[{"_1":2,"_112":-5,"_113":-5},"loaderData",{"_3":4,"_26":27},"root",{"_5":6,"_17":10,"_18":19,"_20":21,"_22":10,"_23":-5,"_24":-5,"_25":10},"user",{"_7":8,"_9":10,"_11":10,"_12":-5,"_13":-5,"_14":15,"_16":-5},"roles",[],"isAuthenticated",false,"isPremium","planName","subscriptionStatus","featureFlags",{},"insightsBudget","isDevelopmentHost","userPreferences",{},"recaptchaSiteKey","6LcvOJcUAAAAAHsB-gPGfGktcRlKpH7OTIU_dMTD","isImpersonating","impersonation","affiliateStatus","isFreedomPortal","routes/v2/article/layout",{"_28":29,"_30":31},"notFound",true,"relatedArticles",[32,76,88,100],{"_33":34,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":40,"_41":42,"_43":44,"_45":46,"_47":48,"_49":50,"_51":52,"_53":54,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":60,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":66,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},"mediaId",6244084,"mediaKeyId","3234265-bd17cb7c3662969b5ec314db7bed9185","parentId",3234265,"title","Work group hears about DEI survey and discusses water workforce pathways and accreditation","audioSeconds",137,"startMs",3231000,"endMs",3368000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=3234265-bd17cb7c3662969b5ec314db7bed9185&start=3231&end=3368","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3234265-bd17cb7c3662969b5ec314db7bed9185/thumbnail_3231000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6244084/California/Work-group-hears-about-DEI-survey-and-discusses-water-workforce-pathways-and-accreditation","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6244084-680c9eaa6c47b984724c439854cfc63c/orig.mp4?Expires=1776104357&Signature=KCj0APCIhJ5nC9gHxt1ZXSsWraRAkOHk8sUZnyxs05VZz3Q-YCjUoajq4NFLSHkAjKD-rrnQnVY~~TRuFyLfdl80nXJalNq-M8W-s4f3Y3gfVFFvGKDHhZcCUyHhpUY-9jwPUmsR62Gq1fpu5qK4GIkYi1dMT4AvMRgWeVqYvWfXBI-72PIeROsjUfEUVvt3aQZbrYg6qgJ2RTx3nWx39VRuFXMT3FZ29gEtCg6hzQNQ1Wxgi3qrTKtLOrnOqSpTIMZzhCjjyWKG80zxmDZDjoGwCDjTObGNvkXb5vtM0Inc7xJ1hjGFI63IqAZHqq51cQU0hfXwxvOc2OBlv5DjAg__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","California Water Quality Monitoring Council","date","2025-05-07T18:12:15Z","article","Work group members discussed workforce diversity and pathways into water careers, and one member offered to invite representatives from workforce groups to present at a future meeting.

A participant said she had been contacted by a University of California research team conducting a short anonymous survey on inclusion, diversity, equity and advancement in water-sector leadership and suggested the researchers could brief the group. She named the researcher, Miriam Rama McCain, as the contact for the 15‑minute survey.

Members also suggested inviting organizations that connect job-seekers with water-sector training and accreditation programs. One attendee observed that technical certification routes can lead to well‑paying water-sector careers without a four‑year degree: “You could go to a technical college and get certification and still be making over a hundred thousand dollars a year,” the participant said.

The group agreed to add workforce pathways and accreditation to the list of potential August meeting topics and to reach out to BayWork.org and other regional workforce organizations to identify presenters.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","Equity Workgroup Meeting - May 7, 2025","oneSentenceSummary","Members heard about a University of California–led survey on diversity in the water workforce and suggested inviting organizations that promote non‑degree career pathways and accreditation to a future meeting.","taxTitle","California Water Quality Monitoring Council, Boards and Commissions, Executive, California","taxId",76763,"location","California","headline","","shortSummary",{"_33":77,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":78,"_41":79,"_43":80,"_45":81,"_47":82,"_49":83,"_51":84,"_53":85,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":86,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":87,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},6244089,"Equity work group discusses charter updates, co‑chair selection and smaller technical subgroup",202,1260000,1462000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3234265-bd17cb7c3662969b5ec314db7bed9185&start=1260&end=1462","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3234265-bd17cb7c3662969b5ec314db7bed9185/thumbnail_1260000.jpg","/articles/6244089/California/Equity-work-group-discusses-charter-updates-cochair-selection-and-smaller-technical-subgroup","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6244089-8211a059e428dc6ed098e00674fd5079/orig.mp4?Expires=1776104357&Signature=YLoVDl5zU-ApYgylWCPpG~p0u8dW4dxfJKB0vFdqm0HzH-eFgQKy4yiFLTappEkEOPbhoL2FaF-1Qwb6LiIvhATrdvJcPbSqzetChXWdLIkmcXEWRoekCeOSF9tNNbVMv1oIbAIuYsNdFqhcFOcZthZDNDTsJuATVzLTIBRXbGnLyur~MsdAZ0Ab1NfXn8lreL2EXEF2Fw0g0VTggoZCGohhBGVQ1ti53Q09cYPQaoWDx-B2d7su2lmkqhvwupGasQOeM-Rt~Difh3p~e7kmfWsYhmmClMhAuRNvFT09rYVFNv76AndJfP351ytls5w~9OPs-EfgEHMiX0oU37Z0Hg__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Equity Work Group reviewed a redline draft of its charter and discussed how to select and support co-chairs. Vicky (co-chair and stormwater compliance manager at the City of San Diego) presented an edited charter that replaces the JEDI moniker with equity language and leaves co-chair selection procedures broadly defined.

