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Welcome to the Board-Vicki Quiram-Carlsbad

Welcome to the Board: Vicki Quiram, Carlsbad Municipal Water District

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(Editor’s Note: This feature highlights new members of the San Diego County Water Authority’s 36-member Board of Directors. Each of the Water Authority’s 24 member agencies appoints at least one representative to the Board, which sets policy for the Water Authority.)

Welcome to the Board: Vicki Quiram, Carlsbad Municipal Water District

Who: Vicki Quiram was seated on the San Diego County Water Authority Board of Directors on June 19, 2023, representing the Carlsbad Municipal Water District. Quiram serves on the Water Planning and Environmental and Imported Water committees for the Water Authority.

Background/Education: Vicki Quiram earned a Bachelor of Science Civil Engineering from the University of Texas. She is a Registered Professional Engineer (Texas) Public Works Leadership Fellow, a Envision Sustainability Professional, and holds a Masters Certificate in High Performance Leadership and Certified Life Coach. Quiram is a former Public Works Director and Assistant Director of Public Works for the County of Orange and the cities of Ventura and Westwood. She also served as New Hampshire Commissioner of Administrative and Environmental Services.

Water Industry Affiliations: North San Diego Water Reuse Coalition, American Water Works Association, American Public Works Association, and National Water Resources Committee.

Q & A

Q: How did you get interested in water issues?

A: My interest in water started as a little girl with a father that had a passion for water and took the family every Sunday on drives to water and wastewater treatment facilities 😊. Because of this instilled love for water, I later received my engineering degree with a focus on hydraulics and hydrology.  Since that time, I have had the wonderful opportunity to work in the water, wastewater, stormwater, flood control, watershed planning and environmental professions in both the private sector and city, county and state governments.  My passion for this industry has never stopped growing.  I am very fortunate to have experienced the excitement of seeing all water become One Water! My passion for the always-interesting, constantly-changing and challenging world of water will never end.

Q: What are your priorities or interests as a Board member?

A: I will prioritize the availability of a safe, reliable, and affordable water and recycled water supply for all customers that we represent. I will personally and professionally prioritize listening to and understanding the diverse needs and opinions of other board members and the extremely qualified Water Authority staff and will ask questions and work hard to make the best decisions possible for the region.

Q: Besides maintaining safe and reliable water supplies, what do you see as the top three issues facing the San Diego region?

A: Housing and Transportation; The maintenance and replacement of aging infrastructure; More extreme weather in the future and the difficulty of planning and being prepared for droughts, floods and other events that challenge the people’s housing and infrastructure.

Q: What do you like to do when you are not working?

A: Spend time with my husband, children and grandchildren; Camp, hike and be outdoors, Facilitate skills classes and mentor and coach women.

The Water Authority’s Board of Directors typically meets on the fourth Thursday of each month. The Board invites the public to attend its monthly meetings and to comment on agenda items or other matters before the Board. For meeting times, agendas and documents, go to​ www.sdcwa.org/board-directors

Dean Williams replace his grass with colorful drought tolerant plants. His landscape makeover won first place. Photo: Vallecitos Water District 2023

Vallecitos Water District 2023 Landscape Makeover Winners Find Inspiration

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Three resourceful homeowners took advantage of free resources, including design and plant selection advice, to create beautiful drought-tolerant landscapes. Their projects were named winners of the 2023 Vallecitos Water District Landscape Makeover Contest.

Video features the three winning projects

Dean Williams: Drab To Delightful

Carlsbad homeowner Dean Williams and his wife didn’t like their existing landscaping.

“It wasn’t a garden, it was a yard,” recalls Williams.

In 2020, Williams found resources on the Vallecitos Water District website for saving water by redesigning your landscaping. The results won first place in the 2023 landscape makeover contest.

Dean Williams' home after completing his landscape makeover. Photo: Vallecitos Water District

Dean Williams’ home after completing his landscape makeover. Photo: Vallecitos Water District

“There are so many resources. The first step was to take some landscape classes offered through the San Diego County Water Authority, find out the process and what I needed to do,” said Williams.

After removing existing turf using the sheet mulching method to create healthy soil, he planned a colorful plant palette to replace his grass.

Dean Williams' home before his winning landscape makeover. Photo: Vallecitos Water District 2023

Dean Williams’ home before his winning landscape makeover. Photo: Vallecitos Water District

“One of the big things I wanted to change was to go from a drab landscape to having some variety by using different textures on the plants, different flowers, different colors, and complementing colors,” said Williams, who used purple and yellow as the primary landscape colors. “I tried to have an interesting landscape pleasing to the eye.”

