La Habra Heights County Water District General Manager Michael Gualtieri was seated today as Central Basin Municipal Water District’s representative on the board of directors of the Metropolitan Water District of Southern California.
With nearly 40 years of water industry experience, Gualtieri is president of the Central Basin’s board. He succeeds Arturo Chacon, who represented Central Basin on Metropolitan’s 38-member board since December 2022.
Gualtieri joined the La Habra Heights County Water District as a serviceman in 1982 and held various roles, including superintendent, until becoming general manager in 2002.
“Director Gualtieri's experience in water management and dedication will make him an asset to the board," said Metropolitan board Chair Adán Ortega, Jr. "I look forward to working together to ensure a more reliable and resilient water supply for Southern California.”
Gualtieri has been recognized for his contributions as the conference director and Local Arrangement Committee chair for the California-Nevada Section of the American Water Works Association. He has been awarded the Excellence in Leadership, Don Kaiser Volunteer of the Year, and the George A. Elliott awards from the California-Nevada Section of the American Water Works Association. Gualtieri has also served as president of the Southern California Water Utilities Association, where he received the Doctor of Water designation.
Gualtieri earned an associate’s degree in water science from Rancho Santiago College and a bachelor’s degree in business management from the University of Phoenix. He also holds Water Treatment Grade 3 and Water Distribution Grade 4 certifications from the California Department of Public Health.
The Metropolitan Water District of Southern California is a state-established cooperative that, along with its 26 cities and retail suppliers, provides water for 19 million people in six counties. The district imports water from the Colorado River and Northern California to supplement local supplies, and helps its members to develop increased water conservation, recycling, storage and other resource-management programs.
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