“We could have as many co chairs as we want,” Vicky said, relaying prior guidance from a council liaison and noting the charter currently requires election by the group. Work group members recommended keeping co-chair qualifications flexible so the role remains accessible to volunteers. Anna Holder said lowering barriers to participation is important because the positions are voluntary: “Lowering the barrier for folks to be able to step into that role, I think, is great.”

Participants also suggested forming a smaller technical subgroup to meet more frequently and assist with agenda planning, speaker recruitment and logistics so co-chairs’ workloads are manageable. Members agreed to post the charter redline on the shared Google Drive, add a few bullet points about desired qualifications (as suggested by members), and solicit nominations via the council and tribal mailing lists.

No formal vote was taken; the group agreed on these next steps and to circulate the revised charter for comment.","Members reviewed a draft charter update, discussed co‑chair selection criteria and proposed a smaller technical subgroup to share meeting preparation workload.",{"_33":89,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":90,"_41":91,"_43":92,"_45":93,"_47":94,"_49":95,"_51":96,"_53":97,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":98,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":99,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},6244093,"State board staff tell work group equity commitment remains but funding and staffing shifts loom",415,1870000,2285000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3234265-bd17cb7c3662969b5ec314db7bed9185&start=1870&end=2285","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3234265-bd17cb7c3662969b5ec314db7bed9185/thumbnail_1870000.jpg","/articles/6244093/California/State-board-staff-tell-work-group-equity-commitment-remains-but-funding-and-staffing-shifts-loom","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6244093-a78010b56dff6097c0d2437f30b25947/orig.mp4?Expires=1776104357&Signature=DK4PVu-4EJrgySvHwgHdgLz-6NTJ8AWtBdK5vt8V57W~pWG9UuqHOEykDTCJE59suIU58NGmZtC3ZymHBkp74bG0Pfw7R2c5WbfuZP0sWnWSAOTWkJISLRxuuI-HWBTSSjFUodwXFrRJg6SP37hpdOzNVjUtSfrmr6OrsbwzWYdgx1FRAjMxvUF3ZqM8vPnfaeTYy42~Zt3ykh8ooUaajCBc-ZpbPKH7JdiTmI3tyUSDGND3Jt-JXiC9~ZmpHjMWP7mboINJE-KAXDYzhegbjZa7j6v9etDkDF7E0J4EDit8UWB2xCU8luM-kasMdnGFt5eYtQD9umOxsaDHTbmcNA__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Anna Holder, open data science, equity and tribal coordinator at the State Water Resources Control Board, told the Equity Work Group that the board’s commitment to equity remains strong even as federal and state funding shifts create uncertainty for staff support of council initiatives.

Holder said the board received an update about its racial equity action plan and related activities at a March meeting and that she anticipates more clarity after the state’s May revise budget documents. “I am really looking forward to the California May revise, because that's, I think, gonna shine a lot of light on what our funding situation will look like,” she said.

Holder described the board’s equity efforts as a continuing priority and said staff are attempting to balance operational work with responsive support for communities and tribal partners recovering from emergencies. She said the Office of Information Management and Analysis (OIMA) is focusing on creating tools and resources that “support and partner with communities and tribes in a way that's not burdensome.”

