Retired General Manager Darin Kasamoto Reflects on Successful Career
was nearing a critical point and the community was close to not being able to pump enough to supply their citizens. The district worked out a deal with the Metropolitan Water District of Southern California (Metropolitan) to use its infrastructure to deliver the SGVMWD’s water directly to Sierra Madre. “They can now supplement what they need through that connection,” Kasamoto said. This deal was a big success for the SGVMWD, which is not a Metropolitan member agency. Kasamoto is also proud that under his leadership, his district provided financial help to its cities so they could update older infrastructure. A large, zero-interest loan to Sierra Madre helped Sierra Madre upgrade their pipelines. Monterey Park built a treatment plant with a zero-interest loan from the SGVMWD, and Azusa used a loan to retrofit a water storage tank, Kasamoto said. Collaboration with other area water agencies has also increased, as has public education about water issues. Kasamoto said one of the biggest changes in the water industry during his career is a new focus on outreach and education. “This is a big shift. We need to educate and let people know our water is not an infinite supply. Lifestyles have to change because of the climate we live in and because of climate change,” Kasamoto said. The district now educates children in elementary schools, staffs booths at city events, and offers free water conservation nozzles and rebates for low-flush toilets, among other programs. Finally, Kasamoto said water leaders in the future will need to find a balance between water reliability, affordability, and sustainability. They will need to build more water storage infrastructure due to climate change which brings stronger storms and more rain in shorter periods. Kasamoto strongly supports the Delta Conveyance Project and Pure Water Southern California. He said, “You have to do what you can to assure the supply. We have to pay for what it costs.”
Jose Reynoso
SGVMWD’s New General Manager T he San Gabriel Valley Municipal Water District Board of Directors appointed Jose Reynoso as the District’s new General Manager, following the retirement of Darin Kasamoto. “Jose is a highly respected leader with a deep understanding of both municipal operations and water systems,” said Board President Dr. Steve Placido. “His regional experience and collaborative approach make him well-suited to continue the District’s mission in providing imported supplemental water to its member cities.” Reynoso brings more than 25 years of public service experience in local government and water management. Prior to joining the District, he served in leadership roles in several San Gabriel Valley cities, including El Monte, Alhambra, Monterey Park, and Sierra Madre, where he most recently served as City Manager. His career includes extensive experience overseeing municipal water operations, having served as Water Superintendent, Deputy Public Works Director, and Director of Utilities. He holds a bachelor’s degree in Business from the University of La Verne. Reynoso has served on the Board of Directors for the Raymond Basin Management Board and previously represented the City of Sierra Madre as a liaison to the San Gabriel Valley Municipal Water District. Civic Publications, Inc. | 11
By Amy Bentley D arin Kasamoto’s long and successful career as a leader in the San Gabriel Valley water industry ended with his recent retirement, but the main issue he faced – water supply sustainability – isn’t going away, he says. Kasamoto retired Aug. 31 from the San Gabriel Valley Municipal Water District (SGVMWD). He joined the district in 1997 as assistant general manager and was appointed general manager in 2004. The SGVMWD provides reliable supplemental water to Alhambra, Azusa, Monterey Park,
supply. “We went through two severe droughts in the last 10 years. We did our best with conservation and created a conservation program. We also worked with our cities to build projects that would benefit the water supply. We helped them finance some projects at zero interest and it was a win-win. This was good for us because it lessened our water demand.” He is especially proud of his work with Sierra Madre, which faced a severe water supply shortage due to its location in the Raymond Basin, which lacks adequate water recharge capability. The groundwater level in Sierra Madre
and Sierra Madre. When asked to describe his 28 years with the district in just three words, Kasamoto said, “Challenging but exciting.”
“I’ve always been a water person,” he said. “I found my job interesting and challenging. It’s not just the local picture, there is a lot going on in Sacramento too. There are so many facets to it. There was never a dull moment. There was always more to learn. The biggest challenge was maintaining a sustained water
10 | 2025 CALIFORNIA WATER
Made with FlippingBook - professional solution for displaying marketing and sales documents online