You are now in Home Headline Media Coverage San Diego County category.

Water District Imposes Some of the Toughest Water Use Restrictions in Region

A water district serving parts of the Conejo Valley is imposing some of the toughest watering restrictions in the region as a result of the drought. The Las Virgenes Municipal Water District reduced the amount of water customers can use for outdoor irrigation from 75% to 50% of normal.

District officials say if they can decrease water use through the restriction, it could prevent, or at least delay a total ban on outdoor watering.

Ramona Water District to Discuss Agreement to Sell Water to Barona Tribe April 12

The Ramona Municipal Water District and the Barona Band of Mission Indians are considering a water sales agreement that would serve a growing reservation population and help the community be better prepared for wildfires, officials said.

The water district’s board of directors will consider the proposal at their meeting at 6 p.m. Tuesday, April 12 at the Ramona Community Center, 434 Aqua Lane.

‘It Is Just Magnificent!’ | Bald Eagles Return to San Diego County

In the mid 70’s there were only 30 nesting pairs of Bald Eagles because of DDT.

Since then, it was banned, and the population has rebounded and now Bald Eagles are nesting here in San Diego.

Ernie Cowan is a photographer, author, and naturalist and has been watching the nest for three years.

“Wow! Look at that profile, he is really posing,” said Cowan.

City-Subsidized Rain Barrels Sold Out in Event at SCV Activities Center

Around 20 people showed up at 20880 Centre Pointe Parkway on Saturday morning to attend a class on how to properly use rain barrels they pre-ordered, which were offered by the city of Santa Clarita through a purchase program.

The program had completely sold out of their city-subsidized stock, which maxed out at around 100 barrels, but still had a few left over to purchase at full price.

Customers were able to choose barrels that could hold between 50 to 60 gallons of water, for $40 each if it was city-subsidized or just over $70 if they had to pay full price.

Californians Urged to Save Water as State Faces Dismal Snowpack in Sierra Nevada

California is going into spring with a minuscule amount of snow in the Sierra Nevada, leaving the state in a third year of extreme drought and with depleted reservoirs to draw on during what’s likely to be another hot, parched summer.

The mountain snowpack, as measured by snow sensors across the Sierras, now stands at just 38% of the long-term average.

SkillBridge Interns Explore Career Opportunities After Military Service

The San Diego County Water Authority is providing training opportunities to military veterans looking for new careers in public service as part of the Skillbridge Program. The program is helping military veterans transition to career-track training opportunities, including work in the water and wastewater industry.

Governor’s New Water Saving Order Will Have Minimal Effect on San Diego

Gov. Gavin Newsom issued an executive order Monday calling for increased water conservation after the driest first quarter in California’s history, but the San Diego region will be largely spared.

Newsom called on local water suppliers to move to their Level 2 drought plans, which anticipate shortages of up to 20% and could include restrictions on watering in many parts of the state.

 

‘Continue With Our Water Conservation Practices’ | Californians Aren’t Conserving Enough Water

Even with our recent storm, San Diego County is still well below our average for rain this year. And as bad as the drought conditions are here, in Northern California they are even worse.

As a result, Governor Gavin Newsom just issued an executive order that moves the state into a stricter level of water saving, but he’s allowing each local district to set its own rules.

“We’re going to continue with our water conservation practices,” said Jeff Stephenson, Water Resources Manager with the San Diego County Water Authority. “We’ve ramped up our messaging and then directing people to our conservation programs.”

What Newsom’s Drought Actions Mean for San Diego

It rained almost two inches over Monday night in certain parts of the San Diego region, but the drought is not over. In fact, Jeff Stephenson, water resources manager at San Diego County Water Authority, said residents should consider turning off their sprinklers for the next seven days.

Of the six levels of emergency actions taken during a drought, Gov. Gavin Newsom on Monday moved California from the first to the second level. That means local water suppliers must act like supplies have dipped by at least 10 to 20 percent, as CalMatters explained.

But he isn’t requiring everybody to cut water use by the same amount across the board. This time he’s letting cities and jurisdictions trigger their local plans for action during drought prepared back in 2020.

City Opposes 8% Metropolitan Water District Rate Increase

Interim City Manager Cynthia Kurtz sent an opposition letter to the Metropolitan Water District (MWD) over rate increases.

“Pasadena does not support rate increases of 8% and 8% for each of the next two years,” Kurtz wrote in the March 21 letter. “Over the past decade, Metropolitan staff has continuously communicated to its member agencies to expect rate increases of 3-5% per annum. And, Metropolitan has stayed that course and managed to operate within those parameters despite some of the most challenging drought years in recorded history.”