Riverside, CA – The Santa Ana Watershed Project Authority (SAWPA) Commission has announced the appointment of Jeff Mosher as General Manager. Mr. Mosher will be joining SAWPA on February 16, 2021.
Mosher brings more than 30 years of knowledge and experience in water resources planning and the implementation of water and wastewater projects. Mosher will oversee SAWPA’s efforts to develop regional plans, programs, and projects that protect the Santa Ana River basin water resources to maximize beneficial uses within the watershed in an economically and environmentally responsible manner. One key program is SAWPA’s Inland Empire Brine Line, which has become an economic-growth engine for inland California, allowing clean disposal of brackish water discharge from industry and utilities, ranging from groundwater desalters to food processors to power plants.
“The SAWPA Commissioners are excited that someone of Jeff’s stature will be leading this Agency,” said Jasmin A. Hall, chair of the SAWPA Commission. “His widespread knowledge of integrated water resource management, sustainability, and the Inland Empire region will be invaluable as we address the
many opportunities and challenges ahead.”
Mosher recently served as the Vice President of Carollo Engineers, Inc., an environmental engineering firm that specializes in the planning, design, and construction of water and wastewater facilities. In his role he provided engineering and planning services, technology evaluation, business development, and project management support for large and complex water projects in California and across the United States. Among his key endeavors has been the support of high visibility water treatment and recycled water projects for the City of Los Angeles and other water and wastewater utilities in southern California.
Prior to working with Carollo, Mosher was Chief Research Officer for the Water Research Foundation in Alexandria, Virginia where he provided vision and leadership for achieving goals and objectives of an annual research program totaling over $12 million that addressed a range of topics including emerging water quality issues, sustainable integrated water management, innovative treatment, water resources, and desalination among many others. He has also worked with WateReuse Foundation and WateReuse Association directing a $3 million annual research program dedicated to conducting applied research in the areas of water reuse and desalination.
In addition, Mosher served as the Executive Director of the National Water Research Institute from 2005 to 2016, implementing research and educational activities for technical and policy areas including water scarcity, drought, integrated planning, water resources, climate change, regulations, and public health while establishing successful partnerships with stakeholders, nonprofit organizations, environmental groups, water and wastewater utilities, and state agencies.
Mosher holds a Bachelor of Science degree in Chemistry from the College of William and Mary and a Master of Science degree in Civil and Environmental Engineering from the George Washington University. Mosher takes over for Rich Haller, who is retiring after 20 years with SAWPA, including four years as General Manager.
The Santa Ana Watershed Project Authority, a Joint Powers Authority, is comprised of five member agencies: Eastern Municipal Water District, Inland Empire Utilities Agency, Orange County Water District, San Bernardino Valley Municipal Water District, and Western Municipal Water District. In addition to owning and operating the Inland Empire Brine Line, SAWPA supports a broad range of water resource issues including water supply reliability, water quality improvement, recycled water, wastewater treatment, groundwater management, and integrated regional planning. The Santa Ana River Watershed encompasses 2,650 square miles, is home to six million people, and stretches over four counties – San Bernardino, Riverside, Orange, and portions of Los Angeles.
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