Desi Alvarez was elected to the Board of Directors of West Basin Municipal Water District (West Basin) in November 2020, representing Division III that includes the cities of Manhattan Beach, Hermosa Beach, Redondo Beach, Lomita, West Torrance, and West Carson. Director Alvarez serves as Vice President of West Basin’s Board, Chairs West Basin’s Engineering and Operations Committee, and serves on the Board of the Metropolitan Water District.
Director Alvarez has long term experience in water management focusing on increasing the use of local water supply and reducing the region’s dependency on imported water at this pivotal time when the region’s water supply is threatened by climate change and increasing demands for water. Since joining the Board Director Alvarez has been active in water conservation issues, with an emphasis on outdoor water use. He led West Basin in creating the District’s low-income household turf replacement program, Grass Replacement +, assisting the District’s households with incomes equal to or less than LA County’s Median Household Income with additional support towards the replacement of high-water use lawns with environmentally friendly gardens.
Director Alvarez has a bachelor’s degree in Civil Engineering from Loyola University, Los Angeles and master’s degree with an emphasis in Water Resources and Environmental Engineering from University California, Davis. He is a California Registered Engineer and manages a successful consulting firm specializing in water resources and water management. Alvarez has served as Chief Executive Officer for Chino Basin Watermaster, Deputy City Manager, Director of Public Works and City Engineer for the City of Downey, Director of Public Works for Redondo Beach, Engineering Manager for East Bay Municipal Utility District, and City Engineer for Santa Monica and Glendale. He is active in numerous engineering associations and has served on various water boards and committees throughout his career.
Alvarez and his wife, Margaret, are avid walkers, college football and basketball enthusiasts, and enjoy recreational travel opportunities whenever possible.