The Grand Jury report, “A Roadmap for Water Resilience”, was published on June 13, 2022 and Marin Water’s response was submitted on September 8th. The substance of Marin Water's response, while agreeing with a number of its Findings and Recommendations, pointed out a significant number of substantive errors and factual omissions in the report.

While the report is more constructive in looking forward than in reviewing past decisions, it misses the mark badly overall. The Grand Jury’s examination of local water resilience in light of the extraordinary drought could have been an opportunity for meaningful exploration of the complex issues and choices facing the District and community, the costs involved, and the difficult tradeoffs entailed. It is unfortunate that the Grand Jury declined to meet this moment.

The MMWD is starting to head in that direction, thanks to leadership from board President Larry Bragman, who cited broadcasting board meetings as one of the reforms needed after the district’s contentious debate over its new and more costly rate structure.

n addition to providing pure and healthful drinking water to 186,000 people in Marin County, the core mission of Marin Municipal Water District includes a comprehensive stewardship effort to enhance the habitat of Lagunitas Creek and Walker Creek watersheds. Both provide habitat for endangered native species including steelhead trout, coho salmon and freshwater shrimp.