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Alameda County Water District previews 2025 strategic plan update to Newark council; emphasizes emergency preparedness and workforce development
Summary
Alameda County Water District presented a preview of its 2025 strategic plan to the Newark City Council on Sept. 11, adding emergency preparedness, workforce development and affordability to its priorities and proposing a vision of “quality water and thriving community.”
Alameda County Water District representatives presented an update on the district’s 2025 strategic plan to the Newark City Council on Sept. 11, outlining new emphasis areas and timeline for board adoption.
Jackie McLeod and ACWD staff described the district as serving Fremont, Newark and Union City with a 105-square-mile service area and about 348,000 residents. ACWD reported that roughly 40% of supplies come from the Alameda Creek watershed, 40% from the State Water Project and 20% from San Francisco Public Utilities, and that the district will maintain a diversified portfolio to support reliability.
ACWD reviewed priorities from the 2018 plan (cost effectiveness and value, water supply, finance, workforce and communication) and explained the 2025 update process, which included public surveys, internal staff engagement and three board workshops. New or expanded emphases include emergency preparedness, affordability, groundwater management and workforce development to address an aging staff.
The district presented a draft vision — “quality water and thriving community” — an updated mission to center customers and a set of core values (service, safety, trust, resilience, collaboration and stewardship). ACWD said it expects to conclude board workshops and pursue adoption in November, and invited public feedback via virtual participation, email or phone.
Councilmembers thanked ACWD for the briefing and emphasized the importance of emergency preparedness. Council members also noted construction impacts in Newark from ACWD infrastructure work and asked staff to continue outreach to mitigate residents’ concerns about street conditions while the district completes pipeline and system improvements.
ACWD said it would hold a November board workshop open to the public and follow up with staff to incorporate community feedback into the final strategic plan.
