Darrin Polhemus
Darrin Polhemus is a Deputy Director for the State Water Board and in charge of the Division of Drinking Water since 2016. The Division of Drinking Water administers the federal and California Safe Drinking Water Acts, regulating over 7,200 public water systems throughout the State to assure the delivery of pure and wholesome drinking water to all Californians. The Division is also a key part of implementing the Safe Affordable Funding for Equity and Resilience (SAFER) program which is designed to ensure Californians who lack safe, adequate, and affordable drinking water receive it as quickly as possible, and that the water systems serving them establish sustainable solutions. In addition, the Division permits recycled water usage, manages the Environmental Laboratory Accreditation Program, oversees the work of county health departments that have been delegated the authority to regulate small water systems, and develops regulations pertaining to drinking water.
Darrin has also served as Deputy Director for the Division of Water Quality, Division of Administrative Services, and Division of Financial Assistance. In addition, he has led technical teams on special assignments such as the Drinking Water Arrearage program; leading a cross-organization, multi-discipline team to develop the Water Quality Control Policy for Siting, Design, Operation, and Maintenance of Onsite Wastewater Treatment Systems; as well as working on several assignments related to nitrates in groundwater and regulation of irrigated lands.
