CalMutuals - The Voice of Small Water Systems

11/30/2025

CalMutuals and the California Department of Water Resources are pleased to have supported the San Vicente Mobile Home Park. Developed in 1978 by the Parker (of “Daniel Boone” fame) and Rice families, the park sits on land leased from St. Vincent of Santa Barbara, a charitable organization with roots dating back to 1858.

Over the years, the park’s water system faced challenges, but thanks to the dedication and leadership of St. Vincent’s team, it has been carefully managed and upgraded to serve the community safely and efficiently. The park is now connected to the City of Goleta for fire safety while maintaining its own wells, and is installing new meters through the CalMutuals–DWR Small Supplier Water Conservation Program to track usage and promote smart water use.

💧 A heartfelt thank you to:

The inspiring St. Vincent leadership team for their ongoing stewardship

The dedicated Lewis Plumbing team for their diligent work installing meters

The knowledgeable Mike Alvarado of La Cumbre Mutual Water Company for serving as CalMutuals' local liaison

The supportive Board members Alex Rodriguez and Robert Eranio of Robert’s Associated Water, Inc., for their project management support

Together, these efforts make a lasting impact on the park and its residents!

11/16/2025

With support from Adnen Chabanne of California SCADA Systems and the California Water Association’s Small Company Technical Assistance Committee, CalMutuals and the California Department of Water Resources recently engaged the Los Carneros Water System in the Small Supplier Water Conservation Assistance Program.

A heartfelt thank-you to President Mike Bushman, whose leadership is shaped by a successful career in managing propagation transplant companies, and to Board Member Dan Aldridge, a retired City of Gilroy water professional with decades of hands-on operational experience.

We also extend our gratitude to Don Chapin Construction for their hard work locating and excavating each valve and carefully installing every meter—supported, impressively, by a full backseat of spare parts in Dan’s car!

Together, these partners are helping keep this community’s water system strong and resilient.

04/19/2025

A big shout out to Association of Water Agencies of Ventura County for your fantastic leadership in bringing together the county's water systems and encouraging collaboration to meet the water needs of everyone you serve! We truly appreciate AWAVC for spotlighting the many mutual water companies that play a crucial role in providing water to our communities.

A heartfelt thank you to Casitas, Dempsey Road, Garden Acres, Hermitage, Nyeland Acres, Pleasant Valley, Rio Manor, Sisar, and Southside Improvement for joining us at the symposium! Your contributions gave us a wonderful glimpse into what a "day in the life" looks like for mutual water company leaders. It's inspiring to see how many of you are dedicated volunteers, often working solo to manage the various demands that larger utilities typically handle. Your insights opened up great conversations about how we can team up for the greater good of our county. Thank you all for your unwavering commitment!

11/12/2024

At Antelope Park Mutual Water Company in Lancaster, managing the water system is a family affair. General Manager Elizabeth Green enjoys support from her brother and neighbor Will Green in ensuring that this small system provides reliable, safe, and affordable water to its 155 shareholders. Antelope Park's participation in the California Department of Water Resources - CalMutuals Small Supplier Water Conservation Assistance Program represents one of many proactive efforts by the Green team in addressing requirements and minimizing shareholder impacts and costs.

10/06/2024

Congratulations to Ken Bradbury for well-deserved recognition with CalMutuals 2024 Blanche Vizzini Award! The award recognizes an individual who has made extraordinary contributions to small water systems. Ken selflessly shared his time and talents with the Association since its founding and is an exemplar of a dedicated, progressive, expert mutual water company leader.

10/01/2024

Celebrating large systems helping small systems with recognition of the San Gorgonio Pass Water Agency with CalMutuals first Jim Byerrum Small System Champion Award. SGPWA has supported grant writing and bridge financing for small systems that made otherwise inaccessible state grant funds available to support essential needs.

09/08/2024

Wrapping up installation of residential water meters for Forest Park Mutual Water Company in support 96 shareholders, in an community in the San Gorgonio Wilderness Area of the San Bernardino National Forest. Forest Park Board Member Jeff Schaefer, who grew up in the neighborhood, now lends a skillful hand to managing the company. CalMutuals is grateful for the financial support provided by the California Department of Water Resources, the capable and diligent installation work of Sierra Construction, and the project management and technical guidance of CalMutuals President Emeritus Jim Byerrum.

08/04/2024

CalMutuals Board member Robert Eranio, Executive Director Adan Ortega Jr. and Member Services Director Susan Allen checked in this weekend with the amazing Board of Directors at South Mountain Water Company in Santa Paula, CA and noted great progress in installation of 27 meters for the previously unmetered system. This effort is one in a series of diligent investments the Board has made to maximize the success of their system. Here monitoring water that supports small local farm/residences will have a tremendous impact on conservation and increase responsible water use.

06/20/2024

Joined Red Dewese, President of Trails End Mutual Water Company, Jim Byerrum and the Sierra Construction crew in Mountain Center today to check in on installation of 34 meters as part of the California Department of Water Resources Small System Water Conservation Assistance Program. Inspired by the dedication of Red and the company's shareholders who all pitch in to ensure that the company continues to provide safe, reliable, affordable water for their community.

06/01/2024

Great day at North Shore Mutual Water Company! CalMutuals is helping small systems bolster drought resilience with installation of meters. The 34 meters installed for this mutual water company will save approximately 1428K gallons of water a year! Kudos to California Department of Water Resources for funding support and Rubio Canon Land and Water Company and Sierra Construction & Excavation for work on the ground.

05/19/2024

CalMutuals and CalMutuals JPRIMA are proud to be a signatory agency and to fund participation in IE Works for IE mutual water companies. We extend our congratulations for your recognition by Assemblymember Eloise Gómez Reyes as a finalist for Non-profit of the Year. We applaud your work in developing a diverse talent pipeline to strengthen the water/wastewater workforce.

05/18/2024

Cool tool to share with our shareholders to help prepare for wildfires.

Learn about wildfire incidents near you and how to prepare."