Sierra Club endorses Stephen Murray for local Water Board

The Sierra Club has endorsed Culver City resident Stephen Murray for West Basin Water District Seat 4 in the upcoming November 4th General Elections.

“Stephen Murray impressed us by far as the candidate who knew the most about water issues. In this time of drought and water shortage, we need to elect the best possible person to the Board of Directors for our local water agency.” said Al Sattler of the Sierra Club Water Committee.

All three candidates vying for the open seat answered a detailed questionnaire and interviewed with local Sierra Club members.

“Stephen has been on the ground in our community,” David Haake, Vice Chair of the Sierra Club’s Angeles Chapter adds, “In addition to a broad and deep knowledge on our water issues, Stephen brings a science-based approach to finding solutions that will benefit both people and the environment.”

“Our current drought is part of an ongoing trend of increasing water scarcity” reports Stephen Murray. “We need to prepare our water systems for the coming 10 and 35 year droughts by making our water supply sustainable- by reducing waste and investing in local supplies.” He then outlined his 4 point plan to achieve water independence:

• “Implement a safe plan to introduce Indirect Potable Reuse (IPR) to offset 10% of our water demand.
• Invest in local replenishable groundwater supplies in West Basin and the Hollywood and Santa Monica Basins.
• Advocate and work with local agencies to mandate sensible landscaping choices appropriate to our climate.
• Create a door-to-door, meter-to-meter and person-to-person approach to reaching our conservation and efficiency goals.”

The Sierra Club held interviews for three other Water Board races but only endorsed candidates in two: Stephen Murray for West Basin’s Division 4 seat, and Carl Southwell for the neighboring Division 1 seat. “We just wanted to recognize the best.” said Al Sattler.

Stephen Murray’s Sierra Club questionnaire and more information about him is available on his website MurrayForWestBasinWater.com