant, Loan $110,000,000 (est.
amount per award is
dependent)
3-5 years No No
Drinking Water State Revolving Fund
(DWSRF) Planning
State Water
Resources Control
Board
Ongoing Grant, Loan $10,000,000 (est.
$250,000 -$500,000 per
award)
2 years No No
Drinking Water State Revolving Fund
(DWSRF) Construction
State Water
Resources Control
Board
Ongoing Grant, Loan $280,000,000 (est.
$2,000,000 -
$10,000,000 per award)
4 years No No
Conclusions
•The intent of the technical assistance resources and information is to assist UFR
IRWM Region counties such as Butte, Lassen, and Sierra in an effort to expand and
develop a regional system-wide assessment to inform WSCP
•GIS data from other UFR IRWM Region counties could be integrated into the Plumas
DACTI Inventory Data Map:
o compare study patterns and trends,
o identify common vulnerabilities for systems in similar geographic regions,
o combine efforts to pursue funding, and
o develop regional and multi-benefit projects and planning efforts.
Communications Plan
•The next step is to distribute the pilot project information and analysis to the
contributing SSWS and LSWS, Plumas County leadership and community members,
and UFR IRWM stakeholders through various means of communication (e.g., calls,
emails, and webinar)
•One of the primary tasks is to facilitate meetings with potential water system
consolidation partners to discuss WSCP strategies using the results of the survey
•Contact DAC and Tribal community water system owners and SSWS and LSWS
owners and operators for either virtual meetings, conference calls, or in-person
meetings
Grant Ends March 31, 2022
Questions?
If interested in technical assistance, please contact:
Tracey Ferguson, AICP, Plumas County Planning Director
530-283-6214
traceyferguson@countyofplumas.com
Rob Robinette, Plumas County Environmental Health Interim Director
530-283-6593
robrobinette@countyofplumas.com
MEMORANDUM
DATE: March 21, 2022
TO: Upper Feather River (UFR) Integrated Regional Water Management (IRWM) Region
FROM: Plumas County Planning Department and Environmental Health Department in partnership with UFR River Regional Water Management Group (RWMG)
RE: UFR IRWM Region Water Shortage Preparedness and Contingency Planning Pilot Project – FACT SHEET Dear UFR IRWM stakeholders, In 2018, Sierra Institute entered into a Grant Agreement with DWR to implement the Proposition 1 Disadvantaged Community Involvement (DACI) Project for the Mountain Counties Funding Area (MCFA) where each of the nine IRWM regions in the MCFA were eligible for approximately $45,000 in technical assistance funding. The UFR RWMG selected Plumas County to lead a Water Shortage Preparedness and
Contingency Planning Pilot Project, or a program to develop long-term water shortage preparedness and contingency planning strategies that are tailored to the water needs and system vulnerabilities of Disadvantaged Communities (DAC), Economically Distressed Areas (EDA), Tribal communities, and underrepresented communities. The Pilot Project aims to reduce the challenges that burden small water systems within DACs, EDAs, Tribes, and rural communities in the UFR IRWM region by providing technical assistance, long-term planning strategies, outreach, and coordination to increase resiliency and access to safe and affordable drinking water. The intent of the Pilot Project is to create a process and template for implementation throughout the UFR IRWM Region.
UPPER FEATHER RIVER IRWM
www.featherriver.org
PLUMAS COUNTY
www.countyofplumas.com
March 21, 2022
MEMORANDUM
UFR IRWM Region Water Shortage Preparedness and Contingency Planning Pilot Project – FACT SHEET
Page 2
The implementation of the Pilot Project began with the development of a water system inventory identifying all permitted State Small Water Systems (SSWS) and Local Small Water Systems (LSWS) within Plumas County. Using this information, a needs assessment survey was developed and distributed to SSWS and LSWS providers to assess current technical, managerial, and financial status of the permitted small water systems. The survey results were then tabulated and system vulnerability characteristics were noted. An intranet GIS web map was created to display the permitted SSWS and LSWS with their system characteristics and needs that can be used to inform planning strategies and grant funding. Additionally, the information was analyzed to identify consolidation candidates, trends, system vulnerabilities, and other notable information. The culmination of the findings and information is presented in the attached Fact Sheet:
Analysis of State Small and Local Small Water Systems in the Mountain Counties Funding Area
for the Disadvantaged Community Involvement Grant Program. One of the overarching goals of the Pilot Project is to conduct a region-wide assessment to support the development of Water Shortage Contingency Planning (WSCP) across the UFR IRWM region. This would allow counties like Plumas, Lassen, Sierra, and Butte to combine their efforts when pursuing funding for infrastructure upgrades and in developing regional and multi-benefit projects and planning efforts. Additionally, Pilot Project data can be compared to study trends and patterns for identifying common vulnerabilities across water systems in similar geographic regions. Plumas County is offering technical assistance to other counties in the UFR IRWM region to help assist in implementing a similar project to reduce the challenges that burden small water systems within DACs, EDAs, Tribes, and rural communities. If interested, please contact:
• Tracey Ferguson, AICP, Plumas County Planning Director, 530-283-6214 or traceyferguson@countyofplumas.com
• Rob Robinette, Plumas County Environmental Health Interim Director, 530-283-6593 or robrobinette@countyofplumas.com
• Uma Hinman, Upper Feather River Integrated Regional Water Management Group Coordinator, 916-813-0818 or uhinman@comcast.net
Analysis of State Small and Local Small Water Systems
in the Mountain Counties Funding Area for the
Disadvantaged Community Involvement Grant Program
FACT SHEET
FEBRUARY 28, 2022
Prepared in association with Sierra Institute for Community and Environment and the
Upper Feather River Integrated Regional Water Management Group and funded through
DWR Proposition 1 Disadvantaged Community Involvement Grant
for the Mountain Counties Funding Area
TABLE OF CONTENTS
Acknowledgements ............................................................................................................... 1
Acronyms .............................................................................................................................. 2
Definitions ............................................................................................................................. 4
Introduction .......................................................................................................................... 6
General System Details .......................................................................................................... 7
Management Details ............................................................................................................. 8
System Details ....................................................................................................................... 9
System Infrastructure Details .............................................................................................. 10
System Vulnerabilities ......................................................................................................... 11
Disaster Preparedness ......................................................................................................... 12
GIS Portal ............................................................................................................................ 12
Consolidation Opportunities ................................................................................................ 13
Funding Opportunities ......................................................................................................... 15
Conclusions ......................................................................................................................... 22
Communications Plan .......................................................................................................... 22
Resources and Links............................................................................................................. 24
FACT SHEET
Analysis of State Small and Local Small Water Systems
in the Mountain Counties Funding Area for the
Disadvantages Community Involvement Grant Program
1 | Page
ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS
Plumas County (Plumas) recognizes and acknowledges the Department of Water Resources (DWR) for their
funding award to plan, develop, and implement a needs assessment survey tool, Geographic Information
Systems (GIS) mapping, and this Fact Sheet through the Proposition 1 Mountain Counties Funding Area (MCFA)
Disadvantaged Community Involvement (DACI) Award Technical Assistance Grant to the Upper Feather River
(UFR) Integrated Regional Water Management (IRWM) Region. The UFR Regional Water Management Group
selected Plumas County to implement the Technical Assistance Grant for this Pilot Project on behalf of the
region.
