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Hungry goats are used to help clear brush and maintain wildfire safety at the Miramar Reservoir. Photo: City of San Diego

Goats Help Maintain Miramar Reservoir, Reduce Fire Risk

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Visitors enjoy seeing the variety of wildlife when visiting the City of San Diego’s Miramar Reservoir in the Scripps Ranch community.
Recent visitors might have been surprised by an unusual group of animals:  hundreds of goats grazing near the dam.
The City’s Public Utilities Department contracted with a local company to have more than 250 goats clear dry brush to allow for inspection of the dam and help reduce fire risk.
Under human supervision, several dozen goats can efficiently and safely clear an acre of brush per day. Photo: City of San Diego

Under human supervision, several dozen goats can efficiently and safely clear an acre of brush per day. Photo: City of San Diego

Goat Herds Provide Energy-Efficient Reservoir Maintenance

Public Utilities operates and maintains dams for nine reservoirs that support the water supply for the City of San Diego. Routine maintenance and daily inspections help ensure the safety of this vital infrastructure.
Goats can play a vital role in this maintenance because they provide an energy-efficient and low-carbon alternative to mechanized equipment to remove dry brush and ensure proper visibility of the face of the dam.
Since 2005, the City of San Diego has allowed the use of goats to remove brush, which helps reduce the risk of wildfires. Goats are voracious eaters and are not picky about what they consume.
Twenty to thirty goats can clear an acre of brush in a few days. The goats eat plants down to the soil’s surface but leave root systems that help keep soil from washing away and causing hillside erosion.

Goats May Become A Regular Sight

Goats may be used at additional locations among the City of San Diego's nine reservoirs. Photo: City of San Diego

Goats may be used at additional locations among the City of San Diego’s nine reservoirs. Photo: City of San Diego

After evaluating the goats’ work at Miramar Reservoir, the City will assess the feasibility of using their services in other locations.
Private property owners with large amounts of land needing brush clearance within the City of San Diego can also use goats to remove brush on their property. They must first receive a permit from the Fire-Rescue Department. There is no charge for the permit application.
Combustible vegetation, especially dry brush, should be cleared to reduce fire risk. Any material left in its natural state will readily ignite, burn, and cause fire to move to any structure or other vegetation. This includes dry grass, brush, weeds, litter, and waste.
For more information about brush management and guidelines, visit sandiego.gov/fire/services/brush.
Wastewater Collection Systems Workers (left to right) Raul Rodarte, Dennis Richardson, and Jesse Halbig demonstrate how they keep sewer pipes clean with a combination truck on the facilities tour. Photo: Vallecitos Water District

Rave Reviews for Vallecitos Water Academy Facilities Tour

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The reviews are in for the 2024 Vallecitos Water District’s annual Water Academy, featuring a tour of the District’s facilities.

Participants raved about their opportunity to learn firsthand about the District’s operations from its professional staff in multiple disciplines, including James H. Gumpel, P.E., Vallecitos Water District General Manager.

Raul Rodarte, Wastewater Collections Worker II, offers a demonstration during the facilities tour. Photo: Vallecitos Water District

Raul Rodarte, Wastewater Collections Worker II, offers a demonstration during the facilities tour. Photo: Vallecitos Water District

Among the stops along the tour:

  • Water Operations Control Room
  • Wastewater Collections
  • Warehouse, Construction, and Training Facilities
  • Maintenance and Repair Shops and Mechanics Bay
  • Sustainable Demonstration Garden and Meters

See a video of the facilities tour events.

Water Academy Tour Highlights 

The District’s Wastewater Collections Department demonstrated how it keeps sewer pipes clean with a combination truck. The CCTV camera van was also on display. A recorded video showed how the camera system inspects the District’s sewer pipes.

Wastewater Collections staff are also trained as the District’s Confined Space Rescue Team. They discussed how the team’s preparedness and training to address emergencies immediately, instead of waiting for first responders, can save lives.

At the District’s welding shop and mechanics bay, mechanics explained how performing repairs in-house saves District customers money.

The Maintenance Services Department discussed the essential emergency repair parts maintained in the warehouse which allows construction crews to expedite water main repairs and return service to the customers as soon as possible.

Close Up Look At Equipment

Water Academy participants also got a presentation by the Construction Department with a closeup look at heavy equipment in operation, including a Mini-Excavator, Backhoe, Skid Steer, Hydro Excavator and Service Truck, and a 10-wheeler Dump Truck. All the equipment enables Vallecitos Water District personnel to repair water mains as quickly as possible to return customers to service.

