Agency News

News from the Water Authority and its 24 member agencies.

North County Water Agencies Partner to Offer Free California-friendly Landscape Design Workshop

Encinitas, CA — In order to promote outdoor water use efficiency, Olivenhain Municipal Water District, San Dieguito Water District, and Santa Fe Irrigation District invite members of the public to attend a free California-friendly landscape design workshop on Wednesday, March 13 from 5:30 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. The event will be held at the OMWD […]

OMWD Hosts Complimentary Rain Harvesting Workshop

Encinitas, CA — Olivenhain Municipal Water District, San Dieguito Water District, and Santa Fe Irrigation District have partnered to offer a free workshop for area residents to learn about the benefits of rain barrels and best practices for rainwater collection. This workshop will be held on January 27 from 10:00 a.m. to 11:30 a.m., at […]

Sweetwater Authority Board Appoints New Leadership For 2024 Term; Adjusts Meeting Times For New Year

Chula Vista, CA – Last month, the Sweetwater Authority (Authority) Governing Board (Board) appointed Director Paulina Martinez-Perez as Board Chair and Director Hector Martinez as Vice Chair for the 2024 term. Martinez-Perez has served on the Board since 2020 and Martinez has served since 2018. At the same meeting, the Board adopted Resolution 23-23, adjusting […]

North County Water Agencies Offer Low-Cost Rain Barrels to Help Customers Save Water

Encinitas, CA — To encourage water conservation, Olivenhain Municipal Water District, San Dieguito Water District, and Santa Fe Irrigation District have partnered to offer discounted rain barrels to area residents. Fifty-gallon barrels are on sale for $97, with a final cost of $62 after a $35 rebate from water wholesaler Metropolitan Water District of Southern […]

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Olivenhain Municipal Water District Partners with Village Park Manor Condos to Reduce Drinking Water Demand

Encinitas, CA—Olivenhain Municipal Water District continues to reduce its imported drinking water demand by converting seven meters within the Village Park Manor Condominium community to recycled water. Village Park Manor is located in Encinitas and began in December irrigating its common areas using recycled water. With the successful conversion of the seven meters to recycled […]

Padre Dam Municipal Water District Files Lawsuit Against Grossmont-Cuyamaca Community College District Over Required Water System Upgrades

SANTEE – Padre Dam Municipal Water District (Padre Dam) has filed a lawsuit against Grossmont-Cuyamaca Community College District (Grossmont) in California Superior Court – San Diego aimed at resolving a dispute over necessary water system upgrades on the Grossmont college campus and transferring ownership of the water system to Grossmont.

Vallecitos District Logo

James Gumpel Appointed General Manager of the Vallecitos Water District Beginning January 1, 2024

San Marcos, CA – At the board meeting last night, the Vallecitos Water District (VWD) Board of Directors voted unanimously to appoint James Gumpel as General Manager beginning January 1, 2024.  

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Olivenhain Municipal Water District Honors 2023 “Pure Excellence” Award Winners

Encinitas, Calif. —At its November 15 board meeting, Olivenhain Municipal Water District recognized several community members with “Pure Excellence” awards for making a positive impact in the community in 2023. The winners—Congressman Scott Peters, MiraCosta College, California Landscape Technologies, BCK Programs, and Rich Reimer—were acknowledged for advancing water use efficiency and protecting the natural environment. […]

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Elfin Forest Recreational Reserve Launches 17th Annual Amateur Photography Contest

Encinitas, Calif. — Olivenhain Municipal Water District invites amateur photographers of all ages to its Elfin Forest Recreational Reserve for the seventeenth annual amateur photography contest that will run from November 18, 2023, through April 21, 2024. “For seventeen years, our contest has prompted visitors to capture Elfin Forest Recreational Reserve’s stunning beauty from their […]

San Diego County Water Authority And its 24 Member Agencies

Money Still Available for Low-Income Water Customers in San Diego County

Millions of dollars in federal aid are still available for low-income water customers in San Diego County to cover overdue residential water and wastewater bills. The San Diego County Water Authority helped secure the federal funds — and the deadline for applications has been extended to March 31, 2024. The Low-Income Household Water Assistance Program […]

San Diego County Water Authority And its 24 Member Agencies

Jeff Stephenson Named Director of Water Resources

October 24, 2023 – Jeff Stephenson has been appointed director of water resources for the San Diego County Water Authority, where he leads the department responsible for regional water supply planning and long-term facilities planning. Stephenson brings more than 27 years of experience at the Water Authority to fill the position vacated by the department’s […]

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Water and Irrigation Workshop on November 6 in Encinitas

Encinitas, Calif. — Olivenhain Municipal Water District invites the public to attend a free “Water and Irrigation Workshop.” The workshop aims to empower residents with strategies to improve water use efficiency. It will be held on November 6, from 5:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m., at the Encinitas Community and Senior Center, located at 1140 Oakcrest […]

San Diego County Water Authority And its 24 Member Agencies

Gov. Newsom Signs Bill to Protect Water Ratepayers

The Water Ratepayers Protection Act of 2023 (Assembly Bill 399) was signed Friday by California Gov. Gavin Newsom, adding affordability safeguards for residents and businesses in the San Diego County Water Authority’s service area. The legislation, introduced by Encinitas Assemblymember Tasha Boerner and sponsored by the City of San Diego, expands voting requirements should agencies […]

San Diego County Water Authority And its 24 Member Agencies

Landmark Conservation Pact Marks 20 Years of Water Security for San Diego

Twenty years ago this week, water officials from across the Southwest signed the largest water conservation-and-transfer agreement in U.S. history, providing decades of water security for San Diego County and benefits for numerous partners across the Southwest. In total, that pact supplies more than half of the water that sustains San Diego County’s 3.3 million […]

San Diego County Water Authority And its 24 Member Agencies

Water Authority Wins National 2023 EPA WaterSense Excellence Award

October 9, 2023 – The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency has recognized the San Diego County Water Authority with a 2023 WaterSense Excellence Award for advancing water efficiency through its Qualified Water Efficient Landscaper program, better known as QWEL. The Water Authority received one of 25 Excellence Awards on Oct. 5 at the national WaterSmart Innovations […]