This grant award gave Plumas County the capacity to implement the community needs assessment survey, GIS
mapping, and this Fact Sheet. These tools and resources will promote resiliency at a local level and can be used
to lessen the burdens faced by State Small Water Systems (SSWS), Local Small Water Systems (LSWS),
Disadvantaged Communities (DACs), and Tribal communities.
Plumas County acknowledges Sierra Institute for Community and Environment (Sierra Institute) and the Sierra
Water Workgroup, the authors of The Mountain Counties Funding Area Integrated Regional Water Management
Disadvantaged Community Involvement Program: Community Well-Being & Water and Wastewater Needs
Assessments for the Mountain Counties Funding Area. Their construction of the community capacity and
community well-being assessment tools capture the unique burdens faced by rural mountainous communities,
which often are managed using other common methods. Their work is pivotal to addressing the community
needs in the MCFA.
Plumas County recognizes the water system owners and water system operators who were integral to the pilot
project and provided us their time, knowledge, and participation in the survey. The technical assistance tools
would not be possible without their help.
Plumas County would also like to acknowledge the Plumas County GIS department staff for the delivery of the
DACTI Inventory Data Map. The map will serve as an imperative tool that can provide insight into the needs and
system vulnerabilities of communities in the MCFA and UFR IRWM.
FACT SHEET
Analysis of State Small and Local Small Water Systems
in the Mountain Counties Funding Area for the
Disadvantages Community Involvement Grant Program
2 | Page
ACRONYMS
AB1688 Assembly Bill 1688: Water Management Planning
CDAG County Drought Advisory Group
CAA Cleanup and Abatement Account
CDAG County Drought Advisory Group
CSD Community Service District
CWA Federal Water Pollution Control Act (Clean Water Act)
DAC Disadvantaged Community
DACI Disadvantaged Community Involvement
DACTI Disadvantaged Community and Tribal Involvement
DFA Division of Financial Assistance
DWR Department of Water Resources
DWSRF Drinking Water State Revolving Fund
EDA Economically Distressed Area
FEMA Federal Emergency Management Agency
GIS Geographic Information Systems
GSA Groundwater Sustainability Agency
IRWM Integrated Regional Water Management
IVCSD Indian Valley Community Service District
LSWS Local Small Water System
LHMP Local Hazard Mitigation Plan
MCFA Mountain Counties Funding Area
MHI Median Household Income
PRC Public Resources Code
RWMG Regional Water Management Group
SB200 Senate Bill 200: The Safe and Affordable Drinking Water Fund legislation
SADW Safe and Affordable Drinking Water
SAFER Safe and Affordable Funding for Equity and Resilience Program
SCWW Small Community Clean Water/Wastewater
SCDW Small Community Drinking Water
FACT SHEET
Analysis of State Small and Local Small Water Systems
in the Mountain Counties Funding Area for the
Disadvantages Community Involvement Grant Program
3 | Page
SDAC Severely Disadvantaged Community
SDWA Safe Drinking Water Act
SGM Sustainable Groundwater Management
SGMA Sustainable Groundwater Management Act
SRWS State-Regulated Water System
SSWS State Small Water System
UFR Upper Feather River
WRCB California State Water Resources Control Board
WSCP Water Shortage Contingency Plan
FACT SHEET
Analysis of State Small and Local Small Water Systems
in the Mountain Counties Funding Area for the
Disadvantages Community Involvement Grant Program
4 | Page
DEFINITIONS
Disadvantaged Community (DAC): An area with an annual median household income that is less than 80% of
the Statewide annual median household income (California Public Resource Code Section 75005(g)).
Economically Distressed Area (EDA): EDA is a municipality with a population of 20,000 persons or less, a rural
county, or a reasonably isolated and divisible segment of a larger municipality with a population of 20,000
persons or less, with a median household income that is less than 85% of the Statewide Median Household
Income (MHI), and with one or more of the following conditions:
1) Financial hardship
2) Unemployment rate at least 2% of higher than statewide average
3) Low population density
Federally Recognized Tribe: As identified in CFR Section 900.6 an Indian Tribe “means any Indian tribe, band,
nation or other organized group or community, including pueblos, Rancherias, colonies and any Alaska
Native Village, or regional or village corporation as defined in or established pursuant to the Alaska Native
Claims Settlement Act, which recognized as eligible for the special programs and services provided by the
United States to Indians because of their status as Indians.”
