The San Diego County Water Authority recently completed a redesign of its landscape at its Kearny Mesa headquarters to promote native vegetation. Originally laid out in 2008, the garden received an upgrade in 2017 and now, 8 years later, has gotten another major update. Spearheading the project was the Water Authority’s Senior Water Resource Specialist, […]
San Diego County ratepayers saved $29 million on newly completed state-mandated upgrades at the Claude “Bud” Lewis Carlsbad Desalination Plant, and some of the savings will lower the cost of water from the plant for years to come. The project benefitted from $19 million in federal grant funds and more than $10 million in savings […]
The San Diego County Water Authority’s award-winning Citizens Water Academy celebrated the graduation of its 1,000th community leader last Saturday at the conclusion of this year’s fall class. During the popular and long-running academy program, civic leaders learn about how the Water Authority has built the safe and reliable water supply San Diego County depends […]
The Padre Dam Municipal Water District is celebrating 70 years of service to the community with a public open house on Saturday, October 18. The fun-filled, educational open house will provide guests a behind-the-scenes look at the equipment, facilities and staff that provide water to the community. Everyone is welcome to attend, and there is […]
The San Diego County Water Authority and partners convened an expert panel conversation on the future of the Colorado River for a packed room of Citizen Water Academy alumni and special guests on Sept. 5. The conversation, co-sponsored by the San Diego Global Affairs Council and the Burnam Center for Community Advancement and titled “The […]
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 […]
Debby Dunn’s Fab 4: A look Inside SDCWA’s New Water-Smart Garden
/in Achievements, Features /by Jordan BeaneThe San Diego County Water Authority recently completed a redesign of its landscape at its Kearny Mesa headquarters to promote native vegetation. Originally laid out in 2008, the garden received an upgrade in 2017 and now, 8 years later, has gotten another major update. Spearheading the project was the Water Authority’s Senior Water Resource Specialist, […]
Ratepayers Save $29 Million on Desalination Plant Upgrades
/in Achievements, Features /by Jordan BeaneSan Diego County ratepayers saved $29 million on newly completed state-mandated upgrades at the Claude “Bud” Lewis Carlsbad Desalination Plant, and some of the savings will lower the cost of water from the plant for years to come. The project benefitted from $19 million in federal grant funds and more than $10 million in savings […]
1000th Community Leader Graduates from Citizens Water Academy
/in Achievements, Features /by Jordan BeaneThe San Diego County Water Authority’s award-winning Citizens Water Academy celebrated the graduation of its 1,000th community leader last Saturday at the conclusion of this year’s fall class. During the popular and long-running academy program, civic leaders learn about how the Water Authority has built the safe and reliable water supply San Diego County depends […]
Padre Dam Municipal Water District Hosts Open House on October 18
/in Achievements, Features /by Gayle FalkenthalThe Padre Dam Municipal Water District is celebrating 70 years of service to the community with a public open house on Saturday, October 18. The fun-filled, educational open house will provide guests a behind-the-scenes look at the equipment, facilities and staff that provide water to the community. Everyone is welcome to attend, and there is […]
Water Leaders Discuss the Future of the Colorado River
/in Achievements, Features /by Jordan BeaneThe San Diego County Water Authority and partners convened an expert panel conversation on the future of the Colorado River for a packed room of Citizen Water Academy alumni and special guests on Sept. 5. The conversation, co-sponsored by the San Diego Global Affairs Council and the Burnam Center for Community Advancement and titled “The […]
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 […]