The Vista Irrigation District (VID) is partnering with the Vista Chamber of Commerce’s “Student Opportunities for Career Awareness and Learning (SOCAL) Program to encourage job seekers and students to learn about water industry careers.
As part of the program, two VID employees were featured in informational videos describing their jobs, including their typical duties and the skills needed to succeed. Both employees also discuss the education required and local resources for career training.
Marselino Sanchez: Positive Impact on the Community
Marselino Sanchez says successful job candidates have strong mathematics and analytical skills they can apply to managing water quality. Photo: Vista Irrigation District/Video Capture
Water System Operation II Marselino Sanchez is in charge of maintaining water distribution systems and analyzing water quality. In his interview, Sanchez called his job “dynamic” and said he likes making a positive impact on his community.
“The biggest challenge with this position is trying to manage the distribution system, (and) also trying to handle any emergency that arises,” said Sanchez. “Not every day is the same. It can change within a minute, within seconds, so we’ve got to be able to adapt very quickly. But that’s the part that makes the job very fun and exciting.”
Sanchez said he took courses at Palomar College, which helped prepare him to take require State of California certification exams required for his job. He says successful job candidates have strong mathematics and analytical skills they can apply to managing water quality.
Dean Farris: Flexibility Key To Success
Water Distribution Supervisor Dean Farris works daily with his team to analyze and maintain the VID water system, including water system levels and water quality, water flow, adjustments in water pressures, and maintenance, all while staying ready for any possibility.
Like Sanchez, Farris says successful job candidates must be flexible. “Almost certainly, there’s going to be something that comes up that needs immediate attention, and so you’ve got to be ready for those curve balls that are thrown at you.”
Water Distribution Supervisor Dean Farris works daily with his team to analyze and maintain the Vista Irrigation District water system. Photo: Vista Irrigation District/Video Capture
Farris encourages aspiring water industry professionals to take courses at the community college level, such as Palomar College, to learn about water distribution and water and wastewater treatment. Getting certifications shows an employer that you’re a serious job candidate.
In addition, Farris says successful water and wastewater professionals have strong analytical skills, organizational skills, and the ability to communicate.
“The first thing I do when I walk in here in the morning, before anyone gets here, is analyze that big screen behind me with the historical trends and then make decisions based on that throughout the day,” said Farris.
Both videos are now available on the Vista Chamber of Commerce’s SOCAL webpage and on the SOCAL Workforce YouTube channel.
About Student Opportunities for Career Awareness and Learning
Student Opportunities for Career Awareness and Learning (SOCAL) drives economic empowerment by elevating student awareness of career and educational opportunities across multiple industries and provides a forum for students to take meaningful steps towards participation in the workforce of tomorrow.
Dean Farris and Marselino Sanchez discuss daily operations. Photo: Vista Irrigation District/Video Capture
SOCAL is a collaborative program between education and industry created by Tri-City Medical Center, the San Diego North Economic Development Council and Carlsbad, Oceanside, Vista,Escondido, San Marcos, and Encinitas Chambers of Commerce. The vision is to give middle school, high school, and post-secondary students and transitioning adults an opportunity to gain insights into career pathways while allowing businesses and local organizations to participate in these students’ career exploration.
https://www.waternewsnetwork.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/02/vid-video-marselino-1.png7201080Gayle Falkenthalhttps://www.waternewsnetwork.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/04/WNN-Horizontal-White-Blue2.pngGayle Falkenthal2025-02-12 11:52:292025-02-12 11:52:29Career Outreach by Vista Irrigation District Builds Workforce
Water in California, while always a hot topic, entered the national spotlight at the start of 2025. Where the San Diego region’s water comes from, how it’s provided and who’s in charge of what are big questions that water professionals address every day.
What are the biggest sources of water for San Diego County?
In 2024, about 60% of the region’s water supplies were from the Colorado River, about one-third were from local sources and the rest was from Northern California through the State Water Project. The State Water Project is operated by the State of California and is separate from the Central Valley Project operated by the federal government.
Regardless of the source, all the water delivered to homes and businesses across the region meets strict state and federal quality standards.
How has our region’s water supply changed over the years?
