Skip to main content
  • Permits and District Business
  • Valley Water Websites

Home

Main navigation

    • Permits and District Business
    • Valley Water Websites
  • For Residents
    Highlights
    Water Rate Assistance Program
    Find more information to see if you qualify for financial assistance with your water bill.
    Rebates & Surveys
    Programs and rebates helping you save water and money.
    Water Conservation
    Learn the best ways to save water indoors and outdoors.
    Find My Water Retailer
    Find your local retailer who provides water service directly to your home.
    Emergency & Planning
    Flood Emergency Action Plans
    Local Hazard Mitigation Plan
    Get Flood Ready
    Preparation for Extended Power Outages
    Alert System Real Time Data
    Levee Safety
    Save Water & Money
    Rebates & Surveys
    Watersavings.org
    Current Water Charges
    Water Savings Videos
    Indoor Conservation
    Outdoor Conservation
    Projects & Plans
    Projects In Your Neighborhood
    Creek & River Projects
    Dam & Reservoir Projects
    Grants and Environmental Protection
    Infrastructure Improvement Projects
    Safe, Clean Water and Natural Flood Protection Program
    Studies and Reports
    Public Review Documents
    Hydraulic Model Data (HEC)
    Stream Maintenance Program
  • Your Water
    Highlights
    Current Water Charges
    Find the current adopted water charges for private well owners, agricultural and wholesale customers by zone.
    Popular Documents and Data
    Find frequently requested Valley Water documents, reports, and data in one place.
    Water Quality
    Learn how we ensure Santa Clara County has access to safe, clean water.
    Water Supply Master Plan
    Learn how we plan for future water needs and manage supplies during droughts and changing conditions.
    Water Sources
    Groundwater
    Imported Water
    Local Dams and Reservoirs
    Recycled and Purified Water
    Where your water comes from
    Information & Resources
    GIS Data
    Glossary of Water Terms
    District Library
    Popular Documents and Data
    Local Dams and Reservoirs
    Climate Change Action Plan
    Greenhouse Gas Reduction plan
    Water Planning
    Water Supply Master Plan
    Water Supply Planning
    Watershed Master Plan
    Water Treatment
    Water Treatment Plants
    Water Quality
  • Learning Center
    Highlights
    Grants & Partnerships
    Find out how to apply for grants and partner with Valley Water on local water and environmental projects.
    Water Education Programs
    Our program offers assemblies, in-person and virtual lessons and field trips.
    Volunteer & Engage
    Help support our cleanup efforts in Santa Clara County.
    Public Tours
    Discover Valley Water's safe & sustainable water solutions through free public tours.
    Learning & Exploration
    Next Gen Career Pathways Program
    Education Outreach Program
    Water 101 Academy
    Public Tours
    Local Dams and Reservoirs
    Volunteer Engagement
    Volunteer and Engage
    Valley Water Youth Commission
    Adopt a Creek
    Grants & Partnerships
    Public Art
    Environmental Science & Conservation
    Healthy Creeks and Ecosystems
    Watersheds of Santa Clara Valley
    The Water Treatment Process
    Aerial Drone Pilot Program
  • News & Events
    Highlights
    Valley Water News
    Learn more about the latest headlines and announcements from around the district.
    Events
    Find district events happening on variety of topics.
    Videos
    Stay up to date with the latest videos from the district.
    Public Records
    Public Records feature many commonly requested documents and data sets.
    Recent News
    Image
    To help minimize the potential impacts of construction at Anderson Dam, Valley Water built an alternative roost that provides the colony with an additional safe place to shelter.
    To help minimize the potential impacts of construction at Anderson Dam, Valley Water built an alternative roost that provides the colony with an additional safe place to shelter.
    September 11, 2026
    Protecting pallid bats during Anderson Dam construction

    As part of the Anderson Dam Seismic Retrofit Project, Valley Water has built an alternative bat roost to help protect one of Santa Clara County's most important pallid bat colonies.

    California named the pallid bat as its official state bat in 2024, recognizing the important role bats play in the state’s ecosystems and agricultural economy. Pallid bats provide natural pest control by feeding on insects and other arthropods. They are also recognized as a California Species of Special Concern, highlighting the importance of protecting their established colonies and habitat. 

    Read More
    Image
    The Valley Water Board of Directors has appointed Aaron Baker as the agency’s next Chief Executive Officer, effective Jan. 4, 2027.
    The Valley Water Board of Directors has appointed Aaron Baker as the agency’s next Chief Executive Officer, effective Jan. 4, 2027.
    September 8, 2026
    Valley Water Board of Directors appoints Aaron Baker as its next CEO

    The Valley Water Board of Directors has appointed Aaron Baker as the agency’s next Chief Executive Officer, effective Jan. 4, 2027. 

