The November edition of Journal AWWA (American Water Works Association) features a San Diego County Water Authority employee’s thoughts on a larger discussion about what the world of water could look like in 2050. In a piece titled “Addressing the Global Water Crisis With Membrane Technology”, Water Authority Principal Engineer Silvana Ghiu and her co-authors expanded on the vital importance of membrane technology for a hotter and dryer planet.
“The United Nations’ World Water Development Report 2023: Partnerships and Cooperation for Water estimates that the urban population facing water scarcity will increase from 933 million in 2016 to between 1.7 and 2.4 billion by 2050, representing one-third to one-half of the global urban population,” the article’s authors highlighted.
What can be done to fight against this global emergency?
The November edition of Journal AWWA
“After decades of advancements and innovation, membrane technology has evolved into an essential tool that can harness unconventional water sources to provide safe, sustainable drinking water.”
San Diego County residents don’t have to go far to see this technology in action. In fact, it’s being used right here in Carlsbad.
“In California, drought is intrinsic to the natural climate, and the need for local, reliable water supplies led to the 2015 construction of the Claude ‘Bud’ Lewis Carlsbad Desalination Plant, the largest desalination plant in the Western Hemisphere, with a capacity of 50 mgd (million gallons per day).”
From desalination along the coast to using membrane technology to treat brackish water in the interior, along with future advancements that could create even more opportunities for reliability, this technology is clearly here to stay.
“Membrane technology could be present in some capacity in nearly every new water plant built by the middle of this century,” writes Ghiu and her co-authors. In San Diego that future is already here as the Water Authority continues to build a reliable regional water supply for a changing climate. To read more, click here.
https://www.waternewsnetwork.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/03/DeSalPlant.12.19.16x022-845X450-1.jpg450845Jordan Beanehttps://www.waternewsnetwork.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/04/WNN-Horizontal-White-Blue2.pngJordan Beane2024-10-21 13:55:332024-10-22 09:54:26Membrane Tech Important Piece of Water Future
The San Diego County Water Authority won a Golden Watchdog Award at this year’s Golden Watchdog & Fleece Awards hosted by the San Diego County Taxpayers Association on Oct. 18. The Water Authority was recognized for its deployment of “Scanny,” a high-tech surveillance device designed to safely and efficiently monitor the agency’s large-diameter pipelines that provide water to the San Diego region.
The inspection tool uses commercially available lightweight adventure cameras and lights that are arranged in a unique way on a chassis that moves through pipelines that are 4 to 9 feet in diameter. Photo: San Diego County Water Authority
A special congratulations to the Water Authority’s Operations and Maintenance team and in particular Asset Management Manager Martin Coghill, who designed and patented “Scanny” on behalf of the Water Authority.
Proactive maintenance and asset management practices allow water agencies to extend the lifespan of their pipeline assets by more than 50%. With 308 miles of transmission pipelines, 100 flow control facilities and more than 1,400 pipeline-related structures, the Water Authority is constantly assessing and inspecting critical infrastructure across the county. This not only ensures that the Water Authority can stay ahead of potential emergencies but also reduce the need for replacing infrastructure.
Inspections involve crews entering the drained pipelines and evaluating around 30 miles each year. The pipelines traverse the hilly terrain of San Diego County, and some sections are so steep that they require the use of specialized rope and rigging support teams. That’s where “Scanny” comes in. Using an array of cameras to provide high-definition video surveillance of the interior of the pipeline, invented by Water Authority staff, provides the ability to inspect these pipes without requiring specialists.
The benefit of this technology goes beyond proactive maintenance. When compared to the cost of hiring specialized rope and rigging teams, “Scanny” paid for itself in just two deployments. “Scanny” can also be deployed multiple times each year during the inspection season.
Asset management at the Water Authority is more than just using new technology, it’s a strategic investment. In round numbers, the cost to replace 1 mile of large-diameter pipeline can be around $10 million. The cost to assess and maintain the same mile of pipeline may be around $100,000 every 10 years.
https://www.waternewsnetwork.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/05/GOPR0571-scanny-2-primary-crop-1.jpg450845Jordan Beanehttps://www.waternewsnetwork.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/04/WNN-Horizontal-White-Blue2.pngJordan Beane2024-10-21 07:27:572024-10-21 09:26:20Water Authority Wins Golden Watchdog Award
Every October 17, the US Water Alliance hosts “Imagine a Day Without Water” — a chance to collectively acknowledge the critical role water plays in every aspect of our lives.
