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Sweetwater Authority Saves $11 Million Dollars With Local Water Transfers

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Chula Vista, Calif. –With the completion of a second water transfer, Sweetwater Authority has secured an additional year’s worth of local water supplies. Sweetwater Reservoir is at over 50% capacity, for the first time since 2019. These transfers equate to saving the Authority and its ratepayers approximately $11 million in costs associated with purchasing water.

(Editor’s note: The SweetwaterAuthority is one of the San Diego County Water Authority’s 24 member agencies that deliver water across the San Diego County region.) 

 

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San Diego County Water Authority And its 24 Member Agencies

Water Authority Board Welcomes Seven New Directors

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January 27, 2023 – The San Diego County Water Authority Board of Directors welcomed seven new members from across the region at its first regular Board meeting of the year on January 26, expanding the agency’s leadership and policy making skills during a critical period for water in the West.

Each of the Water Authority’s 24 retail member agencies are represented by at least one member of the 36-member Board of Directors, which sets the Water Authority’s strategic direction. The Water Authority provides wholesale water supplies that sustains 3.3 million people and a $268 billion regional economy, in coordination with its member agencies.

“Our new directors bring qualifications and experience that will expand our capacity and provide diverse perspectives about the complex issues we face,” said Water Authority Board Chair Mel Katz. “We will all benefit from these experienced leaders who have proven skills in a wide variety of business and public agencies.”

New Board Members-San Diego County Water Authority Board of Directors

New Water Authority Board members are:

  • Teresa Acosta, Carlsbad city councilmember, representing Carlsbad Municipal Water District – Water Authority committees: Administrative and Finance, Water Planning and Environmental
  • Clint Baze, Rincon Del Diablo Municipal Water District general manager, representing Rincon Del Diablo MWD – Water Authority committees: Administrative and Finance, Water Planning and Environmental
  • Steve Castaneda, South Bay Irrigation District board member, representing South Bay Irrigation District – Water Authority committees: Engineering and Operations, Imported Water
  • Lindsay Leahy, Oceanside Water Utilities director, representing City of Oceanside – Water Authority committees: Legislation and Public Outreach, Water Planning and Environmental
  • Joy Lyndes, City of Encinitas councilmember and deputy mayor, representing San Dieguito Water District – Water Authority committees: Legislation and Public Outreach, Water Planning and Environmental
  • Kyle Swanson, Padre Dam Municipal Water District CEO/general manager, representing Padre Dam MWD – Water Authority committees: Administrative and Finance, Legislation and Public Outreach
  • Ditas Yamane, National City councilmember, representing City of National City – Water Authority committees: Engineering and Operations, Water Planning and Environmental

The Board generally holds its regular meetings on the fourth Thursday of each month, with special workshops and other meetings as needed. Board members serve on committees and special work groups and are also appointed to represent the Water Authority on the boards or committees of other agencies and government organizations.

The public is invited to attend monthly meetings and to comment on agenda items or other matters before the Board. To learn more about Water Authority Board members and meetings, go to: www.sdcwa.org/about-us/board-of-directors/

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Sweetwater Authority Logo 2019Sweetwater Authority Logo 2019

Sweetwater Authority Secures Additional Water for Customers Through Controlled Transfer Between Reservoirs

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Chula Vista, Calif. – In order to secure additional water supply for our customers, Sweetwater Authority initiated a controlled transfer of water between its two reservoirs on January 26, 2023.

“Late December and January brought substantial rainfall to the region,” said General Manager Carlos Quintero. “However, after four years of dry weather patterns, we are still in need of water. Sweetwater Reservoir is below 40 percent capacity. These transfers are standard operational practices that we conduct to secure the water supply for our customers.”

Water that leaves Loveland Reservoir is transferred through the Sweetwater River channel and captured at Sweetwater Reservoir where it can be treated and distributed to Authority customers at a lower cost than importing water. Recent rainfall and saturated soils have created optimal conditions for the transfer. The Authority anticipates capturing approximately 3,500 acre-feet of water with the transfer. This equates to a savings of approximately $5 million in costs associated with purchasing imported water.