Local Small Water System (LSWS): A county regulated water supply system that does not meet the Title 22,
California Code of Regulations, definition of a public water system or a state small water system but requires
safe water for other purposes, such as food preparation, public assembly or lodging. Some examples include
fairgrounds, rodeo grounds, small restaurants or lodging facilities. These systems serve less than twenty-five
(25) individuals daily on a year-long basis or serve more than twenty-five (25) individuals daily for not more
than sixty (60) days of the year. (Plumas County Code Sec. 6-9.04. – Definitions.)
Non-Federally Recognized Tribe: According to the U.S. Department of the Interior, a non-recognized tribe has
no relationship with the United States. Congress, not the Department of the Interior, has the final word as
to whether a tribe should be federally recognized and whether a non-recognized tribe may nevertheless
receive certain federal benefits.
[The] Safe and Affordable Drinking Water Fund (SB200): A bill establishing the Safe and Affordable Drinking
Water Fund, which will provide $130 million on an annual basis to help local water systems provide safe
drinking water.
Severely Disadvantaged Community (SDAC): United States Census geographies having less than 60% of the
Statewide annual median household income.
FACT SHEET
Analysis of State Small and Local Small Water Systems
in the Mountain Counties Funding Area for the
Disadvantages Community Involvement Grant Program
5 | Page
State-Regulated Water System (SRWS): A community water system with two hundred (200) or more service
connections that is regulated by the California Department of Health Services to ensure compliance with the
California Safe Drinking Water Act. (Plumas County Code Sec. 6-9.04. – Definitions.)
State Small Water System (SSWS): A county regulated water supply system subject to Chapter 14, Article 3 of
Title 22, California Code of Regulations. State Small Water Systems serve five (5) or more, but less than
fifteen (15) service connections and have a population of less than twenty-five (25) year-round residents.
State small water systems shall be organized as mutual benefit water corporations, or managed under
similar approved management structures. (Plumas County Code Sec. 6-9.04. – Definitions.)
Tribal Communities: Tribal Communities refers to both Federally Recognized and Non-Federally recognized
Tribes.
FACT SHEET
Analysis of State Small and Local Small Water Systems
in the Mountain Counties Funding Area for the
Disadvantages Community Involvement Grant Program
6 | Page
INTRODUCTION
The Plumas County Planning Department, GIS Department, and Environmental Health Department jointly
developed a needs assessment survey tool to evaluate State Small Water Systems (SSWS) and Local Small Water
Systems (LSWS) needs within Plumas County. Additionally, the GIS Department constructed an intranet web-
based GIS map to visually depict the survey results and system details of permitted SSWS and LSWS. This survey
approach and analysis methodology served as a pilot project that could be expanded to the entire Mountain
Counties Funding Area (MCFA).
Water system surveys were sent to all 64 permitted water systems in Plumas County. A total of 44 surveys were
returned (68% return rate). This Fact Sheet was developed using the water system survey responses and
Environmental Health Department water system file data.
The Prop 1 DACI Program provided grant funding to support the involvement of disadvantaged communities
(DACs), economically distressed areas (EDAs), Tribal communities, and underrepresented communities in IRWM
planning efforts. Funded activities include needs assessments, technical assistance, site assessment, education,
outreach and engagement, and project planning.
The pilot project is a deliverable of the Upper Feather River IRWM Region’s Technical Assistance task of the
Mountain Counties Funding Area Integrated Regional Water Management Disadvantaged Community
Involvement Program, managed by the Sierra Institute for Community and Environment and the Sierra Water
Group, the MCFA grantee of the DACI Award grant program. Small water systems serving DACs and vulnerable
populations in the MCFA, including the UFR IRWM Region, face significant challenges trying to access safe and
affordable drinking water, despite the Sierra Nevada providing up to 60% of the developed water in state1. The
report recommends further focus on water shortage preparedness and contingency planning for DACs facing
the inter-related threats of climate change, failing water sources, and extreme wildfire risk.
The results and recommendations helped inform the goals of this pilot project, which is to utilize the survey and
analysis to assist small water system owners and operators with developing Water Shortage Contingency Plans
(WSCP) that are tailored to their system needs and vulnerabilities. WSCPs provide step-by-step preparation
plans to effectively respond to prolonged water shortages and various stages of drought. Further, the pilot
efforts can also help identify projects for consolidation candidates and inform funding from The Safe and
Affordable Drinking Water Fund (SB200) and AB1688 County Drought Advisory Group (CDAG) funding.
1 Mountain Counties Funding Area Integrated Regional Water Management Disadvantaged Community Involvement Program:
Community Well-Being & Water and Wastewater Needs Assessments for Upper Feather River IRWM (pg. 3)
FACT SHEET
Analysis of State Small and Local Small Water Systems
in the Mountain Counties Funding Area for the
Disadvantages Community Involvement Grant Program
7 | Page
GENERAL SYSTEM DETAILS
System Types
A water system inventory was created using Plumas County Environmental Health Department’s permitting
records for SSWS and LSWS. Plumas County permits a total of 64 water systems, 21 of which are SSWS and 40
of which are LSWS (Chart 1). An additional 3 permits are issued as Food Code Exempt systems.
There are a handful of water systems operating throughout Plumas County that are likely SSWS or LSWS, but
that are not currently permitted. Outreach and permitting with these systems are currently ongoing through
Environmental Health staff work, although no outreach was conducted with these systems for the purpose of
this pilot project.
System Locations
Plumas County encompasses 2,554 square miles of land with four main populated regions.
Each of the four population centers have community water systems (State-Regulated Water System), the
smaller outlying communities are generally not connected to State-Regulated Water System and rely on smaller
water system permitting categories. While 26 communities have 1 to 2 small water systems, only 5 communities
have 2+ small water systems (Chart 2). Cromberg, Taylorsville, East Almanor, Canyon Dam, and Quincy have the
most SSWS and LSWS.
