POSEIDON'S NEW DESALINATION VENTURE - Engineering ...
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JUNE 2021
ECA
MAGAZINE
POSEIDON’S NEW
DESALINATION
VENTURE
Page 18
INSIDE
President’s Message:
Our People Make Us
What We Are
Executive Direction:
Members First:
Poseidon’s Desal Plant
Safety Forum:
Take the Cyber Risk
Exposure Test
MEMBER SNAPSHOT
TPG’S Kovac to
Lead ACPA
ecasocal.org
ENGINEERING CONTRACTORS’ ASSOCIATION
ECA
Contents
MAGAZINE June 2021, Vol. 57, No. 6
Legal experts. 6 President’s Message Executive Officers
President – Garrett Francis
Trusted advisors Garrett Francis Vice President – Michael Prlich
Vice President Infrastructure – Dave Sorem
Fryman Management Secretary – Rita Vigil-Ferguson
to the construction Treasurer – Alan Ludwig
Affiliate Chair – Scott Salandi*
industry for over 8 Executive Direction
Directors
40 years. Ray Baca, Executive Director Michael Baker* Gus Madrigal*
Guy Barker* Kevin Malloy*
Scott Barnett Daniel Martin
10 Government Affairs Mladen Buntich Tim McHale*
Anna M. Carno* Anthony Niccoli*
Dave Sorem, Chair
Barry Corea* Brandon Pensick
Ryan H. Crosner* Dan J. Peterson*
13 ECA Member News Gene Glassburner Lou Rendon*
Kristion Grbavac Brendan Slagle
· Kovac to Lead National Warren Hennagin* Elizabeth Torrez*
Industry Group Nic Waldenmayer*
*Denotes Affiliate Member
· Association Happenings
Administrative Staff
Executive Director – Ray Baca
17 Industry News Office Manager – Shelia Voss
Administrative Assistant – Paulina Pantoja
18 Poseidon’s New Desal Venture Committees
Labor Rela ons Affiliate Committee
Public Works & Prevailing Wage Scott Salandi, Patriot Risk & Insurance
20 Safety Forum: Cyber Security DIG Award Committee
Construc on Claims & Li ga on
Anthony Niccoli, AALRR
Stop Payment No ces 22 ECA Resources Safety Forum
Mechanics Liens & Payment Bonds Chair, Gus Madrigal, Alcorn Fence
Cover photo: In Carlsbad, the Bud E. Lewis Sea-
Bidding & Bid Protests water Desalination Plant, owned by Poseidon Wa- Legal Committee
OSHA/Safety ter. See page 18 for story. Anthony Niccoli, AALRR
Construc on Contracts & Government Affairs Committee
13 Advertiser’s Index Dave Sorem, Mike Bubalo Const.
Front End Documents
ECA Magazine - Since 1976, your resource to news and Political Action Committee
Real Property useful information about ECA member services,
Scott Salandi, Patriot Risk
contractors, manufacturers, and suppliers in southern
California’s utility construction industry. Use it to help
Scholarship Committee
www.aalrr.com build your business future.
Ray Baca, ECA
Engineering Contractors’ Association ·
Thomas W. Kovacich, Partner
John Simpson, Editor
Anthony P. Niccoli, Partner 714/937-5000 · Fax 714/937-5030 Email: Innovators@aol.com · Ph. 562/708-4601
2390 E. Orangewood Ave., Ste. 585
12800 Center Court Drive South Anaheim, CA 92806 P.O. Box 3384, Idyllwild, CA 92549
Suite 300 Email: info@ecasocal.org Industry Advancement Advocate– Bill Davis
Cerritos, California 90703 www.ecasocal.org
562-653-3200 ECA MAGAZINE (ISSN 0896-3169) serving Southern California construction, is published monthly at Anaheim, California, as the official
publication of the Engineering Contractors’ Association. It is intended for the dissemination of news of Association activities as well as
Cerritos | Fresno | Irvine | Marin information to the general construction industry in such matters as labor relations, government relations, legislative direction and
public relations. It is distributed throughout the 11-county Southern California area to contractors and suppliers with interests in sewer,
Pasadena | Pleasanton | Riverside pipeline, underground utilities, trenching, excavating and grading, tunnels, street and highway construction and related
Sacramento | San Diego engineering construction. Mail subscription requests to ECA Magazine, 2390 E. Orangewood Ave., Ste. 585., Anaheim, CA 92806.