In 1991, San Diego County got 95% of its water from the Metropolitan Water District (MWD) in Los Angeles, leaving the region’s water supply outside of San Diego’s control. A lack of local resources left the region susceptible to supply cutbacks from its major single major source. In 1991, MWD imposed an supply reduction of 31%, prompting the San Diego region’s civic and business leaders to demand greater investments and increased control over the county’s water future. In the following three decades, the Water Authority invested roughly $3 billion in regional water reliability projects. That included cementing the largest water conservation-and-transfer deal in U.S. history to secure conserved water from the Imperial Valley, partnering with a private company to build the nation’s largest seawater desalination plant and super-sizing San Vicente Reservoir by raising the height of the World War II-era dam. Now San Diego has a locally controlled and diversified water supply to make sure the taps always turn on.
SDCWA’s water portfolio over the years.
Why doesn’t San Diego County use much groundwater?
Before 1947, the San Diego region relied heavily on local surface water runoff in normal and wet years, and on groundwater pumped from local aquifers during dry years when stream flows shriveled. As the economy and population grew exponentially, local resources became insufficient to meet the region’s water supply needs, and the region increasingly turned to imported water supplies. Today, groundwater is a small but important resource, especially in places like the South Bay where the aquifers are relatively large. Overall, it accounts for about 5 percent of the region’s water supply portfolio.
What is being done to create additional water supply here in the region?
Coordinating with 22 member agencies to develop long-term, local water reliability is a key component of the Water Authority’s mission. In fact, a growing number of local water sources across the San Diego region are managed by local retail agencies — and they are critical to ensuring long-term supply reliability. Local projects reduce demand on imported supplies and provide local agencies with more control.
In San Diego County, agencies are investing in seawater desalination, water recycling and water purification to create the water reliability our region needs to thrive.
What does the future of water look like for San Diego County?
Even in very dry years like 2025, regional investments mean there’s sufficient water to sustain our economy and quality of life. In fact, the region has done such a good job securing water, that it’s talking with other agencies across the Southwest about selling some of locally controlled water to combat rate increases in the county and support the larger regional economy.
For more information about San Diego’s water sources, click here.
https://www.waternewsnetwork.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/10/Colorado-River-USBR-Proposal-Primary-April-2023-768x409-1.jpg409768Jordan Beanehttps://www.waternewsnetwork.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/04/WNN-Horizontal-White-Blue2.pngJordan Beane2025-02-05 16:44:002025-02-06 09:15:25Where San Diego’s Water Comes From, Explained
The Claude “Bud” Lewis Carlsbad Desalination Plant offers an environmentally responsible water supply in an era of increasing water scarcity, according to results of a new scientific study being released next week at a statewide conference of desalination experts.
The report – the largest environmental assessment to date of the nation’s largest seawater desalination plant – also highlighted the comprehensive monitoring requirements in place for desalination plants in California to demonstrate how nearshore waters remain healthy.
“The most robust monitoring program of the area ever completed demonstrated the Carlsbad Desalination Plant is operating in compliance with all applicable regulations and permits in harmony with the coastal marine environment,” said the study, prepared by Miller Marine Science & Consulting, Inc. of Aliso Viejo.
To date, the desal plant has produced more than 124 billion gallons of high-quality drinking water for the San Diego region. The Miller Marine report was a requirement of the plant’s discharge permit and evaluates four years of extensive environmental monitoring conducted between 2019 – 2023.
The Carlsbad Desalination Plant is the largest, most technologically advanced and energy-efficient desalination plant in the nation, and it has provided a sustainable water supply to residents and businesses in San Diego County since December 2015. Photo: San Diego County Water Authority
“This study shows how seawater desalination can provide a new and reliable supply of water with minimal impacts to aquatic life. That’s a win for our region and the environment,” said Dan Denham, San Diego County Water Authority General Manager.
The Carlsbad Desalination Plant minimizes the San Diego region’s vulnerability to statewide drought conditions. It is part of a $1 billion project that includes the nation’s largest, most technologically advanced and energy-efficient seawater desalination plant, a 10-mile large-diameter pipeline, and improvements to Water Authority facilities for distributing desalinated seawater throughout San Diego County.
Next week, the Miller Marine report is being discussed during the annual conference of CalDesal, an industry association that brings together water leaders to discuss a range of issues related to seawater and groundwater desalination. For more about the conference, click here.
