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San Diego County Water Authority And its 24 Member Agencies

Water Authority Board Welcomes Seven New Directors

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January 27, 2023 – The San Diego County Water Authority Board of Directors welcomed seven new members from across the region at its first regular Board meeting of the year on January 26, expanding the agency’s leadership and policy making skills during a critical period for water in the West.

Each of the Water Authority’s 24 retail member agencies are represented by at least one member of the 36-member Board of Directors, which sets the Water Authority’s strategic direction. The Water Authority provides wholesale water supplies that sustains 3.3 million people and a $268 billion regional economy, in coordination with its member agencies.

“Our new directors bring qualifications and experience that will expand our capacity and provide diverse perspectives about the complex issues we face,” said Water Authority Board Chair Mel Katz. “We will all benefit from these experienced leaders who have proven skills in a wide variety of business and public agencies.”

New Board Members-San Diego County Water Authority Board of Directors

New Water Authority Board members are:

  • Teresa Acosta, Carlsbad city councilmember, representing Carlsbad Municipal Water District – Water Authority committees: Administrative and Finance, Water Planning and Environmental
  • Clint Baze, Rincon Del Diablo Municipal Water District general manager, representing Rincon Del Diablo MWD – Water Authority committees: Administrative and Finance, Water Planning and Environmental
  • Steve Castaneda, South Bay Irrigation District board member, representing South Bay Irrigation District – Water Authority committees: Engineering and Operations, Imported Water
  • Lindsay Leahy, Oceanside Water Utilities director, representing City of Oceanside – Water Authority committees: Legislation and Public Outreach, Water Planning and Environmental
  • Joy Lyndes, City of Encinitas councilmember and deputy mayor, representing San Dieguito Water District – Water Authority committees: Legislation and Public Outreach, Water Planning and Environmental
  • Kyle Swanson, Padre Dam Municipal Water District CEO/general manager, representing Padre Dam MWD – Water Authority committees: Administrative and Finance, Legislation and Public Outreach
  • Ditas Yamane, National City councilmember, representing City of National City – Water Authority committees: Engineering and Operations, Water Planning and Environmental

The Board generally holds its regular meetings on the fourth Thursday of each month, with special workshops and other meetings as needed. Board members serve on committees and special work groups and are also appointed to represent the Water Authority on the boards or committees of other agencies and government organizations.

The public is invited to attend monthly meetings and to comment on agenda items or other matters before the Board. To learn more about Water Authority Board members and meetings, go to: www.sdcwa.org/about-us/board-of-directors/

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Sweetwater Authority Logo 2019Sweetwater Authority Logo 2019

Sweetwater Authority Secures Additional Water for Customers Through Controlled Transfer Between Reservoirs

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Chula Vista, Calif. – In order to secure additional water supply for our customers, Sweetwater Authority initiated a controlled transfer of water between its two reservoirs on January 26, 2023.

“Late December and January brought substantial rainfall to the region,” said General Manager Carlos Quintero. “However, after four years of dry weather patterns, we are still in need of water. Sweetwater Reservoir is below 40 percent capacity. These transfers are standard operational practices that we conduct to secure the water supply for our customers.”

Water that leaves Loveland Reservoir is transferred through the Sweetwater River channel and captured at Sweetwater Reservoir where it can be treated and distributed to Authority customers at a lower cost than importing water. Recent rainfall and saturated soils have created optimal conditions for the transfer. The Authority anticipates capturing approximately 3,500 acre-feet of water with the transfer. This equates to a savings of approximately $5 million in costs associated with purchasing imported water.

A similar water transfer was last initiated in November 2022. That transfer captured approximately 4,000 acre-feet of water, saving Authority customers more than $6.2 million. Additional runoff will continue to flow in the Sweetwater Reservoir once the transfer is completed from subsequent storms this winter. The Authority expects that after this transfer, there will be sufficient water stored behind Sweetwater Reservoir to provide an adequate supply for over one year. The Authority will monitor the water transfer, which will occur over several weeks, and make modifications as necessary depending on weather conditions.

The Authority worked closely with local landowners and businesses near the Sweetwater River channel, notifying them by mail and phone prior to the start of the transfer to lessen any potential impacts. The Authority conducts controlled transfers periodically and coordinates with the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service to ensure that environmental needs are met.

