The Vallecitos Water District (VWD) Board of Directors recognized students from district schools for their excellence in the classroom through its 2025 Student Poster Art Contest at its June board meeting.
Three fourth-grade students from the local community were named winners of the district’s annual student poster art contest. The poster contest, targeting fourth-grade students, is designed to promote an understanding of water issues in elementary schools.
In this year’s contest, 30 students submitted their artwork from the 12 schools with fourth-grade classes within the San Marcos Unified School District.
This year’s theme was “Love Water, Save Water.” The three winning posters were selected from all entries based on their depiction of the theme, artwork, originality, and poster design.
The winning posters will appear in the 2026 North County Water Awareness Calendar, which will be available free at the district’s office starting in November 2025. The calendar includes winning artwork from 11 North County water agencies.
“It’s inspiring to see how fourth graders turn their creativity into powerful messages about the value of water,” said Vallecitos Board President Jim Pennock. “A big shoutout to our 2025 winners for their amazing artwork and for reminding us all how essential—and worth protecting—our water really is!”
Winning Posters Depict The Value of Water
Jimena Castillo Medina of Joli Ann Leichtag Elementary School won first place. Photo: Vallecitos Water District
Jimena Castillo Medina, a fourth-grade student at Joli Ann Leichtag Elementary School, won first place for her artwork, titled “Every Drop Counts.” Jimena says water “is good for your health and it helps people.” Her teacher is Andrea Vigil-Ruiz.
Liv Williams of Discovery Elementary School won second place. Photo: Vallecitos Water District
Fourth-grader Liv Williams at Discovery Elementary School won second place for her entry, which featured a mountain landscape and a person immersed in the beauty of the landscape. Liv wrote in her entry that water “helps us with our daily lifestyles. It also keeps us hydrated. Last, it can be really really really pretty!” Her teacher is Holly Hartzell.
Maryanne Alvizures of Joli Ann Leichtag Elementary School won third place. Photo: Vallecitos Water District
Third place went to fourth grader Maryanne Alvizures of Joli Ann Leichtag Elementary School and also in Ms. Vigil-Ruiz’s class. Maryanne’s artwork depicts the Earth with a massive water faucet, symbolizing rain that provides water to trees, flowers, birds, and animals. Maryanne wrote, “Without water, we will not survive.”
Winning students received gift cards in the amount of $100, $75, and $50.
https://www.waternewsnetwork.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/06/vwd-2025-poster-winners-2343.jpg7861080Gayle Falkenthalhttps://www.waternewsnetwork.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/04/WNN-Horizontal-White-Blue2.pngGayle Falkenthal2025-06-02 07:34:452025-06-05 07:35:07Students Recognized For Conservation Posters by Vallecitos Water District
Twelve fourth-grade students from schools in Escondido were recognized at the City of Escondido’s May City Council Meeting as finalists in the 2025 Water Awareness Student Poster Contest.
Three students were named first, second, and third-place winners for their entries. These three winners will have their artwork featured in the 2026 North County Water Agency Water Awareness Calendar.
The contest is a part of the City of Escondido’s Water Science Education Program, which offers free presentations on a variety of water science topics to elementary school classrooms.
Throughout the school year, City staff provide free water science presentations on a variety of topics from the water cycle to the water treatment process to elementary school students. The contest theme, “Love Water, Save Water,” invites fourth-grade students to consider what they’ve learned about water and to illustrate the value of its water resources.
City staff reviewed nearly 100 entries, which depicted messages of pollution prevention and water conservation. Posters were judged on artistic skill, creativity, and representation of the theme.