The colorful redesign saves water and costs. Photo: Vallecitos Water District

The colorful redesign saves water and costs. Photo: Vallecitos Water District

Williams said the benefit of installing drip irrigation and a smart controller was significant water and cost savings.

“We’ve noticed over that our water use and bills have gone slowly down,” he said.

Lessons learned

Williams said the “do it yourself” project offered many lessons learned, including watering too often.

“Drought-tolerant plants don’t do well in wet soil,” said Williams.

Williams encourages other homeowners to tap into all the available resources through the Vallecitos Water District, Water Authority, City of Carlsbad, and others for advice and possible rebates to offset their investment.

“It just pays in more ways than one to change your landscape. “I want to thank Vallecitos Water District for selecting us so we can showcase our landscape transformation,” said Williams.

Dean Williams took advantage of free resources offered by the Vallecitos Water District and San Diego County Water Authority. Photo: Vallecitos Water District

Dean Williams took advantage of free resources offered by the Vallecitos Water District and San Diego County Water Authority. Photo: Vallecitos Water District

Donald De Tar: DIY project earns second place

Donald De Tar's home after completing his landscape makeover. Photo: Vallecitos Water District 2023

Donald De Tar’s home after completing his landscape makeover. Photo: Vallecitos Water District

Donald De Tar learned about the annual Landscape Makeover Contest through the Palomar Cactus and Succulent Society. “So, we decided on a lark to enter,” said De Tar.

His Woodlawn Park area home in San Marcos is dedicated to succulents, cactus, and drought-tolerant plants.

De Tar says it not only saves water but it also saves time spent mowing, fertilizing, and trimming grass. It’s also a lot of fun.

Donald De Tar's home before his landscape makeover. Photo: Vallecitos Water District 2023

Donald De Tar’s home before his landscape makeover. Photo: Vallecitos Water District

De Tar is proud of the budget-friendly approach to his landscaping.

“I did it on a very inexpensive budget,” said De Tar. “It doesn’t have to be super expensive, especially if you join an organization like the Palomar Cactus and Succulent Society. It can be almost free, especially if you’re doing the work yourself.”

De Tar learned about rebate programs through the Vallecitos Water District, and he successfully applied for rebates to offset costs. “Over time, we did the whole yard, and the backyards and side yards have been transformed.”

I’m very appreciative of the Vallecitos contest,” said De Tar. “I like the fact that Vallecitos is involved in the community and promotes these kinds of contests.”

Mily Le Wins Third Place

The results of Mily Le's landscape makeover, which won second place. Photo: Vallecitos Water District 2023

The results of Mily Le’s landscape makeover, which won second place. Photo: Vallecitos Water District

Third place went to longtime San Marcos homeowner Mily Le. She learned about the annual landscape contest through the Vallecitos Water District’s customer newsletter, “Between The Pipes.”

Le visited the lawn replacement program website and learned how to remove her regional grass safely and effectively. She got her design laid out and purchased plants from her local nursery.

Mily Le's home before her landscape makeover. Photo: Vallecitos Water District 2023

The Mily Le home before her landscape makeover. Photo: Vallecitos Water District

As a result, Le says she saves about 30% of her water consumption after replacing her lawn. She says she learned from a neighbor’s experience about researching the eventual size of plants before planting them.

“(My neighbor) did not look it up,” she said. “She had to demolish the front yard, so I took that lesson.”

Le suggests lots of advance planning with your layout. “I’m glad I did it. I think it’s a successful project,” said Le.

For rebates, classes, and water-saving tips: sdcwa.org/your-water/conservation/.

(Editor’s note: The Vallecitos Water District is one of the San Diego County Water Authority’s 24 member agencies that deliver water across the metropolitan San Diego region.)

A 1920s La Mesa landscape used lush floral color with climate-appropriate plants, winning recognition from the Helix Water District as the runner-up in its 2023 WaterSmart Landscape Contest. Photo: Helix Water District lush landscape

Lush Landscape Recognized as Runner-Up in Helix Landscape Contest

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The slope of a 1920s La Mesa home went from a drab lawn to lush floral color with climate-appropriate plants, winning recognition from the Helix Water District as the runner-up in its 2023 WaterSmart Landscape Contest.

