Encinitas, CA—Olivenhain Municipal Water District invites residents with water-efficient gardens to enter the 2020 WaterSmart Landscape Contest. The winning landscape will receive $250. The deadline to apply is April 27, and applications are available at www.landscapecontest.com
In addition to ensuring a safe and reliable water supply, the Board leadership of the San Diego County Water Authority is joining regional efforts to fight the economic impacts of the pandemic by setting up a virtual food drive in partnership with the San Diego Food Bank.
The San Diego Food Bank helps feed hundreds of thousands of hungry people each year – and the numbers are growing rapidly as economic impacts of coronavirus closures ripple across the region.
The Water Authority’s virtual food drive allows donors to select and purchase items such as canned meats, vegetables, fruits, peanut butter and oatmeal for distribution to needy residents.
The Jacobs & Cushman San Diego Food Bank and its North County Food Bank chapter comprise the largest hunger-relief organization in San Diego County. The Food Bank distributes food to those in need at 200 distribution sites across the county as well as through 500 nonprofits with feeding programs.
Monetary donations received by the Food Bank will be used to purchase food items to be given to those in need.
The virtual food drive is part of an overall effort by the Water Authority during the coronavirus pandemic. The Water Authority and its 24 member agencies have increased regional coordination and communication to ensure the coronavirus pandemic does not impact safe and secure water service for San Diego County.
Public water supplies in the San Diego region remain safe to drink due to numerous robust treatment processes used by local and regional water providers.
To support continued operation of critical infrastructure, the Water Authority has activated its Emergency Operations Center, increasing the region’s ability to respond to any challenges that emerge.
The EOC supports the need for enhanced communication between the Water Authority and its member agencies as the public health crisis evolves. In addition, the agencies have back-up plans to assist each other should key personnel be unable to work.
To help protect public health, the monthly Board meeting will be a virtual meeting only – no Board members, member agency staff or members of the public will be able to attend the meeting in person at our Kearny Mesa headquarters. The meeting can be accessed electroncially by going to this web link: https://www.sdcwa.org/meetings-and-documents and then clicking the link below “Live Stream” on the right side of the page.
“As manager of the Claude “Bud” Lewis Carlsbad Desalination Plant in San Diego County, our top priority is to ensure the health and safety of the employees and compliance with stringent state and federal standards for the production of a safe and healthy drinking water supply.
The Water Authority and its 24 member agencies have increased regional coordination and communication to ensure the coronavirus pandemic does not impact safe and secure water service for San Diego County.
Public water supplies in the San Diego region remain safe to drink due to numerous robust treatment processes used by local and regional water providers. Despite widespread fears about coronavirus, there’s no evidence that the virus is transmitted through treated water. The U.S. EPA recommends that Americans continue to use and drink tap water as usual.
Encinitas, CA—Olivenhain Municipal Water District will begin construction to replace aging water infrastructure in El Camino Real the week of March 23. To reduce traffic impacts, all work will take place at night, between 8:00 p.m. to 6:00 a.m., Monday through Thursday.
Ten South Bay area high school students were honored for their winning photos at the March 11 Sweetwater Authority Governing Board meeting.
Nearly 100 students from Sweetwater’s service area entered its annual water photo contest, which challenges students to showcase the importance of water in everyday life through photography. Students submitted photos in two categories.
The following students took the top honors:
1st Place, “Blessed Stream,” Zabrina Urness, Sweetwater High School, Grade 10
1st Place, “Blessed Stream,” Zabrina Urness, Sweetwater High School, Grade 10
2nd Place, “Pouring Out,” Stephanie Mauricio, Sweetwater High School, Grade 12
2nd Place, “Pouring Out,” Stephanie Mauricio, Sweetwater High School, Grade 12
3rd Place, “Running River Water,” Erick Gallardo II, Sweetwater High School, Grade 11
3rd Place, “Running River Water,” Erick Gallardo II, Sweetwater High School, Grade 11
Honorable Mention, “An Apple a Day,” Jaliyah Journigan, Bonita Vista High School, Grade 11
Honorable Mention, “An Apple a Day,” Jaliyah Journigan, Bonita Vista High School, Grade 11
Honorable Mention, “Aqueous Perspective,” Zabrina Urness, Sweetwater High School, Grade 10
Honorable Mention, “Aqueous Perspective,” Zabrina Urness, Sweetwater High School, Grade 10
Honorable Mention, “Sun + Splash,” Kaitlyn Vu, Hilltop High School, Grade 11
Honorable Mention, “Sun + Splash,” Kaitlyn Vu, Hilltop High School, Grade 11
1st Place, “Last Glass,” Tiffany Mayoral, Hilltop High School, Grade 11
1st Place, “Last Glass,” Tiffany Mayoral, Hilltop High School, Grade 11
2nd Place, “Daily Utilities,” Carlos Guerrero, Sweetwater High School, Grade 9
2nd Place, “Daily Utilities,” Carlos Guerrero, Sweetwater High School, Grade 9
3rd Place, “Thirsty Tom,” Valeria Cano, Chula Vista High School, Grade 12
3rd Place, “Thirsty Tom,” Valeria Cano, Chula Vista High School, Grade 12
Honorable Mention, “My Memories,” and “Less Developed Countries,” Rosa Marquez, Chula Vista High School, Grade 10
Honorable Mention, “My Memories,” Rosa Marquez, Chula Vista High School, Grade 10
“Less Developed Countries,” Rosa Marquez, Chula Vista High School, Grade 10
Honorable Mention, “Drying Off,” Katherine Ochoa, Bonita Vista High School, Grade 11
Honorable Mention, “Drying Off,” Katherine Ochoa, Bonita Vista High School, Grade 11
Honorable Mention, “Floating,” Zabrina Urness, Sweetwater High School, Grade 10
Honorable Mention, “Floating,” Zabrina Urness, Sweetwater High School, Grade 10
All winning photos will be on display at the Bonita Museum and Cultural Center beginning in April.
