New Multifaceted Public Works Director Appointed in Encinitas

Glenn Pruim was recently appointed to a multifaceted management position as the City of Encinitas’ Director of Public Works and Engineering Services, and as General Manager of the City’s subsidiary, San Dieguito Water District (SDWD). 

In the former capacity, he will consolidate operations of what was heretofore two separate departments into a single, more efficient operation. In the latter capacity, he will lead a district entering its 91st year of providing a reliable supply of water to residents and businesses in the coastal area of Encinitas. SDWD’s 25 employees maintain 170 miles of pipeline, two reservoirs totaling 10 million gallons, 11,400+ water meters, 15 pressure-reducing stations and a pump station.

Pruim oversees all operations related to water, recycled water, wastewater, storm drains, transportation, solid waste, storm water, capital project development and land development engineering. He reports directly to City Manager Gus Vina and serves on the City Manager’s Cabinet. He also is a board member of the Encinitas Ranch Golf Authority, which oversees operations of the municipal golf course.

A registered engineer in both Civil and Mechanical Engineering, Pruim has a strong background in public works, engineering and water operations. During his 2002-2012 tenure at the City of Carlsbad, he served as City Engineer, Public Works Director and, most recently, General Manager/Utilities Director of the City’s subsidiary, Carlsbad Municipal Water District. In that role, he functioned as lead negotiator with Poseidon Resources and the San Diego County Water Authority for the Carlsbad Desalination Project. 

Prior to serving the City of Carlsbad, Pruim worked in TRW’s Ballistic Missile Division on the Peacekeeper intercontinental ballistic missile program. He quips, “For the early part of my engineering career, you might say I was a rocket scientist.”

Pruim, a longtime resident of North County who currently lives in San Marcos, says he greatly relishes the challenges and opportunities of his new position. He states, “Encinitas is a great City with a tremendous collection of talented employees. I understand the issues that face a coastal city in San Diego County and am coming to understand the issues that are unique to Encinitas and the five communities that make up the City.”

In addition to consolidating operations at work, Pruim and his fiancée are consolidating family operations on the homefront. Together, they have five boys ranging in age from 8 to 16.

—City of Encinitas