Water Operations personnel demonstrated the Neutral Output – Discharge Elimination System (NO-DES) trailer, which functions as a portable water filtration unit. It removes minerals that can settle in water mains over many years. This helps to maintain high water quality for the District’s customers.

Vallecitos Water District is among the first agencies in San Diego County to purchase one of these units. It also helps the District comply with regulations that require urban retail water suppliers to submit water loss audits to the State of California annually. Water agencies are required to account for every drop of water and reduce water waste wherever possible.

Staff Demonstrate Specialized Skills

At the District’s Spill Emergency Response Plan Training Center, participants learned how Vallecitos employees practice responding to sewer spills and watched a demonstration. All water used for training and the demonstration is potable water rather than actual wastewater. A combination truck was set up downstream to demonstrate how a sewer spill would be mitigated and collected.

Water Operations field and lab testing equipment were on display. Several tests were run to show how lab testing in-house delivers faster, more cost-efficient results. Additionally, staff showed customers how, by adding CO2 to a water sample, the pH (measure of acidity or basicity) is changed.

Vallecitos Water District customers learn how to check their meters at home. Photo: Vallecitos Water District facilities tour

Vallecitos Water District customers learn how to check their meters at home. Photo: Vallecitos Water District

Employees in the Meter Department showed customers how to read their own meters and how to check for leaks.

No Vallecitos Water District tour is complete without a stroll through its Sustainable Demonstration Garden, including its new seed library and garden features.

Positive Participant Feedback For Facilities Tour

Participants in the Vallecitos Water District facilities tour offered positive feedback from their experience. Photo: Vallecitos Water District

Participants in the Vallecitos Water District facilities tour offered positive feedback from their experience. Photo: Vallecitos Water District

Participants received samples of PureGreen fertilizer from Encina and water bottles and had fun with trivia questions to conclude the tour.

Participant reviews highlighted the complexity of the operation, the friendly staff, and how much they learned.

“(The) complexity of providing water to a high population density coastal area. Good people with good management” wrote Frank Yakos.

“Previous to today I already had a very positive impression of VWD. Today’s information increased my positive impression immensely,” wrote Diane Veach.

“Learned something interesting from each presenter, learned a lot! Loved how friendly everyone is,” wrote Ann Kreile.

“I’m impressed with everything! Clean facility! Great staff! Great presentation!” raved Nancy Sims.

“Thanks! Keep up the good work!” said it all for Michael Wilkinson.

 

Olivenhain Municipal Water District is beginning construction on new recycled water pipelines in Encinitas. The expansion of OMWD’s recycled water distribution system will result in the savings of more than 12.5 million gallons of imported drinking water each year. Photo: Olivenhain Municipal Water District

Recycled Water Pipeline Projects Ensure Reliable Water Supplies for Olivenhain Municipal Water District

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Olivenhain Municipal Water District is beginning construction on new recycled water pipelines in Encinitas. The pipelines are part of a larger expansion of OMWD’s recycled water distribution system that will result in the savings of more than 12.5 million gallons of imported drinking water each year.

This phase of the project involves installing pipelines on Summerhill Drive and Village Center Drive in Encinitas. Work is scheduled to take place Monday through Friday, 8:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. Additionally, restricted work hours of 9 a.m. to 2 p.m., Monday through Thursday, and 9 a.m. to noon on Friday, will be in effect for any work directly impacting Diegueño Middle School.

Other project phases involved the construction of recycled water pipelines around Park Dale Lane and Gatepost Road in Encinitas, which are now complete, and along Calle Barcelona in Carlsbad, on which work continues. This project is anticipated to be completed in spring 2025. No impacts to customers’ drinking water supplies are anticipated.

Minimizing Traffic Disruptions for Customers

OMWD is coordinating with the cities of Carlsbad and Encinitas on a traffic management plan to minimize traffic disruptions for residents and businesses during construction. Learn more in the video presentation below.

OMWD successfully secured approximately $900,000 in grant funding to make this project cost-effective for ratepayers. Specifically, both the US Bureau of Reclamation and the California Department of Water Resources are contributing grant funds to offset project costs.

Ensuring Safe, Reliable Water Supplies

By expanding the recycled water distribution system, OMWD will cut costs by replacing important drinking water with recycled water. Photo: Olivenhain Municipal Water District pipeline projects

By expanding the recycled water distribution system, OMWD will cut costs by replacing important drinking water with recycled water. Photo: Olivenhain Municipal Water District

OMWD receives 100 percent of its drinking water supply from the Sacramento-San Joaquin Delta and the Colorado River. These sources have become unreliable due to droughts and overuse.

