The Vista Irrigation District board of directors recognized Janet Chambers as the district’s 2025 WaterSmart Landscape Contest winner at its August meeting. Chambers moved into her current residence about 11 years ago. The original yard consisted of a plain-looking lawn and one large Liquidambar tree. Because the existing lawn consumed a tremendous amount of water […]
The transformation of an Encinitas yard into a sustainable landscape providing habitat for wildlife and pollinators is the 2025 winner of the San Dieguito Water District’s annual landscape contest. Wildlife biologist Shea Okeefe said when she decided to take on the landscape project, she drew on her professional expertise as a scientist. “When we decided […]
The San Diego County Water Authority is in the midst of its second year operating a cutting-edge program across the region to help residents and member agencies know — down to the gallon — how the region uses water. From the garden hose to the kitchen faucet, the toilet to the shower, getting a clear […]
Empezando la segunda semana de agosto, peatones y automovilistas en Escondido notarán impactos en el tráfico debido a construcción en instalaciones de la Water Authority. A partir de 11 de agosto, habrá zona de trabajo en Bear Valley Parkway justo al norte de San Pasqual Valley Road donde un carril de bicicleta en Bear Valley […]
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 […]
The Vallecitos Water District (VWD) Board of Directors recognized students from district schools for their excellence in the classroom, awarding $2,000 scholarships to six deserving students. The scholarship program was established by the board in 2022 to provide scholarships to high school students, as well as students at Palomar College and California State University San […]
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 […]
The transformation of a Fletcher Hills front yard in El Cajon showcases what a drive for sustainability and some family effort can create. The effort by homeowners Sinead and Lance G. is this year’s winner of the Helix Water District 2025 WaterSmart Landscape Contest. The annual contest celebrates residents who demonstrate outstanding water-efficient landscaping through […]
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 […]
Pollinator Paradise Wins 2025 Vista Irrigation District Landscape Contest
/in Features, WaterSmart Living /by Gayle FalkenthalThe Vista Irrigation District board of directors recognized Janet Chambers as the district’s 2025 WaterSmart Landscape Contest winner at its August meeting. Chambers moved into her current residence about 11 years ago. The original yard consisted of a plain-looking lawn and one large Liquidambar tree. Because the existing lawn consumed a tremendous amount of water […]
Haven for Wildlife and Pollinators Wins San Dieguito Water District 2025 Landscape Makeover Contest
/in Features, WaterSmart Living /by Gayle FalkenthalThe transformation of an Encinitas yard into a sustainable landscape providing habitat for wildlife and pollinators is the 2025 winner of the San Dieguito Water District’s annual landscape contest. Wildlife biologist Shea Okeefe said when she decided to take on the landscape project, she drew on her professional expertise as a scientist. “When we decided […]
Understanding Every Drop: How Flume & the Water Authority are Shaping the Future of Water Use
/in Conservation Corner, Features /by Jordan BeaneThe San Diego County Water Authority is in the midst of its second year operating a cutting-edge program across the region to help residents and member agencies know — down to the gallon — how the region uses water. From the garden hose to the kitchen faucet, the toilet to the shower, getting a clear […]
Impactos de Tráfico en Dos Sitios Durante Construcción
/in Features /by Jordan BeaneEmpezando la segunda semana de agosto, peatones y automovilistas en Escondido notarán impactos en el tráfico debido a construcción en instalaciones de la Water Authority. A partir de 11 de agosto, habrá zona de trabajo en Bear Valley Parkway justo al norte de San Pasqual Valley Road donde un carril de bicicleta en Bear Valley […]
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 […]
Students Recognized For Scholarship Excellence by Vallecitos Water District
/in Education, Features /by Gayle FalkenthalThe Vallecitos Water District (VWD) Board of Directors recognized students from district schools for their excellence in the classroom, awarding $2,000 scholarships to six deserving students. The scholarship program was established by the board in 2022 to provide scholarships to high school students, as well as students at Palomar College and California State University San […]
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 […]
Fletcher Hills Family Wins Helix Water District 2025 WaterSmart Landscape Contest
/in Features, WaterSmart Living /by Gayle FalkenthalThe transformation of a Fletcher Hills front yard in El Cajon showcases what a drive for sustainability and some family effort can create. The effort by homeowners Sinead and Lance G. is this year’s winner of the Helix Water District 2025 WaterSmart Landscape Contest. The annual contest celebrates residents who demonstrate outstanding water-efficient landscaping through […]
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 […]