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(L to R) General Manager Kimberly A. Thorner and former OMWD board members Bob Topolovac and Larry Watt at a 2017 Water for People fundraising event. Photo: Olivenhain Municipal Water District

Water For People Recognizes Kimberly Thorner for Volunteer Leadership

Olivenhain Municipal Water District General Manager Kimberly Thorner was honored with the Kenneth J. Miller Founders’ Award by Water For People, an international non-profit organization, for her efforts on American Water Works Association’s California-Nevada Section’s Water for People San Diego Committee.

The award recognizes exceptional volunteers who are working to support water and sanitation in developing countries.

“I am extremely honored to receive this award,” said Thorner. “Water For People is one of my favorite charities. They support disadvantaged communities across the globe to improve their quality of life with water, sanitation, and hygiene services.”

Thorner performs volunteer work for the Water for People San Diego Committee behind the scenes. In addition, she also appears on stage at its annual fundraising luncheon for water and wastewater professionals, which raised over $24,000 in 2024.

“I attended my first Water For People fundraising luncheon 14 years ago, and I heard a speaker talk about how girls and women would disappear on long walks to water sources to fetch water. It hit me hard, as I realized, with young daughters of my own, how fortunate we were to have clean water from our taps at our fingertips,” said Thorner.

“Since then, I have had the honor and pleasure of working on and emceeing the event 11 times. “In addition to raising crucial funding, the event spotlights successful projects and emphasizes the need for Water For People worldwide. All the employees at OMWD hold this charity close to their hearts.”

Long History Of Support By Thorner and OMWD Employees

Olivenhain Municipal Water District General Manager Kim Thorner and Education and Conservation Coordinator Teresa Chase with some of the 255 nut baskets sold, with $5,610 going to Water for People. Photo: Olivenhain Municipal Water District.

Olivenhain Municipal Water District General Manager Kim Thorner and Education and Conservation Coordinator Teresa Chase with some of the 255 nut baskets sold, with $5,610 going to Water for People in 2023. Photo: Olivenhain Municipal Water District.

Thorner and OMWD employees have volunteered and contributed to Water For People events for more than 20 years, raising thousands of dollars by assembling, selling, and purchasing holiday gift baskets. This effort represents 11 percent of the total proceeds from basket sales in San Diego County.

Thorner has also hosted “Walk for Water” fundraising walks at OMWD’s Elfin Forest Recreational Reserve. The length of the walks, six kilometers, represents the average distance that women and girls in developing countries walk each day to fetch water for their families to use for drinking, bathing, and cooking.

“Kim Thorner has been an outstanding volunteer for Water For People in numerous ways over the years,” said Tom Alspaugh, who nominated Thorner for the award. “She has spearheaded support for Water For People’s events and activities, and in exemplifying excellent service, she is well deserving of the Miller award.”

Regional Leaders Hail Settlement Agreement

Community leaders from across San Diego County expressed their support for the end of long running litigation between the San Diego County Water Authority and Metropolitan Water District following the morning news conference announcing the settlement.

San Diego Mayor Todd Gloria

“Settling litigation between Metropolitan and the Water Authority is a springboard for stabilizing rates through water exchanges and transfers. I’m proud of the work our city delegates have done to get to this point and believe strongly that this is necessary to secure our future as a city and region.” – San Diego Mayor Todd Gloria

“The San Diego County Water Authority’s skilled and trained workforce keeps the water flowing across our region. By ending 15 years of litigation, the Water Authority can continue their focus on reducing the cost of water and the workers can focus on what they do best – making sure we never have to think about whether water will flow from our faucet.” – Brigette Browning, President, San Diego and Imperial Counties Labor Council, AFL-CIO – The Union of Unions

Brigette Browning, President, San Diego and Imperial Counties Labor Council, AFL-CIO – The Union of Unions

“We applaud the Water Authority and Metropolitan for ending this long-running litigation, recognizing that we’re stronger together. Our $262 billion economy runs on the supply the Water Authority provides. Looking ahead, the creation of water markets in California and across the Southwest will provide rate benefits that businesses in our region need to grow and thrive.” –  Mark Cafferty, President & COO, San Diego Regional Economic Development Corporation

“Biocom California as an organization was literally founded around the issue of water availability in the 1990s. One of the reasons we were able to grow to be one of the largest life science clusters in the world is because of the foresight of the San Diego County Water Authority. We are thrilled that two entities we work with and respect have resolved their differences, and are excited for what this means for California’s water future.” – Tim Scott, President and CEO, Biocom California

Back row (L to R): Vallecitos water District Board member Craig Elitharp, Board President Jim Pennock, Board member Jim Hernandez, and Board Vice President Jennifer Kerschbaum. Front row (L to R): Student winners Maryanne Alvezures, Jimena Castillo Medina, and Liv Williams. Photo: Vallecitos Water District

Students Recognized For Conservation Posters by Vallecitos Water District

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 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

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

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.

