The San Diego County Water Authority’s Board of Directors today approved a 3% wholesale water rate increase for 2027 following a public hearing. The approved rate is below the national rate of inflation and down sharply from both earlier projections and recent years, highlighting the bottom-line benefit of two long-term water transfer agreements executed this […]
Visitors to the 2026 San Diego County Fair can get an up-close look at the water infrastructure that helps sustain the region through a new interactive exhibit by the San Diego County Water Authority. Located near the entrance to the fairgrounds, just outside the Ag-to-You Barn, the exhibit invites guests to explore the systems that […]
The Olivenhain Municipal Water District’s Board of Directors congratulated the winners of the 2026 Elfin Forest Recreational Reserve Amateur Photo Contest at its June meeting. Photographers submitted a variety of photos featuring landscapes and wildlife on EFRR’s 784 acres. “The quality of the photos that contestants submit each year truly impresses us,” said OMWD board […]
Helix Water District selected the El Cajon entry by Mark and Terri L. as its 2026 WaterSmart Landscape Contest winner. The couple transformed their yard into a water-efficient landscape with pops of yellow and purple. Coast Live Oak, Southern Live Oak, and an olive tree will provide shade and habitat when mature. “We love the […]
An innovative approach to water management is positioning San Diego County as a national leader in drought resilience while creating opportunities for financial relief to local ratepayers. Western states that rely on the Colorado River are facing worsening drought conditions. The river is currently at 30% capacity, its lowest level in history, threatening water and […]
The Emerald Heights Homeowners Association in San Marcos joins the growing list of homeowners’ associations (HOAs) benefitting from available incentives and rebates, allowing them to convert their nonfunctional turf into a sustainable landscape. Through a partnership between the County’s Watershed Protection Program, the San Diego County Water Authority, and the Metropolitan Water District, residences and […]
Winners of Padre Dam Municipal Water District’s “Being Water Wise Is…” 2026 Student Poster Contest were recognized at the district’s May board meeting. The winning students, along with their families and their teachers, joined the Board of Directors to admire the artwork on display. Every year, students attending schools within the District’s service area are […]
Seven local high school students were recognized for their award-winning photographs during the Sweetwater Authority (Authority) May board meeting. The winners were selected from 85 photo entries submitted by 78 students representing high schools throughout the South Bay for the Authority’s annual High School Photo Contest. “The Board is proud to support this annual contest […]
Six students have been selected as winners of the Otay Water District’s 2026 “Being Water Wise is…” Student Poster Contest for their creative artwork highlighting the importance of water-use efficiency. Every year, K-12 grade students attending schools within the District’s service area are invited to create posters that promote the value of water. Although there […]
Today, the Bureau of Reclamation and agencies in California, Nevada and Arizona signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) at the Claude “Bud” Lewis Carlsbad Desalination Plant to jointly explore new water supply solutions for the Colorado River Basin. The MOU aims to improve long-term water management in the Colorado River Basin by advancing discussions to […]
The Olivenhain Municipal Water District Board of Directors recognized the winners of the 2026 North County Water Agencies Fourth Grade Water Awareness Poster Contest at its May board meeting. Now in its 33rd year, students were asked to create artwork depicting the theme “Love Water, Save Water.” All participating students learn about the region’s water […]
Across the United States and Canada, including in San Diego County, 30,000 members of the American Public Works Association represent the critical importance of public works in daily life. Public works professionals use their training and experience to plan, build, manage, and operate vital systems at the heart of local communities to improve the everyday […]
Olivenhain Municipal Water District’s Unit A Rancho Santa Fe Road Potable Water Pipeline Replacement Project was recognized as a 2026 Project of the Year by the American Public Works Association’s San Diego and Imperial County Chapter. APWA announced the honor at its awards event in Kearny Mesa, OMWD examines its pipelines using a video surveillance […]
The Vallecitos Water District Board of Directors recognized students from local schools for their excellence in the classroom through its scholarship program and through its annual student poster art competition. The District awarded $2,000 scholarships to six deserving students at its May board meeting. The scholarship program was established by the Board in 2022 to […]
The Vista Irrigation District recognized students from its communities for winning artwork in its annual poster contest, and awarded college scholarships to five deserving high school seniors. Scholarship Winners Highlight Water Issues Vista Irrigation District’s annual scholarship contest is open to high school seniors living within the district’s service area. Students must submit applications demonstrating […]
Water Authority Board Approves 2027 Wholesale Rates
/in Achievements, Features /by Jordan BeaneThe San Diego County Water Authority’s Board of Directors today approved a 3% wholesale water rate increase for 2027 following a public hearing. The approved rate is below the national rate of inflation and down sharply from both earlier projections and recent years, highlighting the bottom-line benefit of two long-term water transfer agreements executed this […]
Built to Deliver: Water Authority at San Diego County Fair
/in Achievements, Features /by Jordan BeaneVisitors to the 2026 San Diego County Fair can get an up-close look at the water infrastructure that helps sustain the region through a new interactive exhibit by the San Diego County Water Authority. Located near the entrance to the fairgrounds, just outside the Ag-to-You Barn, the exhibit invites guests to explore the systems that […]
