Russ Martin Elected to ACWA Region 9 Board [Sponsored]

MSWD Board Member Russ Martin Elected to ACWA Region 9 Board [Sponsored]

Mission Springs Water District is proud to announce that MSWD Board Member, Russ Martin, has been elected to the Association of California Water Agencies (ACWA) Region 9 Board of Directors beginning January 1, 2026. ACWA is the largest statewide coalition of public water agencies in the country.

“Having lived in Desert Hot Springs since 2006 and being on the MSWD board since 2010, I am honored to represent our district and community by serving on the ACWA Region 9 Board,” said Board Member Russ Martin. “This will be an opportunity work closely to resolve issues of mutual concern in our region, and to provide representative input to the ACWA board.”

Serving approximately 470 public water agency members, ACWA is collectively responsible for 90% of the water delivered to cities, farms, and businesses in California. ACWA advocates for sound legislation and regulation, tracks and helps to shape state and federal water policy alongside member agencies that impact the delivery of safe water to millions of Californians.

In 1993, ACWA adopted a new governance structure, creating a regional model, establishing ten regions designed to ensure geographic balance and align water agencies with shared interests. Region 9 includes San Bernadino, Riverside, and Imperial Counties. This regional approach strengthens collaboration, ensures local perspectives are represented in statewide policy discussions, and enhances the ability of local agencies to advocate for the needs of its communities. To learn more and view a list of all the ACWA regional directors, please visit the ACWA website.

 

Director Martin grew up in Long Beach, where he attended Wilson High School, Long Beach Community College, and Cal State Long Beach, majoring in art history. In 1968, he started a career in law enforcement with the Santa Monica Police Department. For the next three decades, he worked on a wide range of assignments including Narcotics, Robbery-Homicide, Communications, Crime Prevention, Community Relations, and Special Enforcement. He retired from the Santa Monica PD in 2000 and was recognized for his service by the Governor of California and the President of the United States.

Aside from the MSWD Board of Directors, he currently serves on the Urban Water Institute Board of Directors, Riverside County Wide Oversight Board, the Desert Valley Builders Association Board, and is a Member of the Agua Caliente Tribal Water Authority Board, and a Member of the Priority One Coachella Valley Advisory Committee, which is focused on establishing a dedicated 4-year college campus in the Coachella Valley.