John Fraser fended off an election challenge to win a third term on the El Dorado Irrigation District board.
With all precincts reporting, Fraser led Richard Boylan by 52 percent to 48 percent in the district's Division 2 race.
"I was very much surprised" the race was so close, said Fraser, who said the narrow victory may have been due to anti-incumbent sentiment.
Only 98 votes separated the candidates.
Despite losing to the incumbent, Boylan said he believed his campaign slogan, "It's time for a change at EID," resonated with voters.
Fraser, of Shingle Springs, is former general counsel and executive director of the Association of California Water Agencies. He was first elected to the board in 2001 and unopposed for re-election in 2005.
Boylan is an educator and Diamond Springs resident who served on the Marin Municipal Water District Board in the 1970s. Boylan said he entered the race at the urging of residents who are unhappy with the current board.
The district serves about 100,000 customers on El Dorado County's western slope, providing water, sewer and recycled water services.
It also owns and operates the Sly Park Recreation Area near Pollock Pines, and lakes in Alpine and Amador counties.
Both men cited financial stability and drought protection as critical issues for the district in the next four years.
Fraser stressed the board's "successful game plan" developed over the past eight years to maintain and upgrade the water and sewer systems.
But he noted the district has relied heavily on revenue from residential development, which has been severely reduced, and must seek new funding sources.
Call The Bee's Cathy Locke, (916) 773-6866.
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