Managing the eastern San Joaquin County Sub-Basin: an urban/ag partnership case study: Stockton East Water District
Date
2010-03
Authors
Kaufman, Kevin M., author
U.S. Committee on Irrigation and Drainage, publisher
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Abstract
Senior agency managers work with the 'politics' of the water industry almost everyday while doing their job of serving the governing board elected or appointed to set policy for their water agency. Conflict in general arises from the 'bottom-line' issues like the cost of services charged by these agencies. From an individual's perspective, cost can become a very personal issue. From a company or entity's perspective, cost can become a significant challenge to their budgeting process. When a water agency is perceived as taking an approach with an individual, group, company, or entity that is prejudicial or inequitable, the governing board member's telephones ring too often. Working with the customers of this agricultural/urban water district to spend money on infrastructure intended to assure a sustainable and reliable water supply has raised some interesting communication and policy challenges. For ten-years, the Stockton East Water District (SEWD) has applied various approaches to achieve its objectives in reaching this water supply goal. Although these objectives have not yet been achieved, it was felt to be interesting for SEWD to share what it has learned, and where it might head in the future as a result of the progress made to date.
Description
Presented at Upgrading technology and infrastructure in a finance-challenged economy: a USCID water management conference held on March 23-26, 2010 in Sacramento, California.