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Water Agencies in North County Further Partnership to Minimize Costs to Ratepayers

Encinitas, Calif. — At their March 19 board meetings, both Olivenhain Municipal Water District and Vallecitos Water District approved entering into a partnership agreement allowing VWD to install communication equipment at OMWD’s Denk Reservoir site in Carlsbad.

OMWD’s Denk Reservoir overlooks the southern portion of VWD’s service area and provides a clear line of sight between VWD’s Meadowlark Water Reclamation and San Elijo Hills Pump Station facilities. By partnering with OMWD to use the Denk Reservoir site to host the ethernet radio equipment, VWD will connect their two facilities with a reduced amount of equipment. The improved communications will ensure that system operators can monitor flow and pressure levels to make operational changes throughout the distribution system.

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OMWD Still Accepting Applications for Vacancy on Board of Directors

Encinitas, Calif. — Olivenhain Municipal Water District is calling for applications to fill the Division 1 vacancy on its Board of Directors. Departing director Marco San Antonio resigned from OMWD on January 24.

OMWD’s board intends to conduct interviews at its March 19 board meeting to fill the vacancy. The newly appointed director will represent Division 1 through December 4, 2026, filling the remaining 20 months of the four-year term.

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OMWD Proactively Completes Replacement of Drinking Water Pipeline on Rancho Santa Fe Road

Encinitas, Calif. —Olivenhain Municipal Water District has completed the construction of a drinking water pipeline on Rancho Santa Fe Road on the border of Encinitas and Carlsbad. The project replaced an existing pipeline that was originally installed in 1961 and was reaching the end of its lifespan.

OMWD continuously assesses the condition of its infrastructure, and replaces it proactively before failure to avoid major leaks and damage to roadways.

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OMWD Wins Statewide Award for Operating Budget Excellence

Encinitas, Calif. — Olivenhain Municipal Water District’s Board of Directors accepted at its February 19 meeting the California Society of Municipal Finance Officers’ Operating Budget Excellence Award for its budget for fiscal years 2025 and 2026.

The CSMFO award recognizes public agencies for demonstrating clarity, accuracy, and consistency in their budget document. OMWD’s budget met specific statewide standards and requirements that CSMFO considered to be of the highest quality. CSMFO determined that OMWD is implementing best management practices in budgeting and financial reporting.

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OMWD’s 4S Ranch Water Reclamation Facility Earns “Plant of the Year” Recognition

Encinitas, Calif. — Olivenhain Municipal Water District’s Board of Directors accepted at its February 19 meeting California Water Environment Association San Diego Section’s 2024 Plant of the Year Award for the 4S Ranch Water Reclamation Facility. The award acknowledges the facility’s innovation, regulatory compliance, and cost-effective operations.

“Our operators work hard seven days a week to ensure that our wastewater treatment facility functions at the highest level while providing quality service to the communities we serve,” said OMWD President Matthew R. Hahn. “Our board is proud to have our facility recognized by CWEA for the second time in three years.”

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OMWD Offering Free California-Friendly Landscape Design Workshop

Encinitas, Calif. — Olivenhain Municipal Water District is offering a free landscape workshop to assist residents in transforming their yards into attractive, water-saving landscapes.

The workshop will be held on Saturday, March 8, from 10:00 a.m. to 11:30 a.m. at OMWD’s offices, located at 1966 Olivenhain Road in Encinitas.

 

Otay Water District Logo

Jose Lopez Re-Elected as Otay Water District Board President for 2025

Spring Valley, Calif. – At its January meeting, the Otay Water District board of directors elected Jose Lopez as president for 2025, marking his second consecutive term. Lopez represents division four. The board also elected board member Gary Croucher (division three) as vice president and Francisco Rivera (division one) as treasurer.

Lopez will serve until January 2026, when officer elections will again occur. He has served most recently on the District’s board since December 2020. He also served on the Otay board from 2001 to 2016.

“I am honored to serve as board president for a second term,” says Lopez. “I look forward to collaborating with our leadership team to enhance the District’s programs and processes, always striving to minimize rate increases for our customers. Together, we will address the opportunities and challenges ahead.”

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OMWD Seeks Replacement for Departed Director

Encinitas, Calif. — Olivenhain Municipal Water District is seeking a new member of the board to replace departed director Marco San Antonio. Mr. San Antonio resigned from OMWD on January 24 and was sworn in as a newly appointed member of the Encinitas City Council.

OMWD’s board intends to conduct interviews at its March 19 board meeting to fill the vacancy. The newly appointed director will represent Division 1 through December 4, 2026, filling the remaining two years of the four-year term

SLIDER Water Authority building

Board Chair Announces Committee Leadership for 2025-2026

San Diego County Water Authority Board Chair Nick Serrano has appointed new leadership for the Board’s committees and regional boards. These positions are responsible for running vital committees that impact all aspects of the Water Authority’s operations and representing the Water Authority on key regional bodies.

“I am proud to announce these appointments, which reflect the expertise, dedication, and leadership needed to advance our priorities for the San Diego region,” said Chair Serrano. “This group of leaders brings diverse perspectives to the table and shares my commitment to keeping water rates low, ending the era of litigation that has stood in the way of collaborative decision-making for the Southwest, fostering regional collaboration across Southern California, and ensuring a sustainable future for San Diego County.”

Board Chair Nick Serrano.

The new San Diego County Water Authority committee chairs are:

• Ismahan Abdullahi (City of San Diego) – Administrative & Finance Committee
• Amy Reeh (Yuima Municipal Water District) – Engineering & Operations Committee
• Neal Meyers (Olivenhain Municipal Water District) – Imported Water Committee
• Valentine Macedo, Jr. (City of San Diego) – Legislation & Public Outreach Committee
• Marty Miller (Vista Irrigation District) – Water Planning & Environmental Committee

Chair Serrano also appointed Chair Emeritus Mel Katz (City of Del Mar) to be San Diego’s new delegate to the Metropolitan Water District (MWD) of Southern California. Katz replaces former MWD Director Tim Smith (Otay Water District), who retired from this position late last year. Katz was officially sworn-in to his new role as an MWD delegate last week.

In addition, Board Secretary Joy Lyndes (San Dieguito Water District) will serve as the Water Authority’s primary representative to SANDAG.

“Together, we will continue to build on the progress we’ve made, tackle the challenges ahead, and deliver innovative solutions that meet the needs of our communities,” Serrano said. “I have full confidence in this team’s ability to advance our collective vision for a stronger, more affordable, and more resilient water future.”

The Water Authority’s 22 member agencies are represented through a 34-member Water Authority Board of Directors. At least one director from each agency sits on the Board. The Board establishes and administers policies for the Water Authority, and generally holds its regular meetings on the fourth Thursday of every month with special workshops and other meetings as needed.

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Matthew R. Hahn Named President of OMWD’s Board of Directors

Encinitas, Calif. — At today’s Olivenhain Municipal Water District board meeting, Matthew R. Hahn assumed the position of president of the Board of Directors. Mr. Hahn will serve as president for the 2025-2026 term.

Initially elected to the board in 2022, Mr. Hahn represents Division 4 of OMWD’s service area, which includes the 4S Ranch community. In addition to his duties as president, Mr. Hahn will also serve on OMWD’s Safety Committee, Customer Outreach and Conservation Committee, and Public Policy Committee.