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.
Water Utility Hero of the Week, Litsa Tzotzolis, San Diego County Water Authority
/in Features, Heroes /by Ed JoyceEditor’s Note: This feature highlights water utility employees in the San Diego region working during the coronavirus pandemic to ensure a safe, reliable and plentiful water supply. The water industry is among the sectors that are classified as essential. Litsa Tzotzolis, San Diego County Water Authority Public Affairs Representative, is the Water Utility Hero of […]
Major Water Rate Case Victory; San Diego County is Stronger Together
/in Features, View From The Chair /by Ed JoyceAs you know, the Water Authority has been working for years to conclude lawsuits over rates set by the Los Angeles-based Metropolitan Water District of Southern California – and this week, we have taken a big step forward with the entry of final judgment in two major cases. Yesterday, a Superior Court judge has awarded […]
Student Art Brings Life to ‘Water Is Life’ Contest
/in Education, Features /by Gayle FalkenthalEight talented East County student artists used their creative skills to depict the importance of water in Padre Dam Municipal Water District’s annual Kids Poster Contest. The theme ‘Water Is Life’ asked students to express the value of water in their lives. They could draw, paint, color, cut, or paste original artwork depicting the theme […]
Rebates for WaterSmart Irrigation Devices
/in Conservation Corner, Features /by Ed JoyceRebates for WaterSmart irrigation devices are available in San Diego County to help property owners reduce expenses by improving water efficiency. The rebates, offered for a limited time by the San Diego County Water Authority, provide significant savings on devices for outdoor landscapes. The WaterSmart Contractor Incentive Program, or WSCIP, helps commercial, public and agricultural […]
Accessible Garden Wins Otay Water District WaterSmart Landscape Contest
/in Conservation Corner, Features /by Gayle FalkenthalEl Cajon resident Patricia Wood, inspired by her daughter Kimberly, transformed a thirsty lawn into a wheelchair accessible garden, winning “Best in District” in the Otay Water District 2020 WaterSmart Landscape Contest. Wood’s landscape demonstrates a well thought-out design, methods for efficient irrigation, and appropriate plant selection and maintenance. “The one thing that really inspired me […]
Vallecitos Water District Recognized for Best Safety Practices
/in Achievements, Features /by Gayle FalkenthalVallecitos Water District was among 16 California water agencies honored by the Association of California Water Agencies Joint Powers Insurance Authority with the H.R. LaBounty Safety Award. Vallecitos won its award for its Confined Space Rescue Training coordinated with several regional fire agencies in November 2019. Vallecitos Water District wanted to heighten safety awareness and […]
Bright Ideas Bring Padre Dam MWD Landscape Contest Winner to Life
/in Conservation Corner, Features /by Gayle FalkenthalSantee homeowners removed grass, replaced the turf with a colorful, WaterSmart landscape, and won a landscape makeover contest too. Melissa and Josh Perrell’s new landscaping at their Santee home is bursting with bright colors. Vibrant pink, orange, purple and red succulents are interspersed among lush rosemary and lavender bushes. Even more impressive, it didn’t take […]
Water Studies Open House Keeps Career Pipeline Flowing
/in Education, Features /by Gayle FalkenthalIn an economy altered by the coronavirus pandemic, water and wastewater industry essential employees remain in demand. To help people explore their career options, the Cuyamaca College Center for Water Studies program will hold its annual Open House and Student Orientation at distance via Zoom on Tuesday, August 11, at 6 p.m. Vanessa Murrell, grant […]
Water Utility Hero of the Week, Dana Gutierrez, Otay Water District
/in Achievements, Features, Heroes /by Ed JoyceEditor’s Note: This feature highlights water utility employees in the San Diego region working during the coronavirus pandemic to ensure a safe, reliable and plentiful water supply. The water industry is among the sectors that are classified as essential. Dana Gutierrez, Otay Water District Customer Service Representative II, is the Water Utility Hero of the […]
Family Project Wins Vista Irrigation District 2020 WaterSmart Landscape Contest
/in Conservation Corner, Features /by Gayle FalkenthalTwo Vista homeowners received recognition from the Vista Irrigation District Board of Directors for their entries in the District’s 2020 WaterSmart Landscape Contest at its July board meeting. The annual contest recognizes outstanding waterwise residential landscapes. Winners were selected based on the criteria of overall attractiveness, appropriate plant selection, design, appropriate maintenance, and efficient methods […]
Sweetwater Authority and Otay Water District Win Statewide Award for Hydro Station Education Experience
/in Education, Features /by Gayle FalkenthalThe Sweetwater Authority Governing Board on July 22 was presented with the California Association of Public Information Officials Award of Distinction for excellence in public information and communications. As a collaborative project with the Chula Vista Elementary School District, the Sweetwater Authority and the Otay Water District received the award from CAPIO earlier this month […]
Water Utility Hero of the Week, Sandra Louis, San Diego County Water Authority
/in Achievements, Features, Heroes /by Ed JoyceEditor’s Note: This feature highlights water utility employees in the San Diego region working during the coronavirus pandemic to ensure a safe, reliable and plentiful water supply. The water industry is among the sectors that are classified as essential. Sandra Louis, San Diego County Water Authority Receptionist, is the Water Utility Hero of the Week. […]
Charting a Long-Term Water Strategy for San Diego County
/in Features, View From The Chair /by Ed JoyceDuring my nearly two years as chair of the Water Authority’s Board of Directors, I have seen firsthand the regional benefits of decisions made by our predecessors to secure water supply reliability. I cannot count the number of times I have been thankful for all the board members, regional stakeholders, staff and supporters in decades […]
City of Oceanside Wins WateReuse Award of Excellence
/in Achievements, Features /by Gayle FalkenthalThe City of Oceanside received an Award of Excellence during the WateReuse Association virtual conference in June 2020. Oceanside received the Recycled Water Agency of the Year for small systems, which recognizes an agency that has developed recycled water, on a significant level, as an alternative water source within their service area, regionally, or statewide. […]
Vista Irrigation District Names 2020 Student Poster Contest Winners
/in Education, Features /by Gayle FalkenthalVista Irrigation District has presented awards to three artistic fourth-grade students as winners of the District’s 2020 Water Awareness Poster Contest. The District’s board of directors selected the recipients at its July 15 meeting. This is the 28th year of the local contest. This year’s theme was “Love Water, Save Water.” Karmen Isabel Simons, a […]