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San Diego County Water Authority And its 24 Member Agencies

Water Authority Welcomes New MWD Board Chair Adán Ortega

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January 26, 2023 – The San Diego County Water Authority Board of Directors today welcomed Metropolitan Water District of Southern California Board Chair Adán Ortega, Jr. by hosting a reception for him to meet San Diego County’s community, civic and business leaders.

Ortega took the helm of  MWD’s Board on January 10 as the first Latino chair in the district’s 95-year history. In a presentation today during the Water Authority’s formal Board meeting, Ortega focused on shared challenges and opportunities the two water wholesalers face in the era of climate change.

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Water Authority Welcomes New MWD Board Chair Adán Ortega

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The San Diego County Water Authority Board of Directors on January 26 welcomed Metropolitan Water District of Southern California Board Chair Adán Ortega, Jr. by hosting a reception for him to meet San Diego County’s community, civic and business leaders.

Ortega took the helm of  MWD’s Board on January 10 as the first Latino chair in the district’s 95-year history. In a presentation during the Water Authority’s formal Board meeting, Ortega focused on shared challenges and opportunities the two water wholesalers face in the era of climate change.

Water agencies together face challenging issues

“Past conflicts aside, I see the San Diego County experience as a model that Metropolitan and other water agencies will need to consider as we confront the changed climate. The San Diego region recognized earlier than many – more than 20 years ago – the need to invest in water supply and infrastructure improvements to ensure reliability,” said Ortega, who made formal comments during the Water Authority’s Board meeting. “The need for these investments has only become more urgent as the impacts of climate change undermine both Bay-Delta and Colorado River water supplies.”

Adán Ortega: “New class of water infrastructure and management”

Ortega also noted that “San Diego’s investments have come at a cost in the form of higher water rates, but the result has been protection against drought,” including the drought that has threatened water supplies across California for the past three years.

“We can’t escape the reality of increasing water rates among our member agencies and Metropolitan, just as San Diego had to do,” Ortega said. “With climate change, we need to envision a new class of water infrastructure and management. San Diego’s leaders and ratepayers have reckoned with rate increases to keep water flowing even with critical shortages in traditional sources of water. That’s the definition of resiliency.”

Ortega has represented the City of San Fernando on the MWD board since March 2021. He is the principal at Ortega Strategies group, a public and government relations firm based in Fullerton, and he served as Metropolitan’s vice president of external affairs from 1999 to 2005. Before representing San Fernando, he served as the City of Fullerton’s representative on the MWD Board.

As chair, Ortega said he places a strong emphasis on agency ethics and the values of diversity, equity and inclusion for Metropolitan’s board and staff. He has appointed the most diverse leadership slate in MWD’s history, including appointment of leadership positions to three of the Water Authority’s four delegates including a board vice chair and chairmanship of the agency’s finance committee. The Water Authority fourth delegate – Lois Fong-Sakai – was recently elected by her peers to serve as MWD Board secretary and parliamentarian.

“Proven consensus builder”

“With decades of experience in government service, Adán is a proven consensus builder who is ideally suited to lead Metropolitan’s diverse 26 member agencies during a period of historic transitions impacting water supply and the environment both in MWD’s service area and the Southwest,” said Water Authority Board Chair Mel Katz.

The Water Authority relies on MWD for about 13% of its water supplies, along with transporting water through the Colorado River Aqueduct to San Diego County. The Water Authority and MWD are working together on critical issues of drought and water supply planning as well as daily coordination of water deliveries.

“Water challenges in the West will continue to grow,” said Katz, “but I am confident that working together with MWD and its member agencies we can meet the needs of Southern California for generations to come.”

Sweetwater Authority Logo 2019Sweetwater Authority Logo 2019

Sweetwater Authority’s High School Photo Contest Encourages Creativity in Highlighting the Importance of Water

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Chula Vista, Calif. – Sweetwater Authority is now accepting entries for its 2023 High School Photo Contest. Now in its 15th year,
the contest aims to showcase and celebrate through photography how safe, reliable water service supports everything we do.

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If a leak is confirmed, then a repair is scheduled and completed within days of discovery and during normal working hours. Photo: Otay Water District Leak prevention

Annual Leak Detection Program Gets Underway in Otay Water District

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As part of its annual preventative maintenance program to safeguard its water supply and reduce water loss, the Otay Water District will conduct leak inspections of its pipeline system beginning January 30. Inspections are expected to continue until April 28.  The District’s contractor, Utility Services Associates, will inspect approximately 171 miles of potable water mains in Spring Valley and Jamul, along with potable and recycled water mains in areas of Chula Vista.