Among the study’s findings were:
The Carlsbad coastal marine environment continues to support its full suite of beneficial uses.
The Carlsbad Desalination Plant’s discharge is not disturbing the receiving water quality or environment outside the brine mixing zone.
The Carlsbad Desalination Plant is not discharging toxic substances to the detriment of the environment. The plant’s operations result in an environmentally safe discharge to the marine environment in compliance with all regulations.
The desal plant provides several environmental benefits by offsetting carbon emissions, employing cutting-edge technology to reduce and recapture 46% of energy consumption during desalination, and restoring extensive coastal wetlands to benefit native fish, wildlife, and plant species within South San Diego Bay.
The vivid memories and recollections of a long-time water pioneer are at the heart of a new video project reviewing the history of the district.
The ten minute video uses a narrative driven by Jack Kubota, a native Californian and civil engineer who generously shared his historic insights from his 74 years of experience.
Jack Kubota participated in an interview with Vallecitos Water District staff sharing recollections of the region’s water and wastewater development history. Photo: Vallecitos Water District
Kubota, who is now 95 years old, first came to the area after his graduation from UC Berkeley shortly after the Vallecitos Water District’s inception in 1955. He first worked for the City of Carlsbad Water Utilities Department in 1957, then started his own engineering firm in 1959. The City of Carlsbad Water Utilities Department was among Kubota’s clients for 26 years.
Currently, Kubota works with Hoch Engineering.
Lifelong Journey in the Water Industry
The video is produced by Public Information Representative Alicia Yerman, who learned about Kubota from his son Russell, who works at the district as a landscape maintenance technician.
Jack Kubota as a young Navy sailor. Photo: Courtesy Jack Kubota
“Russell mentioned his dad worked on a lot of the engineering projects in the area and played a big part in some big projects,” recalls Yerman. Yerman asked whether his dad would be open to talking about his work and also talk about some of the history he knows about the District.
Kubota thought his father would enjoy it, and it would lift his spirits to be asked.
“We invited Mr. Kubota to come and speak and had a list of questions to ask. He wanted it to be related to Vallecitos and he did not want the focus to be on him. He is very humble,” said Yerman.
The finished history of the Vallecitos Water District is now available for viewing on the district’s YouTube channel.
Vallecitos Water District: From Wells to Modern Innovation
Kubota has a keen memory for the district’s key initiatives over the years, allowing it to grow from a small operation relying on well water to diversification of supplies including the introduction of imported water, and the eventual integration of desalinated ocean water into the supply mix.
The Twin Oaks Valley location of what became the Twin Oaks Valley Reservoir being cleared in 1987. Photo: Vallecitos Water District
“From that beginning, I’ve been fortunate and privileged to be involved here in the San Diego area starting in 1952. I am grateful to be active and participate and share knowledge in the information that I can offer,” said Kubota.
The Twin Oaks Valley Reservoir under construction. Photo: Vallecitos Water District
Kubota reflects in the video on the growth of the region since his arrival.
“My goodness, if you look at the City of San Marcos today, when you look at the growth in terms of commerce, you look at the growth of the Cal State San Marcos campus, the medical facilities, Palomar College … you would be amazed!” said Kubota.
Collaboration Brings VWD Historic Insights Video To Life
Yerman says Kubota provided an old engineering document called the North Coastal SD Sewage Survey from 1960. She also combed through the district’s archives, and used slide equipment at the Carlsbad library.
Jack Kubota’s name appears in the staff credits of a 1960 report to the San Diego County Board of Supervisors. Photo: Vallecitos Water District/Jack Kubota
“After our interview, I realized I needed to get some B-roll of what he talked about and reached out to the Genealogy and Carlsbad History at the library to see if I could scan the negatives and the slide cartridges,” said Yerman.
(L to R) Darrell Genty, Trish Hannon, Paul Davy, Betty Ferguson, and Tim Shell at the Twin Oaks Pump Station opening. Photo: Vallecitos Water District
“The Carlsbad City Library’s Carlsbad History Collection contains many vital resources for understanding the development and management of water in our region, including our Collection of Carlsbad Water District Materials, 1911-1991,” said Jennifer Snapp-Cook, reference librarian for Genealogy and Carlsbad History at the Georgina Cole branch library.
