The Helix Water District plays host this week to the Metropolitan Water District of Southern California’s “Being Water Wise Is” traveling art show, now through January 30, at its administration office, located at 7811 University Avenue in La Mesa. The show displays the original artwork created by talented students from kindergarten through 12th grade from […]
The San Diego County Water Authority Board of Directors on Thursday unanimously elected Carlsbad City Councilmember Teresa Acosta as the board’s new Secretary. Acosta replaces Joy Lyndes, who stepped down following her recent announcement that she will not seek re-election to her position on the Encinitas City Council this year. “The San Diego County Water […]
After two years, the Native Plant Seed Library established by the Vallecitos Water District is flourishing thanks to community contributors known as “Seed Heroes.” The seed library is located in the Sustainable Demonstration Garden at the district’s headquarters in San Marcos. The district originally partnered with the San Diego Bird Alliance (formerly the Audubon Society) […]
The successful collaboration between the San Diego County Water Authority and the Whittier School in Clairemont to update the school’s landscaping delivered unexpected benefits to the neighborhood. Senior Water Resources Specialist Debby Dunn says the Whittier School project was an ideal candidate for the Water Authority’s grant-funded Direct Installation Landscape Program. It met the pilot […]
For the 30th consecutive year, the San Diego County Water Authority earned the Distinguished Budget Presentation Award from the Government Finance Officers Association (GFOA) — along with a special commendation for its Capital Improvement Program (CIP) budget. GFOA’s award is the highest recognition in governmental budgeting, while the Water Authority’s CIP is critical to maintaining […]
For the Water Authority, Fiscal Year 2025 was about building trust with our communities and delivering improved results for our region. To achieve those goals, we had to stop doing things the way they have always been done, all of which is highlighted in the FY2025 annual report. To learn more about the achievements and […]
After more than 52 years in the water and wastewater industry, Valley Center Municipal Water District’s long-serving General Manager, Gary Arant, is retiring. Arant led the District as General Manager for nearly 37 years. Since March 1989, he guided the District through countless challenges, including multi-year droughts, wildfires, freezes, state-mandated water cutbacks, economic recessions, countywide […]
San Diego region’s water and wastewater agency employees pitched in to carry on a tradition of holiday giving in 2025, benefiting a wide array of nonprofit community services. Agencies Support Water For People Fundraising Effort Employees of the Padre Dam Municipal Water District and Olivenhain Municipal Water District assembled fundraising gift baskets for the nonprofit […]
California’s water, tribal, and agricultural leaders today presented a comprehensive framework for a durable, basin-wide operating agreement for the Colorado River and highlighted the state’s proposal for conserving 440,000 acre-feet of river water per year. At the annual Colorado River Water Users Association conference, California underscored the state’s leadership in conservation, collaboration, and long-term stewardship […]
San Diego County’s most popular reservoir recreation areas offer special holiday season events through 2025 and host winter activities during the region’s cooler months. Holiday Spirit at Santee Lakes Santee Lakes Recreation Preserve hosts the Winter Lantern Festival on Saturday, December 13 from 2 p.m. to 7 p.m. The family-friendly festival encourages people to reflect […]
The Olivenhain Municipal Water District (OMWD) recognized the winners of its 2025 Pure Excellence Awards at its November board meeting. The winners were honored for their positive impact on OMWD and local communities. OMWD Board President Matthew Hahn said, “We are grateful for the efforts of our award winners for their partnership in delivering excellent […]
The San Diego County Water Authority Board of Directors today voted unanimously to renew the Permanent Special Agriculture Water Rate (PSAWR) Program, ensuring discounted water remains available to the region’s farmers in the coming years. The extension of the program, which began in its current form in 2020, was backed by the San Diego County […]
In honor of Veterans Day on Tuesday, November 11, the San Diego County Water Authority and the region’s member agencies recognize the contributions of veterans to San Diego County’s water and wastewater industry, ensuring a safe and reliable water supply. Water industry professionals and members of the U.S. armed forces share a common commitment to […]
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 […]
Helix Water District Hosts Student Art Show
/in Education, Features /by Gayle FalkenthalThe Helix Water District plays host this week to the Metropolitan Water District of Southern California’s “Being Water Wise Is” traveling art show, now through January 30, at its administration office, located at 7811 University Avenue in La Mesa. The show displays the original artwork created by talented students from kindergarten through 12th grade from […]
Teresa Acosta Elected Secretary of Water Authority Board