The country garden with climate-appropriate plants is the creation of Joanna and Larry Henning. Photo: Helix Water District lush landscape

Joanna and Larry Henning created the country garden with climate-appropriate plants. Photo: Helix Water District

The contest promotes beautiful, water-efficient landscapes and rewards people for their inspiring gardens. Joanna and Larry Henning created the country garden with climate-appropriate plants.

The Hennings bought the property in La Mesa‘s historic downtown area in 2017. Its landscape was covered in weeds and poorly maintained trees. The couple wanted a new landscape that would fill in the expansive slope and be water efficient while staying true to the character of their home.

Before

The Hennings home prior to its landscape makeover. Photo: Helix Water District lush landscape

Before the landscape makeover. Photo: Helix Water District

After

The Hennings landscape after its makeover. Photo: Helix Water District lush landscape

After the landscape makeover. Photo: Helix Water District

Succulent cuttings

Planting an area this large with new plants can be expensive. But the couple were creative and resourceful, sourcing their plants for the new landscape design. Larry Henning used succulent cuttings from friends and family to plant most of their new landscape.

They supplemented the landscape with carefully chosen specimen plants, including protea, sages, and plumeria. These choices create the landscape’s variety of interesting shapes and colors. Five years after starting the project, even the slowest growing plants are fully grown and have transformed the landscape.

Irrigation efficiency

Plants receive water from inline drip irrigation with pressure-compensating drip emitters. Photo: Helix Water District lush landscape

Plants receive water from inline drip irrigation with pressure-compensating drip emitters. Photo: Helix Water District

The landscape uses water efficiently to provide enough water for the plants to flourish without waste. Watering schedules are controlled using a smart weather-based irrigation controller. It automatically adjusts for rain and weather changes. Plants receive water from inline drip irrigation with pressure-compensating drip emitters.

Pressure compensation is essential for sloped landscapes because it maintains even watering rates all along the slope and prevents overwatering areas at the bottom of the landscape, where pressure is higher. Mulch covers the drip system, which protects the soil and slows evaporation.

Colorful addition to the La Mesa neighborhood

The view from the patio at the Hennings' La Mesa home. Photo: Helix Water District

The view from the patio. Photo: Helix Water District

The landscape delivers ample curb appeal. From the street, trees frame the landscape, filled with shades of green and pops of color. Viewers can also see agave, cacti, and dozens of other succulents. Many display long cones of flowers. From the front patios, the garden provides a tranquil space for the family to enjoy.

District officials selected the landscape for special runner-up recognition due to its impressive transformation and efficient use of color and irrigation.

Helix Water District holds its landscape makeover contest annually. Entries are accepted starting every February through mid-May. For entry information, go to landscapecontest.com.

(Editor’s note: The Helix Water District is one of the San Diego County Water Authority’s 24 member agencies that deliver water across the San Diego County region.) 

A beautiful Santee garden oasis is the winner of the 2023 Padre Dam Municipal Water District Landscape Contest. Photo: Padre Dam Municipal Water District

Santee Garden Oasis Wins 2023 Padre Dam Municipal Water District Landscape Contest

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Santee homeowners Edie and Tate Thomas created a beautiful landscape with California native plants to save water, beautify their home, and support the region’s wildlife. Their effort won the 2023 Padre Dam Municipal Water District landscape makeover contest.

Preserving rainfall by design 

The Thomases buried large unglazed clay pots in their yard called ollas, watering the plants with minimal water loss. Photo: Padre Dam Municipal Water District Santee Garden

Buried large unglazed clay pots in their yard called ollas, allows watering the plants with minimal water loss. Photo: Padre Dam Municipal Water District

In 2018, the couple began working on their makeover project. Edie Thomas is an architect, and Tate Thomas is a contractor. They took advantage of their building and design skills by creating a topography to capture and preserve the rainwater falling on their yard.

Their landscape is irrigated through underground rock ravines that collect rainwater in a rock-lined underground cistern reservoir which flows water to plants through gravity. They also buried large unglazed clay pots in their yard called ollas, which have above-ground access points to refill them with water. Plants wrap their roots around the porous ollas, which seep water out as needed, watering the plants with minimal water loss.

Edit Thomas advises other homeowners to do the same with their landscape topography.

“I always recommend people visualize a single drop of rainwater falling at the highest point of your landscape,” she said. “Watch where gravity takes that raindrop and plan your landscape around that flow.”

The pair also use drip irrigation about once a month along with occasional hand watering during extended dry periods.