Students Depict Value of Water in Winning Artwork
The winning artwork selected for 2025:
Milan Galiano from Heritage Elementary School is this year’s first-place winner in the 2025 City of Escondido Student Poster Contest. Photo: City of Escondido
First Place: Milan Galiano, Heritage Elementary, Mrs. Miller’s class
Citlali Gutierrez from Lincoln Elementary School is this year’s first place winner in the 2025 City of Escondido Student Poster Contest. Photo: City of Escondido
Second Place: Citlali Gutierrez, Lincoln Elementary School, Ms. Schaffer’s class
Haley Hone from Grace Christian School is this year’s first-place winner in the 2025 City of Escondido Student Poster Contest. Photo: City of Escondido
Third Place: Haley Hone, Grace Christian School, Mrs. Arnold’s class
Finalists in the 2025 City of Escondido Student Poster Contest also include (clockwise from top left): Ava Barclay, Ethan Blades, Landon Hickman, Michael Harmon. Photo: City of Escondido
The City of Escondido congratulates the 12 finalists in this year’s Fourth Grade Water Awareness Poster Contest and thanks all the talented student artists who entered, as well as their dedicated teachers who brought this opportunity to consider and illustrate the value of water to their classrooms.
Finalists in the 2025 City of Escondido Student Poster Contest also include (clockwise from top left): Lila Manoocheri, Nathali Morales Amaya, Pakeezah Nabi, Matthew Rios Perez. Photo: City of Escondido
Finalists in the 2025 City of Escondido Student Poster Contest also include Baylie Samo. Photo: City of Escondido
All twelve finalist posters, along with information about rebates and other resources for water conservation, can be viewed on the City’s Environmental Programs webpage.
https://www.waternewsnetwork.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/05/escondido-2025-poster-winners.jpg7211080Gayle Falkenthalhttps://www.waternewsnetwork.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/04/WNN-Horizontal-White-Blue2.pngGayle Falkenthal2025-05-28 07:31:062025-05-28 07:31:06Winners Announced In City of Escondido 2025 Student Poster Contest
The Vallecitos Water District was recognized with a One Water Award from the Metropolitan Water District of Southern California (Metropolitan) for its efforts to work with homeowners associations in its district on turf replacement projects.
Public Information/Conservation Supervisor Chris Robbins accepted the award on behalf of the Vallecitos Water District in a recognition event at Metropolitan’s headquarters in Los Angeles on May 21.
L to R: Metropolitan General Manager Deven Upadhyay, Metropolitan Senior Water Specialist Gary Tilkian, Vallecitos Public Information/Conservation Supervisor Chris Robbins, and Metropolitan Board Chairman Adan Ortega at the One Water Awards. Photo: Metropolitan Water District
Now in its third year, Metropolitan’s One Water Awards honors businesses and non-residential industries for achieving remarkable water savings with assistance from its various water efficiency programs.
Award-winning projects are located throughout Metropolitan’s six-county service area and are recognized for accomplishments in sustainability, innovation, community engagement, collaboration, and leadership.
“The honorees here with us today are remarkable not only for their dedication to saving water, but for the example they set in their communities,” said Metropolitan board Chair Adán Ortega, Jr. “They are proving what’s possible – and showing how Southern California can rise to the challenge of adapting to a changing climate. That’s a vision Metropolitan shares.”
Watch a video about the successful landscaping projects.
“I’m so pleased to get this award. I feel a little guilty; I get to stand up here and get this award, but really it was a partnership,” said Robbins. “It was the incentives offered by the Metropolitan Water District. It was the partnering between the San Diego County Water Authority and the County of San Diego. And then it was the individual homeowners associations,” working with Vallecitos to make its projects a reality.
Robbins said videos featuring the projects and articles in the District’s newsletter generated additional interest from eligible HOAs.
Water News Network featured all three of the winning Vallecitos Water District projects as they were completed.
Fairways at Lake San Marcos Project
The bowl-shaped common space at the Mall III Homeowners Association property in Lake San Marcos was once dominated by turf, which wasn’t being used while requiring significant irrigation.
The San Elijo homeowner association had attempted to remodel its landscaping for nearly a decade. Not only was irrigation a significant expense, but the runoff from rain and irrigation polluted the lake. After a water-smart landscape upgrade, it’s now a point of pride that’s easier on the budget.
The transformation, made possible in part by incentives offered through the Water Authority’s rebate program, is one that local officials hope will inspire other communities.
23,000 sq ft area
10,000 sq. ft. native plants installed.
