Water Rights Coordinator
Debbie Sotero joined the water division of Sierra Pacific Power Company (SPPC) in 1984 after a six-month stint working in the construction department.
In 1989, Sotero completed the necessary requirements to become a water rights coordinator and has been with TMWA since its inception in 2001.
"Moving over from electric to water was the best choice I ever made," Sotero said. "Once you work in water, you stick with it."
An interesting aspect of her job is researching water rights. Although the public may not be aware, water rights are considered personal property that can be reserved, sold or passed on when the property is sold to another party. Not all properties have appurtenant water rights.
Under Rule 7, TMWA can purchase water rights. Presently, TMWA is buying water rights in blocks of 5.00 acre feet or more. When a customer comes to TMWA for a water service, water rights are required. If the customer does not have water rights to use for their project, TMWA will sell water rights to the customer from the rights acquired under Rule 7. TMWA encourages customers to purchase water rights on the open market and change these rights from agricultural use to municipal use through the State of Nevada, Division of Water Resources. Once these rights have been changed, TMWA will accept the water rights for dedication for their project.
Prior to 1994, the water division of SPPC tracked these water rights manually.
"John Irwin brought us into the 21st century," Sotero said of her boss, who brought his skill and knowledge of technology with him when he was hired by SPPC in 1991 and who has also been with TMWA since its inception.
She loves camping, reading and hunting and looks forward to every other Friday when she and her husband take mini-vacations together. The couple is planning a trip to Mt. Rushmore in the spring.
She also values time with her six kids and their families. Each summer for the last 19 years the Sotero's have taken a four-day trip to a national park, lake or other attraction.