Background and Qualifications
  • Registered Civil Engineer with over 35 years working in the water industry
  • CA Water Treatment Operator - 4 (active 30 years) 
  • American Water Works Association - CA/NV Cross-Connection Control Specialist (active 30 years)
  • Bachelor of Science in Civil Engineering, Cal Poly Pomona
  • Masters in Public Health in Environmental Health, San Diego State University
  • Third generation in the water industry. Father, Robert Coates and Grandfather, Bill Coates, were General Managers of Southern California Water Districts.
Helix Water District
  • Board Director - Division 4 (2006, 2010, 2014, 2018, 2022)
  • Board President 2018, 2022, 2023, 2026 - Present
  • Audit Committee (2007, 2008, 2014, 2015, 2020, 2025)
  • Scholarship Committee (2013-2018)
City of La Mesa Environmental Sustainable Commission
  • Helix Water District Representative (2007 - 2011)
Water Conservation Garden Board at Cuyamaca College
  • Helix Water District & SDCWA Representative, Alternate 2009 - 2012; Vice President 2023-2024; President 2025-Present​
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Water Conservation Garden at Cuyamaca College in Rancho San Diego
Urban Water Institute
  • Helix Water District Representative; 2018-Present
​ San Diego County Water Authority
  • Helix Water District Representative; December 2016 - January 2021; January 2025 - Present
  • Administrative and Finance Committee (2016-2021)
  • Water Planning & Environmental Committee 2016-2021;
           2025 - Present
  • Engineering Committee 2018-2021; 2025-Present
  • Conservation Action Committee - Alternate (2016- 2018)
  • SANDAG - Regional Planning Committee (2018-2019)
  • Water Conservation Garden Authority Rep. 2019-2021; 2025 - Present
  • Citizens Water Academy
California Special District Association 
  • San Diego Chapter Past President (2011-2015)
    - 2013 Chapter of the Year Award
  • Chair of the Chapter Grant/Video Committee (2014-2018)
  • San Diego Chapter Executive Board (2008 - 2016)
  • Special District Leadership Academy Certification
Association of CA Water Agencies (ACWA)
  • Women in Water Workgroup, San Diego - Founder (2022 - 2023)
  • Diversity, Equity & Inclusion Workgroup Founder (2022 - 2023)
  • Communications Committee (Since 2016 - 2022)
          - Scholarship Committee
  • Water Quality Committee (2008 - 2016)
  • Federal Government Affairs Committee 2025 - Present
  • National Water Resources Association - State Association Board Member Representative (2022 - Present)
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At the Helix Water District Water Treatment Plant in Lakeside
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Kathleen at the Administration Center, Demonstration Garden, in La Mesa.
San Diego County - Valle de Oro Community Planning Group
  • Board Appointment January 2022,
  • Elected November 2022 - Present
    • Rancho Helix de Oro Fire Safe Council Liaison
​Grossmont-Mt. Helix Improvement Association 
  • Board President (July 2019 - 2021) 
  • Board Member May 2013- Present
  • Neighborhood Community Forum Chair 
  • GMIA Newsletter Contributor Water-Wise Articles​​
Rancho Helix de Oro Fire Safe Council 
  • Founder/President May 2019 - Present
  • A non-profit organization educating and preparing our community in order to avoid devastating fires www.HelixFireSafety.org
State of CA - Department of Public Health - Drinking Water Division (1992-2001) 
  • Associate Sanitary Engineer
  • Conduct sanitary surveys of public water systems.
Aqualink Water Systems
  • 501C3 Provided Technical Assistance to Help Water Systems in Baja CA, Mexico
  • Board Member (1993-2011), President (1998-2002; 2004-2006)
  • Environmental Award Outstanding Achievement - USEPA 2007
​ ​American Water Works Association
  • Member Since 1992
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Kathleen at the Operations Center in El Cajon.
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July 2026, New Firewise Exhibit at the Water Conservation Garden

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. ​