100,000 gallon reduction in irrigation runoff per year
Water savings: one million gallons
Cost savings: $66,000 over ten years
Fairways at Lake San Marcos HOA replaced 23,000 square feet of common area turf grass with native and drought-tolerant plants. A rock-lined swale cascades down a slope to prevent stormwater runoff and provides an attractive entrance to the community. A butterfly garden with a gravel walkway near the clubhouse provides accessibility and education.
Fairways HOA president Terry Brown said her community was introduced to the program and decided to move forward.
Preventing runoff into Lake San Marcos is a benefit of the new landscaping. Photo: County of San Diego
“We removed 23,000 square feet, and then we got three dollars for each square foot that we removed, plus we got 40 cents for the drip irrigation system. We’re going to receive one dollar per square foot for at least 10,000 square feet of California native plants. So, we did all of that. And we’re pleased with everything that has happened,” said Brown.
While rebates defrayed the initial costs, the real savings will be realized in the years ahead on one of the HOA’s major expenses, the cost of irrigation.
There are more than 6,700 homeowners associations in San Diego County. Two million County residents live within an HOA, according to the California Association of Community Managers.
Launched in 2021 by the County of San Diego’s Watershed Protection Program and the San Diego County Water Authority, the WaterScape Rebate Program is open to HOAs and commercial properties in unincorporated areas of San Diego County.
The Landscape Optimization Service (LOS) offered through the Waterscape Rebate Program is a technical assistance program for large-scale landscaping projects in the unincorporated areas of San Diego County. The program helps applicants with large landscapes, such as HOAs, parks, and commercial properties, to navigate the requirements, overcome any barriers, and maximize their rebate eligibility.
Still Room for Thoughtful Use of Grass
Thoughtful inclusion of grass for play areas, pets, and other uses is incorporated into the new landscaping. Photo: County of San Diego
Makeovers don’t require removing all grass. Instead, grass is retained where it is most useful and practical. For the Fairways HOA board members, it meant accommodating the many residents who like to walk their dogs in the neighborhood, and wanted to retain some grassy spaces for them to enjoy with their pets.
As part of the program, LOS staff analyzes estimated water and cost savings, which helps decision-makers justify the investment with an understanding of how quickly the project will pay for itself. The program also offers discounted designs to participants.
The enhanced incentives include rebates for turf replacement, smart controller stations, rain barrels, and cisterns.
More information on the Landscape Optimization Service can be found here, or contact your member water agency for details.
https://www.waternewsnetwork.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/05/vwd-fairways-los-site-visit-3.jpg8101080Gayle Falkenthalhttps://www.waternewsnetwork.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/04/WNN-Horizontal-White-Blue2.pngGayle Falkenthal2025-05-22 11:45:542025-06-02 11:38:21One Water Awards Honors Vallecitos Water District Projects
Three talented fourth-grade students were recognized by the Olivenhain Municipal Water District Board of Directors at its May 21 meeting as the winners of the 2025 North County Water Agencies Water Awareness Poster Contest, themed “Love Water, Save Water.”
Kaiyan Beam from Olivenhain Pioneer Elementary School and David W. Brand and Audrey Nam, both from Stone Ranch Elementary School, submitted the winning entries.
“This contest inspires fourth-grade artists to highlight the importance of water through creative posters,” said OMWD Board President Matthew Hahn. “Congratulations to our 2025 student winners for their exceptional artwork and commitment to promoting sustainable water use.”
Two exceptional East County students received $1,000 college scholarships awarded by the Helix Water District at the May Board of Directors meeting. They are Grossmont High School senior Ashley Beard and El Capitan High School senior Agostinho Soto-wang,
Ashley Beard Seeks Role As Legal Advocate
Midway through their senior year, Beard had a 4.87 weighted grade point average and Soto-wang had a 4.91.
Beard plans to earn a degree in political science and go on to law school, a decision she made after a senior year internship at a San Diego law firm showed her how legal advocacy can transform underserved communities.
