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Sweetwater Authority Logo 2019Sweetwater Authority Logo 2019

Sweetwater Authority Water Supplies Remain Sufficient and Reliable Despite Statewide Drought

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Chula Vista, Calif. – Thanks to investments in local water supplies, and customers’ water-saving efforts, Sweetwater Authority has sufficient water to meet customer needs, despite forecasts of a third consecutive dry year.

Earlier this week, the Department of Water Resources announced an initial water allocation of 0% from the State Water Project for California water districts. These allocations do not significantly impact the water available to Authority customers. The yearly allocation is a small portion of the total water supply for San Diego water agencies.

The Authority’s local water supplies include two reservoirs and groundwater wells connected to the Authority’s desalination facility, which provides a drought-proof water source. The majority of the water the Authority provides customers each year comes from these local sources.

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Olivenhain Municipal Water District Logo landscape design workshops

OMWD Offers Low-Cost Rain Barrels to Help Customers Save Water

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Encinitas, Calif. — Olivenhain Municipal Water District has partnered with neighboring water districts—San Dieguito Water District, Santa Fe Irrigation District, and Carlsbad Municipal Water District—to offer discounted rain barrels to area residents this winter.

Rain barrels ordered by January 31, 2022 will be available for pick up at Solana Center for Environmental Innovation located at 137 North El Camino Real in Encinitas.

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. Rebates on rain barrels and other water-saving measures are available at www.socalwatersmart.com.

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Marty Miller to Serve as San Diego County Water Authority Delegate to the Metropolitan Water District of Southern California

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Vista, Calif. — Vista Irrigation District division 1 director, Marty Miller, has been appointed as a delegate to the Metropolitan Water District of Southern California. The San Diego County Water Authority board approved the appointment of Miller to replace Mike Hogan as a director to the Metropolitan board. Miller joins Jerry Butkiewicz, S. Gail Goldberg and Tim Smith as Water Authority delegates to Metropolitan.

“I am honored to join the Metropolitan board and to work together with the other delegates to serve the San Diego region,” said Miller. “I look forward to the hard work of ensuring our customers, community and San Diego region maintain reliable and economical local and imported water supplies now and well into the future.”

Vista Irrigation District-Marty Miller-MWD delegate

Marty Miller has represented Vista Irrigation District division 1, which stretches from Gopher Canyon Road to Vale Terrace Drive in Vista, since 2008. Miller has led the Vista Irrigation District board as president two times and has served as chair of the district’s fiscal policy, public affairs, water sustainability and Warner Ranch committees. Miller has actively represented the district’s best interests through his dedicated service as the district’s representative on the Water Authority board since November 2011. Photo: Vista Irrigation District

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San Diego County Water Authority Named a 2021 Top Workplace

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November 22, 2021 – The San Diego County Water Authority has been named a Top Workplace for 2021 by The San Diego Union-Tribune, capping a two-year effort by the agency to reshape its internal culture based on shared values. The newspaper’s honor roll is based solely on employee feedback through third-party surveys by Energage LLC, an employee engagement technology firm.

“Safe and reliable water supplies are delivered across the San Diego region every single day by a talented workforce that has been dedicated to public service for more than 75 years,” said Water Authority Board Chair Gary Croucher. “It’s gratifying to see their efforts gain the recognition they deserve, but more importantly, among the residents and businesses throughout the San Diego region.”

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Vista Irrigation District Receives National Award for Financial Reporting

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Vista, Calif. — Vista Irrigation District has been presented with the Certificate of Achievement for Excellence in Financial Reporting by the Government Finance Officers Association of the United States and Canada (GFOA) for its comprehensive annual financial report (CAFR) for fiscal year ending June 30, 2020. This certificate is the only national award for public sector financial reporting.

