Western Municipal Water District

California Association of Public Information Officials (CAPIO) featured our Assistant General Manager-Communications & Customer Experience, Sarah Macdonald, MPPA, for #WomensHistoryMonth to explore her journey in public service, the challenges and opportunities she’s faced, and how she’s helping to shape the future of water communications and leadership. Read the interview at https://lnkd.in/gw-CWyyn. ✨

Breaking barriers and leading with purpose—this #WomensHistoryMonth, we celebrate the trailblazers redefining leadership in traditionally male-dominated industries. In this interview, Pam Allen, CAPIO's VP of Communications, sits down with Sarah Macdonald, MPPA, Assistant General Manager of Western Municipal Water District, to explore her journey in public service, the challenges and opportunities she’s faced, and how she’s helping to shape the future of water communications and leadership. "I love a good challenge, and as a woman in leadership, I understand the importance of having a seat at the table and using it to drive progress." "Thriving in a traditionally male-dominated industry has been both a challenge and an opportunity, but above all, it has been an exercise in defining leadership on my own terms. We all know by now that the leadership landscape has shifted. For me, leadership today isn’t just about forcing respect or commanding authority; it’s about collaboration, adaptability, and the ability to bring out the best in people. With more access to information than ever before and a rapid pace of change, the command-and-control models of the past are giving way to more strategic, empathetic, and results-driven leadership, a shift made possible by the trailblazers before me who paved the way." Read the interview at https://lnkd.in/gpPzENty

💧 Our construction teams work behind the scenes to build, upgrade, and maintain the infrastructure that keeps safe, dependable water flowing. Investing in strong infrastructure ensures reliable water and sewer services now and for generations to come. 💡 As the proposed rate adjustment is considered, see how these investments support your water service at WesternWaterCA.gov/rates.

Last week, we were honored to host Western Riverside Council of Governments (WRCOG) annual Women’s Day event, bringing together leaders in public service and mentorship. 🎉 The event highlighted the invaluable contributions of women in shaping our communities and workplaces. At Western Water, we are dedicated to fostering an inclusive environment where women can thrive. Through mentorship, support, and growth opportunities, we’re proud to empower women in their professional and personal lives. 💐

On Friday, Elsinore Valley Municipal Water District (EVMWD) launched their inaugural Fostering Water Leadership Program, giving local leaders a firsthand look at the infrastructure keeping our water flowing. 💧 Community leaders, along with Elsinore Valley Municipal Water District, Metropolitan Water District of Southern California, and Western Water staff, visited Diamond Valley Lake, Southern California’s largest reservoir, which showed the massive scale of our water supply system. While it’s full today, it only holds a year’s worth of water, emphasizing the need for continued investment in local water sources. 🌱 Western Water is proud to be a wholesale water supplier to EVMWD, working in partnership to ensure long-term water reliability for the region. This program is a great example of EVMWD’s commitment to fostering collaboration and educating local leaders on the complexities of water management. A huge thanks to our dedicated staff, our partners at EVMWD, and the Metropolitan Water District of Southern California. 💙

🌧️ The Victoria Recharge Basin in Riverside is a stormwater superhero! It captures runoff and lets it seep into the groundwater aquifer below. 💦 This process boosts water quality and helps recharge up to 2,500-acre feet of water each year—that’s over 1,200 Olympic-size pools! 🏊♂️💙 Projects like this ensure Western is #SecuringYourWaterSupply for the future. 🚰👏 #NationalGroundwaterAwarenessWeek #GWAW

This morning, the Murrieta-Temecula Group hosted a panel of local water agency General Managers for an in-depth discussion on water issues in our region. 💧🌊 Our GM, Craig Miller, emphasized the importance of water and addressed the state's needs, challenges, and solutions for sustainable management. The conversation covered state, regional, and local issues, providing important takeaways for the communities we serve. A special thanks to Rancho Water , Elsinore Valley Municipal Water District and Eastern Municipal Water District for this collaborative effort in advancing the dialogue on water sustainability. 🤝 To learn more about water management and how you can get involved, visit cawaterforall.com.

On February 20, Western Municipal Water District joined our partners San Bernardino Valley Municipal Water District, City of Riverside Public Utilities, and San Bernardino Valley Water Conservation District to celebrate the completion of the Santa Ana River Enhanced Recharge Phase 1-B with a ribbon-cutting and dedication ceremony. This milestone project delivers significant benefits to our region: ✅ More than doubles groundwater recharge capacity, replenishing up to 80,000 acre-feet per year ✅ Completed 18 months ahead of schedule and under budget, maximizing efficiency ✅ Adds 20 new recharge basins while enhancing flood control and inter-basin water movement ✅ Strengthens water reliability for nearly 2 million people This project demonstrates what’s possible when we work together to creatively manage water resources. Investments like these are exactly what California needs—using recharge basins to capture stormwater during wet years, ensuring reliable water supplies when dry conditions return. 📖 Learn more about the project in the full press release here: https://lnkd.in/g4Z3hVym. - University of California, Riverside Elsinore Valley Municipal Water District Riverside Highland Water Company

Yesterday, Western Water’s General Manager, Craig Miller, presented at the Mission Grove Neighborhood Alliance meeting to discuss state and local water challenges and how we’re working to ensure long-term water reliability. As costs for water supply, energy, materials, labor, and system improvements continue to rise, we remain committed to adapting, planning ahead, and investing wisely to keep delivering safe, high-quality, and reliable service to our customers. Craig also shared details on the proposed rate adjustment, how we are working to manage rising costs efficiently, and ways for customers to stay informed and involved. Community outreach is a key part of our commitment to transparency, and we appreciate every opportunity to connect with our customers. 💧🔊

CMUA Board President Craig Miller, GM of Western Water in Riverside, kicks off our Capitol Day, talking about the opportunities ahead with the additional limelight on water and power recently across the state.