64
44
40
21
3
0 10 20 30 40 50 60 70
Total Number of Systems
System Survey Received
LSWS
SSWS
Food Exempt
CHART 1: SYSTEM TYPE
FACT SHEET
Analysis of State Small and Local Small Water Systems
in the Mountain Counties Funding Area for the
Disadvantages Community Involvement Grant Program
8 | Page
MANAGEMENT DETAILS
Charts 3 and 4 give a brief overview
of the SSWS and LSWS management
operations.
44% of systems are owner operated
and 56% have assigned/designated
water system managers.
Water system operators were asked
if grant funding for system upgrades
were available would they have
administrative capacity to apply for
grants, 73% of respondence
indicated they do not have
administrative capacity for grant
applications. 9754422222222211111111111111111CHART 2: SYSTEM COUNT BY COMMUNITY
27%
73%
CHART 4: CAPACITY
FOR GRANT
APPLICATIONS
yes No
44%
56%
CHART 3: WATER
SYSTEM
MANAGEMENT
Owner is Operator
Manager Assigned
FACT SHEET
Analysis of State Small and Local Small Water Systems
in the Mountain Counties Funding Area for the
Disadvantages Community Involvement Grant Program
9 | Page
SYSTEM DETAILS
System Source Information
A majority of water systems are supplied by wells (91%) (Chart 5), only 6
water system rely on spring sources for water system supply (Chart 6).
Four systems have treatment of the water system.
Only one water system has more than one source of water supply to their
water system.
Seventeen water systems have at least some capacity to store water
within the system in holding tank(s).
6
1
17
3
0 2 4 6 8 10 12 14 16 18
Spring
More than one source
Holding Tank
Treatment of well source
CHART 6: SYSTEM SOURCE INFORMATION
91%
9%
CHART 5: SOURCE
TYPE
Well Spring
FACT SHEET
Analysis of State Small and Local Small Water Systems
in the Mountain Counties Funding Area for the
Disadvantages Community Involvement Grant Program
10 | Page
SYSTEM INFRASTRUCTURE DETAILS
The primary infrastructure component that was reviewed was
well age and depth.
41% of SSWS and LSWS wells were installed in the last 20 years
(Chart 7).
Average well depth is 281 feet below ground surface (Chart 8);
however, well depth is highly variable throughout the County
as a reflection of the complex geology throughout Plumas
County region.
41%
35%
24%
CHART 7: WELL AGE
<20 years >20 years unknown
0
200
400
600
800
1000
1200
0 10 20 30 40 50 60 70FEET BELOW GROUND SURFACECHART 8: WELL TOTAL DEPTH
FACT SHEET
Analysis of State Small and Local Small Water Systems
in the Mountain Counties Funding Area for the
Disadvantages Community Involvement Grant Program
11 | Page
SYSTEM VULNERABILITIES
Several vulnerabilities were identified by survey data as well as historic Environmental Health Department
inspection information (Chart 9).
Additional vulnerabilities identified include only 34% of SSWS and LSWS have water during a power outage,
generally water systems that do have water supply during a power outage have back-up power generation of
some kind, few water systems are gravity-fed and not power dependent. Only 25% of water systems self-
identified as having any kind of fire capacity at their facility, and only 7% of systems identified having a mutual
aid plan (none of which are formal agreements).
The number one known vulnerability is water systems that are either currently on standing boil water notice or
have historically had a standing boil water notice. These systems tend to be in the Feather River Canyon along
Highway 70 and Highway 89. At least two of these systems have lost their water rights from historic springs and
attempted to drill a commercial well; however, the wells had water quality issues of their own. One system has
installed a water treatment facility, and the other abandoned the well.
64
25
0
15
11
3
6
2
37
0 10 20 30 40 50 60 70
Total Number of Systems
Known or potential contamination sources
Reported Drought Impacts
Water Supply when power is out (gravity or back up power)
Fire Capacity
Mutual Aid
Standing Boil Water Notice or Bottled Water
Springs upgraded to well with Arsenic Issues
Systems with well logs
CHART 9: VULNERABILITIES
FACT SHEET
Analysis of State Small and Local Small Water Systems
in the Mountain Counties Funding Area for the
Disadvantages Community Involvement Grant Program
12 | Page
DISASTER PREPAREDNESS
The assessment of system vulnerabilities can assist water system operators with identification and prioritization
of projects for disaster preparedness planning, helping small systems become less vulnerable to risks such as
water contamination, aging infrastructure, deepened wells, power outages, extreme drought conditions,
dependence on one water source, increased wildfire risk, and other impacts touched upon in the survey.
Information collected from the survey can be utilized to pursue grant funding for infrastructure improvement
projects as well as identify capacity needs to implement projects and help agencies tailor their own water
shortage contingency planning strategies at a local level. Water shortage contingency planning strategies are
critical for small and vulnerable water systems to address failing water source issues and promote resiliency and
sustainability, especially in the face of current drought conditions and wildfire events.
Further disaster preparedness goals and objectives are described in the Plumas County Local Hazard Mitigation
Plan (LHMP) (October 2020). The LHMP outlines the community’s mitigation strategy and actions to reduce or
eliminate the risk of hazards to people and property. The pilot project is included in the LHMP under Action 17:
Water Shortage Preparedness and Contingency Planning Pilot Project to address climate change, drought, and
water shortage hazards and meet Goals 1-7 (see pages 8-9 for Mitigation Strategy Goals). Additionally, actions
to increase water availability, supply, and storage capacity in response to impacts such as current and future
droughts and increased threat of catastrophic wildfire are outlined in Action 18: Water Supply Infrastructure
Improvements. The UFR IRWM Plan includes Regional Water Management Group (RWMG)-nominated
candidate projects that implement these goals and receive Proposition 1 IRWM Implementation grant award
funding for support.
GIS PORTAL
The DACTI Inventory Data Map is an interactive GIS web map that displays all known SSWS and LSWS in Plumas
County. The intranet map was constructed by the Plumas County GIS Department using Plumas County
Environmental Health water system file data, the needs assessment survey results, DWR data, and other Public
Water System references.
