Turlock resident Dorene D’Adamo was confirmed by the California Senate as a member of the State Water Resources Control Board following her reappointment in February by Governor Edmund G. Brown Jr. She was first appointed by Gov. Brown in March 2013 and confirmed by the Senate in January 2014. D’Adamo’s term expires in January 2022.

The five-member State Water Board is responsible for protecting all water quality and water supplies in California.  The Board is also responsible for the allocation of surface water supplies for agricultural, public trust, and urban purposes throughout the state.

“It is an honor to be reappointed by Governor Brown and reconfirmed by the Senate,” D’Adamo said. “This is a crucial period as our state meets the challenges presented by climate change, including more frequent and longer lasting droughts.  This calls for improved water use efficiency, sustainable management of groundwater, and balancing agricultural, urban, and environmental uses of water.  Expanded water supply opportunities, targeted environmental flows, and habitat projects are essential components to balanced solutions. 

“I am also committed to providing all Californians access to safe drinking water supplies. More than 300,000 Californians are currently being supplied with contaminated drinking water that fails to meet health standards. We must use all of our authorities to meet the basic human right to safe and affordable drinking water.”

D’Adamo fills the position of the board member qualified in water quality issues and also serves as the member with experience in irrigated agriculture.  She lives in Turlock and has served in various capacities for members of Congress from the San Joaquin Valley over a 20-year period, working primarily on environmental, water and agricultural legislative policy. Her family farms in Merced County.

Prior to her appointment, D’Adamo had been senior policy advisor for Congressman Jim Costa in 2013. She was senior policy advisor for Congressman Dennis Cardoza from 2003 to 2012 and was legal counsel for Congressman Gary Condit from 1994 to 2003.

D’Adamo was a visiting instructor at California State University, Stanislaus from 1992 to 1998 and an associate attorney at the Law Offices of Perry and Wildman from 1992 to 1994. She was a policy consultant at D’Adamo Consulting from 1991 to 1992 and legislative director for Congressman Gary Condit from 1990 to 1991.

D’Adamo was assistant legislative director at the California Youth Authority from 1988 to 1990 and legal counsel at the Assembly Committee on Public Safety from 1986 to 1988. She was legislative director for the Assembly assistant majority leader from 1985 to 1986.

D’Adamo served on the California Air Resources Board from 1999 to 2013 and the California Partnership for the San Joaquin Valley since 2007.

She earned a Juris Doctorate degree from the University of the Pacific, McGeorge School of Law.