    Baker is a licensed professional engineer and Valley Water’s current Chief Operating Officer of the Water Utility Division. He brings more than 25 years of operational and leadership experience at the agency to the role.

    Read More
    Image
    An aerial view from a drone shows green vegetation around Dinosaur Point Boat Launch Ramp and high lake levels at San Luis Reservoir on April 15, 2025. On this date, the reservoir storage was 1,805,235 AF, or 88 percent of the total capacity. Photo courtesy of Xavier Mascareñas / California Department of Water Resources.
    An aerial view from a drone shows green vegetation around Dinosaur Point Boat Launch Ramp and high lake levels at San Luis Reservoir on April 15, 2025. On this date, the reservoir storage was 1,805,235 AF, or 88 percent of the total capacity. Photo courtesy of Xavier Mascareñas / California Department of Water Resources.
    August 21, 2026
    Valley Water continues investment in future water storage at San Luis Reservoir

    On Aug. 11, 2026, the Valley Water Board of Directors approved up to $1.34 million for ongoing planning costs for the B.F. Sisk Dam Raise and Reservoir Expansion Project.

    Read More
  • About Valley Water
    Highlights
    Mission, Vision and Values
    Learn about our core mission, vision for the future, and the values that guide us.
    Board of Directors
    Meet the board members who provide leadership and oversight for Valley Water.
    Finance/Budget
    Access financial information, budgets, and fiscal reports for transparency.
    Committees
    Explore our various committees and their roles in district governance.
    Careers
    Explore our current job openings and benefits.
    Leadership
    Board of Directors
    Board Meetings Agendas & Minutes
    Committees
    Redistricting
    Board Governance Policies
    Accountability
    Public Records
    Lobbyist Ordinance
    Grand Jury Reports
    Enterprise Systems
    Information & Resources
    Finance/Budget
    Capital Improvement Program
    Public Facilities Financing Corporation
    Community Engagement
    Renewed Safe, Clean Water & Natural Flood Protection: Independent Monitoring Committee
    Committees
    Community Partnering Sponsorship Program
  • Services and Support
Loading…

Breadcrumb

  1. Home
  2. Learning Center
  3. Valley Water Youth Commission

Valley Water Youth Commission

Content
Image

The Valley Water Youth Commission is made up of 21 high school students throughout Santa Clara County, each appointed by one of the seven board members. It is an official board advisory committee that assists the board with education, outreach, and other matters impacting Santa Clara County youth. They can earn community service hours, make new friends, and enjoy complimentary dinners at quarterly meetings. The Youth Commission meets quarterly and each commissioner serves a 2-year term.

The application period is now closed and will open again in Spring 2027. All notifications have been sent out. If you would like to be notified when the next application period opens, please complete the Youth Commission Interest Form: Click Here!

Eligibility requirements:
Applicants must meet all requirements listed below.

  • 13-18 years old
  • Attending high school in Santa Clara County
  • Resident of Santa Clara County
  • Able to commit up to 5 hours per month for the full 2-year term
  • Available to attend in-person meetings, sub-committee meetings, and events, including quarterly meetings on Wednesday evenings at Valley Water headquarters (5700 Almaden Expressway, San Jose, CA 95118)

Find your district:
Find your home address in the Local Information map and expand the SCVWD Board of Directors Districts section. If you see multiple districts listed, find the one that is zero miles ("0 mi" on the map) from your address. You'll need your district number to complete the application!

For meeting agendas and minutes, visit the Board Advisory Committee page: valleywater.org/how-we-operate/committees/board-advisory-committees.

Image
Events

Current Youth Commission Meetings

Tentative Dates (updated 7/6/26):

  • August 26, 2026 (Quarterly Meeting)
  • August 29, 2026 (Virtual Youth Commission Retreat)
  • October 21, 2026 (Special Meeting)
  • November 18, 2026 (Quarterly Meeting)
  • January 27, 2027 (Quarterly Meeting)
  • May 19, 2027 (Quarterly Meeting)
Image
Meet the Youth Commissioners
D1 - Adriana Anaya
D1 - Irene Kim
D1 - Evan Villanueva

