Time is of the essence for the Delta Conveyance Plan (DCP) studies and to help us understand what’s going on and the urgency, Metropolitan Water District of Southern California’s Chairman Adán Ortega joined Darcy and Darcy. Recently Governor Newsome included the DCP as part of his Budget Trailer Package. Adán sets the record straight on how this le…

Darcy and Darcy are back from the Association of California Water Agencies’ (ACWA) Spring Conference! They had the pleasure of meeting Dan Keppen, the Executive Director at the Family Farm Alliance (Alliance). This week Dan joins them and discusses his upcoming retirement, his successes, challenges, and accomplishments. After twenty years with the …

Did you miss them? Darcy B. has literally been traveling the world, and Darcy V. has been planting acres and acres of tomatoes. They are finally back in the studio and are catching up on everything that happened while Darcy B. was globe-trotting including the Central Valley Project (Federal) and the State Water Project allocations, Metropolitan’s n…

It’s March and newly elected officials have settled into their seats. At the state level, one third of all legislators are new. Locally, that percentage could be higher or lower. Regardless, newly elected officials rarely have an understanding about California’s water complexities nor the importance of Agriculture and its unique challenges. To get …

Sarah Woolf, a California Ag and Water icon, joins Darcy and Darcy and discusses Water Wise - a water management company for farmers in the central San Joaquin Valley, the Change Coalition, the San Joaquin Blueprint, the San Joaquin Valley Water Collaborative Action Program, and family farming – just to name a few! Sarah shares her perspective on C…

Darcy and Darcy welcome back Westlands Water District's Assistant General Manager, Jose Gutierrez and for the first time, welcome Kitty Campbell, Supervisor of Resources. Westlands has been doing some innovative groundwater sustainability efforts and in this episode, Jose and Kitty talk about their Aquifer Storage and Recovery (ASR) Program. This p…

Vivian Welsh, Founder and CEO of Vivians.io, a firm that develops Artificial Intelligence (AI) solutions, joins Darcy and Darcy and discusses what AI is, how utilities or farmers use this technology, what guardrails (If any) are in place, and what’s been the biggest barrier to AI implementation. Vivian shares great success stories, answers tough qu…

It’s finally February, and true-to-form, January has been the longest year! Los Angeles fires were and still are devastating. On the bright side, water, particularly, California Water, has been front and center. Darcy V. and Darcy B. discuss how the information is evolving, and in some cases, literally changing by the second! They also emphasize th…

With Los Angeles and the surrounding areas still ablaze, the media is capitalizing with headlines like Washington Post’s recent article, “L.A. fires may have brought cancer-causing chemicals into drinking water.” Causing further concern are the various public health water notices including Do Not Drink and Do Not Boil. Ultimately, people want to kn…

First, Darcy and Darcy send their concern and sympathy for those impacted by the horrific southern California fires. We hope you're safe, and the fires are extinguished soon. To start 2025 off, Mitch Partovi, a water broker from The Water Agency, is back! Mitch joins Darcy and Darcy and discusses California’s current water supply, what activities a…

Darcy B. and Darcy V. thought you could use a little refresh from all the election advertising, conversation, and in some instances, drama. Just in time for the biggest food holiday of the year, Darcy V. and Darcy B. go over some fun Thanksgiving Dinner food facts. Darcy V. has been waiting to do this episode for over a year! The Darcys share where…

The November 2024 elections are over and a whole new class of elected water board directors are about to take their seats. Many of these individuals ran on the promise of lower water rates, improved water reliability, more transparency, etc. But what can they really deliver? Darcy and Darcy welcomed Elsinore Valley Municipal Water District’s (EVMWD…

Johnny Amaral, Chief External Affairs Officer at Friant Water Authority, joins Darcy and Darcy in the studio this week for an enlightening conversation. Recently, Johnny moderated a panel that Darcy B. participated in and Darcy V. attended. This annual event was hosted by the Association of California Water Agencies, Regions 6 & 7. The panel focuse…

It’s October 2024 and the new water year has begun! Chris White, Executive Director of the San Joaquin River Water Authority Exchange Contractors joins Darcy and Darcy in the studio and lets us know how the California 2023-2024 water year ended, what water storage levels are, and what the next water year may hold. The age old question is before us …

In the early 1900’s California water projects were Big and Bold. Today’s guest, Mehul Patel, Orange County Water District’s Executive Director of Operations, oversees a project that can be classified in that same category – the Groundwater Replenishment System or GWRS. The only reason urban water agencies are even talking about, let alone planning …

Will Pruitt, CEO of Water Right, LLC, and Exchange Contractor PAC Board Member, joins Darcy and Darcy this week. Will shares the Why, Where, and When certain irrigation strategies are employed. Irrigation has come a long way in the last few decades and now, with the help of better technology, innovation, and grower expertise, not only are these sys…

Imagine this: you shut off 31% of your customers for non-payment and the United Nations shows up at your door. This is a true story and Darcy and Darcy were very curious to see how this played out. Join them as they welcome Matt Phillips, who leads the City of Detroit Water and Sewerage Department’s Customer Service Division as well as serves as th…

This week Dan Nelson retired Executive Director of the San Luis-Delta Mendota Water Authority (Authority) joins Darcy and Darcy. Dan shares the history of the Authority’s predecessor organization, the events that led to the Authority’s creation, key operation and water management milestones, and the best lesson he learned. The coolest part of the i…

