Welcome to the First Issue of Our Newsletter!

In this new year, we are thrilled to launch a new communication tool to further one of West Yost’s core values, to Support Our Communities. Our goal for [TITLE] is to share with you water news that will benefit you and the people you serve.

You Will Learn:

• The Santa Clarita Valley in northern Los Angeles County, California, where West Yost is working with the Santa Clarita Valley Water Agency to evaluate improvements to drinking water treatment technologies for high turbidity levels to respond to the watershed’s increasing risk to wildfires and strong winter storms.

• The America’s Water Infrastructure Act 2025/2026 compliance cycle currently underway and our efforts to support water systems to comply with AWIA and provide more resilient water supplies to our communities.

• The new California State Water Resources Control Board’s Cross Connection Control Policy Handbook requirements facing Public Water Systems.

I hope you enjoy reading this issue and learning about some of the exciting developments that we are involved in around the water world. Please contact me or the authors with any questions or comments.

Happy New Year!

Policy:

Let’s Talk About America’s Water Infrastructure Act (AWIA)

The 2025/2026 compliance cycle for the America’s Water Infrastructure Act (AWIA) is currently underway! This directive from the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) is crucial for community water systems serving over 3,300 people. It requires those utilities to review and update Risk and Resilience Assessments (RRAs) and prepare or revise Emergency Response Plans (ERPs). The intent of this legislation is to enhance the all hazards resilience of water infrastructure. It aims to assist utilities in this endeavor by calling for a comprehensive evaluation of risks from malevolent acts, natural hazards, and other hazards that could impact utility operations. Systems must also account for infrastructure and operational needs to maintain resilience.

So, how do we accomplish this goal set by AWIA? First, the foundation is formed through RRAs conducted using industry best practices, working with water systems to thoroughly evaluate the risks to their infrastructure, cybersecurity, and system operations. These assessments identify key vulnerabilities and establish priorities for strengthening system resilience against both natural hazards and malevolent threats. ERPs then build on the analysis and findings of the RRAs, to establish actionable strategies to address risks identified in the RRA. Key ERP components include measures for detecting threats, improving physical security, and reinforcing or bolstering system cybersecurity. Additionally, ERPs prioritize procedures and critical equipment that can reduce the impact of emergencies, preparing systems to remain resilient during adverse events.

The following table outlines the deadlines for completing RRAs and ERPs based on the population served.

At West Yost, we believe that building stronger systems today means creating a brighter future for generations to come. Because of this philosophy, our approach goes beyond compliance. We support communities and water systems in navigating AWIA guidelines by conducting detailed RRAs and developing ERPs that enhance operational resilience. Our goal is to work alongside you to strengthen water systems and help prepare for the challenges ahead, creating a safer, more reliable future for the communities you serve.

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State Water Resources Control Board: Cross-Connection Control Policy Handbook

The California State Water Resources Control Board’s Cross Connection Control Policy Handbook (CCCPH) became effective on July 1, 2024. Applying to Public Water Systems throughout California, the CCCPH builds on the regulations defined in the California Code of Regulations Title 17 – Public Health (Title 17). Like Title 17, which the CCCPH replaces, the policy’s purpose is to protect public drinking water distribution systems from the backflow of undesirable liquids, gases, and substances. The CCCPH expands Title 17 to require a robust backflow assembly and tester certification process, preparing a backflow incident response following a suspected backflow incident, developing public outreach and educational materials, and documenting local entity coordination.

Additional CCCPH requirements of note include:

• Required hazard assessments of all water services, including single-family residences.
• Services with fire suppression systems, including single-family homes with fire sprinklers, will now be considered a low hazard, requiring a double-check valve assembly (DC) or double-check valve detector check assembly (DCDA).
• Swivel-ell configurations are allowed for recycled water sites desiring a potable water backup supply.
• Cross-Connection Control Plans need to be prepared and submitted to the California Department of Drinking Water by July 1, 2025 demonstrating how the Public Water System will administer their program according to the CCCPH.
• Cross-Connection Control Specialists need to be on-staff or hired consultants for larger public water systems.

West Yost is supporting Public Water Systems across the state to comply with the new CCCPH requirements. We prepare cross-connection control plans, perform hazard assessments, provide program management and support for cross-connection control programs, prepare standards and details related to backflow prevention, draft or update ordinances, review plans, and perform cross-connection shutdown tests. Our goal is to work with you and help water systems comply with state policy and protect the drinking water for your communities.

