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City of San Diego to Release Water from Hodges Reservoir into San Dieguito River

SAN DIEGO – Due to past rainfall and a state mandate with regard to water level, the City of San Diego is scheduled to release approximately 250 million gallons of water from Hodges Reservoir into the San Dieguito River. This will lower the current water level by approximately 2 feet. The water release, using valves in the dam, is scheduled to begin Monday, Nov. 28, 2022, and will continue for approximately two days until the reservoir elevation is approximately 275 feet.

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Low-Cost Rain Barrels Are Still Available to Reduce Outdoor Water Use

Encinitas, Calif. —More than 70% of the western United States is experiencing severe or extreme drought conditions, and Californians are still being asked to curb water consumption to preserve water supplies. To encourage water conservation, Olivenhain Municipal Water District, in partnership with neighboring water districts San Dieguito Water District, Santa Fe Irrigation District, and Carlsbad Municipal Water District, is offering discounted rain barrels to area residents through November 30.

San Diego County Water Authority And its 24 Member Agencies

San Diego County Water Authority Named a 2022 Top Workplace

The San Diego County Water Authority has been named a Top Workplace for 2022 by The San Diego Union-Tribune – the second straight year the agency has been recognized. The newspaper’s honor roll is based solely on employee feedback through third-party surveys by Energage LLC, an employee engagement technology firm.

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2022 “Pure Excellence” Award Winners Honored by Olivenhain Municipal Water District

Encinitas, Calif.— At its November 16 board meeting, Olivenhain Municipal Water District recognized seven individuals and businesses with “Pure Excellence” awards for making a positive impact in the local community in 2022.

Controlled Transfer of Water from Sweetwater Authority’s Loveland Reservoir Begins November 15

Chula Vista, Calif. – In order to secure additional water sources for our customers, Sweetwater Authority initiated a controlled transfer of water between its two reservoirs on November 15, 2022. 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. Drought conditions and lack of rainfall in the region have created a need to transfer this water to Sweetwater Reservoir.

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Sixteenth Annual Elfin Forest Recreational Reserve Amateur Photography Contest Launches November 21

Encinitas, Calif. — Olivenhain Municipal Water District invites amateur photographers of all ages to Elfin Forest Recreational Reserve for the sixteenth annual amateur photography contest that will run November 21, 2022 through April 23, 2023.

The 784-acre reserve is celebrating 30 years of operation in 2022, and the contest prompts participants to capture its natural beauty in creative and unique ways. The 11 miles of hiking, mountain biking, and equestrian trails provide opportunities to photograph Escondido Creek, native plant communities, the Pacific Ocean, Channel and Coronado Islands, and Laguna and San Bernardino mountain ranges.

“This is the first year that we’ve held the contest over the fall and winter months, and we hope that it will inspire visitors to view and photograph the reserve in a new way,” said OMWD Board President Larry Watt.

San Diego County Water Authority And its 24 Member Agencies

MWD Elects Lois Fong-Sakai as Board Secretary

San Diegan and registered civil engineer Lois Fong-Sakai has been elected secretary of the Board of Directors of the Metropolitan Water District of Southern California, the Los Angeles-based water wholesaler that serves nearly 19 million people in six counties.

Fong-Sakai, who represents the City of San Diego on the San Diego County Water Authority’s Board of Directors, is the first Asian-American to serve as an officer of the MWD board.

“It’s a great honor to serve not only San Diego County, but all of Southern California,” said Fong-Sakai. “Extreme drought conditions create significant challenges that will be best addressed through collaboration and cooperation across the region.”

Fong-Sakai’s relatives were Chinese Americans and Japanese Americans who came to the United States in the 1850s and embraced the importance of voting and civil discourse – elements of democracy that Fong-Sakai is passionate about in her new role. “As secretary, I will seek to allow all voices and opinions to be heard respectfully, including those of minority positions,” she said. “Open and inclusive discussions will make Metropolitan stronger and benefit everyone in Southern California.”

Progress on City of San Diego’s Pure Water Pipeline to Temporarily Impact Water Activities at Miramar Reservoir

SAN DIEGO – As the City of San Diego continues to make major progress on one of the largest infrastructure projects in the City’s history, there will be temporary impacts to some water activities at Miramar Reservoir. For the safety of residents and visitors, water activities at Miramar will be suspended beginning next week through early 2023 due to pipeline construction work for the Pure Water Program. Shore areas, including picnic and barbecue areas, paths and shore fishing, will remain accessible to the public during the project.

Water activities will also be suspended in mid-2023 during a second phase of the pipeline project. During these two construction periods, boats, canoes, kayaks and float tubes will not be allowed. The 1-mile pipeline at Miramar Reservoir will include pipeline assembly on barges on the surface of the reservoir before being sunk and permanently installed underwater. The first phase of construction includes the completion of tunneling into the reservoir (mid-November 2022 to early 2023) and the second phase, starting mid-2023, will include the construction of the pipeline on the reservoir.

“This pipeline project is a crucial part of the Pure Water Program that will be vital to providing drinking water in the future,” said Juan Guerreiro, Director of the City’s Public Utilities Department. “We are focused on limiting the impacts to our facilities while this work is underway, and we appreciate the public’s patience during the construction phases.”

The project team will work to minimize inconveniences associated with traffic, construction noise and large construction equipment, but please plan extra time for parking when visiting the reservoir.

Pure Water San Diego is the City’s phased, multi-year program that will provide nearly half of our water supply locally by 2035. Pure Water will use proven purification technology to clean recycled water and produce safe, high-quality drinking water. The program offers a cost effective investment for San Diego’s water needs and will provide a reliable, sustainable water supply.

Work for Water Scholarship Awarded to Local Aspiring Water Industry Pros

Chula Vista, Calif. – At last night’s meeting, the Sweetwater Authority Governing Board awarded the Work for Water Scholarship to two local students. David Inchaurregui Jr. of Chula Vista and Kassandra Beltran of National City were each awarded a $1,000 scholarship to support their career goals of working in the water industry.

San Diego County Water Authority And its 24 Member Agencies

Free Online WaterSmart Landscape Design Workshops Offered

As California enters a fourth straight year of drought, more residents are taking advantage of free, online webinars helping them conserve water and create beautiful landscapes at the same time. New three-hour workshops are scheduled through December, funded in part by the County of San Diego Watershed Protection Program.