Otay Water District Recognized as “District of Distinction” by Otay Water District Sep 24, 2026 Member Submitted News SPRING VALLEY — The Otay Water District has received the “District of Distinction” accreditation from the Special District Leadership Foundation (SDLF), recognizing the District’s sound fiscal management practices, commitment to good governance, and transparency in public agency operations. “SDLF provides an independent audit review of the last three years of the District’s operations to ensure prudent fiscal practices,” said SDLF Chief Executive Officer Neil McCormick. “The committee members who review the audits are volunteers from the special district community, including district controllers, directors of finance, and certified general managers.” To qualify for the accreditation, members of the District’s board of directors and executive staff must also complete training in public governance, ethics, and harassment prevention. The District must also meet transparency requirements by making key information readily available to the public through its website, including election procedures and deadlines, board meeting schedules and agendas, the current District budget, the most recent financial audit, and compensation information for board members and employees or a link to the State Controller’s Office webpage containing that information. “This accreditation reflects Otay Water District’s continued commitment to responsible fiscal management, transparency, and open government,” said Board President Francisco X. Rivera. “As the financial and regulatory demands facing public agencies continue to grow, strong fiscal policies and sound management practices are essential to sustaining reliable service, accountability, and public trust. Our customers and community deserve to know that the District is managing public resources responsibly and making thoughtful decisions with their best interests in mind.” The District of Distinction accreditation builds on the District’s ongoing commitment to transparency and good governance. In 2025, the District received the SDLF District Transparency Certificate of Excellence, recognizing its efforts to promote openness, accessibility, and accountability for customers and community stakeholders. SDLF is an independent nonprofit organization formed to promote good governance and best practices among California’s special districts through certification, accreditation, and recognition programs. Special districts are independent public agencies that provide essential local services such as water, wastewater treatment, fire protection, parks and recreation, healthcare, sanitation, mosquito abatement, ports, libraries, public cemeteries, and other community services. The Otay Water District is a public agency providing water, recycled water, and sewer service to approximately 242,155 customers within approximately 125 square miles of southeastern San Diego County, including the communities of eastern Chula Vista, Bonita, Jamul, Spring Valley, Rancho San Diego, unincorporated areas of El Cajon and La Mesa, and east Otay Mesa along the international border with Mexico. For more information about the Otay Water District, visit otaywater.gov. Follow Otay on social media: www.x.com/OtayWater www.instagram.com/OtayWater www.facebook.com/OtayWaterDistrict www.youtube.com/OtayWaterDistrict www.linkedin.com/company/otay-water-district www.nextdoor.com/pages/otay-water-district