OMWD Honors Elfin Forest Recreational Reserve Amateur Photo Contest Winners
/in Achievements, Features /by Gayle FalkenthalThe Olivenhain Municipal Water District’s Board of Directors congratulated the winners of the 2026 Elfin Forest Recreational Reserve Amateur Photo Contest at its June meeting. Photographers submitted a variety of photos featuring landscapes and wildlife on EFRR’s 784 acres. “The quality of the photos that contestants submit each year truly impresses us,” said OMWD board […]
Helix Water District Selects El Cajon Project as 2026 WaterSmart Landscape Contest Winner
/in Achievements, Features, WaterSmart Living /by Gayle FalkenthalHelix Water District selected the El Cajon entry by Mark and Terri L. as its 2026 WaterSmart Landscape Contest winner. The couple transformed their yard into a water-efficient landscape with pops of yellow and purple. Coast Live Oak, Southern Live Oak, and an olive tree will provide shade and habitat when mature. “We love the […]
Innovative Strategies Secure San Diego Water Supply
/in Education, Features /by Jordan BeaneAn innovative approach to water management is positioning San Diego County as a national leader in drought resilience while creating opportunities for financial relief to local ratepayers. Western states that rely on the Colorado River are facing worsening drought conditions. The river is currently at 30% capacity, its lowest level in history, threatening water and […]
Emerald Heights HOA Benefits From Rebates and Assistance
/in Features, WaterSmart Living /by Gayle FalkenthalThe Emerald Heights Homeowners Association in San Marcos joins the growing list of homeowners’ associations (HOAs) benefitting from available incentives and rebates, allowing them to convert their nonfunctional turf into a sustainable landscape. Through a partnership between the County’s Watershed Protection Program, the San Diego County Water Authority, and the Metropolitan Water District, residences and […]
Students Create Award Winning Art in Padre Dam MWD Poster Contest
/in Education, Features /by Gayle FalkenthalWinners of Padre Dam Municipal Water District’s “Being Water Wise Is…” 2026 Student Poster Contest were recognized at the district’s May board meeting. The winning students, along with their families and their teachers, joined the Board of Directors to admire the artwork on display. Every year, students attending schools within the District’s service area are […]
Talented High School Photographers Win Sweetwater Authority Photo Contest
/in Education, Features /by Gayle FalkenthalSeven local high school students were recognized for their award-winning photographs during the Sweetwater Authority (Authority) May board meeting. The winners were selected from 85 photo entries submitted by 78 students representing high schools throughout the South Bay for the Authority’s annual High School Photo Contest. “The Board is proud to support this annual contest […]
Otay Water District Poster Contest Winners Create Art With A Message
/in Education, Features /by Gayle FalkenthalSix students have been selected as winners of the Otay Water District’s 2026 “Being Water Wise is…” Student Poster Contest for their creative artwork highlighting the importance of water-use efficiency. Every year, K-12 grade students attending schools within the District’s service area are invited to create posters that promote the value of water. Although there […]
Southwest Water Leaders Sign MOU to Explore Framework for Interstate Exchanges
/in Achievements, Features /by Jordan BeaneToday, the Bureau of Reclamation and agencies in California, Nevada and Arizona signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) at the Claude “Bud” Lewis Carlsbad Desalination Plant to jointly explore new water supply solutions for the Colorado River Basin. The MOU aims to improve long-term water management in the Colorado River Basin by advancing discussions to […]
Olivenhain Municipal Water District Spotlights 2026 Poster Contest Winners
/in Education, Features /by Gayle FalkenthalThe Olivenhain Municipal Water District Board of Directors recognized the winners of the 2026 North County Water Agencies Fourth Grade Water Awareness Poster Contest at its May board meeting. Now in its 33rd year, students were asked to create artwork depicting the theme “Love Water, Save Water.” All participating students learn about the region’s water […]
National Public Works Week Expo in Oceanside Highlights Public Works in Daily Life
/in Achievements, Features /by Gayle FalkenthalAcross the United States and Canada, including in San Diego County, 30,000 members of the American Public Works Association represent the critical importance of public works in daily life. Public works professionals use their training and experience to plan, build, manage, and operate vital systems at the heart of local communities to improve the everyday […]
Olivenhain Municipal Water District Receives APWA Project of the Year Award
/in Achievements, Features /by Gayle FalkenthalOlivenhain Municipal Water District’s Unit A Rancho Santa Fe Road Potable Water Pipeline Replacement Project was recognized as a 2026 Project of the Year by the American Public Works Association’s San Diego and Imperial County Chapter. APWA announced the honor at its awards event in Kearny Mesa, OMWD examines its pipelines using a video surveillance […]
Students Honored For Accomplishments by Vallecitos Water District
/in Achievements, Education, Features /by Gayle FalkenthalThe Vallecitos Water District Board of Directors recognized students from local schools for their excellence in the classroom through its scholarship program and through its annual student poster art competition. The District awarded $2,000 scholarships to six deserving students at its May board meeting. The scholarship program was established by the Board in 2022 to […]
Vista Irrigation District Names Art Contest and Scholarship Winners
/in Education, Features /by Gayle FalkenthalThe Vista Irrigation District recognized students from its communities for winning artwork in its annual poster contest, and awarded college scholarships to five deserving high school seniors. Scholarship Winners Highlight Water Issues Vista Irrigation District’s annual scholarship contest is open to high school seniors living within the district’s service area. Students must submit applications demonstrating […]