Work group members raised funding and staffing concerns. Anna and others noted that many co-chair and volunteer roles across council work groups are unpaid, and one member urged keeping co-chair qualifications flexible to lower barriers to participation. Holder encouraged the group to share ideas for how the council can maintain equity work under constrained budgets and said the issue will be discussed at the council level.

No formal votes or policy changes were made during the meeting; the exchange was informational and identified potential follow-up topics for the June council meeting.","State Water Resources Control Board staff told the Equity Work Group that the board’s racial equity initiatives remain a priority, but funding changes and the state budget process could affect staff support for council activities.",{"_33":101,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":102,"_41":103,"_43":104,"_45":105,"_47":106,"_49":107,"_51":108,"_53":109,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":110,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":111,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},6244099,"Work group discusses post-fire water monitoring, communications and use of Watch Duty app",261,921000,1182000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3234265-bd17cb7c3662969b5ec314db7bed9185&start=921&end=1182","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3234265-bd17cb7c3662969b5ec314db7bed9185/thumbnail_921000.jpg","/articles/6244099/California/Work-group-discusses-post-fire-water-monitoring-communications-and-use-of-Watch-Duty-app","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6244099-bd6d2943ec2f7133333191907c6fb8ce/orig.mp4?Expires=1776104357&Signature=hDe56aSdp8iksUZ4FhAQ08u4~~ncADjLWR1TLQ3YH7Flblyj-083K~fjWijiLllBvTq2gasMDctn6aYJnp-2h3sOtBOuj1PAd7K7AAagj7UKJUoFmRL4jXyaSrm8yd~jktl0TVQBlRz8rSWHVpEaO7~VF54fqKWtuRYIfHoIv2LZoa9jbqWDIg-MrPkgvhLsHIOnM-bBQ9fHY2N4AA5jLAoPEm0guxBk1U0pVquNyZnXNJEuHvPn7fZGLQ1Q7dWjuxwZcGT6Wpi4JEzzlNHU3BPks9tv5i2Fpgiq3wXuThuT8dXMf1jqgeyetW-QZc0YSibVQ3VpdQdAzkE5PLobyQ__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Members of the California Water Quality Monitoring Council’s Equity Work Group discussed post-fire water monitoring and public communications, including proposals to add utility notification layers to the Watch Duty app so water agencies can push timely boil-water, evacuation or testing notices.

The topic was raised by Charmy Evelyn, co-chair of the water committee for Sierra Club California’s Angeles Chapter, who said she was “one of the evacuees from the Palisades fire” and described confusion and misinformation about water safety during evacuations. Evelyn said rebuilding costs far exceeded funds many residents received: “Building back will cost, like, about $800,000. They're only receiving an average of $300,000.”

The discussion connected three concerns: (1) small at‑risk water utilities’ ability to respond after fires; (2) how to rapidly communicate accurate water-safety messages to affected residents; and (3) potential post-fire contamination from debris with lead and arsenic.

Evelyn described a meeting she set up between a county public works office, the UCLA Luskin Center and developers of the Watch Duty app. She said the app is seen as “the trustworthy source” by many residents and proposed adding layers so utilities can send targeted notices for evacuations, boil notices and testing updates. She offered to introduce the developers to agency staff working on emergency communications.

State and local staff on the call called the coordination idea promising but noted no formal council action was taken. Anna Holder, open data science, equity and tribal coordinator at the State Water Resources Control Board, said post-fire monitoring and communications present equity issues because affected communities and tribes may have urgent rebuilding and safety priorities that limit their capacity to engage on monitoring questions.

Participants also noted reporting that some post-fire cleanup testing had been uneven. Evelyn referenced news reporting and agency gaps in testing and recovery; Holder said council-level discussion of post‑fire water quality monitoring was planned for the next full council meeting and could address testing and communications gaps.

No motions or formal votes occurred during the meeting; participants agreed to pursue follow-up outreach and to raise the topic at the June council meeting for broader discussion.

Looking ahead, the work group flagged the need to coordinate emergency communications platforms, clarify which agencies will perform post‑fire sampling, and ensure monitoring plans and public notifications are accessible to communities with limited internet access.","Equity Work Group members discussed gaps in post-fire water testing and communications after recent Southern California fires, proposed adding utility notification layers to the Watch Duty app, and flagged concerns about contamination and misinformation during evacuations.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

Work group hears about DEI survey and discusses water workforce pathways and accreditation

Equity work group discusses charter updates, co‑chair selection and smaller technical subgroup

State board staff tell work group equity commitment remains but funding and staffing shifts loom

Work group discusses post-fire water monitoring, communications and use of Watch Duty app