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California’s Clean Energy Conundrum

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San Diego – While California draws nearly one third of its power from renewables, solar and wind energy systems are periodically pulled offline because there’s not enough demand when the wind is blowing and the sun is shining. These so-called “curtailments” increased significantly between 2014 (when they were almost non-existent) and today. They could soon become a major barrier to a more sustainable future as more and more renewable energy sources are developed to meet peak demands.

Thankfully, California water agencies are well-positioned to play a pivotal role with a solution that makes the state’s electrical grid more flexible, stable and efficient. Strategic deployment of large-scale, long-duration pumped storage facilities could minimize curtailments and provide many other benefits. That would help California achieve its aggressive targets to supply at least 60 percent of the state’s energy from renewables by 2030 and 100 percent from clean energy sources by 2045.

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Janet and Conrad Becks' winning design came from their desire to save water and to showcase their makeover. Photo: City of Oceanside drought tolerant gardens

City of Oceanside Selects Drought Tolerant Gardens as 2019 Contest Winners

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The City of Oceanside selected Janet and Conrad Beck’s colorful, vibrant garden as its 2019 WaterSmart Landscape Contest winner. The couple transformed their plain, water-wasting lawn into a drought-tolerant garden.

The annual contest recognizes exceptional water-wise landscapes in San Diego County based on overall attractiveness, design, appropriate plant selection, and water efficient irrigation.

Makeover saves water

The winning landscape earned the Becks a $250 grand prize. The makeover evolved from the Becks’ desire to save water. The garden’s plant palette includes a wide variety of California native and drought-tolerant plants, what they now describe as a “whimsical” garden.

By also replacing their automated irrigation system, the couple realized a water savings of more than 3,700 gallons of water per month, virtually cutting their water bill in half.

Drought tolerant gardens provide habitat while saving resources

Homeowner Gerald Wharton was inspired to bring back livable habitat for native flora and fauna when creating his drought tolerant garden. Photo: City of Oceanside drought tolerant gardens

Homeowner Gerald Wharton was inspired to bring back livable habitat for native flora and fauna when creating his drought-tolerant garden. Photo: City of Oceanside

Three runners-up received honorable mentions along with nursery gift cards.

Homeowner Gerald Wharton was inspired to bring back livable habitat for native flora and fauna when creating his drought-tolerant garden. Once his plants become acclimated and more established, they require less water, and eventually, no irrigation at all.

Homeowner Kim Wascher was motivated to save money on her water bill when she transformed her landscaping. Photo: City of Oceanside

Homeowner Kim Wascher was motivated to save money on her water bill when she transformed her landscaping. Photo: City of Oceanside

Homeowner Kim Wascher first removed her lawn to reduce her water costs and the heavy maintenance that her lawn required. Her original goal grew into a comprehensive landscaping plan. Wascher exchanged her water-thirsty grass for a wildlife habitat now attracting butterflies, lizards, bugs and a variety of birds. On summer evenings, she enjoys watching bats flying through the yard.

Colorful succulents

Laura Cates moved to Oceanside several years ago after living in the U.S. Midwest. She was not familiar with succulents of any kind. But Cates said she was fed up with grass in her front-and-back yards. Her sister-in-law ‘knew her succulents,’ and her enthusiasm for the colorful, easy-to-grow, low-water-use plants grew on Cates.

Laura Cates used succulents to create her winning landscape design in Oceanside. Photo: City of Oceanside drought tolerant gardens

Laura Cates used succulents to create her winning landscape design in Oceanside. Photo: City of Oceanside

Cates is now well-known to her neighbors as a plant guru. She helps others get started with a clipping or two from her own yard. Cates said she likes to think that she’s paying it forward.

The annual WaterSmart Landscape Contest runs annually from January through April. For more information, check online at www.GreenOceanside.org

For help and inspiration to transform your landscaping, visit WaterSmartSD.org

Sweetwater Authority Logo 2019Sweetwater Authority Logo 2019

Sweetwater Authority Announces New Leadership Roles for Two Board Members

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Chula Vista, Calif. – Two of Sweetwater Authority’s Governing Board Members were recently appointed to local advisory committees for watershed restoration and local agency formation.

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Sweetwater Authority Logo 2019Sweetwater Authority Logo 2019

Sweetwater Authority Awards Grants to Support Water Efficiency

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Chula Vista, Calif. – The Sweetwater Authority Board of Directors presented checks to the City of Chula Vista and the Gentry Glen Home Owners Association at the Board’s July 10 meeting. The Authority’s robust water efficiency program helps customers save water and money through grants, rebates and resources.

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Olivenhain Municipal Water District Logo landscape design workshops

OMWD Hosts Free Landscape Design Workshops

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Encinitas, Calif. — Olivenhain Municipal Water District and San Dieguito Water District have partnered to offer free WaterSmart Landscape Design Workshops. The three-hour courses will be held Wednesday, July 17 and Thursday, October 3, from 5:30 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. at the San Diego Botanic Garden.