Beard is an athlete: captain of her varsity softball, soccer, and flag football teams, named first team All-League in the CIF San Diego three times, and honored twice as a Mission Fed Credit Union CIF San Diego Section Scholar Athlete.
Agostinho Soto-wang Aims To Demystify Nutrition Science
Soto-wang plans to major in bioengineering and bioinformatics. When the COVID-19 pandemic closed schools, he developed an online gaming platform for housebound students and discovered he loves to code. He wants to pursue a career in biomedical research and use machine learning and data to demystify nutrition.
Soto-wang serves on the Student Senate at his high school and is captain of the cross-country team. He is also an AP Scholar with Distinction, president of the medical club, and founder of the literature club.
Helix Water District Scholarships Honor Legacy of Leadership
Helix Water District is a local government agency responsible for tap water in San Diego’s east county suburbs. The district’s regional water treatment plant serves 500,000 residents and the district distributes water to 278,000 residents in La Mesa, El Cajon, Lemon Grove, Spring Valley and other unincorporated areas. Photo: Helix Water District
Helix scholarships are $1,000. The Robert D. Friedgen Scholarship was established upon his retirement in 1998, after serving as the district’s general manager for 19 years. Friedgen provided the seed money, and the board and others contributed additional funding.
The Dr. Lillian M. Childs Scholarship was started by the Helix board in 1999 to honor Dr. Childs upon her retirement from the board and recognize the 20 years of service and leadership she had given to the district. Applicants must live in the district’s service area, have excellent academic standing, and excel in community service and extracurricular activities.
https://www.waternewsnetwork.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/05/helix-2025-scholarships-winners.jpg7191080Gayle Falkenthalhttps://www.waternewsnetwork.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/04/WNN-Horizontal-White-Blue2.pngGayle Falkenthal2025-05-21 14:47:192025-05-21 14:47:19East County Students Win Helix Water District Scholarships
The Otay Water District received the District Transparency Certificate of Excellence from the Special District Leadership Foundation (SDLF) in recognition of its outstanding efforts to promote transparency and good governance and reaffirm its commitment to openness and accessibility for its constituents and local stakeholders.
“This award reflects the Otay Water District’s dedication to open government,” said Board President Jose Lopez. “I commend our staff for empowering the public with information and encouraging engagement and oversight.”
Award Recognizes Transparency in District Governance
The Otay Water District’s commitment to transparency was recognized with the Special District Leadership Foundation award. Photo: Otay Water District
To receive the award, the District demonstrated that it had completed essential governance transparency requirements, including ethics and harassment prevention training for all board members and staff, properly holding open and public meetings, promptly filing financial and compensation reports with the State Controller, and fulfilling other key transparency practices.
SDLF also notified the legislators representing the District’s service area about the achievement. Assemblymembers Marie Waldron, David Alvarez, Akilah Weber, and Senators Steve Padilla and Brian Jones received letters commending the District for its open and transparent practices and recognizing it as a model of best practices for California agencies.
SDLF is an independent, nonprofit organization that promotes good governance and best practices among California’s special districts through certification, accreditation, and other recognition programs. For more about SDLF, visit www.sdlf.org.
Special districts are independent public agencies that deliver core local services to communities, such as utilities, wastewater treatment, fire protection, parks and recreation, healthcare, sanitation, mosquito abatement, ports, libraries, public cemeteries, and more.
The Otay Water District is a public agency providing water, recycled water, and sewer service to approximately 238,008 customers within approximately 125 square miles of southeastern San Diego County, including the communities of eastern Chula Vista, Bonita, Jamul, Spring Valley, Rancho San Diego, unincorporated areas of El Cajon and La Mesa, and east Otay Mesa along the international border with Mexico.
For more information about the Otay Water District, visit otaywater.gov.
https://www.waternewsnetwork.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/05/transparency-certificate-csda-copy.jpg7191080Gayle Falkenthalhttps://www.waternewsnetwork.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/04/WNN-Horizontal-White-Blue2.pngGayle Falkenthal2025-05-21 14:46:322025-05-22 14:16:33Otay Water District Awarded Transparency Certificate of Excellence
Vista Irrigation District (VID) selected three fourth-grade student artists from schools within its district as winners of its annual district-sponsored 2025 Water Awareness Poster Contest, and awarded college scholarships to six graduating high school seniors at its May 7 board of directors meeting.
