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 News Network Best Public Service Website for Sixth Year at San Diego Press Club Awards
/in Achievements, Features /by Gayle FalkenthalFor the sixth consecutive year, the San Diego County Water Authority’s Water News Network website was recognized as the Best Public Service/Consumer Advocacy Website. The Water News Network was awarded for its public outreach and education at the San Diego Press Club’s 50th annual Excellence in Journalism Awards. Among the largest annual competitions in the […]
Bureau of Reclamation Group Visits South Bay Water Agencies
/in Features, Jobs and Training /by Gayle FalkenthalA planning and training workshop for 100 U.S. Bureau of Reclamation employees in San Diego County included tours of Sweetwater Authority and Otay Water District facilities. The Reclamation employees visited San Diego in September to participate in a planning training workshop. The Bipartisan Infrastructure Law and the Inflation Reduction Act have brought significant funding in […]
Navy Vet Joins Water Authority as SkillBridge Program Intern
/in Features, Jobs and Training /by Andrea MoraThe San Diego County Water Authority’s new SkillBridge Program intern came ashore in the perfect location. Of all the adventures Trevor Bland’s military service has taken him on, he regards San Diego as his favorite. It is here where he enjoys physical fitness, trips to the beach and the city’s Mexican food scene. Luckily, when […]
San Diego County Water Authority Honored for Climate Change Efforts
/in Achievements, Features /by Mike LeeThe San Diego County Water Authority has earned Climate Registered gold status from The Climate Registry for the fourth consecutive year. The Water Authority was recognized for verifying and publicly reporting its greenhouse gas emissions, an effort that fosters transparency for the agency’s climate mitigation initiatives and helps the agency track and validate emissions reductions […]
Mary Matava Named 2022 San Diego County Farmer of the Year
/in Achievements, Features /by Gayle FalkenthalThe San Diego County Farm Bureau named Mary Matava as its 2022 Farmer of the Year. Matava, involved in the region’s agriculture industry for 45 years, was recognized for her achievement at an awards dinner September 7 at the Bernardo Winery in Rancho Bernardo. The Farmer of the Year award is presented to an active […]
Free WaterSmart Classes Help Residents Transform Landscapes
/in Features, WaterSmart Living /by Kristiene GongThe San Diego County Water Authority offers free WaterSmart classes, with both virtual and in-person options, taught by local landscape design professionals. Classes help participants understand landscape design and maintenance, soil identification and health, turf types and removal tips, plant selection, rainwater catchment, irrigation retrofits and project installation, whether completed as a DIY project or […]
New California Law Bolsters Groundwater Recharge as Strategic Defense Against Climate Change
/in Conservation Corner, Features /by Mike Lee /Water Education Foundation / Western Water Newsby Nick CahillA new but little-known change in California law designating aquifers as “natural infrastructure” promises to unleash a flood of public funding for projects that increase the state’s supply of groundwater. The change is buried in a sweeping state budget-related law, enacted in July, that also makes it easier for property owners and water managers to […]
Water Authority Earns National Conservation Innovation Award
/in Achievements, Features /by Mike LeeThe San Diego County Water Authority was recognized with a national award from the Alliance for Water Efficiency for programs that help county residents and businesses conserve water. The Water Authority earned the 2023 Utility Innovation Award for developing and deploying of one of the first and most comprehensive multi-benefit water-use efficiency incentive programs in […]
Tish Berge and Kelley Gage Appointed to Key Leadership Positions
/in Achievements, Features /by Mike LeeSan Diego County Water Authority executives Tish Berge and Kelley Gage were promoted Monday by General Manager Dan Denham. Berge moves from assistant general manager to deputy general manager after two years in her prior post. Gage, who served as director of water resources the past five years, is now assistant general manager. Berge moves from […]
Dan Denham Appointed San Diego County Water Authority General Manager
/in Achievements, Features /by Mike LeeThe San Diego County Water Authority Board of Directors August 24 voted unanimously to appoint Dan Denham as general manager. The appointment follows the June retirement of former General Manager Sandra L. Kerl. Denham has served in several leadership capacities with the Water Authority for the past 17 years, including his most recent post as […]
Vista Irrigation District Celebrates 100 Years of Service
/in Achievements, Features /by Gayle FalkenthalThe Vista Irrigation District, one of the San Diego County Water Authority’s 24 member agencies, is celebrating its 100th anniversary. In the 1920s, citrus and avocado farming in the Vista area increased so quickly that the growing region faced the real danger of running out of water. Completing the Henshaw Dam in 1923 made it […]
Mountains Inspire Winners of San Dieguito Water District 2023 Landscape Contest
/in Features, WaterSmart Living /by Gayle FalkenthalLarge trees were the driving force that led Encinitas homeowners to remove grass and create a vibrant, low-water use landscape. The waterwise transformation won the San Dieguito Water District 2023 Landscape Makeover Contest. Rick and Melanie Cullen had a yard with grass with large shade trees. But the roots of their three large Liquidambar trees […]
Welcome to the Board: Vicki Quiram, Carlsbad Municipal Water District
/in Features, Welcome to the Board /by Mike Lee(Editor’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: Vicki Quiram, Carlsbad Municipal Water District Who: Vicki Quiram was […]
Vallecitos Water District 2023 Landscape Makeover Winners Find Inspiration
/in Features, WaterSmart Living /by Gayle FalkenthalThree resourceful homeowners took advantage of free resources, including design and plant selection advice, to create beautiful drought-tolerant landscapes. Their projects were named winners of the 2023 Vallecitos Water District Landscape Makeover Contest. Video features the three winning projects Dean Williams: Drab To Delightful Carlsbad homeowner Dean Williams and his wife didn’t like their existing […]
Lush Landscape Recognized as Runner-Up in Helix Landscape Contest
/in Conservation Corner, Features /by Gayle FalkenthalThe slope of a 1920s La Mesa home went from a drab lawn to lush floral color with climate-appropriate plants, winning recognition from the Helix Water District as the runner-up in its 2023 WaterSmart Landscape Contest. The contest promotes beautiful, water-efficient landscapes and rewards people for their inspiring gardens. Joanna and Larry Henning created the […]