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OMWD to Refund Customers $1.62 Million From Water Wholesalers

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Encinitas, Calif. — Olivenhain Municipal Water District’s Board of Directors unanimously voted at its November 17 meeting to refund $1.62 million to customers to reduce the impact of future water rate increases. The refund resulted from lawsuits filed by San Diego County Water Authority in 2010 and 2018, challenging the legality of Metropolitan Water District of Southern California’s water rates and charges and seeking payment for legal damages and interest.

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Olivenhain Municipal Water District Honors 2021 “Pure Excellence” Award Winners

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Encinitas, Calif. — Olivenhain Municipal Water District recognized at its November 17 board meeting seven individuals and businesses making a significant, positive impact over the last year in the community, the San Diego region, and at local recreation facilities.

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Helix Water District-Lake Jennings-Trout Season Opens-Trout Season Opens at Lake Jennings

Trout Season Opens at Lake Jennings

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The 2021 trout season opened Nov. 19 at Lake Jennings, the Helix Water District reservoir in Lakeside. The lake is one of San Diego County’s hot spots for trout fishing, ranked second in the county by SDFish.com.

The first delivery of 2,000 pounds of trout traveled 913 miles from Idaho in an oxygenated truck to stock the lake. The first of 12 biweekly trout stock came from Wright’s Rainbows in Thatcher, Idaho. A total of 20,000 pounds will be stocked every two weeks through the week of April 18. Anglers can also catch large-mouth bass, red-ear sunfish, bluegill, channel and blue catfish.

Fishing one of several fall family activities  at Lake Jennings

For trout season arriving this weekend, the recommended lure is mini jigs, an all-purpose lure which attracts trout, bass, crappie and bluegill. Photo: Lake Jennings

For trout season at Lake Jennings, the recommended lure is mini jigs, an all-purpose lure which attracts trout, bass, crappie and bluegill. Photo: Lake Jennings

In addition to other recreational activities, Lake Jennings is where the Helix Water District stores imported water from the Colorado River and Northern California. After treatment, the water is supplied to 277,000 people in San Diego’s East County, including the cities of La Mesa, Lemon Grove, and El Cajon, the Spring Valley community.

Helix Water District is also part of a collaborative partnership for the East County Advanced Water Purifcation project, along with Padre Dam Municipal Water District, the County of San Diego, and the City of El Cajon. The plant is expected to provide 30% of current drinking water demands for East County residents when completed in 2025.

Trout fishing on the shore

Fishing is accessible on the shoreline, on the lake’s fishing dock, or from kayaks or a 16-foot skiff with an outboard motor available for rental. Rental boats are on a first-come, first-served basis. Anglers can also launch privately owned boats.

During the opening weekend of trout season in 2020, Lake Jennings issued 931 permits, including 161 for children, an increase of 10% over 2019. The lake is open for shore fishing daily from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Anglers must purchase a daily permit from the campground check-in kiosk. Five miles of shoreline provides ample space for social distancing.

Record catch, recommended lure

The recommended lure for trout arriving this weekend is mini jigs, an all-purpose lure that attracts trout, bass, crappie, and bluegill. To help cast the lightweight lure, lake staff recommend attaching a bobber five to six feet above the mini jig. Popular jig colors for trout season are pink, orange, and chartreuse.

The current lake record is held by Chris Sprecco, who caught an 84.4 lb. blue catfish on January 18, 2020. Sprecco broke a longstanding previous lake record of a 71.3 lb. blue catfish held by Bob Bowden on June 1, 2014.

Dock and boat fishing are available Friday, Saturday, and Sunday. The bait and tackle shop is also open Friday through Sunday.  Check the lake’s website for the latest hours and information. Anglers can sign up for the weekly Lake Jennings fishing report sent by email at the lake’s website.

(Editor’s note: The Helix Water District and the Padre Dam Municipal Water District are two of the San Diego County Water Authority’s 24 member agencies that deliver water across the metropolitan San Diego region.)

