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California Reservoirs Get Good News Amid Snowpack Update

/in , /by /Newsweekby Anna Skinner

Reservoirs across California recently received good news only weeks after a late January snowpack update from the California Department of Water Resources (DWR) sparked concern. Although a series of atmospheric rivers brought heavy snow to high-elevation areas in parts of northern and central California in November and December, Southern California had an unusually dry start to the winter season. The lack of precipitation fueled wildfires in the region in January and furthered the state’s challenges with drought.

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Aqueduct Shutdown Feb. 22-March 4 VCWMD Advises

/in , /by /Valley Road Runner Mentioned: San Diego County Water Authority

The Valley Center Municipal Water District (District) has been advised by its wholesale supplier, the San Diego County Water Authority, of the following aqueduct shutdown. The shutdown of the San Diego Aqueduct that delivers water to the District will be out of service for rehabilitation repairs and will begin at 1:00 a.m. on Saturday, February 22, 2025, through 8:00 p.m. on Tuesday, March 4, 2025.

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Water Authority Seeks Comments on Water Pipeline Project in Rancho Bernardo, Poway

/in , /by /San Diego Union-Tribuneby Elizabeth Marie Himchack Mentioned: San Diego County Water Authority

The San Diego County Water Authority is seeking input on ways to decrease the impact of its upcoming pipeline project on Rancho Bernardo, Poway, 4S Ranch and Del Sur. The water Authority’s Ramona Pipeline Improvements project is not expected to start before mid-2026, but Rebecca Cole, a community relations consultant with Adurra, told the Rancho Bernardo Community Council at its Feb. 6 meeting that resident comments to make the project less disruptive are needed now.

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How Better Water Systems Can Help Cities Survive the Next Firestorms

/in , /by /Associated Press

Santa Rosa. Paradise. Boulder County. Lahaina. Los Angeles. All are places that have shown that American cities and their water systems weren’t built to withstand wildfire, experts say. Hydrants trickled. Pumps and treatment plants lost power. Chemical contaminants were sucked into pipes, requiring extensive and costly work.  In Paradise alone, where the 2018 Camp Fire killed at least 85 people and destroyed more than 18,000 structures, rebuilding the drinking water system is expected to cost $125 million and take three-and-a half more years.

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VCBA Fire Meeting

/in , /by /Valley Newsby Roadrunner Mentioned: San Diego County Water Authority

Attendees of Thursday’s Valley Center Business Association’s night of information on fire and insurance—a large library community roomful—learned many things. 

For instance, that new homes, and eventually all homes, must remove any flammable materials from within five feet of the outside walls. Say goodbye to climbing ivy and rose bushes.

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San Diego’s Water Year Lagging Behind

/in , /by /ABC 10 News San Diegoby Moses Small Mentioned: San Diego County Water Authority

Even after last week’s atmospheric river storm, San Diego’s water year has a dryness problem.

For a start, the water year runs from October 1 to September 30 of the following year. It’s different from the calendar year, but provides a way to keep track of rainfall without breaking up the winter.

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Santa Fe Irrigation District Approves Water Rate Increase

/in , /by /San Diego Union Tribuneby Karen Billing Mentioned: San Diego County Water Authority

The Santa Fe Irrigation District board unanimously approved a 2% water rate increase at a special meeting on Feb. 12. Customers in Solana Beach, Rancho Santa Fe and Fairbanks Ranch will see the new rate go into effect on March 1 and in combination with wholesale water rate increases from the San Diego County Water Authority, the average bi-monthly bill will increase by about 9% depending on meter size and water usage levels.

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Report: U.S. Water, Sewer Bills Have Increased 24% in Five Years

/in , , /by /Water Finance & Managementby WFM Staff

According to a new comprehensive analysis of drinking water and sewer rates, the combined water and sewer bill for a typical U.S. household has increased by 4.6% from 2023 to 2024 and about 24% in the past five years.

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Officials Say Storm Rain is Not Enough to Fully Restore San Diego County’s Reservoirs

/in , /by /Fox 5 San Diegoby Jennifer Franco Quoted: San Diego County Water Authority

It’s been a slow start to the rainy season. The first major storm of the season is bringing much needed rain as San Diego County deals with the driest start to any winter in more than 170 years.

While the storm offers a boost to drought conditions, officials warn the rainfall is not enough to fully replenish local reservoirs.

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Trump Adds Uncertainty to San Diego’s Water Future

/in , /by /San Diego Union Tribuneby Michael Smolens

President Donald Trump’s recent order to release water from reservoirs into California’s Central Valley had no direct impact on San Diego. But the new administration will be overseeing negotiations that will determine the future of a main source of the county’s water: the Colorado River.

It’s anybody’s guess whether Trump’s unpredictable nature and penchant for unorthodox power moves — as he just exhibited — will be a factor.

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