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City of San Diego May Release Water from Lake Hodges in Coming Months

/in , , /by /Times of San Diego

The city of San Diego may release water from Lake Hodges reservoir into San Dieguito River in coming months if heavy rain raises the water level above the maximum permitted.

For safety reasons, the California Division of Safety of Dams has determined that the water level should not be above 295 feet, which is 20 feet below the spillway elevation. If the water nears that level when rain is forecast, city officials will likely open valves at the dam for a controlled release of some of the water. The released water will enter San Dieguito River and eventually the Pacific Ocean.
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Heavy Rains May Prompt San Diego to Lower Water Level in Lake Hodges

/in , /by /The San Diego Union-Tribuneby David Garrick

San Diego officials announced Friday that they may release water from the Lake Hodges Reservoir near Rancho Bernardo this winter if rainfall pushes the water level above where it is permitted under state regulations.

The California Division of Safety of Dams has determined that the water level in the reservoir should no longer go above 295 feet, which is 20 feet below the spillway elevation — a formal term for the top of the dam.

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Water Authority Moves to Advance Settlement Over MWD Rates

/in , , /by /Water News Network (San Diego) Quoted: San Diego County Water Authority

The San Diego County Water Authority’s Board officers Thursday thanked the Metropolitan Water District of Southern California for making a public offer to settle litigation over MWD’s rates, and directed staff to take the following actions:

  • Schedule special Board meetings in December and January to expedite the process in hopes of reaching a conclusion in early 2020; and
  • Draft a durable, public and mutually beneficial settlement offer for review by the Water Authority Board; and
  • Invite MWD General Manager Jeff Kightlinger to discuss settlement with the Water Authority Board and schedule a reciprocal visit by Water Authority General Manager Sandy Kerl to MWD’s Board.
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Reservoir Project in California Aims to Store Recycled Water

/in , /by /The Capistrano Dispatchby Collin Breaux

A reservoir and water dam project aiming to store recycled water is on track, according to water management officials.

The Santa Margarita Water District gave a tour of the Trampas Canyon Reservoir and Dam on Saturday, Nov. 16. Construction began in January 2018 and is expected to finish by 2020.

The dam and reservoir are south of Ortega Highway on land acquired from Rancho Mission Viejo. The reservoir is intended to hold 1.6 billion gallons of recycled water.

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Sandra L. Kerl Appointed General Manager of San Diego County Water Authority

/in , , /by /Water News Network (San Diego)by Ed Joyce Mentioned: San Diego County Water Authority
Quoted: San Diego County Water Authority

The San Diego County Water Authority Board of Directors approved a contract with Sandra L. Kerl to be the new general manager of the region’s wholesale water agency, following a months-long national search. The Board approved the contract in open session during its regular monthly meeting Nov. 21 at Water Authority headquarters.

Kerl fills the position vacated by longtime General Manager Maureen Stapleton, who retired in March. She has served as the agency’s acting general manager since Stapleton’s departure, working closely with the Board to lead a staff of approximately 250 employees at offices in Kearny Mesa, Escondido, the Imperial Valley and Sacramento.

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After Wet Winter, Why is Tijuana Running Low on Water?

/in , , /by /KPBS (San Diego)by Max Rivlin-Nadler

Water shutoffs aren’t uncommon in the growing cities of Tijuana and Rosarito. But they’re rarely announced beforehand, and they’re often isolated to certain neighborhoods after pipes or pumps fail.

Earlier this month, however, Tijuana officials announced that it was planning wide-ranging shutoffs for the next two months, in an attempt to replenish a vital reservoir that is perilously low.

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RSF Irrigation District Joint Facilities Advisory Committee Reviews Projects

/in , /by /The Coast News Group (San Diego)by Alex Wehrung

RANCHO SANTA FE — The Rancho Santa Fe Irrigation District’s Joint Facilities Advisory Committee held a meeting on Nov. 14 at the irrigation district’s office to discuss the current status of the Lake Hodges Dam, the progress of the Joint Facilities Capital Improvement Program and the current status of Joint Facilities operations.

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Buena Park Neighborhood Has Dealt With Yellow Tap Water for Years. New Plan Might Help

/in , /by /Orange County Registerby Ian Wheeler

Rust-colored water is part of Ron Cathcart’s routine.

The Buena Park resident has lived with his family at their Panama Drive home for 20 years. Often, when they’re about to cook or use a washing machine, they open a tap first.

On unlucky days, cloudy water pours out. That’s when they run every faucet in the house, for up to 45 minutes or until the water clears up.

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Poway Man is Saving Money by Saving Rain

/in , , /by /NBC 7 San Diego by Joe Little Mentioned: San Diego County Water Authority

Bob Raibert loved the green grass growing in his Poway front yard when he bought his home four years ago. The affinity wore off when he got his first water bill.

“For two months it was $600,” he said. “The front yard was all grass; about 5,000 square feet of grass.”

Raipert did some research and spoke to experts.

He redid his entire front and backyard. The grass has been replaced with drought tolerant plants and artificial grass.

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Opinion: Groundwater Sustainability And Climate Action

/in , /by /Coastal View by Robert McDonald

On a day to day basis, we stay busy repairing water main breaks, helping our customers find leaks and providing safe drinking water, but we also devote a lot of time to planning for the future. It is important that we look ahead so we can successfully manage our water resources and implement necessary infrastructure projects in order to meet our customers’ future water needs and maintain a resilient water delivery system in the face of aging infrastructure. Currently, the district is directing a lot of our efforts to the formation of a Groundwater Sustainability Agency (GSA) and developing a Climate Action Plan.

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