Darcy V is harvesting tomatoes so that means, Darcy B. is leading this discussion, and what a discussion it is! Darcy welcomes Geoffrey Vanden Heuvel, the Director of Regulatory and Economic Affairs for the Milk Producers Council, a California dairy farmer trade association. Geoff is currently the Vice-Chairman of the Water Blueprint for the San Jo…

This week Ryan Jacobson, Chief Executive Officer of Fresno Farm Bureau joins Darcy and Darcy for an interesting conversation on what a Farm Bureau is, what it does, and how they work. Ryan discusses that over the last ten years, a lot of what he does can be summed up in these words, “There’s water ... and then there’s everything else.” Ryan shares …

This week, Darcy B. is flying solo while Darcy V. is out of town. Left to her own devices, Darcy welcomed into the studio Dusty Ference, the Executive Director of the King’s County Farm Bureau. Recently, Dusty and the King’s County Farm Bureau made headlines when they successfully were issued a temporary restraining order against the State Water Re…

It’s Darcy and Darcy this week and they have plenty to talk about. First, they share information about a Central Valley event hosted by The California Water Alliance (4th Annual Water Forum) that is being held on August 7th. This event was encouraging to both Darcys as it appears to be a non-partisan, forward thinking, solution focused event. Check…

Mr. Redgraves and special guest Mina Guth take a deep dive on the award winning and cult classic Japanese movie within a movie, One Cut of the Dead. As Cassandra had the night off, there will be no spoiler warnings.By Mr. Woolf and Mr. Redgraves

For over a decade now, Direct Potable ReUse (DPR) has been referred to as “Showers to Flowers.” Darcy and Darcy welcome back Las Virgenes General Manager and President of Water ReUse California, Dave Pedersen to talk about DPR’s next level – Pizza & Beer! If you recall from our December 29th episode, Darcy V wanted to try the DPR Pale Ale Beer that…

Paul Minasian, long-practicing California water rights attorney, is back! Paul joins Darcy and Darcy in the studio to explain the Supreme Court of the United States’ (SCOTUS)overturning of what was known as the Chevron doctrine. Darcy and Darcy ask Paul about the impacts this ruling may have on Federal (and State) Water Project Operations, water pr…

Allison Febbo, General Manager of Westlands Water District joins Darcy and Darcy this week for a long-awaited recharge, culture change, and water supply reliability (or is that unreliable water supply ?!) conversation. Allison has been in water for over two decades and served a wide variety of leadership roles however has only been at the helm of W…

It’s Fourth of July week and it’s the perfect time for Darcy and Darcy to share the top produce grown in California and pretty much – you guessed it - your entire summer fruit salad is provided by your friendly California Farmer! And with California's Central Valley temperatures inching up past 110 for over a week, Darcy V shares his strategies on …

This week Darcy and Darcy have some good news to share when they welcome Eddie Ocampo, Director of Community Sustainability with Self-Help Enterprises, a nationally recognized community development organization. Eddie and Self Help work with communities to build resiliency through housing, water reliability, waste-water services, and community deve…

Tonight, Mr. Woolf and Mr. Redgraves go international, looking at horror films from outside the United States, looking at some excellent examples of films from around the globe, and examining how tropes can be completely reinvented by looking at them through a new cultural lens.By Mr. Woolf and Mr. Redgraves

Jason Phillips, Chief Executive Officer of Friant Water Authority, and Water Blueprint for the San Joaquin Valley Blueprint Board Member joins Darcy and Darcy this week for an interesting and thought-provoking conversation. Jason covers what the Blueprint is, who is part of it, why it is needed, new partnerships, and top priorities. He also explain…

Steve Chedester, Director of Policy and Programs at the San Joaquin River Exchange Contractors Water Authority (Exchange Contractors) is back for part two of local project investments, the Orestimba Creek Recharge and Recovery Project – say that three times fast! Steve shares information about a groundwater recharge project in the Del Puerto Water …

Darcy and Darcy welcome back Steve Chedester, Director of Policy and Programs at the San Joaquin River Exchange Contractors Water Authority (Exchange Contractors). Steve shares some innovative infrastructure news that for us Water Nerds, is super exciting! The Exchange Contractors partnered with the San Luis Water District and the Grasslands Water …

Darcy and Darcy are discussing some pretty incredible milestone events this week. First, the Metropolitan Water District of Southern California entered into two Memorandums of Understanding. The first with Friant Water Authority and Westland Water District and the second with the San Joaquin Valley Blueprint. These non-binding agreements open the d…

Tonight, Mr. Woolf and Mr. Redgraves reveal their guilty pleasures, the films they love in spite of, or perhaps because of their many flaws. The cinema that they can't resist despite mockery!By Mr. Woolf and Mr. Redgraves

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…

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…

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…

Mr. Woolf and Mr. Redgraves discuss the films they consider seminal and genre defining, their "Must Watch" List, if you will. Not to be confused with favorites, this "Criterion Collection" aims to explore the breadth of the horror genre, and expand your viewing horizons.By Mr. Woolf and Mr. Redgraves

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 …

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…

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 inve…

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…

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 Ma…

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.…

Tonight Mr. Redgraves is joined by special guest and good friend, Dani, who guides us on a deep dive into the Five Nights at Freddy's (2023) and the extended FNAF Universe. As a bonus episode and single film exploration there will be many spoilers, not just for the film but the FNAF games and books as well. Also some spoilers for Willy's Wonderland…

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 fallowin…

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 reso…

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 (…

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! Y…

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 proj…