Vista, Calif. — Vista Irrigation District has awarded college scholarships to eight high school seniors and selected three fourth-grade students from the local community as winners of two separate district-sponsored contests.
Encinitas, Calif. — Neal Meyers was sworn in this evening as Olivenhain Municipal Water District’s newest director, representing Division 5 of OMWD’s service area. The appointment of Mr. Meyers fills the seat vacated by the retirement of outgoing director Ed Sprague.
“We are excited to welcome an individual of Neal’s caliber to the Board of Directors,” stated OMWD Board President Larry Watt. “His experience with special district law and operations, as well as his expertise with risk management, will allow him to hit the ground running and continue OMWD’s tradition of responsive and transparent governance.”
Encinitas, Calif. — Olivenhain Municipal Water District’s Board of Directors accepted at its May 19 meeting California Water Environment Association San Diego section’s 2020 Plant of the Year Award for its 4S Ranch Water Reclamation Facility. The Plant of the Year award acknowledges OMWD’s accomplishments in compliance, innovative practices, and cost‐effectiveness.
“Our board is thrilled that 4S WRF has been recognized for industry‐leading procedures and techniques to produce high‐quality recycled water, increase water reliability, and operate safely, effectively, and economically,” said OMWD Vice President Kristie Bruce‐Lane. “We need to focus on keeping water affordable and accessible to everyone. Diversifying California’s water portfolio by investing more in recycled water is a critical strategy in doing so, now and for our future generations.”
Encinitas, Calif. — Olivenhain Municipal Water District’s Ultraviolet Disinfection System Project was recognized today as a 2021 Project of the Year by American Public Works Association’s San Diego and Imperial County Chapter at its virtual awards event.
The UV project replaced an outdated system at OMWD’s 4S Ranch Water Reclamation Facility in order to continue serving high-quality recycled water. 4S WRF treats and disinfects wastewater for use as tertiary treated recycled water throughout 4S Ranch and the southeastern portion of OMWD’s service area. It can produce up to two million gallons of this alternative water supply for irrigation at schools, parks, golf courses, streetscapes, and homeowner association common areas.
Chula Vista, Calif. – Thirteen local high school students will be honored for their award-winning photographs at tomorrow night’s Sweetwater Authority Board Meeting. The winners were selected from a group of 50 students from high schools across South Bay who submitted over 100 entries for the Authority’s annual High School Photo Contest. This year’s contest challenged students to creatively showcase through photography the importance of water in their homes, and in the context of the pandemic.
May 11, 2021 – “Governor Newsom’s latest drought emergency declaration is a grim reminder of the growing water supply challenges across California – and of the value of three decades of our collective dedication to use water efficiently combined with strategic investments that protect San Diego County from dry years. Thanks to efforts of ratepayers, the Water Authority, and our 24 member agencies, we have sufficient water supplies for 2021 and the foreseeable future. Our regional adoption of water-use efficiency measures is a major piece of our strategy, with per capita water use falling by almost half over 30 years. At the same time, the rates we pay for water have been invested in new water sources along with major dams and reservoirs that are showing their worth more with each passing day.” – Gary Croucher, Board Chair, San Diego County Water Authority
Helix Water District Board of Directors approved water rates and service charges for fiscal years 2021-22 and 2022-23 on Wednesday, April 28, 2021. These rates and charges were based on recommendations made by an independent rate consultant.
April 29, 2021 – The San Diego County Water Authority this month completed a series of bond refundings that will save ratepayers $48 million – the latest in a long series of debt refinancing moves that help reduce the cost of critical water infrastructure investments.
The savings from the refinancing of Series 2021S-1 (Green Bonds) and Series 2021B (Green Bonds) were supported by continued strong credit ratings issued in March. Green bonds are designated to encourage sustainability and to support clean water, sustainable water management and other environmental projects.
April 23, 2021 – The San Diego County Water Authority’s Board of Directors yesterday authorized staff to explore opportunities to help other water districts weather an emerging drought across California.
Three decades of investments in supply reliability, along with a continued emphasis on water-use efficiency, mean the San Diego region has sufficient water supplies for multiple dry years. Those investments include high-priority conserved water from the Imperial Valley, seawater desalination, and access to the Semitropic Original Water Bank in Kern County, where the Water Authority has stored about 16,000 acre-feet of water.
April 22, 2021 – The San Diego County Water Authority and the Vallecitos Water District have reached agreement over pipeline repairs and how to measure water deliveries while moving ahead as partners to ensure long-term water supply reliability. The Water Authority’s Board of Directors on Thursday approved terms of a settlement with Vallecitos designed to end litigation filed in 2020. Vallecitos’ Board of Directors previously approved the terms.
Sweetwater Authority Logo 2019