California state government and many local agencies put a premium on reducing greenhouse gas emissions that contribute to climate change.
But recent developments underscore the parallel emphasis on adapting to the effects of global warming — from advances in sea-level rise strategies to stretching water supplies to thinning forests at high risk for wildfire.
Delfina Gonzalez was sworn in at a special Otay Water District board of directors meeting on December 6. Gonzalez was elected to represent Division Two in the November 2024 election.
“I am honored to have been elected by the community of division two and proud to serve Otay’s ratepayers,” said Gonzalez. “My vision is to prioritize long-term planning, responsible water usage, fiscal accountability, and customer service. I am committed to fostering sustainable, pragmatic solutions for South Bay’s water needs, growth, and the well-being of families and businesses.
“The District has accomplished a great deal through its board and staff, and I am dedicated to being part of this team to continue executing the District’s mission.”
Defina Gonzalez participates in her first Otay Water District board meeting. Photo: Otay Water District
Gonzalez brings a multifaceted career to the board, spanning education, labor organizing, business ownership, and community relations. With more than 25 years of dedicated service to Chula Vista and the South San Diego region, she has been a strong advocate for civic engagement and water policy.
Gonzalez previously served on the Citizen Advisory Committee for the Sweetwater Authority and is an elected member of the San Diego County Central Committee, where she has contributed to critical discussions on water policy and political advocacy. Additionally, she has been active in the City of Chula Vista’s district four civic initiatives.
Her professional experience includes her role as a childcare coordinator and department specialist at Southwestern College, where she enhanced educational programs and organized events include the annual Day of the Young Child Conference.
Gonzalez also owned an event planning company, managing large-scale city events. Bilingual in English and Spanish, she is known for her ethical leadership, expertise in policy development, financial literacy, and community engagement.
Gonzalez’s commitment to public service is reflected in completing the San Diego County Water Authority’s Citizens Water Academy. She is also a board member of I Am Green, a nonprofit addressing homelessness and promoting eco-friendly and environmental solutions for a greener future.
Originally from Spring Valley and a lifelong San Diegan, she resides in Chula Vista with her husband, Reyes, and is the proud mother of three adult children. During her free time, she enjoys participating in cultural events, church activities, and spending time with her dogs.
Director Gonzalez’s term will run from December 2024 through December 2028.
The five-member Otay Water District Board of Directors is the governing body of the District. It is responsible for setting rates for service, taxes, policies, and ordinances, adopting the annual budget, and other matters related to the management and operation of the water agency. Voters elect each director within one of five divisions to represent the public’s interest on the Board. Directors serve four-year terms in office.
New York City is the water poverty capital of the United States, according to a study citing census data, with 56,900 residents living without access to running water in 2021.
In second place was Los Angeles, with 45,900 people, followed by San Francisco, with 24,400. In Chicago and Houston, more than 22,000 residents do not have access to running water.
For decades, California’s water debates have centered on a familiar tension: agriculture versus urban consumption. Agriculture, which consumes 80% of the state’s developed water supply, has long dominated discussions about conservation and efficiency. Yet, a new contender is emerging, one poised to dwarf agriculture in water demand and reshape the state’s water future: artificial intelligence (AI).
California’s agricultural sector is the backbone of the nation’s food supply, using approximately 34 million acre-feet of water annually — over 11 trillion gallons. This water sustains crops like almonds, grapes and rice, many of which are highly water-intensive and vital to the state’s economy. For decades, agriculture has been framed as the primary focus of water conservation efforts, with farmers frequently cast as both stewards and villains of California’s strained water resources.
For the second year in a row, the San Diego County Water Authority and its partners have struck a deal to conserve water in Lake Mead, support the long-term sustainability of the Colorado River and save local ratepayers money.
The agreements between the Water Authority, the Imperial Irrigation District, and the Metropolitan Water District, with funding from the U.S. Bureau of Reclamation, are designed to promote voluntary water conservation. The 2024 agreement was announced during a meeting of the Colorado River Board of California at this year’s Colorado River Water Users Association’s conference in Las Vegas.
A barrage of storms known as atmospheric rivers is expected to soak the West Coast over the next eight to 10 days, raising the risk of flooding, power outages and holiday travel disruptions leading up to Christmas in a region that has already experienced significant weather activity this season.
The bulk of the rain and snow is likely to fall between British Columbia and Northern California, with Washington and Oregon poised to have some of the wettest, sloppiest weather.
San Diego region’s water and wastewater agency employees pitched in to carry on a tradition of holiday giving in 2024 to benefit a wide array of nonprofit community services.
The Otay Water District’s elves decorated its valve maintenance truck with lights to spread joy throughout Chula Vista as part of its annual holiday parade. Photo: Otay Water District
This holiday season, the Otay Water District is partnering with the San Diego Food Bank to provide food assistance through a virtual food drive. The District encouraged its more than 238,000 customers, employees, and anyone able to help to join the fight against hunger by donating safely online at their convenience.