Imagine rolling out of bed in the morning, going to brush your teeth, and no water coming out of the tap. You check the dishwasher, which was supposed to run last night, and see the plates and glasses are still dirty. The shower runs dry, the lawn isn’t watered, and the washing machine is idle.
A world without water. It’s a scary proposition.
While this may seem like science fiction, some cities have come extremely close to this terrifying reality. A few years ago, huge water shortages forced residents of Cape Town, South Africa, to shrink their water use to all-time lows. “We are now limited to using 13 gallons of water per person per day,” wrote Time Magazine. “That’s enough for a 90-second shower, a half-gallon of drinking water, a sinkful to hand-wash dishes or laundry, one cooked meal, two hand washings, two teeth brushings and one toilet flush.”
This year Mexico City faced similar catastrophic cuts to keep preserve their dwindling water reserves. “Bernardo Nonato Corona, a resident of the hills surrounding Mexico City, told ABC News he spends 25% of his income on water.”
Cataclysmic water shortages, safety and supply problems aren’t just an international issue. They’re happening right here in California as well. An annual assessment released by the State Water Resources Control Board found that “almost 400 water systems serving nearly a million Californians don’t meet state requirements for safe and reliable drinking water supplies.”
Climate change, poor planning and other factors have caused residents around the world to face a world without water.
Now think about how a similar situation would impact our region. More than 3 million residents across the county and hundreds of millions of dollars in economic activity would grind to a halt, making the basic activities we take for granted impossible.
Thankfully, the San Diego region has planned to make sure that scenario stays a hypothetical.
On Oct. 1, the San Diego County Water Authority announced that the region had plenty of water to meet demands during the year ahead regardless of the weather. That’s because our region’s work on new supplies, conservation and water storage over the past 30 years were a down payment on sustainable water supplies for future generations.
We know there are challenges ahead to provide our growing region the reliable water supply it needs in a hotter and drier world. We’re working to make sure that a world without water is just a one day thought experiment instead of reality.
https://www.waternewsnetwork.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/10/Screenshot-2024-10-09-140655.png6641035Jordan Beanehttps://www.waternewsnetwork.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/04/WNN-Horizontal-White-Blue2.pngJordan Beane2024-10-09 14:20:092024-10-09 14:20:09Imagining a World Without Water
The San Diego County Farm Bureau (Farm Bureau) named third-generation avocado and citrus grower Warren Lyall of Pauma Valley as its 2023 Farmer of the Year. Lyall will be recognized for his achievement at the annual Farmer of the Year awards dinner on October 24.
The Farmer of the Year award is presented to an active or retired farmer who has had a positive impact on the agriculture industry, is active in the community beyond agriculture, and has represented the agricultural industry publicly on behalf of farming interests.
Warren Lyall’s family has been farming in Pauma Valley for three generations. Photo: Andy Lyall
This year’s award recognizes Lyall’s lifelong commitment to farming, leadership in agricultural organizations, and significant contributions to his community.
Lyall’s farming heritage started in 1931 when his grandparents moved to Pauma Valley from Montana, where they were cattle ranchers. He settled the family in Pauma Valley because it reminded him of home, and by 1933, they were living there full-time as citrus growers.
Learn more about the Lyall family in this feature interview.
Lyall was immersed in the world of farming from a young age. He learned about citrus and avocado cultivation alongside his grandfather, Andrew Lyall.
His early experiences gave Lyall a profound appreciation for the dedication required to succeed in agriculture. He also recognized the need to rely on a deep faith to manage the many factors in agriculture that are out of the grower’s control.
Today, Warren Lyall and his two sons, Andy and Tim, operate Rancho Monte Vista, a 205-acre orchard in the Pauma Valley of San Diego County. The primary crop is oranges, but they have also been growing avocados for the last 18 years.
Sustainably Managing Water and Energy Resources
Managing both water and energy resources is vital to the success of Rancho Monte Vista, a 205-acre orchard in the Pauma Valley. Photo: Courtesy Cultivate California
Managing water use and tracking soil moisture throughout there is a key to the Lyalls’ success. They recently upgraded their sprinkler systems to maximize uniformity across their orange groves. Four full-time employees monitor water use during the summer irrigation season, checking every aspect of the irrigation systems to prevent and catch leaks. This diligence helped the Lyalls navigate recent drought years.
“There is a lot of art involved in the irrigation of trees. The way they demand water is different. Water for us is a precious resource. We can’t afford to waste it,” said Warren Lyall.
