In 2024, the Zone 7 Board of Directors hosted a series of workshops to develop a new Five-Year Strategic Plan for the organization. During that process, we refined our mission, vision and values. The Strategic Plan is structured in a supporting fashion: the Initiatives support the Goals, which support the Mission and achievement of the Vision. The overarching Goals guide our work at every level. The major Strategic Plan Initiatives that are planned to be undertaken over the five-year period support the meeting of those Goals.
Mission
We deliver safe, reliable, efficient and sustainable water and flood protection services.
Vision
We provide excellent water and flood protection services to enhance the quality of life, economic vitality and environmental health of the communities we serve.
Values
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Team – We collaborate and are inclusive, valuing all perspectives to improve our services, systems, and organization.
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Service – We are responsive, respectful, and professional.
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Fiscal Responsibility – We are committed to ensuring the responsible and transparent management of public funds, adhering to the highest standards of accountability and efficiency.
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Safety – We are committed to public and employee safety.
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Transparency - We carry out our mission ethically and transparently, and with integrity.
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Environmental Responsibility – We deliver our services in an environmentally responsible manner considering the energy, climate, people, and natural resource stewardship.
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Leadership – We cultivate leaders and expect our agency to proactively lead and innovate.
Organization-Wide Goals
GOAL A | Professional Workforce
Preferred employer for skilled, motivated, and professional staff.
Initiative #1 – Maintain a high-quality workforce to meet current and future needs and challenges
Initiative Description – This initiative includes programs and activities designed to attract and retain top talent and demonstrate our commitment to continuous improvement to ensure the workforce remains well-positioned to perform the functions required of Zone 7. This initiative also seeks to enhance opportunities for collaboration and teamwork.
Initiative #2 – Enhance professional development approach to maintain workforce
Initiative Description – Zone 7 depends on a professional and capable workforce. This initiative is designed to ensure employees are equipped with the tools to succeed in their roles and have the opportunity to gain new skills through continuing education and training.
Initiative #3 – Streamline workforce management processes.
Initiative Description – This initiative will review and upgrade Human Resources technology connecting employees and workflow processes to support daily operations, help reduce compliance risk and improve employee engagement.
Initiative #4 – Revamp Safety Program
Initiative Description – Zone 7 depends on a safety culture of excellence to protect our workforce and the community we serve. This Initiative consists of continuing ongoing safety efforts to meet our obligations and regulatory requirements. In addition, Zone 7 will perform a comprehensive safety program review and gap assessment to identify modifications to practices and new initiatives needed to ensure safety of staff and the public.
GOAL B | Reliable Water Supply and Infrastructure
Provide customers with reliable water supply and infrastructure.
Initiative #5 – Develop a diversified water supply plan and implement supported projects and programs
Initiative Description – The Zone 7 portfolio is highly dependent on water supplies conveyed through the Delta, primarily from the State Water Project. The Delta’s ability to divert water has become increasingly unreliable due to aging levees, earthquake risk, climate change, and increasingly stringent regulations resulting from declining ecosystem conditions. As Zone 7 considers a number of new water supply and storage projects, the Agency will endeavor to establish a diversified water supply and storage portfolio that focuses on local storage and supplies.
Initiative #6 – Continue to effectively implement infrastructure projects in the Water System Capital Improvement Plan (CIP)
Initiative Description – Robust infrastructure is critical to providing a safe and reliable supply of water. Existing infrastructure must be maintained, upgraded, and replaced to ensure reliable operations and new infrastructure must be implemented to serve increasing demand and to meet future water quality regulations. Ongoing investment in administrative and maintenance facilities are needed to provide safe, professional workspaces for office and field staff and to manage inventories. This initiative documents how Zone 7 will continue to update and implement its CIP and the Asset Management Program (AMP) to meet Zone 7’s water infrastructure resilience, reliability and operational needs and to define the funding plan.
GOAL C | Safe Water
Provide customers with safe water in an environmentally responsible manner.
Initiative #7 – Meet or surpass all drinking water health and safety requirements
Initiative Description – Zone 7 is committed to providing water that is safe to drink. As a water wholesaler for the Valley, Zone 7 collaborates with its retailers, communicates with its customers, implements internal water quality goals that surpass State and federal primary standards by at least a margin of 20%, monitors water quality at production facilities and in the transmission system, and prepares a bi-annual water quality management plan update. This ensures the water Zone 7 delivers is safe to drink. This initiative describes how Zone 7 will continue to provide high quality water
Initiative #8 – Continue evaluating the Chain of Lakes Conveyance System Project
Initiative Description – Initial studies confirmed the opportunity to convey and store water in existing Zone 7-owned Chain of Lakes (Lake I and Cope Lake) to increase groundwater recharge and significantly enhance Zone 7’s dry-year and emergency water supply portfolio. This project consists of planning and constructing conveyance facilities between the lakes and the South Bay Aqueduct at the Del Valle Water Treatment Plant and other improvements to enable Zone 7 to fill, store and draw water when needed. This initiative includes activities to continue planning and conducting technical and economic analyses to support an informed decision and to initiate project implementation.
Initiative #9 – Implement the PFAs Management Strategy
Initiative Description – EPA announced the final National Primary Drinking Water Regulation for six per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAs) in April 2024. Zone 7 has been at the forefront of monitoring and treatment for PFAs in groundwater, removing multiple wells from service when trace levels were first detected. Monitoring and treatment programs are continuing, and additional treatment is anticipated at some wells.
