Dear Cambrians,

Happy Halloween, Cambrians!

As our community enjoys a season filled with costumes, candy, and just the right amount of spooky fun, perhaps the scariest thing of all is how close we are to achieving several major milestones as a District. For years, many of these projects have lingered in planning phases, permitting cycles, and regulatory review. Today, however, they are moving forward in ways that are both exciting and consequential for Cambria’s long-term infrastructure, resilience, and community services.

One of the most significant developments is progress on the Water Reclamation Facility (WRF) Coastal Development Permit application. With the County’s acceptance of our submitted materials, we now proceed to the environmental determination process under CEQA, a crucial and mandatory step in securing full operational permitting. While additional information may be requested along the way, this movement reflects substantial progress toward improved local water supply reliability.

At the same time, we are thrilled to have secured $60,000 in grant funding, unanimously supported by both the Cambria Tourism Board and the San Luis Obispo County Tourism Board, to make meaningful renovations at the Veterans Memorial Hall. These improvements will not only enhance the building’s appearance and usability but also directly support the tourism-related events that help keep Cambria’s economy vibrant. The CCSD is sincerely grateful to both the Cambria Tourism Board and the CBID/H1TA for their generous support. Additionally, construction on the Stuart Street Tank Project continues to advance steadily, with structural assembly and welding already underway. This project will ultimately strengthen system reliability and help safeguard public health and safety for decades to come.

As these efforts converge, we want to acknowledge the patience, engagement, and pride of this community. The District’s progress is the result of persistent, collaborative work from staff, partners, and our Board of Directors, and we are closer than ever to turning long-discussed projects into completed assets. Thank you for your continued support. More in-depth details below! 

Enjoy a safe and spirited Halloween season!

Administrative & Finance Departments 

CCSD Office Closure for Veterans Day 

Please be advised that the Cambria Community Services District (CCSD) administrative office will be closed on Tuesday, November 11, 2025, in observance of Veterans Day.

For any Water and Wastewater emergency services during this time, please contact our 24-hour main line at (805) 927-6223. The office will reopen on Wednesday, November 12, 2025, at 9:00 a.m.

CCSD Office Closure for Thanksgiving

Please be advised that the Cambria Community Services District (CCSD) administrative office will be closed on Thursday, November 27, and Friday, November 28, 2025, in observance of Thanksgiving.

For any Water and Wastewater emergency services during this time, please contact our 24-hour main line at (805) 927-6223. The office will reopen on Monday, December 1, 2025, at 9:00 a.m.

Facilities & Resources Department

Mountain Lion Activity Near Ridge Trail and Marine Terrace Fire Road

Please be advised that there has been mountain lion activity observed on the Ridge Trail leading down to the Marine Terrace Fire Road. For your safety, we ask that all visitors exercise caution while in the area and follow recommended wildlife safety guidelines. We appreciate your cooperation in helping to ensure public safety.

Road/Highway Maintenance and Code Enforcement

The Cambria Community Services District (CCSD) does not manage road or highway maintenance or code enforcement. If you have an issue related to these matters, please contact the appropriate agency below:

Road Maintenance – Local
(Including dead animal removal, sign, streetlight, and/or roadway conditions)
🔗 San Luis Obispo County Road Maintenance Request Form
📞 San Luis Obispo County Road Maintenance: (805) 781-5252

Road Maintenance – Highway
(Including dead animal removal, roadway conditions, and more)
🔗 Caltrans Service Request
📞 Caltrans – District 5: (805) 549-3111

Code Enforcement – San Luis Obispo County
🔗 SLO County Code Enforcement

Cambria Fire Department

Meet the Fire Chief

On Monday, November 24, 2025, from 9:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m., Fire Chief Michael Burkey will be working out of the Cambria Veterans' Memorial Hall and would love to meet you and hear your thoughts on anything related to the Cambria Fire Department. 

