Darcy and Darcy are back in the studio this week and tackle water affordability. With the USEPA finalizing the PFOS Maximum Contaminant Level at 4 PPT (Parts per trillion), California setting the Hexavalent Chromium 6) level at 10 PPB (Parts per billion), lead service line replacement costs, lower Arsenic standards coming, revised Lithium standards on the horizon, and microplastics regulations looming, how will Californians and Americans afford safe drinking water? Darcy B. shares the impacts of the costs of these treatment options including capital investments, operations, and disposal and what that might look like on your monthly water bill; let’s just say it’s not pretty. The Darcys discuss possibilities on other ways to cover costs, including some crazy tourism tax ideas, and hope you, our listeners, might have some answers. Join the conversation!We Grow California Podcast is paid for by the Exchange Contractors Federal PAC and Exchange Contractors State PAC and is not authorized by any candidate or candidate committee.

Darcy and Darcy welcome George Hawkins, founder and CEO of Moonshot Missions, a non-profit organization dedicated to clean and healthy water and waterways in underserved communities. Prior to starting Moonshot Missions, George was the General Manager of DC Water, where he served for eleven years, including several as a Board member. Darcy and Darcy discuss how Moonshot helps disadvantaged communities and tribal water and wastewater systems across the country, how they are funded, what makes them different, and how they might be able to help your community. Join the conversation!We Grow California Podcast is paid for by the Exchange Contractors Federal PAC and Exchange Contractors State PAC and is not authorized by any candidate or candidate committee.

This week JD Harkey, CEO of Drake Enterprises and Vice President of Rancho California Water District, joins Darcy and Darcy. JD farms and manages over 450 acres of wine grapes, avocados, citrus, and olives in the greater Temecula Valley. Elected to the Rancho California Water District Board of Directors in November of 2022, JD shares his challenges regarding the cost of water to Southern California AG and the direct impacts rising rates have on local family farmers, the community, as well as to the $2 billion local economy. Darcy V. and JD compare farming notes, they all join in some common water talk, and overall, it’s a Grape Day in Temecula.We Grow California Podcast is paid for by the Exchange Contractors Federal PAC and Exchange Contractors State PAC and is not authorized by any candidate or candidate committee.

Darcy and Darcy are all alone this week discussing everything water and AG.  From potential So Cal Water rate increases, Climate Adaptation Management Planning, tomato planting, and pricing, to allocations. These two have been busy this last week, joining the conversations locally and at the state level, farming, and doing what they do. If you make this one to the end, the Darcy’s have instructions on how to get a very special “gold star.” Join the conversation!We Grow California Podcast is paid for by the Exchange Contractors Federal PAC and Exchange Contractors State PAC and is not authorized by any candidate or candidate committee.

Senator Anna Caballero, who represents Senate District 14 which includes Merced, Madera, and Fresno Counties, joins Darcy and Darcy this week. The Senator discusses Darcy B’s favorite bill this session, SB 366, rural California, water infrastructure, and the importance of Agriculture is to California’s economy, and to National Security. The Senator shares some of her frustration at the Capitol, the benefits of the Rural Caucus, getting out into her district, and making a difference. Join the conversation!We Grow California Podcast is paid for by the Exchange Contractors Federal PAC and Exchange Contractors State PAC and is not authorized by any candidate or candidate committee.

Justin Wallin, a recognized expert in accurately measuring public opinion, forecasting outcomes, and identifying the most effective ways to influence thoughts and behaviors joins Darcy and Darcy this week and discusses a recent California voter poll. Justin covers questions he asked in the field including ocean desalination and water recycling investments, the importance of food to National Security, and more. There were some surprises and confirmation of some things we hoped were the case. Join the conversation!We Grow California Podcast is paid for by the Exchange Contractors Federal PAC and Exchange Contractors State PAC and is not authorized by any candidate or candidate committee.

Dominic Dimare, Partner from ARC Strategies, a full-service legislative advocacy firm, joins Darcy and Darcy in the studio this week.  The discussion includes California’s legislature, how bills become laws, the enormous amount of legislation proposed, ongoing challenges, and an update on Darcy B’s favorite piece of legislation this session, Senator Anna Caballero’s SB 366.  Darcy and Darcy are just as surprised at some of the answers as you might be. Join the conversation!We Grow California Podcast is paid for by the Exchange Contractors Federal PAC and Exchange Contractors State PAC and is not authorized by any candidate or candidate committee.