Through the Virtual Food Drive, donors select and purchase food items, such as canned meats, vegetables, fruits, peanut butter, oatmeal, and cereal. Monetary donations are also accepted. For every $1 donation online, the San Diego Food Bank can provide two meals to families in need.
Helix Water District employees and customers have packed its Helix sleigh (service truck) with donations to Toys for Toys. Photo: Helix Water District
At Helix Water District, Toys for Tots boxes are overflowing with donations from customers and employees. “I can’t remember ever receiving this many toys,” said Helix General Manager Brian Olney. “I’m really touched by the generosity of the residents and businesses we serve and our team here at Helix. Thank you. The more smiles we can bring to children’s faces, the better.”
As of this week, over 350 action figures, Lego sets, musical instruments, balls, and more have been collected, and the donations keep coming. Participating in Toys for Tots is part of Helix’s year-round Helix Helps program.
Helix also kicked off its first annual Gobble and Go Gratitude Walk Thanksgiving week at Lake Jennings. Participants were asked to bring food items for the San Diego Food Bank.
Padre Dam staff display some of the 100 baskets they assembled for the Water for People nonprofit. Photo: Padre Dam MWD
Employees of the Padre Dam Municipal Water District and Olivenhain Municipal Water District assembled fundraising gift baskets for the nonprofit the CA/NV AWWA-Water for People nut basket fundraiser. Water for People works across Latin America, Asia, and Africa to equip communities with lasting access to clean water and sanitation.
Padre Dam employees prepared 100 gift baskets for the Water for People San Diego Chapter’s annual fundraiser. The organization relies on volunteers to assemble and sell baskets of donated Wonderful Pistachios. Once sold, the gift baskets prepared by Padre Dam employees will raise $2,200 for the nonprofit.
Olivenhain employees participate in a long tradition of support for Water For People. Photo: Olivenhain MWD
For 19 years, Olivenhain Municipal Water District employees have enthusiastically supported fundraising for the nonprofit Water for People. Olivenhain employees have volunteered abroad, helping set up water and sewer systems with the full support of the agency.
Olivenhain employees volunteered on weekends to assemble nut baskets of donated Wonderful Pistachios. OMWD also sold baskets to the public as holiday gifts. A total of 171 baskets were sold, with a total donation of $3,800 going to WFP.
Sweetwater Authority employees Gloria Achutegui, Records Management Specialist, and Michael Garcia, Assistant Board Secretary, display employee donations for the Authority’s annual holiday giving effort. Photo: Sweetwater Authority
Sweetwater Authority employees have been active participants in the Salvation Army Angel Tree program for more than two decades. Employees take a tag that contains information about their recipient (age, gender, and toy request). The employee shops for the items and brings them back unwrapped to the office. The Salvation Army picks up and delivers the donated toys. This year, employees donated enough toys to help make Christmas bright for 20 South County families and kids.
“Sweetwater Authority employees care about the community we serve,” said General Manager Carlos Quintero. “We’re happy to spread some holiday cheer through our participation in the Angel Tree Program.”
City of Escondido donation drive leaders Gio Cortes and Emma Potratz gather donations to drop off to recipients at the Park Avenue Community Center. Photo: City of Escondido
City of Escondido employees participated in their annual Holiday Donation Drive effort. Employees put together holiday stockings filled with personal care items, emergency supplies, and fun items for seniors at the Park Avenue Community Center. City staff donated enough items to fill 125 bags for recipients.
Donations from Escondido city employees gathered for distribution. Photo: City of Escondido
Olivenhain Municipal Water District employees back multiple traditions for deserving recipients.
Kicking off the giving season in October, donations were collected and dropped off to the San Diego Humane Society to support its efforts to rescue and re-home pets in need during the holiday season.
For its November effort, employees created care packages for senior Meals on Wheels clients. Employees wrapped up the year with participation in Toys for Tots and Water for People.
Sweetwater Dam rises 200 feet from the floor of a rocky river gorge a few miles northeast of Bonita. The 136-year-old concrete and masonry dam holds back 28,000 acre-feet of water in Sweetwater Reservoir, a major source of drinking water in South San Diego County.
The dam, and the reservoir, have been quiet fixtures of the Bonita and Spring Valley landscape for generations. These days, they’re drawing an unaccustomed amount of attention.
Since last month’s atmospheric river that drenched the North State, the water level in Lake Shasta — California’s largest manmade reservoir — has shot up nearly 20 feet.
And after a few dry days this week, get ready for more rain in the northern Sacramento Valley as the region enters another wet pattern that is expected to go through Christmas.
San Diego appears headed for the third driest start to the rainy season in at least 152 years, a streak that would further elevate the risk of wildfires in an already parched county, the National Weather Service says.
The city has recorded only 0.13 inches of precipitation since the season began on Oct. 1. If things remain unchanged through Dec. 31, the three-month period will officially be off to an unusually dry start.
