Jeff oversees SAWPA’s efforts to develop regional plans, programs, and projects that protect the Santa Ana River basin water resources to maximize beneficial uses within the watershed in an economically and environmentally responsible manner. One key program is SAWPA’s Inland Empire Brine Line, which has become an economic-growth engine for inland California, allowing clean disposal of brackish water discharge from industry and utilities, ranging from groundwater desalters to food processors to power plants.

SAWPA, a Joint Powers Authority, is comprised of five member agencies: Eastern Municipal Water District, Inland Empire Utilities Agency, Orange County Water District, San Bernardino Valley Municipal Water District, and Western Municipal Water District. SAWPA supports a broad range of water resource issues including water supply reliability, water quality improvement, recycled water, wastewater treatment, groundwater management, and integrated regional planning. The Santa Ana River Watershed encompasses 2,650 square miles, is home to six million people, and stretches over four counties – San Bernardino, Riverside, Orange, and portions of Los Angeles.