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Imagining a World Without Water

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.

(L to R) Tim Lyall, 2023 Farmer of the Year Warren Lyall, and Andy Lyall. Photo: Courtesy Cultivate California

Warren Lyall Named 2023 San Diego County Farmer Of The Year

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 Farmer of the Year

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 Farmer of the Year

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 Farmer of the Year

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

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

(L to R): Dave Pedersen, General Manager, Las Virgenes Municipal Water District, Water ReUse President; Erica Wolski, General Manager, and Director Jacob Zoria, Ramona Municipal Water District; Brenley McKenna, Water ReUse Executive Director. Photo: Ramona Municipal Water District

Ramona Municipal Water District Named Small Recycled Water Agency 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 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.

Jason and Taylor McAllister turned a tired Santee yard into a tropical landscape visited by pollinators and other wildlife. Photo: Padre Dam Municipal Water District

Tropical Landscape Wins Padre Dam MWD 2024 WaterSmart Landscape Contest

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 landscape

The McAllisters’ home before its landscape makeover. Photo: Padre Dam Municipal Water District

Tropical oasis created in Santee

Pops of color come from lantana, kangaroo paw, gazanias, and angel’s trumpet. Photo: Padre Dam Municipal Water District tropical landscape

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

Sweetwater Authority hosted a group of students and faculty from Stanford University for a tour and discussion of issues related to climate change and water in California. Photo: Sweetwater Authority

Sweetwater Authority Hosts Stanford University Students and Faculty

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 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

“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.

 

Two landscape workshops by the Vista Irrigation District and Vallecitos Water District will help homeowners get started on their projects. Photo: Vista Irrigation District

Vista Irrigation District and Vallecitos Water District Host Free Landscape Workshops

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 demonstrate the options for beautiful yards without turf. Photo: Vista Irrigation District landscape workshops

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
  • Applying key design principles
  • Laying out a successful planting plan

 Register here.

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

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

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.

Residents in unincorporated San Diego County may be eligible for additional incentives through the Waterscape Rebate Program. Learn more at socalwatersmart.com

 

Padre Dam MWD's August A. Caires Customer Service Center.

Padre Dam MWD Launches New Podcast

The Water Drop Podcast is now available on Spotify, Apple Podcasts and more.

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.”

Water Authority General Manager Dan Denham speaks at the Dec. 13 signing ceremony in Las Vegas, supporting a set of agreements to sustain the Colorado River and save money for San Diego County water ratepayers. Photo: San Diego County Water Authority historic agreement

Water Authority GM Profiled in “Municipal Water Leader” Magazine

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.

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.

Shawn McCoy successfully transitioned from military to civilian employment through the SkillBridge program. Photo: San Diego County Water Authority

SkillBridge Program Puts Veterans To Work In Water Industry Jobs

When Shawn McCoy graduated from American Military University after 20 years of military service, he thought he’d become a park ranger. 

With a bachelor’s degree in environmental science and a concentration in fish and wildlife management and sustainability now under his belt, he was fully equipped to head into his new career. 

However, after his kids decided they wanted to stay in San Diego County, DOD SkillBridge — a program aimed toward connecting exiting military members with civilian work — redirected McCoy to an internship that satisfied both his family’s wishes and his desire to work in environmental science. 

SkillBridge Program Offers Valuable Work Experience To Veterans

After completing 20 years of service in the U.S. Marine Corps, Shawn McCoy sought job training through the SkillBridge program. Photo: San Diego County Water Authority

After completing 20 years of service in the U.S. Marine Corps, Shawn McCoy sought job training through the SkillBridge program. Photo: San Diego County Water Authority

During his 20 years in the service, McCoy worked as a helicopter mechanic for the U.S. Marine Corps and completed two deployments in Afghanistan and Iraq. In January 2023, he became a water resources intern for the San Diego County Water Authority, entering a completely different world. 

“I was so used to structure, but coming out, there’s obviously a lot more freedom,” said McCoy. “The Water Authority was a good way to reintroduce me to the real world when I got out. Something as simple as, ‘Do I have to check in with you when I go to lunch,’ were all things I had to get used to.” 

As a water resources intern, he took on roles that pulled from his environmental science education. In addition to his daily tasks of documenting, screening, and reviewing reports for the department, he went on field visits to monitor vegetation restoration and participated in construction projects. 