The goal of the map is to be an informative tool to identify the system characteristics, needs, and the parameter
of vulnerabilities amongst SSWS and LSWS within Plumas County, which can be used to implement long-term
capacity planning strategies as well as inform SB200 funding and AB1688 CDAG funding.
FACT SHEET
Analysis of State Small and Local Small Water Systems
in the Mountain Counties Funding Area for the
Disadvantages Community Involvement Grant Program
13 | Page
Data represented on the map includes service area boundaries, parcel boundaries2, system source (well or
spring), system infrastructure details, and other notable system details. More details/layers include system
vulnerabilities, closest systems, source type and source count, holding tank details, treatment details,
connections and service details, well permit, and well logs.
County users can also utilize mapping tools such as the query tool, the data summary tool, and the measure tool
to measure distance and total area. The query tool can search a water system by system number and/or by
system name, and the data summary tool can compare the spatial relationship between two map features, such
as water systems or source points.
CONSOLIDATION OPPORTUNITIES
Generally speaking, when considering methods to decrease system vulnerabilities, consolidation opportunities
is one of the first considerations (Chart 10); however, the consolidation process in rural areas experience the
following primary barriers:
1) Financial, either the connection fee to the existing larger system is more expensive than managing their own
water system, or the distance to connection is cost prohibitive.
a. A case example of this is Spring Meadow Cabins located within the Indian Valley Community Service
District (IVCSD) service area. The owner found that the cost to extend the IVCSD water main to the
parcel and connect to it was more expensive than replacing the spring source with a new commercial
water supply well. The Spring Meadows Cabin system installed a commercial well in 2020 rather than
connecting to the IVCSD.
2) Distance to closest system is a factor for logistically connecting systems:
a. An analysis of the closest water system to all SSWS and LSWS determined that the average linear
distance to the next closest water system is ¾ of a mile; with the closest being 0 miles and the furthers
being 5.8 miles. Any category of water system was used as ‘next closest’ water system, most
Community Services Districts are significantly further away. The true distance to connect these SSWS
and LSWS to neighboring or larger water systems would be much greater, as straight-line connections
are generally not possible in many of these areas.
b. When considering which communities have the most SSWS and LSWS see Chart 2. The systems in
these communities: Cromberg, Taylorsville, East Shore Lake Almanor, Canyon Dam, and Quincy are
where future consolidation efforts should be focused.
2 Boundaries represent general location only and should not be used as the exact legal boundary location. Do not use for survey
purposes.
FACT SHEET
Analysis of State Small and Local Small Water Systems
in the Mountain Counties Funding Area for the
Disadvantages Community Involvement Grant Program
14 | Page
3) Water system capacity to provide water to additional connections in the event of a merger was not included
as part of this evaluation, as most small water systems do not know how much water they are using, or how
much water capacity exists within their system.
4) Administrative consolidation and/or functional consolidation would make the most sense for the SSWS and
LSWS reviewed. This is based on the analysis of distances between systems, as well as survey responses to
the administrative capacity for grant writing question, and the number of known owner operator systems.
a. A good example of administrative consolidation is the Feather River Canyon CSD, which manages
three of the 5 SSWS and LSWS in the Feather River Canyon. While these systems are not physically
connected or sharing water, they are sharing administrative resources and knowledge.
0
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
0 10 20 30 40 50 60 70LINEAR MILESCHART 10: CLOSEST WATER SYSTEM
FACT SHEET
Analysis of State Small and Local Small Water Systems
in the Mountain Counties Funding Area for the
Disadvantages Community Involvement Grant Program
15 | Page
FUNDING OPPORTUNITIES
The Department of Water Resources (DWR) and the State Water Resources Control Board (WRCB) offer a variety
of funding opportunities that could help fund SSWS and LSWS projects in the MCFA, including grants and loans
for drought relief, water affordability, and clean drinking water.
Below are both active and forecasted grant funding opportunities (Table 1 and Table 2) at the time of this Fact
Sheet that public agencies, Tribal governments, and nonprofit organizations can pursue to plan and/or construct
system upgrades for SSWS and LSWS.
A summary list of the funding opportunities are as follows:
• Small Community Drought Relief Program
• The Safe and Affordable Funding for Equity and Resilience Program (SAFER)
• Emergency Drinking Water/Cleanup & Abatement Account Programs
• Small Community Drinking Water (SCDW) Funding Program
• Small Community Clean Water/Wastewater (SCWW) Funding
• Drinking Water State Revolving Fund (DWSRF) Planning
• Drinking Water State Revolving Fund (DWSRF) Construction
• Proposition 1 – Round 2 Integrated Regional Water Management (IRWM) Implementation Grant
Program
• Sustainable Groundwater Management (SGM) Grant Program’s Proposition 68 Implementation
Round 2
FACT SHEET
Analysis of State Small and Local Small Water Systems
in the Mountain Counties Funding Area for the
Disadvantages Community Involvement Grant Program
16 | Page
Table 1: Active Grant Funding Opportunities
Grant Title (with web links) Grantor Application
Deadline
Opportunity
Type
Total Est. Available
Funding
Period of
Performance
Letter of
Intent
Matched
Funding
Small Community Drought Relief
Program
Department of
Water
Resources
12/29/2023 Grant $192,000,000 (est.
amount per award is
dependent)
3 years No No
The Safe and Affordable Funding for
Equity and Resilience Program (SAFER)
State Water
Resources
Control Board
Ongoing Grant $130,000,000 per
year
(est. amount per
award is dependent)
4 years Yes No
Emergency Drinking Water/Cleanup &
Abatement Account Programs
State Water
Resources
Control Board
Ongoing Grant $9,700,000 (est.
amount per award is
dependent)
2 years Yes No
Small Community Drinking Water
(SCDW) Funding Program
State Water
Resources
Control Board
Ongoing Grant, Loan $50,000,000
(est. amount per
award is dependent)
3-5 years No No
Small Community Clean
Water/Wastewater (SCWW) Funding
State Water
Resources
Control Board
Ongoing Grant, Loan $110,000,000 (est.
amount per award is
dependent)
3-5 years No No
Drinking Water State Revolving Fund
(DWSRF) Planning
State Water
Resources
Control Board
Ongoing Grant, Loan $10,000,000 (est.
