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On the job: What it takes to earn $70,000 a year as a water operator in California

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On the job: What it takes to earn ,000 a year as a water operator in California


The promise of job safety and work-life steadiness drew Fernando Gonzalez to turn into a water operator. Now that he is labored as one for a couple of years, he sees his job as rather more than fining individuals for utilizing an excessive amount of water.

On a given day, he is patrolling neighborhoods spanning from farmland to Malibu mansions, on the lookout for proof that residents are losing water. He palms out notices of leaky sprinklers or when residents run sprinklers proper after a rainstorm, positive, however essentially the most rewarding a part of his job is interacting with clients about how they’ll save water, and why it is so vital.

“We’re extra of a educating software than we’re a type of enforcement,” Gonzalez, 43, tells CNBC Make It. “We would quite spend extra time with clients and truly give them tips on how they’ll preserve, quite than simply hand out clean fines and accumulate the cash and run.”

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The stakes have by no means been increased as Southern California and the remainder of the southwestern U.S. continues its 20-plus years in a megadrought. It is the driest interval for the area in over 1,200 years, in keeping with Nature Local weather Change.

“Local weather change has made a giant distinction to to how our hydrological cycle is being affected,” Gonzalez says. “You see the lakes working low. You see the the wildlife being affected. You may see that animals are coming down out of the mountains into city areas to eat as a result of their meals sources are being affected up the place they usually stay.”

Fernando Gonzalez, 43, makes $70,000 a 12 months as a water operator based mostly in Calabasas, Calif.

Tristan Pelletier | CNBC Make It

Gonzalez sees the direct line between the work he does and affecting habits change that may assist preserve California’s valuable water sources, regardless that speaking to residents and information groups about local weather change is not what he signed up for in any respect: “I by no means thought I might be utilizing my voice as a software,” he says. However that is the fact of what we’ve to do as a way to preserve water.”

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Here is how Gonzalez earns $70,000 a 12 months, or practically $100,000 with time beyond regulation, as a water operator in Calabasas, Calif.

Getting the job

Gonzalez was born and raised in California and helped run his dad’s pool cleansing enterprise till age 25. Throughout that point, he realized so much about water chemistry and that he cherished working outside. In his 20s, he modified careers to work as a plant supervisor in industrial gross sales and distribution, however realized he did not like working a desk job and wished one thing totally different.

When Gonzalez seen his shoppers who labored for a water company have been at all times in temper, might spend a variety of time with their households and even had vitality for hobbies, he wished in.

In 2017, Gonzalez enrolled in neighborhood school, took six programs and received licensed by the California State Water Useful resource Management Board to work as a water operator.

Fernando Gonzalez is on the frontlines of combatting the historic “megadrought” within the southwestern U.S., and works with clients throughout components of Los Angeles County to preserve water within the desert.

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Tristan Pelletier | CNBC Make It

The largest shock throughout his research was studying in regards to the authorized regulation of how water strikes all through the state of California to Los Angeles County. “It actually delivered to mild the shortage of the water right here in Southern California,” he says. “I came upon the water comes from Northern California, and we do not truly retailer any water right here within the south. In order that made it actual on the water conservation effort.”

Studying in regards to the chemistry of water therapy — how acid, chlorine and totally different chemical substances have an effect on water — was a problem, however Gonzalez realized to love it. “In case you have a ardour for one thing, you at all times discover a approach,” he says. “And I discovered that I had a ardour for this, and it actually did hit house for me.”

Water operators are required to carry both a water distribution license or a therapy license. Gonzalez at the moment holds each. He was employed at Las Virgenes Municipal Water District, which serves about 75,000 residents in western Los Angeles County, in January 2020.

A day on the job

Gonzalez wakes up at 3 a.m., leaves his home by 4 a.m. and will get to work by 5 a.m. His shift would not often begin till 7 a.m., so he’ll put in some time beyond regulation hours within the morning doing drought patrol and dealing with the Pure Water Mission, an initiative to purify recycled water for continued use.

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Gonzalez enjoys the number of his work. Relying on his assignments for the day, he could possibly be doing meter readings digging to put in new plumbing or interacting with clients.

His district is without doubt one of the high water customers within the state of California. Final 12 months, clients used a mean of 205 gallons per individual per day, in keeping with reporting from the Los Angeles Instances, and about 70% of residential water use is for landscaping.

Fernando Gonzalez says job safety, work-life steadiness and the flexibility to work outside drew him to changing into a water operator. He additionally enjoys interacting with clients and educating them methods to preserve water.

Tristan Pelletier | CNBC Make It

The everyday neighborhoods he works in can vary from conventional single-family tons to farms with horses, in addition to celeb mansions owned by the likes of Kim and Kourtney Kardashian, Dwyane Wade and Kevin Hart — a lot of whom have been issued notices of extra water utilization.