📣 Now Hiring: SAFER Firefighters

The Cambria Community Services District is accepting applications for three SAFER Firefighter Paramedic or SAFER Firefighter EMT-1 positions. Applications will be reviewed on a continuous basis, and interested candidates are encouraged to apply as soon as possible.

For details on qualifications, salary, and benefits, visit: 🔗 www.cambriacsd.org/safer-firefighter-recruitment

Water & Wastewater Departments

Please refer to the October 9, 2025 Board Meeting agenda packet to read the latest utilities report.

New Employee 

The Cambria Community Services District is pleased to welcome Collin Weeks as our new Water Operator in the Water Department. Collin joins us from Yosemite National Park’s Utilities Department and brings more than six years of experience in both water and wastewater operations. He will begin his role as a Water Treatment Operator I. 

EyeOnWater Portal for Cambria Residents

Track your water use. Catch leaks early. Save money. Help conserve.

The Cambria Community Services District (CCSD) has launched EyeOnWater, a free, easy-to-use digital platform that allows customers to monitor their water use in near real-time. This tool is part of our Advanced Metering Infrastructure (AMI) system, a smart technology that securely and accurately sends water usage data directly from your meter to the District.

With EyeOnWater, CCSD customers can now view their water use in 15-minute intervals, detect leaks quickly, set usage goals, and more—all from a smartphone or computer.

Badger Meter will be giving a presentation to the CCSD Board of Directors on November 13, 2025. The District encourages members of the public to attend to learn more about the system and ask questions.

What EyeOnWater Will Let You Do:

• See Your Usage in Detail
  View your water use by the hour, day, week, or month. Interactive graphs make it easy to spot patterns or high-use days.
• Get Leak Alerts Instantly
  Suppose EyeOnWater detects continuous or unusually high usage (like from a running toilet or broken irrigation line). In that case, you’ll get a text or email alert before it shows up on your bill.
• Track Trends and Set Goals
  Compare usage over time and set personal water use targets. You’ll get alerts when approaching or exceeding your goal, helping you avoid surprises and conserve more.
• Access Anytime, Anywhere
  Whether you're at home or away, you can check your water usage at any time via the mobile app or online portal.

For more information, please click here.

Stuart Street Tank Project Update

For the latest project updates, visit the page below regularly. We’ll post ongoing information, including construction milestones, road closures, and any potential service impacts.

https://www.cambriacsd.org/stuart-street-tank-construction-project-updates

Zero Liquid Discharge (ZLD) Pilot Status

The new container-based processing pods have been successfully delivered and set up on-site. The project team has already produced an initial batch of “test” brine to evaluate system performance and confirm operational readiness. Preparations for full Zero Liquid Discharge (ZLD) testing are now underway, marking an important step forward in advancing the District’s water sustainability efforts. The Resources & Infrastructure Committee chair met with Staff to discuss project progress; however, due to limited site preparation and conditions not yet suitable for visitors, the planned tour was postponed for safety and accessibility reasons. Staff is actively working to address those site conditions to ensure committee members and the public can safely view the equipment and operational layout. We anticipate holding a special meeting, including a full site tour, to continue the discussion once the area is prepared. The District anticipates holding a special meeting in November; however, the date is pending. Staff looks forward to providing additional updates as we move closer to full ZLD demonstration and continued enhancement of the District’s long-term water resiliency.

Application Acceptance for DRC2013-00112 (Cambria Community Services District) Development Plan/Water Reclamation Facility Coastal Development Permit 

The Cambria Community Services District (CCSD) has received an update from the County of San Luis Obispo regarding our Water Reclamation Facility (WRF) Coastal Development Permit (CDP) application. The County has completed its review of the submitted materials and responses to the information hold and has confirmed that the project is accepted for processing, and will now receive its environmental determination pursuant to the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA). The official acceptance letter is provided below. During the environmental determination, the CCSD may need to provide additional information, and the County will notify us by letter if additional information is needed or of the results of the environmental determination. The application is subject to a discretionary review process. A discretionary permit requires the review and approval of the Planning Commission or the Board of Supervisors. A discretionary permit may be approved, approved with conditions, or denied. An application for a discretionary permit does not guarantee approval, whether a project complies with all applicable standards, or has been recommended for approval. All decisions on discretionary permits can be appealed to the Board of Supervisors, who will then make the final decision on the project. 