ADRIANA ANAYA

Evergreen High School

IRENE KIM

Evergreen High School

EVAN VILLANUEVA

Valley Christian High School

D2 - Ayush Bansal
D2 - Brandon Chung Du
D2 - Rhia Swaminath

AYUSH BANSAL

Cupertino High School

BRANDON CHUNG DU

The Harker School

RHIA SWAMINATH

Santa Clara High School

D3 - Nina Yuan
D3 - Parnika Sadhu
D3 - Prathik Janakiram

NINA YUAN

Piedmont Hills High School

PARNIKA SADHU

Milpitas High School

PRATHIK JANAKIRAM

Valley Christian High School

D4 - YichI Zhang
D4 - Ellie Zhou

YICHI ZHANG

Valley Christian High School

 

BRYCE CHEN

Youth Commission Vice Chair

Valley Christian High School

 

ELLIE ZHOU

Youth Commission Chair

Westmont High School 

 

D5 - Ethan Cheung
D5 - Chris Henry
D5 - Simran Soni

ETHAN CHEUNG

Bellarmine College Preparatory

CHRIS HENRY

Westmont High School

 

SIMRAN SONI

Homestead High School

 

D6 - Priyank Sharma-Tiwari
D6 - Patricio Villasenor

PRIYANK SHARMA-TIWARI

BASIS Independent Silicon Valley

 

PATRICIO VILLASENOR

Archbishop Mitty High School

 

RUHAN UPRETI

Bellarmine College Preparatory

 

D7 - Mina Van Roy
D7 - Ishika Anand

MINA VAN ROY

Gunn High School

ISHIKA ANAND

Los Altos High School

NITYA PARAKALA

Leland High School

Image
Youth Commission Projects

This project is an improved continuation of last year’s Creekside Community Care Project. The goal is to promote Valley Water support programs and Flood safety for those who may be at the greatest risk during floods, from early winter to late spring. 

To learn more about this project, click here!

A Youth Video Competition on Water Sustainability. This countywide competition will encourage high school students to create a 1-minute video pitch on how to conserve water, prepare for floods, or protect local waterways. The contest is inspired by successful national competitions like Pitch for the Future and World of 8 Billion.

Click on the links below to watch the 2026 video contest submissions:

  • Every Drop Counts
  • Conserve Water
  • Harvest the Storm, Stop the Drought
  • Only 0.009%: The Truth About Earth's Water
  • Drought-Tolerant Yards for Habitat and Water Conservation
  • One Habit

This project focuses on cleaning up local creeks and collecting data at cleanup sites to identify and better understand the primary pollutants affecting our waterways.

To learn more about this project, click here.

Image
Connect
  • How you can help keep creeks clean in Santa Clara County
  • Adopt-A-Bench Public Arts Project with the Youth Commission 
  • 2021 Job Shadow Day
  • Water Matters: A Family Affair
  • High School Students Learn About Careers in Water at Job Shadow Day
  • We Want You (Th)! Open Seats on Youth Commission For High School Students
  • What’s in A Drop – A Youth Commissioner’s View
  • Seeking Youth Water Leaders
  • Developing the Next Generation Of Water Resources Stewards

For questions or more info email us at [email protected].

Footer Top

  • Valley Water Logo
  • Report an Issue
  • Contact Us
  • Services & Support
  • Join our Newsletter
  • Valley Water Logo
  • Join our Newsletter
  • Report an Issue
  • Contact Us
  • Services & Support

Footer

  • For Residents
    • Water Charges
    • Grants and Rebates
    • Water Conservation
    • Projects and Plans
    • Outdoor Survey
    • Watersavings.org
    • Water Quality
    • Water Supply Planning
  • In an Emergency
    • Get Flood Ready
    • Levee Safety
    • Dam Safety Program
    • Flood Emergency Action Plan
    • Local Hazard Mitigation Area
    • Climate Change Action Plan
  • Data & Resources
    • GIS Data
    • Popular Documents
    • HEC-2 Data Library
    • Surface Water Data Portal
    • Water Sensor ALERT
    • Find My Water Retailer
  • About Valley Water
    • Finance & Budget
    • Board of Directors
    • Board Meetings & Agendas
    • Committees
    • Board Governance Policies
    • Careers
  • In the District
    • Permits
    • Report a Problem
    • Contact Us
    • Purchasing and Contracts
    • Construction Administration
    • Business Resources
  • Learning Center
    • Water Education Programs
    • Water 101 Academy
    • Public Tours
    • Adopt a Creek
Santa Clara Valley Water District 2026
Pollution Hotline 888-510-5151
Phone: 408-265-2600