Subscription rates are $1 per issue or $10 per year (12 issues including Directory & Buyer’s Guide issue). There is no charge for ECA
members or current advertisers. Graphic design and production by Innovators@aol.com.
E C A M A G A Z I N E 4 J U N E 2 0 2 1
President’s Message
Our People
Make Us
What We Are
By Garrett Francis, ECA President
Email: garrett@frymanmgmt.com
W hile flipping through chan-
nels recently I came across a
CBS TV show, Tough As Nails. I
don't get to watch much television,
but this show caught my attention.
Through the uncertainty of 2020
our industry was fortunate to keep working. Tough As Nails high-
lights union workers, it has the typical cut away scenes of per-
sonal strife and triumph of the contestants.
The show's producers explain the show's intent this way:
TOUGH AS NAILS is a competition series that celebrates
everyday Americans who roll up their sleeves and don't think
10370 COMMERCE CENTER DR., STE. B200
twice about working long hard hours and getting their hands
RANCHO CUCAMONGA, CA 91730
dirty, in order to keep their country running. Competitors who
consider the calluses on their hands a badge of honor will be
tested for their strength, endurance, life skills and, most impor-
tantly, mental toughness in challenges that take place at real-
world job sites.
What it made me realize is, those who work for our compa-
nies are the ones who keep our industry strong.
Talk about hidden talents
Another TV program showed me that our workforce is full of
hidden talent, like the story of Chayce Beckham, a yard man for
a southern California equipment rental company.
Beckham, a country music troubadour with a lot of gravel in
his voice, was announced as southern California’s first Ameri-
can Idol winner. Not bad for a guy who works in our industry to fill
contractors' rental needs. Beckham is giving up his seat in the
equipment yard and moving to Nashville, where maybe, he'll
write a song about being an equipment operator.
“I'm just like your buddy down the street, I’m your co-worker,
I'm your nephew, I'm your grandson,” Chayce Beckham told
George Pennacchio, Channel 7 Eyewitness News’ entertain-
ment editor. “Singing the songs that I got to sing and sharing my
story, I feel like a lot of people know somebody like that.”
Sounds like most of the people who toil in our industry.
Our People Make Our Image
In the office we sell our companies based on how we can per-
form, our reputation and our image in the industry. The reality is
if it weren’t for those who do the tough work and get the job done,
we wouldn't have kept thriving through the pandemic and be-
yond.
I urge us all to take a second and thank the men and women,
the boots on the ground, who have worked hard to keep our com-
panies moving and check to see if any of them are singers. D
E C A M A G A Z I N E 6 J U N E 2 0 2 1
Executive Direction
It’s All About
Members First
By Ray Baca
Executive Director
Email: ray.baca@ecasocal.org
T he founders of the ECA had it
right when deciding upon what
a construction-focused associa-
tion should look like, and exactly
who it was they were serving.
“Championing the interests of its
members,” and, striving to be a “col-
lective influence in the advancement of the construction indus-
try in Southern California.” These words ring just as true today
as they did in the 1970's when first written.
The ECA's Mission is driven by our “Members First” philoso-
phy as we quickly move to the next level in delivering tangible
value and supporting our members needs through proactive
project-based advocacy, interest-based labor relations, and
strategic public policy advancement.
ezondlo@sullicurt.com It is well known that our members perform a variety of under-
ground utility and infrastructure projects throughout the region
including the delivery of water, the removal of water (storm and
sanitary sewers, for example) and many other related services
with the various water agencies, water boards, public works de-
partments, and others. Along with this, the ECA endeavors to be
involved in helping to support projects as they move through the
gauntlet of regulatory governance.
Once such project is the Huntington Beach Seawater De-
salination Plant that ECA's newest Affiliate Member, Posei-
don Water, has in late-stage development with state agencies
and the Coastal Commission. The plant will be a 50-million gal-
lon per day facility located adjacent to the AES Huntington
Beach Power Station and is scheduled to be operational by
2023.
