Funds will support installation of automation to protect field staff during power outages.
ROWLAND HEIGHTS, CA (May 11, 2026) – Rowland Water District (RWD) has been selected as a 2025/26 recipient of the Association of California Water Agencies Joint Powers Insurance Authority (ACWA JPIA) Risk Control Grant Program, receiving $10,000 to fund installation of an Automatic Transfer Switch (ATS) at the Granby pump station. Grant funding of this kind allows the District to complete capital safety projects without drawing on ratepayer dollars, directing those savings back toward water system operations and service.
The Granby pump station currently uses a manual transfer switch, requiring field personnel to travel to the site and operate electrical equipment by hand when utility power is lost. Power outages frequently occur during severe weather or emergency conditions, exposing staff to electrical hazards and potentially dangerous travel. Delayed power restoration can also reduce system pressure and affect potable water delivery and fire-protection service to the community.
“Automating the power transfer at Granby protects our crews and keeps service running for the families and businesses that depend on us,” said RWD General Manager Tom Coleman. “When we can secure grant funding to get there, that’s a win for our team and our customers.”
The ATS will automatically detect power loss and transfer the station to generator power, removing the need for personnel to operate electrical equipment during outages. Fourteen operations and maintenance staff members will benefit from reduced electrical and environmental hazards. For customers, the result is fewer service interruptions, more consistent water pressure, and greater confidence that the system will perform reliably when they need it most.