Mitch Partovi, a water broker from The Water Agency, joins Darcy and Darcy in the studio and discusses California’s Water market, how it works, the regulatory oversight, the benefits, and related value.  Darcy and Darcy ask some tough questions including monetization of water, the growing groundwater market considering the Sustainable Groundwater Management Act, and who benefits.  We Grow California Podcast is paid for by the Exchange Contractors Federal PAC and Exchange Contractors State PAC and is not authorized by any candidate or candidate committee.

It’s February 2024 and the atmospheric rivers are upon us! Chris White, Executive Director of the San Joaquin River Water Authority Exchange Contractors joins Darcy and Darcy in the studio and discusses the current atmospheric river conditions, California reservoir management, and a preview of the ECPAC member meeting presentation on February 28th.  To reserve your spot at the meeting, visit us online. Reservations are required. We Grow California Podcast is paid for by the Exchange Contractors Federal PAC and Exchange Contractors State PAC and is not authorized by any candidate or candidate committee.We Grow California Podcast is paid for by the Exchange Contractors Federal PAC and Exchange Contractors State PAC and is not authorized by any candidate or candidate committee.

Bees play a critical role in California Agriculture.  Gene Brandi, longtime west coast beekeeper, industry spokesman, ambassador, subject matter expert, advocate, and industry leader joins Darcy and Darcy in the studio for a “buzzworthy” conversation.  They discuss the impacts water cutbacks have had on bees and the bee profession, including fallowing and land retirement.  Gene shares the work California beekeepers have done with farmers and the Almond Board to keep bees safe and healthy, and what we can do in our own backyards.  Gene even gave us a link to get some bee-friendly seeds to plant, for free!  For your seed packet, visit https://www.projectapism.org/seeds-for-bees.html. We Grow California Podcast is paid for by the Exchange Contractors Federal PAC and Exchange Contractors State PAC and is not authorized by any candidate or candidate committee. We Grow California Podcast is paid for by the Exchange Contractors Federal PAC and Exchange Contractors State PAC and is not authorized by any candidate or candidate committee.

Las Virgenes General Manager and President of Water ReUse California, Dave Pedersen joins Darcy and Darcy for a frank and raw discussion on direct potable reuse (DPR). In late December, the State Water Resources Control Board approved DPR regulations; these regs will govern water agencies looking to use their wastewater as a new drinking water resource. DPR takes advanced recycled water and treats it even further through technology, innovation, and safeguards to make it potable, or drinkable.  The Darcy’s weren’t on the same page, believe it or not, and the discussion includes asking Dave some tough questions on safety, cost, and most importantly, public acceptance.We Grow California Podcast is paid for by the Exchange Contractors Federal PAC and Exchange Contractors State PAC and is not authorized by any candidate or candidate committee.

State Water Project (SWP) Contractors’ General Manager Jennifer Pierre joins Darcy and Darcy this week and Boy!  Did they have a lot to talk about!  Jennifer discusses the Governor’s proposal for the Water Quality Control Plan update, the State Water Resources Control Board’s (SWRCB) staff proposal which would have huge water costs across the state (2-Million-Acre-Feet of water lost to cities and farms) why it’s so important that the (SWRCB) adopts the Voluntary Agreements (dubbed Healthy Rivers and Landscapes).  Jennifer lets them know why support is critical right now, the benefits of having everyone at the table, and the work that went into getting where we are today.  Bottom line - This proposal is so much more than Healthy Rivers! Darcy, Darcy, and Jennifer also discuss initial SWP allocation, disadvantaged communities, and water affordability.We Grow California Podcast is paid for by the Exchange Contractors Federal PAC and Exchange Contractors State PAC and is not authorized by any candidate or candidate committee.

Assembly Ag Committee Chair Esmeralda Sora joins Darcy and Darcy this week and shares her own frustrations with getting things done, the importance of water and ag to California and the nation, how she is working to bridge the gap between urban and ag policy makers, and her hopes on how we can and must do better. Let us know what you’re thinking! You can provide your comments, suggestions, questions, or recommendations at https://www.ecwaterpac.com/podcast/. Thanks for tuning in!We Grow California Podcast is paid for by the Exchange Contractors Federal PAC and Exchange Contractors State PAC and is not authorized by any candidate or candidate committee.

