Encinitas, Carlsbad and Oceanside representatives on the San Diego County Water Authority Board of Directors are among seven new members who participated in their first formal meeting Jan. 26.

Encinitas Deputy Mayor Joy Lyndes, Carlsbad Councilwoman Teresa Acosta and Oceanside Water Utilities Director Lindsay Leahy are part of the Water Authority’s 24 retail member agencies, which are represented by at least one member of the 36-member Board of Directors, according to a Jan. 27 agency news release.

The Board of Directors sets the Water Authority’s strategic direction. The Water Authority provides wholesale water supplies for 3.3 million people in coordination with its member agencies.

“Our new directors bring qualifications and experience that will expand our capacity and provide diverse perspectives about the complex issues we face,” Water Authority board Chairman Mel Katz said in the news release. “We will all benefit from these experienced leaders who have proven skills in a wide variety of business and public agencies.”

Lyndes represents the San Dieguito Water District and serves on the Water Authority’s Legislation and Public Outreach, Water Planning and Environmental committees. Leahy represents the city of Oceanside and serves on the same panels. Acosta represents the Carlsbad Municipal Water District and sits on the Administrative and Finance, Water Planning and Environmental committees.

The Water Authority Board of Directors generally holds regular meetings on the fourth Thursday of the month along with special workshops and other meetings as needed. For more information about the board members and, visit sdcwa.org/about-us/board-of-directors/.

The new directors begin their work on the board as the San Diego County Water Authority wraps up work on First Aqueduct pipeline upgrades affecting customers in the North San Diego County communities of San Marcos, Vista and Fallbrook, among others.

“Work to proactively upgrade and maintain our water delivery system in coordination with our member agencies ensures the continued safe and reliable supply that serves the region’s 3.3 million residents and our $268 billion economy,” Eva Plajzer, the Water Authority’s director of operations and maintenance, said in an agency news release. “Taking care of this critical infrastructure during the shutdown season extends the life of the aqueduct and reduces the cost of replacement.”

Work on the pipeline started Jan. 23 is expected to wrap up in the next few days.