Water District’s Leach retires

As general manager for the last five years for the Mesa Consolidated Water District, Huntington Beach resident Diana M. Leach’s responsibilities have included overlooking everything from operations and engineering to administrative, financial and customer services.

After 10 years with the district — the first five as assistant general manager — Leach will be retiring at the end of this year. Her retirement was announced Monday.

“The board appreciates her leadership and her involvement in a number of very important projects,” board President Paul E. Shoenberger said.

After the announcement of her retirement, the board appointed current finance manager Victoria L. Beatley as interim general manager. Beatley has been with the district for three years.

Shoenberger said the board will now begin a search for a new general manager. He said the process takes about six months.

Leach plans to take some time off for leisure activities between now and her last day Dec. 31.

“I have personal interests I want to pursue, and it seems like an appropriate time,” Leach said Monday of her retirement.

“The group of people that I worked with are so dedicated,” she said. “I’m proud of being able to lead them. They and the district have a strong sense of community and customer service that is not often found.”

Leach is proud of several projects completed over her five-year tenure, among them updating the district’s master plan for capital projects and construction of the Colored Water Treatment Facility, which delivers 5 million gallons of water per day. The facility’s tea-colored water from a deep aquifer is tinted from the earth’s nutrients. At the facility, the water is treated, so once it gets to residents it’s clear.

Aside from her job with the district, Leach also became involved with community groups.

“I’m retiring from Mesa, but I’m not retiring,” said Leach, who is the chair of the nonprofit group Leadership Tomorrow.

The Orange County organization offers civic and leadership educational programs designed to encourage individuals to become more involved in the community.

Leach also served for eight years on the Costa Mesa Chamber of Commerce board of directors and four years on the Orange County Water Assn. board.

The Mesa water district provides service to more than 100,000 customers in Costa Mesa, parts of Newport Beach and the John Wayne Airport.