The project will be 100% carbon-neutral and will provide
Southern California with a drought-proof water supply that re-
Carno Law Group’s Practice Focuses duces the need to import water from Northern California. It will
On The Following Areas: create an estimated 2000 jobs during construction, millions in
Construction Law: new tax revenues for local cities, and protect, restore, and en-
Construction Disputes Both Public And Private hance valuable coastal habitat including saving the Bolsa Chica
Payment Disputes - Including: Wetlands—the largest restored coastal wetlands complex in
Mechanics’ Liens Southern California.
Stop Notice Claims and Down in Carlsbad, the Bud E. Lewis Seawater Desalina-
Bond Claims tion Plant owned by Poseidon Water currently produces 50-
Licensure Issues million gallons of fresh drinking water every day—over 75-billion
Bid Protest Issues gallons since 2015—for San Diego County residents and busi-
Construction Defect Litigation nesses. It is producing and delivering into homes and busi-
Surety and Insurance Disputes nesses high-quality water at an affordable cost of less than one
penny per gallon.
Business and Corporate Law: The project has been such a success story that while much
General Business Litigation of the state is in the “red” zone for drought, San Diego County
Contract Drafting and Interpretation rests comfortably in the “yellow” zone because of the access
Business Formation they have to this drought-proof, climate-resilient water supply.
www.CarnoLaw.com (949) 540-0320 Later in this issue you can read much more about the Hun-
Email: acarno@CarnoLaw.com tington Beach Seawater Desalination Plant. D
24031 El Toro Rd., Suite 260, Laguna Hills, CA 92653
E C A M A G A Z I N E 8 J U N E 2 0 2 1
Government Affairs
ECA
Building Your Business Future
On a Legacy of Success
John Hakel -
A Fond Farewell
By Dave Sorem, P.E.
ECA Government Affairs Chairman
email: dave@bubalo.com
D ave Sorem’s note: We are
letting our friend John Hakel
take his final bow in this month's
Government Affairs space. In typi-
cally modest fashion, John, in an-
nouncing his well-earned retire-
ment spent most of his time in this piece praising the efforts of
others in helping to grow the Rebuild SoCal Partnership. In my
role in this effort, I can tell you that John was a key component
to getting our group off the ground. Thanks John and if you
can actually do it, please enjoy a well-earned retirement.
Thanks for the Memories
Legacy ! Mission ! Vision As many of you already know, this will be my last official
714/937-5000 FAX 714/937-5030 week as Executive Director of the Rebuild SoCal Partner-
2390 E. Orangewood Ave., Suite 585, Anaheim, CA 92806 ship. When I was tapped to build this organization, then known
Email: info@ecasocal.org · Web site: www.ecasocal.org
as the Southern California Partnership for Jobs, in 2016 I had no
idea where this journey would ultimately take me.
Our mandate heading in was to educate the public and pub-
lic officials on the need for responsible infrastructure funding. As
a group we have accomplished that and then some no question
about it.
Soon after I arrived, the Partnership added Carol Church to
our staff who went on to become Director of Operations. She
soon added Director of Transportation to her title and is now
Deputy Executive Director. The partnership is now comprised of
a staff of six and now includes the following silos: airports,
bridges, ports, rail, roads, and water.
Over the years we have seen some incredible achievements
such as overseeing the passage of SB1 (The Road Repair and
Accountability Act of 2017) and the ultimate defeat of Proposi-
tion 6 – Voter Approval for Future Gas and Vehicle Taxes and
2017 Tax Repeal Initiative (2018), which would have overturned
SB1.
This past year, I have had the pleasure to serve on the board
of Mobility 21 and look forward to the Partnership continuing that
relationship with Carol Church serving out my term.
As I bid you all a fond farewell, I am pleased to announce the
appointment of our new Executive Director, Jon Switalski. I
look forward to you all formally meeting him in the coming weeks
and months. I know that I am leaving the Rebuild SoCal Partner-
ship in excellent hands.
I look forward to seeing where the future takes this endeavor
from here, it has been an honor and a privilege to work with each
one of you. D
E C A M A G A Z I N E 10 J U N E 2 0 2 1Engineering Contractors’ Association
Political Action Committee
ECA/PAC
Building ECA's Political Strength
Join the ranks of ECA’s elite membership and ensure ECA’s
political success as a Platinum Circle or Gold Key PAC Sponsor.
