At first glance, you might mistake Jason McAllister’s thriving green landscape for a water-thirsty garden. Look closer, though, and you’ll see that the plants in this tropical oasis are anything but water hogs. The landscape’s impressive transformation is the 2024 winner of the Padre Dam Municipal Water District’s WaterSmart Landscape Contest winner. Tropical oasis created […]
Sweetwater Authority (Authority) recently welcomed fifteen students and faculty from Stanford University’s The Bill Lane Center for the American West. Group members are part of the university’s multidisciplinary course of study on “Coastal Resilience: Problems and Solutions to Extreme Weather Challenges on the West Coast.” The Bill Lane Center for the American West is dedicated […]
In partnership with the San Diego County Water Authority, the Vista Irrigation District and Vallecitos Water District are teaming up to offer free landscape design workshops in November to help its customers redesign and install new water saving, sustainable landscapes at a convenient North County location. Two classes take place on Saturday, November 2, at […]
The Padre Dam Municipal Water District is making a splash with their new podcast, “The Water Drop”. The Water Authority member agency kicked off the new project in March, featuring Padre Dam staff as well as outside experts discussing an array of industry topics including sustainability, trends and the future of all things water. “We […]
A familiar face was featured on the cover of the October edition of Municipal Water Leader magazine: Water Authority General Manager Dan Denham. In a wide-ranging interview with former Metropolitan Water District General Manager Jeff Kightlinger, Denham discussed his background, the relationships between the Water Authority and other agencies, major challenges facing the water sector […]
When Shawn McCoy graduated from American Military University after 20 years of military service, he thought he’d become a park ranger. With a bachelor’s degree in environmental science and a concentration in fish and wildlife management and sustainability now under his belt, he was fully equipped to head into his new career. However, after his […]
John Allen, a resident of Vista, California, for 17 years, says he “got a bug” for growing cycads, inspired by a local enthusiast who raised and retrieved them. Cycads are a plant group that originally flourished back in the dinosaur age. It wasn’t long before he began cultivating them in his one-acre garden, adding palms, […]
On Thursday, Metropolitan Water District of Southern California (MWD) Chairman Adán Ortega and Interim General Manager Deven Upadhyay addressed collaboration between two of the largest wholesale water agencies in Southern California in light of MWD’s major long-term planning effort. This process aims to chart a course for meeting Southern California’s water resource management needs while […]
The Vallecitos Water District (VWD) was honored by the Special District Leadership Foundation (SDLF) for achieving re-accreditation with a “Transparency Certificate of Excellence.” SDLF recognizes organizations for their outstanding efforts to promote a transparent, well-governed public agency. “This award is a testament to Vallecitos’ commitment to open government,” said Vallecitos Board President Dr. Tiffany Boyd-Hodgson. […]
Over the last few weeks, several stories have come out about water deliveries being made to the city of Tijuana. Here’s some of the basics behind this unique international agreement. Whose water is it? Mexico’s. Water delivered through the Emergency Deliveries Agreement is a portion of the Colorado River supplies allotted to Mexico under the […]
For residents across the region thinking about turning their front yards into sustainable, WaterSmart landscapes, now’s a great time to act. If you’re looking to get ahead of AB 1572, a law passed last year that bans the irrigation of ornamental turf with potable water starting in 2027, or have been waiting to the opportunity […]
Chula Vista resident Shannon Nembach’s Italian-inspired landscaping proves that a waterwise landscape doesn’t need to be restricted to gravel and cacti. Neimbach’s makeover received the “Best In District” first-place award in the Otay Water District’s WaterSmart Landscape Contest. Her garden is in the Otay Water District’s division 4, represented by Board President Jose Lopez. “Otay […]
The Vista Irrigation District Board of Directors recognized Thomas McCarter as the district’s 2024 WaterSmart Landscape Contest winner at its July meeting. McCarter and his wife, Alice, moved into their current residence three years ago. Upon moving in, their yard was mostly a blank slate, with a majority of the yard unplanted. Working together as […]