This achievement represents the culmination of years of dedicated effort by CCSD staff, our consulting team, and the Board of Directors, who have remained steadfast in navigating a complex and evolving regulatory process. The County’s acceptance acknowledges that the District has successfully met all outstanding technical and informational requirements necessary to proceed to the next stage of review.

The WRF remains a cornerstone of Cambria’s long-term water resilience strategy, designed to enhance drought reliability, protect our limited groundwater resources, and provide environmental safeguards for future generations. Moving into the environmental review process is a significant step forward in ensuring this vital infrastructure project achieves the transparency, accountability, and scientific rigor our community expects and deserves.

On behalf of the entire District, I want to thank our residents for their continued patience and support. The progress we have made reflects the professionalism and persistence of our staff and the leadership of the CCSD Board. Together, we are moving closer to securing a sustainable water future for Cambria.

We will continue to keep the community informed as the County completes its environmental review process and the project advances toward public hearings.

CCSD Board of Directors Meeting

Regular Board Meeting

📅 Date: Thursday, November 13, 2025

⏰ Time: 10:00 AM
📍 Location: 1000 Main Street, Cambria, CA 93428

Public Participation:✉️ Written comments may be submitted via email to boardcomment@cambriacsd.org or through the submission portal anytime before the Board meeting. 

CCSD Standing Committee Meetings

Resources & Infrastructure Committee Meeting

📅 Date: Monday, November 17, 2025 
⏰ Time: 2:00 PM
📍 Location: 1000 Main Street, Cambria, CA 93428

Public Participation: Members of the public can submit written comments to be read at Standing Committee meetings.

Fire Protection Committee Meeting

📅 Date: Thursday, November 20, 2025
⏰ Time: 10:30 AM
📍 Location: 1000 Main Street, Cambria, CA 93428

Public Participation: Members of the public can submit written comments to be read at Standing Committee meetings.

PROS Committee Meeting

📅 Date: Thursday, November 20, 2025
⏰ Time: 2:00 PM
📍 Location: 1000 Main Street, Cambria, CA 93428

Public Participation: Members of the public can submit written comments to be read at Standing Committee meetings.

CCSD Notice of Intent to Fill Finance Committee Member Vacancy

NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN that the Cambria Community Services District (CCSD) is accepting applications to fill one (1) seat on the Finance Committee. Applicants must live and be registered to vote within the CCSD boundaries. The selected candidate will serve until February 13, 2027.

CCSD Notice of Intent to Fill Finance Committee Member Vacancy

The CCSD Board of Directors will consider all applications and appoint a Finance Committee Member to fill the vacant term at the Regular Board meeting on November 13, 2025, commencing at 10:00 a.m. in a hybrid, in-person/virtual format. Members of the public may participate and provide public comment on agenda items during the meeting in person at the Veterans' Memorial Hall at 1000 Main Street, Cambria, CA, 93428, by joining the Zoom meeting or by submitting written correspondence to boardcomment@cambriacsd.org. 

Finance Committee applications can be delivered to

• The Cambria Community Services District administration office or drop boxes located at 2150 Main Street, #1-A, Cambria, California 93428
• Mailed to: Cambria Community Services District, Attention: Confidential Administrative Assistant, PO Box 65, Cambria, CA 93428
• Emailed to the Confidential Administrative Assistant at hdodson@cambriacsd.org.  

Applications can be downloaded here.

Meet the General Manager

On Monday, November 24, 2025, from 8:30 a.m. to 7:00 p.m., I will be working out of the Cambria Veterans' Memorial Hall and would love to meet you and hear your thoughts on everything, Cambria. We will provide coffee and snacks; as always, we welcome your feedback and ideas. 

If you have any concerns, please don't hesitate to contact me.

Matthew McElhenie