ECA’s Political Action Committee (PAC) supports state and local pro-job
candidates that value and champion the benefits of new infrastructure
development and ongoing infrastructure maintenance projects. We also
look to provide our political backing to candidates who understand and
support our ECA contractors, the construction industry and the men and
women of our workforce.
By becoming a Platinum Circle or Gold Key Sponsor you increase ECA’s
political strength, and help our association elect good candidates to public
office who will support the issues and causes important for advancing your
business, our industry, infrastructure, job creation and a strong economy.
Platinum Circle or Gold Key Sponsors benefits include:
Platinum Circle Sponsors
Mike Bubalo
$5,000 • Pla num Circle Recogni on Dinner Construction
o Preferred sea ng for 2
(Private Event) Mladen Buntich
• Recogni on as a PAC Major Sponsors at all ECA Events Construction Co.
• Recogni on on ECA Website Butier Engineering, Inc.
• Annual Shoot Out
o Event recogni on as a Pla num Circle Cadiz, Inc.
Sponsors
o Event Tickets 4 Shooters Ferreira Construction
• Annual Dig Awards Southern California
o Preferred Sea ng for 4 Group
(Event ckets must be purchased separately)
o Special Recogni on and Pla num Circle Lapel J.F. Shea Construction
Pin Presenta on held at this event
• Annual Installa on of Officers & Silent Auc on Trench Shoring
o Preferred Sea ng for 4 Company
(Event ckets must be purchased separately)
Gold Key Sponsors
$1,000 • Recogni on as a PAC Major Sponsors at all ECA Events Alcorn Fence Company
• Recogni on on ECA Website Fryman Management
• Annual Shoot Out
o Event recogni on as a Gold Key Sponsors Murray Company
• Annual Dig Awards Pascal & Ludwig Constructors
o Preferred sea ng for 2
Patriot Risk & Insurance
(Event ckets must be purchased separately) Services
o Special Recogni on and Gold Key Lapel Pin
Presenta on held at this event Rendon & Associates
• Annual Installa on of Officers & Silent Auc on Trench Plate Rental Co.
o Preferred sea ng for 2
(Event ckets must be purchased separately)
Trebor Shoring Rentals
www.ecasocal.org
2390 E. Orangewood Ave., Suite 585, Anaheim, CA 92806
(714) 937-5000
E C A M A G A Z I N E 12 J U N E 2 0 2 1ECA Member News
Thompson Pipe’s
Kovac to Lead ACPA
2021 Events
B ranimir Kovac, Vice President of ECA
Member firm Thompson Pipe Group,
was confirmed as Chairman of the Ameri-
can Concrete Pipe Association (ACPA) at
their annual meeting in April.
ECA Events Kovac began his career as a contractor
will be posted and has more than 30 years of industry experi-
ence. In 2010 he joined Thompson Pipe Group
as soon as as the General Manager of the company's
Rialto location. Four years later, he was pro-
gatherings moted to company Vice President. He over-
are again sees the manufacture of reinforced concrete,
precast, and sanitary sewer divisions.
permitted. Kovac graduated from California State
University Long Beach with a bachelor's
degree in civil engineering and lives in South-
! ECA Board Meetings 1st ern California with his family.
Wednesday each month, Kovac is the 114th ACPA Chairman in the
ECA offices association's 117-year history. As Chairman of the Board, Kovac leads the ACPA Executive
! ECA Safety Forum Committee, which consists of five offices: Treasurer, Secretary, Vice Chair, Chair, and Imme-
Meets quarterly, 10:00 a.m. diate Past Chair. Kovac is serving his fourth year on the Executive Committee. He will serve a
ECA office, lunch provided.
one-year term as Chairman, followed by one year as an Immediate Past Chair.
“I am honored to serve this venerable organization, which for more than a century has
Advertiser’s Index provided resources to producers, owners, and contractors,” says Kovac. “Educating and
Alcorn Fence Co......................................23 reminding the marketplace of the more than 100 years of proven resiliency and safety, finan-
Atkinson, Andelson, Loya, Ruud & Romo ..4
Ayala Boring............................................23 cial, and environmental benefits that concrete products provide will continue to be our top
The Blue Book ..........................................6 priority.”