Ten East County high school students were honored for their winning photos in the 2020 Helix Water District High School Photo Contest. The winning photographers were recognized at the February 26 board of directors meeting.
This year’s photo contest challenged high school photographers to highlight the importance and beauty of water in our everyday lives. Entrants were asked to show how water is used in homes and landscapes, in local businesses, for irrigating public spaces and parks, producing the goods we use and foods we eat, street cleaning, and firefighting.
Water flows through everything we do. Indoors, we use water for drinking, washing, cooking, and cleaning. Outdoors, we use water to fill our swimming pools, wash our cars and grow plants in our yards.
High school students living or attending school within Helix’s service area were eligible to enter, which includes La Mesa, Lemon Grove, El Cajon, Spring Valley, and areas of Lakeside. Sixty-nine students from three schools entered the annual competition.
First-place winners received a $150 cash prize; second place received $100; honorable mention received $50.
First Place – Rylee Koval, Santana High School, Grade 10
First Place – Rylee Koval, Santana High School, Grade 10
Second Place – Faith Farrell, Santana High School, Grade 12
Second Place – Faith Farrell, Santana High School, Grade 12
Third Place – Bri Massaro, Grossmont High School, Grade 10
Third Place – Bri Massaro, Grossmont High School, Grade 10
Honorable Mention – Faith Rowe, Santana High School, Grade 10
Honorable Mention – Faith Rowe, Santana High School, Grade 10
Honorable Mention – Mirna Dawood, Grossmont High School, Grade 10
Honorable Mention – Mirna Dawood, Grossmont High School, Grade 10
First Place – Avery McFedries, Grossmont High School, Grade 12
First Place – Avery McFedries, Grossmont High School, Grade 12
Second Place – Emily McCann, Grossmont High School, Grade 10
Second Place – Emily McCann, Grossmont High School, Grade 10
Third Place – Fernando Lara, Grossmont High School, Grade 12
Third Place – Fernando Lara, Grossmont High School, Grade 12
Honorable Mention – Jaqueline Aguilar, Grossmont High School, Grade 12
Honorable Mention – Jaqueline Aguilar, Grossmont High School, Grade 12
Honorable Mention – Daneca Perez Opinion, Grossmont High School, Grade 11
Honorable Mention – Daneca Perez Opinion, Grossmont High School, Grade 11
The winning photos will be on display through May at the district’s administration office at 7811 University Avenue in La Mesa. The photos are also posted on the district’s Facebook page.
Encinitas, CA—Olivenhain Municipal Water District and San Dieguito Water District are offering a free workshop to assist residents in selecting climate-appropriate plants for their landscapes. The workshop will be held Tuesday, March 24, from 5:30 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. at the Encinitas Community Center, located at 1140 Oakcrest Park Drive in Encinitas.
The City of San Diego’s Sutherland Reservoir is now open to the public three days a week. The reservoir will be open Fridays, Saturdays, and Sundays from sunrise to sunset, allowing access for boating, fishing, hiking and picnicking.
It will also open on Memorial Day, Independence Day and Labor Day and is closed the third Friday of each month.
The reservoir is about 45 miles northeast of San Diego at 22018 Sutherland Dam Road in Ramona.
People can hear an updated recorded message detailing current activities, schedules, fishing and hunting results at Sutherland Reservoir and other City of San Diego lakes by calling 619-465-FISH (619-465-3474).
Recreational activities at Sutherland Reservoir including boating, fishing, and picnicking. Photo: City of San Diego
Viviana Castellon, the City of San Diego’s reservoir maintenance supervisor, said her team opened a little early this morning.
“The environment is beautiful, flora and fauna are raging,” said Castellon. “It’s a healthy environment biologically. It’s a backcountry reservoir, very inviting and relaxing. Depending on what you want to do, we have ADA accessibility. We expect people to have a great time at Sutherland,” said Castellon.
A bonus for spring visitors, Sutherland Reservoir is the midst of raptor mating season.
“Eagles are soaring, and we have peregrine falcons,” she said. “If people bring their binoculars, they’ll hear and see quite a bit.”
The recreation area features barbecues, picnic tables, and restrooms. Self-contained gas barbecues are allowed in the picnic area.
Water activities at Sutherland Reservoir include boating, canoeing, kayaking, sailboarding, and float tubing. Those activities are only allowed on Saturdays and Sundays. Leashed dogs are allowed. Turkey hunting at the reservoir is by reservation only, starting this year on March 30.
One of the most popular activities at Lake Sutherland is fishing. The lake contains largemouth bass, catfish, crappie, sunfish, and carp. Bowfishing is permitted for carp only, in compliance with California Department of Fish and Wildfire regulations. Special conditions apply and are listed on the City of San Diego’s website.
Swimming, ground fires, glass containers, and camping are not permitted. Take precautions to avoid rattlesnakes and poison oak, both of which are present at Sutherland Reservoir.
Maile Guerrero of La Mesa was honored for her photo of Sutherland Reservoir in the San Diego County Water Authority’s 2018 “Brought to You By Water” photo contest.
Construction on Sutherland Dam began in 1927, but it was not completed until 1954. The reservoir is operated and maintained by the City of San Diego’s Public Utilities Department and is part of the city’s drinking water system.
For additional information about Sutherland Reservoir, including boating, fishing, and hunting rules, required permits, as well as details about the City’s other reservoirs, go to sandiego.gov/reservoirs-lakes.
