With San Diego’s rainy months just ahead, Solana Center for Environmental Innovation (Solana Center) and Think Blue San Diego (the City of San Diego Stormwater Department) are providing discounted rain barrels to encourage City of San Diego residents to collect and conserve rainwater and reduce stormwater pollution. Rain barrels are $30 each for City of […]
Job opportunities in the water industry are plentiful and growing. That’s why the San Diego County Water Authority is making workforce development a priority, preparing the next generation of job seekers to pursue careers in this vital and often overlooked field. The Water Authority is participating in career fairs and work panels around the county […]
San Diego regional member water agencies and California water associations offer multiple college scholarship opportunities in 2026 to help candidates secure their education as water and wastewater professionals. The acceleration of industry retirements, along with the increasing need for a skilled workforce trained to implement new technologies, is driving greater efforts to develop more skilled […]
The popular WaterSmart Landscape Makeover annual competition is now open for 2026 entries. The contest highlights residential landscaping, with nonfunctional grass areas transformed into flourishing, colorful, water-smart landscapes. Contest judges look for winners who represent the best in landscaping makeover projects from 12 participating San Diego County water agencies. Winning entrants feature unique approaches to […]
Community artists were recognized at the January board meeting of the Vallecitos Water District for contributions of their artwork to the District’s Sustainable Demonstration Garden. “Artwork is a wonderful addition to any garden, as it still sparkles when the plants are going through their dormancy period,” said garden creator Lisa Urabe, a UC Master Gardener […]
The Helix Water District plays host this week to the Metropolitan Water District of Southern California’s “Being Water Wise Is” traveling art show, now through January 30, at its administration office, located at 7811 University Avenue in La Mesa. The show displays the original artwork created by talented students from kindergarten through 12th grade from […]
The San Diego County Water Authority Board of Directors on Thursday unanimously elected Carlsbad City Councilmember Teresa Acosta as the board’s new Secretary. Acosta replaces Joy Lyndes, who stepped down following her recent announcement that she will not seek re-election to her position on the Encinitas City Council this year. “The San Diego County Water […]
After two years, the Native Plant Seed Library established by the Vallecitos Water District is flourishing thanks to community contributors known as “Seed Heroes.” The seed library is located in the Sustainable Demonstration Garden at the district’s headquarters in San Marcos. The district originally partnered with the San Diego Bird Alliance (formerly the Audubon Society) […]
The successful collaboration between the San Diego County Water Authority and the Whittier School in Clairemont to update the school’s landscaping delivered unexpected benefits to the neighborhood. Senior Water Resources Specialist Debby Dunn says the Whittier School project was an ideal candidate for the Water Authority’s grant-funded Direct Installation Landscape Program. It met the pilot […]
For the 30th consecutive year, the San Diego County Water Authority earned the Distinguished Budget Presentation Award from the Government Finance Officers Association (GFOA) — along with a special commendation for its Capital Improvement Program (CIP) budget. GFOA’s award is the highest recognition in governmental budgeting, while the Water Authority’s CIP is critical to maintaining […]
For the Water Authority, Fiscal Year 2025 was about building trust with our communities and delivering improved results for our region. To achieve those goals, we had to stop doing things the way they have always been done, all of which is highlighted in the FY2025 annual report. To learn more about the achievements and […]
After more than 52 years in the water and wastewater industry, Valley Center Municipal Water District’s long-serving General Manager, Gary Arant, is retiring. Arant led the District as General Manager for nearly 37 years. Since March 1989, he guided the District through countless challenges, including multi-year droughts, wildfires, freezes, state-mandated water cutbacks, economic recessions, countywide […]
San Diego region’s water and wastewater agency employees pitched in to carry on a tradition of holiday giving in 2025, benefiting a wide array of nonprofit community services. Agencies Support Water For People Fundraising Effort Employees of the Padre Dam Municipal Water District and Olivenhain Municipal Water District assembled fundraising gift baskets for the nonprofit […]
California’s water, tribal, and agricultural leaders today presented a comprehensive framework for a durable, basin-wide operating agreement for the Colorado River and highlighted the state’s proposal for conserving 440,000 acre-feet of river water per year. At the annual Colorado River Water Users Association conference, California underscored the state’s leadership in conservation, collaboration, and long-term stewardship […]
San Diego County’s most popular reservoir recreation areas offer special holiday season events through 2025 and host winter activities during the region’s cooler months. Holiday Spirit at Santee Lakes Santee Lakes Recreation Preserve hosts the Winter Lantern Festival on Saturday, December 13 from 2 p.m. to 7 p.m. The family-friendly festival encourages people to reflect […]
Discounted Rain Barrels and Workshops Available For San Diego Residents
/in Features, WaterSmart Living /by Gayle FalkenthalWith San Diego’s rainy months just ahead, Solana Center for Environmental Innovation (Solana Center) and Think Blue San Diego (the City of San Diego Stormwater Department) are providing discounted rain barrels to encourage City of San Diego residents to collect and conserve rainwater and reduce stormwater pollution. Rain barrels are $30 each for City of […]
Water Authority Ramps Up Workforce Development
/in Achievements, Education, Features, Jobs and Training /by Jordan BeaneJob opportunities in the water industry are plentiful and growing. That’s why the San Diego County Water Authority is making workforce development a priority, preparing the next generation of job seekers to pursue careers in this vital and often overlooked field. The Water Authority is participating in career fairs and work panels around the county […]