Andy and Warren Lyall operate Rancho Monte Vista along with Andy’s brother, Tim Lyall. Photo: Courtesy Cultivate California
The Lyalls also find ways to conserve energy use at Rancho Monte Vista. They recently installed a solar power plant on their ranch, providing 80 percent of the power needed for their irrigation pumps. Any excess energy produced is sold to the grid for use by San Diego Gas & Electric, adding to the long-term sustainability of their ranch.
Even in plentiful rain years, the ranch manages its water use. “We are careful to manage our irrigation (and other input resources) every year,” Lyall says. “It is part of our philosophy of stewardship that even if a resource is plentiful, we need to be careful not to waste it. It is all part of farming sustainably and efficiently in order to maximize our success.”
Lyall Represents San Diego County’s Farming Professionals
Warren Lyall is recognized for his leadership and community service. Photo: Courtesy Cultivate California
Lyall’s journey has been marked by exceptional leadership and service. He has made significant contributions as a Director for Villa Park Orchards Association, Sunkist Growers, Inc., and Fruit Growers Supply Company.
Lyall has also been active in community leadership. He has served as President of Pauma Municipal Water District, played a key role in forming the Upper San Luis Rey Groundwater Management Authority, and led the formation of the San Diego County Citrus Pest Control District, where he currently serves as President.
The San Diego County Farm Bureau is a non-profit organization supporting the more than 5,700 farms within the county. The mission of the Farm Bureau is to foster San Diego agriculture through education, public relations, and public policy advocacy in order to promote the economic viability, sustainability, and community building of agriculture. For more information, visit our website www.sdfarmbureau.org
https://www.waternewsnetwork.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/10/SUNKIST_KARIYA_LYALL_FARMS_5.jpg7221080Gayle Falkenthalhttps://www.waternewsnetwork.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/04/WNN-Horizontal-White-Blue2.pngGayle Falkenthal2024-10-03 10:20:222024-10-03 10:20:22Warren Lyall Named 2023 San Diego County Farmer Of The Year
The Ramona Municipal Water District (Ramona MWD) was named the 2024 Small Recycled Water Agency of the Year by WateReuse California.
The award recognizes agencies that have developed recycled water, on a significant level, as an alternative water source within their service area, regionally or statewide. The recipients will have demonstrated leadership, creativity and persistence in developing a comprehensive program and outreach to the community to expand awareness and implementation of water recycling.
Ramona MWD General Manager Erica Wolski and board member Jacob Zoria accepted the award during a conference earlier in September from Brenley McKenna, Executive Director, & Dave Pedersen, President, representing WateReuse California (WRCA).
“I’m so pleased to receive this recognition on behalf of our forward-thinking Board of Directors and talented and hard-working water professionals at the Ramona Municipal Water District,” said General Manager Erica Wolski.
“The project has created a close connection with our neighbors, the Barona Band of Mission Indians, and has led to collaboration on other local projects. It also assures our customers we are doing everything we can on their behalf to maximize our resources and reduce wastewater treatment costs.”
Award-winning partnership between Ramona Municipal Water District and Barona Band
The award honors Ramona Municipal Water District’s partnership with its neighbor, the Barona Band of Mission Indians. Photo: Ramona Municipal Water District
The award honors Ramona MWD’s partnership with its neighbor, the Barona Band of Mission Indians, in a project that, when completed, will provide excess recycled water to the Barona Resort and Casino.
Barona currently relies on local groundwater and a small amount of water recycled at the Casino. Recycled water provided through Ramona MWD will be used for golf course and landscape irrigation. The project helps the tribe protect its limited groundwater supplies.
The environmental documents for this project are expected to be released by the end of 2024. Construction on the pipeline between the reservation and RMWD is anticipated to begin in 2025.
The project will beneficially reuse up to 250-acre feet per year, delivering recycled water currently distributed on a spray field near the San Vicente Water Reclamation Plant, and it will now generate new revenue for sewer district customers.
Ramona MWD is is only the third winner in the small plant category from this region in the last 20 years. The City of Oceanside won in 2020, and the Olivenhain Municipal Water District won in 2005.
https://www.waternewsnetwork.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/10/Ramona-Water-Use-Award-1080.jpg7201080Gayle Falkenthalhttps://www.waternewsnetwork.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/04/WNN-Horizontal-White-Blue2.pngGayle Falkenthal2024-10-03 10:18:562024-10-03 10:18:56Ramona Municipal Water District Named Small Recycled Water Agency of the Year
At first glance, you might mistake Jason McAllister’s thriving green landscape for a water-thirsty garden. Look closer, though, and you’ll see that the plants in this tropical oasis are anything but water hogs.