“It includes historical maps, documents, and photographs that illustrate how water has influenced the growth and character of the communities in the area,”
“We were thrilled to have Vallecitos Water District reach out to us on this project and we look forward to any research assistance we can provide in the future.”
Library staff working with Genealogy and Carlsbad History at the City of Carlsbad Library assisted with project research. Additional help came from Cal State San Marcos Special Collections Library, MWD, and the San Diego History Center in San Diego. Photo: Vallecitos Water District
Yerman said her project was a success “with the help from the ladies at the genealogy and Carlsbad history at the library assisting me.” She also received assistance from Cal State San Marcos Special Collections Library personnel.
Kubota said the Vallecitos Water District was always keenly aware of its responsibilities to be involved and part of the community in San Marcos including service clubs like the Rotary and Lions Clubs, and the San Marcos Chamber of Commerce.
Jack Kubota Inspires The Future of the Water and Wastewater Industry
Jack Kubota emphasized the contributions from the many water and wastewater employees who played roles in the growth of the region’s services. Photo: Vallecitos Water District
Kubota said the district’s success is based not only on its technical advancements, but on its people.
“The entire success of the organization is dependent upon the capabilities, the attitudes, and the spirit, particularly in the area of young folks as they look for career opportunities getting into the water, wastewater sector. In my humble opinion, it’s a very, very rewarding place to be as a career,” said Kubota. He encourages people to consider careers in the water and wastewater industry.
“In my case, I was fortunate to become a practicing licensed engineer, and I’m just getting close to wrapping up my 74th year in the business. I can tell you, personally, it’s been a very rewarding enterprise to be in,” said Kubota.
Marissa Padilla, Capital Facilities Engineer and Alison Fisher, Capital Facilities Assistant Engineer personify the growing number of women in the water and wastewater industry. Photo: Vallecitos Water District
Kubota says he’s been impressed by the advances made by women in the industry.
“Way back when, you never saw a woman reading water meters. You never saw a woman at a wastewater treatment plant. You never saw a woman operating sewer line maintenance equipment. It just was not done.” Now, says Kubota, the industry recognizes the talent of its women employees with opportunities from operations to management to laboratory science. “The industry has made great advances, with the talents and the energies that you harness for the facilities here.”
https://www.waternewsnetwork.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/01/jack-kubota-hardhat-1080x720.jpg7241080Gayle Falkenthalhttps://www.waternewsnetwork.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/04/WNN-Horizontal-White-Blue2.pngGayle Falkenthal2025-01-28 07:19:382025-02-07 14:08:10Historic Insights In New Vallecitos Water District Video
San Diego County Water Authority Board Chair Nick Serrano has appointed new leadership for the Board’s committees and regional boards. These positions are responsible for running vital committees that impact all aspects of the Water Authority’s operations and representing the Water Authority on key regional bodies.
“I am proud to announce these appointments, which reflect the expertise, dedication, and leadership needed to advance our priorities for the San Diego region,” said Chair Serrano. “This group of leaders brings diverse perspectives to the table and shares my commitment to keeping water rates low, ending the era of litigation that has stood in the way of collaborative decision-making for the Southwest, fostering regional collaboration across Southern California, and ensuring a sustainable future for San Diego County.”
Board Chair Nick Serrano.
The new San Diego County Water Authority committee chairs are:
• Ismahan Abdullahi (City of San Diego) – Administrative & Finance Committee • Amy Reeh (Yuima Municipal Water District) – Engineering & Operations Committee • Neal Meyers (Olivenhain Municipal Water District) – Imported Water Committee • Valentine Macedo, Jr. (City of San Diego) – Legislation & Public Outreach Committee • Marty Miller (Vista Irrigation District) – Water Planning & Environmental Committee
Chair Serrano also appointed Chair Emeritus Mel Katz (City of Del Mar) to be San Diego’s new delegate to the Metropolitan Water District (MWD) of Southern California. Katz replaces former MWD Director Tim Smith (Otay Water District), who retired from this position late last year. Katz was officially sworn-in to his new role as an MWD delegate last week.
In addition, Board Secretary Joy Lyndes (San Dieguito Water District) will serve as the Water Authority’s primary representative to SANDAG.
