Former Arizona Gov. Doug Ducey’s multi-billion dollar plan for a desalination plant or other hugely expensive project to add to the desert state’s imperiled water supply is still alive and has the support of his successor despite a budget crunch that will crimp funding needed to get a project built.
It was just 18 months ago when the commissioner of the Bureau of Reclamation warned that the Colorado Water River system was in danger of collapse unless wholesale water use reductions were enacted — cutbacks much bigger than the system has ever seen.
Using meteorology and chemistry to help prod Mother Nature, water officials have begun seeding storm clouds throughout the Santa Ana Watershed to boost regional water supplies by enhancing the rain and snowfall produced during storms.
Mexico has broken ground on a long-awaited replacement for a crumbling wastewater treatment plant in Baja California that officials said will dramatically reduce the discharge of sewage that has fouled San Diego and Tijuana shorelines.
The Otay Water District and the Sweetwater Authority start 2024 with new officers to lead their respective boards of directors.
(L to R) Board President Jose Lopez, Vice President Ryan Keyes, Treasuer Mark Robak. Photo: Otay Water District
The Otay Water District board elected director Jose Lopez, who represents division four, as president.
Lopez’s election as president follows one year of board leadership under past president Mark Robak. Lopez will serve a one-year term through January 2025. He has been a board member since December 2020. He also served on the Otay WD board from 2001 to 2016.
“I am honored and humbled by the trust that my fellow water board members place in me by electing me as president. Serving our customers in this role is a responsibility I take seriously,” says Lopez.
“As we embark on this journey together, my focus will be on fostering collaboration, transparency, and sustainable water management practices. Our community’s access to high-quality and reliable water is of utmost importance, and I am committed to working diligently to ensure the continued well-being of our residents. I look forward to building upon the solid foundation laid by my predecessors and collaborating with our dedicated board and staff to address the opportunities and challenges ahead.”
In 2023, Lopez served as vice president of the board. He also served on the district’s engineering, operations, water resources, desalination project, and ad hoc legal services committees. He also represents the district at various local organizations and task forces including the OWD and Sweetwater Authority Task Force to develop recycled water opportunities, Water Conservation Garden Authority, and South County Economic Development Council.
Lopez also previously held the position of treasurer in 2004, 2021, and 2022. Also, during his tenure on the Otay board from 2001 to 2016, he served as president of the board in 2002, 2005, and 2012 to 2015. He also served as vice president from 2006 to 2010, and 2016.
Lopez retired as an Assistant Fire Marshal from the San Diego Fire Department in 2011. He also served on the San Diego County Water Authority board from 2002 to 2003. He has an Associate of Science in Fire Science/Fire Suppression from San Diego Miramar College and attended the University of California, San Diego. He lives in Chula Vista.
The board also elected board member Ryan Keyes, serving division two, as vice president, and Mark Robak, serving division five, as treasurer.
The five-member board of directors is the governing body of the Otay Water District and is responsible for setting rates for service, taxes, policies, ordinances, adopting the annual budget and other matters related to the management and operation of the agency.
The Sweetwater Authority Governing Board elected Paulina Martinez-Perez as Board Chair and Director Hector Martinez as Vice Chair for the 2024 term. Photo: Sweetwater Authority
The Sweetwater Authority Governing Board elected Paulina Martinez-Perez as Board Chair and Director Hector Martinez as Vice Chair for the 2024 term. Martinez-Perez has served on the Board since 2020 and Martinez has served since 2018.
Martinez-Perez and Martinez will engage in an all-day Strategic Plan Workshop along with the entire Authority Board and department heads to evaluate the progress of the Fiscal Year 2023-24 Work Plan initiatives, and set goals and priorities for the next fiscal year.
“We have a busy year ahead working to advance the policies, plans and programs that make the Authority a premier water agency,” said Martinez-Perez. “I’m honored to serve as Chair during this exciting time, and to work together with the Board to ensure we maintain a safe and reliable water supply for our current and future customers.”
The Sweetwater Authority Board also adopted Resolution 23-23, adjusting the Authority Board Meeting times to 5 p.m. on the second and fourth Wednesday of each month.
The Sweetwater Authority Governing Board is composed of five directors elected by division by the citizens of the district, and two directors appointed by the Mayor of National City, subject to City Council confirmation.