The landscape’s impressive transformation is the 2024 winner of the Padre Dam Municipal Water District’s WaterSmart Landscape Contest winner.
The McAllisters’ home before its landscape makeover. Photo: Padre Dam Municipal Water District
Tropical oasis created in Santee
Pops of landscape color come from lantana, kangaroo paw, gazanias, and angel’s trumpet. Photo: Padre Dam Municipal Water District tropical landscape
McAllister inherited his home in 2020. While he wanted to be water-efficient, he also hoped to create a tropical oasis in the heart of Santee.
With that vision in mind, he worked with his spouse, Taylor, and landscape designer Sara Bendrick to select low-water use plants that would remain lush and vibrant year-round. They chose a drip irrigation system to keep the landscape healthy while limiting water waste.
The tropical landscape creates rich texture from its wide selection of low-water use plants, including a variety of palms. Pops of color come from lantana, kangaroo paw, gazanias, and angel’s trumpet. The landscape is tied together by a ground cover, ruschia nana, a water-efficient succulent that can be walked on.
Pollinators enjoy the new habitat
(L to R): Director Rocky Qualin, Board Vice President Suzanne Till, Jason McAllister, Taylor Jones, Director Ivan Andujar, Sara Bendrick, Director Brian Fordyce, and Board President Bill Pommering present the 2024 Landscape Makeover award at the June board meeting. Photo: Padre Dam Municipal Water District
A nice seating area provides a quiet spot for the McAllisters to relax and enjoy their garden oasis, which has become a refuge for more than just the couple. “We have become a central haven for countless butterflies, hummingbirds, bees, and dragonflies, just to name a few,” said Jason McAllister. “You’d almost think that our property has become a branch of the San Diego River.”
The Padre Dam MWD Board of Directors recognized the McAllisters as its 2024 WaterSmart Landscape Contest Winner at its June meeting.
Customers interested in entering next year’s WaterSmart Landscape Contest can sign up to be notified when entries open by emailing
https://www.waternewsnetwork.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/08/Padre-Dam-Landscape-2024_1618.jpg8101080Gayle Falkenthalhttps://www.waternewsnetwork.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/04/WNN-Horizontal-White-Blue2.pngGayle Falkenthal2024-09-30 16:08:012024-09-30 16:08:01Tropical Landscape Wins Padre Dam MWD 2024 WaterSmart Landscape Contest
Sweetwater Authority (Authority) recently welcomed fifteen students and faculty from Stanford University’s The Bill Lane Center for the American West. Group members are part of the university’s multidisciplinary course of study on “Coastal Resilience: Problems and Solutions to Extreme Weather Challenges on the West Coast.”
The Bill Lane Center for the American West is dedicated to advancing scholarly and public understanding of the past, present, and future of western North America. The Center supports research, teaching, and reporting about Western land and life in the United States.
The Stanford University group visited the Robert A. Perdue Water Treatment Plant and Sweetwater Reservoir, as well as the Richard A. Reynolds Groundwater Desalination Facility in Chula Vista. Photo: Sweetwater Authority
The students and faculty first toured the Robert A. Perdue Water Treatment Plant and Sweetwater Reservoir, where they learned how the Authority secures and treats local water, maintains a historic dam, and manages watershed activities for the beneficial use of agency operations and the protection of environmental resources.
The group then visited the Richard A. Reynolds Groundwater Desalination Facility in Chula Vista. There, the students and Authority representatives discussed challenges facing groundwater supplies due to climate change before touring the award-winning facility.
Collaboration Addresses Challenges of Climate Change
“It was our honor to host the Stanford group and engage in these important discussions with the next generation of leaders,” said Board Chair Paulina Martinez-Perez. Photo: Sweetwater Authority
“The challenges presented by climate change as it relates to providing a sustainable and drought-proof water supply are great, and we need the brightest minds working to ensure long-term resilience for the western region,” said Authority Board Chair Paulina Martinez-Perez.
In its vision to become a leader in sustainability and the fight against climate change, the Authority’s Governing Board sets objectives within the agency’s Strategic Plan to work toward achieving carbon neutrality.
