The board accepted FY 2025-26 audited financial statements with a clean opinion: $717.5 million in net position and unrestricted cash covering about 9.5 months of operations. It approved an amended consent calendar, including a Fremont public water system extension agreement, and a $103,510 city valve-box reimbursement. Two commenters raised concerns about hard water and household appliances; no action was taken. GASB 103 changed revenue classifications without changing the bottom line.
Staff described a Super El Niño outlook that could bring intense winter storms and a higher 2027 State Water Project allocation if Northern Sierra precipitation is above average; no 2027 allocation has been set. Water-year 2025–26 demand was 40,400 acre-feet versus a 39,000-acre-foot three-year average, with hot, dry March weather adding about 1,100 acre-feet. The committee also discussed golden mussel detections and 2027 boat-inspection costs.
Staff recommended Board approval of a $103,510 reimbursement to Fremont for paving-related valve work, the first such project above $100,000; the cost exceeded the general manager’s authority. Staff reviewed a draft UC Berkeley infrastructure research agreement, with $95,000 budgeted; it remains unexecuted. The committee also discussed an approved fire-hydrant break-off check valve drawing intended to reduce water loss and property-damage risks.
At its November 3 meeting, the Operations & Water Quality Committee heard updates on regional flood coordination, risks to Alameda Creek recharge and water quality, and January reservoir spill probabilities modeled only under the wettest scenario. Staff also discussed EPA’s fluoride assessment and ACWD’s required 0.7 mg/L fluoride target, and introduced Johnny Luna and Chris Ward. No votes or approvals occurred.
ACWD staff outlined plans for up to $250 in rebates for eligible landscape drip-irrigation components and wider weather-based controller rebate eligibility for commercial, industrial and institutional sites. New rebates are anticipated March 1, 2027. Staff reported Chinook salmon and Pacific lamprey using Alameda Creek fish passages during immigration, juvenile O. mykiss during emigration, and 27 PIT-tag detections in spring 2026.
