Starting the second week of August, pedestrians and motorists in Escondido will notice traffic impacts due to construction work on Water Authority facilities as part of the Southern First Aqueduct Facilities Improvement project. Beginning on August 11, work will take place on Bear Valley Parkway just north of San Pasqual Valley Road where a traffic […]
Encinitas resident Ramona Copley’s landscape makeover project was selected by the Olivenhain Municipal Water District as the 2025 winner of the annual WaterSmart Landscape Contest. The OMWD board honored Copley at its June board meeting. “To reduce our water use, my husband and I wanted to transform our yard of trees and grass into a […]
The transformation of the Claerman family’s landscaping began with research and field trips. The results of their landscaping makeover were named the 2025 City of Escondido Landscape Makeover contest winner. Yannick Claerman’s landscape transformation process included research on drought-tolerant plants, plant groupings, soil types, and how to use compost and mulch to enhance water efficiency. […]
Last week, The Coast News Group announced its 2025 Best of North County contest winners, which included Olivenhain Municipal Water District’s Elfin Forest Recreational Reserve (EFRR). EFRR took first place in the “Best Place to Volunteer” category after an online vote that included 18 other candidates. “This accolade is a testament to the wonderful people […]
Although San Diego County is best known for its beautiful beaches, it is also home to more than 20 freshwater lakes and reservoirs. These bodies of water offer a variety of recreational opportunities. Lake fishing lets anglers hook catfish, bluegill, carp, crappie, sunfish, bass, and trout. Water enthusiasts can enjoy kayaking, boating, rowing, and wakeboarding […]
Award-winning exhibits at the San Diego County Fair Paul Ecke Jr. Garden Show offer attendees inspiration for their own low-water use landscaping projects from examples of creative low-water use and native plant gardens at the Fair’s popular exhibit. Groovy Garden Returns To County Fair’s Garden Show Debby Dunn, Senior Water Resources Specialist with the San […]
The San Diego County Water Authority’s Board of Directors today approved wholesale water rates for 2026 following a public hearing and approved the recommended budget for the next two fiscal years. Despite ongoing inflationary pressures and the continued impacts of climate change on the Southwest, the Water Authority minimized impacts on ratepayers through a number […]
Seven amateur photographers were recognized by the Olivenhain Municipal Water District’s Board of Directors at its June meeting for their award-winning entries in the 18th annual Elfin Forest Recreational Reserve (EFRR) photo contest. The contest ran from November 2024 through April 2025. The winning photographs feature plants, animals, and unique scenery that showcase the 784-acre […]
Signaling a new era of collaboration, the San Diego County Water Authority and the Metropolitan Water District of Southern California today announced the settlement of a 15-year legal dispute over rates and the price term of an exchange agreement between the agencies. At a news conference in San Diego, leaders from two of the state’s […]
The San Diego County Water Authority (SDCWA) and the Metropolitan Water District (MWD) reached a landmark settlement ending litigation that dates back to 2010—marking the beginning of a new era of collaboration between the water agencies. The agreement was signed by leaders from both agencies outside of SDCWA’s headquarters in Kearny Mesa. The settlement dismisses […]
Olivenhain Municipal Water District General Manager Kimberly Thorner was honored with the Kenneth J. Miller Founders’ Award by Water For People, an international non-profit organization, for her efforts on American Water Works Association’s California-Nevada Section’s Water for People San Diego Committee. The award recognizes exceptional volunteers who are working to support water and sanitation in […]
Community leaders from across San Diego County expressed their support for the end of long running litigation between the San Diego County Water Authority and Metropolitan Water District following the morning news conference announcing the settlement. “Settling litigation between Metropolitan and the Water Authority is a springboard for stabilizing rates through water exchanges and transfers. […]
The Vallecitos Water District was recognized with a One Water Award from the Metropolitan Water District of Southern California (Metropolitan) for its efforts to work with homeowners associations in its district on turf replacement projects. Public Information/Conservation Supervisor Chris Robbins accepted the award on behalf of the Vallecitos Water District in a recognition event at […]
The Otay Water District received the District Transparency Certificate of Excellence from the Special District Leadership Foundation (SDLF) in recognition of its outstanding efforts to promote transparency and good governance and reaffirm its commitment to openness and accessibility for its constituents and local stakeholders. “This award reflects the Otay Water District’s dedication to open government,” […]
The Olivenhain Municipal Water District’s 4S Ranch Water Reclamation Facility (4S WRF) was named the statewide 2024 Plant of the Year (small division) by the California Water Environment Association at its recent annual conference in San Diego. The award recognizes the facility’s innovation, regulatory compliance, and cost-effective operation. In addition to being named California’s plant […]
Traffic Impacts Planned for Two Escondido Sites During Aqueduct Upgrades
/in Achievements, Features /by Jordan BeaneStarting the second week of August, pedestrians and motorists in Escondido will notice traffic impacts due to construction work on Water Authority facilities as part of the Southern First Aqueduct Facilities Improvement project. Beginning on August 11, work will take place on Bear Valley Parkway just north of San Pasqual Valley Road where a traffic […]
Encinitas Resident Wins OMWD 2025 Landscape Contest
/in Achievements, Features, WaterSmart Living /by Gayle FalkenthalEncinitas resident Ramona Copley’s landscape makeover project was selected by the Olivenhain Municipal Water District as the 2025 winner of the annual WaterSmart Landscape Contest. The OMWD board honored Copley at its June board meeting. “To reduce our water use, my husband and I wanted to transform our yard of trees and grass into a […]