Initiative #10 – Implement Mocho Wellfield PFAs Treatment Project
Initiative Description – Zone 7 continues to adaptively modify operations and construct treatment facilities to deliver water that meets PFAs regulations in advance of the 2029 compliance date. Presence of PFAs in the Mocho Wellfield has reduced production capacity and constrained the Mocho Groundwater Demineralization Plant operation. This initiative will implement the Mocho Wellfield PFAs Treatment Facility to restore Zone 7’s water supply reliability and position Zone 7 to meet anticipated future PFAs waste discharge regulations.
GOAL D | Groundwater Management
We manage and protect the groundwater basin as the state-designated groundwater sustainability agency.
Initiative #11 – Manage the Groundwater Sustainability Agency and implement the Groundwater Sustainability Plan
Initiative Description – Zone 7 has managed the Livermore Valley Groundwater Basin for more than 50 years. Sustainable groundwater management has been accomplished by replenishing pumped groundwater with imported surface water from the South Bay Aqueduct. Because of its long history with replenishing the Basin, Zone 7 was designated as the exclusive Groundwater Sustainability Agency for the basin in the Sustainable Groundwater Management Act enacted by the State Legislature in 2014. This initiative consists of administering the groundwater program and implementing the basin’s Alternative Groundwater Sustainability Plan.
GOAL E | Effective Flood Protection
Provide an effective system of flood protection.
Initiative #12 – Complete the Flood Management Plan
Initiative Description – Zone 7 is in the process of developing a Flood Management Plan (FMP) that addresses climate change and changing regulatory requirements. The guiding principles goals and principles of the FMP were established in 2022. This initiative focuses on assessing the performance of existing facilities using historical and projected future storm events, to identify projects alternatives and maintenance practices to improve performance, prepare an asset management plan, and establish a capital improvement program. The assessments will include economic-analysis of costs and benefits under the various scenarios, stakeholder engagement, and policy-level input on objectives, criteria and ultimate direction.
Initiative #13 – Continue to repair and maintain the flood protection facilities
Initiative Description – Zone 7 manages approximately 37 miles of flood channels in the Tri-Valley area. Maintaining flood channel facilities and reducing flood risk involves preventative and reactive maintenance and implementing repairs to areas damaged during high-flow storm events. This initiative describes Zone 7’s commitment to maintaining these channels for flood protection and watershed stewardship.
GOAL F | Effective Operations
Provide the agency with effective leadership, administration and governance.
Initiative #14 – Implement Computerized Maintenance Management System (CMMS) and Establish a Proactive Maintenance Program
Initiative Description – The goal is to implement the tools, training and process that enable a transition from a reactive to a proactive maintenance program approach. Zone 7 took a major step toward this goal through procurement of a CMMS that provides the structure and data and resource management that will guide maintenance activities and decisions. This initiative aims to enhance asset reliability, reduce unplanned downtime, optimize maintenance resources, and extend asset life while ensuring regulatory compliance.
Initiative #15 – Develop and Implement an Energy Master Plan
Initiative Description – The goals of the Energy Master Plan are to formalize Zone 7’s energy strategy by understanding baseline conditions in terms of energy sources, uses, costs, and related emissions. An Energy Policy was adopted in2024 to guide related decisions about where and how to make energy-related investments. A planning document that identifies and prioritizes potential energy projects, programs, and activities will be developed based on that policy.
Initiative #16 – Develop and Implement a Security Plan
Initiative Description – Continuous updates and security system modernization is needed at water production and administrative facilities to protect operational integrity and facilities, and to keep staff safe. This initiative includes assessing security features at Zone 7 facilities, including lock and key management, applying electronic entry where possible, installing security cameras where needed, maintaining perimeter security and ensuring cyber security. This initiative will identify and implement improvements to meet industry standards for security and to protect staff.
Initiative #17 – Update the Emergency Preparedness Program
Initiative Description – This initiative describes the activities Zone 7 will perform to update and keep current its emergency preparedness programs. Emergency preparedness and response planning are critical to maintain operations during emergencies ranging from small pipeline breaks to pandemics, water supply shortages, and large-scale natural disasters. Staff will update and modernize key elements of the Emergency Preparedness Program consistent with the National Incident Management System and Incident Command Structure, and ensure staff are trained and routinely exercise the Emergency Response Plan. Staff will continue participation in County Emergency Managers Association and retailer customer operations coordination and exercises to maintain consistency with industry standard practices for emergencies.
Initiative #18 – Assess adoption of new technologies
Initiative Description – Advances in technology and software present opportunities for Zone 7 to improve business processes. This initiative will track and implement appropriate technologies.
GOAL G | Stakeholder Engagement
Engage our stakeholders to foster understanding of their needs, the agency , and its functions.
Initiative #19 – Communications Program
Initiative Description – This initiative underscores Zone 7’s commitment to operating with openness and transparency. Effective communication is essential for serving the community, maintaining trust, and reinforcing our dedication to customer service and integrity.
Initiative #20 – Pursue opportunities for interagency cooperation
Initiative Description – Continue effective coordination and partnership among federal, state, regional, retailers, and other local agencies.
GOAL H | Fiscal Responsibility
Operate the agency in a fiscally responsible manner.
Initiative #21 – Continue to effectively manage financial resources
Initiative Description – This initiative consists of managing financial resources in a prudent manner that maintains Zone 7 systems, provides reasonable rates to the community, and demonstrates good stewardship of public funds.
Initiative #22 – Track state and federal funding opportunities
Initiative Description – Applying for state and federal funding offers an opportunity to augment project budgets and offset local costs.