“Together, we will continue to build on the progress we’ve made, tackle the challenges ahead, and deliver innovative solutions that meet the needs of our communities,” Serrano said. “I have full confidence in this team’s ability to advance our collective vision for a stronger, more affordable, and more resilient water future.”
The Water Authority’s 22 member agencies are represented through a 34-member Water Authority Board of Directors. At least one director from each agency sits on the Board. The Board establishes and administers policies for the Water Authority, and generally holds its regular meetings on the fourth Thursday of every month with special workshops and other meetings as needed.
San Diego regional member water agencies and California water associations offer multiple college scholarship opportunities in 2025 to help candidates secure their education as water and wastewater professionals.
The acceleration of industry retirements and the increasing need for a skilled workforce trained to implement new technologies result in an increased effort to develop more skilled individuals for water and wastewater industry jobs, including in San Diego County.
Scholarships are available for community colleges, four-year colleges and universities, and graduate-level programs. The following examples are due in the coming weeks for the following academic school year.
San Diego Regional Water Scholarships
Helix Water District will recognize two outstanding graduating high school seniors living within the district’s service area with $1,000 scholarships for their university studies next fall
The Robert D. Friedgen Scholarship and $1,000 Dr. Lillian M. Childs Scholarship honor two past leaders of Helix Water District. Friedgen retired in 1998 after 19 years as the district’s general manager, and Childs retired in 1999 after 20 years on the board of directors.
Applicants must graduate in Spring 2025 and attend a four-year college or university starting Fall 2025. Students submit a two-page essay exploring potable reuse and the East County Advanced Water Purification project. The scholarship committee reviews each applicant’s grades, extracurricular activities, volunteer and work experience, academic and career goals, and financial need.
(L to R) Ilona Medina, Elizabeth Fellars, and Juan Paz are the 2024 scholarship recipients from the Vista Irrigation District. Photo: Vista Irrigation District
Vista Irrigation District invites local high school seniors to compete for up to six scholarship(s) from the District ranging from $1,000 to $3,000. The purpose of the scholarship program is to increase knowledge and awareness of how water related issues influence our daily activities.
Students who compete for a scholarship must complete an essay and provide a one-page personal statement related to their background and/or goals. Selection criteria also include community involvement or volunteer service, and letters of recommendation from high school faculty.
Applications must be received via email or at the District’s office by 4 p.m. on Friday, February 21, 2025. Eligible students must live or go to school within the Vista Irrigation District service area. Find the application link here.
Contact Brent Reyes at (760) 597-3107 or with questions or to request application information.
Vallecitos Water District intern Logan Crawford was introduced to multiple job assignments during his recent internship. Photo: Vallecitos Water District
Vallecitos Water District invites local high school seniors and students at Palomar College and California State University San Marcos to compete for scholarships from the District. Up to six scholarships may be awarded, up to $2,000 per scholarship. The purpose of the scholarship program is to encourage students to learn more about water-related issues impacting their community.
Eligible students must live or attend school within the Vallecitos Water District’s service area. Scholarship applications from students pursuing careers in water, environmental science, engineering, or related fields are highly desirable.
Students must complete an essay and provide a personal statement related to their background and/or goals. Selection criteria include community involvement or volunteer service, a financial needs worksheet, and letters of recommendation from faculty or an associate.
Scholarship packages will be available starting February 3, 2025. To get application materials, email Chris Robbins at . Applications for the 2025 scholarship must be emailed or delivered to the District office by April 25, 2025.
Two $1,000 scholarships will be awarded to new or currently enrolled students at the Center for Water Studies at Cuyamaca College or another accredited college, community college, or trade school with a career goal in the water industry. The application deadline has not been determined. For questions regarding the scholarship, application, or uploading documentation, email .
California’s community colleges can help you quickly prepare for a water career by obtaining an associate’s degree. Photo: Andrew Nixon, California Dept. of Water Resources
Through the Foundation for Grossmont and Cuyamaca Colleges, the Mark Watton Scholarship Fund supports students attending the Center for Water Studies at Cuyamaca College. It honors Otay Water District General Manager Mark Watton’s four decades of service to the district.
Applicants must be enrolled for at least six units at Cuyamaca College, verify financial need, and complete the general application and essay. Scholarships of $1,000 are available. The application period is March 24 to May 2, 2025.
