Duane Cave

President, Moulton Niguel Water District

Biography


Duane D. Cave serves as President of the Moulton Niguel Water District.

Under his leadership, Moulton Niguel has received global recognition for its sustainability efforts, secured more than $10 million in federal infrastructure grants, and signed a historic knowledge-sharing partnership with the Danish Water Technology Alliance – while maintaining a AAA credit rating and the lowest average monthly bill in South Orange County.

An experienced utility professional, President Cave uses his extensive knowledge of public utilities to cement Moulton Niguel’s reputation as an award-winning utility provider. Moulton Niguel has been recognized as one of Orange County’s Top Workplaces by the Orange County Register. The District’s balanced budgets and detailed financial reports consistently receive praise from the Government Finance Officers Association for excellence in government finance and budgeting.

In 2024, the California Association of Sanitation Agencies awarded Moulton Niguel with its “Innovation & Resiliency” Award in recognition of the District’s innovative retrofit of a local Advanced Wastewater Treatment system.

Now, in his tenth year on the Moulton Niguel Board of Directors, President Cave is leading the District’s advocacy efforts to upgrade South Orange County’s wastewater treatment facilities to increase locally-produced recycled water and reduce ocean discharge. He is working to implement sustainable water policies that protect the environment, preserve local ecosystems, and maintain clean creeks and beaches.

For nearly five decades, Mr. Cave has helped public utilities identify ways to better serve their customers and strengthen their relationships with the community. He began his utility career in 1977 and advanced through the ranks at SoCalGas and SDG&E from Field Operations to Training, Human Resources, Claims & Public Affairs.

Mr. Cave is an active community volunteer, serving on the Board of Directors of Sustain SoCal and the Laguna Niguel Chamber of Commerce. He is a Past Chair of the South Orange County Economic Coalition. Duane lives in Aliso Viejo, where he promotes sportsmanship and fair play as a high school football referee and a volunteer baseball umpire.