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Twin Oaks Valley Water Treatment Plant Cited for Error

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A malfunction at the Twin Oaks Valley Water Treatment Plant resulted in a citation from the state Division of Drinking Water, though the water in regional pipelines continued to be safe for all uses due to additional treatment processes that are in place.

The malfunction lasted for about 15 hours on April 21-22, when ozone dosage levels in the plant fell below state-mandated levels because a valve failed to fully open.

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Lake Jennings Photo Contest, Youth Category, 1st Place: Ryan Cobain, "Rainbow"

Helix Water District Selects 2019 Lake Jennings Photo Contest Winners

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Helix Water District recently selected the winners of its 2019 Lake Jennings Spring Photo Contest. This year’s first place award in the adult category went to photographer Randy Siegel of Santee for his image titled “Sunrise Over Lake Jennings.”

Now in its eighth year, the contest drew 60 entries from throughout San Diego County. This year’s theme was “Life at the Lake,” and each of the entries highlighted the unique beauty of camping, fishing, hiking, spotting wildlife and enjoying the view at Lake Jennings.

Contestants were required to submit photos taken between March 1 and May 31, 2019, at the reservoir in Lakeside. The following photographers took top honors:

Helix Photo Contest, Adult Category 1st Place (Adult): Randy Siegel, "Sunrise Over Lake Jennings"

Lake Jennings Photo Contest, Adult Category First Place: Randy Siegel, “Sunrise Over Lake Jennings”

Adult Category:

1st Place – Randy Siegel, ‘Sunrise Over Lake Jennings’
2nd Place – Kurt Scherbaum, ‘Great Horned Owl’
3rd Place – Frances Schnall, ‘Patience’
Honorable Mention – Fred Kropveld, ‘Jennings Scenic 3’
Honorable Mention – Wes Van Fleet, ‘Awe and Creation’

Lake Jennings Photo Contest, Youth Category, 1st Place: Ryan Cobain, "Rainbow"

Lake Jennings Photo Contest, Youth Category, First Place: Ryan Cobain, “Rainbow”

Youth Category:
1st Place – Ryan Cobain, ‘Rainbow’
2nd Place – Cricht Ruediger, ‘Lake Jennings View Scape’
3rd Place – Aure Ruediger, ‘Lake Jennings Ducks and Anglers’
Honorable Mention – Luke Macy, ‘Silver Linings’
Honorable Mention – Jaden Cobain, ‘Rocks’

See all the winning photos in the gallery below.

The Helix Water District Board of Directors honored the winning photographers at an awards ceremony during its June 26 board meeting.

First place winner (Adult Category) Randy Siegel, receives congratulations from Dan McMillan, Helix Water District Board President. Photo: Helix Water District

First place winner (Adult Category) Randy Siegel, receives congratulations from Dan McMillan, Helix Water District Board President. Photo: Helix Water District

Lake Jennings is among the most scenic inland parks in San Diego County. Located in Lakeside, the recreation destination offers fishing, camping, hiking, and picnicking activities. The lake is a drinking water reservoir owned and operated by Helix Water District. The scenic views of the lake and the wooded surroundings put visitors in the middle of the wilderness, right outside of town.

The entire lake is open to the general public for fishing three days a week on Fridays, Saturdays, and Sundays.

The 97-space Lake Jennings Campground is open year-round for campers. The campground, located on the north side of Lake Jennings, has spaces for RVs, trailers, campers and tents. There is a day use fee for sight-seeing, hiking or picnicking per person.

Visit the Lake Jennings website for more information and to make reservations.

Lake Jennings Photo Contest, Adult Category 1st Place (Adult): Randy Siegel, "Sunrise Over Lake Jennings"
Lake Jennings Photo Contest, Adult Category 1st Place (Adult): Randy Siegel, "Sunrise Over Lake Jennings"
Lake Jennings Photo Contest, Adult Category, 2nd Place: Kurt Scherbaum, "Great Horned Owl"
Lake Jennings Photo Contest, Adult Category, 2nd Place: Kurt Scherbaum, "Great Horned Owl"
Lake Jennings Photo Contest, Adult Category, 3rd Place: Frances Schnall, "Patience"
Lake Jennings Photo Contest, Adult Category, 3rd Place: Frances Schnall, "Patience"
Lake Jennings Photo Contest, Adult Category, Honorable Mention: Wes Van Fleet, "Awe and Creation"
Lake Jennings Photo Contest, Adult Category, Honorable Mention: Wes Van Fleet, "Awe and Creation"
Lake Jennings Photo Contest, Youth Category, 1st Place: Ryan Cobain, "Rainbow"
Lake Jennings Photo Contest, Youth Category, 1st Place: Ryan Cobain, "Rainbow"
Lake Jennings Photo Contest, Youth Category, 2nd Place: Cricht Ruediger, "Lake Jennings Viewscape"
Lake Jennings Photo Contest, Youth Category, 2nd Place: Cricht Ruediger, "Lake Jennings Viewscape"
Lake Jennings Photo Contest, Youth Category, 3rd Place: Aure Ruediger, "Lake Jennings Ducks and Anglers"
Lake Jennings Photo Contest, Youth Category, 3rd Place: Aure Ruediger, "Lake Jennings Ducks and Anglers"
Lake Jennings Photo Contest, Youth Category, Honorable Mention: Luke Macy, "Silver Linings"
Lake Jennings Photo Contest, Youth Category, Honorable Mention: Luke Macy, "Silver Linings"
Lake Jennings Photo Contest, Youth Category, Honorable Mention: Jaden Cobain, "Rocks"
Lake Jennings Photo Contest, Youth Category, Honorable Mention: Jaden Cobain, "Rocks"

