Justin Hopkins: General Manager @ Stockton East Water District, CA

Joseph Blackman welcomed Justin Hopkins, the General Manager of the Stockton East Water District, to the podcast to discuss the intricate balance of managing surface and groundwater for a growing region. Justin Hopkins detailed the district’s robust operations, including a 65 million gallon per day drinking water treatment plant and a unique governance structure featuring weekly board meetings to ensure high-level oversight. The conversation traced Justin’s career transition from engineering to public administration, highlighting his focus on collaborative leadership and the importance of maintaining face-to-face connections with his 51-member team. Key talking points included the regulatory hurdles posed by the state’s Bay Delta plan and the district’s proactive response to a projected 2075 water shortage through the Farmington Reservoir Project. Justin also explained the strategic implementation of a nine-year rate increase plan, designed to fund essential infrastructure and debt while ensuring long-term water sustainability for the community. Give the show a listen and remember to thank your local Public Works Professionals.