As we Americans face these unprecedented times, many are rushing to the store to stock up on bottled water and other supplies. At Helix Water District, we want to remind you that your tap water is still safe and reliable. While it’s always advisable to have a reasonable amount of emergency water on hand, the coronavirus […]
As we adjust to the new – and hopefully temporary – realities of this pandemic, it’s worth reflecting on the good that is happening in our community, our state and our nation. Doctors and nurses are bravely treating the sick by the thousands. Grocery store employees are working long hours to stock shelves and serve […]
Fourteen water agencies in San Diego County seek the best in landscaping makeover projects for the regional WaterSmart 2020 Landscape Makeover competition. The annual contest offers the opportunity to showcase residential waterwise landscaping as a way to inspire other homeowners to consider replacing water-guzzling turf based designs. The contest deadline for all participating agencies has […]
The COVID-19 pandemic has caused companies and organizations around San Diego County to take measures to continue serving the public. As of Friday, 10 workers are quarantined inside the Claude “Bud” Lewis Carlsbad Desalination Plan for the next three weeks, monitoring and adjusting gauges and switches, watching for leaks, and doing whatever is needed to […]
The San Diego region’s water supplies remain safe to drink. The San Diego County Water Authority and its 24 member agencies have increased regional coordination and communication to ensure the coronavirus pandemic does not impact safe and secure water service for San Diego County. Public water supplies in the San Diego region remain safe to […]
Coronavirus is on all our minds these days, with the countless challenges that we face at every level of society, including our homes and families. While there are many uncertainties, I want to assure you that the Water Authority and its 24 member agencies are doing everything possible to address this complex situation, from following […]
Easily fixed water leaks in American households account for nearly one trillion gallons of water wasted annually. The average household leaks nearly 10,000 gallons of water every year. This would wash 300 loads of laundry and could cost you an additional 10% on your water bill. Fix-A-Leak Week 2020 is March 16-22. It was created […]
Ten South Bay area high school students were honored for their winning photos at the March 11 Sweetwater Authority Governing Board meeting. Nearly 100 students from Sweetwater’s service area entered its annual water photo contest, which challenges students to showcase the importance of water in everyday life through photography. Students submitted photos in two categories. […]
Vallecitos Water District Development Services Coordinator Eileen Koonce transformed the front yard at her new home into a beautiful water-efficient design with help from the San Diego County Water Authority’s Landscape Makeover Program. As a new homeowner, when Koonce received her first water bill, she decided to figure out a way to reduce her water […]
The San Diego County Water Authority’s Board of Directors on Thursday honored Otay Water District General Manager Mark Watton for 37 years of public service in the water industry. The Board issued a proclamation congratulating Watton on “his long and distinguished service to San Diego County upon his upcoming retirement from the Otay Water District” […]
If you haven’t finished planting your sustainable garden yet this year, you still have some time. Choose native plants that will thrive in the arid San Diego County climate. Native plants are naturally drought-tolerant. They also support local ecosystems by providing food and habitat for pollinators, such as butterflies and hummingbirds. Native plants can fall […]
Mission Hills High School student Jordan Chan of San Marcos won third-place in the statewide 2020 California Special Districts Association video scholarship competition. The “Districts Make The Difference” contest is designed to promote public awareness and understanding of the special districts providing communities with essential services like water, sanitation, healthcare, fire protection, and parks. Chan […]
Hundreds of pounds of rainbow trout were biting for participants on Saturday during the sixth annual Kids Fishing Day at Lake Jennings in Lakeside. The event started in 2015 has been an annual highlight ever since its inception. Kids ages 9 and under fished for free all day Saturday at the Kids Pond, which is […]
The Otay Water District Board of Directors February 6 voted unanimously to appoint Assistant Chief of Water Operations Jose Martinez as the new general manager of the District. The Board announced they will negotiate contract terms and vote on those terms at the March 11 Board meeting. “Jose will be an asset to the District […]
Talented fourth-graders from Fallbrook area elementary schools picked up their pens, crayons, and watercolors to create the best and brightest water-conservation posters for the Fallbrook Public Utility District 2020 “Be Water Smart” calendar. Out of the 250 posters submitted, the work of 14 artists was selected. Twelve of the winning images appear inside the calendar, […]
Opinion: Your Tap is the Safest Source of Water During this Pandemic
/in Education, Features /by Mike Lee /Times of San Diego / Helix Water Districtby Mark A. GracykAs we Americans face these unprecedented times, many are rushing to the store to stock up on bottled water and other supplies. At Helix Water District, we want to remind you that your tap water is still safe and reliable. While it’s always advisable to have a reasonable amount of emergency water on hand, the coronavirus […]
Jim Madaffer: Adjusting to the New Normal
/in Features, View From The Chair /by Kimberlyn Velasquezby Jim Madaffer, Board ChairAs we adjust to the new – and hopefully temporary – realities of this pandemic, it’s worth reflecting on the good that is happening in our community, our state and our nation. Doctors and nurses are bravely treating the sick by the thousands. Grocery store employees are working long hours to stock shelves and serve […]