Students can contact Cuyamaca College scholarship specialist Shirley Hughes with questions at
National University partners with the San Diego County Water Authority to offer a 25% tuition reduction scholarship to employees and employees of all member water agencies. The San Diego County Water Authority Tuition Reduction Scholarship benefits working adults who want to reach specific educational goals but find it challenging to fit classes into their busy life. The tuition reduction scholarship can be applied to most associate, bachelor’s, and master’s degree programs. Click for more information.
California Statewide Water Scholarships
Andrea Solis used the CWEA Kirt Brooks Memorial Scholarship to fund her Civil Engineering studies at UC Davis. Photo: CWEA
The California Water Environment Association (CWEA) Kirt Brooks Memorial Water Environment Scholarship is a scholarship for students in or interested in the water environment industry who are members of CWEA or sponsored by a CWEA member.
Scholarships are given for the Fall – Summer school year following the application deadline.
Applications are due on April 25 for the school year beginning the following September. Applicants are notified in May/June of their status/amount of award. Apply online here.
The Association of California Water Agencies (ACWA) offers four undergraduate scholarships, one graduation scholarship, and a fellowship opportunity to qualified applicants attending a University of California or California State University campus.
Students must be juniors or seniors pursuing an undergraduate degree in a water-resources related field such as engineering, agriculture, environmental studies, or public administration. Criteria include scholastic achievement and motivation to the vocation of water-resources management.
ACWA began its scholarship programs in 1961 to motivate committed students to join the effort to ensure California’s water quality through sound management policies. The scholarship program is all about investing in future water leaders.
Deadline: March 1, 2025. Application Link. For questions, call 916-441-4545 or email .
Water and wastewater agencies and associations provide water workers with training and career development opportunities, so you can continue to grow and advance in your career. Photo: Andrew Nixon, California Dept. of Water Resources
The California-Nevada section of the American Water Works Association (AWWA) awards more than $20,000 in scholarships supporting students and professionals pursuing careers in a drinking water-related field. Two $5,000 graduate scholarships, four $2,500 undergraduate scholarships, and two $1,000 scholarships in support of training as a drinking water treatment/distribution operator are available.
Environmental and civil engineers; water, wastewater and recycling treatment plant operators; distribution system operators; chemists; laboratory technicians; biologists, ecologists and environmental scientists; and others whose roles support safe and reliable drinking water are all suitable candidates.
Deadline: March 15, 2025. Application Link. For information, call 909-481-7200 or email
The Water Environment Federation’s (WEF) Canham Graduate Studies scholarship provides $25,000 for a graduate student in the water environment field. The scholarship is for education-related expenses such as room and board, tuition, and books. It may not be used to cover stipends or wages.
The applicant must be a WEF member, complete an online application, and be enrolled in a graduate program. Recipients must commit to working in the water industry for two years following graduation.
According to the Centers for Excellence in Labor Market Research (COE), 67% of California water agencies report they are finding it difficult to recruit water and wastewater operators. Photo: Vallecitos Water District
With approximately 1,400 water and wastewater jobs expected to open across San Diego County in the next five years due to retirements, water industry careers offer promising lifelong professional opportunities. For more information, visit sandiegowaterworks.org
https://www.waternewsnetwork.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/01/2024-02-29-xm-0164-doe-soil-concrete-labs-testing-lebls.jpg7201080Gayle Falkenthalhttps://www.waternewsnetwork.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/04/WNN-Horizontal-White-Blue2.pngGayle Falkenthal2025-01-22 07:48:432025-01-22 07:48:432025 Scholarship Applications Open for Aspiring Water Professionals
Explore career options in the water and wastewater industry at the Cuyamaca College Center for Water Studies annual Open House and Student Orientation on Tuesday, January 21 at 6 p.m. in room L-104 on the Cuyamaca College campus.
Joe Young, Center for Water Studies program manager, enjoyed a successful 35-year career at the Helix Water District before leading the program. Instructors are all current or retired water and wastewater industry professionals.
Prospective students tour the Cuyamaca College Water and Wastewater Technology lab facilities during a recent open house. Photo: San Diego County Water Authority
“Everybody that works in this program, they’re all either working now or they’ve retired recently. Everybody has strong, intimate knowledge in their specialty,” said Young.
