Foothill MWD Announces the Retirement of Board Member Richard Atwater by Foothill Municipal Water District Jan 7, 2026 Member Submitted News The Foothill Municipal Water District (FMWD or the District) announces the retirement of Richard Atwater from its Board of Directors, effective February 1, 2026. Mr. Atwater was appointed Director in 2006 and served as Foothill’s representative to Metropolitan Water District of Southern California’s (Metropolitan) Board from 2014 to 2023. Director Atwater has been an invaluable member of the District and the broader water industry for over four decades. Director Atwater’s career has been marked by significant contributions and commitment to government, water resource and environmental management in resolving complex water problems throughout the western United States. “I have enjoyed my time working in the water industry and developing new ways of solving the water supply challenges that southern California has,” said Director Atwater. “Conservation, recycling, stormwater capture and groundwater recharge are the best ways we can be self-sustaining especially considering the uncertainties we are facing due to climate change.” “Director Atwater’s depth of knowledge regarding the Colorado River, California’s State Water Project and local water resources is unrivalled. He has led the water industry in innovative water resource development throughout his career increasing supply reliability to southern California. He will be sorely missed,” said Foothill General Manager Nina Jazmadarian. Director Atwater started his career at the U.S. Bureau of Reclamation. As the Special Assistant to the Commissioner, Director Atwater directly managed Colorado River issues. Key accomplishments were the passage of 14 water bills in Congress during 1984 and 1985, the Hoover Power Act reauthorization (1984), the Central Valley Project–State Water Project coordinated operations agreement, and serving as lead federal negotiator for the Central Arizona Project $1.1 billion cost-sharing agreement with the State of Arizona through direct negotiations with Governor Bruce Babbitt. Director Atwater then became manager of the Resources Division at Metropolitan Water District of Southern California. Accomplishments at Metropolitan included the All American Canal lining legislation, negotiating the State Water Project (SWP) East Branch Enlargement Contract, the development of water transfers and local resource projects (water recycling and groundwater banking), extensive water and power contract responsibilities, including both Hoover and Parker-Davis federal contracts, Department of Water Resources SWP power contracts, and Metropolitan small hydro contracts and Bureau of Reclamation and Western Area Power Administration contract issues affecting Metropolitan’s transmission lines. Director Atwater later served as General Manager of West Basin and Central Basin Municipal Water Districts, separate entities, which at the time were managed jointly. In this role, he implemented complex agreements with the City of Los Angeles, LA County Sanitation Districts, more than 20 cities, and major private corporations (e.g., Chevron, Arco, Mobil, Dream Works, Hughes) to develop the largest water recycling project built in California during the 1990s. Director Atwater subsequently became Senior Vice-President and then President of Bookman Edmonston Engineering, Inc. During that time, he was a consultant to Metropolitan on the following issues: regional drought planning, groundwater storage and conjunctive use negotiations in Southern California and Kern County, water rates, CALFED, Integrated Water Resources Planning , and member agency relations. Mr. Atwater also prepared the Poseidon Resources feasibility plan for their Southern California seawater desalination projects and the Cadiz feasibility report for their groundwater project near the Metropolitan Colorado River Aqueduct. At Inland Empire Utilities Agency (IEUA), an entity that provides wholesale water and wastewater utility services, Director Atwater became Chief Executive Officer/General Manager. In cooperation with the Chino Basin Watermaster, he implemented the award winning “Optimum Basin Management Program” which included a $50 million recharge master plan, a $270 million Chino Basin groundwater desalination project, a recycled water program ($210 million) and a 100,000 AF conjunctive use storage program with Metropolitan ($28.5 million). He also developed and implemented award winning water recycling, conservation, renewable energy and biosolids composting programs. In cooperation with the Milk Producers Council, he developed and implemented innovative dairy manure management strategies (e.g., anaerobic digestion, composting, and the sewering of dairy wash water) with the California Energy Commission and USDA grants. Under his tenure, the new IEUA administrative building won the prestigious Governor’s Environmental and Economic Achievement Award for the first LEED “Platinum” public building in California. Director Atwater served as part-time Executive Director for the Southern California Water Committee (2010-2016), leading policy outreach and advocacy on such regional water supply issues including stormwater capture, water recycling, water quality and water use efficiency, and statewide efforts including the Bay Delta Conservation Program and State Water Project. Director Atwater’s legacy of water management and policy innovation will continue to resonate with the water industry for many years to come. Foothill Municipal Water District is a wholesale water provider that delivers imported water to retail agencies serving Altadena, La Cañada Flintridge, and La Crescenta. Its member agencies include Crescenta Valley Water District, Kinneloa Irrigation District, La Cañada Irrigation District, Las Flores Water Company, Liberty Utilities, Lincoln Avenue Water Company, Rubio Cañon Land & Water Association, and Valley Water Company.