Colorful variety of native plants featured

A wide variety of California native plants are featured in the winning landscape design. Photo: Padre Dam Municipal Water District Santee garden

A wide variety of California native plants are featured in the winning landscape design. Photo: Padre Dam Municipal Water District

Long nature walks and information from the California Native Plant Society inspired the Thomas’s to use native plants for most of their landscape, mixing colors and texture to be visually appealing. They have been richly rewarded with an ecosystem of butterflies, caterpillars, bees, birds, and bunnies. They describe their design concept as “playful chaos.”

Community space

The sidewalk in front of the garden is designed to be a community space for those walking by. The large California Coastal Live Oak provides shade to the retaining wall, designed as a place to sit and rest. Visitors can browse through books from the couple’s Little Free Library. Water-efficient herbs growing in the planter boxes under the tree are offered to those who pass by.

Edie and Tate Thomas spend most evenings on their patio, enjoying the space and watching their ecosystem thrive. They look forward to watching the plants grow and mature in the coming years and even decades.

“It’s so rewarding to see people come by and rest in the shade or take some rosemary for their dinner,” said Edie Thomas. “I love that we get to give a small square of land back to nature and that our neighbors enjoy it as much as we do.”

(Editor’s note: The Padre Dam Municipal Water District is one of the San Diego County Water Authority’s 24 member agencies that deliver water across the San Diego County region.) 

Austin Black, water conservation specialist for Waterwise Consulting, is overseeing the San Marcos School District water audit project. Photo: Vallecitos Water District

San Marcos Unified School District Benefits From Free Water Use Survey

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Free water use surveys offered through the Metropolitan Water District of Southern California provide both residential and commercial customers with recommendations to improve landscape and indoor water use efficiency. The surveys are available throughout Southern California, including San Diego County.

The San Marcos Unified School District took advantage of the opportunity for water use surveys at 17 of the district’s school sites. It is among the largest single regional customer survey to date.

Austin Black, water conservation specialist for WaterWise Consulting, oversees the audit project.

“We are auditing the irrigation system of all of the schools with more than one acre of landscape area [for this project],” said Austin. “The survey tests all the different irrigation zones, looking at the type of landscape and plant material, and weather factors. We take all that data and calculate potential water savings based on our recommendations.”

Recommendations may include converting to drip irrigation, installing smart controllers, and replacing grass with a WaterWise landscape with a more efficient watering system.

(L to R): San Marcos USD groundskeeper Xavier McCurry, Austsin Black and Arlene Acosta of WaterWise Consulting discuss the SDUSD water audit. Photo: Vallecitos Water District San Marcos Unified

(L to R): San Marcos USD groundskeeper Xavier McCurry, Austin Black, and Arlene Acosta of WaterWise Consulting discuss the water audit. Photo: Vallecitos Water District

Surveyors also adjust existing sprinklers for maximum efficiency and compile a list of repairs and upgrades to improve water use efficiency.

“In our effort to be good stewards of all resources used by the district, the decision to participate was an easy one,” said Ted Norman, SMUSD executive director of maintenance and operations. “We will review all our options and implement as many of the recommendations as we can. It’s a win for everyone.”

Simple improvements add up to significant savings

Water Conservation Specialist Arlene Acosta of WaterWise Consulting assesses irrigation coverage at San Marcos Elementary School. Photo: Vallecitos Water District San Marcos Unified

Water Conservation Specialist Arlene Acosta of WaterWise Consulting assesses irrigation coverage at San Marcos Elementary School. Photo: Vallecitos Water District

In one example, the audit report provided to the district for the San Marcos Elementary School estimates that implementing the recommended water-saving measures can reduce landscape water use by approximately 252,000 gallons. Project cost savings are $1,363 annually. If similar savings are achieved at 17 schools, this reflects significant net savings to taxpayers.

“We will submit the reports, and the district can make the changes as they wish,” said Black. “The goal is to create water savings for the entire district and the [water] agency as well.”

MWD can assign a consultant to work with SMUSD and other customers after the audit is completed to help prioritize changes recommended in the survey. The consultant services are free.

Residential surveys find water, cost savings for homeowners

Water Conservation Specialist Arlene Acosta of WaterWise Consulting conducts a residential audit. Photo: Vallecitos Water District San Marcos Unified

Water Conservation Specialist Arlene Acosta of WaterWise Consulting conducts a residential audit. Photo: Vallecitos Water District

Homeowners can also take advantage of free surveys. Residential surveys look at both indoor and outdoor home water use.

