Encinitas, Calif. — Olivenhain Municipal Water District will hold a public hearing at 5:30 p.m. on October 16 to receive
comments on proposed water charges. The proposed charges would increase a residential customer’s bill with average
usage by less than five percent, beginning January 1, 2025.
OMWD buys all of its drinking water supply from its wholesaler, San Diego County Water Authority. Buying wholesale
water makes up approximately 60 percent of OMWD’s operating costs. Effective January 1, 2025, SDCWA will increase
the price OMWD pays for water by 14 percent.
https://www.waternewsnetwork.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/04/Olivenhain-Logo-Square.jpg200200Gayle Falkenthalhttps://www.waternewsnetwork.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/04/WNN-Horizontal-White-Blue2.pngGayle Falkenthal2024-09-18 16:59:062024-09-18 16:59:06OMWD Board Will Hold Public Hearing on October 16 on Proposed Water Charges That Would Impact the Average Residential Customer Bill by Less Than Five Percent
Encinitas, Calif. — At its annual conference today, California Special Districts Association honored Olivenhain Municipal Water District with its Exceptional Outreach and Advocacy Award for OMWD’s engagement with legislators and policymakers.
“OMWD is honored to be recognized for our efforts shaping water policy, representing our ratepayers at the state and federal levels, and collaborating with regional partners,” said OMWD Board Director Marco San Antonio.
https://www.waternewsnetwork.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/04/Olivenhain-Logo-Square.jpg200200Gayle Falkenthalhttps://www.waternewsnetwork.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/04/WNN-Horizontal-White-Blue2.pngGayle Falkenthal2024-09-11 14:23:482024-09-11 14:23:48OMWD Receives Award for Exceptional Advocacy
Santee, Calif. – The East County Advanced Water Purification Joint Powers Authority (Authority) plans to issue approximately $433,235,000 in tax exempt, fixed rate notes on September 4, 2024. The Notes are being issued to finance, on an interim basis, a portion of the design, construction, and development costs of the East County Advanced Water Purification (AWP) Project. The Notes are special, limited obligations of the Authority payable solely from Net Revenues of the Authority, and, if needed, other funds held by the Authority.
On Thursday, Metropolitan Water District of Southern California (MWD) Chairman Adán Ortega and Interim General Manager Deven Upadhyay addressed collaboration between two of the largest wholesale water agencies in Southern California in light of MWD’s major long-term planning effort. This process aims to chart a course for meeting Southern California’s water resource management needs while rising to the challenges of a changing climate and maintaining its financial sustainability.
Speaking to the Board of the San Diego County Water Authority, Ortega praised the work of Water Authority Board Chair Mel Katz, Vice Chair Nick Serrano and General Manager Dan Denham during an era of change at both agencies.
“Through your leadership, barriers between our member agencies are coming down opening new possibilities for greater interdependence in our region that can result in greater reliability, value for our residents, and fiscal health for the entire water supply chain,” Ortega said.
Members of the Metropolitan Water District join the August 2024 SDCWA Board meeting for a robust discussion.
This spring, Katz and Denham spoke to the MWD Board about growing the agencies’ relationship based on water security, affordability and mutual benefits.
Ortega touched on similar themes regarding MWD’s ongoing effort to prepare for a changing climate over the next century via its Climate Adaptation Master Plan for Water effort. MWD is trying to chart a course forward with its 26 member agencies that meets the needs of the region while keeping water affordable all in the face of uncertainties caused by the changing climate. Through this process, MWD will consider potential multi-billion-dollar supply projects.
Ortega said the work of the San Diego region’s delegates to the MWD Board have been crucial for helping to chart Southern California’s water future. He thanked Director Tim Smith for leading MWD’s Finance and Asset Management Committee in implementing a two-year budget that was approved without opposition ; Director Marty Miller for his efforts to ensure financial accountability; MWD Secretary Lois Fong-Sakai for establishing a tone of civility at the MWD Board; and MWD Vice Chair Gail Goldberg for her work on MWD’s complex climate adaptation plan.
“Together, during the last two years we have made great progress in steps that are modernizing Metropolitan in the task of climate adaptation,” Ortega said.
https://www.waternewsnetwork.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/08/Screenshot-2024-08-22-161835-2.png475914Jordan Beanehttps://www.waternewsnetwork.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/04/WNN-Horizontal-White-Blue2.pngJordan Beane2024-08-22 16:32:092024-08-23 08:47:18Water Authority Welcomes MWD Chair to Discuss Regional Water Future
Spring Valley, Calif. – The Otay Water District announced at its Aug. 7 board meeting that it will fill its division one board vacancy through an appointment process. The application deadline for candidates interested in filling the seat is Monday, August 26, 2024, by 5 p.m.
The vacancy occurred following the resignation, effective Aug. 2, of former board director Tim Smith, who represented division one. The board’s four remaining members, at its August meeting, unanimously voted to fill the vacancy through an appointment process, as outlined in Government Code § 1780.
https://www.waternewsnetwork.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/10/OtayWD-LogoSQ.png200200Gayle Falkenthalhttps://www.waternewsnetwork.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/04/WNN-Horizontal-White-Blue2.pngGayle Falkenthal2024-08-09 13:36:132024-08-09 13:36:13Otay Water District to Fill Division One Vacancy Through Appointment Process
Don’t miss this exclusive opportunity for emerging leaders throughout San Diego County to join the Citizens Water Academy and get an up-close understanding of our most important resource.
