A column written from SSWD General Manager Dan York on important issues and updates regarding various District matters.

July 2025 GM Corner

7.30.2025

After several years of discussions, meetings, and work by both Boards of Directors, on July 1st, the former Del Paso Manor Water District officially reorganized into the Sacramento Suburban Water District (SSWD).

I want to thank the Boards of both Districts for their commitment and dedication to guiding the reorganization to its successful completion. It will bring much-needed financial stability and operational efficiencies to the Del Paso Manor Service Area (DPMSA).

In many communities, small water systems, like the former Del Paso Manor Water District, serve as the backbone of local water delivery, providing clean and reliable water to homes and businesses. However, as infrastructure ages, regulatory demands grow, and operational costs rise, small systems can face mounting challenges that strain limited resources. Reorganizing a small water system into a larger one can offer significant long-term benefits, both financially and operationally.

One of the most significant advantages of integrating into a larger water system is economies of scale. Small systems often struggle with the high per-customer cost of upgrades, maintenance, and compliance with increasingly complex water quality standards. 

Access to capital is another benefit. Larger water districts, such as SSWD, are often better positioned to secure low-interest financing, grants, and other funding for needed infrastructure improvements. Through reorganization, small communities can more easily replace aging pipelines, upgrade production facilities, and modernize equipment, investments that might be financially out of reach on their own.

Additionally, SSWD has professionalized its management, has a deeper pool of skilled staff, and has greater technical expertise. This improves reliability, response times, and regulatory compliance. Routine operations, including regular/preventive maintenance, water quality monitoring, and emergency repairs, can be handled more efficiently with our dedicated crews and modern equipment.

Our Preventive Maintenance Team has already been at work conducting much-needed repairs/replacement maintenance on fire hydrants and valves within the DPMSA.

Customers in the DPMSA will now also have access to the wealth of complimentary services and support we offer, including Water-Wise House Calls, Leak Investigations, and rebates that have helped our customers become great stewards of this critical resource.

On Thursday, July 31st, from 5:00 to 7:00 p.m., SSWD will hold a special welcome event for the DPMSA customers at Del Paso Manor Elementary School, located at 2700 Maryal Drive, Sacramento. They will have an opportunity to meet the SSWD Team and Board Members.

We are honored to welcome the DPMSA customers to the SSWD Team and look forward to providing them with high-quality water and superior customer service, 24/7.