“It’s a comprehensive survey checking for leaks and ways we can make the household more efficient,” said Black.

Along with irrigation improvements, the residential audit reviews the replacement of inefficient plumbing fixtures and other simple adjustments.

Customers of any of the San Diego County Water Authority’s 24 member agencies can visit the website waterefficiencysurvey.com. Enter home address to determine if your residence is located in a qualified area.

SLIDER San Marcos Unified School District water audit

Austin Black with WaterWise Consulting monitors usage during a water audit at San Marcos Elementary School. Photo: Vallecitos Water District

A certified landscape irrigation auditor will schedule a survey and provide written recommendations for qualifying properties. Participants will receive a written report that includes the following:

  • Data collected during the survey.
  • Recommendations for improving the site’s irrigation efficiency including system repairs, equipment updates, and irrigation scheduling.
  • Information about available financial incentives to help with the cost of recommended improvements.

Surveys are scheduled on a first-come, first-served basis. Applying does not guarantee a survey will be provided. Properties may only receive one survey for the life of the program. After filling out an online application the next step is scheduling a visit from a certified landscape auditor.

San Diego County residents can also take advantage of savings with rebates on a variety of water-saving technologies such as high-efficiency clothes washers and toilets, rain barrels and irrigation nozzles.

(Editor’s note: The Vallecitos Water District is one of the San Diego County Water Authority’s 24 member agencies that deliver water across the San Diego County region.) 

Scholarships were issued to local students by the Vallecitos Water District to help them continue their higher education. (L to R): Board Vice President Tiffany Boyd-Hodgson, scholarship winners Phlavia Oyrem, Caitlyn Hansen, and Julianna Stipica-Kelecic, Board President Jim Hernandez, scholarship winners Daniel Baza, Evan Fox, and Board Member Erik A. Groset. Not pictured: Board Members Craig Elitharp and Jim Pennock, scholarship winner Brook Sannella. Photo: Vallecitos Water District

Students Recognized For Conservation Art, Scholarship Excellence by Vallecitos Water District

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The Vallecitos Water District Board of Directors recognized students from district area schools for their excellence in the classroom in two separate contests: poster art for fourth graders and an essay competition for scholarships.

Students who compete for a scholarship must complete an essay and provide a personal statement related to their background and/or goals. The annual contest is open to students living or attending schools within the Vallecitos Water District service area and is intended to increase the knowledge and awareness of water-related issues affecting the region.

Six students were selected to receive $1,000 college scholarship: Phlavia Oyrem, La Jolla High School, who plans to attend Palomar College; Brook Sannella, San Marcos High School, who plans to attend UCSD; Daniel Baza, Evan Fox, and Caitlyn Hansen, who all attend Palomar College; and Julianna Stipica-Kelecic, who attends Cal State San Marcos and Palomar College.

Baza, Fox, Hansen, and Oyrem all plan to pursue water studies and water industry careers. Fox completed a Spring 2023 Internship with Vallecitos Water District while attending Palomar College.

Oyrem was selected as the Fall 2023 Intern with Vallecitos when she attends Palomar this fall.

Fourth graders promote water conservation through art

Double Peak K-8 fourth-grade student Natalie Clark of San Marcos win first place in the Vallecitos District’s 2023 Water Awareness Poster Contest. Photo: Vallecitos Water District student recognized

Double Peak K-8 fourth-grade student Natalie Clark of San Marcos win first place in the Vallecitos District’s 2023 Water Awareness Poster Contest. Photo: Vallecitos Water District

Love Water, Save Water

In addition, three fourth-grade students from the local community were named winners of the district’s annual student poster art contest. The poster contest, which focuses on students in the fourth grade, is designed to promote understanding of water issues in elementary schools.

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 2024 Water Awareness Calendar, available for free at the district’s office starting in December 2023.

First Place: Natalie Clark of San Marcos. Photo: Vallecitos Water District students recognized

First Place: Natalie Clark of San Marcos. Photo: Vallecitos Water District

Double Peak K-8 fourth-grade student Natalie Clark of San Marcos, age 10, received first place in the Vallecitos District’s 2023 Water Awareness Poster Contest. Her teacher is Abby Lyon. Natalie wrote about her entry, “I love water because we can’t live without it, and when I touch, see, smell the water, I feel connected.”

