(Editor’s Note: This feature highlights new members of the San Diego County Water Authority’s 36-member Board of Directors. Each of the Water Authority’s 24 member agencies appoints at least one representative to the Board, which sets policy for the Water Authority.)
Welcome to the Board: Clint Baze, Rincon del Diablo Municipal Water District
Who: Clint Baze was seated on the San Diego County Water Authority Board of Directors on January 25, 2023, representing the Rincon del Diablo Municipal Water District. Baze serves on the Administrative and Finance and Water Planning and Environmental committees for the Water Authority.
Background/Education: Clint Baze is the General Manager of the Rincon del Diablo Municipal Water District. He received a Bachelor of Science degree, Organization Leadership, from Asusa Pacific University, and an Associate in Arts, Water Technology, from Palomar College. Baze also holds a Grade 5 Water Distribution Operator Certification, State Water Resources Control Board, a Grade 2 Water Treatment Operator Certification, State Water Resources Control Board and is a Certified Pipeline Welder by the American Welding Society.
Water Industry Affiliations: American Water Works Association, California Water Environment Association, American Public Works Association, North San Diego Water Reuse Coalition, Water Education Foundation, International Association of Plumbing and Mechanical Officials, California Association of Sanitation Districts, Association of California Water Agencies/Joint Powers Insurance Authority, California Special Districts Association.
Q & A
Q: How did you get interested in water issues?
A: I was born in Riverside County and as a Southern California native, I was raised in the sunshine of both Riverside and San Diego counties. I enjoyed a childhood filled with expansive wide-open spaces, horses, and old pickup trucks. While attending high school, I signed up for the Regional Occupational Program and became a certified pipeline welder. After graduation, my first “real” job was a position as a production welder for a major water meter manufacturing company. A short time later in 1984, when I was 20 years young, I was recovering from an injury sustained during competition at one of the many regional rodeos in which I participated. A friend stopped by to check in on me and happened to share a job announcement for a welder position with the Rainbow Municipal Water District. It was then it dawned on me that a career in water would certainly be a lot less painful than a career as a rodeo professional, and equally as intriguing.
Q: What are your priorities or interests as a Board member?
A: My greatest priority as a San Diego County Water Authority Board (SDCWA) member is, first and foremost, to fully participate in the decision-making responsibilities of a Board member. As a general manager and board member, it is up to me to ensure that Rincon Water customers are well represented and that the policies we set at the SDCWA are made in the best interests of our community. I am proud to serve an organization that is known as a leader with California’s complex issues relative to water supplies, treatment, diversity, conservation, and water recycling.
Q: Besides maintaining safe and reliable water supplies, what do you see as the top three issues facing the San Diego region?
A: 1. If you are to break down the cost of water and compare it to other human wants and needs you will find that it is still comparatively cheap, however, if you rely on it for commercial, industrial, or farming, the price is almost unbearable. Safe, reliable, and affordable water may no longer be realistic. 2. The cost of energy in the region will most likely cause people to relocate. The routine price hikes of natural gas and electricity in San Diego affects all other services and raises the bar beyond reach. 3. Affordable housing is my third concern. The high cost of housing has created a situation where thousands of San Diego County workers commute here from Riverside and Orange counties. This creates havoc on the freeway resulting in excessive emissions, impedes emergency responses, and causes an increase in traffic accidents.
Q: What do you like to do when you are not working?
A: If you guessed open spaces, horses, and old pickup trucks, you’d be right, but I’ve added chickens, turkeys, dogs, cats, and rabbits to that mix. But the greatest joys in my life are my lovely wife and creative daughter. And thanks to my daughter and her talents as a special effects makeup artist, you can catch us at Comic-Con or other similar conventions deeply engrossed in cosplay.
The Water Authority’s Board of Directors typically meets on the fourth Thursday of each month. The Board invites the public to attend its monthly meetings and to comment on agenda items or other matters before the Board. For meeting times, agendas and documents, go to www.sdcwa.org/board-directors