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Fines vary from $50 to $100, which are sometimes “not sufficient of a deterrent for individuals who have the means and the cash to simply pay their approach out of it,” he says.

And violations can carry up uncomfortable conversations with householders who fear that if they do not water their lawns, their crops will die, and their property worth might drop.

However Gonzalez reminds them that if the California drought will get worse, water use could possibly be restricted to solely human consumption. The results could possibly be a lot worse than uninteresting lawns. “It is unlucky, however there may be going to be a casualty to the drought, and we desire the casualty be the garden over the individuals,” he says.

If a buyer exceeds their water finances too many instances, the district installs a circulate restrictor — a washer with a 1/16-inch gap within the heart that enables slightly below two gallons of water per minute to go to the home.

Properties that go over their water allotment too many instances have a circulate restrictor put in, which is a washer with a 1/16-inch gap within the heart that enables slightly below two gallons of water to circulate per minute.

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Tristan Pelletier | CNBC Make It

The restrictors make clients re-prioritize their water use: “You may have to really begin making type of choices on what’s extra vital — watering your garden or having a shower — as a result of you’ll be able to’t do each on the similar time with the restrictor in,” Gonzalez says.

Gonzalez approaches his work with empathy: Individuals aren’t losing water to be malicious. Often, clients simply pay their water invoice and do not assume twice about it. It is not till somebody like him visits their property, finds a leak and works with them to get it repaired that they understand they’re losing water.

“It is a win for everyone,” Gonzalez says. “Conservation-wise, it is much less wasted water, and the client wins as a result of their water invoice will go down.”

Total, “one of many largest rewards for me continues to be the customer support side of it, of serving to the neighborhood with what I do,” he says.

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The way forward for water

Gonzalez additionally works on the Pure Water Mission, an initiative that makes use of rising applied sciences to deal with recycled water for irrigation. The final word aim is to carry the handled water as much as secure consuming requirements in the future.

Within the mornings, Gonzalez will work in a lab to observe the ability’s three-step filtration course of, make changes to the system, and measure the affect of how pure the water comes out.

“Local weather change has made a giant distinction to to how our hydrological cycle is being affected,” says Fernando Gonzalez. “You may see that animals are coming down out of the mountains into city areas to eat as a result of their meals sources are being affected up the place they usually stay.”

Tristan Pelletier | CNBC Make It



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California

Hawaii resident flies to California to clear name from identity theft

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Hawaii resident flies to California to clear name from identity theft


HONOLULU (HawaiiNewsNow) – A Honolulu man who had his identity stolen had to fly to California to clear his name. He acted quickly to stop his bank account from being completely drained.

Jamie Dahl said he’s speaking out because identity theft can happen to anyone and he’s not sure how his personal information was stolen.

“I’m still mystified how he pulled it off,” Dahl said.

In late November, Dahl found some fraudulent charges on his credit card so he ordered a replacement card.

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Two weeks later, he says went to his online bank account with Bank of America and discovered his identity had been stolen. The hacker had account access for instant money transfers.

“My phone number is missing, my email is missing, my mailing address. I live in Honolulu. It’s Mililani,” Dahl said.

He knew he was in trouble.

Dahl said two days after his discovered his identity had been stolen, he had to fly to California to clear his name because there are no Bank of America branches in Hawaii.

He brought several forms of ID to re-authenticate himself.

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“It was just an incredible ordeal,” he said.

“The bad guys are shopping just like everybody else for Christmas,” said former HPD Deputy Chief John McCarthy, who investigated cybercrime.

McCarthy says check your bank account daily and having a local bank is helpful.

“If you don’t have a local bank, you are that much father away. I’ve had problems with banks that are on the East Coast,” he said.

“It takes a day to communicate with them, a day to get a response. That’s a lot of damage you can do in 24, 48, 72 hours,” McCarthy added.

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McCarthy says most banks have streamlined their re-authentification process so you don’t have to see them in person.

Hawaii News Now contacted Bank of America to find out their process and are waiting to hear back.



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California high surf and flood warnings continue after pier collapse

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California high surf and flood warnings continue after pier collapse


What’s New

California’s coastal residents are facing dangerous conditions this Christmas Eve as high surf and flood warnings continue after heavy waves caused a pier to collapse on Monday.

Why It Matters

Portions of the Pacific coast are currently under hazardous seas warnings, high surf warnings and coastal flood warnings as it is shaping up to deliver some of the most severe surf conditions of the winter season, according to the National Weather Service (NWS) office in Portland.

The NWS issued a high surf warning, with waves reaching up to 35 feet, which can pose significant risks to both property and lives.

