About Us

Clean Water SoCal, is an association of cities, special districts and other public agencies, which was formed in 1992 to concentrate resources to effect reasonable local, state and federal regulations impacting POTWs and collection systems.

Our organization is currently comprised of over 80 wastewater treatment and collection system agencies. Together, our membership collects and/or treats the wastewater for over 20 million southern Californians in seven counties. All of our regular members are public agencies, either municipalities, joint power authorities or special districts, charged with the responsibility for treating and disposing of wastewater in a safe and economically viable manner for their ratepayers.

Our Associate members are associated with the treatment of water and/or the collection, treatment, disposal, recycling or reuse of wastewater and its residuals within the State of California.

Joining forces enables even small agencies to have a say in such regulations as air quality, biosolids management, collection systems, energy management, wastewater pretreatment and inland surface/ocean water discharges. And, unlike other associations with similar membership who deal with these issues on a statewide basis, Clean Water SoCal addresses them from a perspective that often only Southern Californians can appreciate.

Although attention is directed mainly towards the regulatory arena, Clean Water SoCal also works on legislation that would similarly impact its members. In extreme situations, litigation may be pursued when Clean Water SoCal members feel it is in the best interest of the public to challenge proposed or existing laws or regulations.

The organization strives to obtain a balance between protection of public health and the environment with the economic reality of existing and proposed regulations. In that sense, it is perhaps the public, or ratepayer, for whom Clean Water SoCal is really an advocate.

Regular Members: Regular members include any California city, special district, public agency or public organization engaged in the treatment of water and/or the collection, treatment, disposal, recycling or reuse of wastewater and its residuals.

Collection Systems Only Members: Collection Systems Only members include any California city, special district, public agency or public organization engaged in the collection of wastewater.

Associate Members: Associate members are consultants, law firms, public utilities, investor owned utilities, manufacturers, suppliers, non-profit associations and other persons or entities involved in the treatment of water and/or the collection, treatment, disposal, recycling or reuse of wastewater and its residuals within the State of California.

All Clean Water SoCal applications for membership are reviewed by the Executive Director who will determine if participation by the applicant will advance the purposes of Clean Water SoCal.

A Board of Directors establishes Clean Water SoCal policy and direction. The board is composed of three representatives from within the geographical boundaries of each of the seven counties represented by Clean Water SoCal.

Under the governance of the Board of Directors, seven "advisory" committees meet periodically to review new and revised environmental regulations that affect the wastewater industry. These committees are made up of volunteers from the member agencies assisted by the Clean Water SoCal staff. Their purpose is to gain consensus in order to develop positions and submit comments to regulatory agencies during their rulemaking process, either by oral or written presentation. In addition, reports of the committees' actions are circulated to the membership to assist them in their compliance efforts.

Clean Water SoCal retains an experienced Management Team including an Executive Director and Executive Administrator who taps public and private resources. The Executive Director helps to identify key issues, develops action plans, provides testimony at public hearings/workshops, prepares technical support documentation, coordinates efforts from outside consultants and those contributing in-kind services. The Executive Director represents Clean Water SoCal before regulatory agencies and legislative bodies, keeps members apprised of current issues and oversees the day-to-day administrative activities of the organization.

These efforts help bring about compromises with regulatory agencies that safeguard the financial resources of public water/wastewater agencies and at the same time protect public health and the environment.

Regular members pay dues based on the average daily flow (adf) of their POTWs. Collection Systems members pay an annual fee of $538 and Associate members pay an annual fee of $1,076. One membership provides full access for as many team members as desired to all of the specialty committee meetings and materials. Meetings, in-person or virtual, are usually free to members. Membership dues may change based on a published cost index.

Member agencies, particularly those with specialized staff, also provide in-kind contributions such as technical assistance, legislative support and legal services.

Both member agencies and Associate members are called upon periodically to help in presentations and appearances to underscore the influence of the allied agencies and the public they collectively represent.

Agencies with POTWs and/or collection systems cannot afford not to join Clean Water SoCal.

By belonging to Clean Water SoCal, members get access to and benefit from a multi-agency team who consistently work with regulatory agency officials on large variety of issues. The potential savings that result will be far greater than an agency's annual dues.

In short, you need Clean Water SoCal, and Clean Water SoCal needs you. Join Clean Water SoCal today!