Shivaji Deshmukh Named New General Manager of Metropolitan Water District

Shivaji Deshmukh (Photo – MWD)

Shivaji Deshmukh, a veteran Southern California water leader, has been unanimously selected by the Metropolitan Water District of Southern California’s board of directors as the agency’s next general manager. He will become the 16th general manager in Metropolitan’s nearly 100-year history, succeeding retiring GM Deven Upadhyay.

By News Desk

Deshmukh brings more than 25 years of experience in regional water management, including leadership in large-scale water recycling initiatives and interagency collaborations. He currently serves as general manager of the Inland Empire Utilities Agency, a position he has held since 2019. His previous roles include assistant general manager at West Basin Municipal Water District and program manager at the Orange County Water District, where he contributed to the development of the groundbreaking Groundwater Replenishment System.

“Shivaji Deshmukh has worked for more than 25 years to ensure Southern California communities have reliable water,” said board Chair Adán Ortega, Jr. “Now, at Metropolitan, his charge will be to implement the groundbreaking climate adaptation strategy set by the board earlier this year.”

Deshmukh will officially join the agency on November 3 as general manager-designate. Over the following two months, he will work alongside Upadhyay to ensure a smooth leadership transition before formally assuming the role on January 1, 2026. Under the terms of his approved contract, Deshmukh will receive an annual salary of $495,040.

“I am thrilled to be joining this indispensable organization,” Deshmukh said. “Metropolitan Water District is part of the fabric of Southern California, delivering the water supply that has helped the region grow and thrive for nearly 100 years.”

As general manager, Deshmukh will oversee Metropolitan’s $1.8 billion annual budget, its 1,700 employees, and more than 30 facilities serving nearly 19 million people across six counties. The district imports water from the Colorado River and Northern California, while also advancing conservation efforts and supporting local recycling and storage initiatives.

Deshmukh is the president-elect of the WateReuse California Board of Trustees and serves on the U.S. Water Alliance Board of Directors. He holds bachelor’s and master’s degrees in civil engineering from UCLA.

His appointment concludes a five-month search process conducted by the district’s 38-member board. “We have found that person in Shivaji Deshmukh,” Ortega said.