Ahead of the November general election, the Southern California News Group compiled a list of questions to pose to the candidates who wish to represent you. You can find the full questionnaire below.
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Name: Peer Swan
Age: 82
Current job title: Director, Irvine Ranch Water District No. 5
Incumbent: Yes
Other political positions held: Director, Newport Bay Watershed | Director Urban Water Institute
City where you reside: Newport Beach
Campaign website or social media: PeerSwan.com
Tell us what your No. 1 priority is for this office, should you be elected. (Please answer in 200 words or less.)
To maintain and enhance the most reliable and high-quality water supply in the county while continuing to provide it to our customers at the lowest cost in the county.
What does this department do for citizens? What do you view as its most important role for residents, and why? (Please answer in 200 words or less.)
Water is an essential need, and I work to provide a highly reliable supply of it to our customers. We also collect and reprocess sewer water to provide reliable irrigation water. Finally, we treat urban runoff prior to it reaching the protected environment of Newport’s Back Bay.
We built the San Joaquin Wildlife Sanctuary on 300 acres of district land to provide needed habitat and opened it to the public for their enjoyment. The site also inexpensively removes excess nutrients from the water prior to reaching the sensitive Upper Newport Bay — a win-win-win solution.
Your neighbors may not be so familiar with this office on their ballot. How would you promote more general knowledge of the district and the importance of its work? (Please answer in 200 words or less.)
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We provide essential water deliveries, treat and convert the resulting wastewater to create a highly reliable supply of irrigation water and treat urban water runoff using natural processes to protect the sensitive Upper Newport Bay
What experiences and priorities do you bring to this role? What have you learned in prior leadership roles that makes you the person for the job? (Please answer in 200 words or less.)
My service includes membership on the boards of the Metopolitain Water District of Southern California,, Orange County Sanitation District, Association of California Water District’s, Urban Water Institurte, and the National Water Research Institute where I worked,to improve water quality, increase water reliability while controlling costs.
What will you do to establish trust with your community that you will tackle this job well? (Please answer in 200 words or less.)
Being nationally recognized as an innovative leader in the water industry, fully funding the district’s retirement obligations, developing a highly reliable water supply while keeping rates the lowest in the county.
Bonus question: What is the best book you’ve read this year? Explain why you found it compelling.
“Sapiens” and the sequel “Homo Deus” which explore the author’s view of the evolution of humans and the societies that they live in and project this journey into the AI future.
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