Vista fourth grade student Brylee Burton-Arner displays her award winning poster contest entry. Photo: Vista Irrigation District
Students Depict Value of Water in Winning Artwork
Grapevine Elementary school student Cosette Kennedy received first-place for her entry. Photo: Vista Irrigation District
Cosette Kennedy, a fourth-grade student from Grapevine Elementary School, received first-place honors from VID for her entry in the 2025 Water Awareness Poster Contest. She received a $100 award.
Second place went to the poster entry by Brylee Burton-Arner from Lake Elementary School. Photo: Vista Irrigation District
Brylee Burton-Arner from Lake Elementary School received second place and a $50 prize.
Third place went to Presley Regan for her artwork depicting the Earth as a turtle. Photo: Vista Irrigation District
Presley Regan of Alamosa Park Elementary School placed third and received a $25 award.
The poster contest, which targets fourth-grade students, is designed to promote an understanding of water issues in elementary schools.
This year’s theme was “Love Water, Save Water.” The three winning posters were selected from 230 entries based on their depiction of the theme, artwork, originality, and poster design.
All three winners’ artwork will appear in the Vista Irrigation District 2026 Water Awareness Calendar, which will be available free for pickup at the district’s office in November 2025.
College Scholarships Awarded to Six Graduating Seniors
Vista Irrigation District college scholarship winners include (left to right) Hailey Ahmed, Nayleen Griffith, and Andrew Lee. Photo: Vista Irrigation District
Vista Irrigation District presented six $1,500 scholarships to the winners of its annual high school scholarship contest at its May board meeting.
The scholarship contest, open to high school seniors living or attending school within VID’s service area, aims to increase knowledge and awareness of water-related issues affecting the district.
Twenty-two high school seniors submitted applications this year. Applicants were required to complete an essay and provide a personal statement related to their background and/or goals.
Selection criteria also included community involvement or volunteer service and letters of recommendation from high school faculty.
Scholarships were awarded to Hailey Ahmed, Natalie Krahmer, Andrew Lee, and Nathan Sleeper from Rancho Buena Vista High School, Nayleen Griffith from Vista High School, and Christopher Rayo from Mission Vista High School.
Vista Irrigation District is a public agency governed by an elected five-member board. The district provides water service to roughly 132,000 people in the city of Vista, and portions of San Marcos, Escondido, Oceanside, and unincorporated areas of the county of San Diego.
https://www.waternewsnetwork.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/05/vid-presley-regan-cosette-kennedy.jpg7201080Gayle Falkenthalhttps://www.waternewsnetwork.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/04/WNN-Horizontal-White-Blue2.pngGayle Falkenthal2025-05-16 07:23:082025-05-16 07:57:54Talented Students Win 2025 Vista Irrigation District Awards
The Olivenhain Municipal Water District’s 4S Ranch Water Reclamation Facility (4S WRF) was named the statewide 2024 Plant of the Year (small division) by the California Water Environment Association at its recent annual conference in San Diego. The award recognizes the facility’s innovation, regulatory compliance, and cost-effective operation.
In addition to being named California’s plant of the year, the facility received the same designation at the local level in February from CWEA’s San Diego Section.
The 4S Ranch Water Reclamation Facility is a repeat winner, winning this statewide recognition as Plant of the Year five times since 2019.
“There are over a thousand wastewater treatment plants in California, and our district is honored to have 4S WRF named as CWEA’s Plant of the Year at the state level for the second time in three years,” said Matthew R. Hahn, OMWD board president.
CWEA president Gilbert Barela (far right) presents the award to Olivenhain Municipal Water District employees John Onkka, recycled water program supervisor, and Jason Emerick, water reclamation operator. Photo: Olivenhain Municipal Water District
“The successful operation of the 4S WRF is a direct result of the support and collaboration across all areas of the District, including the Board of Directors, senior management, the 4S WRF operators, and all OMWD departments,” said John Onkka, Water Reclamation Facilities Supervisor at the 4S Water Reclamation Facility.