He also became acquainted with the Claude “Bud” Lewis Carlsbad Desalination Plant during his time as a Water Authority intern — where he would later spend much of his time.

Water Authority Internship Leads To Water Industry Job

Shawn McCoy now works full time as an environmental resources manager for Channelside Water Resources LP at the Claude "Bud" Lewis Carlsbad Desalination Plant. Photo: San Diego County Water Authority

Shawn McCoy now works full-time as an environmental manager for Channelside Water Resources LP at the Claude “Bud” Lewis Carlsbad Desalination Plant. Photo: San Diego County Water Authority

After hearing about a job opening at Channelside Water Resources LP, McCoy applied and was hired on as an environmental manager in July 2023, directly after his internship with the Water Authority. 

In his current role, McCoy manages day-to-day activities at the Carlsbad plant, including overseeing maintenance and operations and ensuring environmental health and safety. 

He credits his time at the Water Authority for his smooth transition into his role with Channelside. 

“The Water Authority is where I was first introduced to the water purchase agreement and how it ties to the desal plant,” said McCoy. “So, I got to learn about the desal plant prior to even coming into this role.” 

As for the future of his career, McCoy hopes to eventually go back to school to receive his master’s degree and work his way up to the director of operations. Thanks to SkillBridge and the San Diego County Water Authority, McCoy is already on the road to reaching those goals.  

John Allen and Bob Whiting enjoy their beautiful Vista yard, the winner of the 2024 Vallecitos WaterSmart Landscape Design content. Photo: Vallecitos Water DIstrict diverse design

Diverse Design Named Vallecitos 2024 Landscape Makeover Contest Winner

John Allen, a resident of Vista, California, for 17 years, says he “got a bug” for growing cycads, inspired by a local enthusiast who raised and retrieved them. Cycads are a plant group that originally flourished back in the dinosaur age.

It wasn’t long before he began cultivating them in his one-acre garden, adding palms, cacti, and aloes. The result is the Vallecitos Water District’s 2024 Landscape Contest Makeover winner.

“It is truly rewarding to witness customers exploring unique water-wise plants and deriving genuine joy from the experience,” said Vallecitos Board President Dr. Tiffany Boyd-Hodgson. “At every turn in John’s yard, there lies a beautiful surprise – rare plants that not only provide a glimpse into our botanical history but also support our local wildlife. The diversity of interest that can be added to one’s yard with unique water-wise plants far exceeds that of turf grass, and John’s garden serves as an exceptional example of this.”

John Allen's yard prior to its landscape design makeover. Photo: Vallecitos Water District diverse design

John Allen’s yard prior to its landscape design makeover. Photo: Vallecitos Water District

“I believe in water conservation, without a doubt,” said Allen. “I realize that Southern California has a limited supply of water and ever-increasing population. I don’t know how my usage compares with other customers, but I think it’s fairly low, considering it’s one acre.”

Take a video tour through Allen’s garden.

Learning Through Doing

Allen says the expansive garden is his first project. He approached it with a “learn by doing” effort. This included installing a drip irrigation system, which he says he found to be efficient and easy to manage.

“The drip system, it really minimizes the water and puts it right to the plants where you need the water, instead of just wasting it on unused areas,” explained Allen. “You make some mistakes here and there, but you can fix it, usually with the drip system, pretty easy.”

Allen’s landscaping features a tremendous diversity in its plant life, which attracts a variety of wildlife, including coyotes, hawks, hummingbirds, and roadrunners. He says visitors also enjoy the different types of plants, many of which they have never seen before.

“They really find it interesting, and especially when the cactus bloom in the springtime, it’s really interesting … I guess it is close to a small botanic garden,” said Allen.

John Allen's yard features a wide array of low water use plants in its diverse design, including cycads, cacti, and aloes. Photo: Vallecitos Water District

John Allen’s yard features a wide array of low-water-use plants in its diverse design, including cycads, cacti, and aloes. Photo: Vallecitos Water District

A Peaceful Landscape Retreat

Allen also enjoys the diverse landscape and views his hobby as a peaceful retreat.

“It’s really nice to sit down and sit back at the end of the day after your work and enjoy what you’ve done, watch things grow.” Allen says pursuing his interest is one of his best decisions.

“I’ve collected a lot of plants along the way, raised plants from seeds, sold plants on the side. It’s so peaceful and quiet. I couldn’t wish for anything better,” said Allen.