Project Spotlight: Addressing the Impacts of Climate Change

However, in the last decade, climate change has increasingly impacted the region with wildfires and intense winter storms causing more frequent and extended periods of elevated turbidity in Castaic Lake. These rapid transitions between opposing weather extremes are referred to as weather whiplash and are expected to become more common occurrences as the climate warms. Most recently, multiple extreme weather events occurred in the lake’s watershed between the fall of 2022 and early 2023. Wildfires, heavy rainfall, and a landslide, combined with unusually low lake water levels, created unprecedented water quality challenges. In January 2023, the turbidity measured in raw water entering the treatment plants was nearly one hundred times greater than normal and the highest recorded since monitoring and treatment began in the 1970s.

Treating the elevated turbidity and the accompanying increases in chemical dosages during this period resulted insignificantly more solids to remove compared to normal operating conditions. This stressed the capacity of the treatment plant’s washwater recovery system and solids handling processes, impacting plant operations for many months. West Yost engineers are working with Agency staff to evaluate additional pretreatment processes and washwater recovery system improvements to increase plant resiliency and protect the region’s drinking water supplies in anticipation of more frequent and severe high-turbidity events in the future due to climate change.

The West Yost Word

Every two weeks, West Yost releases an edition of our West Yost Word. This is a series of articles we share on our website that are written by our team members or the firm, spotlighting important innovations, industry updates, or firm celebrations. Here are some of the top articles from 2024:

West Yost Wins & Successes

Design-Build Institute of America National Award of Merit | Regional Surface Water Supply Project: This honor not only recognizes an extraordinary project but also highlights the exceptional efforts of our project team in achieving budget, schedule, and quality goals.

Great Place to Work: West Yost has been recognized as a Certified Great Place to Work® for the fourth year in a row! This certification is a testament to our employees’ positive experiences and our vibrant work culture. Great Place To Work US® is a global authority on workplace culture, the employee experience, and the leadership behaviors proven to drive revenue, employee retention, and innovation.

#29 on Fortune’s Best Workplaces in Consulting & Professional Services List: This prestigious recognition, determined through an extensive analysis of survey feedback from over 157,000 U.S. employees, underscores our commitment to fostering a positive and inclusive workplace.

PSMJ Premier Award for Client Satisfaction: This accolade reflects our dedication to delivering high-value solutions that earn the trust and satisfaction of our clients. We are grateful to our clients for holding us to high standards and to PSMJ for this esteemed recognition.

American Public Works Association Project of the Year Award | Sump 87 Diversion & Silver Eagle Road Rehabilitation Project: This project, undertaken in collaboration with the City of Sacramento, Lund Construction Co., and UNICO Engineering, exemplifies our commitment to delivering innovative and impactful solutions.

American Council of Engineering Companies, California 2025 Engineering Excellence Honor Award Project | Regional Surface Water Supply Project: This project, undertaken in collaboration with the Stanislaus Regional Water Authority and Jacob’s Engineering, reflects our long-term commitment to provide strategic, innovative, and collaborative Owner Advisory services in the planning, design, and construction of this critical water supply resiliency project for the California Cities of Turlock and Ceres.

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We’ve Moved! Our Lake Forest office has relocated to Irvine, California at 25 Edelman, Suite 120, Irvine, CA 92618.

We Listen: In our holiday card, we asked you to scan the QR code and share your voice in selecting a cause that will make a meaningful difference. This year, [insert selected organization] was chosen, and we donated [x amount].

We Support Our Communities: Not only did we donate to the organization you selected, but each West Yost office also supported an organization that holds a special place in their hearts. Our West Yost offices partnered with the following organizations: Toys for Tots, Monument Crisis Center, Fill a Stocking. Fill a Heart, Redwood Empire Food Bank, Loaves & Fishes, and the Lucky Dog Rescue.

Is there an organization in one of these areas you would recommend West Yost partner with? If so, reach out to bboyd@westyost.com.

Team Spotlight

A Message from Charles Duncan:

Coming Up in the Next Edition: Preparing for California’s Prop 4 Climate Bond Funding

California’s Proposition 4. The Safe Drinking Water, Wildfire Prevention, Drought Preparedness, and Clean Air Bond Act of 2024 was approved by voters in November 2024. This $10 billion General Obligation Bond will finance an array of climate resiliency projects throughout California, including projects for safe drinking water, drought, flood, and water resilience, wildfire and forest resilience, coastal resilience, extreme heat mitigation, biodiversity and nature-based climate solutions, climate smart, sustainable, and resilient farms, ranches, and working lands, park creation and outdoor access, and clean air programs.

Much of this funding will be distributed through competitive grant programs by multiple state agencies over the next few years. State funding agencies are drafting guidelines for solicitations anticipated to open, beginning in the second half of this year. Our funding and engineering teams will be working with clients to help identify and develop multiple-benefit projects to be competitive when applying for these grant funds. Our goal is to support clients throughout the process in developing, funding, and implementing your water and climate-resiliency projects to help create safer, healthier, and more sustainable communities throughout California.