Water Authority Board Adopts $1.7 Billion Two-Year Budget

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The San Diego County Water Authority’s Board of Directors today adopted a $1.7 billion budget for fiscal years 2020 and 2021. The new budget is up 5 percent from the current two-year budget, due largely to increasing costs for water supply, supply reliability and infrastructure improvements.

Following a public hearing, the Board also approved an increase in wholesale water rates for calendar year 2020. Although the Water Authority’s budget spans two fiscal years, the agency sets rates annually to more effectively manage changing conditions.

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The youngest top winner of the Sweetwater Authority "Water Is Life" poster contest is Christian Chavez, grade 2, El Toyon Elementary School.

Poster Contest Winners Illustrate ‘Water Is Life’

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The Sweetwater Authority 2019 “Water is Life” poster contest is one of many educational opportunities the Authority offers. The annual contest gives kindergarten through sixth grade students the chance to demonstrate how water is a precious and essential resource. By creating water-related art, students enhance their understanding of the importance of water.

The Authority invests in the education of students in its service area to foster knowledge and appreciation for the value of water, and to bring awareness to the vital service the Authority provides to its customers and community.

More than 130 students from 11 different elementary schools participated in this year’s poster contest. Submissions were judged in two categories, grades K-3 and grades 4-6. There were 19 winning posters this year. Students with a winning submission were awarded a gift certificate, an art kit and a congratulatory letter.

Of the 19 winning posters, five were deemed top winners:

Christian Chavez, grade 2, El Toyon Elementary School

Christian Chavez, grade 2, El Toyon Elementary School, National City; National School District

Adrian Haro, grade 4, El Toyon Elementary School

Adrian Haro, grade 4, El Toyon Elementary School, National City; National School District

Analynn Pascual Bermundez, grade 3, Allen Elementary School

Analynn Pascual Bermudez, grade 3, Ella B. Allen Elementary School, Bonita; Chula Vista Elementary School District

Mason Rogers, grade 3, Allen Elementary School

Mason Rogers, grade 3, Ella B. Allen Elementary School, Bonita; Chula Vista Elementary School District

Rencel Chiara Charifa, grade 5, Central Elementary School

Rencel Chiaara Charifa, grade 5, Central Elementary School, National City; National School District

See all of the winning entries in our Poster Gallery below.

Top five winners heading to regional poster contest

The five winning posters have also been entered in the Metropolitan Water District of Southern California’s regional poster contest. If selected, those posters will be published in MWD’s 2020 art calendar. Regional winners will also be invited to an art exhibit and recognition luncheon at MWD’s office in downtown Los Angeles, with travel sponsored by the Sweetwater Authority.

Poster contestSydney Shatwell, grade 3, Allen Elementary School
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Switchfoot Guitarist Jon Foreman Sings Praises of San Diego Water Reliability

Switchfoot Guitarist Jon Foreman Sings Praises of San Diego Water Supply Reliability

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The San Diego County Water Authority has partnered with San Diego singer and guitarist Jon Foreman of Switchfoot to create a series of videos highlighting the value of water to the region’s economy and quality of life.

From sustaining world-famous tourist destinations to making world-class guitars, the San Diego lifestyle wouldn’t be possible without clean and reliable water supplies delivered by the Water Authority and its 24 member agencies.

“It takes a huge investment from the San Diego County Water Authority and its member agencies to maintain the pipes that deliver water across our region,” Foreman says in one of the videos.

Reliable water supply fuels San Diego economy

The video series includes virtual tours of the Claude “Bud” Lewis Carlsbad Desalination Plant, Olivenhain Dam and Reservoir, and the Water Conservation Garden in El Cajon.

Foreman talks with Mark Cafferty, president and CEO of the San Diego Regional Economic Development Corp., about the importance of water to some of the region’s biggest industries.

He also tours the Water Conservation Garden, where residents and businesses can learn how to use water efficiently and “make the most out of every drop.”

BRO-AM brought to you by water

The Water Authority is sponsoring Switchfoot’s annual BRO-AM beach festival, which is set for June 29 at Moonlight Beach in Encinitas.

The Water Authority’s Brought to You by Water outreach and education program is designed to convey the importance of safe and reliable water supplies for sustaining the region’s 3.3 million people and its $231 billion economy.

Starting in 2018, the Water Authority has highlighted some of the region’s core industries – tourism, manufacturing, brewing and agriculture – that would not exist without substantial investments in water supply reliability by the Water Authority and its 24 member agencies.