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.
Threat Emerges to Reduce Water Supply Reliability, Fracture Region
/in Features, View From The Chair /by Mike LeeThank you for your support over the past two years. It’s been an honor to serve as the chair of the Water Authority’s Board of Directors. While some may not realize it, this 36-member Board plays a critical role in sustaining San Diego County’s quality of life and economy. And I’m pleased to say that […]
WaterSmart Landscape Contest Winner Creates Wildlife Habitat
/in Conservation Corner, Features /by Mike LeeThe winner of the Olivenhain Municipal Water District 2020 WaterSmart Landscape Contest created a wildlife habitat by removing grass and replacing it with climate-appropriate plants. The District’s Board of Directors honored Laura Lisauskas as the winner of the contest during its September 9 meeting. Lisauskas purchased her home in 2018 and decided to remove the […]
Fallbrook Rattlesnake Tank Artwork Honors High School Seniors
/in Education, Features /by Gayle FalkenthalEach year, the Fallbrook Public Utility District’s water storage tank uphill from South Mission Road is painted with new numbers. There’s a story about local Fallbrook history behind the fresh design on the “Rattlesnake Tank.” The Fallbrook Public Utility District changes the painted numbers on the tank to reflect the year incoming seniors at Fallbrook […]
Fourth Grade Artists Win Water Awareness Poster Contest
/in Education, Features /by Gayle FalkenthalThree fourth grade student artists were honored by the Olivenhain Municipal Water District Board of Directors at its September 9 meeting as the winners of the District’s 2020 Water Awareness Poster Contest. This year’s theme asked students to illustrate how they “Love Water, Save Water.” The district annually invites fourth-grade students living or attending school […]
Otay Water District Poster Contest Winners Illustrate Water-Use Efficiency
/in Conservation Corner, Features /by Gayle FalkenthalSix student artists from schools in the Otay Water District’s service area were named as winners of the district’s 2020 Water is Life Student Poster Contest. Entries were selected as those best demonstrating creativity and awareness of water-use efficiency through art. The annual contest is one of many educational programs offered by the district as […]
Help Us Reduce Water Rates
/in Features, View From The Chair /by Mike LeeAs my two-year term as the Water Authority Board chair winds down, it’s my pleasure to update you on two important efforts that are underway for the betterment of the San Diego region. First of all, our Board voted unanimously last week to spend a few more months discussing and assessing a study of a […]
Waterwise Landscaping Blooms in Escondido
/in Conservation Corner, Features /by Gayle FalkenthalA lush native garden low on water use but not on style won first place in the City of Escondido’s 2020 WaterSmart Landscape Contest. To encourage customers to reduce outdoor water use, the City of Escondido recognizes its customers whose yards best exhibit the beauty of California-friendly, low-water gardening in the annual competition. Winners Todd […]
San Diego County Website Helps Residents Protect Watershed
/in Education, Features /by Gayle FalkenthalBecause San Diego County gets so little natural rainfall, most residents must artificially irrigate their landscaping. Rainfall becomes a welcome sight when it occurs. But rainfall turns into an unwelcome problem when it enters the storm drain system. After the first heavy rain in several months, stormwater runoff gathers pollutants building up on surfaces like […]
Water Utility Hero of the Week, Litsa Tzotzolis, San Diego County Water Authority
/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. 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 Mike LeeAs 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 Mike LeeRebates 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 […]