Metropolitan Director representing Long Beach to advocate for California on critical Colorado River issues
Gloria Cordero, who represents Long Beach on the Metropolitan Water District of Southern California’s Board of Directors, was confirmed Wednesday by Gov. Gavin Newsom as Metropolitan’s representative to the Colorado River Board of California.
Cordero replaces Metropolitan board Director Glen Peterson on the Colorado River Board, which protects California’s rights and access to Colorado River resources.
“I want to thank Director Cordero for stepping into this important role,” said Metropolitan board Chair Adán Ortega, Jr., who nominated her to the position. “Director Cordero has worked tirelessly to advance equity issues and ensure Southern Californians have access to safe, clean and affordable water. I know her vast background and knowledge will serve us all well in this new capacity.”
The Colorado River Board advances California’s position in discussions with the six other Basin states and Mexico to protect the state’s water supply, power and water quality interests. More recently, after more than two decades of drought, exacerbated by climate change, the river’s reservoirs have reached record lows and the states need to develop a long-term plan to permanently reduce their use of its water.
Metropolitan imports about 25 percent of Southern California’s water supply from the Colorado River via its Colorado River Aqueduct, the infrastructure Metropolitan was formed to build in 1928. In total, the Colorado River serves about 40 million people and nearly 6 million acres of farmland across the Southwestern United States.
“It is an honor to represent California in critical decisions about our imported water supply at a time when the future of the Colorado River hangs in the balance,” Cordero said. “There is a lot of work to do, and I’m eager to share my insights and experiences in water, equity and leadership to help ensure a safe, clean and reliable water supply for California and all who rely on the river. I also want to express my appreciation to Director Peterson for his dedicated service on the board these past 12 years.”
Currently president of the Long Beach Board of Utilities Commissioners, Cordero has served on the Metropolitan board since 2016 and is vice chair of its Equity, Inclusion and Affordability Committee and a member of the district’s Ad Hoc Committee on Colorado River negotiations.
In addition to her work in water resources, Cordero has an extensive history of service to her local Long Beach community, including as a board member of the Long Beach Chamber of Commerce and on the California Conference for Equality and Justice. She has also volunteered for more than 40 years with the Navajo Nation in Arizona.
The Metropolitan Water District of Southern California is a state-established cooperative that, along with its 26 cities and retail suppliers, provides water for 19 million people in six counties. The district imports water from the Colorado River and Northern California to supplement local supplies, and helps its members to develop increased water conservation, recycling, storage and other resource-management programs.
Long Beach Utilities serves nearly 500,000 people in 50 square miles, providing high quality, safe and delicious drinking water and wastewater management for Long Beach, as well as natural gas services for Long Beach and Signal Hill. Long Beach Utilities serves about 145,000 gas accounts and 90,0000 water and sewer accounts. With the foundation of roughly 500 dedicated employees, the department maintains 1,600 miles of water and sewer mains, 1,900 miles of gas pipeline and a dedicated groundwater treatment plant, and also provides 24/7 emergency response. To learn more visit LBUtilities.org. Follow us on social media on Facebook, Instagram and Twitter @LBUtilities.
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