2026 Scholarship Applications Open for Aspiring San Diego Water Professionals
/in Education, Features /by Gayle FalkenthalSan Diego regional member water agencies and California water associations offer multiple college scholarship opportunities in 2026 to help candidates secure their education as water and wastewater professionals. The acceleration of industry retirements, along with the increasing need for a skilled workforce trained to implement new technologies, is driving greater efforts to develop more skilled […]
WaterSmart Landscape Makeover Contest Open for 2026 Entries
/in Features, WaterSmart Living /by Gayle FalkenthalThe popular WaterSmart Landscape Makeover annual competition is now open for 2026 entries. The contest highlights residential landscaping, with nonfunctional grass areas transformed into flourishing, colorful, water-smart landscapes. Contest judges look for winners who represent the best in landscaping makeover projects from 12 participating San Diego County water agencies. Winning entrants feature unique approaches to […]
Vallecitos Water District Honors Artist Contributions To Demonstration Garden
/in Features, Heroes /by Gayle FalkenthalCommunity artists were recognized at the January board meeting of the Vallecitos Water District for contributions of their artwork to the District’s Sustainable Demonstration Garden. “Artwork is a wonderful addition to any garden, as it still sparkles when the plants are going through their dormancy period,” said garden creator Lisa Urabe, a UC Master Gardener […]
Helix Water District Hosts Student Art Show
/in Education, Features /by Gayle FalkenthalThe Helix Water District plays host this week to the Metropolitan Water District of Southern California’s “Being Water Wise Is” traveling art show, now through January 30, at its administration office, located at 7811 University Avenue in La Mesa. The show displays the original artwork created by talented students from kindergarten through 12th grade from […]
Teresa Acosta Elected Secretary of Water Authority Board
/in Achievements, Features /by Jordan BeaneThe San Diego County Water Authority Board of Directors on Thursday unanimously elected Carlsbad City Councilmember Teresa Acosta as the board’s new Secretary. Acosta replaces Joy Lyndes, who stepped down following her recent announcement that she will not seek re-election to her position on the Encinitas City Council this year. “The San Diego County Water […]
Seed Heroes Helps Vallecitos Water District Seed Library Flourish
/in Features, Heroes /by Gayle FalkenthalAfter two years, the Native Plant Seed Library established by the Vallecitos Water District is flourishing thanks to community contributors known as “Seed Heroes.” The seed library is located in the Sustainable Demonstration Garden at the district’s headquarters in San Marcos. The district originally partnered with the San Diego Bird Alliance (formerly the Audubon Society) […]
Whittier School Landscape Project Transforms Neighborhood
/in Features /by Gayle FalkenthalThe successful collaboration between the San Diego County Water Authority and the Whittier School in Clairemont to update the school’s landscaping delivered unexpected benefits to the neighborhood. Senior Water Resources Specialist Debby Dunn says the Whittier School project was an ideal candidate for the Water Authority’s grant-funded Direct Installation Landscape Program. It met the pilot […]
Water Authority Wins Budgeting Award from National Organization
/in Achievements, Features /by Jordan BeaneFor the 30th consecutive year, the San Diego County Water Authority earned the Distinguished Budget Presentation Award from the Government Finance Officers Association (GFOA) — along with a special commendation for its Capital Improvement Program (CIP) budget. GFOA’s award is the highest recognition in governmental budgeting, while the Water Authority’s CIP is critical to maintaining […]
Annual Report FY2025: Building Trust, Delivering Results
/in Achievements, Features /by Jordan BeaneFor the Water Authority, Fiscal Year 2025 was about building trust with our communities and delivering improved results for our region. To achieve those goals, we had to stop doing things the way they have always been done, all of which is highlighted in the FY2025 annual report. To learn more about the achievements and […]
Gary Arant Retires After Decades of Service to Valley Center Municipal Water District
/in Achievements, Features, Uncategorized /by Jordan BeaneAfter more than 52 years in the water and wastewater industry, Valley Center Municipal Water District’s long-serving General Manager, Gary Arant, is retiring. Arant led the District as General Manager for nearly 37 years. Since March 1989, he guided the District through countless challenges, including multi-year droughts, wildfires, freezes, state-mandated water cutbacks, economic recessions, countywide […]
Member Agencies Give Generously to Nonprofits During Holidays
/in Achievements, Features /by Gayle FalkenthalSan Diego region’s water and wastewater agency employees pitched in to carry on a tradition of holiday giving in 2025, benefiting a wide array of nonprofit community services. Agencies Support Water For People Fundraising Effort Employees of the Padre Dam Municipal Water District and Olivenhain Municipal Water District assembled fundraising gift baskets for the nonprofit […]
California Commits to Conservation, Collaboration in New Colorado River Framework
/in Achievements, Features /by Jordan BeaneCalifornia’s water, tribal, and agricultural leaders today presented a comprehensive framework for a durable, basin-wide operating agreement for the Colorado River and highlighted the state’s proposal for conserving 440,000 acre-feet of river water per year. At the annual Colorado River Water Users Association conference, California underscored the state’s leadership in conservation, collaboration, and long-term stewardship […]
2025 Community Holiday Activities at San Diego Reservoirs
/in Achievements, Features /by Gayle FalkenthalSan Diego County’s most popular reservoir recreation areas offer special holiday season events through 2025 and host winter activities during the region’s cooler months. Holiday Spirit at Santee Lakes Santee Lakes Recreation Preserve hosts the Winter Lantern Festival on Saturday, December 13 from 2 p.m. to 7 p.m. The family-friendly festival encourages people to reflect […]