Young encourages anyone interested in exploring water and wastewater careers to attend and learn about the many options for good-paying, meaningful jobs.
Center for Water Studies alumni include Padre Dam Municipal Water District General Manager Kyle Swanson, seen here with his predecessor Don Carlisle. Photo: San Diego County Water Authority
Hundreds of current water and wastewater employees at San Diego County water agencies are Center alumni, including Padre Dam Municipal Water District General Manager Kyle Swanson, and Helix Water District General Manager Brian Olney.
Young said the opportunities and earning potential are substantial. In addition, the work itself is extremely rewarding.
“You’re providing this service your community cannot live without. It gives you a sense of purpose, a sense of mission, and it was the most appealing aspect of my career. What we do is really important,” said Young.
Cuyamaca College’s innovative Field Operations Skills Yard is newly updated to provide students with practical challenges they will face working with water and wastewater industry facilities. Photo: Cuyamaca College
During the Open House, Young said participants will hear an overview of the program, learn about the degrees and certificates offered, details on the State required certifications necessary for employment, and the range of careers available in the water and wastewater industry. Participants can meet instructors and current students and ask questions.
Young said instructors will discuss the program and what students will learn. “We’re training people in the knowledge they will need to pass their state certifications, and we’re very successful at that,” explains Young.
To RSVP, send an email to or .
Meaningful Job Opportunities
The Center offers seven degree programs with certificate and two-year degree options. Young says specialties include water treatment, water distribution, wastewater treatment, wastewater collection, backflow and cross-connection control, and water resources management.
Recently, the Center added an advanced water treatment program, which will prepare individuals for jobs at facilities such as Pure Water San Diego or the East County Advanced Water Project.
A career in the growing water industry presents an opportunity to pursue a very rewarding career while protecting the environment and serving the community in an essential role.
Skilled water professionals are in high demand as the current workforce ages. According to the federal Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), water and wastewater agencies employ more than 60,000 workers statewide, including 5,000 in San Diego County. The Water Research Foundation anticipates one-third of the utilities workforce will retire over the next decade, offering numerous openings.
According to the BLS, wastewater treatment and system operators earn an average annual wage of $80,000 in California.
Partnerships With Local Water Agencies
Cuyamaca College’s Water & Wastewater Technology program is the oldest and most comprehensive program of its kind in the California Community Colleges system. Photo: CWEA
Established in 1960, Cuyamaca College’s Water & Wastewater Technology program is the oldest and most comprehensive program of its kind in the California Community Colleges system. It has been educating the state’s water utility workforce for more than half a century.
Its innovative Field Operations Skills Yard provides students with practical challenges they will face in today’s complex water and wastewater facilities. Two labs give students hands-on training with backflow and cross-connection control and water quality lab analysis.
Members of the Cuyamaca College Water & Wastewater Technology Program Industry Advisory Committee include the San Diego County Water Authority, City of San Diego Public Utilities Department, Helix Water District, Padre Dam Municipal Water District, Otay Water District, Sweetwater Authority, the City of Escondido Utilities Department, Olivenhain Municipal Water District and other agencies.
https://www.waternewsnetwork.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/01/ecawp-education-center-2024-1080x720.jpg7201080Gayle Falkenthalhttps://www.waternewsnetwork.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/04/WNN-Horizontal-White-Blue2.pngGayle Falkenthal2025-01-16 07:35:512025-01-16 07:35:51Explore Water Industry Careers at Center For Water Studies Open House Jan. 21
San Diego business and civic leader Mel Katz was seated today as San Diego County Water Authority’s newest representative on the board of directors of the Metropolitan Water District of Southern California.
Katz has served on the Water Authority’s board of directors since 2018, representing the city of Del Mar and served as chair from 2022 to 2024. Katz succeeds Tim Smith, who represented the Water Authority on Metropolitan’s 38-member board since January 2018.
Chair Emeritus Mel Katz is sworn in as the Water Authority’s new delegate to MWD
“Director Katz and I formed strong bonds of partnership and friendship between our agencies during his time as chair of the San Diego County Water Authority Board of Directors. This will prove to be key to a new era of regionalism in water supply management encompassing all our member agencies including San Diego,” said Metropolitan board Chair Adán Ortega, Jr. “Director Katz is bringing his skill as a consensus builder to Metropolitan for the benefit of all of Southern California and I heartedly welcome him on behalf of the board.”
