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, […]
California State Senate President pro Tem Toni Atkins of San Diego on Monday received the 2019 Safe Drinking Water Champion Award from the California Municipal Utilities Association in Sacramento. “The award recognizes Senator Atkins’ leadership to work collaboratively with her colleagues in the Senate, Assembly and Governor’s office in securing funding for communities that do […]
If you put a shovel into the ground in San Diego County, you are likely to encounter the region’s impermeable soil structure. Impermeable soils are defined by poor infiltration areas. This means water doesn’t flow through the soil to replenish groundwater, because the soil is too dense. Having impermeable soil also means water does not […]
California’s 600 certified water quality testing labs will face strict new accreditation standards in the near future. While final hearings still need to take place on the draft regulations before adoption, the City of Escondido Water Quality Lab isn’t waiting. Escondido is working now to adopt the anticipated regulations. Escondido is one of only two […]
More than 200 people explored career opportunities in the water and wastewater industry at the third annual Women in Water Symposium Thursday at Cuyamaca College. The conference’s goal this year was to create a community of people with the interest and aptitude to take on what were previously considered non-traditional careers. Speakers at the conference […]
The City of San Diego’s colorful 2020 Water Conservation Calendar features winning artwork from 19 students throughout San Diego. This is the 20th year the calendar has been produced by the City’s Public Utilities Department. The theme was water conservation. “The children’s artwork in these calendars is fantastic, and helps present the importance of reducing […]
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, […]
Atkins Receives Safe Drinking Water Champion Award
/in Achievements, Features /by Mike LeeCalifornia State Senate President pro Tem Toni Atkins of San Diego on Monday received the 2019 Safe Drinking Water Champion Award from the California Municipal Utilities Association in Sacramento. “The award recognizes Senator Atkins’ leadership to work collaboratively with her colleagues in the Senate, Assembly and Governor’s office in securing funding for communities that do […]
Take a Test to Determine Your Soil Type
/in Conservation Corner, Features /by Kristiene GongIf you put a shovel into the ground in San Diego County, you are likely to encounter the region’s impermeable soil structure. Impermeable soils are defined by poor infiltration areas. This means water doesn’t flow through the soil to replenish groundwater, because the soil is too dense. Having impermeable soil also means water does not […]
Escondido Water Quality Lab Leads By Example
/in Achievements, Features /by Gayle FalkenthalCalifornia’s 600 certified water quality testing labs will face strict new accreditation standards in the near future. While final hearings still need to take place on the draft regulations before adoption, the City of Escondido Water Quality Lab isn’t waiting. Escondido is working now to adopt the anticipated regulations. Escondido is one of only two […]
Women In Water Conference Showcases Career Opportunities
/in Education, Features /by Mike LeeMore than 200 people explored career opportunities in the water and wastewater industry at the third annual Women in Water Symposium Thursday at Cuyamaca College. The conference’s goal this year was to create a community of people with the interest and aptitude to take on what were previously considered non-traditional careers. Speakers at the conference […]
Award-Winning Student Artwork Inspires 2020 Water Conservation Calendar
/in Education, Features /by Gayle FalkenthalThe City of San Diego’s colorful 2020 Water Conservation Calendar features winning artwork from 19 students throughout San Diego. This is the 20th year the calendar has been produced by the City’s Public Utilities Department. The theme was water conservation. “The children’s artwork in these calendars is fantastic, and helps present the importance of reducing […]