Recycled water is locally produced, disinfected wastewater used for irrigation. It is a drought-resilient supply and costs less than potable water. In addition, using recycled water reduces the amount of treated wastewater discharged to the ocean and reduces our dependence on imported water from faraway sources.

OMWD has identified opportunities in Encinitas and Carlsbad to connect more customers to its recycled water distribution system. The completion of the pipeline extensions will result in the conversion of 28 water meters from potable to recycled water, saving more than 12.5 million gallons of imported drinking water every year.

OMWD serves up to 15% of its overall demand from recycled water treated through its award-winning 4S Ranch facility. Photo: Olivenhain Municipal Water District pipeline project

OMWD serves up to 15% of its overall demand from recycled water treated through its award-winning 4S Ranch facility. Photo: Olivenhain Municipal Water District

OMWD produces up to two million gallons of recycled water daily at its 4S Ranch Water Reclamation Facility. Additionally, OMWD is the lead agency of the North San Diego Water Reuse Coalition, a group of nine North County agencies that coordinate across jurisdictional boundaries to expand the reach of the recycled water.

As a result, OMWD now serves up to 15 percent of its overall demand from recycled water and continues to identify additional ways to make recycled water available to eligible customers.

Get the latest updates on OMWD’s dedicated projects page on its website: www.olivenhain.com/projects

 

Olivenhain Municipal Water District Logo landscape design workshops

OMWD Board Will Hold Public Hearing on October 16 on Proposed Water Charges That Would Impact the Average Residential Customer Bill by Less Than Five Percent

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Encinitas, Calif. — Olivenhain Municipal Water District will hold a public hearing at 5:30 p.m. on October 16 to receive
comments on proposed water charges. The proposed charges would increase a residential customer’s bill with average
usage by less than five percent, beginning January 1, 2025.

OMWD buys all of its drinking water supply from its wholesaler, San Diego County Water Authority. Buying wholesale
water makes up approximately 60 percent of OMWD’s operating costs. Effective January 1, 2025, SDCWA will increase
the price OMWD pays for water by 14 percent.

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Francisco X. Rivera brings extensive experience in civil engineering and infrastructure projects to the Otay Water District board of directors. Photo: Otay Water District

Francisco X. Rivera Appointed to Otay Water District Board of Directors

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The Otay Water District Board of Directors announced at its September board meeting that it appointed Francisco X. Rivera to fill the Division One vacancy that resulted from the resignation of Tim Smith. Director Rivera was one of three candidates vying for the position to represent Division One.

Following the unanimous 4-0 vote by the board of directors, the District administered the Oath of Office. Director Rivera immediately assumed all powers and duties of the board of directors.

“I am honored to have been considered and selected as part of this public process and it is with a lot of pride and pleasure that I take the responsibility seriously for the Otay Water District,” said Rivera. “I’m ready to begin serving our ratepayers of division one and am dedicated to helping the board and staff carry out the District’s mission. I hope to build on what has already been accomplished at the District and to find ways to continue to make improvements.”

Newly appointed Otay Water District board member Francisco X. Rivera takes the oath of office at the September meeting. Photo: Otay Water District

Newly appointed Otay Water District board member Francisco X. Rivera takes the oath of office at the September meeting. Photo: Otay Water District

Public Interviews Part of Hiring Process

The board of directors conducted open interviews during the regularly scheduled September 4 board meeting. The candidates, whose applications and resumes were included in the board packet, were asked the same set of questions in a public forum. Following the interviews, a nomination was made.

District Board President Jose Lopez welcomed Rivera to the board. “We were impressed by Director Rivera’s background in engineering and his commitment to the community, which will help contribute to the District’s goals. We are confident that he will make a great asset to this board.”

Rivera Brings Engineering Experience to Otay Board

Rivera began his career with the City of Chula Vista in 1984, retiring in 2023 after holding key positions such as principal civil engineer, deputy city engineer, and deputy director of engineering. He earned a Bachelor of Science in Civil Engineering from the United States International University in San Diego and holds California professional licenses in both civil and traffic engineering. Over the years, he has managed major infrastructure projects, including transportation improvements and wastewater systems.

