New Water Chief Appointed for Dana Point

Correction: South Coast Water District serves south Laguna Beach, Dana Point and portions of San Juan Capistrano.

A new general manager has been appointed to the South Coast Water District, the water management agency serving Dana Point and south Laguna Beach.

Andrew Brunhart will lead the SCWD after being selected from about 50 qualified applicants, according to district spokesman Steve Greyshock.

Brunhart began his new position Dec. 2.

The new general manager is a retired Navy Captain who spent 30 years managing and operating public utilities and infrastructure as a Civil Engineer Corp officer with substantial experience in California.

After concluding his naval career, Brunhart served as general manager of the Washington Suburban Sanitary District in Laurel, Maryland, the nation’s eighth-largest combined water and wastewater district serving 1.8 million citizens in two counties.

Brunhart leaves the U.S. Department of the Treasury’s Bureau of Engraving and Printing with more than 1,800 employees where he led start-up of strategic management.

“I’m certain Andy has the leadership skills to see us through the challenging times that face all of the water industry in the West and particularly in Southern California”, said Wayne Rayfield, President of South Coast Water District.

Brunhart holds a Ph.D. in Public Policy and Administration (Leadership) from Walden University.