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Representing Water Authority, Director Katz Joins MWD Board

San Diego business and civic leader Mel Katz was seated today as San Diego County Water Authority’s newest representative on the board of directors of the Metropolitan Water District of Southern California.

Katz has served on the Water Authority’s board of directors since 2018, representing the city of Del Mar and served as chair from 2022 to 2024. Katz succeeds Tim Smith, who represented the Water Authority on Metropolitan’s 38-member board since January 2018.

Chair Emeritus Mel Katz is sworn in as the Water Authority’s new delegate to MWD

“Director Katz and I formed strong bonds of partnership and friendship between our agencies during his time as chair of the San Diego County Water Authority Board of Directors. This will prove to be key to a new era of regionalism in water supply management encompassing all our member agencies including San Diego,” said Metropolitan board Chair Adán Ortega, Jr. “Director Katz is bringing his skill as a consensus builder to Metropolitan for the benefit of all of Southern California and I heartedly welcome him on behalf of the board.”

Katz is the co-founder and executive officer of Manpower San Diego, a staffing services firm that has grown to become the largest Manpower franchise in the United States. He has a long resume of civic involvement, including serving as board chair of the San Diego Regional Chamber of Commerce, the San Diego Workforce Partnership, San Diego Convention Center, American Cancer Society and the San Diego Library Commission.

Katz and his wife Linda were named Mr. and Mrs. San Diego in 2017 by San Diego Rotary for their extensive community leadership. The couple has three children and five grandchildren.

This item was written by the Metropolitan Water District of Southern California.

Opinion: A Call for Balanced Water Management in California

The draft environmental impact statement for the long-term operation of the federal Central Valley Project and State Water Project has raised alarm bells for farmers and urban water users who depend on these water projects. Based on the document released July 26 for public review, the U.S. Bureau of Reclamation, Fish and Wildlife Service and National Marine Fisheries Service seem to be pushing a regulatory agenda that prioritizes environmental objectives to the detriment of agricultural, municipal and industrial water needs.

Peters’ Bill to Streamline Permit Renewal for Wastewater Plant Passes in Committee

The legislation would simplify the city of San Diego’s permitting process to operate the Point Loma Wastewater Treatment Plant, which will allow the city to move forward with its water-recycling project, Pure Water.

The program will supply half of San Diego’s drinking water by 2035 and help solidify the region’s water security amidst worsening conditions on the Colorado River.

Ramona Municipal Water District Board to Get New Director

The Ramona Municipal Water District is gaining a new director to replace outgoing Director Gary Hurst.

Hurst has served on the board for nearly four years and has decided not to seek reelection when his term expires in December. His expected replacement to be seated on the board for Division 5 in December is Diane Princess Norman, who is running unopposed.

Rainbow MWD Approves $10M Financing Agreement for Capital Projects

The Rainbow Municipal Water District will be paying for $10 million of capital projects and equipment with a loan.

A 5-0 Rainbow board vote April 23 approved a resolution authorizing an installment purchase agreement with U.S. Bank to finance the infrastructure and equipment. The loan will begin as a line of credit with a variable interest rate before converting to a 4.7% fixed rate for the remainder of the ten-year period.

U.S. Government Awards $520 Million to Revitalize Aging Water Delivery Systems

Acting Deputy Secretary of the Interior Laura Daniel-Davis announced more than $520 million from President Biden’s Investing in America Agenda to revitalize aging water delivery systems across the western U.S.

$20 Billion: the Delta Tunnel’s New Price Tag

California’s contentious and long-debated plan to replumb the Sacramento-San Joaquin Delta and pump more water south finally has a price tag: about $20 billion.

A Water War is Brewing Between the U.S. And Mexico. Here’s Why.

A water dispute between the United States and Mexico that goes back decades is turning increasingly urgent in Texas communities that rely on the Rio Grande. Their leaders are now demanding the Mexican government either share water or face cuts in U.S. aid.

How is This Year’s Water Year is Shaping Up? Where Does the State’s Water Supply Stand?

We’ve been fortunate this season to pick up a beneficial amount of rain and snow across Northern California.

Of course, our current season does not near the 2022-2023 season, which had a record 33.56 inches of precipitation, but two back-to-back wet seasons never hurt a drought-prone Golden State.

California Officials Say Delta Tunnel Project is Worth the Costs and Risks

State water officials say a controversial plan to build a tunnel to take water from the north end of California to its southern regions is worth the costs, risks and protests from environmental organizations.