Finalists in the City of Escondido 2025 Water Awareness Student Poster Contest: Row 1 (L to R): Ethan Blades, Citali Guitierrez, Milan Galiano, Lila Manoocheri, Nathali Morales Amaya. Row 2 (L to R): Baylie Sarno, Ava Barclay, Landon Hickman, Michael Harmon, Matthew Rios Perez, Pakeezah Nabi. Not pictured: Haley Hone. Photo: City of Escondido

Winners Announced In City of Escondido 2025 Student Poster Contest

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 2025 student

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

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

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

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 (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

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.

Fairways at Lake San Marcos HOA replaced 23,000 square feet of common area turf grass with native and drought-tolerant plants. Photo: County of San Diego

One Water Awards Honors Vallecitos Water District Projects

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 One Water Awards

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

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.

San Elijo HOA Project

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 One Water Awards

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.

Three winning posters created by fourth grade students were chosen as the 2025 Olivenhain Municipal Water District Poster Contest winners. Photo: Olivenhain Municipal Water District

OMWD Announces 2025 Water Awareness Poster Contest Winners

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.”

Student Posters Contest Winners Illustrate Contest Theme

The winning poster by Kaiyan Beam from Olivenhain Pioneer Elementary School. Photo: Olivenhain Municipal Water District

The winning poster by Kaiyan Beam from Olivenhain Pioneer Elementary School. Photo: Olivenhain Municipal Water District

Kaiyan Beam’s winning poster features a water spigot saving a water drop from falling, with the caption “Don’t waste water, love water.”

The winning poster by David Brand from Stone Ranch Elementary School. Photo: Olivenhain Municipal Water District student poster contest

The winning poster by David Brand from Stone Ranch Elementary School. Photo: Olivenhain Municipal Water District

David Brand’s winning poster depicts a mountain range and a river flowing through a forest, with the caption, “Love Save Water.”

The winning poster by Audrey Nam from Stone Ranch Elementary School. Photo: Olivenhain Municipal Water District student poster contest

The winning poster by Audrey Nam from Stone Ranch Elementary School. Photo: Olivenhain Municipal Water District

Audrey Nam’s winning entry showcases a colorful machine that recycles water, and the caption is “Water Saver & Recycler.”

The annual Water Awareness Poster Contest is now in its 32nd year. The posters will be featured in next year’s 2026 Water Awareness Calendar.

 

Ashley Beard received the Helix Water District’s Robert D. Friedgen Scholarship, and Agostinho Soto-wang received the Dr. Lillian M. Childs Scholarship. L to R: Helix Water District Division 2 Director Andrea Beth Damsky, Helix Division 3 Director Mark Gracyk, Ashley Beard, Helix Board Vice President Joel Scalzitti, Agostinho Soto-wang, Helix Board President Dan McMillan and Helix Division 4 Director Kathleen Coates Hedberg. Photo: Helix Water District scholarships

East County Students Win Helix Water District Scholarships

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 countysuburbs. 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 scholarships

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.

The Otay Water District received the District Transparency Certificate of Excellence from the California Special District Association’s Special District Leadership Foundation at an Otay board meeting (L to R): Gary Croucher, Otay Board Director; Jose Martinez, Otay General Manager; Chris Palmer, CSDA Senior Public Affairs Field Coordinator; Francisco Rivera, Otay Board Director; and Mark Robak, Otay Board Director. Photo: Otay Water District

Otay Water District Awarded Transparency Certificate of Excellence

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

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.

 

Vista fourth grade students Presley Regan and Cosette Kennedy display their award winning poster contest entries. Photo: Vista Irrigation District

Talented Students Win 2025 Vista Irrigation District Awards

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

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 awards

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 awards

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

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 awards

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.

For the fifth time, the Olivenhain Municipal Water District's 4S Ranch Water Reclamation Facility received statewide recognition from CWEA. Photo: Olivenhain Municipal Water District

4S Ranch Water Reclamation Facility Named 2024 Plant of the Year

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 4S Ranch Water Reclamation Facility

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 4S Ranch Water Reclamation Facility

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.