Named as the General Manager in January, Albert C. Lau has 24 years of experience in the water and wastewater industry. In his prior position as Director of Engineering and Planning at Padre Dam MWD, he was responsible for planning, engineering, capital improvements, contract negotiations, and interfacing with elected officials and the public.

Among his duties at Padre Dam, which serves residents in the Santee-Lakeside area, was overseeing a $500 million project to convert wastewater to potable water, known as the East County Advanced Water Purification Program. The project, which is currently in the planning and permitting process, involves multiple agencies and would be the first of its kind in California. When up and running, the program will supply some 30 percent of East County's drinking water.

Lau holds a bachelor's degree in civil engineering from Cal Poly Pomona, a master's in civil engineering from the University of Colorado, and an MBA from San Diego State University.