Published on January 10, 2018
January 10, 2018 - For Immediate Release
CONTACT: Brad Sherwood - 707.322.8192 (cell), brad.sherwood@scwa.ca.gov
(Santa Rosa, CA) The Sonoma County Water Agency Board of Directors today announced that Grant Davis will return to the Sonoma County Water Agency as its General Manager. Mr. Davis returns to the Water Agency after being appointed nearly five months ago by Governor Brown to serve as Director of the California Department of Water Resources (DWR).
“Mr. Davis recently approached the County to request consideration to return to his former position, stressing his desire to serve in his home community in the wake of our catastrophe. His local and regional experience, combined with his statewide relationships, will serve the Water Agency and the entire County well,” said Sonoma County Water Agency Chairman James Gore. “I would like to extend my appreciation for the excellent work performed by Interim General Manager Mike Thompson and the Water Agency staff during this time of transition.”
Mr. Davis said, “I am honored and humbled by the confidence of the Water Agency’s Board of Directors to allow me the opportunity to return to the Sonoma County Water Agency as its General Manager. Working with Governor Brown and his Administration as the Director of the California Department of Water Resources was a tremendous experience. I am thankful for the opportunity to serve Governor Brown. It was a true honor and privilege. This is going to be a very important year in California for water. I am confident that the Governor and the state are on a solid pathway forward. My home and passion is Sonoma County, and I am dedicated to helping the Water Agency achieve its ongoing goals while restoring our watersheds impacted by the wildfires.”
Mr. Davis was appointed by Governor Brown to become the Director of the California Department of Water Resources on August 1, 2017. Acting DWR Director William R. Croyle retired on July 1, 2017. DWR plays an important role in sustaining California’s economy, environment and quality of life. DWR operates and maintains the California State Water Project (SWP), which provides drinking water and water to farms.
Mr. Davis joined the Water Agency in 2007 as the Assistant General Manager and became its General Manager in 2010. As the general manager of the Water Agency, Mr. Davis worked with more than 280 employees and is responsible for the Water Agency’s core functions of providing drinking water to over 600,000 residents in portions of Sonoma and Marin counties, wastewater management for 60,000 customers, maintaining nearly 100 miles of streams and detention basins for flood protection, and restoring habitat for three federally listed fish species in the Russian River.
For nearly a decade, Mr. Davis has continued to implement nationally praised sustainability and western water initiatives, including being recognized by the White House last year for the Water Agency’s efforts in climate adaptation, regional recycled water development, and its Forecast Informed Reservoir Operations initiative. Mr. Davis also implemented the Water Agency’s Carbon Free Water by 2015 initiative and renewable energy program called the Sonoma County Energy Independence Program. In 2015, the Water Agency has contracted to procure 100 percent of its electricity needs through renewable and carbon free resources, thus achieving a carbon neutral electricity supply to power its system.
Under Mr. Davis’ leadership, the Water Agency continues to implement a Biological Opinion on the Russian River which has resulted in the creation of the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration’s first Safe Harbor Program agreement. Other major achievements of Mr. Davis’ included the development of the North Coast and Bay Area Integrated Regional Water Management Programs, in which $19 million was secured to support the installation of a new regional Bay Area weather forecasting satellite system.
Prior to joining the Water Agency, Mr. Davis was Executive Director of The Bay Institute, a science-based nonprofit, dedicated to protecting the San Francisco Bay-Delta Watershed and improving water management in California. Mr. Davis also worked for Congresswoman Lynn Woolsey, State Senator Milton Marks, and Assemblywoman Lucy Killea.
For more information about the Water Agency, please visit www.sonomacountywater.org.
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The Sonoma County Water Agency is working to secure our future by investing in our water resources, community and environment. The Water Agency provides water supply, flood protection and sanitation services for portions of Sonoma and Marin counties. Visit us on the Web at www.sonomacountywater.org.