Cannon Michael, the Chairman of the San Luis Delta and Mendota Water Authority, joins Darcy and Darcy this week and shares how they were able to secure the raising of the San Luis Reservoir Dam by 10 feet - creating an additional 130,000 acre feet of storage. Listen in and find out how they were able to pull this off, the estimated cost, their project partners, and the always challenging and usually disheartening, California capital improvement project schedule timeline.We Grow California Podcast is paid for by the Exchange Contractors Federal PAC and Exchange Contractors State PAC and is not authorized by any candidate or candidate committee.

Darcy and Darcy welcome Paul and Jackson Minasian of Minasian Law Firm.  Founded in 1841 by Paul’s grandparents, the Minasian Law Firm, located in Oroville California, specializes in California Water Rights.  Paul walks Darcy and Darcy through California water rights history, the most basic types of water rights ,and provides a great foundation for our hosts and listeners.  What Darcy and Darcy know now for sure, this is just the tip of the iceberg!We Grow California Podcast is paid for by the Exchange Contractors Federal PAC and Exchange Contractors State PAC and is not authorized by any candidate or candidate committee.

This week, Darcy and Darcy were out in the wild! Darcy B shares her adventures on the Drought or Missed Opportunities Panel at the 15th Orange County Water Summit, where her name was mentioned as California’s Water Czar candidate! Not to be outdone, Darcy V. shares his experience at the Association of California Water Agencies Region 6 & 7’s San Joaquin Valley Forum on Groundwater.  With the Tulare Groundwater Basin about to experience State Water Resource Control Board Probation Hearings, the information Darcy V. shares is eye-opening, and the conversation it sparks is worth tuning in for! We Grow California Podcast is paid for by the Exchange Contractors Federal PAC and Exchange Contractors State PAC and is not authorized by any candidate or candidate committee.

This week, Darcy and Darcy celebrate the new water year by welcoming back Chris White, Executive Director of the San Joaquin River Exchange Contractors Authority.  Chris is an engineer, water manager, and exceptional historian. Darcy & Darcy asked Chris how we did in water-year 2022-2023, what storage looks like, what we could have done better, and how 2023-24 looks.  When they asked Chris if it was going to be wet or dry, he said... Listen in and find out!We Grow California Podcast is paid for by the Exchange Contractors Federal PAC and Exchange Contractors State PAC and is not authorized by any candidate or candidate committee.

This week, Darcy and Darcy welcome Ric Ortega, General Manager of Grasslands Water District. Grasslands is dedicated to the protection and delivery of water to the Grassland Resource Conservation District’s 75,000 acres of private, state, and federal wildlife refuges. Habitat served by the district is recognized as a Wetland of International Importance under the RAMSAR Convention on Wetlands and is also designated as a Wetland of Global Significance, a critical component to the Western Hemispheric Shorebird Reserve Network. To learn more about the amazing ecosystem and environmental work they do, visit https://gwdwater.org/gwd/-- We Grow California Podcast is paid for by the Exchange Contractors Federal PAC and Exchange Contractors State PAC and is not authorized by any candidate or candidate committee.

Darcy and Darcy welcome Mike Wade, Executive Director of the California Food and Water Coalition (CFCW). CFWC is a non-profit, educational organization formed in 1989, providing fact-based information on farm water issues to the public. The organization works to help consumers, elected representatives, government officials and the media connect California water and our food supply. Mike shares with Darcy and Darcy the work CFCW has done, what they are working on now, the importance of social media influencers, and how things have changed.We Grow California Podcast is paid for by the Exchange Contractors Federal PAC and Exchange Contractors State PAC and is not authorized by any candidate or candidate committee.

Darcy and Darcy are on opposite sides once again!  This time they take their respective stands on the State Water Resources Control Board’s staff recommendations to make Conservation a Way of Life for all Californians, regardless of water supply or availability. This new effort will put all Urban water agencies on a budget determined by SWRCB staff.  Darcy and Darcy discuss whether these efforts make a difference, if they detract from the water infrastructure investments that need to be made, and if this is how California’s economy will not only survive but thrive.We Grow California Podcast is paid for by the Exchange Contractors Federal PAC and Exchange Contractors State PAC and is not authorized by any candidate or candidate committee.