Carno Law Group......................................8 “Branimir will con-
Catalina Pacific Concrete.........................22
Cement Masons ......................................15 tinue to carry the torch
Coastline Equipment..................Back Cover forward, helping us
Conco Pumping ......................................22 continue to modernize
Dangelo Co.............................................23
Ditch Witch West ....................................11 the association in both
Ferreira Construction.................................6 how we go to market and
GMGS Insurance Svcs., Inc......................22
Golden State Boring & Pipe Jacking, Inc. .22
in our marketing efforts,”
Inland Surety...........................................23 says Doug Dayton, P.E., ACPA President. “We look forward to his leadership in growing the
Bernard & Marcia Kamine, Esq. ...............22 concrete pipe and box culvert market and engaging our growing membership base. The
Koppl Pipeline Service, Inc. .....................23
LiUNA.....................................................16
ACPA is grateful for the service of Immediate Past Chairman Bill Washabaugh of Northern
Max Adapter .............................................6 Concrete Pipe, who guided the association through a transition year dealing with COVID-19,
Mocon Corp............................................22 converting in-person events to online, restructuring dues, and enhancing our numerous
Monteleone & McCrory ....................16, 23
National Ready Mixed Concrete Co. .......15
committees and board's structure.”
Penhall Company ....................................10 The American Concrete Pipe Association (ACPA) represents the concrete pipe industry
Quinn Company .......................................2 in matters affecting the industry. ACPA members contribute to the improvement of the envi-
Sancon....................................................23
J.F. Shea Construction, Inc. ..................7, 23 ronment producing concrete pipe, engineered to provide a lasting and economical solution
Sullivan Curtis Monroe Insurance Svcs. ......8 to drainage and pollution problems.
TPR Traffic Solutions ..................................9 Thompson Pipe Group is a family-owned company with the widest range of pressure,
Trench Plate Rental Co. .............................3
Trench Shoring Company ..........................5 drainage, sanitary, and trenchless pipes. Additionally, the company produces structures and
Video Fact ...............................................22 fittings, and provides logistics. Our
experienced team collaborates with
Contact ECA at 714/937-5000 or partners to value engineer success-
by fax at 714/937-5030 ful projects. Learn more at
Email: info@ecasocal.org
Send news releases or other www.ThompsonPipeGroup.com D
member information to:
ECA Magazine,
2390 E. Orangewood Ave.,
Ste. 585, Anaheim, CA 92806
www.ecasocal.org E C A M A G A Z I N E 13 J U N E 2 0 2 1Available at a SPECIAL ECA Member Rate
The NEW
GREENBOOK
is Here...
The Standard Specifications for Public
Works Construction for 2021 are now
available from ECA for $100.00 each.
First published in 1967, Standard Specifications for
Public Works Construction (popularly known as the
“Greenbook”) promotes uniformity, and eliminates
conflicts and confusion, among the plans and
specifications used by local public agencies. It is the work
of an active volunteer committee of professional agency
members who are thoroughly versed in the changing
technology and advanced thinking of the construction
industry.
The new 2021 Edition brings the specifications in the
"Greenbook" completely up to date in accordance with
best practices and the latest technologies covering:
+ Construction Materials
+ Construction Methods
+ Existing Improvements
+ Pipeline Systems Rehabilitation
+ Temporary Traffic Control
+ Street Light and Traffic Signal Systems
+ Landscaping and Irrigation
The "Greenbook" is published every three years under the oversight of Public
Works Standards, Inc. (PWSI). The members of PWSI include the American
Public Works Association (APWA), Associated General Contractors of
California (AGCC), Engineering Contractors Association (ECA), and Southern
California Contractors Association (SCCA),
2021 “Greenbook” (Standard Specifications for Public Works Construction)
Call
714/937-5000
Number of Books _____ @ $100.00 each. Subtotal $_____________
Now to Order
(Shipping & handling additional. No charge for ECA office pick up.)
NAME/TITLE...........................................................................................................................................
COMPANY..............................................................................................................................................