Bilingual in English and Spanish, Director Rivera is also an active member of his community, serving on the executive board of the Eastlake III Homeowners Association, the Salvation Army South County Advisory Board, and the SANDAG TransNet Independent Taxpayer Oversight Committee.

During his tenure on the District’s board, Director Rivera aims to maintain high levels of customer satisfaction, foster exceptional employee morale, and minimize water and wastewater rate increases. Director Rivera will serve the remaining 15 months of Smith’s term, with the next election for the four-year seat scheduled for November 3, 2026.

Olivenhain Municipal Water District Logo landscape design workshops

OMWD Receives Award for Exceptional Advocacy

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Encinitas, Calif. — At its annual conference today, California Special Districts Association honored Olivenhain Municipal Water District with its Exceptional Outreach and Advocacy Award for OMWD’s engagement with legislators and policymakers.

“OMWD is honored to be recognized for our efforts shaping water policy, representing our ratepayers at the state and federal levels, and collaborating with regional partners,” said OMWD Board Director Marco San Antonio.

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Padre Dam MWD's August A. Caires Customer Service Center.

Padre Dam MWD Launches New Podcast

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The Water Drop Podcast is now available on Spotify, Apple Podcasts and more.

The Water Drop Podcast is now available on Spotify, Apple Podcasts and more.

The Padre Dam Municipal Water District is making a splash with their new podcast, “The Water Drop”. The Water Authority member agency kicked off the new project in March, featuring Padre Dam staff as well as outside experts discussing an array of industry topics including sustainability, trends and the future of all things water.

“We are committed to delivering innovative ways to inform and educate our customers,” said Padre Dam CEO/General Manager, Kyle Swanson. “As podcasts continue to grow in popularity, this is an opportunity to provide valuable, on-the-go information to the community we serve and other interested stakeholders.”

In the debut episode, Water: A Finite Resource, Swanson discusses the district’s largest infrastructure project to date, the East County Advanced Water Purification Program which will purify recycled water to produce up to 30 percent of East County’s current drinking water demands. He also touches on some of the biggest challenges the water industry faces today.

The second episode, It’s Not Wastewater Coming Straight to Your Tap, features the Director of the East County AWP Program, Mark Niemiec. He goes into detail on how the water reuse project works, the driving factors behind it and benefits of the project. He also answers some social media questions about the program. Padre Dam joins a handful of other water agencies in California that have a podcast.

Subsequent episodes have highlighted protecting wildlife at construction sites with biologist Katie Duffield of Helix Environmental Planning and the summer season at Santee Lakes with Cory Kading, the Director of Parks and Recreation for the Santee Lakes Recreation Preserve. Topics like conservation rebates for customers and job opportunities working in water will be spotlighted in upcoming episodes.

This exciting podcast will keep you educated and up to speed on what’s happening in the world of water within the Padre Dam Municipal Water District. You can tune in via Apple Podcasts and Spotify for updates from “The Water Drop.”

(L to R) Escondido City Manager Sean McGlynn; Escondido Director of Utilities Angela Morrow PE; Escondido City Councilmember Michael Morasco; Deputy Mayor Christian Garcia; Escondido Mayor Dane White; Councilmember Consuelo Martinez; Councilmember Joe Garcia; Escondido Deputy City Manager Chris McKinney. Photo: City of Escondido water reuse

New Escondido Water Reuse Plant Supports Area Farmers

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The City of Escondido achieved an important milestone in its efforts to create a high-quality alternative water source to support its local agricultural growers in August.

The city and its partners, including the Filanc Brown and Caldwell (FBC) Joint Venture, dedicated the newly completed water reuse treatment plant at an August 28 event. The AgX Membrane Filtration Reverse Osmosis Facility for Agriculture (MFRO Facility) is a first-of-its-kind facility producing water for agricultural use in California.

The new $65 million facility completed construction in November 2023.

Lowering costs, increasing water supply resilience

The exterior of the new AgX Membrane Filtration Reverse Osmosis Facility for Agriculture (MFRO Facility), a first-of-its-kind facility producing water for agricultural use in California. Photo: City of Escondido water reuse

The exterior of the new AgX Membrane Filtration Reverse Osmosis Facility for Agriculture (MFRO Facility), a first-of-its-kind facility producing water for agricultural use in California. Photo: City of Escondido

The AgX MFRO Facility takes water redirected from an ocean outfall, which was reaching capacity and would have cost hundreds of millions of dollars to upsize. Water is now redirected to the MFRO Facility and treated for beneficial reuse by producing water with salinity (salt) levels ideal for agriculture, such as avocado growers.