At its December 2023 meeting, the South Bay Irrigation District Board of Directors also appointed new officers for the 2024 term. Director Manny Delgado will serve as President and Director Josie Calderon-Scott as Vice President. SBID meetings will now be held at 5 p.m. on the second Tuesday of the month.
Mexico broke ground Thursday on the long-awaited replacement for a crumbling wastewater treatment plant in Baja California that officials said will dramatically reduce the discharge of sewage that has fouled San Diego and Tijuana shorelines.
Unlike early 2023, when nonstop atmospheric river storms built a deep Sierra Nevada snowpack, replenished depleted reservoirs and flooded parts of California, snowfall and rain is sharply diminished so far this year. But state water officials say there is plenty of winter left to accumulate more snow and precipitation.
The 2024 WaterSmart Landscape Makeover competition seeks the best in landscaping makeover projects from 12 participating San Diego County water agencies. This popular annual competition is now open for entries. Its goal is to showcase residential water-saving landscaping ideas, inspiring others to consider their own projects.
Carolina Schultz’s transformed landscape demonstrates how homeowners can create a beautiful, California-friendly landscape using less water. Photo: Sweetwater Authority
Different approaches by the winning entrants from past years demonstrate the wide range of options for creating lush, beautiful landscapes that rely more on native plants and less on large areas of thirty grass. The creative results and personal stories help inform and inspire homeowners to consider their own new yard designs.
Participating agencies in 2024 include California American Water, the cities of Escondido and Oceanside, Helix Water District, Olivenhain Municipal Water District, Otay Water District, Padre Dam Municipal Water District, Rincon Del Diablo Municipal Water District, San Dieguito Water District, Sweetwater Authority, Vallecitos Water District, and Vista Irrigation District.
Share your landscape makeover skills in the 2024 contest to inspire your neighbors. Photo: Helix Water District
Each agency winner receives a $250 gift certificate and public recognition for their efforts. Homeowners may also be eligible for turf removal rebates and other rebates plus additional incentives that can help defray project costs.
This year’s contest deadline for all participating agencies is Friday, May 10, 2024. Homeowners may submit their entry online or through their participating agency. Residents must live within agency boundaries to participate.
Carolina Schultz now waters her yard only once a month when needed. Photo: Sweetwater Authority
WaterSmart landscapes are more climate resilient than traditional lawns by using less water, fertilizers, and pesticides. They provided a happier habitat for pollinators.
The majority of residential water use in San Diego County is used outdoors, primarily for water landscaping. When yards contain a large amount of grass, that can greatly increase overall water consumption. Conservation education efforts, including the WaterSmart Landscape Contest, focus on ways to create landscapes customized for your favorite activities, incorporating the needs of children, pets, accessible areas, pollinators, and specialty gardens.
“Cooler winter months are an ideal time to plant when there is a greater chance of rain, and the soil does not dry out as quickly,” said Water Authority Water Resources Specialist Debby Dunn. “To make creating your new waterwise wonderland easier, take advantage of the Water Authority’s free virtual workshops as well as our short and educational online videos.”
Dunn also recommends getting a copy of the Nifty 50 Plant List. “An environmentally friendly landscape with lush and colorful plants will entice birds, bees, butterflies, and friends into your garden,” said Dunn.
Mike Williams took advantage of free resources including classes offered by the Vallecitos Water District and San Diego County Water Authority. Photo: Vallecitos Water District
The Water Authority offers free options to help homeowners plan landscape makeovers. Homeowners can get started with the Water Authority’s free three-hour introductory landscaping workshops scheduled on weeknights and Saturdays. The workshops are held virtually.
The Water Authority’s WaterSmart Landscape Makeover four-class workshop series offers more specific planning help for homeowners. See the course page for the most current schedule and to sign up.
Investments geared toward combating climate change and transitioning away from fossil fuels are among the items on the chopping block as California Gov. Gavin Newsom seeks to close a $37.9-billion budget deficit.
River basins around the world that were once regularly snowbound are increasingly seeing their snowpack shrink and climate change is to blame, a new study found. “Many of the world’s most populous basins are hovering on the precipice of rapid snow declines,” concluded the study of snow amounts since 1981 in Wednesday’s journal Nature.