Katz is the co-founder and executive officer of Manpower San Diego, a staffing services firm that has grown to become the largest Manpower franchise in the United States. He has a long resume of civic involvement, including serving as board chair of the San Diego Regional Chamber of Commerce, the San Diego Workforce Partnership, San Diego Convention Center, American Cancer Society and the San Diego Library Commission.
Katz and his wife Linda were named Mr. and Mrs. San Diego in 2017 by San Diego Rotary for their extensive community leadership. The couple has three children and five grandchildren.
As San Diego enters the driest start to the water year since record keeping began in 1860, the San Diego County Water Authority has the reliable water supplies needed by the region for 2025 and beyond.
“We’ve been preparing for over three decades to have reliable water supplies, whether we’re in a drought or whether we have a wet year,” Water Authority Senior Water Resource Specialist Efren Lopez told CBS 8. “We have a lot of emergency storage in case there’s a disruption to our system.”
With coverage from CBS, KPBS and KUSI/Fox 5, the Water Authority has been informing and updating the public at every available opportunity.
The City of San Diego recorded only 0.14 inches of rain since Oct. 1, when typically it would have received between three and four inches.
While the lack of rain negatively impacts San Diego County’s flora and fauna — including increasing fire risk during the Santa Ana windstorms — the San Diego region doesn’t depend on local rainfall to supply the water that powers our economy and sustains our quality of life. Instead, the region uses a combination of desalinated seawater, conserved water from the Colorado River, recycled water, and runoff from the Sierra.
“San Diegans don’t need to worry about any water restrictions or any conservation mandates — we have plenty of water,” Lopez said.
Meanwhile, Northern California has been relatively wet. That means the state’s six major reservoirs are at 121% of their historical average levels at the beginning of 2025, slightly better than the same time last year. Additionally, the statewide snowpack is 115% of its historical average.
Precipitation over the next few months will be key to determining the state’s overall water supply for 2025. Regardless, the San Diego region has sufficient water for the foreseeable future.
https://www.waternewsnetwork.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/01/screenshot-2025-01-09-163304.png532963Jordan Beanehttps://www.waternewsnetwork.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/04/WNN-Horizontal-White-Blue2.pngJordan Beane2025-01-09 16:42:262025-01-10 10:49:22Local Media Turn To Water Authority at Start of Dry Year
Don’t miss this exclusive opportunity for emerging leaders throughout San Diego County to join the Citizens Water Academy and get an up-close understanding of our most important resource.
Over multiple sessions participants will learn firsthand about critical water issues affecting the region and go behind the scenes with water managers, planners, and engineers to gain a deeper understanding of the Water Authority’s life-sustaining mission.
Citizen Water Academy participants check out the Olivenhain Dam.
Since its launch in 2015, this award-winning program has equipped nearly 800 civically engaged leaders with the water knowledge they need to make a difference in their communities and careers.
Whether you’re a staffer or a working professional, an elected official or business leader, the information and relationships you’ll gain from the Citizens Water Academy will be impactful. Finally, graduates will have access to a robust and growing alumni network from across the region.
The application period runs from January 6 to February 28, with the class taking place in early April. Citizens Water Academy participants must attend all three sessions. The application is available on the Water Authority website through this link.
Session Guide:
Session 1 – Wednesday lunch hour, April 9 via Zoom. Welcome and overview by General Manager Dan Denham.
Session 2 – Thursday evening, April 10. Dinner, presentations, and activities. Topic: planning for a water-resilient future.
Session 3 – Saturday, April 12, half day. Breakfast and lunch, and behind-the-scenes tours of the Water Authority’s Operations Center and Olivenhain Dam and Pump Station.
https://www.waternewsnetwork.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/01/Citizens-Water-Academy-Summer-2023-Class8-SLIDER.jpg6491500Jordan Beanehttps://www.waternewsnetwork.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/04/WNN-Horizontal-White-Blue2.pngJordan Beane2025-01-07 14:28:102025-01-07 14:40:41Applications Now Open for Spring 2025 Citizens Water Academy