Escondido Landscape Contest Winner Inspired By Local Gardens
/in Achievements, Features, WaterSmart Living /by Gayle FalkenthalThe transformation of the Claerman family’s landscaping began with research and field trips. The results of their landscaping makeover were named the 2025 City of Escondido Landscape Makeover contest winner. Yannick Claerman’s landscape transformation process included research on drought-tolerant plants, plant groupings, soil types, and how to use compost and mulch to enhance water efficiency. […]
Elfin Forest Recreational Reserve Voted “Best Place to Volunteer”
/in Achievements, Features /by Jordan BeaneLast week, The Coast News Group announced its 2025 Best of North County contest winners, which included Olivenhain Municipal Water District’s Elfin Forest Recreational Reserve (EFRR). EFRR took first place in the “Best Place to Volunteer” category after an online vote that included 18 other candidates. “This accolade is a testament to the wonderful people […]
San Diego Regional Reservoirs Offer Summer Activities
/in Achievements, Features /by Gayle FalkenthalAlthough San Diego County is best known for its beautiful beaches, it is also home to more than 20 freshwater lakes and reservoirs. These bodies of water offer a variety of recreational opportunities. Lake fishing lets anglers hook catfish, bluegill, carp, crappie, sunfish, bass, and trout. Water enthusiasts can enjoy kayaking, boating, rowing, and wakeboarding […]
San Diego County Fair Landscape Exhibits Educate and Entertain
/in Achievements, Education, Features /by Gayle FalkenthalAward-winning exhibits at the San Diego County Fair Paul Ecke Jr. Garden Show offer attendees inspiration for their own low-water use landscaping projects from examples of creative low-water use and native plant gardens at the Fair’s popular exhibit. Groovy Garden Returns To County Fair’s Garden Show Debby Dunn, Senior Water Resources Specialist with the San […]
Water Authority Board Approves 2026 Wholesale Rates
/in Achievements, Features /by Jordan BeaneThe San Diego County Water Authority’s Board of Directors today approved wholesale water rates for 2026 following a public hearing and approved the recommended budget for the next two fiscal years. Despite ongoing inflationary pressures and the continued impacts of climate change on the Southwest, the Water Authority minimized impacts on ratepayers through a number […]
Wildlife and Wild Views Win 2025 Elfin Forest Recreational Reserve Photo Contest
/in Achievements, Features /by Gayle FalkenthalSeven amateur photographers were recognized by the Olivenhain Municipal Water District’s Board of Directors at its June meeting for their award-winning entries in the 18th annual Elfin Forest Recreational Reserve (EFRR) photo contest. The contest ran from November 2024 through April 2025. The winning photographs feature plants, animals, and unique scenery that showcase the 784-acre […]
Water Authority, MWD End Lengthy Legal Dispute
/in Achievements, Features, Uncategorized /by Jordan BeaneSignaling a new era of collaboration, the San Diego County Water Authority and the Metropolitan Water District of Southern California today announced the settlement of a 15-year legal dispute over rates and the price term of an exchange agreement between the agencies. At a news conference in San Diego, leaders from two of the state’s […]
Media Roundup: End of Litigation
/in Achievements, Features, Uncategorized /by Jordan BeaneThe San Diego County Water Authority (SDCWA) and the Metropolitan Water District (MWD) reached a landmark settlement ending litigation that dates back to 2010—marking the beginning of a new era of collaboration between the water agencies. The agreement was signed by leaders from both agencies outside of SDCWA’s headquarters in Kearny Mesa. The settlement dismisses […]
Water For People Recognizes Kimberly Thorner for Volunteer Leadership
/in Achievements, Features /by Gayle FalkenthalOlivenhain Municipal Water District General Manager Kimberly Thorner was honored with the Kenneth J. Miller Founders’ Award by Water For People, an international non-profit organization, for her efforts on American Water Works Association’s California-Nevada Section’s Water for People San Diego Committee. The award recognizes exceptional volunteers who are working to support water and sanitation in […]
Regional Leaders Hail Settlement Agreement
/in Achievements, Features, Uncategorized /by Jordan BeaneCommunity leaders from across San Diego County expressed their support for the end of long running litigation between the San Diego County Water Authority and Metropolitan Water District following the morning news conference announcing the settlement. “Settling litigation between Metropolitan and the Water Authority is a springboard for stabilizing rates through water exchanges and transfers. […]
One Water Awards Honors Vallecitos Water District Projects
/in Achievements, Features /by Gayle FalkenthalThe Vallecitos Water District was recognized with a One Water Award from the Metropolitan Water District of Southern California (Metropolitan) for its efforts to work with homeowners associations in its district on turf replacement projects. Public Information/Conservation Supervisor Chris Robbins accepted the award on behalf of the Vallecitos Water District in a recognition event at […]
Otay Water District Awarded Transparency Certificate of Excellence
/in Achievements /by Gayle FalkenthalThe Otay Water District received the District Transparency Certificate of Excellence from the Special District Leadership Foundation (SDLF) in recognition of its outstanding efforts to promote transparency and good governance and reaffirm its commitment to openness and accessibility for its constituents and local stakeholders. “This award reflects the Otay Water District’s dedication to open government,” […]
4S Ranch Water Reclamation Facility Named 2024 Plant of the Year
/in Achievements, Features /by Gayle FalkenthalThe Olivenhain Municipal Water District’s 4S Ranch Water Reclamation Facility (4S WRF) was named the statewide 2024 Plant of the Year (small division) by the California Water Environment Association at its recent annual conference in San Diego. The award recognizes the facility’s innovation, regulatory compliance, and cost-effective operation. In addition to being named California’s plant […]