Over multiple sessions participants will learn firsthand about critical water issues affecting the region and go behind the scenes with water managers, planners, and engineersto gain a deeper understanding of the Water Authority’s life-sustaining mission.
Water Academy participants at the base of Olivenhain Dam. Photo: San Diego County Water Authority.
Since its launch in 2015, this award-winning program has equipped nearly 800 civically engaged leaders with the water knowledge they need to make a difference in their communities and careers.
Whether you’re a staffer or a working professional, an elected official or business leader, the information and relationships you’ll gain from the Citizens Water Academy will be impactful. Finally, graduates will have access to a robust and growing alumni network from across the region.
The application period runs from July 25 to August 28, with the class taking place in mid-October. Citizens Water Academy participants must attend all three sessions. Applications are available on the Water Authority website through this link.
Session Guide:
Session 1 October 16 – Wednesday lunch hour (via Zoom): Welcome and overview by Water Authority General Manager Dan Denham.
Session 2 October 17 – Thursday evening dinner: Presentations and activities focused on planning for a water-resilient future.
Session 3 October 19 – Saturday half day: Breakfast and lunch, and behind-the-scenes tours of the Water Authority’s Control Room, Emergency Operations Center, and Olivenhain Dam and Pump Station.
https://www.waternewsnetwork.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/01/Citizens-Water-Academy-Summer-2023-Class8-SLIDER.jpg6491500Jordan Beanehttps://www.waternewsnetwork.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/04/WNN-Horizontal-White-Blue2.pngJordan Beane2024-07-25 14:26:302024-07-26 10:56:49Application Period Now Open for the Fall 2024 Citizens Water Academy
Encinitas, Calif.— Olivenhain Municipal Water District, in partnership with Rancho Santa Fe Fire Protection District, invites the public to attend a free workshop on permaculture gardening and wildfire safety. This workshop will be held on August 15 at 5:30 p.m. at Elfin Forest Interpretive Center Honoring Susan J. Varty located at 8833 Harmony Grove Road in Escondido.
Josh Robinson of SD Sustainable will discuss methods to reduce outdoor water use through permaculture gardening design. Permaculture gardening mimics nature to garden organically, provides habitat for wildlife, and creates a low-maintenance, water-efficient garden. Participants will learn about designing ecologically functional gardens, and food forestry, and discover examples of San Diego ecosystem gardens.
Encinitas, Calif. — On June 13, the United States Bureau of Reclamation recommended to Congress that the North San Diego Water Reuse Coalition receive over $6 million in grant funding from the federal Title XVI program to develop recycled water infrastructure in San Diego’s North County.
“This federal investment to strengthen our region’s recycled water infrastructure is crucial to meet demand and reliability,” said Representative Scott Peters. “Multi-agency projects allow us to stretch public resources and help accelerate results that will benefit the entire region.”
https://www.waternewsnetwork.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/08/north-sd-water-reuse-logo-SQ.jpg400400Gayle Falkenthalhttps://www.waternewsnetwork.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/04/WNN-Horizontal-White-Blue2.pngGayle Falkenthal2024-07-09 15:23:402024-07-09 15:24:05North San Diego Water Reuse Coalition Recommended for Over $6 Million in Federal Funding to Further Improve Local Water Supply Reliability
Encinitas, Calif. — Olivenhain Municipal Water District began serving recycled water today to the new commercial building at 777 North El Camino Real in Encinitas. Irrigating the property with recycled instead of potable water will save more than 7,500 gallons of imported drinking water each year.
“Converting our commercial customers to recycled water for irrigation is of the utmost importance,” said OMWD Board Secretary Larry Watt. “Our region is dependent on the Colorado River for drinking water and available supplies on the river have been slowly declining for decades. Every customer we convert to recycled water makes us more drought resilient.”
https://www.waternewsnetwork.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/04/Olivenhain-Logo-Square.jpg200200Gayle Falkenthalhttps://www.waternewsnetwork.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/04/WNN-Horizontal-White-Blue2.pngGayle Falkenthal2024-07-01 17:01:112024-07-01 17:01:11OMWD Converts Another Encinitas Property to Recycled Water
Encinitas, Calif. — Olivenhain Municipal Water District is beginning construction to replace aging water infrastructure on Rancho Santa Fe Road on the border of Carlsbad and Encinitas.
An existing pipeline originally installed in 1961 on Rancho Santa Fe Road between Las Olas Court and Avenida La Posta is approaching the end of its lifespan. This project will replace 1,500 feet of the 12-inch drinking water pipeline.
“Replacing old water mains ensures the continued reliability of our services,” said OMWD Board President Christy Guerin. “Proactive maintenance projects like this are necessary to avoid emergency breaks that can waste millions of gallons of water and be very costly.”
https://www.waternewsnetwork.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/04/Olivenhain-Logo-Square.jpg200200Gayle Falkenthalhttps://www.waternewsnetwork.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/04/WNN-Horizontal-White-Blue2.pngGayle Falkenthal2024-07-01 13:41:432024-07-01 13:41:43Pipeline Construction to Begin on Rancho Santa Fe Road