Mikaela Fuentes, second place. Photo: Vallecitos Water District student recognized

Mikaela Fuentes, second place. Photo: Vallecitos Water District

Mikaela Fuentes of Baypoint Academy, age 9, received second-place. Mikaela wrote about water: “It keeps us alive and is the source of all living things and animals.”

Grant Neum, third place. Photo: Vallecitos Water DIstrict students recognized

Grant Neum, third place. Photo: Vallecitos Water District

Grant Neum, also from Baypoint Academy, age 9, placed third. Grant wrote he loves water “Because water helps the world grow.”

(Editor’s note: The Vallecitos Water District is one of the San Diego County Water Authority’s 24 member agencies that deliver water across the San Diego County region.) 

Helix Water District Board President Kathleen Coates Hedberg poses with one of the district's electric Prius service vehicles at a charging station. Photo: Helix Water District Water energy leader

Helix Water District Named Water Energy Leader with Energy Use Reductions

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Helix Water District received recognition from The Climate Registry as a Water-Energy Leader Gold organization after the district reduced its electric use by 15% and greenhouse gas emissions by 40%.

The Climate Registry is a nonprofit organization that helps companies, governments, and institutions reduce their emissions. Its Water-Energy Nexus Registry is sponsored by the California Environmental Protection Agency and allows utilities and cities to measure, track, and mitigate greenhouse gas emissions associated with California’s water system.

The University of San Diego Energy Policy Initiative Center, or EPIC, confirmed the district’s 2019 and 2021 total greenhouse gas emissions are 40% lower than those in 2009. EPIC’s findings were verified by a third party. The Climate Registry made the announcement this month based on this verification.

Solar panels atop the Helix Water District Operations Center in El Cajon help reduce energy consumption and greenhouse gas emissions. Photo: Helix Water District Water energy leader

Solar panels atop the Helix Water District Operations Center in El Cajon help reduce energy consumption and greenhouse gas emissions. Photo: Helix Water District

“This award is a testament to the fact you can be a good steward of the environment while also making sound financial decisions,” said Helix Board President Kathleen Coates Hedberg. “We found that energy efficiency is very similar to water conservation. You take advantage of every opportunity to save a little bit because there isn’t one thing that will get you to the finish line. But together they have an impact.”

Retrofits, upgrades, and sustainability savings add up

Helix Water District Board of Directors in the district’s new all-electric, zero-emission, Ford F-150 Lightning pickup truck. Driver’s seat: Board President Kathleen Coates Hedberg. Backseat: Director Dan McMillan. Back of the truck: Directors Joel Scalzitti, De Ana Verbeke and Mark Gracyk. Photo: Helix Water District sustainability

Helix Water District Board of Directors in the district’s new all-electric, zero-emission, Ford F-150 Lightning pickup truck in 2022. Driver’s seat: Board President Kathleen Coates Hedberg. Backseat: Director Dan McMillan. Back of the truck: Directors Joel Scalzitti, De Ana Verbeke and Mark Gracyk. Photo: Helix Water District

Helix achieved its most recent emission reductions through multiple efforts, including a comprehensive lighting retrofit program, new lighting management system, and an upgrade to the HVAC system at the district’s R.M. Levy Water Treatment Plant.

Helix also transitioned its diesel fleet to 100% renewable diesel fuel.

Previously, the district installed solar panels at its operations center, initiated load shifting at its Levy Water Treatment Plant and pump stations to off-peak periods, and obtaining grants to install electric vehicle charging stations at its facilities.

In 2021, the San Diego County Water Authority earned Climate Registered gold status from The Climate Registry for verifying and publicly reporting its greenhouse gas emissions.

(Editor’s note: The Helix Water District is one of the San Diego County Water Authority’s 24 member agencies that deliver water across the San Diego County region.) 

The San Diego County Water Authority’s award-winning Citizens Water Academy kicked off its first class since 2020. Participants are at the top of Olivenhain Dam. Photo: San Diego County Water Authority

Citizens Water Academy Returns for Summer 2023

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On June 27, the San Diego County Water Authority kicked off its first Citizens Water Academy since 2020, when COVID-19 forced a shutdown of the program. The academy offers attendees the opportunity to gain a deeper understanding of the Water Authority’s life-sustaining mission.

Participants learn firsthand about critical water issues affecting the region and go behind the scenes with water planners, managers, and engineers for an inside look at the water delivery system.