Innovation Drives High Quality, Saves Treatment Costs for Ratepayers
Innovative practices at 4S WRF over the past several years include the installation of monitoring equipment that makes immediate adjustments in the treatment process, which stood out to the CWEA judges. The equipment not only keeps the facility in regulatory compliance but also reduces treatment costs for ratepayers. In addition, to obtain higher water quality and reduce energy costs, OMWD installed a more efficient ultraviolet disinfection system.
OMWD meets up to 15 percent of its overall demand with recycled water. 4S WRF can transform up to two million gallons of wastewater to recycled water each day. This alternative water supply reduces the use of drinking water for the irrigation of golf courses, parks, schools, streetscapes, and homeowner association common areas.
OMWD Expands Access to Recycled Water in 2025
Construction is nearly complete at three sites in the cities of Encinitas and Carlsbad to install 5,600 feet of new recycled water pipelines. Photo: Olivenhain Municipal Water District
Currently, OMWD is expanding access to its recycled water by identifying opportunities to connect more customers to its recycled water distribution system.
Construction is nearly complete at three sites in the cities of Encinitas and Carlsbad to install 5,600 feet of new recycled water pipelines. The completion of the pipeline extensions later this year will result in the conversion of 28 water meters from potable to recycled water, saving more than 12.5 million gallons of imported drinking water annually.
Founded in 1928, the California Water Environment Association is a not-for-profit association of 10,000-plus wastewater industry professionals. The association trains and certifies wastewater professionals, disseminates technical information, and promotes safe and effective work practices.
https://www.waternewsnetwork.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/04/2018-4s-wrf-aerial-2-1.jpg7191080Gayle Falkenthalhttps://www.waternewsnetwork.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/04/WNN-Horizontal-White-Blue2.pngGayle Falkenthal2025-04-29 16:48:352025-05-02 23:35:384S Ranch Water Reclamation Facility Named 2024 Plant of the Year
Trees are among the most valuable investments in San Diego County’s landscape, including in your landscaping. No other plant plays a more significant role in fighting climate change, supporting sustainability, and maintaining a healthy watershed than trees.
National Arbor Day on Friday, April 25, reminds us of the many benefits that trees have to offer, with tree planting events planned throughout San Diego County.
Arbor Day 2025 Events
San Diego County residents can volunteer at several tree planting events on Arbor Day. Photo: City of San Diego
The City of San Diego celebrates Arbor Day on Friday with an official Arbor Day Ceremony at 9 a.m., followed by a tree planting event at Colina Del Sol Park in City Heights in partnership with Tree San Diego. Members of the public are invited to volunteer. For information and to register, go to the City of San Diego Arbor Day webpage.
Tree San Diego and the City of Chula Vista will host a tree-planting event for Arbor Day at Horizon Park from 9 a.m. to 11 a.m. Volunteers can register here.
The City of Lemon Grove hosts an Earth Day and Arbor Day Fair on Saturday, April 26, starting at 9 a.m. at 3200 Main Street.
Forever Balboa Park is also hosting an Arbor Day Event on Friday, April 25 with a morning tree planting event. Volunteers are asked to register and will be provided with the specific event location at its website here.
Tree Support Throughout The Year
Numerous nonprofit organizations offer support and tips on planting and caring for trees. Photo: Gabriel/Pixabay
Work with trees year-round by getting involved with the San Diego nonprofit Kate Sessions Trees. Its website provides information about the fundamentals of planting trees, environmental stewardship, and to ongoing watering and maintenance.
Throughout the year, City of San Diego residents can request a new street tree through Free Tree SD. This program allows residents and the City to work together by increasing San Diego’s tree canopy cover. Residents need to identify a space in the public right-of-way and agree to water the tree for three years. City arborists will evaluate the space and determine an appropriate tree selection.
