You are now in Media Coverage San Diego County category.

Arant Was a ‘Water Titan’

/in , /by /Valley RoadRunnerby David Ross Mentioned: San Diego County Water Authority

Gary Arant, the longtime general manager of the Valley Center Municipal Water District, who died last week after several years of battling cancer, was, as his fellow industry members have described him, a “water titan”—but for Valley Center he was much, much more. 

He was a steady hand on the tiller during a 36-year period of unprecedented change. Which saw the transition of the water district from a largely agricultural water vendor, with a small tail of residential meters, to a dominantly domestic purchaser, with some farming sales.

Full Story

San Diego’s Tiered Water Rate System Going Down the Drain. For Those Who Conserve, You’ll Be Paying More.

/in , /by /The OB RAG

Most people who spend some time in San Diego understand that it’s a coastal desert city. “Desert” being the main word here. Because of this understanding, many adjust their behavior into conserving a desert’s most priceless commodity: water.

People take out their green grass and plant cacti and succulents; they don’t wash their car as much; they use less water in their normal day-to-day living and chores. And up to now, those residents who use less water were rewarded by a city of San Diego water rate system in which customers who use less water paid a lower rate, and those who use more water paid more.

Full Story

How American Monsoon Will Impact Lake Powell, Mead Water Crisis in 2026

/in , /by /NewsWeekby Amanda Greenwood and Joe Edwards

The North American monsoon could bring welcome rain to parts of the drought-hit Southwest this summer but forecasters and water specialists warn it is unlikely to meaningfully reverse the crisis gripping Lake Powell and Lake Mead.

The two reservoirs—the largest in the United States and critical storage points for the Colorado River—remain at severely depleted levels after years of drought, climate change-driven aridification and heavy demand from cities, farms and tribal communities across the West.

Full Story

San Diego County Warming Trend Could Bring Heat Risk

/in , /by /KPBS

Near seasonal temperatures are expected through the first half of the week in San Diego County, with an increase in both high and low temperatures for the middle to end of the week, the National Weather Service said Sunday.

An isolated shower or two may develop over the highest mountain peaks Sunday and Monday afternoon, with no impacts expected and drier conditions on Tuesday and Wednesday, the NWS said. There is an increased chance for afternoon or evening showers and thunderstorms over the mountains Thursday and Friday.

Full Story

San Diegans Who Use Less Water Could See Their Monthly Water Bills Increase Next Year

/in , /by /CBS 8by Steffi Roche

San Diegans who use less water could see their monthly water bills increase in 2027 due to a proposed rate change that could eliminate the City’s tiered pricing system.

The proposal, prompted by a court ruling in Patz, et al. v. City of San Diego, 113 Cal. App. 5th 225 (2025), would replace the current tiered system, where customers who use less water pay a lower rate, and those who use more water pay more.

Full Story

Bidding Farewell to a Keeper of Water Memory (scroll down)

/in , /by /Voice of San Diego Mentioned: San Diego County Water Authority

When I was a budding water reporter at Voice, I knew – if I was confused, which I often was – I could call Gary Arant and he’d set me straight.

The former general manager of the Valley Center Municipal Water District stood out among the San Diego County Water Authority’s 34 board members because he wasn’t afraid to speak his mind – in a loveable, grouchy grandfather kind of way.

Full Story

U.S. Provides Emergency Water to Tijuana After Pump Failure

/in , /by /Fox 5 San Diegoby Allison Edmonds

The U.S. is providing emergency assistance to Tijuana after a pump failure reduced the city’s drinking water supply during peak summer temperatures.

Officials approved the delivery of about 368 acre-feet of Mexico’s share of Colorado River water through the U.S. conveyance system to help meet demand.

Full Story

San Diego Water Rate Proposal Could Raise Bills for Low Water Users

/in , /by /NBC 7 San Diegoby Monica Hernandez

San Diego homeowners who use less water could see their monthly water bills increase next year under a proposed rate change that would eliminate the city’s tiered pricing system.

The proposal, prompted by a court ruling in a case against the city of San Diego, would replace the current system in which customers who use less water pay a lower rate, and those who use more water pay more. If approved, all customers would pay the same rate, regardless of how much water they use.

Full Story

Water-Saving San Diegans’ Bills Won’t Go Up As Steeply as Feared. Here’s Why.

/in , /by /San Diego Union-Tribuneby David Garrick Mentioned: San Diego County Water Authority

A court ruling is prompting San Diego to propose new water rates that eliminate discounts for conservation — requiring rate hikes for low-volume users and cheaper water for high-volume users.

But the rate hikes for low-volume users are smaller than previously estimated, because plaintiffs in the court case agreed to a $40 million settlement — despite the courts awarding them $118 million.

Full Story

CWA Approves Updated Urban Water Management Plan

/in , /by /Village News Fallbrookby Joe Naiman Mentioned: San Diego County Water Authority

The San Diego County Water Authority approved an updated Urban Water Management Plan.

The unanimous SDCWA board vote June 25 approves a plan which predicts 561,564 acre-feet of total annual supply by 2050. The update, which will be submitted to the state’s Department of Water Resources and will also be used to assess adequate supply for potential new development, also includes a water shortage contingency plan.

Full Story