The Padre Dam Municipal Water District announced the death of Board Vice President and former general manager August Caires on Aug. 2.
“Augie served this District and his community with outstanding distinction for nearly 30 years,” said Board President Bill Pommering in a press release. “He was a good friend and colleague to many of us. He will be missed greatly.”
Caires led the District as general manager from 1993 to 2006 and served on Padre Dam’s Board of Directors from 2007 to 2023. He served as Board president in 2009 and 2017 and vice president in 2008, 2011, 2015- 2016 and 2023. Caires served on the East County Advanced Water Purification Program’s Joint Powers Authority Board of Directors from 2019 to 2023. Caires was also a United States Army veteran.
“Augie’s passing leaves a deep sadness among Padre Dam employees.” stated Pommering. “I have known and worked with him since 2009. I will miss his counsel, I will miss his friendship and I will miss Augie.” During his tenure, he represented Padre Dam on the San Diego Metro Commission/Metro Wastewater
Joint Powers Authority, the San Diego Independent Rates Oversight Committee, the Association of California Water Agencies’ Water Management Committee and the Association of California Water Agencies/ Joint Powers Insurance Authority. His commitment to the community extended beyond his role with Padre Dam; he served on the Grossmont College Foundation Board as well as 40 years as a member of the Rotary Club of Santee-Lakeside, serving as President for three terms and earning the Rotarian of the Year award for demonstrating “Service Above Self.”
During his time as general manager, Caires played a pivotal role in the building of a new Customer Service Center in order to co-locate the District’s administration offices with the operations facilities already located at Santee Lakes. In July, the building was rededicated as the August A. Caires Customer Service Center in recognition for Caires’ outstanding public service to the District, community and San Diego region.