Tree San Diego works with all 18 incorporated cities, unincorporated areas of San Diego County, and tribal communities to support and monitor tree planting throughout the year. Urban Corps San Diego and volunteer groups also support tree planting projects throughout the year. Learn more at Tree San Diego.
Tips On Tree Health and Care
Trees provide numerous health benefits. Infographic: The Nature Conservancy
Depending on the tree type and size, water every three to six weeks.
The amount of water your tree needs depends. A general rule of thumb is to use approximately 10 gallons of water per inch of trunk diameter for each watering.
Focus on deep, infrequent watering, rather than frequent shallow watering. Aim to saturate the soil around the root zone to encourage deep root growth.
Young trees, even drought-tolerant ones, need routine watering. Most mature drought-tolerant trees can survive on rainwater plus infrequent, deep watering.
If rainfall is scarce, be sure to hydrate the trees with irrigation water.
Young trees are particularly susceptible to competition from turf grass. Remove grass from the trunk out to a foot beyond the drip line (the outer canopy of the leaves).
To help residents and businesses choose trees that will thrive in our climate and conditions, check out the San Diego County Water Authority’s recently updated “Nifty 50” and “Happy 100” plant lists. Learn more about the lists in this recent Water News Network article.
The Western Redbud tree (Cercis Occidentalis) is a favorite choice from the Nifty 50 plant list. Photo: Pixabay/Creative Commons
San Diego forestry and landscaping professionals work with the San Diego County Water Authority and its 22 member agencies to help protect our region’s trees.
https://www.waternewsnetwork.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/04/oak-tree-1314865-1280.jpg7201080Gayle Falkenthalhttps://www.waternewsnetwork.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/04/WNN-Horizontal-White-Blue2.pngGayle Falkenthal2025-04-21 07:56:422025-04-21 07:56:42Celebrate Arbor Day: Discover How Planting More Trees in San Diego Supports Climate Resiliency
Amid a rainy April 1, the San Diego County Water Authority held a news conference to inform the public about where the region stands when it comes to water supplies and the opportunities ahead.
“Despite a few rainy days this week, 2025 has had a drier-than-usual start. However, thanks to decades of strategic planning, the San Diego County Water Authority assures residents that the region has an ample water supply,” said ABC 10 reporter Madison Weil.
While San Diego’s rainfall total stands at less than half the yearly average, other parts of the state have seen levels much closer to normal, according to Water Authority Senior Water Resource Specialist Efren Lopez.
Senior Water Resource Specialist Efren Lopez addresses the media.
As CBS 8 reported, “Northern California has had a really rainy season so that has helped keep water levels in a good spot for the state. The Sierra Nevada snowpack is about 90 percent of the average. More snow is expected which could boost the levels slightly.”
“In San Diego County even though we’re happy to see rest of state is doing great, we don’t depend on natural hydrology like rain and snowpack,” said Lopez. “We have invested over the past 30 years on reliable drought proof supplies.”
With ample water supplies, the San Diego County Water Authority sees opportunity to help water scarce parts of the west through innovative water transfers, according to General Manager Dan Denham.
“While we can’t discuss the details of negotiations, it’s fair to say there is significant interest in buying some of our drought-resilient water – and that’s welcome news for San Diego County ratepayers,” said Denham. “Our goals are to maintain our water reliability for generations to come while at the same time controlling costs.”
As KPBS mentionedthose deals “will eventually help local ratepayers. They’ve allowed the Water Authority to create a rate stabilization fund.”
“A rate stabilization fund is a mechanism for us to smooth out those rates over time. Because of the two wet years and lost water sales, we’ve had to use that rate stabilization fund to mitigate rates, or they would’ve been even higher,” Denham said.
ABC’s Weil noted “As climate change continues to affect weather patterns, maintaining a proactive approach to water management remains essential.”
https://www.waternewsnetwork.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/04/image-28-e1743636292246.jpg12762342Jordan Beanehttps://www.waternewsnetwork.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/04/WNN-Horizontal-White-Blue2.pngJordan Beane2025-04-03 07:40:592025-04-03 07:40:59Water Authority Provides Update on Supplies and Opportunities
