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North County Water Agencies Offer Low-Cost Rain Barrels to Help Customers Save Water

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Encinitas, CA — To encourage water conservation, Olivenhain Municipal Water District, San Dieguito Water District, and Santa Fe Irrigation District have partnered to offer discounted rain barrels to area residents. Fifty-gallon barrels are on sale for $97, with a final cost of $62 after a $35 rebate from water wholesaler Metropolitan Water District of Southern California. Rain barrels ordered from January 1 to February 29 will be available for pick up at Solana Center for Environmental Innovation located at 137 North El Camino Real in Encinitas.

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Olivenhain Municipal Water District Partners with Village Park Manor Condos to Reduce Drinking Water Demand

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Encinitas, CA—Olivenhain Municipal Water District continues to reduce its imported drinking water demand by converting seven meters within the Village Park Manor Condominium community to recycled water. Village Park Manor is located in Encinitas and began in December irrigating its common areas using recycled water.

With the successful conversion of the seven meters to recycled water, Village Park Manor will save nearly six million gallons of imported water each year.

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Padre Dam Municipal Water District Files Lawsuit Against Grossmont-Cuyamaca Community College District Over Required Water System Upgrades

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SANTEE – Padre Dam Municipal Water District (Padre Dam) has filed a lawsuit against Grossmont-Cuyamaca Community College District (Grossmont) in California Superior Court – San Diego aimed at resolving a dispute over necessary water system upgrades on the Grossmont college campus and transferring ownership of the water system to Grossmont.

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James Gumpel Appointed General Manager of the Vallecitos Water District Beginning January 1, 2024

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San Marcos, CA – At the board meeting last night, the Vallecitos Water District (VWD) Board of Directors voted unanimously to appoint James Gumpel as General Manager beginning January 1, 2024.

 

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Olivenhain Municipal Water District Honors 2023 “Pure Excellence” Award Winners

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Encinitas, Calif. —At its November 15 board meeting, Olivenhain Municipal Water District recognized several community members with “Pure Excellence” awards for making a positive impact in the community in 2023. The winners—Congressman Scott Peters, MiraCosta College, California Landscape Technologies, BCK Programs, and Rich Reimer—were acknowledged for advancing water use efficiency and protecting the natural environment.

“Tonight, we celebrate the extraordinary efforts of local leaders,” said OMWD Board President Christy Guerin. “The efforts of our honorees will have lasting impacts on our community by helping to develop new water supplies, more efficiently using existing supplies, and fostering respect and appreciation for local watersheds.”

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Elfin Forest Recreational Reserve Launches 17th Annual Amateur Photography Contest

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Encinitas, Calif. — Olivenhain Municipal Water District invites amateur photographers of all ages to its Elfin Forest Recreational Reserve for the seventeenth annual amateur photography contest that will run from November 18, 2023, through April 21, 2024.

“For seventeen years, our contest has prompted visitors to capture Elfin Forest Recreational Reserve’s stunning beauty from their unique perspective,” said OMWD Board Director Marco San Antonio. “The contest promotes the importance of protecting wildlife habitat at the reserve so that future generations may also enjoy the many wonders it offers.”

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San Diego County Water Authority And its 24 Member Agencies

Money Still Available for Low-Income Water Customers in San Diego County

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Millions of dollars in federal aid are still available for low-income water customers in San Diego County to cover overdue residential water and wastewater bills. The San Diego County Water Authority helped secure the federal funds — and the deadline for applications has been extended to March 31, 2024.

The Low-Income Household Water Assistance Program (LIHWAP), established by Congress in 2021, offers one-time payments to cover outstanding residential water and/or wastewater bills. The federal government allocated $116 million to California to help households struggling to pay their water bills. Statewide, $40 million remains for the program, with nearly $5 million remaining for San Diego County.

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San Diego County Water Authority And its 24 Member Agencies

Jeff Stephenson Named Director of Water Resources

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October 24, 2023 – Jeff Stephenson has been appointed director of water resources for the San Diego County Water Authority, where he leads the department responsible for regional water supply planning and long-term facilities planning.

Stephenson brings more than 27 years of experience at the Water Authority to fill the position vacated by the department’s previous director, Kelley Gage, who was appointed assistant general manager in August. Stephenson served as acting director of the Water Resources Department for the past three months, and previously served as a water resources manager in the department.

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Water and Irrigation Workshop on November 6 in Encinitas

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Encinitas, Calif. — Olivenhain Municipal Water District invites the public to attend a free “Water and Irrigation Workshop.” The workshop aims to empower residents with strategies to improve water use efficiency. It will be held on November 6, from 5:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m., at the Encinitas Community and Senior Center, located at 1140 Oakcrest Park Drive in Encinitas.

The workshop is designed for individuals interested in the latest irrigation advances that integrate water use efficiency and stormwater capture elements into landscapes. Participants will also learn about simple irrigation system retrofits and how to create a sustainable landscape.

The workshop is offered in partnership with San Dieguito Water District, Santa Fe Irrigation District, City of Encinitas, and San Diego County Water Authority.

“Collaboration with local water agencies is essential in our journey toward a sustainable water future,” said OMWD Board Director Larry Watt.  “By harnessing advanced irrigation techniques, we can ensure responsible stewardship of our water resources for generations to come.”

Registration for the workshop is required at www.olivenhain.com/events.

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San Diego County Water Authority And its 24 Member Agencies

Gov. Newsom Signs Bill to Protect Water Ratepayers

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The Water Ratepayers Protection Act of 2023 (Assembly Bill 399) was signed Friday by California Gov. Gavin Newsom, adding affordability safeguards for residents and businesses in the San Diego County Water Authority’s service area.

The legislation, introduced by Encinitas Assemblymember Tasha Boerner and sponsored by the City of San Diego, expands voting requirements should agencies seek to withdraw or “detach” from the Water Authority. Under the new law, a majority vote in both the separating district and the County Water Authority would be necessary to complete a detachment as of Jan. 1, 2024.

“This is a simple matter of fairness,” said Water Authority Board Chair Mel Katz. “The people whose rates would increase if a water district leaves the County Water Authority should have a say. It’s gratifying that the state Legislature and the governor added these important protections for disadvantaged communities, working families, farmers, and others across San Diego County.”

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