“Large waves can sweep across the beach without warning, pulling people into the sea from rocks, jetties, and beaches,” the agency warned in a Christmas Eve bulletin.

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The alert remains in effect until Tuesday evening, prompting evacuations and heightened vigilance in several coastal communities.

What To Know

The NWS warnings come after a municipal wharf in Santa Cruz that was under renovation succumbed to a storm’s force. Around 150 feet of the structure collapsed into the Pacific, pulling three engineers inspecting the site into the water. All three individuals survived with two rescued by lifeguards and one swimming to safety.

A building floats in the ocean after a wharf partially on December 23, 2024, in Santa Cruz, California. This Christmas Eve, California’s coastal residents are facing dangerous conditions as high surf and flood warnings continue.

Shmuel Thaler/The Santa Cruz Sentinel/ AP

Santa Cruz Mayor Fred Keeley said that section of the pier had been damaged over time, and the structure was in the middle of a $4 million renovation following destructive storms last winter.

Tony Elliot, Santa Cruz Parks & Recreation Department head, confirmed that the severed portion of the wharf, which included restrooms and a closed restaurant, drifted nearly half a mile before settling in the San Lorenzo River.

In response, coastal towns including Santa Cruz have evacuated vulnerable homes and hotels as the state braces for more damage.

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What People Are Saying

Keeley said Monday: “We are anticipating that what is coming toward us is more serious than what was there this morning.”

The National Weather Service’s Bay Area office said in a post on X (formerly Twitter): “You are risking your life, and those of the people that would need to try and save you by getting in or too close to the water.”

The NWS office in Portland, Oregon, said in a post on X:“It will likely go down as some of the highest surf this winter.”

California Governor Gavin Newsom’s press office posted to X on Monday afternoon, saying that he is aware of the situation with the pier.

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“@CAGovernorNewsom has been briefed on a previously damaged section of the Santa Cruz pier that broke off due to heavy surf. @Cal_OES is coordinating with local officials and is ready to provide support,” Newsom’s press office wrote. “Residents and visitors should avoid the area and follow local guidance.”

What Happens Next

As California residents grapple with these dangerous conditions, meteorologists warn that the storm’s high surf may be the most intense of the season.

With more severe weather expected, officials are urging the public to heed warnings and avoid risky coastal areas.

This article includes reporting from The Associated Press.

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Video shows moments shoplifting suspects discuss new California laws in back of Seal Beach patrol car

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Video shows moments shoplifting suspects discuss new California laws in back of Seal Beach patrol car


A recently viral video shows the moments that two shoplifters discuss Proposition 36, one of the new laws in effect in California that now makes stealing a felony, while sitting in the back of a police car. 

The video, which was shared on Sunday by the Seal Beach Police Department, follows along with a trio of shoplifting suspects as they hit multiple stores back on Dec. 4, making off which more than $1,600 in stolen merchandise. 

The suspects first enter an Ulta Beauty store at around 7:12 p.m., where police say they took off with almost $650 worth of stolen merchandise. Less than an hour later, they enter a Kohl’s store, where they reportedly stole more than $1,180 worth of items. They can then be seen as they leave the store, walking through the parking lot with stolen items in tow.

Suddenly, the video cuts to body camera footage of police chasing the suspects through a parking lot before they’re arrested, according to a statement released on Monday. 

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The suspects have been identified as Destiny Bender, 24, and Deanna Hines, 24, of Long Beach and 26-year-old Signal Hill woman Michelle Pitts. All three were booked on charges of grand theft, conspiracy to commit a crime and resisting arrest. 

Video shows two of those suspects sitting handcuffed in the back of a patrol car.

“It’s a felony?” one can be heard asking. 

“B—h new laws,” the other responds. “Stealing is a felony. And this is Orange County b—h they don’t play.”

Seal Beach police offered an explanation of the new changes in effect across California.

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“Proposition 36, which voters approved in November 2024, creates stricter penalties for organized theft and expands law enforcement capabilities to combat repeat offenders,” the Seal Beach police statement says. “Specifically, it permits felony charges for petty theft with prior convictions, allows aggregating the value of stolen goods from multiple thefts to meet the $950 felony threshold, and introduces enhancements for theft crimes involving two or more offenders acting in concert.”

The video was set to the tune of “These Boots Are Made For Walkin’” by Nancy Sinatra, likely alluding to the large furry boots worn by one of the suspects. 

Police say that the release of the video is a part of their “Don’t Steal in Seal” campaign, which highlights arrests and looks to educate the public on the consequences of committing crimes in their city. 

“The campaign has received widespread praise for this innovative approach and effectiveness in engaging the community,” the department release said. 

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