Current fiscal year objectives include implementing a Green Fleet Plan, installing EV stations at its facilities, and exploring green energy solutions like a proposed floating solar project at Sweetwater Reservoir to reduce costs and offset carbon generated as part of water agency operations. For more information, visit www.sweetwater.org/workplan.
https://www.waternewsnetwork.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/09/Sweetwater-Stanford1.1080X720.jpg7231080Gayle Falkenthalhttps://www.waternewsnetwork.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/04/WNN-Horizontal-White-Blue2.pngGayle Falkenthal2024-09-30 16:05:322024-09-30 16:05:32Sweetwater Authority Hosts Stanford University Students and Faculty
In partnership with the San Diego County Water Authority, the Vista Irrigation District and Vallecitos Water District are teaming up to offer free landscape design workshops in November to help its customers redesign and install new water saving, sustainable landscapes at a convenient North County location.
Two classes take place on Saturday, November 2, at the Vista Irrigation District, 1391 Engineer Street in Vista. Residents can sign up for just one, or both classes. People attending both classes will be eligible for special giveaways. Prior registration is required.
This Vista Irrigation District award-winning landscape makeover demonstrates the options for beautiful yards without turf. Photo: Vista Irrigation District
Two Landscape Workshops on November 2
10 a.m. to 11:15 a.m.: “Goodbye Grass, Hello Garden: Qualify for Rebates” will instruct residents how to maximize rebates to help them with turf removal projects. Register here.
11:45 a.m. to 1:30 p.m.: “Garden Design Class” takes students through the landscape makeover planning process, including:
Sizing and siting the rainwater capture area
Developing a palette of climate-appropriate plants
Donald De Tar’s home after completing his winning landscape makeover. Photo: Vallecitos Water District
“I’m thrilled to be working in partnership with the Vista Irrigation District to host these garden classes,” said Chris Robbins, Vallecitos Water District Public Information/Conservation Supervisor.
“As it turns out, Vista Irrigation District is my water service provider, and we both play a crucial role in our region’s sustainability and well-being. Together, we’re committed to ensuring that our water resources are managed wisely and responsibly, paving the way for a brighter, more sustainable future for all residents.”
Plan Ahead for Cool Season Installation
Low-water plants, improved irrigation technologies, and WaterSmart classes reduce energy use, protect natural resources, and create beautiful outdoor living spaces. Photo: Vista Irrigation District
Fall is an ideal time to plan landscape work, taking advantage of cooler weather and seasonal rainfall to help establish the new plants.
Countywide, regional residents have converted more than 1.5 million square feet of turf 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 percent.
More than 8,000 San Diego County residents have taken these courses to date.
Low-water plants, improved irrigation technologies, and WaterSmart classes reduce energy use, protect natural resources, and create beautiful outdoor living spaces, as well as save water.
Conservation Gains Plus Rebates Help Offset Costs
WaterSmart landscape workshops help residents create a drought-tolerant, water-efficient landscape with a design that maximizes the enjoyment of the outdoor space, while saving the time and expense required for ongoing turf maintenance. 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 the enjoyment of the outdoor space. In addition, homeowners can save the time and expense required for ongoing turf maintenance.
San Diego County homeowners may be eligible for between $2 and $4 per square foot to remove turf 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.
https://www.waternewsnetwork.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/09/VWD-2021-Kaplan-1080X720.jpg7201077Gayle Falkenthalhttps://www.waternewsnetwork.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/04/WNN-Horizontal-White-Blue2.pngGayle Falkenthal2024-09-18 16:09:582024-09-18 16:09:58Vista Irrigation District and Vallecitos Water District Host Free Landscape Workshops
The Water Drop Podcast is now available on Spotify, Apple Podcasts and more.
The Padre Dam Municipal Water District is making a splash with their new podcast, “The Water Drop”. The Water Authority member agency kicked off the new project in March, featuring Padre Dam staff as well as outside experts discussing an array of industry topics including sustainability, trends and the future of all things water.
“We are committed to delivering innovative ways to inform and educate our customers,” said Padre Dam CEO/General Manager, Kyle Swanson. “As podcasts continue to grow in popularity, this is an opportunity to provide valuable, on-the-go information to the community we serve and other interested stakeholders.”
In the debut episode, Water: A Finite Resource, Swanson discusses the district’s largest infrastructure project to date, the East County Advanced Water Purification Program which will purify recycled water to produce up to 30 percent of East County’s current drinking water demands. He also touches on some of the biggest challenges the water industry faces today.