ADDRESS.............................................................................................................................................. FAX/Email ORDERS TO
CITY.......................................................................................... STATE.......... ZIP.................................. 714/937-5030
PHONE................................................................... FAX........................................................................ info@ecasocal.org
SIGNATURE................................................................................................. DATE................................
....M/C ....Visa ....Am Ex #.....................................................................................
Exp...................... CVV Code........................
ECA - 2390 E. Orangewood Ave., Ste. 585, Anaheim, CA 92806, Phone 714/937-5000, FAX 714/937-5030.E C A M A G A Z I N E 15 J U N E 2 0 2 1
Monteleone & McCrory, LLP
SHAPING THE LEGAL LANDSCAPE IN CONSTRUCTION
Representing ECA Members For Over 60 Years.
! Contract Disputes ! Bid Protests
! Change Orders & Extra Work Claims ! Construction Defects
! Delay / Disruption / Acceleration Claims ! Licensure
! Changed Condition Claims ! Wage & Hour Claim Defense
! Mechanic's Lien / Stop Payment Notice / ! OSHA Violation Defense
Bond Claims
725 S. Figueroa Street, Suite 3200, Los Angeles, CA 90017-5446 + Phone: 213.612.9900
www.MMLawyers.com
E C A M A G A Z I N E 16 J U N E 2 0 2 1Industry News
Cal/OSHA Reverses
Covid Standards
A fter first requiring that mask,
social distancing and other
protections against the Covid-19
N95s, to unvaccinated employees for voluntary use. After
July 31, physical distancing and barriers are no longer re-
quired (except during outbreaks), but employers must pro-
virus, the Occupational Safety and vide all unvaccinated employees with N95s for voluntary
Health Standards Board use.
(Cal/OSHA) reversed those posi- Prevention Program: Employers are still required to
tions during an early June special maintain a written COVID-19 Prevention Program but
meeting to return to their previous there are some key changes to requirements:
guidance on these matters. ! Employers must review the California Department of
The reality is that the Standards Public Health's Interim guidance for Ventilation, Fil-
Board ran into a buzzsaw, powered tration, and Air Quality in Indoor Environments.
by the Governor's office and an up- ! COVID-19 prevention training must now include in-
rising from business and citizen groups tired of the never- formation on how the vaccine is effective at prevent-
ending war on an enemy that is in full retreat, with cases, ing COVID-19 and protecting against both transmis-
hospitalizations and deaths near zero at press time. sion and serious illness or death.
In a press release issued after the reversal, the agency Exclusion from the Workplace: Fully vaccinated
asserted the new approach was “The changes adopted by workers who do not have COVID-19 symptoms no longer
the Board phase out physical distancing and make other need to be excluded from the workplace after a close con-
adjustments to better align with the state's June 15 goal to tact.
retire the Blueprint.' Special Protections for Housing and Transporta-
Without these changes, the original standards, would tion: Special COVID-19 prevention measures that apply to
be in place until at least October 22. These restrictions are employer-provided housing and transportation no longer
no longer required given current record low case rates and apply if all occupants are fully vaccinated.
the fact that state administered 37 million vaccinations, cov- Once approved and published, the full text of the re-
ering 71 percent of all adults. vised emergency standards will appear in the Title 8 sec-
The revised emergency standards will go into effect no tions 3205 (COVID-19 Prevention), 3205.1 (Multiple
later as soon as they are approved by the Office of Admin- COVID-19 Infections and COVID-19 Outbreaks), 3205.2
istrative Law, usually within ten calendar days. Some provi- (Major COVID-19 Outbreaks) 3205.3 (COVID-19 Preven-
sions go into effect starting on July 31, 2021. tion in Employer-Provided Housing) and 3205.4 (COVID-
The revised standards are the first update to 19 Prevention in Employer-Provided Transportation) of the
Cal/OSHA's temporary COVID-19 prevention require- California Code of Regulations. Pursuant to the state's
ments adopted in November 2020. emergency rulemaking process, this is the first of two op-
The Board may further refine the regulations in the com- portunities to readopt the temporary standards after the
ing weeks to due to changes in circumstances, especially initial effective period.
