Water isn't partisan. Our community comes first.
I've been your representative on the SSWD board for 12 years. I've been the manager of the City of Woodland's water system for 12 years. I'm a proud member of our community for over 50 years, so that I can make sure our water supply is safe, reliable and affordable.
This is a nonpartisan office and I've treated it like one. When I was elected I took the party affiliation off my registration, because infrastructure is apolitical. With your director vote, you need to decide who will do the best job ensuring safe, affordable water for your family.
The record
The aquifer under this region dropped about two feet a year for decades. I've expanded SSWD's conjunctive use policy, buying surface water when it's available and affordable and giving our aquifer a chance to rest and recharge, so it will be there for us in times of drought.
I believe that small increases every year are better for my constituents than artificially holding rates flat and then applying double-digit rate increases down the line. I've argued this every year I've been on this board. I won't pass today's costs to our kids.
From 2014 to 2024 SSWD's total increase came in less than 4% while we have replaced infrastructure at a responsible pace. SSWD puts aside capital reserves to fund capital projects instead of borrowing, and the debt from previous boards will be retired by 2030.
What I'm focused on
Delivering safe drinking water is the first duty of a water board member. SSWD is primarily reliant on groundwater, but we use surface water when it's available to ensure a healthy groundwater supply.
Almost everything costs more every year. Containing that increase is the biggest challenge of the job. Our rates have had twelve years of small, steady increases and the average remains under 4%.
Stretching the service life of our infrastructure investment is crucial, and replacing components before failure saves our customers. Exercising valves and servicing hydrants prevents water loss and ensures that our customers are safe in the event of fire.
Working with neighboring agencies allows us to buy surface water and rest the aquifer. In dry years we return the favor with groundwater, which leaves more water in the rivers for fish and wildlife. SSWD is also a good neighbor, with emergency aid agreements to help others in our community.
Projects
Obtaining the services of qualified well contractors became difficult during the last drought, and SSWD runs more than 70 groundwater wells. After years of working with Kirby Pump and Mechanical, SSWD entered into an exclusive agreement with them for three years. This association was so successful that the district decided to purchase the company outright, and bring that expertise in-house instead of waiting in line for it.
In May, SSWD joined the region's water agencies, environmental groups and business leaders in signing the Water Forum Agreement 2050, renewing a bargain first struck in 2000. This allows the region to have both a reliable water supply and a healthy Lower American River, balancing the needs of the population with the needs of the environment.
During my second term as president I had the honor of signing the first 27-year contract with the U.S. Bureau of Reclamation to move up to 29,000 acre-feet of surface water a year through Folsom Reservoir in wet and average years. This agreement was the first of its kind and changed the paradigm for how water districts work with the Federal government.
During my time on the board I authorized funding for wells 81, 82, 83, 84 and Butano, all bigger and more efficient than the wells they will replace, and each on a lot with room to add treatment later if it's ever needed to meet our ever more stringent state requirements.
During my time on the board, SSWD has replaced more than 60 miles of distribution pipeline including the neighborhood of Drayton Heights, the crossing at Arcade Creek and many areas of McClellan business park. Proactive replacement of pipe costs a fraction of the costs of responding to catastrophic pipe failures.
About Craig
Knowing how a water system is actually built and run is fundamental for this seat.
I grew up in Arden Arcade, attended Arden and El Camino before earning a BA from UC Berkeley. I returned to the area and earned a BS in Civil Engineering from Sacramento State.
The infrastructure I build is my legacy for future generations. A well drilled today will still be pumping seventy years from now, and we are now replacing seventy year old wells. The seventy year old pipes we are replacing will long outlast all of us. We owe it to the future, this is our legacy, to provide safe water into the next generation.
That includes my own kids.
Endorsed by:
Get involved
Most people never think about who runs their water district until something goes wrong. If you'd rather it keep going right, join the campaign - I answer my own email.
Questions, a yard sign, or an endorsement - reach me directly.
Email Craig