Brian Bowcock says he’s at his best bringing people together to find common ground. That’s how he describes his work representing Claremont and La Verne on the Board of Directors of Three Valleys Municipal Water District.

“I can get things done faster, cheaper and more efficiently,” he said, quoting a plaque his employees gave him when he retired as Director of Public Works for the city of La Verne.

Mr. Bowcock’s chief concern is making water available for his constituents. This includes making water available for people in developing countries who may not have access to adequate water supplies. Towards this end, he has been involved in an organization called “Water for People,” a non-profit that partners with communities to promote and build “safe drinking water resources and improved sanitation facilities in developing countries,” according to the organization’s Annual Report.

This past June, Mr. Bowcock was awarded the Kenneth J. Miller Founders’ Award for his service to Water for People’s international humanitarian effort. Mr. Bowcock received the award for his work to “promote the cause of Water For People, educate others on its important work, and increase fundraising activities within the section.”

Mr. Bowcock raised money and awareness through his involvement with the Southern California Water Utility Association. The group includes managers and professionals in the water industry who dedicate money to various causes that promote water access. Mr. Bowcock said he advocates for the cause, then approaches the appropriate people and asks them to donate. For example $40,000 was asked to build a well in Mexico.

Mr. Bowcock refers to himself as an “old water buffalo” because he’s been working in the water industry for about 50 years. He has spent 35 years in this area that includes his second term on the Board of Directors at Three Valleys. Mr. Bowcock says his constituency includes about 700,000 people. 

“As a Board member at Three Valleys, I have access to bonds, grants, and other money,” Mr. Bowcock explained. “I want to share that.”

He sees himself as a liaison to help individuals or groups with their water needs. Pilgrim Place began a water conservation project in 2006. Mr. Bowcock helped by bringing all the players together to work on various aspects of the project, which ranged from installing water-efficient toilets to planning native-plant landscaping.

“If someone does a project on their own, it might take about two months. If I’m involved, I can cut the time down by six weeks,” Mr. Bowcock said. 

Mr. Bowcock retired at age 58 from his position in La Verne six years ago to run for the Board of Directors at Three Valleys. “I can do more in the water industry as an elected official,” he explained.

This is a particularly crucial time for the water industry: as Mr. Bowcock told the other members of the Board, “the planets are lining up.” By this he means that the approach to water is changing, and the young water-industry managers and groups or individuals within the cities are all working to deal with the same issues.

One of these issues is a water shortage, which is particularly apparent at Orville Dam, the biggest reservoir in California’s state water system, where the levels are down over 255 feet from normal. “It’s really frightening to see,” he said.

Mr. Bowcock is committed to educating others about water conservation.  He brings kids to the Santa Ana Botanical Gardens to show them native-plant gardens, which he considers the future of landscaping. He also visits mobile-home parks and retirement communities. In addition, he educates high school students, especially those who are not considering college, about careers in the water industry. 

Mr. Bowcock stresses the importance of bringing people together to come up with solutions.  “Southern California’s gotta take care of Southern California,” he said.  “The water industry must think outside the box.”