Farmers benefit from paying lower water rates. With agricultural water use shifted to this new supply, potable water the farmers previously used is now available for other users, increasing local water resiliency.

This project is a rare win-win water solution for augmenting supply while alleviating demand. In an era of water scarcity, it provides a sustainable, local supply and a cost-effective alternative to potable water.

“This is an important milestone for Escondido’s recycled water system,” said Angela Morrow, City of Escondido Director of Utilities. “The MFRO Facility will provide a reliable, affordable, and high-quality water supply to our agricultural community for generations to come while beneficially reusing wastewater and reducing our reliance on imported water.”

Escondido water reuse project funded through multiple agreements

Escondido Mayor Dane White at the ribbon cutting for the new AgX Membrane Filtration Reverse Osmosis Facility for Agriculture (MFRO Facility). Photo: City of Escondido

Escondido Mayor Dane White at the ribbon cutting for the new AgX Membrane Filtration Reverse Osmosis Facility for Agriculture (MFRO Facility). Photo: City of Escondido

Funding for this project was provided in full or in part through an agreement with the State Water Resources Control Board and in part through agreements with the United States Department of the Interior, Bureau of Reclamation, and State of California, Department of Water Resources.

Headquartered in Escondido, Filanc is an award-winning general engineering and design-build contractor that solely constructs, renovates, and expands water and wastewater treatment, biosolids management, and waste-to-energy facilities throughout the Western United States.

Headquartered in Walnut Creek, California, Brown and Caldwell is a full-service environmental engineering and construction services firm with 50 offices and over 2,100 professionals across North America and the Pacific in operation for 75 years.

 

East County Advanced Water Purification Joint Powers Authority JPA Logo

East County Advanced Water Program Joint Powers Authority $433,235,000 Tax-Exempt Interim Notes (Green Bonds)

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Santee, Calif. – The East County Advanced Water Purification Joint Powers Authority (Authority) plans to issue approximately $433,235,000 in tax exempt, fixed rate notes on September 4, 2024. The Notes are being issued to finance, on an interim basis, a portion of the design, construction, and development costs of the East County Advanced Water Purification (AWP) Project. The Notes are special, limited obligations of the Authority payable solely from Net Revenues of the Authority, and, if needed, other funds held by the Authority.

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Leaders from the Metropolitan Water District join SDCWA board Chair, Secretary and General Manager at the August 2024 Board meeting.

Water Authority Welcomes MWD Chair to Discuss Regional Water Future

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On Thursday, Metropolitan Water District of Southern California (MWD) Chairman Adán Ortega and Interim General Manager Deven Upadhyay addressed collaboration between two of the largest wholesale water agencies in Southern California in light of MWD’s major long-term planning effort. This process aims to chart a course for meeting Southern California’s water resource management needs while rising to the challenges of a changing climate and maintaining its financial sustainability.

Speaking to the Board of the San Diego County Water Authority, Ortega praised the work of Water Authority Board Chair Mel Katz, Vice Chair Nick Serrano and General Manager Dan Denham during an era of change at both agencies.

“Through your leadership, barriers between our member agencies are coming down opening new possibilities for greater interdependence in our region that can result in greater reliability, value for our residents, and fiscal health for the entire water supply chain,” Ortega said.

Members of the Metropolitan Water District join the August 2024 SDCWA Board meeting for a robust discussion.

This spring, Katz and Denham spoke to the MWD Board about growing the agencies’ relationship based on water security, affordability and mutual benefits.

Ortega touched on similar themes regarding MWD’s ongoing effort to prepare for a changing climate over the next century via its Climate Adaptation Master Plan for Water effort. MWD is trying to chart a course forward with its 26 member agencies that meets the needs of the region while keeping water affordable all in the face of uncertainties caused by the changing climate. Through this process, MWD will consider potential multi-billion-dollar supply projects.

Ortega said the work of the San Diego region’s delegates to the MWD Board have been crucial for helping to chart Southern California’s water future. He thanked Director Tim Smith for leading MWD’s Finance and Asset Management Committee in implementing a two-year budget that was approved without opposition ; Director Marty Miller for his efforts to ensure financial accountability; MWD Secretary Lois Fong-Sakai for establishing a tone of civility at the MWD Board; and MWD Vice Chair Gail Goldberg for her work on MWD’s complex climate adaptation plan.

“Together, during the last two years we have made great progress in steps that are modernizing Metropolitan in the task of climate adaptation,” Ortega said.