$250,000 - $500,000
per award)
2 years No No
Drinking Water State Revolving Fund
(DWSRF) Construction
State Water
Resources
Control Board
Ongoing Grant, Loan $280,000,000 (est.
$2,000,000 -
$10,000,000 per
award)
4 years No No
Best available funding information as of January 2022.
FACT SHEET
Analysis of State Small and Local Small Water Systems
in the Mountain Counties Funding Area for the
Disadvantages Community Involvement Grant Program
17 | Page
Small Community Drought Relief Program
The DWR’s Small Community Drought Relief Program provides authorized agencies with interim or immediate
relief for near-term financial and technical support to help small communities respond to current and future
drought events. Eligible applicants include nonprofits, public agencies, and Tribal government. Funding is
granted on a first-come, first-serve basis. Projects must be in counties included in Governor Newson’s State of
Emergency Proclamations for 2021. Eligible projects must demonstrate at least one of the following:
• Address immediate impacts on human health and safety, including providing or improving availability of
food, water, or shelter
• Address immediate impacts on fish and wildlife resources
• Provide water to persons or communities that lose or are threatened with the loss or contamination of
water supplies
Grant funding can go towards projects such as implementing reliable water supply resources, improving water
system storage, replacing aging infrastructure, providing back-up power sources, temporary community water
tanks, and hauled water.
The Safe and Affordable Funding for Equity and Resilience Program (SAFER)
Another potential funding opportunity is WRCB’s SAFER program. The program was established by the Safe and
Affordable Drinking Water (SADW) Fund through SB200 to provide safe and affordable drinking water to all
Californians. Eligible reimbursement costs include operations and maintenance costs, cost of consolidating with
larger systems, provision of replacement water, and funding for administrators to run the small systems.
Projects must benefit a DAC or low-income households or communities.
Emergency Drinking Water/Cleanup & Abatement Account Program
WRCB’s Emergency Drinking Water/Cleanup & Abatement Account Program is funded by the Cleanup and
Abatement Account (CAA), which provides grants for cleanup or abatement of a condition of pollution/waste
on State waters when there are no possible agencies to perform the work and to address urgent drinking water
needs due to drought, contamination, or other emergencies eligible for funding. Eligible applicants include
public agencies, Tribal governments that are also a DAC, and nonprofit organizations serving a DAC or
community water systems that serve a DAC.
FACT SHEET
Analysis of State Small and Local Small Water Systems
in the Mountain Counties Funding Area for the
Disadvantages Community Involvement Grant Program
18 | Page
Small Community Drinking Water (SCDW) Funding Program
Another project funding opportunity is the WRCB’s Small Community Drinking Water (SCDW) Funding Program,
administered by the Office of Sustainable Water Solutions. The program offers financial assistance to small DACs
to implement drinking water infrastructure improvement projects, including planning/design and construction
projects. Financial assistance is awarded through grants (see current Drinking Water Intended Use Plan for
financing limits), low-interest loans, and principal forgiveness. Eligible applicants include publicly-owned
community water systems, privately-owned community water systems, non-profit or publicly-owned non-
community water systems, and community water systems created by the project.
Successful applicants will demonstrate that their project addresses human health risks to drinking water and/or
achieves or maintains drinking water compliance with federal and state drinking water laws. Examples of eligible
projects include water treatment systems, distribution systems, water sources, water meters, interconnections,
consolidations, and pipeline extensions.
Small Community Clean Water/Wastewater (SCWW) Funding
WRCB’s also offers the Small Community Clean Water/Wastewater (SCWW) Funding program administered by
the Office of Sustainable Water Solutions. The program provides financial assistance to help small DACs
implement water quality improvement projects (planning/design and/or construction) for public-owned
facilities. Funding is awarded in the form of low-interest loans, grants (see current Drinking Water Intended Use
Plan for financing limits), and principal forgiveness. Eligible applicants include cities, towns, districts, other public
body, Tribal governments, authorized Native American Tribal organizations having jurisdiction over disposal of
sewage, industrial wastes or other wastes, Section 208 of Clean Water Act (CWA) designated and approved
management agencies, and more.
Examples of eligible projects include wastewater treatment, sewer collectors and interceptors, wastewater
reclamation and distribution facilities, stormwater treatment, and more.
Drinking Water State Revolving Fund (DWSRF) Planning
WRCB’s Drinking Water State Revolving Fund (DWSRF) Planning program provides financial assistance to public
water systems for planning/design projects working to maintain and achieve compliance with the Safe Drinking
Water Act (SDWA) and provide clean drinking water. Funding is administered through the Division of Financial
Assistance (DFA). Applications and funding are accepted on a continuous basis.
FACT SHEET
Analysis of State Small and Local Small Water Systems
in the Mountain Counties Funding Area for the
Disadvantages Community Involvement Grant Program
19 | Page
Eligible small community water systems serving a DAC, SDAC, and more can receive the maximum principle
forgiveness/grant of $500,000. Eligible applicants include publicly-owned community water systems, privately-
owned community water systems, non-profit or publicly-owned non-community water systems, and community
water systems created by the project.
Examples of eligible planning/design projects include treatment systems, distribution systems,
interconnections, consolidations, water sources, water meters, and more. Applicants that address the most
serious human health risks, are critical to comply with SDWA, and assist public water systems the most per
household will be prioritized for funding. WRCB recommends reading the DWSRF Policy before applying.