as related to the availability of vaccines and low case rates The Standards Board also convened a representative
across the state. subcommittee to work with Cal/OSHA on a proposal for
The standards apply to most workers in California not further updates to the standard, as part of the emergency
covered by Cal/OSHA's Aerosol Transmissible Diseases rulemaking process. It is anticipated this newest proposal,
standard. Notable revisions include: once developed, will be heard at an upcoming Board meet-
Face Coverings: ing. The subcommittee will provide regular updates at the
! Indoors, fully vaccinated workers without COVID-19
Standards Board monthly meetings. D
symptoms do not need to wear face coverings in a
room where everyone else is fully vaccinated and not
showing symptoms. However, where there is a mix-
ture of vaccinated and unvaccinated persons in a
room, all workers will continue to be required to wear
a face covering.
! Outdoors, fully vaccinated workers without symp-
toms do not need to wear face coverings. However,
outdoor workers who are not fully vaccinated must
continue to wear a face covering when they are less
than six feet away from another person.
Physical Distancing: When the revised standards
take effect, employers can eliminate physical distancing
and partitions/barriers for employees working indoors and
at outdoor mega events if they provide respirators, such as
E C A M A G A Z I N E 17 J U N E 2 0 2 1Member on the Job
An Ocean of
Opportunity
“Water, water everywhere, quality water at an affordable cost of less than one penny per gallon.
Nor any drop to drink.” This project has been such a success story that while nearly ev-
The Rime of the Ancient Mariner ery other part of the state is in the “red” zone for drought, San Diego
Samuel Taylor Coleridge, 1798 County rests comfortably in the “yellow” zone because of the access
O ne of the most famous and repeated lines in Eng-
lish Literature comes from the 1798 Samuel Taylor
Coleridge poem, “The Rime of the Ancient Mariner.” In
they have to this drought-proof, climate resilient water supply.
Orange County has been eyeing the construction of a sister desa-
lination plant since the late 1990's. The project is proposed to be lo-
this portion of the poem, the narrator is on a merchant ves- cated on the same site where the AES Power Plant sits at PCH and
sel at sea. There is not a breath of wind and the sailors are Newland in the City of Huntington Beach.
in the middle of the Atlantic Ocean bobbing in place and, California's regulatory process is notoriously slow and deliber-
despite being surrounded by thousands of miles of water, ate, but even by California's standards, while the effort to get this
may die of thirst. needed water factory permitted have been exceptional but the prog-
Similarly, in California we have a coastline with a near ress has been slow. Often described as “two steps forward and one
infinite water supply, yet we regularly we see battle lines step back,” the project received its initial regulatory approvals in
drawn between the farmers in Central California who need 2006 and again in 2010 with certified Environmental Impact Reports
water for their crops; the urban dense populace in Southern
California who need water for their families; and the envi- Seawater Desalination will bring jobs,
ronmentalists who need water to protect endangered and
threatened fish populations in our creeks and rivers.
tax revenue & new water supply to
While these factions battle over who gets the larger Orange County
slice of the pie, no one ever thinks the answer might be to
make the pie bigger so everyone's slice is larger. by the City of Huntington Beach.
Seawater desalination is a technology that has been Since that time the project has been mired in a state regulatory
used for decades on U.S. Naval ships and in arid countries process that makes the Abbott and Costello “Who's on First” routine
sitting on the coast like Israel, Saudi Arabia and Australia. seem straightforward by comparison. The project has bounced from
In 1962, President John F. Kennedy stated, “If we could the Regional Water Quality Control Board to the Coastal Commis-
produce fresh water from salt water at a low cost, that would sion to the State Lands Commission, back to the Regional Water
indeed be a great service to humanity, and would dwarf any Board and now back to the State Lands Commission before finally
other scientific accomplishment.” President Kennedy concluding near the starting line at the Coastal Commission. The
would be proud to see that we have, in fact, achieved his State Lands Commission meeting is expected in the late summer or
goal. early fall and the Coastal Commission hearing is expected late in
In Carlsbad, the Bud E. Lewis Seawater Desalination 2021 or early in 2022.