A similar water transfer was last initiated in November 2022. That transfer captured approximately 4,000 acre-feet of water, saving Authority customers more than $6.2 million. Additional runoff will continue to flow in the Sweetwater Reservoir once the transfer is completed from subsequent storms this winter. The Authority expects that after this transfer, there will be sufficient water stored behind Sweetwater Reservoir to provide an adequate supply for over one year. The Authority will monitor the water transfer, which will occur over several weeks, and make modifications as necessary depending on weather conditions.

The Authority worked closely with local landowners and businesses near the Sweetwater River channel, notifying them by mail and phone prior to the start of the transfer to lessen any potential impacts. The Authority conducts controlled transfers periodically and coordinates with the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service to ensure that environmental needs are met.

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San Diego County Water Authority And its 24 Member Agencies

Water Authority Welcomes New MWD Board Chair Adán Ortega

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January 26, 2023 – The San Diego County Water Authority Board of Directors today welcomed Metropolitan Water District of Southern California Board Chair Adán Ortega, Jr. by hosting a reception for him to meet San Diego County’s community, civic and business leaders.

Ortega took the helm of  MWD’s Board on January 10 as the first Latino chair in the district’s 95-year history. In a presentation today during the Water Authority’s formal Board meeting, Ortega focused on shared challenges and opportunities the two water wholesalers face in the era of climate change.

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Sweetwater Authority’s High School Photo Contest Encourages Creativity in Highlighting the Importance of Water

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Chula Vista, Calif. – Sweetwater Authority is now accepting entries for its 2023 High School Photo Contest. Now in its 15th year,
the contest aims to showcase and celebrate through photography how safe, reliable water service supports everything we do.

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Otay Water District Board Elects Mark Robak as 2023 Board President

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Spring Valley, Calif. – At its January meeting, the Otay Water District board of directors elected new officers to lead the District’s board for 2023.

The board elected director Mark Robak, who represents division five, as president. The board also elected board member Jose Lopez, serving division four, as vice president and Ryan Keyes, serving division two, as treasurer.

Robak’s election as president follows two years of board leadership under past president Tim Smith. Robak will serve as president through January 2024 when officer elections will again take place. He has served on the District’s board for 18 years since January 2005.

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Manny Delgado Appointed to South Bay Irrigation District Board

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Chula Vista, Calif. – At its January 19 meeting, the South Bay Irrigation District (SBID) appointed Manny Delgado to represent residents living in SBID Division 3. As part of his duties, Delgado will also serve on the Governing Board of Sweetwater Authority.

Delgado replaces former Director Jose Preciado, who resigned from the seat in November 2022 when he was elected to the City of Chula Vista City Council. He will serve until the next General Election for the South Bay Irrigation District, which will occur on November 5, 2024. At that time, a director will be elected to a four-year term.

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Olivenhain Municipal Water District Logo landscape design workshops

Christy Guerin Named President of OMWD’s Board of Directors

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At today’s Olivenhain Municipal Water District board meeting, Christy Guerin assumed the position of president. Ms. Guerin will serve as president for the 2023-2024 term.

Initially appointed to the board in 2011, Ms. Guerin represents Division 3 of OMWD’s service area, which includes portions of the cities of Encinitas and Solana Beach. In addition to her duties as president, Ms. Guerin will also serve on OMWD’s Personnel Committee, Facilities Committee, Public Outreach and Conservation Committee, and Public Policy Committee.

Ms. Guerin is a ten-year veteran of the San Diego County Sheriff’s Department, and a former council member and mayor of the City of Encinitas. In her capacity with the city, she served on the San Dieguito Water District board and also represented the city on the San Diego Association of Governments’ board. In addition, Ms. Guerin served as OMWD’s representative to the San Diego County Water Authority board from 2014 to 2020.

