All Features
Behind-the-scenes stories about regional water issues, projects, and people.
The Water News Network is San Diego County’s source for water news and information.
The Water News Network is San Diego County’s source for water news and information.
Trees: Landscaping MVP (Most Valuable Plant)
/in Conservation Corner, Features /by Gayle FalkenthalNew waterwise landscaping represents a significant investment in time and cost. Trees stand out as the most valuable players in your landscape design. No other landscape plant offers greater benefits to your landscape and the environment as a whole. Trees save energy and clean the air. They counteract the urban heat island effect and fight […]
Gary Bousquet Named Director of Engineering for Water Authority
/in Achievements, Features /by Mike LeeGary Bousquet, a 30-year civil engineering professional, has been appointed Director of Engineering for the San Diego County Water Authority as the agency launches the development of a major energy storage project that promises substantial long-term benefits for the region. Bousquet fills the position vacated by the retirement of Jerry Reed, whose 26-year career with […]
Getting Professional Guidance on Your Sustainable Landscaping
/in Conservation Corner, Features /by Gayle FalkenthalWith the help of resources such as the San Diego County Water Authority’s WaterSmart Landscape Makeover classes, video on demand, and Sustainable Landscape Guide, many homeowners feel prepared to create a beautiful new sustainable landscape on their own. But sometimes, it’s a smart idea to call on professionals trained in different aspects of the watershed […]
Winning Waterwise Landscapes in the Vallecitos Water District
/in Achievements, Features /by Gayle FalkenthalSan Diego County residents continue to embrace a conservation ethic by creating beautiful, waterwise landscapes. The Vallecitos Water District reports that more District water customers are reducing their outdoor water use and adopting WaterSmart practices. Three Vallecitos customers are the most recent examples of the landscape makeover trend, creating beautiful landscapes, and winning the regional […]
Water Authority Taps SkillBridge Program for Talented Veterans
/in Features, Jobs and Training /by Mike LeeThe San Diego County Water Authority is the first public agency in California to participate in the Department of Defense SkillBridge Program, which connects transitioning military service members to career-track job training opportunities. The regional initiative is off to a fast start with two SkillBridge interns starting their civilian careers at the Water Authority this summer. […]
Sustainable Landscaping Project Checklist for Success
/in Conservation Corner, Features /by Gayle FalkenthalWhen you’re beginning a sustainable landscaping project, it can be challenging to remember all the things you need to research, measure, and decide along the way. But it’s not a good idea to overlook these details. They all contribute to the success of your new sustainable landscaping project. WaterSmart San Diego’s Sustainable Landscaping Guide has […]
San Diego Radio DJs Promote WaterSmart Lifestyles
/in Education, Features /by Andrea MoraWell-known local radio DJs Geena the Latina from Channel 93.3, Beto Perez from Jam’n 95.7 and Tati from Star 94.1, are teaming up with the San Diego County Water Authority this summer to thank San Diegans for using water wisely and are encouraging residents to keep our region drought-safe. While drought conditions persist across the […]
Local Renewable Energy Project Gets Big Boost
/in Features, View From The Chair /by Mike LeeI’m so pleased to report that a large-scale renewable energy project proposed jointly by the City of San Diego and the San Diego County Water Authority received $18 million in the state budget signed this month by Gov. Gavin Newsom. That money will advance the San Vicente Energy Storage Facility through initial design, environmental reviews, […]
Trio of Waterwise Landscapes Win Vista 2021 Contest
/in Achievements, Features /by Gayle FalkenthalThree homeowners in the Vista Irrigation District won recognition recently from the VID board of directors in its 2021 WaterSmart Landscape Contest. The annual contest recognizes outstanding water-wise residential landscapes based on overall attractiveness, appropriate plant selection, design, appropriate maintenance, and efficient irrigation methods. Winning plan solves erosion problem with beautiful blooms The “Best in […]
Setting Objectives for Waterwise Landscaping Success
/in Conservation Corner, Features /by Gayle FalkenthalIt takes time to learn about the concepts behind the watershed approach to creating a healthy and sustainable landscape. Once you have these concepts mastered, the most important step of all comes next. Consider the goals you want to achieve in your garden for landscaping success. It might be difficult to know where to start. […]
Hard Work Pays Off for Padre Dam Landscape Makeover Winner
/in Achievements, Features /by Gayle FalkenthalFrank Edward’s Santee home is bursting with bright colors and textures. Vibrant yellow, orange, red, green, and purple flowers, and drought-tolerant, native plants spring to life where there was once just dry and patchy grass. “It was a lot of hard work but it was also a lot of fun,” said Edward. “It was great […]
Contouring Tips Help You Make the Grade
/in Conservation Corner, Features /by Gayle FalkenthalMoving both irrigation and our limited natural rainfall through your yard into storage areas via the use of various landscaping features borrow Mother Nature’s engineering. This is especially important during hot, dry summer months. If your yard is perfectly flat, you must move soil and features around to create more water-retaining contour areas. First, complete […]
Native Plants Garden Wins 2021 Escondido Landscape Makeover Contest
/in Achievements, Features /by Gayle FalkenthalAs California experiences another drought cycle, homeowners in the San Diego region continue to makeover their landscapes with native plants that need less water. An Escondido couple recently transformed their landscape to save water and won the City of Escondido Landscape Makeover Contest too. Escondido homeowners Michael and Teresa Everett first learned about the 2021 […]
El Cajon Homeowner Wins Otay Water District’s 2021 WaterSmart Landscape Contest
/in Achievements, Features /by Gayle FalkenthalEl Cajon homeowner Christine Laframboise’s water-saving landscape design trading turf for a less thirsty approach was named the Otay Water District’s 2021 WaterSmart Landscape Contest winner. The annual contest is held by water agencies throughout San Diego County to award one resident from their respective service area for their water-saving landscape. Otay selected Laframboise for […]
Provide Room to Grow in Your Sustainable Landscape Plan
/in Conservation Corner, Features /by Gayle FalkenthalNote the height and width of plant species when they mature when choosing plants for new sustainable landscapes. Proper plant placement, taking into account the mature plant’s size, will limit the need for regular pruning, and reduce the amount of maintenance required over time. While regular pruning and removal of dead plant materials is vital […]