Zone 7 Water Agency Announces New Board Leadership

LIVERMORE, Calif. (July 26, 2022) – The Zone 7 Water Agency Board of Directors unanimously elected Director Sarah Palmer to serve as president during its annual board re-organization at the regular board meeting in July. As president, Palmer will oversee the appointment of committees and shall have the primary responsibility for interpreting the policies, programs and needs of the Agency to the public.

“Zone 7 and all water agencies across our state face both interesting and difficult challenges with drought, climate change, and infrastructure issues to name a few.  The Zone 7 Board and our capable staff will work together to ensure safe and reliable water for both our urban and agricultural needs,” said Palmer. “As Board President, I am honored to help spearhead Zone 7’s directions on the road ahead.”

Palmer is a retired science teacher, has worked in cancer research, as well as in the medical diagnostics industry. She holds Bachelor of Arts degrees in biology and political science from New York University, and a PhD in biochemistry from the University of Toronto. She also serves as the president on the Delta Conveyance Design and Construction Joint Powers Authority and has served on the Zone 7 board since 2006. She resides in Livermore.

The board also elected Director Sandy Figuers to serve as vice-president. A Livermore resident and groundwater geologist serving on the board in his current term since 2008. He also previously served on the Zone 7 Board for 12 years in the late 1980s and into the ’90s.

Four directors were also sworn in for their four-year terms at the meeting; Dennis Gambs, Sarah Palmer and Olivia Sanwong, each were re-elected for an additional term, and newly elected board member Dawn Benson.

Zone 7 Water Agency supplies treated drinking water to retailers serving over 260,000 people in Pleasanton, Livermore, Dublin and, through special agreement with the Dublin San Ramon Services District, to the Dougherty Valley area, and supplies untreated water for irrigation of 3,500 acres, primarily South Livermore Valley vineyards. Zone 7 Water Agency also owns and maintains 37 miles of local flood-protection channels, about a third of all the Valley’s channels and creeks.

Zone 7 Water Agency is overseen by a seven-member Board of Directors. Its board members are elected by the Tri-Valley community to four-year terms. The board provides strategic guidance and planning for Zone 7’s policies, programs and finances, and represents the public in an open and transparent process.

Community input and participation in board meetings is welcome. The public is encouraged to comment both on agendized items as well as items not on the agenda. Comments may be submitted through various platforms including mail, email, phone and via Zoom.

For more information on Zone 7’s board and committees, please visit https://www.zone7water.com/board-directors