Jerry Brown

Message From the General Manager

January, 2012

From the day the public organized the Contra Costa Water District in 1936, our goal has been to provide high quality, reliable water service to the people we serve in an environmentally-responsible, cost-effective manner.

As the only urban water provider that depends solely on the Sacramento-San Joaquin Delta for its water supply, meeting those goals remains a challenge. The ever-changing environmental and political uncertainties that surround the Delta means the District must remain a flexible and innovative organization that ensures our customers’ drinking water source remains protected.  

The District is dedicated to providing its customers with excellent, reliable service and high-quality water year round for many years to come. We do this by improving and maintaining our system of infrastructure proactively, protecting the ecosystem that provides our water supply, and operating in a fiscally responsible manner to ensure long-term financial stability.

This past year, the District accomplished much toward meeting its goals.

• Construction began on the Los Vaqueros Reservoir Expansion Project, which will provide water supply reliability and water quality benefits to customers as well as environmental benefits to the Delta upon its completion this year.

• At the Rock Slough intake of the Contra Costa Canal, construction was completed on a fish screen that was built with federal stimulus funds to protect the environment and the District’s access to that water source.

• In the spring, the District received delivery of high-quality Sacramento River water through East Bay Municipal Utility District’s Freeport Project under the terms of an agreement reached several years earlier.

• And by the end of 2011, the District had five clean energy projects either completed or under way to generate solar and hydroelectric power and reduce its electric bills.

Financially, the District continues to adhere to its Ten-Year Capital Improvement and Financial Plan, which provides a solid foundation of long-range planning and sound investment strategies. By planning 10 years into the future, we can maintain and upgrade facilities in a preventative manner and avoid major financial surprises. Through conservative financial planning, diversification of revenue and cost containment, we continue to provide excellent customer service at reasonable water rates in a difficult economy.

Looking forward, the challenges remain high. However, with these major investments and our employees’ continued commitment to innovate, the Contra Costa Water District remains in a strong position to continue to exceed the expectations of its customers. 

Sincerely, 

Jerry Brown
General Manager
Contra Costa Water District