To: Board of Directors, Sonoma County Water Agency, Occidental County Sanitation District, Russian River County Sanitation District, Sonoma Valley County Sanitation District, South Park County Sanitation District
Department or Agency Name(s): Sonoma County Water Agency
Staff Name and Phone Number: Grant Davis 707-547-1911
Vote Requirement: Majority
Supervisorial District(s): Countywide
Title:
Title
Memorandum of Understanding between Sonoma Water and the Consulate General of Denmark in Silicon Valley to Continue Collaboration Opportunities
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Recommended Action:
Recommended action
Authorize the Chair of the Board of Directors of Sonoma County Water Agency to sign a Memorandum of Understanding with the Consulate General of Denmark in Silicon Valley to strengthen cooperation and knowledge-sharing related to climate resilience, water management and environmental policy.
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Executive Summary:
The objective of this Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) is to promote the continued and mutually beneficial relationship between The Consulate General of Denmark in Silicon Valley and Sonoma County Water Agency (Sonoma Water) with a focus on sharing knowledge, data, best practices, business cases, and develop solutions to further both parties’ efforts to develop knowledge, water management and solutions related to climate mitigation and resilience, environmental protection and restoration, efficient water supply, and wastewater management.
The MOU will help both parties advance the goals and objectives of Sonoma Water’s Climate Adaptation Plan and implementation of Sonoma Water’s Energy and Climate Resiliency Policy as well as the Government of Denmark’s Climate Act and related strategies to reach 70% greenhouse gas reductions by 2030 and climate neutrality by 2050. Additional signatories to the MOU include Water Advisory Committee members, including Valley of the Moon Water District, Santa Rosa Water and North Marin Water District.
Discussion:
The following topics have been identified as priority areas for continued collaboration between The Consulate General of Denmark in Silicon Valley, and Sonoma Water under this MOU:
Sustainable and Efficient Water Supply
• Identifying challenges and finding effective solutions associated with climate friendly, environmentally sound, and efficient water supply.
• Sharing best practices, policies, and research for water supply that contribute to: decreasing water loss; increasing water conservation; increasing water and energy efficiency; optimizing process control, performance, and asset management; reducing greenhouse gas emissions; ensuring efficient pressure management; addressing water pollution (especially emerging pollutants); utilizing new digital and intelligent technologies more efficiently; and enabling a higher level of resilience and production security in light of local and global challenges such as pandemics, extreme weather, and natural disasters.
• Sharing ideas and approaches for data collection, auditing, and benchmarking in the water supply sector in order to enhance programs and projects as well as promote learning across audiences.
Sustainable, Resilient, and Efficient Wastewater Treatment, Resource Recovery, and Energy Production
• Identifying challenges and finding effective solutions associated with climate friendly, environmentally sound, and efficient wastewater treatment and sewer systems.
• Sharing best practices, policies, and research for management and wastewater treatment that contribute to: increasing water and energy efficiency; optimizing process control, performance, and assert management; lowering the climate and environmental impact of production and discharge; enabling efficient production of energy and resource recovery of valuable nutrients from waste streams; utilizing new digital and intelligent technologies more efficiently; and enabling a higher level of resilience and production security in light of local and global challenges such as pandemics, extreme weather, and natural disasters.
• Sharing ideas and approaches for data collection, auditing, and benchmarking in the wastewater treatment sector in order to enhance programs and projects as well as promote learning across audiences.
Efficient and Streamlined Digital Governance of Water Processes
• Exchanging knowledge on efficient and streamlined digital governance of water inspections, permits, and public financial assistance mechanisms that further sustainable water administration.
Cooperative Mechanisms
Cooperative mechanisms to accomplish the goals established by this MOU may include, but are not limited to, the following:
1. Joint activities such as organization of, and participation in, seminars, workshops, and meetings to share information and practices, educate key stakeholders, and promote ties between our two communities; and
2. Facilitation of knowledge sharing with other American counties; and
3. Development of joint innovation projects and/or other pilot or similar projects; and
4. Exchange of information relating to policies and regulations, digital administration, and documentation; and
5. Intergovernmental and international visits involving businesses.
The Consulate General of Denmark in Silicon Valley and Sonoma Water plan to designate individuals within their organization as their organization’s “Coordinator” to oversee and coordinate the planning, performance, evaluation, and approval of cooperative activities carried out under this MOU. An action plan may be created, and on an annual basis, status updates may be developed on the collaboration. The Consulate General of Denmark in Silicon Valley is expected to be the focal point for the contribution of Danish knowledge and experiences related to this MOU, including knowledge-sharing in connection with bilateral visits between The Consulate General of Denmark in Silicon Valley and the United States. Sonoma Water’s General Manager will coordinate activities throughout the Sonoma Water organization.
This MOU is intended to be effective upon signature and to remain in effect for three years from the date of final execution.
Sonoma County Strategic Plan
N/A
Sonoma Water Strategic Plan Alignment
Water Supply and Transmission System, Goal 1: Protect drinking water supply and promote water-use efficiency.
The MOU will assist with sharing best management practices that support the functions of water supply, wastewater services and addressing climate resiliency.
Racial Equity:
Was this item identified as an opportunity to apply the Racial Equity Toolkit?
No
Prior Board Actions:
None.
Fiscal Summary
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Narrative Explanation of Fiscal Impacts:
No financial impacts are associated with the MOU. The objectives of the MOU are incorporated into Sonoma Water’s Energy and Climate Resiliency Policy programs and activities already underway at Sonoma Water. Thus, no new funding or staff is currently being requested to support activities under the MOU.
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Narrative Explanation of Staffing Impacts (If Required):
N/A
Attachments:
Memorandum of Understanding
Related Items “On File” with the Clerk of the Board:
N/A