Drinking Water State Revolving Fund (DWSRF) Construction
Similar to the program mentioned above, WRCB’s Drinking Water State Revolving Fund (DWSRF) Construction
program provides financial assistance to public water systems for construction projects working to maintain and
achieve compliance with SDWA and provide clean drinking water. Applications and funding are accepted on a
continuous basis.
Community water systems can receive principle forgiveness/grant from $2,000,000 up to 100% total eligible
project cost based on factors such as project type, community served by the system, and residential water rates
as a percentage of MHI. Eligible applicants include publicly-owned community water systems, privately-owned
community water systems, non-profit or publicly-owned non-community water systems, and community water
systems created by the project.
Examples of eligible construction projects include treatment facilities, distribution systems, interconnections,
consolidations, water sources, water meters, and more. Contingency of change orders, value appraisal, and land
purchase for right-of-way and easements, and more are also eligible. WRCB recommends reading the DWSRF
Policy before applying.
FACT SHEET
Analysis of State Small and Local Small Water Systems
in the Mountain Counties Funding Area for the
Disadvantages Community Involvement Grant Program
20 | Page
Table 2: Forecasted Grant Opportunities
Program Name Grantor Anticipated
Open Date
Opportunity
Type
Total Est.
Available
Funding
Period of
Performance
Letter of
Intent
Matched
Funding
Proposition 1 – Round 2
Integrated Regional Water
Management (IRWM)
Implementation Grant
Program
Department of
Water
Resources
Late 2021 Grant $192,000,000
(Expected
Number of
Awards: 40-50)
4 years No 50%
Sustainable Groundwater
Management (SGM) Grant
Program’s Proposition 68
Implementation Round 2
Department of
Water
Resources
Fall 2022 Grant $77,000,000
(Estimated
Amount Per
Award:
$500,000 -
$5,000,000)
3 years No 25%
Best available funding information as of January 2022.
FACT SHEET
Analysis of State Small and Local Small Water Systems
in the Mountain Counties Funding Area for the
Disadvantages Community Involvement Grant Program
21 | Page
Proposition 1 – Round 2 Integrated Regional Water Management (IRWM) Implementation Grant Program
DWR’s IRWM Grant Program is a state-wide, collaborative effort to bring together regional water stakeholders
and implement water resource management projects, increase regional water self-reliance, and increase DACTI
to meet resiliency and sustainability goals. The program provides grant awards through Proposition 1 funding
in two rounds of solicitation; approximately $403 million will be made available for implementation projects.
The Round 1 Implementation Grant award solicitation was approximately $211 million and the Round 2
Implementation Grant award solicitation is expected to be $192 million. 10% of authorized funding ($51 million)
will be set aside for projects that directly benefit a DAC with a minimum 10% requirement for each Funding
Area.
For the UFR IRWM, interested organizations must submit a project application and meet the eligibility
requirements outlined in the IRWM Program Guidelines (2019). The RWMG will assess the project in a meeting
and determine if it will be considered for inclusion into an adopted IRWM Plan. Inclusion in the IRWM Plan
provides eligibility for funding as well as present opportunities to receive funding from other agencies. The Final
Proposition 1 – Round 2 Implementation Grant Proposal Solicitation Package (PSP) is anticipated to be released
in late 2021.
Sustainable Groundwater Management (SGM) Grant Program’s Proposition 68 Implementation Round 2
DWR’s Sustainable Groundwater Management (SGM) Grant Program provides financing to groundwater
sustainability agencies (GSAs) and other agencies under SGMA to invest in and promote healthy and sustainable
groundwater basins, reduce hazards and risks to groundwater basins, and improve groundwater recharge and
water quality. Funding is made available through Proposition 68, Chapter 11.6.
Eligible projects must be involved with and listed in an adopted Groundwater Sustainability Plan (GSP) or
approved Alternative Plan and must be considered a medium or high priority basin. $15 million will be made
available for projects that primarily assist Underrepresented Communities.
FACT SHEET
Analysis of State Small and Local Small Water Systems
in the Mountain Counties Funding Area for the
Disadvantages Community Involvement Grant Program
22 | Page
CONCLUSIONS
The idea of developing water shortage preparedness and contingency planning, including consolidation
opportunities and identification of well vulnerabilities to address the various stages of a drought or a prolonged
water shortage is necessary, but beyond the current independent capacity of small water service providers to
complete. Creating contingency planning for the smallest and most vulnerable systems is critical and this Pilot
Project aims to accomplish a Plumas County system-wide level assessment with outcomes to support local
planning and preparedness for other UFR region small water systems.
The objective of the small water systems Pilot Project for DAC communities and Tribes relying on groundwater
wells or springs for sustainable water planning is to address water infrastructure related needs including water
system upgrades or deferred maintenance issues, consolidation barriers and opportunities, study well
vulnerability characteristics, water quality issues including contamination, and water shortages.
Work was coordinated by the Plumas County Planning and Environmental Health departments in consultation
with Plumas County GIS. The pilot information and analysis and this Fact Sheet will be shared with stakeholders
of the UFR IRWM Region through RWMG meetings and emails, Plumas County Board of Supervisors meetings,
and the UFR IRWM website. Additionally, lessons learned from the pilot efforts will be shared and can be applied
by other partners and stakeholders in the UFR Region.
The intent of the technical assistance resources and information is to assist UFR IRWM Region counties such as
Butte, Lassen, and Sierra in an effort to expand and develop a system-wide assessment to inform WSCP. GIS
data from one or more of these three counties could also be integrated into the Plumas DACTI Inventory Data
Map to compare study patterns and trends, identify common vulnerabilities for systems in similar geographic
regions, and combine efforts to pursue funding and develop regional and multi-benefit projects and planning
efforts.
COMMUNICATIONS PLAN
The final step is to distribute the pilot project information and analysis to the contributing SSWS and LSWS,
Plumas County community members, and UFR IRWM stakeholders through various means of communication.
