Seven commitments for reliable water and responsible government.

Safe drinking water is non-negotiable. MNWD currently reports that its drinking water meets state and federal standards and conducts approximately 12,000 water-quality tests annually. I support that commitment—and I believe we should continue asking how we can do even better.

Residents should have access to understandable information about where their water comes from, how it is treated, how it is tested and what those results mean.

Compliance is essential. Confidence is the goal.

Moulton Niguel imports all of its potable water through MWDOC from the Metropolitan Water District of Southern California, primarily from the Colorado River and the State Water Project. We cannot control droughts, climate conditions or decisions made by other agencies. But we can control how prepared we are. That means supporting:

• Responsible water recycling
• Advanced treatment technologies
• Conservation
• Infrastructure maintenance
• Storage and system resilience
• Regional cooperation when it benefits our community
• Long-term water supply planning

We should prepare before we need the water—not after.

MNWD has invested billions of dollars in water and wastewater infrastructure. That investment belongs to the community. Before approving expensive new projects, I want the District to clearly evaluate whether we can repair it, upgrade it, modernize it, optimize it, or use it more efficiently.

New isn't automatically better. Sometimes the smartest investment is getting more value from what we already have.

Recycled water already provides approximately 25% of MNWD's total water demand. The District is also investing in advanced treatment technologies, including a $34.5 million Salinity Management Facility using ultrafiltration and reverse osmosis.

I support continuing to evaluate opportunities to increase local water reuse when they are technically sound, environmentally responsible and financially justified. Every successful local water source can reduce pressure on imported supplies.

Water infrastructure is expensive—and mistakes are expensive too. The District's 2019 dispute involving SOCWA resulted in a $4.8 million settlement. That experience should remind us that major regional commitments require:

• Thorough due diligence
• Transparent financial analysis
• Clear contractual obligations
• Appropriate voting protections
• Defined responsibilities
• Meaningful exit provisions
• Ongoing oversight

I support regional cooperation. But cooperation should never mean writing a blank check. Partner when it makes sense. Protect the ratepayer every time.

Residents should not have to be experts in water policy to understand what their District is doing. I want information to be easier to understand and easier to access. Before major decisions, residents should be able to understand:

• What are we doing?
• Why are we doing it?
• What will it cost?
• What alternatives exist?
• What are the risks?
• How will we know whether it worked?

That is accountability.

The Water District should be focused on providing reliable water and responsible service—not becoming a stepping stone for political ambition. I believe Directors should remain focused on the people they were elected to serve.

This isn't about politics. It's about water.