Water rights, water quality and drinking-water standards. The Member of the State Water Resources Control Board serves on one of California's most consequential environmental regulatory bodies, responsible for protecting the quality and managing the allocation of the state's water resources. Board members make binding decisions on water rights, water quality standards, waste discharge requirements, and basin planning for surface and groundwater throughout California. The board also oversees the nine regional water quality control boards and coordinates with federal agencies on clean water and safe drinking water programs. Members are required by statute to have professional expertise in specific fields including water quality, water rights, or public health.
Fixed, staggered 4-year terms; expect one or two expirations in 2027. Three of the five seats require a California bar license or PE registration.
Statutory requirements
Water Code 175: five full-time members appointed by the Governor, representing the state at large. Designated seats: (1) attorney admitted in California, qualified in water supply and water rights; (2) registered civil engineer qualified in water supply and water rights; (3) registered professional engineer experienced in sanitary engineering and water quality; (4) person qualified in water quality; (5) no specialized requirement. One of the appointees must be qualified in water supply and water quality relating to irrigated agriculture. Regional diversity 'insofar as practicable'.
Seats
Attorney member
Civil engineer member
Public member
Sanitary engineer member
Water quality member
Statute-verified
Sources
Water Code 175, 177; research memo Aug 2026; Statute research 2026-09-12: Water Code secs. 175, 176, 177, 178, 183; Gov. Code secs. 1770 et seq., 11553 (chair), 11553.5 (members) | https://codes.findlaw.com/ca/water-code/wat-sect-175/; https://codes.findlaw.com/ca/water-code/wat-sect-176/; https://codes.findlaw.com/ca/water-code/wat-sect-177/
Energy & EnvironmentBoard / Commission Member$187,000/yrSenate confirmation required
Governance and Advisory
The Member of the State Water Resources Control Board serves on one of California's most consequential environmental regulatory bodies, responsible for protecting the quality and managing the allocation of the state's water resources. Board members make binding decisions on water rights, water quality standards, waste discharge requirements, and basin planning for surface and groundwater throughout California. The board also oversees the nine regional water quality control boards and coordinates with federal agencies on clean water and safe drinking water programs. Members are required by statute to have professional expertise in specific fields including water quality, water rights, or public health.
Civil engineer member
State Water Resources Control Board
Board / Commission
Energy & EnvironmentBoard / Commission Member$187,000/yrSenate confirmation required
Governance and Advisory
The Member of the State Water Resources Control Board serves on one of California's most consequential environmental regulatory bodies, responsible for protecting the quality and managing the allocation of the state's water resources. Board members make binding decisions on water rights, water quality standards, waste discharge requirements, and basin planning for surface and groundwater throughout California. The board also oversees the nine regional water quality control boards and coordinates with federal agencies on clean water and safe drinking water programs. Members are required by statute to have professional expertise in specific fields including water quality, water rights, or public health.
Public member
State Water Resources Control Board
Board / Commission
Energy & EnvironmentBoard / Commission Member$187,000/yrSenate confirmation required
Governance and Advisory
The Member of the State Water Resources Control Board serves on one of California's most consequential environmental regulatory bodies, responsible for protecting the quality and managing the allocation of the state's water resources. Board members make binding decisions on water rights, water quality standards, waste discharge requirements, and basin planning for surface and groundwater throughout California. The board also oversees the nine regional water quality control boards and coordinates with federal agencies on clean water and safe drinking water programs. Members are required by statute to have professional expertise in specific fields including water quality, water rights, or public health.
Sanitary engineer member
State Water Resources Control Board
Board / Commission
Energy & EnvironmentBoard / Commission Member$187,000/yrSenate confirmation required
Governance and Advisory
The Member of the State Water Resources Control Board serves on one of California's most consequential environmental regulatory bodies, responsible for protecting the quality and managing the allocation of the state's water resources. Board members make binding decisions on water rights, water quality standards, waste discharge requirements, and basin planning for surface and groundwater throughout California. The board also oversees the nine regional water quality control boards and coordinates with federal agencies on clean water and safe drinking water programs. Members are required by statute to have professional expertise in specific fields including water quality, water rights, or public health.
Water quality member
State Water Resources Control Board
Board / Commission
Energy & EnvironmentBoard / Commission Member$187,000/yrSenate confirmation required
Governance and Advisory
The Member of the State Water Resources Control Board serves on one of California's most consequential environmental regulatory bodies, responsible for protecting the quality and managing the allocation of the state's water resources. Board members make binding decisions on water rights, water quality standards, waste discharge requirements, and basin planning for surface and groundwater throughout California. The board also oversees the nine regional water quality control boards and coordinates with federal agencies on clean water and safe drinking water programs. Members are required by statute to have professional expertise in specific fields including water quality, water rights, or public health.
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