Plant, owned by Poseidon Water and built in 2015 by Kiewit But through every step of the public hearing process, the Engi-
and Shea under a Project Labor Agreement with the San neering Contractors Association along with the Pipefitters, Electri-
Diego-Imperial Counties Building and Construction Trades cians and Labor Unions have stood up to be heard. Their voices
Council currently produces 50 million gallons of fresh drink- have been full-throated and clear.
ing water every day – over 75 billion gallons since 2015 - for Huntington Beach Desalination Plant is expected to support an
San Diego County residents and businesses. And it is pro- estimated 3,000 urgently needed jobs during its construction period,
ducing and delivering into homes and businesses this high- and an additional almost 300 permanent jobs once in operation.
E C A M A G A Z I N E 18 J U N E 2 0 2 1Member on the Job
duce our reliance on imported water and be more self-
sufficient and sustainable locally.
This project will free up imported water that can be used for
other important priorities whether they be farming, fish or fu-
ture regional growth.
The desalination process itself is proven and environmen-
tally safe. It takes two gallons of seawater to make one gallon
of drinking water. The water is drawn through pipes that run
underneath the beach and out into the ocean more than a thou-
sand feet. There are wedgewire screens with slots narrower
than the width of a dime. While there are some environmental
impacts related to microscopic plankton and fish eggs, no ado-
lescent or adult fish or other marine life are impacted by the de-
These jobs are critically important as we emerge from a salination process.
pandemic that has caused a spike in unemployment in Califor- The brine – or seawater with twice the salt content – that
nia. These are good, high-paying jobs. In Orange County, the goes back out to the ocean is diffused and within 300 feet of the
jobs supported during construction are expected to have an outfall pipe, the salinity levels are the same as they are else-
average compensation of $77,000 per year. This number al- where throughout the Huntington Beach coast.
most doubles for the permanent jobs supported during opera- To mitigate the minor impact of the microscopic sea life that
tions which will have an average compensation of $130,000
per year.
Additionally, the infusion of private investment dollars into
this water infrastructure project means millions in tax revenue
will flow into Huntington Beach and the surrounding communi-
ties supporting local schools and enhancing the funding for
parks, public safety and roads.
Local governments that rely on sales and tourist dollars like
Huntington Beach could be revenue strapped for years.
Thankfully, the project will contribute almost $9.0 million
per year in property taxes, of which approximately $1.5 million
annually will go to the City's General Fund and can be used for
police, fire and other public services. Approximately $3.7 mil-
lion annually would go the Huntington Beach elementary and
high school districts.
This would make the Huntington Beach Project the largest
property taxpayer in the City of Huntington Beach and the 8th
largest property taxpayer in Orange County.
The $8.6 million in property taxes paid by the project within
Orange County would represent an approximately 9.7% in-
crease in the City of Huntington Beach property taxes and a
3.7% increase in the city's total General Fund revenue.
And of course, there is the added benefit of making the
“pie” bigger. This project will provide Orange County with
nearly 20 billion gallons of drinking water annually from a
source that was previously untapped. By adding a new climate
resilient water supply to Orange County's future, we can re-
does get drawn in past the wedgewire screens, Poseidon Wa-
ter has committed to protecting and preserving the Bolsa
Chica wetlands. Poseidon will also restore an artificial reef off
of the coast in Palos Verdes. The marine life benefits of these
projects are an order of magnitude greater than the environ-
mental impacts this project will have. So, at the end of the day,
this project will be a net environmental benefit to the commu-
nity. This project will provide thousands of jobs, deliver mil-
lions in tax revenue and produce billions of gallons of water
each year. All while protecting the environment and preserv-
ing the Bolsa Chica wetlands.
There is indeed “water, water everywhere” along our
coast. And if we have the political will to make it happen, it can
be available for us to drink. D
All photos and cover: In Carlsbad, the Bud E. Lewis Seawater De-
salination Plant, owned by Poseidon Water and built in 2015 by Kiewit
and Shea under a Project Labor Agreement with the San Diego-
Imperial Counties Building and Construction Trades Council currently
produces 50 million gallons of fresh drinking water every day – over
75 billion gallons since 2015 - for San Diego County residents and
businesses.
E C A M A G A Z I N E 19 J U N E 2 0 2 1Safety Forum
E C A M A G A Z I N E 20 J U N E 2 0 2 12021
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