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Sergio Quiroz-IID-General Manager-Imperial Irrigation District

IID Board Appoints Sergio Quiroz as Interim General Manager

The Imperial Irrigation District Board of Directors appointed Assistant General Manager Sergio Quiroz to serve as Interim General Manager effective June 3.

The Board’s decision was made following closed session discussions during the May 16 meeting, with directors present voting unanimously in support of the appointment.

As Interim General Manager, Quiroz will replace General Manager Henry Martinez, who will be retiring on June 2. Martinez announced his intent to retire in January, following 45 years of service in the energy and water industries, serving the last five years with IID.

Imperial Irrigation District-IID Board of Directors-Assistant General Manager Sergio Quiroz-Interim General Manager

The Imperial Irrigation District Board of Directors appointed Assistant General Manager Sergio Quiroz to serve as Interim General Manager effective June 3. Photo: Imperial Irrigation District

As Assistant General Manager at IID, Quiroz has assisted in planning and directing water and power operations, coordinating the effective use of equipment, facilities, finances and working with legal counsel to address key issues that may affect the district. He also oversees the district’s organizational and staffing plan.

Quiroz, a seasoned bilingual executive who had 22 years of leadership experience before joining the IID in August, 2016, has an extensive background in operations, finance, logistics and project management, having served as General Manager for different international manufacturing corporations in both the U.S. and Mexico.

He has earned bachelor’s and master’s degrees in business administration.

During the interim, IID will continue the recruitment process to fill the General Manager position.

(Editor’s Note: In October 2003, the San Diego County Water Authority, Coachella Valley Water District, Imperial Irrigation District, Metropolitan Water District of Southern California, State of California and U.S. Department of the Interior completed a historic set of agreements to conserve and transfer Colorado River water.)

New Report Finds Proposed Delta Tunnel Could Bankrupt Metropolitan Water District

In a report sponsored by the California Water Impact Network, policy expert Max Gomberg revealed that the continued funding of the controversial Delta Tunnel – also known as the Delta Conveyance Project – could bankrupt the powerful Metropolitan Water District of Southern California. Gomberg is the former climate change and water conservation manager for the State Water Resources Control Board.

Utilities Commission to Weigh Plan That Could Stiffen Penalties for Water Wasters

The Long Beach Utilities Department is looking to update its water shortage contingency plan, which outlines what activities are prohibited during different stages of drought—and a new proposal could lead to steep fines for water wasters in the future.

After an exceptionally wet winter, most of the state, including Long Beach, is out of drought-like conditions. With water agencies projected to get 100% of their requested water supplies from the state, many are looking to rescind some restrictions.

States Near Historic Deal to Protect Colorado River

After nearly a year wrestling over the fate of their water supply, California, Arizona and Nevada — the three key states in the Colorado River’s current crisis — have coalesced around a plan to voluntarily conserve a major portion of their river water in exchange for more than $1 billion in federal funds, according to people familiar with the negotiations.

The Fate of the Imperiled Colorado River and Attempts to Mitigate Disaster

A water shortage on the Colorado River has put tremendous strain on the states that rely on it as a main water source. The fate of California’s Salton Sea is tied to the future of the river, and a catastrophic drought has only worsened conditions.

Report Urges Metropolitan Water District to Abandon Newsom’s $16-Billion Delta Tunnel Plan

Gov. Gavin Newsom and his administration have touted plans to build a tunnel to transport water beneath the Sacramento-San Joaquin River Delta, saying the project would modernize California’s water infrastructure and help the state adapt to climate change.

But an advocacy group is urging the Metropolitan Water District of Southern California to abandon the $16-billion project, saying it doesn’t make financial sense for the state’s largest urban water agency.

What to Know About the Colorado River

The Colorado River has shaped life as we know it in the southwestern United States. Its water has allowed for explosive population growth and agricultural development in some of the driest parts of the country. But due to overallocation and climate change, the river is drying up.

Three Scenarios Predicted for Lake Powell Water Levels

Three possible scenarios have been mapped out for Lake Powell as the summer months approach.

Lake Powell’s water levels could rise to 3,615.62 feet by the end of July, according to a 24-month report on maximum probable inflow released in April by the U.S. Bureau of Reclamation. This is the best-case scenario mapped out by the bureau.

Water, Water Everywhere

On the beach in Southern California, it’s easy to look at the Pacific Ocean and wonder what would happen if we could drink it. It’s already happening in some places, and others from Arizona to the California coast want to expand desalination. If big cities there use more of the ocean and less of the Colorado River, would that leave more water for the southwest? Part 4 of a 10-part series.

Lower Colorado River Water Users Anticipate Dry 2024

Following one of the wettest winters in recent history, Arizona officials anticipate a dry 2024 as federal water usage cuts loom.

In a joint Colorado River shortage briefing held by the Arizona Department of Water Resources and the Central Arizona Project, officials analyzed current conditions in Colorado River Basin reservoirs and how they’ll change in the near future.