2020 Landscape Makeover Competition Opens Call For Entries
/in Conservation Corner, Features /by Gayle FalkenthalFourteen water agencies in San Diego County seek the best in landscaping makeover projects for the regional WaterSmart 2020 Landscape Makeover competition. The annual contest offers the opportunity to showcase residential waterwise landscaping as a way to inspire other homeowners to consider replacing water-guzzling turf based designs. The contest deadline for all participating agencies has […]
COVID-19: Carlsbad Desal Plant Workers Shelter-in-Place to Keep the Water On
/in Conservation Corner, Features /by Mike Lee /The San Diego Union-Tribune and Water News Networkby Phil Diehl and Water News NetworkThe COVID-19 pandemic has caused companies and organizations around San Diego County to take measures to continue serving the public. As of Friday, 10 workers are quarantined inside the Claude “Bud” Lewis Carlsbad Desalination Plan for the next three weeks, monitoring and adjusting gauges and switches, watching for leaks, and doing whatever is needed to […]
San Diego Region’s Water Supplies Safe to Drink
/in Facilities & Operations, Features /by Mike LeeThe San Diego region’s water supplies remain safe to drink. The San Diego County Water Authority and its 24 member agencies have increased regional coordination and communication to ensure the coronavirus pandemic does not impact safe and secure water service for San Diego County. Public water supplies in the San Diego region remain safe to […]
Jim Madaffer: Supporting Our Community in Challenging Times
/in Features, View From The Chair /by Kimberlyn Velasquezby Jim Madaffer, Board ChairCoronavirus is on all our minds these days, with the countless challenges that we face at every level of society, including our homes and families. While there are many uncertainties, I want to assure you that the Water Authority and its 24 member agencies are doing everything possible to address this complex situation, from following […]
Take Ten Minutes to Track Down Leaks During Fix-A-Leak Week 2020
/in Conservation Corner, Features /by Gayle FalkenthalEasily fixed water leaks in American households account for nearly one trillion gallons of water wasted annually. The average household leaks nearly 10,000 gallons of water every year. This would wash 300 loads of laundry and could cost you an additional 10% on your water bill. Fix-A-Leak Week 2020 is March 16-22. It was created […]
Sweetwater Authority Displays Winning Photos at Board Reception
/in Agency News, Education, News /by Gayle FalkenthalTen South Bay area high school students were honored for their winning photos at the March 11 Sweetwater Authority Governing Board meeting. Nearly 100 students from Sweetwater’s service area entered its annual water photo contest, which challenges students to showcase the importance of water in everyday life through photography. Students submitted photos in two categories. […]
Vallecitos Water District Employee Leads By Example With WaterSmart Landscaping Makeover
/in Conservation Corner, Features /by Gayle FalkenthalVallecitos Water District Development Services Coordinator Eileen Koonce transformed the front yard at her new home into a beautiful water-efficient design with help from the San Diego County Water Authority’s Landscape Makeover Program. As a new homeowner, when Koonce received her first water bill, she decided to figure out a way to reduce her water […]
Water Authority Board Honors Retiring Otay Water District GM Mark Watton
/in Achievements, Features /by Mike LeeThe San Diego County Water Authority’s Board of Directors on Thursday honored Otay Water District General Manager Mark Watton for 37 years of public service in the water industry. The Board issued a proclamation congratulating Watton on “his long and distinguished service to San Diego County upon his upcoming retirement from the Otay Water District” […]
Design a Native Garden
/in Conservation Corner, Features /by Kristiene GongIf you haven’t finished planting your sustainable garden yet this year, you still have some time. Choose native plants that will thrive in the arid San Diego County climate. Native plants are naturally drought-tolerant. They also support local ecosystems by providing food and habitat for pollinators, such as butterflies and hummingbirds. Native plants can fall […]
San Marcos Student Jordan Chan Wins Statewide Video Contest
/in Education, Features /by Gayle FalkenthalMission Hills High School student Jordan Chan of San Marcos won third-place in the statewide 2020 California Special Districts Association video scholarship competition. The “Districts Make The Difference” contest is designed to promote public awareness and understanding of the special districts providing communities with essential services like water, sanitation, healthcare, fire protection, and parks. Chan […]
Lake Jennings Hosts Kids Fishing Day
/in Education, News /by Gayle FalkenthalHundreds of pounds of rainbow trout were biting for participants on Saturday during the sixth annual Kids Fishing Day at Lake Jennings in Lakeside. The event started in 2015 has been an annual highlight ever since its inception. Kids ages 9 and under fished for free all day Saturday at the Kids Pond, which is […]
Jose Martinez Appointed General Manager of the Otay Water District
/in Achievements, Features /by Gayle FalkenthalThe Otay Water District Board of Directors February 6 voted unanimously to appoint Assistant Chief of Water Operations Jose Martinez as the new general manager of the District. The Board announced they will negotiate contract terms and vote on those terms at the March 11 Board meeting. “Jose will be an asset to the District […]
Student Artwork Featured in 2020 Fallbrook PUD Calendar
/in Education, Features /by Gayle FalkenthalTalented fourth-graders from Fallbrook area elementary schools picked up their pens, crayons, and watercolors to create the best and brightest water-conservation posters for the Fallbrook Public Utility District 2020 “Be Water Smart” calendar. Out of the 250 posters submitted, the work of 14 artists was selected. Twelve of the winning images appear inside the calendar, […]