California Water Commissioner Fern Steiner and her dog Lily.

Five Questions with Commissioner Fern Steiner

California Water Commissioner Chair Fern Steiner has been with the Commission since 2021. Originally from Las Cruces, New Mexico, she has resided in San Diego since 1984. In between, she resided in Florida, New York, New Jersey, and Illinois.    

Steiner is an attorney whose firm, Fern Steiner Law, APC, specializes in employment and labor law. She served as director of the Metropolitan Water District from 2009 to 2019, and currently serves as a trustee for San Diego Youth Services. In her spare time, she likes to walk, hike, read, and play with her dog Lily.

1. What are the most important challenges the state faces when it comes to water?

Climate change, which is affecting the hydrology of the state with longer dry periods coupled with atmospheric rivers and flooding, and how to capture those rains. The state’s aging water system, including the systems of the various water agencies throughout the state and the budget constraints on doing what must be done to upgrade those systems.  

2. What are some essential ingredients to advancing needed adaptations in state water management?

Collaboration by the state with the federal government and agencies, with water agencies throughout the state, and with the various municipalities; coordination between the various state agencies that touch water; a stable budget; and streamlining the ability to move forward on water projects.  

3. What’s something you hope the people of California know about water, and about the Water Commission?

Water is finite and it is going to increase in cost to maintain and upgrade the water systems and to develop new water storage and conveyance. The Water Commission consists of diverse members who are committed to working on the Commission’s statutory obligations, including being a forum for outreach by the State to the many constituencies on water issues and the new projects DWR is contemplating or developing. Also, the Commission does not set water rates.  

4. Does San Diego face any unique water challenges?  

San Diego does not have groundwater as so many other areas of the state have. San Diego invested in creating new water supplies as a result of the droughts that were increasing in timing and intensity. Projects include the Quantification Settlement Agreement on the Colorado River, desalination and recycled water. The water produced by desalination and recycled water is expensive. San Diego also invested in conservation and was very successful in its efforts and that success has been maintained by people not returning to their old ways when the droughts ended. This presently means San Diego has more water than it is selling, and is working on collaborative transfers to address this issue, as well as dealing with its own aging infrastructure.  

5. Tell us about your involvement with the San Diego Youth Services.

I was on the Board of SDYS for many years and presently continue as a trustee. The Board and trustees interact with the youth, as well as bringing awareness of the serious issue of homeless youth to our elected officials and the public. We have an incredible staff that has developed innovative ways to help at-risk youth, including successful outreach to get them off the street and out of trafficking danger and into living facilities that have staff on sight. There they can receive mental health treatment, drug rehab, the ability to go to school, including access to computers and learning how to get a job and maintain a budget. There they have the ability to be safe and to have someone let them know they matter. SDYS has also been developing housing for youth that are aging out of foster or other care throughout the county where many youth, for the first time, have a place to live that is not on the street.   

Bonus question: What is your favorite body of water in California?

Mammoth Lakes, and particularly Lake Mary.