Citizens Water Academy-Olivenhain Dam-San Diego County Water Authority-education

Citizens Water Academy participants at the base of Olivenhain Dam. Photo: San Diego County Water Authority.

Building leaders in water

The Water Academy is geared toward civic and business leaders. This year’s class was held in three sessions starting on June 27 with a welcome and Water Authority overview by Acting General Manager Dan Denham.

Session two took place on July 12 with dinner and presentations about “Planning for a Water Resilient Future” with Jeff Stephenson, acting director of the Water Resources Department. A final session took place on July 15, and included presentations by Operations and Maintenance Department leaders, tours of the regional water delivery control room and emergency operations center, a tour of Olivenhain Dam, and a graduation ceremony.

Class participants come from a wide range of backgrounds and professions. They include elected official representatives, retail water agency staff, Water Authority board members, and civic and business leaders from across the region.

“Despite our lack of natural resources, it’s easy to take our safe, reliable supply of water for granted,” said Acting General Manager Dan Denham. “We turn on the faucet and there’s the water, ready to be transformed into our morning cup of coffee. But how that water gets from point A to point B is an astounding work of engineering and strategic planning. The Water Academy is all about connecting our community to this intricate world.”

Award-winning program

The Citizens Water Academy launched in fall 2014. Over the years, 99% of participants said they would recommend the Water Academy to a colleague, and nearly 50% of graduates engaged in the Water Authority’s alumni network.

The Water Authority was honored with the Silver Bernays Mark of Excellence Award for the Citizens Water Academy from the San Diego/Imperial Counties Chapter of the Public Relations Society of America in 2015. The program also won the Communications Initiative Award from the San Diego Section of the American Planning Association in 2016.

Water Authority staff are excited to bring this important program back to the community after a three-year pause due to the pandemic and look forward to hosting additional classes in the future. Information about future class dates will be posted here. The webpage also includes an interest form and nomination form for future Water Academy classes.

Inspired by the San Diego County Water Authority's free landscape workshops, Vallecitos Water District employee Eileen Koonce transformed her own landscaping. Photo: Vallecitos Water District example watersmart landscaping

Free Landscape Workshops Convenient for Vallecitos Customers

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In partnership with the San Diego County Water Authority and the City of San Marcos, the Vallecitos Water District offers a series of five WaterSmart landscape design workshops in August and September to help its customers redesign and install new water-saving, sustainable landscapes at a convenient North County location.

Classes take place every other Wednesday evening from 5:30 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. starting August 2 at the Vallecitos Water District, 201 Vallecitos De Oro in San Marcos. The series is now open for registration at www.sdcwa.org/your-water/conservation/classes/. Scroll down to find the in-person course schedule or use the QR Code below. Prior registration is required.

Use the QR Code to access landscape design workshop information and to register. free landscape workshops

Use the QR Code to access landscape design workshop information and to register.

Plan ahead during summer months for fall installation

Summer is an ideal time to begin the workshop series. Participants who complete all five workshops receive a free visit to their home by a professional landscape architect to help them put a plan in place for installation during the cooler fall and winter months.

The Delaplanes received first place due to the addition of a working bioswale. Photo: Vallecitos Water District free landscape workshops

The Delaplanes received first place in the 2022 Vallecitos Water District landscape makeover contest due to the addition of a working bioswale. Photo: Vallecitos Water District

Residents in San Diego County have used the know-how from the free workshops to convert more than 1.5 million square feet of grass into beautiful, sustainable landscapes. They use less water and provide a lifestyle-friendly yard ideal for San Diego’s climate. New landscapes installed through the program have been proven to reduce water use by up to 37%.

Webinar topics cover residential landscape design for the homeowner, plant palettes, healthy soil, irrigation retrofits, and streamlined landscape maintenance. More than 8,000 San Diego County residents have taken these courses to date.

Low-water use plants, improved irrigation technologies, and WaterSmart classes reduce energy use, protect natural resources, and create beautiful outdoor living spaces as well as save water.

Save water, and save money with rebates

SLIDER

The Chens transformed their love for succulents into an award-winning landscape makeover. Photo: Vallecitos Water District

Landscape watering accounts for more than half of a typical household’s water use in California. WaterSmart workshops help residents create a drought-tolerant, water-efficient landscape with a design that maximizes enjoyment of the outdoor space. In addition, homeowners can save the time and expense required for ongoing maintenance of turf.

