The Alameda Local Agency Formation Commission (LAFCo) is accepting applications for the public member seat. The deadline for filing an application is Friday, February 2, 2018 at 5:00 p.m.

LAFCo is responsible for coordinating logical and timely changes in local government boundaries, conducting special studies that review ways to reorganize, simplify and streamline governmental structure, and establishing planning spheres of influence for each City and Special District within the County.

The public members represent all Alameda County citizens in an objective and impartial manner. Applicants must be residents of Alameda County, and cannot be a current board or council member, officer, or employee of Alameda County, a City, or Special District in Alameda County.

To read the public notice regarding applications, click here. If you have questions or would like a copy of the application mailed to you, please contact LAFCo at (510) 271-5142, or sandra.hou@acgov.org. For more information about LAFCo or to download the application, visit www.acgov.org/lafco.

FOG (Fats, Oils, & grease) in your household drains can create blockages that turn a great holiday into a hot mess.

Avoid sloppy, costly backups into your home and overflows that can enter local waterways, harming wildlife and the environment. NEVER put fats, oils, or grease down your drains or into storm drains, which flow untreated to our creeks and San Francisco Bay. Bring your used cooking oil and grease to the Republic Services Customer Service Center at 42600 Boyce Road in Fremont for FREE disposal Monday through Friday, 8 a.m. - 5 p.m. Pour used cooking oil and grease into the receptacle and dispose of your empty jug in the provided container. For more information, visit www.StopFOG.com, call Republic Services at (510) 657-3500, or call Union Sanitary District at (510) 477-7500.

USD is pleased that our dedicated staff is receiving recognition as part of the California Legislature’s establishment of Water Professionals Appreciation Week. The appreciation week highlights the important role of wastewater, water, and recycled water professionals, as well as local public agencies, in ensuring safe and reliable services to their communities. This year marks the first annual event, which begins the first Saturday of October and ends on Sunday the following weekend.

USD’s wastewater professionals work to ensure protection of public health and the environment for the Tri-Cities 24/7/365. Collection system workers, plant operators, environmental compliance inspectors, lab analysts, mechanics, electricians, and engineers are just some of the District staff members dedicated to providing award-winning service to our customers. 

Recent labor studies estimate that 60,000 people work in the wastewater and water industry in California, and the industry needs roughly 6,000 new employees each year due to turnover. USD encourages exploration of wastewater industry careers, which offer a wide array of rewarding jobs providing services that are essential to society. 

We’re proud that our hardworking staff is receiving well-deserved appreciation from the California Legislature.

 

USD is pleased to support the rollout of MED-Project Pharmaceutical Take-back kiosks throughout Alameda County. There are currently 16 kiosks in the County located in several pharmacies and law enforcement agencies. These kiosks are for residents to safely dispose of unwanted and expired medications at no cost to the consumer. This program is growing and more kiosk locations will be added soon.

MED- Project is a Limited Liability Company funded by the pharmaceutical industry in response to the Alameda County Safe Drug Disposal Ordinance of 2012 that has since been amended to include sharps. During the transition, there may be changes to existing drop off locations so please check the MED-Project website for updates: www.med-project.org.

Current MED-Project locations in the Tri-Cities include:

Haller's Pharmacy and Medical Supply
37323 Fremont Boulevard
Fremont, CA  94536
(510) 797-2772
Monday - Friday 9 a.m. - 10 p.m.
Saturday 9 a.m. - 7 p.m.
Sunday 10 a.m. - 7 p.m.

Haller's Pharmacy Newark
6170 Thornton Avenue
Newark CA  94560
(510) 797-4333
Monday - Friday 9 a.m. - 6 p.m.

Newark Police Department
37101 Newark Blvd.
Newark, CA  94560
(510) 578-4237
Monday - Friday 8 a.m. - 5 p.m.

Mowry Medical Pharmacy
1999 Mowry Avenue, Suite 2A
Fremont, CA  94538
(510) 793-5011
Monday - Friday 9 a.m. - 6 p.m.
Saturday 9 a.m. - 1 p.m.
 

USD recently honored 28 Tri-City Industries with Certificates of Merit for achieving 100% compliance with water quality requirements in the 2016 calendar year. The District annually awards Certificates of Merit to those permitted industries within its service area that maintain 100% compliance with all wastewater discharge requirements. In addition, these industries consistently implement pollution prevention measures, maintain a cooperative working relationship with the District, and demonstrate continuing awareness and understanding of environmental issues and requirements. Several of the recipients have received this honor for consecutive years of continued compliance. Photos of attendees and their awards are on the District's Facebook page.

The District is responsible for permitting, inspecting, and monitoring many industries that discharge to its sewer system to ensure compliance with Federal, State, and Local environmental regulations. This is done not only to protect the treatment plant from toxic discharges, but also to protect the water quality of San Francisco Bay.