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Marty Miller to Serve as San Diego County Water Authority Delegate to MWD

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Vista, Calif. — Vista Irrigation District division 1 director, Marty Miller, has been appointed as a delegate to the Metropolitan Water District of Southern California. The San Diego County Water Authority board approved the appointment of Miller to replace Mike Hogan as a director to the Metropolitan board. Miller joins Jerry Butkiewicz, S. Gail Goldberg and Tim Smith as Water Authority delegates to Metropolitan.

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A clubhouse renovation-HOA-Vallecitos Water District-Water ConservationterSmart landscape upgrade at an Escondido community. Photo: Vallecitos Water District

Escondido HOA Saves Water, Costs with WaterSmart Landscape Upgrades

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The Emerald Heights homeowner’s association in Escondido recently completed a successful clubhouse upgrade including a landscaping makeover replacing existing turf with a beautiful drought-tolerant design.

The gated community is located within the Vallecitos Water District. It covers 6.2 acres including a private athletic club with tennis and basketball courts, plus a community pool and spa. The landscape of turf and trees surrounding the clubhouse area was not healthy. But it would be challenging to find plant materials well suited to growing in the microclimate under the shade trees.

The original landscaping included large sections of turf. Photo: Vallecitos Water District

Before: the original landscaping included large sections of turf. Photo: Vallecitos Water District

Emerald Heights HOA representatives met with O’Connell Landscape and Maintenance. Jack Rush, O’Connell’s executive vice president of operations, encouraged the HOA to take advantage of the SoCal WaterSmart turf replacement program.

“It incentivized them by offering rebates to help offset the construction costs [for the clubhouse],” said Rush.

WaterSmart landscape features appealing new look

The HOA had invested in irrigation system upgrades two years ago, including “baseline” smart controllers throughout the community. HOA board president Dan Cannon and committee members worked with HOA property manager Telsa Dubois of Allure Management and O’Connell Landscape Management, project manager Salvador Alvarado, and construction supervisor Basilio Diaz to craft the new plan.

Dry riverbed areas were established in place of existing turf, graded to capture water runoff into these areas. Cobblestones and boulders were added, along with plants featuring different leaf textures and unique flowers. Using plants at different heights enhanced the landscape area and gave it a more eye-appealing look.

The HOA was able to remove 2,746 square feet of turf surrounding the clubhouse and tennis court areas. Photo: Vallecitos Water District

The HOA was able to remove 2,746 square feet of turf surrounding the clubhouse and tennis court areas. Photo: Vallecitos Water District

Throughout the property, point-to-point drip system irrigation was installed. All remaining spray heads were replaced with drip fixtures.

Ongoing savings help pay for community upgrades  

O’Connell applied for the incentive program on behalf of Emerald Heights HOA through the Metropolitan Water District of Southern California. It was able to remove 2,746 square feet of turf surrounding the clubhouse and tennis court areas. The HOA received $8,238 in rebates for the turf replacement.

“The water savings is still too early to tell, but we estimate 50% to 60% water savings are possible,” said Rush, based on the new plant materials and irrigation retrofitting. Rush says his firm will continue to explore more potential water savings for the community and work closely with members of the HOA.

The Emerald Heights HOA project is estimated to yield 50 to 60 percent water savings. Photo: Vallecitos Water District

The Emerald Heights HOA project is estimated to yield 50% to 60% water savings. Photo: Vallecitos Water District

The Emerald Heights HOA can file a turf replacement application each year to receive more turf rebates. Removing thirsty grass is one of the most water-conscious adjustments it can make to reduce its water usage and associated costs.

The Turf Replacement program is a two-part application process. To qualify for a rebate, customers must apply to reserve rebate funds before starting their project. The landscaping makeover must take place with 180 days, including the request for a rebate. Funding levels are subject to change based on availability at the time of rebate approval.

For more information about the turf replacement program, go to www.socalwatersmart.com and for more WaterSmart tips and additional rebate opportunities in the San Diego region, go to:  www.watersmartsd.org/

(Editor’s note: The Vallecitos Water District is one of the San Diego County Water Authority’s 24 member agencies that deliver water across the metropolitan San Diego region.)