Minor water leaks account for more than a trillion gallons of water wasted each year in homes across the United States. According to the EPA Fix-A-Week-Leak website, each average household with unaddressed leaks can account for 10,000 gallons of water loss every year, enough to wash 300 loads of laundry.

Since 2013, the proactive Leak Detection Program has identified 292 leaks that have been repaired by the District, resulting in an average annual savings of $54,000 per year from reduced water losses. Graphic: Otay Water District leak prevention

Since 2013, the proactive Leak Detection Program has identified 292 leaks that have been repaired by the District, resulting in an average annual savings of $54,000 per year from reduced water losses. Graphic: Otay Water District

For example, the EPA reports a leak just one-32nd of an inch in diameter (about the thickness of a dime) can waste 6,300 gallons of water per month.

Since 2013, the proactive Leak Detection Program has identified 292 leaks that have been repaired by the District, resulting in an average annual savings of $54,000 per year from reduced water losses.

“The Otay Water District conducts inspections annually in different communities we serve,” said Otay System Operations Manager Jake Vaclavek. “It is more critical than ever to insure we are not wasting water as we cope with our state’s ongoing megadrought.”

Workers conduct inspections weekdays through April

An effective Leak Detection and Repair Program is one of the main components for water conservation and an important part of asset management. Photo: Otay Water District leak prevention

An effective leak detection and repair program is one of the main components for water conservation and an important part of asset management. Photo: Otay Water District

Customers may see workers inspecting the meter in front of their home or business, typically between 7 a.m. and 5 p.m., Monday through Friday. Weekend and night work may also be required. Inspections can range from a few minutes to a full day.

Inspection workers will wear a Utility Services Associates logo and carry company identification. They will not need access to the homes or property of customers. They may contact customers if they need to momentarily shut off their water supply for further testing. Water supply will not be shut off without permission from someone at the home or property.

The Otay Water District will continue its annual leak inspection through April. Photo: Otay Water District

Workers might lift water meter covers, inspect, and attach equipment to meters or valves. If they suspect a leak, the Otay Water District will contact the customer and advise them of the potential leak.

For questions on the Otay Water District Leak Detection Program, contact customer service at (619) 670-2222.

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

Otay Water District Board Elects Mark Robak as 2023 Board President

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Spring Valley, Calif. – At its January meeting, the Otay Water District board of directors elected new officers to lead the District’s board for 2023.

The board elected director Mark Robak, who represents division five, as president. The board also elected board member Jose Lopez, serving division four, as vice president and Ryan Keyes, serving division two, as treasurer.

Robak’s election as president follows two years of board leadership under past president Tim Smith. Robak will serve as president through January 2024 when officer elections will again take place. He has served on the District’s board for 18 years since January 2005.

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Sweetwater Authority Logo 2019Sweetwater Authority Logo 2019

Manny Delgado Appointed to South Bay Irrigation District Board

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Chula Vista, Calif. – At its January 19 meeting, the South Bay Irrigation District (SBID) appointed Manny Delgado to represent residents living in SBID Division 3. As part of his duties, Delgado will also serve on the Governing Board of Sweetwater Authority.

Delgado replaces former Director Jose Preciado, who resigned from the seat in November 2022 when he was elected to the City of Chula Vista City Council. He will serve until the next General Election for the South Bay Irrigation District, which will occur on November 5, 2024. At that time, a director will be elected to a four-year term.

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Olivenhain Municipal Water District Logo landscape design workshops

Christy Guerin Named President of OMWD’s Board of Directors

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At today’s Olivenhain Municipal Water District board meeting, Christy Guerin assumed the position of president. Ms. Guerin will serve as president for the 2023-2024 term.

Initially appointed to the board in 2011, Ms. Guerin represents Division 3 of OMWD’s service area, which includes portions of the cities of Encinitas and Solana Beach. In addition to her duties as president, Ms. Guerin will also serve on OMWD’s Personnel Committee, Facilities Committee, Public Outreach and Conservation Committee, and Public Policy Committee.

