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Santa Fe Irrigation District Celebrates a Century of Service

/in , , /by /Water News Network Mentioned: San Diego County Water Authority

Community leaders and neighbors joined the Santa Fe Irrigation District in celebrating its 100th anniversary at a “Century of Service” event on June 21. The celebration at the San Dieguito Reservoir recognized SFID’s contributions to the community over the past 100 years and reflected on the water agency’s history and milestones.

Congressman Mike Levin also recognized the milestone: “Congratulations to the Santa Fe Irrigation District on 100 years of serving our community! As Californians, we all understand the importance of conserving water and the impact droughts have on our daily lives. I’m grateful to have SFID as a partner in the work to strengthen our local water independence.”

California Natural Resources Secretary Wade Crowfoot issued a congratulatory message: “Many thanks to the Santa Fe Irrigation District for 100 years of service. We appreciate this century-long legacy of water service to generations of Californians and look forward to continuing to partner on adjusting to the changing climate by improving water efficiency and diversifying our water supply.”

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OC Grand Jury Report on Drought Conditions Endorses Doheny Desalination Plant, Calls for New Water Sources

/in , , /by /The Capistrano Dispatch by C. Jayden Smith

South Orange County’s reliance on imported water through unsustainable sources that will be impacted by climate change must adapt, according to the Orange County Grand Jury, which endorsed desalination plants as a solution in a recent report.

Released in early June, the report highlighted the continued existence of drought conditions in the western United States, Orange County water suppliers’ need to find solutions to growing needs and potential shortages, and the importance of conservation and public education.

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Landscape Transformation Wins Sweetwater Authority Contest

/in , , /by /Water News Network

National City homeowner Catalina Schultz decided to reinvent her yard. Her landscape transformation from grass to a low-water use design is the 2023 winner of the Sweetwater Authority WaterSmart Landscape Makeover Contest.

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FEMA Ranking Shows San Diego County Tops List of Most at Risk for Wildfires in Southern California

/in , , /by /ABC 10 by Ciara Encinas

It’s that time of year when the dry heat, along with winds, increases the risk of wildfires.

The National Weather Service said the wildfire threat is elevated in our inland communities into next week.

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Opinion: San Diego County Farmers’ Water Dispute Shows Ratepayers Will Balk at Ever-Costlier Bills

/in , /by /The San Diego Union-Tribuneby The San Diego Union-Tribune Editorial Board Mentioned: San Diego County Water Authority

In 1991, during a lengthy drought, the giant Metropolitan Water District of Southern California ordered huge cuts in supplies to the San Diego County Water Authority, which relied on MWD for 95 percent of its water. The authority resolved back then to steadily and sharply diversify its supplies, and it did with great success.

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Neena Kuzmich Named Director of Engineering

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

Neena Kuzmich has been appointed director of engineering for the San Diego County Water Authority – the first woman to lead the Engineering Department since the agency’s formation in 1944. Kuzmich brings more than 25 years of experience as a civil engineer to fill the position vacated by the retirement of Gary Bousquet.

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Opinion: Move by Two Small Water Districts Could Have Impact Across Southern California

/in , , /by /The San Diego Union-Tribuneby Michael Smolens Mentioned: San Diego County Water Authority

The Fallbrook and Rainbow water districts got the green light to, in effect, move north.

That will impact ratepayers in San Diego County, and it could alter the balance of power in water decisions far beyond.

Like so many contentious developments when it comes to water, this one might not be over for a while.

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Fallbrook and Rainbow Water Districts Get OK to Split From San Diego Water Authority

/in , , /by /The San Diego Union-Tribuneby Deborah Sullivan Brennan Quoted: San Diego County Water Authority

Rainbow and Fallbrook water districts are free to join a water system in Riverside County, after a split decision by regional policymakers Monday that would slightly lower costs for ratepayers in those districts but may raise water rates in other areas across San Diego County.

The San Diego County Local Agency Formation Commission, or LAFCO, which is responsible for approving and managing changes to local jurisdictions, voted 5-3 to authorize Fallbrook Public Utility District and Rainbow Muncipal Water District to separate from the San Diego Water Authority. They plan to join Eastern Municipal Water District, which serves southern Riverside County, said Jack Bebee general manager for the Fallbrook district.

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Fallbrook, Rainbow Water ‘Divorce’ Approved by County Commission

/in , , /by /KPBS-FM/TVby Alexander Nguyen and Charlotte Radulovich Quoted: San Diego County Water Authority

The San Diego County Local Agency Formation Commission (LAFCO), in a 5-3 vote Monday, approved the request of Fallbrook Public Utility District and Rainbow Municipal Water District to detach from the 24-member San Diego County Water Authority.

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County Board Votes to Allow Fallbrook, Rainbow to Detach from Water Authority

/in , , /by /Times of San Diego by Chris Jennewein Quoted: San Diego County Water Authority

The San Diego County Local Area Formation Commission voted 5-3 on Monday to allow two rural water districts in North San Diego County to detach from the San Diego County Water Authority.

LAFCO, which is responsible for forming special public districts, did not require a vote by ratepayers and did not set a timetable for detachment of the two districts, pending further study.

The Fallbrook Public Utility District and the Rainbow Municipal Water District, with a total of 56,000 residents, are seeking to join the Eastern Municipal Water District in Riverside County in hopes of securing lower-cost water for farmers.

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