Encinitas, CA—At its January board meeting, Olivenhain Municipal Water District’s Board of Directors approved a two-year contract extension with 3 Phases Renewables, ensuring that OMWD is on track to use 100 percent renewable power at its water system facilities.
Encinitas, CA—To encourage water conservation and reduce runoff that can carry pollutants into local waterways and beaches, Olivenhain Municipal Water District has partnered with San Dieguito Water District and Santa Fe Irrigation District to offer discounted rain barrels to area residents.
The San Diego County Water Authority’s Board of Directors today made a comprehensive settlement offer to the Metropolitan Water District of Southern California that would conclude every rate case between the two agencies, improve the transparency of MWD’s ratemaking process, and provide $140 million in payments for San Diego County water ratepayers in addition to benefits already secured in court. It also would provide certainty about how much MWD charges to transport the San Diego region’s independent water supplies.
“The Water Authority’s proposal would benefit residents across San Diego County, enhance understanding of how MWD’s rates are set, and provide more opportunities for our agencies to collaborate in ways that would benefit water management across the Southwest,” said Water Authority Board Chair Jim Madaffer.
At their December 18, 2019 meeting, Helix Water District’s board of directors unanimously elected Director Mark Gracyk to serve as board president in 2020 and Director DeAna Verbeke to serve as the board’s vice president.
Vista Irrigation District invites local high school seniors to compete for scholarships from the district. Up to six scholarships may be awarded; the minimum scholarship award amount is $1,000 and the maximum scholarship award amount is $3,000. The purpose of the scholarship program is to encourage students to learn more about water-related issues impacting their community.
Encinitas, CA—Representatives from the Escondido Creek Conservancy presented Olivenhain Municipal Water District’s Board of Directors with the “Business of the Year” award at OMWD’s December 11 meeting. OMWD received the award for its support of the Conservancy’s education program. The program has become increasingly successful each year, and today brings thousands of local students annually to Elfin Forest Recreational Reserve to learn about water quality and habitat protection.
The San Diego County Water Authority’s Board of Directors last week approved a new and permanent Special Agricultural Water Rate structure that offers lower water rates to farmers in exchange for lower water supply reliability.
Chula Vista, CA – Sweetwater Authority (Authority) is now accepting entries for its 2020 High School Photo Contest. The annual contest aims to showcase and celebrate through photography how safe, reliable water service supports everything we do.
The San Diego County Water Authority’s Board of Directors last week authorized actions to seek to ensure all San Diego County voters are heard on plans by the Rainbow and Fallbrook water agencies to leave the regional water wholesaler and instead join a Riverside County water agency.
The Board of Directors approved a resolution to ask the San Diego Local Agency Formation Commission – known as San Diego LAFCO – to require approval by voters across the Water Authority’s service area of any proposed “detachment” by the Rainbow Municipal Water District and the Fallbrook Public Utility District from the Water Authority. Detachment from the Water Authority has potential impacts for water agencies, fire districts and water ratepayers across San Diego County.
The San Diego County Water Authority’s Board officers Thursday thanked the Metropolitan Water District of Southern California for making a public offer to settle litigation over MWD’s rates, and directed staff to take the following actions:
“Given MWD’s current willingness to discuss settlement in a fully transparent and public process, the Water Authority is more optimistic than ever that an enduring settlement can be reached,” Water Authority Board Chair Jim Madaffer said after Thursday’s (Nov. 21) Board meeting.
“We must carefully consider all aspects of an agreement that will affect our economy, children and grandchildren,” Madaffer said. “That’s why we welcome the opportunity to engage fully with MWD in a public process. Discussions directly with the general managers will increase the likelihood of finding common ground early in the new year.”
MWD’s settlement proposal on Nov. 15 marked the start of public negotiations following more than a year of confidential discussions that didn’t yield an agreement. It followed on letters from the Water Authority to MWD on Nov. 8 and Nov. 12 stating the Water Authority’s belief that the agencies were nearing a point where they could soon resolve most or all of the litigation.
“We appreciate MWD’s desire to resolve our differences, and we are fully engaged with the same goal,” said Water Authority Board Secretary Christy Guerin, who is leading the agency’s settlement efforts on behalf of the Board of Directors.
Sweetwater Authority Logo 2019