Ratepayer and Community

​Advocate

I’m Kathleen Hedberg, PE, MPH, and with nearly two decades of experience on the Helix Water District Board, I know that public service isn’t about politics - it’s about protecting services that families depend on every day. Water reliability is essential to public health, economic stability, and quality of life. 
 
Growing up as the third generation of a family in the water industry, with a Bachelor of Science in Civil Engineering and Masters in Public Health, I bring a practical, informed perspective to water policy, along with decades of experience working on local and regional water issues.   
Picture
January 2025, re-appointed to San Diego County Water Authority Board to represent Helix Water District and the whole San Diego County Region


​Currently Serving On: 

  • San Diego County Water Authority, Board Member
  • Helix Water District Board, President (Elected, Since 2006)
  • Water Conservation Garden Authority Board, President
  • County of San Diego - Valle de Oro Community Planning Group, Board Member (Elected, Since 2022)
  • Rancho Helix de Oro Fire Safe Council Board, Co-President
  • Grossmont-Mt. Helix Improvement Association, Board Member


​Delivering Results 

I believe in the importance of listening to the community, and making thoughtful, transparent decisions to protect both water reliability and ratepayer dollars. I believe every customer deserves access to safe, reliable water and respectful, compassionate service. Helix Water District offers payment assistance and flexible options for customers experiencing financial hardship, and I will continue supporting programs that help our customers when they need it most.
​
Since joining the Helix board, I have helped guide the district through important decisions involving financial planning, infrastructure, investment, water reliability, sustainability, and customer service, to position Helix as a forward-looking public agency while remaining grounded in practical results and reduced costs.
Picture
2022 First Federal Low Interest Loan for Helix


​Recent Accomplishments

Some of my recent accomplishments are:
  • Advocated responsible zero based budgeting based on actual costs. 
  • Voted to pass savings on to rate payers from a wet year, lowering an approved increase from 3.9% to 2.9%.
  • Helped earn multiple statewide awards for innovation and environmental stewardship. 
  • Brought grants to the District’s attention that have lead to millions of dollars in State and Federal grants, and low interest rate loans to fund infrastructure needs.
  • Supported water transfers to further reduce future wholesale water rate increases, and reduce water use of the Colorado River. 
  • Saved the Water Conservation Garden from closing by stabilizing governance and financial management. 
  • Long term work on transparency has led to receiving the CA Special Districts Transparency Certificate of Excellence, and the Government Finance Officers Association Distinguished Budget Presentation Award Fiscal Years 2023, 2024 and 2025. 
  • Supported District work with local fire agencies to improve wildfire preparedness.
  • Voted to invest in new technology and infrastructure for new sources of water. 
  • Attended local, state and national conferences to build connections for the District and stay abreast of new regulations, good governance and best management practices.​​
Please contact me if you have any questions or would like to meet.

Thank you for your support! 
​
Vote Kathleen Hedberg for Helix Water District – Division 4​
Picture
January 2026, President of Helix Water District
Picture
February 28, 2026, Helix Water District Winner of the East County Honors Chamber of Commerce Award for Environmental Stewardship
Picture
March 27, 2026 Helix Water District Fleet Electrification Ribbon Cutting
Picture
October 5, 2023, Winner of an Orchid Award from the San Diego Architectural Foundation for our Demonstration Landscape
Picture
August 22, 2022, Building Industry Association Southern CA Water Conference
Picture
June 6, 2025, Green Business certification from CA Green Business Network and City of La Mesa
Picture
March 24, 2024, Educational Mini-Grant to Fuerte Elementary to study water quality
Picture
May 13, 2024, Environmental Excellence Award by the Industrial Environmental Association
Picture
June 4, 2021, Federal Funding for Advanced Water Purification New Water Supply for Helix Water District and Padre Dam MWD
Picture
February 2025, Water Conservation Garden Winner of the East County Chamber Environmental Stewardship Award
Kathleen Coates Hedberg, PE, MPH
[email protected]
619.994.6900

HELIX WATER DISTRICT

Helix Water District covers an area of nearly 50 square miles, serving the cities of La Mesa, El Cajon, Lemon Grove, the community of Spring Valley, and various unincorporated areas near El Cajon. Helix Water District owns Lake Jennings and Lake Cuyamaca. Helix Water District customers receive water treated at a 106 MGD R. M. Levy Treatment Plant in Lakeside. Helix also has storage rights of 10,000 acre feet in El Capitan Reservoir for water from Lake Cuyamaca, San Diego River tributaries, and imported water. Treated water is stored in the 30-million-gallon Grossmont Reservoir, under the grass at Harry Griffen Park, and 21 other storage tanks located throughout the District. The District has a total storage capacity of 63 million gallons for filtered water.