One of the primary tasks is to facilitate meetings with potential water system consolidation partners to discuss
WSCP strategies using the results of the survey. This includes contacting DAC and Tribal community water
system owners and SSWS and LSWS owners and operators for either virtual meetings, conference calls, or in-
person meetings if permitted.
FACT SHEET
Analysis of State Small and Local Small Water Systems
in the Mountain Counties Funding Area for the
Disadvantages Community Involvement Grant Program
23 | Page
The following table outlines the Communications Plan for dissemination of the pilot project deliverables.
Description Schedule Audience Method Date
Final Pilot Project Cover Memo
and Fact Sheet
March 2022 SSWS/LSWS and municipal service and
small system water providers in Plumas
County
Awareness email
and interactive
webinar invitation
to Pilot Project list
serve participants
3/21/22
Pilot Project Informational
Presentation
March 2022 SSWS/LSWS and municipal service and
small system water providers in Plumas
County
Interactive webinar
with Pilot Project
participants
3/31/22
Pilot Project Cover Memo, Fact
Sheet, and Informational
Presentation
March 2022 UFR RWMG Agenda item at
RWMG meeting
featherriver.org
3/11/22
Plumas, Sierra, Butte, and Lassen
County Board of Supervisors; Plumas
County LAFCo
Awareness email 3/21/22
Plumas, Sierra, Butte, and Lassen
County Environmental Health
Departments
Awareness email 3/21/22
As mentioned in the UFR IRWM SB200 MCFA Integration Memo (2019) to the State Water Resources Control
Board and DWR, it is important to meet community members where they are in an effort to enhance the
capacity to address water system needs and vulnerabilities. As well, a community meeting can link together the
expertise of regional water providers in the communities and the knowledge and experience of the Plumas
County Planning Department and Environmental Health Department.
Municipal water providers in the UFR region will be able to utilize the water shortage preparedness and
contingency planning Plumas County pilot efforts to develop water shortage contingency plans for their own
agencies and identify projects to address drought vulnerabilities with the intent of using the information to
leverage state and federal funding as it becomes available to address the needs.
FACT SHEET
Analysis of State Small and Local Small Water Systems
in the Mountain Counties Funding Area for the
Disadvantages Community Involvement Grant Program
24 | Page
RESOURCES AND LINKS
Disadvantaged Community Involvement (DACI) Program
https://water.ca.gov/Work-With-Us/Grants-And-Loans/IRWM-Grant-Programs/Proposition-1/DAC-
Involvement-Program
Drinking Water State Revolving Fund (DWSRF) Construction
https://www.grants.ca.gov/grants/drinking-water-state-revolving-fund-dwsrf-construction-2/
Drinking Water State Revolving Fund (DWSRF) Planning
https://www.grants.ca.gov/grants/drinking-water-state-revolving-fund-dwsrf-planning-2/
Drinking Water State Revolving Fund (DWSRF) Policy
https://www.waterboards.ca.gov/drinking_water/services/funding/DWSRF_Policy.html
Drinking Water State Revolving Fund (DWSRF) Basics
https://www.waterboards.ca.gov/drinking_water/services/funding/dwsrf_basics.html
Integrated Regional Water Management Grant Programs
https://water.ca.gov/Work-With-Us/Grants-And-Loans/IRWM-Grant-Programs
Plumas County Local Hazard Mitigation Plan Update (October 2020)
https://www.plumascounty.us/DocumentCenter/View/37164/Plumas-County-2020-LHMP-
Update_Complete?bidId=
Proposition 1 - Round 2 Integrated Regional Water Management (IRWM) Implementation Grant Program
https://www.grants.ca.gov/grants/proposition-1-round-2-integrated-regional-water-management-
irwm-implementation-grant-program/
[The] Safe and Affordable Funding for Equity and Resilience (SAFER) Program
https://www.grants.ca.gov/grants/the-safe-and-affordable-funding-for-equity-and-resilience-program-
safer/
Sierra Institute for Community and Environment - “Disadvantaged Community and Tribal Involvement
Program”
https://sierrainstitute.us/program/dactip/
FACT SHEET
Analysis of State Small and Local Small Water Systems
in the Mountain Counties Funding Area for the
Disadvantages Community Involvement Grant Program
25 | Page
Sierra Institute for Community and Environment & Sierra Water Workgroup Mountain Counties Funding Area
Integrated Regional Water Management Disadvantaged Community Involvement Program: Community
Well-Being & Water and Wastewater Needs Assessments for The Mountain Counties Funding Area.
https://sierrainstitute.us/new/wp-content/uploads/2019/01/MCFA-IRWMs-Report-Draft-Final-
2021_7_21-1.pdf
Small Community Drought Relief Program
https://www.grants.ca.gov/grants/small-community-drought-relief-program/
Small Community Drought Relief Program - Guidelines: https://water.ca.gov/-/media/DWR-Website/Web-
Pages/Work-With-Us/Grants-And-Loans/Small-Community-Drought-Relief/Small-Community-Drought-
Relief-Guidelines_2021.pdf
Small Community Drinking Water (SCDW) Funding Program Basics
https://www.waterboards.ca.gov/water_issues/programs/grants_loans/sustainable_water_solutions/s
cdw.html
Small Community Wastewater (SCWW) Funding https://www.grants.ca.gov/grants/small-community-clean-
water-wastewater-scww-funding/
Small Community Wastewater (SCWW) Funding Program Basics
https://www.waterboards.ca.gov/water_issues/programs/grants_loans/sustainable_water_solutions/s
cww.html
Sustainable Groundwater Management (SGM) Grant Program
https://water.ca.gov/sgmgrants
Sustainable Groundwater Management (SGM) Grant Program’s Proposition 68 Implementation Round 2
https://www.grants.ca.gov/grants/sustainable-groundwater-management-sgm-grant-programs-
proposition-68-implementation-round-2/