The second episode, It’s Not Wastewater Coming Straight to Your Tap, features the Director of the East County AWP Program, Mark Niemiec. He goes into detail on how the water reuse project works, the driving factors behind it and benefits of the project. He also answers some social media questions about the program. Padre Dam joins a handful of other water agencies in California that have a podcast.
Subsequent episodes have highlighted protecting wildlife at construction sites with biologist Katie Duffield of Helix Environmental Planning and the summer season at Santee Lakes with Cory Kading, the Director of Parks and Recreation for the Santee Lakes Recreation Preserve. Topics like conservation rebates for customers and job opportunities working in water will be spotlighted in upcoming episodes.
This exciting podcast will keep you educated and up to speed on what’s happening in the world of water within the Padre Dam Municipal Water District. You can tune in via Apple Podcasts and Spotify for updates from “The Water Drop.”
https://www.waternewsnetwork.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/09/Padre-Dam-Building-e1725908316743.jpg8022010Jordan Beanehttps://www.waternewsnetwork.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/04/WNN-Horizontal-White-Blue2.pngJordan Beane2024-09-11 07:02:162024-09-11 07:26:07Padre Dam MWD Launches New Podcast
A familiar face was featured on the cover of the October edition of Municipal Water Leader magazine: Water Authority General Manager Dan Denham. In a wide-ranging interview with former Metropolitan Water District General Manager Jeff Kightlinger, Denham discussed his background, the relationships between the Water Authority and other agencies, major challenges facing the water sector and more.
Below are some of the highlights from this extensive conversation. To read the entire interview, which starts on Page 6, click here.
Cover of the October edition of “Municipal Water Leaders” profiling SDCWA General Manager Dan Denham.
What are the biggest challenges facing SDCWA right now?
Climate change whiplash. We’ve had an unprecedented 2 consecutive wet years in Southern California, and while that was wonderful, it also created financial havoc, because water sales and revenues plummeted far below projections. Like most water agencies, we have high fixed expenses, but our revenues remain highly variable. This year, that combination of factors created unprecedented fiscal challenges.
The era of major construction is finished for us, but over the past 20 years, we built water supply projects to prepare for a dry future. I’m positive that droughts will be back, and the public will expect us to be ready for that, since it paid for those investments. In fact, the state is now saying that State Water Project (SWP) supplies could crash over the next 20 years.
So, it’s a matter of trying to right-size the water supply for our current demands while remaining prepared for the future and getting some costs off our books to make water more affordable for our rate payers.
Less than 10 years ago, we were all extremely concerned with reliability, drought cutbacks, and mandatory rationing. Between your transfers and your desal plant, you’ve brought an incredibly high degree of reliability to the region. The challenge today seems to be managing the fiscal concerns in a world of dropping demand and rising costs.
I gave a presentation recently at the Council of Water Utilities in San Diego County. One of the open questions that I threw out to the group was exactly what you just described. In planning for dry years, SDCWA never wanted to see a curtailment of water, whether because of a state mandate or through our wholesaler, Metropolitan, so we built and spent accordingly. The cost of all of that is now catching up with us. The open questions to the group were, Is 100 percent reliability still what this region wants and needs? What kind of insurance policy do you want? Do you want a lower deductible? What is your comfort level as a region? I don’t have the answer to those questions. I don’t know whether our policymakers and decisionmakers have thought those through yet. But that’s a discussion we need to have.
There’s been interest within the Colorado River basin and in Southern California in taking parts of the portfolio, whether that’s the desalinated water or conserved water from the Imperial Valley and transferring some use to another agency or even another region. Shipping off your 100 percent reliable supplies exposes you to some extra risk while at the same time providing a financial benefit. Again, for this generation and the future, we have to settle the question about the level of water supply reliability we want and can afford.
What is your vision for the future?
This industry, this space, is really challenging, but it’s still fun. I really enjoy being part of it, helping lay out the future of water in the West. I’m excited about the prospects for San Diego. When you’re willing to think differently and change the way that you’ve been doing things for the past 20 or 30 years, that’s exciting. I’m glad to be part of it. I hope I still have many years ahead in this space. If this is the springboard for it, I’m all in.
https://www.waternewsnetwork.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/12/Dan-Dunham-Signing_TSS0279-845X450.jpg451845Jordan Beanehttps://www.waternewsnetwork.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/04/WNN-Horizontal-White-Blue2.pngJordan Beane2024-09-10 07:58:202024-09-10 09:55:11Water Authority GM Profiled in “Municipal Water Leader” Magazine
