How to Diversify and Improve the Reliability of San Diego’s Water Supply

June 24, 2009

By Barry Jagoda

General Manager of San Diego Water Authority, Maureen Stapleton, will address Economics Roundtable, July 16

With so many questions being raised about the region’s water supply, the July 16 meeting of the University of California, San Diego Economics Roundtable comes at a perfect time for answers from Maureen Stapleton, General Manager of the San Diego County Water Authority.  She will speak on the topic “The True Value of Water," in a presentation beginning at 7:30 a.m. at the UC San Diego Faculty Club.

As the General Manager, Stapleton oversees a comprehensive array of water supply programs designed to improve operations of the county's water supply. She successfully negotiated the 2003 Colorado River Qualification Settlement Agreement, providing up to 21.4 million acre-feet of water to the County over the next 110 years. She is also responsible for the implementation of a $3.6 billion Capital Improvement Program, including the Emergency Storage Project, and is aggressively pursuing the development of seawater desalinization, outdoor conservation, and enhanced recycling.

The Water Authority works through its 23 member agencies to provide water for the region’s $130 billion economy and the quality of life of 3 million residents.

Before joining the Authority, Stapleton worked for the City of San Diego for nine years and served as assistant city manager from 1991 to 1996. Prior to that, she was assistant city manager for the City of Claremont.  Stapleton earned her bachelor’s degree with honors from California Polytechnic University in Pomona and her master’s degree in public administration from California State University Consortium at Long Beach. She lives in San Diego with her husband, Frank.

The July 16, 2009 Economics Roundtable begins with continental breakfast at 7:30 a.m. at the UCSD Faculty Club.  The public is invited, with the $50 fee covering parking, breakfast and the presentation.  For additional information and registration please call: Edie Munk (858) 822-0510, email: emunk@ucsd.edu or visit: http://www.econ.ucsd.edu/roundtable 

Media Contact: Barry Jagoda, 858-534-8567 or bjagoda@ucsd.edu