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.
Love Your Lawn Organically
/in Conservation Corner, Features /by Gayle FalkenthalIn a waterwise landscape, there’s still a place for turf. You may not need as much, and you need to create the most efficient and organic maintenance plan possible to work turf into your design. The good news: lawns maintained organically and with efficient irrigation can offer a cool, practical surface for active recreation, or […]
Water Authority Credit Remains Strong as Risks Emerge
/in Features, View From The Chair /by Mike LeeAll three major rating agencies affirmed the San Diego County Water Authority’s strong credit ratings, which will help us minimize the cost of financing important water reliability projects. It is particularly gratifying that the reports cited the Water Authority’s strategic management, our conservative approach to water sales projections, and the benefits of rate case litigation […]
How Much Water Can Your New Landscape Conserve?
/in Conservation Corner, Features /by Gayle FalkenthalLandscape designs using the least amount of potable water necessary are greatly encouraged in arid or Mediterranean climates like in San Diego County. It’s an important motivation for homeowners to consider efficiency and sustainability to lower water use, saving a precious resource. Maximizing your landscaping’s ability to capture and use natural rainfall can also help […]
Vallecitos Water District Recognized for Innovative Technology at Mahr Reservoir
/in Achievements, Features /by Gayle FalkenthalThe Vallecitos Water District received two awards for its innovative use of technology to reduce algae blooms at the Stanley A. Mahr Reservoir in San Marcos. The district received the “Excellence in Action” award from the national WateReuse Association, and the “Innovation and Resiliency” award from the California Association of Sanitation Agencies, or CASA. The […]
Know Your Plant Factor Water Requirements
/in Conservation Corner, Features /by Gayle FalkenthalLandscaping plants have different water needs. The water requirement of each plant in your landscaping can be determined by gathering information about the plant and then comparing it to the amount of water needed by the cool-season grass growing in your climate zone. Take a tip from landscaping professionals. They use a resource called the […]
Welcome to the Board: Ismahan Abdullahi, City of San Diego
/in Features, Welcome to the Board /by Mike LeeEditor’s Note: This feature highlights new members of the San Diego County Water Authority’s 36-member Board of Directors. Each of the Water Authority’s 24 member agencies appoints at least one representative to the Board, which sets policy for the Water Authority. Welcome to the Board: Ismahan Abdullahi, City of San Diego Who: Ismahan Abdullahi was […]
One Simple Key to Watering Your Plants
/in Conservation Corner, Features /by Gayle FalkenthalWhen you’re replacing your landscaping with an eye to conserving water, it’s important to understand how much water plants really need. A quick, simple way landscape experts do this is a method the home landscaper can use, too. Evapotranspiration (ET) is the process of assessing various factors to determine how much water plants use, and […]
Welcome to the Board: Kimberly Thorner, Olivenhain Municipal Water District
/in Features, Welcome to the Board /by Mike LeeEditor’s Note: This feature highlights new members of the San Diego County Water Authority’s 36-member Board of Directors. Each of the Water Authority’s 24 member agencies appoints at least one representative to the Board, which sets policy for the Water Authority. Welcome to the Board: Kimberly Thorner, Olivenhain Municipal Water District Who: Kimberly Thorner was […]
Volunteers Offer Birds Eye View at South Lake Reservoir
/in Facilities & Operations, Features /by Gayle FalkenthalFor decades, it was a source of drinking water for the San Marcos area. Today, the South Lake Reservoir has new life as a local wildlife habitat. South Lake was built with an earthen dam and provided drinking water to the Lake San Marcos area, most of downtown San Marcos, and the Coronado Hills area. […]
Soil Lasagna Cooks Up A Tasty Landscape
/in Conservation Corner, Features /by Gayle FalkenthalHealthy, living soil is full of oxygen, water, and life to support your plants. This is the food your plants need to consume for good health. Creating healthy soil in layers is referred to as soil sheet mulching, or “soil lasagna.” It isn’t too much different than cooking a pan of lasagna in your kitchen. […]
Women In Water Symposium Flows With The Change
/in Features, Jobs and Training /by Gayle FalkenthalThis year’s Women in Water Symposium conference theme “Flow With The Change” is fitting. Due to the coronavirus pandemic, the 2021 event is online with a new virtual format. The online format generated just as much enthusiasm from participants as prior in-person meetings. And, the virtual conference also meant people from throughout the United States […]
Welcome to the Board: Craig Elitharp, Vallecitos Water District
/in Features, Welcome to the Board /by Mike LeeEditor’s Note: This feature highlights new members of the San Diego County Water Authority’s 36-member Board of Directors. Each of the Water Authority’s 24 member agencies appoints at least one representative to the Board, which sets policy for the Water Authority. Welcome to the Board: Craig Elitharp, Vallecitos Water District Who: Craig Elitharp was seated […]
Water Utility Hero of the Week: Michelle McMahon, Olivenhain MWD
/in Features, Heroes /by Mike LeeEditor’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. Michelle McMahon, Olivenhain Municipal Water District IT Coordinator, is the Water Utility Hero of the Week. […]
Remove Your Lawn the Healthy Way
/in Conservation Corner, Features /by Gayle FalkenthalThe day has come to replace your thirsty, water guzzling grass. Before you remove it, plan your process carefully to leave only healthy living soil as the foundation for a beautiful, thriving new landscape. Don’t just turn off your irrigation and let your grass turn brown as it dies off. Healthy microbes in your soil […]
Fallbrook Students Won’t Let Pandemic Stop 2021 “Be WaterSmart” Poster Contest
/in Features, Home Headline, Media Coverage, San Diego County /by Mike Lee /Water News NetworkThe annual “Be WaterSmart” student poster contest is a favorite tradition in many San Diego County classrooms, including elementary schools in the Fallbrook Public Utility District. In most years, 250 students submit entries, with the top submissions selected for publication. But 2020 wasn’t a typical year.