After 28 years, Richard Solbrig retires as head of South Tahoe Public Utility District

SOUTH LAKE TAHOE, Calif. - For many, Richard Solbrig has been the only person they knew as the general manager of South Lake Public Utility District.

On Wednesday, Janury 9, 2019, Sobrig retired.

The district's board of directors unanimously approved a resolution during their January 3 meeting, honoring Solbrig for he service that began in 1990. He has been their general manager since 2003.

During his years of service Solbrig was known for listening to all points of view and cultivating a thoughtful, collaborative and respectful manner to guide the District towards doing the right thing. He has successfully created a culture of openness, respect, and fairness both within the District, and with partner agencies.

“I can’t express enough our gratitude. We all greatly appreciate your
service,” saud Board President Randy Vogelgesang during their presentation of the resolution.

When asked about his biggest accomplishment, Solbrig’s answer was simple, “the staff that is here at the District. The culture we created attracts top quality staff. The staff development program expands the horizon on what they already know and prepares them for positions they aspire to. I believe staff feels valued for their efforts, ideas and results. We can meet whatever challenges that come our way if we work as a team.”

Under his leadership there have been major improvements to South Lake Tahoe’s water, wastewater, and recycled water systems. During the challenges of MTBE groundwater contamination, Solbrig fought to secure $69 million from the polluters to ensure our community had access to safe, clean drinking water.

By continually adapting to new regulations and community needs through process
improvements and high performance wastewater treatment, the District has won numerous prestigious awards under his leadership, including the National Wastewater Treatment Plant of the Year Award from the US Environmental Protection Agency, both in 1994 and in 2001.

Solbrig guided the District to become one of only a handful of agencies in the world that recycles 100 percent of the liquid and solids from the wastewater treatment process. From implementing the recycled water reservoir and agricultural reuse systems in Alpine County to implementing hydro-electric production from the export line, Solbrig has been an avid steward of the community’s resources and the environment.

Don Jardine, Alpine County Board of Supervisor and Lahontan Regional Water Board Vice Chair, said of Solbrig, “he cared for the environment, both South Lake Tahoe and Alpine County, and he cared for the community. He is certainly the most approachable person that I’ve worked with. It’s a great loss for the District, but I wish him the very best.”