Ms. Guerin is a ten-year veteran of the San Diego County Sheriff’s Department, and a former council member and mayor of the City of Encinitas. In her capacity with the city, she served on the San Dieguito Water District board and also represented the city on the San Diego Association of Governments’ board. In addition, Ms. Guerin served as OMWD’s representative to the San Diego County Water Authority board from 2014 to 2020.

“With the ongoing multi-year drought, water supply reliability and the mitigation of impacts to our ratepayers will be a top priority for 2023. I look forward to leading the district through these times while staying true to the district’s core values,” said Ms. Guerin.

Larry Watt was thanked and honored during the meeting for his service as president for the 2021-2022 term. This marked the third time Mr. Watt filled the president position, having previously served in that role for the 2013-2014 term as well as the 2017-2018 term.

(Editor’s Note: Olivenhain Municipal Water District is a public agency providing water, wastewater services, recycled water, hydroelectricity, and operation of Elfin Forest Recreational Reserve. Organized in 1959, OMWD currently serves approximately 87,000 customers over 48 square miles in northern San Diego County. The OMWD is one of the San Diego County Water Authority’s 24 member agencies that deliver water across San Diego County.)

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Historic First Aqueduct-asset management-Pipeline 1-maintenance

First Aqueduct Maintenance Shutdown Runs Jan. 23-Feb. 1

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The San Diego County Water Authority’s First Aqueduct will be shut down periodically over the next three months for maintenance projects to ensure a safe and reliable water supply for the region. Two shutdowns on the First Aqueduct are scheduled from January through March, when portions of the aqueduct will be relined, along with other maintenance.

The Water Authority and its member agencies are coordinating to minimize impacts to residents and businesses, while servicing pipelines that are more than 65 years old.

Customers of these affected retail agencies during the Jan. 23-Feb. 1 shutdown should check with their local water utility if they have questions about localized impacts: Fallbrook Public Utility District, Rainbow Municipal Water District, Rincon del Diablo Municipal Water District, Vallecitos Water District, Valley Center Municipal Water District, Vista Irrigation District, and the Yuima Municipal Water District.

Proactive Asset Management Program

“Work to proactively upgrade and maintain our water delivery system in coordination with our member agencies ensures the continued safe and reliable supply that serves the region’s 3.3 million residents and our $268 billion economy,” said Eva Plajzer, the Water Authority’s director of operations and maintenance. “Taking care of this critical infrastructure during the shutdown season extends the life of the aqueduct and reduces the cost of replacement.”

Maintenance shutdown during low-demand periods

Maintenance work on pipelines is scheduled during low-demand periods to minimize impacts on water service.

The other scheduled shutdown on the First Aqueduct is February 27 to March 8, which will also impact the Helix Water District and the cities of San Diego, Poway and Ramona.

First Aqueduct-Asset Management-Historic First Aqueduct-Shutdown

By order of President Franklin D. Roosevelt, the U.S. Navy built the San Diego Aqueduct to deliver Colorado River water to San Diego. Photo: San Diego County Water Authority archives

Historic First Aqueduct

The historic First Aqueduct was constructed in the 1940s with Pipeline 1 and in the 1950s with Pipeline 2. On November 28, 1947, the first Colorado River water flowed south from Riverside County for 71 miles into the City of San Diego’s San Vicente Reservoir via the First Aqueduct.

The Water Authority’s Asset Management Program is a key element of providing safe and reliable water supplies to the region. The agency continually assesses and inspects its 310 miles of large-diameter pipelines, which provide treated and untreated water to 24 member agencies in San Diego County. The program is widely recognized for pioneering work – including a patented inspection device – that promotes water affordability by avoiding costly unplanned disruptions in service.

As assets age, the Water Authority proactively replaces and repairs them to minimize impacts to member agencies and the public. Investments in the latest inspection technologies, including electromagnetic scanning, robotic inspections and 3D tunnel inspections help the Water Authority’s asset management team detect defects in pipelines and related facilities. Identifying potential issues early avoids more costly fixes later.

For more information about pipeline management, go to: www.sdcwa.org/projects-programs/programs/asset-management/.

(Editor’s Note: The Fallbrook Public Utility District, Rainbow Municipal Water District, Rincon del Diablo Municipal Water District, Vallecitos Water District, Valley Center Municipal Water District, Vista Irrigation District, Yuima Municipal Water District, Helix Water District and the cities of San Diego, Poway and Ramona are 11 of the San Diego County Water Authority’s 24 member agencies that deliver water across the metropolitan San Diego region.)