BAKERSFIELD, Calif. (KGET) — After a monthslong recruitment effort, the city of Bakersfield is getting a new water director.
The city announced Wednesday that the department will be led by Daniel Maldonado, who was previously serving as the assistant water director. City officials said Maldonado’s appointment is “effective immediately.”
“As a lifelong Bakersfield resident, it is a privilege to serve our community as Water Director,” Maldonado said in a statement on Sept. 23. “I don’t take this responsibility lightly, and I am excited to work alongside our team of water professionals to build a sustainable and reliable water future for our city.”
Maldonado is succeeding former Water Director Kris Budak, who retired in July after leading the department for three years.
The city said the Bakersfield native has “a depth of knowledge of the Kern River system,” including its operation and water rights. Officials said Maldonado has overseen big water projects, including the construction project modernizing the Kern River Backup Weir at Coffee Road last year.
In 2023, one of the Kern River’s wettest years ever recorded, Maldonado helped lead the Water Department’s team to “safety manage more than 2 million acre-feet of water through the City and Kern River Channel,” city officials said.
“I have great confidence in Daniel’s abilities as a leader and his overall knowledge of not only the city’s water systems, but the Kern River as well,” City Manager Christian Clegg said in a statement. “His expertise will be invaluable as we navigate large projects in both water and wastewater in coming years.”
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