Kachuma spill ends; recycled-water plant reactivated and lab superintendent honored at commission meeting

During a director27s update, staff reported that surplus conditions at Lake Kachuma ended with a spill that concluded March 20, 2026, and that the city brought the recycled-water plant back online March 23 to prepare for dry, hot weather. "In March, we used 60 acre-feet of blend water to supply our recycled water customers and 22 acre-feet of recycled processed water," staff said.

Staff said Central Coast Water Authority deliveries of State Water Project water to Lake Kachuma are expected to resume in April once surplus conditions allow interagency deliveries. The director27s update also covered capital project timing, transmission-main renewal work, and an increase in utility-marking requests this fiscal year.

Recognition: the commission recessed briefly to recognize a statewide laboratory award. Howard Breuan, state president of the California Water Environment Association, presented the Crystal Crucible award to the water resources laboratory superintendent (named in audio with variant spellings). The superintendent described a 19-year city career and accepted the award; staff and commissioners offered congratulations.

Adjournment: the meeting closed with no public comment on the director27s report and commissioners adjourned to a small, in-person celebration.