San Diego County homeowners may be eligible for between $2 and $4 per square foot to remove grass and replace it with low water-use plants better suited to our region’s hotter, drier weather. All customers are eligible for the base rebate of $2 per square foot. Residents in unincorporated San Diego County may be eligible for additional incentives through the Waterscape Rebate Program.

(Editor’s note: The Vallecitos Water District is one of the San Diego County Water Authority’s 24 member agencies that deliver water across the San Diego County region.) 

Diane Krupnak's smart planning and design helped her win the 2023 Vista Irrigation District landscape makeover contest. Photo: Vista Irrigation District

Vista Irrigation District Landscape Winner Complements Home Design

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Vista Homeowner Diane Krupnak redesigned her front yard to save water and won the 2023 Vista Irrigation District WaterSmart Landscape Contest.

The annual contest recognizes outstanding waterwise residential landscapes based on the criteria of overall attractiveness, appropriate plant selection, design, appropriate maintenance, and efficient irrigation methods.

Workshops provide homeowner know-how

Concerned by the severity of the last drought, Krupnak removed the water-thirsty grass from her front yard to reduce water use. She began her project by enrolling in the free WaterSmart Landscape Makeover series of workshops for homeowners offered by the San Diego County Water Authority and its member agencies.

The workshops gave Krupnak the knowledge to move forward with her makeover, including soil assessment, creating a landscape plot plan, and drip irrigation basics, and mulching.

Colorful plant palette replaces grass

Diane Krupnake wanted a landscape that would complement the Mediterranean aesthetic of her home. Photo: Vista Irrigation District landscape

Diane Krupnake wanted a landscape that would complement the Mediterranean aesthetic of her home. Photo: Vista Irrigation District

Krupnak started by researching the plants she wanted to add to her yard. She focused on the plants’ characteristics and water needs to make sure they would be compatible in her landscape.

She also wanted a landscape to complement the Mediterranean aesthetic of her home. Krupnak selected a base color palate in greens and whites highlighted with pops of color. Once the plan came together, she hired landscape professionals to install the new landscape and hardscape.

The green hues in her landscape design come from shaggy Cousin Itt Acacias, Wheeler’s Dwarf Pittosporum, dwarf daylilies, and Italian Oregano. Each plant provides contrasting textures and structure creating visual interest. A fruitless Olea Swan Hill olive tree stands as the focal point of her yard.

White tones include flowering Scaevola White plants adjacent to Krupnak’s new permeable walkways accentuating the earth tones of the pavers.

The base colors in the winning landscape design are accented with bright reds from plants like Caliente Deep Red Geraniums and Tecoma Stans Bells of Fire Esperanza, as well as yellow foliage from Sunset Gold Coleonema pulchellum.

Beautiful results reduce water use, saving money and time

The landscape makeover replaced grass with new low water use plants and a patio area. Photo: Vista Irrigation District landscape

The landscape makeover replaced grass with new low-water-use plants and a patio area. Photo: Vista Irrigation District

“I chose a landscape of moderate to low water use plants that complement the Mediterranean influence of my home,” said Krupnak. “I save money on my water bills and no longer pay to have my yard mowed.”

The hardscape included in Krupnak’s design plan provides functional living space. The patio replaces a flat lawn area near the home’s entranceway and transforms it into an inviting place to sit and admire the rest of her new landscape.

Free WaterSmart landscape workshops – online or in-person

“Free regional WaterSmart landscape workshops are available online and in person to assist homeowners in upgrading their home’s landscape to reduce water bills,” said Brent Reyes, VID management analyst. “Additionally, turf removal rebates can help with the cost.”

Participating San Diego County Water Authority member agencies include the Vista Irrigation District, Helix Water District, Olivenhain Municipal Water District, Otay Water District, Padre Dam Municipal Water District, San Dieguito Water District, Sweetwater Authority, Vallecitos Water District, Rincon Del Diablo Water District, and the cities of Escondido and Oceanside. Customers of California American Water also can access the workshops.

For more information about the contest and to see more examples of waterwise landscaping, visit www.landscapecontest.com. Visit the district’s website to learn more about free landscape workshops and incentive programs.

Vista Irrigation District is a public agency governed by an elected five-member board. The district provides water service to roughly 134,000 people in the city of Vista and portions of San Marcos, Escondido, Oceanside, and unincorporated areas of San Diego County.

(Editor’s note: The Vista Irrigation District is one of the San Diego County Water Authority’s 24 member agencies that deliver water across the San Diego County region.)