Employee Safety Training Delivers Significant Cost Savings

April 27, 2022 – Increased worker safety training paid off for Rowland Water District, which received $42,175 in reimbursements from its insurance provider, the Association of California Water Agencies Joint Powers Insurance Authority (ACWA/JPIA).

ACWA/JPIA representative Randall Reed presented a check to the RWD Board of Directors at its regular meeting on April 12, 2022. The payment reimburses the District for 690 online safety training courses taken by staff over the past year. Reed serves on the Executive Committee at ACWA/JPIA and the Board of Directors at Cucamonga Valley Water District in Rancho Cucamonga.

“Each year, Rowland Water District takes the initiative to expand our culture of safety,” said General Manager Tom Coleman. “Providing these educational tools is the right thing to do for the men and women who deliver this vital resource every day, and it benefits our customers financially through reduced insurance claims.”

ACWA/JPIA serves as a risk management pool covering property, liability, workers’ compensation, and employee benefits. The organization also offers safety training at little or no cost to members.

“Not only does ACWA/JPIA provide lower rates than private insurance companies, but additional benefits such as safety training create a true value for our ratepayers,” Coleman said.

Looking ahead, Rowland Water District plans on utilizing training from ACWA/JPIA to increase resiliency to cybersecurity threats.

The organization also offers safety training at little to no cost to member agencies. Unlike commercial insurers, ACWA JPIA has no stockholders, no profit margin and no sales commission to get in the way of the services provided to members, who then pass along savings to customers. The organization returns money from excess funds and investments to the member agencies, instead of retaining it as profit.

For more information, visit RWD.org.