/in Achievements, Features /by Jordan BeaneThe San Diego County Water Authority Board of Directors on Thursday unanimously elected Carlsbad City Councilmember Teresa Acosta as the board’s new Secretary. Acosta replaces Joy Lyndes, who stepped down following her recent announcement that she will not seek re-election to her position on the Encinitas City Council this year. “The San Diego County Water […]
Seed Heroes Helps Vallecitos Water District Seed Library Flourish
/in Features, Heroes /by Gayle FalkenthalAfter two years, the Native Plant Seed Library established by the Vallecitos Water District is flourishing thanks to community contributors known as “Seed Heroes.” The seed library is located in the Sustainable Demonstration Garden at the district’s headquarters in San Marcos. The district originally partnered with the San Diego Bird Alliance (formerly the Audubon Society) […]
Whittier School Landscape Project Transforms Neighborhood
/in Features /by Gayle FalkenthalThe successful collaboration between the San Diego County Water Authority and the Whittier School in Clairemont to update the school’s landscaping delivered unexpected benefits to the neighborhood. Senior Water Resources Specialist Debby Dunn says the Whittier School project was an ideal candidate for the Water Authority’s grant-funded Direct Installation Landscape Program. It met the pilot […]
Water Authority Wins Budgeting Award from National Organization
/in Achievements, Features /by Jordan BeaneFor the 30th consecutive year, the San Diego County Water Authority earned the Distinguished Budget Presentation Award from the Government Finance Officers Association (GFOA) — along with a special commendation for its Capital Improvement Program (CIP) budget. GFOA’s award is the highest recognition in governmental budgeting, while the Water Authority’s CIP is critical to maintaining […]
Annual Report FY2025: Building Trust, Delivering Results
/in Achievements, Features /by Jordan BeaneFor the Water Authority, Fiscal Year 2025 was about building trust with our communities and delivering improved results for our region. To achieve those goals, we had to stop doing things the way they have always been done, all of which is highlighted in the FY2025 annual report. To learn more about the achievements and […]
Gary Arant Retires After Decades of Service to Valley Center Municipal Water District
/in Achievements, Features, Uncategorized /by Jordan BeaneAfter more than 52 years in the water and wastewater industry, Valley Center Municipal Water District’s long-serving General Manager, Gary Arant, is retiring. Arant led the District as General Manager for nearly 37 years. Since March 1989, he guided the District through countless challenges, including multi-year droughts, wildfires, freezes, state-mandated water cutbacks, economic recessions, countywide […]
Member Agencies Give Generously to Nonprofits During Holidays
/in Achievements, Features /by Gayle FalkenthalSan Diego region’s water and wastewater agency employees pitched in to carry on a tradition of holiday giving in 2025, benefiting a wide array of nonprofit community services. Agencies Support Water For People Fundraising Effort Employees of the Padre Dam Municipal Water District and Olivenhain Municipal Water District assembled fundraising gift baskets for the nonprofit […]
California Commits to Conservation, Collaboration in New Colorado River Framework
/in Achievements, Features /by Jordan BeaneCalifornia’s water, tribal, and agricultural leaders today presented a comprehensive framework for a durable, basin-wide operating agreement for the Colorado River and highlighted the state’s proposal for conserving 440,000 acre-feet of river water per year. At the annual Colorado River Water Users Association conference, California underscored the state’s leadership in conservation, collaboration, and long-term stewardship […]
2025 Community Holiday Activities at San Diego Reservoirs
/in Achievements, Features /by Gayle FalkenthalSan Diego County’s most popular reservoir recreation areas offer special holiday season events through 2025 and host winter activities during the region’s cooler months. Holiday Spirit at Santee Lakes Santee Lakes Recreation Preserve hosts the Winter Lantern Festival on Saturday, December 13 from 2 p.m. to 7 p.m. The family-friendly festival encourages people to reflect […]
OMWD Announces 2025 Pure Excellence Awards
/in Achievements, Features /by Gayle FalkenthalThe Olivenhain Municipal Water District (OMWD) recognized the winners of its 2025 Pure Excellence Awards at its November board meeting. The winners were honored for their positive impact on OMWD and local communities. OMWD Board President Matthew Hahn said, “We are grateful for the efforts of our award winners for their partnership in delivering excellent […]
Water Authority Supports Farm Economy with Rate Discount
/in Achievements, Features /by Jordan BeaneThe San Diego County Water Authority Board of Directors today voted unanimously to renew the Permanent Special Agriculture Water Rate (PSAWR) Program, ensuring discounted water remains available to the region’s farmers in the coming years. The extension of the program, which began in its current form in 2020, was backed by the San Diego County […]
San Diego Veterans Find Purpose and Opportunity in Water Industry Careers
/in Features, Jobs and Training /by Gayle FalkenthalIn honor of Veterans Day on Tuesday, November 11, the San Diego County Water Authority and the region’s member agencies recognize the contributions of veterans to San Diego County’s water and wastewater industry, ensuring a safe and reliable water supply. Water industry professionals and members of the U.S. armed forces share a common commitment to […]
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 […]