“With the ongoing multi-year drought, water supply reliability and the mitigation of impacts to our ratepayers will be a top priority for 2023. I look forward to leading the district through these times while staying true to the district’s core values,” said Ms. Guerin.

Larry Watt was thanked and honored during the meeting for his service as president for the 2021-2022 term. This marked the third time Mr. Watt filled the president position, having previously served in that role for the 2013-2014 term as well as the 2017-2018 term.

(Editor’s Note: Olivenhain Municipal Water District is a public agency providing water, wastewater services, recycled water, hydroelectricity, and operation of Elfin Forest Recreational Reserve. Organized in 1959, OMWD currently serves approximately 87,000 customers over 48 square miles in northern San Diego County. The OMWD is one of the San Diego County Water Authority’s 24 member agencies that deliver water across San Diego County.)

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San Diego County Water Authority And its 24 Member Agencies

First Aqueduct Maintenance Shutdown Runs Jan. 23-Feb. 1

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The San Diego County Water Authority’s First Aqueduct will be shut down periodically over the next three months for maintenance projects to ensure a safe and reliable water supply for the region. Two shutdowns on the First Aqueduct are scheduled from January through March, when portions of the aqueduct will be relined, along with other maintenance.

The Water Authority and its member agencies are coordinating to minimize impacts to residents and businesses, while servicing pipelines that are more than 65 years old.

Customers of these affected retail agencies during the Jan. 23-Feb. 1 shutdown should check with their local water utility if they have questions about localized impacts: Fallbrook Public Utility District, Rainbow Municipal Water District, Rincon del Diablo Municipal Water District, Vallecitos Water District, Valley Center Municipal Water District, Vista Irrigation District, and the Yuima Municipal Water District.

“Work to proactively upgrade and maintain our water delivery system in coordination with our member agencies ensures the continued safe and reliable supply that serves the region’s 3.3 million residents and our $268 billion economy,” said Eva Plajzer, the Water Authority’s director of operations and maintenance. “Taking care of this critical infrastructure during the shutdown season extends the life of the aqueduct and reduces the cost of replacement.”

Maintenance work on pipelines is scheduled during low-demand periods to minimize impacts on water service.

The other scheduled shutdown on the First Aqueduct is February 27 to March 8, which will also impact the Helix Water District and the cities of San Diego, Poway and Ramona.

The historic First Aqueduct was constructed in the 1940s with Pipeline 1 and in the 1950s with Pipeline 2. On November 28, 1947, the first Colorado River water flowed south from Riverside County for 71 miles into the City of San Diego’s San Vicente Reservoir via the First Aqueduct.

The Water Authority’s Asset Management Program is a key element of providing safe and reliable water supplies to the region. The agency continually assesses and inspects its 310 miles of large-diameter pipelines, which provide treated and untreated water to 24 member agencies in San Diego County. The program is widely recognized for pioneering work – including a patented inspection device – that promotes water affordability by avoiding costly unplanned disruptions in service.

As assets age, the Water Authority proactively replaces and repairs them to minimize impacts to member agencies and the public. Investments in the latest inspection technologies, including electromagnetic scanning, robotic inspections and 3D tunnel inspections help the Water Authority’s asset management team detect defects in pipelines and related facilities. Identifying potential issues early avoids more costly fixes later.

For more information about pipeline management, go to: www.sdcwa.org/projects-programs/programs/asset-management/.

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San Diego County Water Authority And its 24 Member Agencies

Water Authority Delivers Emergency Water Supply to Tijuana

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Fast action by the San Diego County Water Authority and its partners is helping maintain water service in Tijuana after problems with the city’s aqueduct emerged in December.

Emergency water deliveries started last week after a coordinated effort between the Water Authority, Otay Water District, and Metropolitan Water District of Southern California (MWD). The typical multi-month approval process was compressed into a few days to avoid additional water supply shortages in Tijuana.

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