Four Local Water Agencies Agree to Collaborate to Boost Efficiency

February 2025

Rainbow Water has joined three local water agencies to take action to share resources during emergencies and day-to-day operations. In a move intended to save money and control operational costs, Fallbrook Public Utility District, Rainbow Water, Valley Center Municipal Water District, and Yuima Municipal Water District have communicated for months about the potential for achieving operational efficiencies and cost reductions by partnering together. 

The idea is that the four agencies, which are similarly situated geographically and by customer demographics, might more easily accomplish certain goals and tasks together, such as dealing more effectively with the ever-increasing and costly
regulatory mandates.

“We are all sometimes in need of services that can be provided more efficiently and for less money when we work collaboratively,” said Jack Bebee, general manager of Fallbrook Public Utility District.

The four agencies drafted a mutual services agreement that includes mutual aid during emergencies or joint use of specialized equipment such as a Vactor truck—a specialty truck with a powerful vacuum for cleaning sewers, storm drains, or industrial cleanup. Other shared services could include exchanging staff to meet interim needs, working together to navigate regulatory compliance, and joint federal and state lobbying. This is not a complete list, and any district can opt out of the agreement with 30 days’ written notice. Each agency will keep its own records and documents pertaining to costs incurred. 

“We have very similar agencies -- ones that were mostly agriculture for many years,” said Gary Arant, general manager of Valley Center. “We have very similar regulatory, financial, and operational challenges, and by working together can help each other.”  

This agreement gives the four agencies the formal framework to explore the benefits of cooperative joint efforts to control ratepayers' costs. The next steps involve creating a more detailed implementation agreement outlining how specific efforts will be conducted. 

“Our team is eager to share knowledge and resources with our neighboring agencies,” said Jake Wiley, general manager of Rainbow Water. “The mutual agreement sets the stage for us to work collaboratively to enhance our efforts solely for the benefit of those we serve.”