Beautiful scenery, wildlife, and native plants are featured in this year’s winning photos in the annual Lake Jennings 2024 Photo Contest. The contest is held annually by the Helix Water District. The District Board of Directors recognized the top photographers at its July meeting. The District runs the contest each year as a fun way […]
When longtime Escondido residents Anita and Larry Palmer moved into their new home in 2016, they decided the lawns and water-guzzling plants in their front and back yards “would have to go.” The result of their landscape makeover is the 2024 City of Escondido Landscape Makeover contest winner. The homeowners hoped to save the cost […]
Tropical Landscape Wins Padre Dam MWD 2024 WaterSmart Landscape Contest
/in WaterSmart Living /by Gayle FalkenthalAt first glance, you might mistake Jason McAllister’s thriving green landscape for a water-thirsty garden. Look closer, though, and you’ll see that the plants in this tropical oasis are anything but water hogs. The landscape’s impressive transformation is the 2024 winner of the Padre Dam Municipal Water District’s WaterSmart Landscape Contest winner. Tropical oasis created […]
Sweetwater Authority Hosts Stanford University Students and Faculty
/in Education, Features /by Gayle FalkenthalSweetwater Authority (Authority) recently welcomed fifteen students and faculty from Stanford University’s The Bill Lane Center for the American West. Group members are part of the university’s multidisciplinary course of study on “Coastal Resilience: Problems and Solutions to Extreme Weather Challenges on the West Coast.” The Bill Lane Center for the American West is dedicated […]
Vista Irrigation District and Vallecitos Water District Host Free Landscape Workshops
/in Features, WaterSmart Living /by Gayle FalkenthalIn partnership with the San Diego County Water Authority, the Vista Irrigation District and Vallecitos Water District are teaming up to offer free landscape design workshops in November to help its customers redesign and install new water saving, sustainable landscapes at a convenient North County location. Two classes take place on Saturday, November 2, at […]
Padre Dam MWD Launches New Podcast
/in Features, News, WaterSmart Living /by Jordan BeaneThe Padre Dam Municipal Water District is making a splash with their new podcast, “The Water Drop”. The Water Authority member agency kicked off the new project in March, featuring Padre Dam staff as well as outside experts discussing an array of industry topics including sustainability, trends and the future of all things water. “We […]
Water Authority GM Profiled in “Municipal Water Leader” Magazine
/in Media Coverage, San Diego County, WaterSmart Living /by Jordan BeaneA familiar face was featured on the cover of the October edition of Municipal Water Leader magazine: Water Authority General Manager Dan Denham. In a wide-ranging interview with former Metropolitan Water District General Manager Jeff Kightlinger, Denham discussed his background, the relationships between the Water Authority and other agencies, major challenges facing the water sector […]
SkillBridge Program Puts Veterans To Work In Water Industry Jobs
/in Jobs and Training /by Gayle FalkenthalWhen Shawn McCoy graduated from American Military University after 20 years of military service, he thought he’d become a park ranger. With a bachelor’s degree in environmental science and a concentration in fish and wildlife management and sustainability now under his belt, he was fully equipped to head into his new career. However, after his […]
Diverse Design Named Vallecitos 2024 Landscape Makeover Contest Winner
/in Features, WaterSmart Living /by Gayle FalkenthalJohn Allen, a resident of Vista, California, for 17 years, says he “got a bug” for growing cycads, inspired by a local enthusiast who raised and retrieved them. Cycads are a plant group that originally flourished back in the dinosaur age. It wasn’t long before he began cultivating them in his one-acre garden, adding palms, […]
Water Authority Welcomes MWD Chair to Discuss Regional Water Future
/in Achievements, Agency News, Colorado River Basin, Features /by Jordan BeaneOn Thursday, Metropolitan Water District of Southern California (MWD) Chairman Adán Ortega and Interim General Manager Deven Upadhyay addressed collaboration between two of the largest wholesale water agencies in Southern California in light of MWD’s major long-term planning effort. This process aims to chart a course for meeting Southern California’s water resource management needs while […]
Vallecitos Water District Meets Highest Transparency Standards
/in Achievements, Features /by Gayle FalkenthalThe Vallecitos Water District (VWD) was honored by the Special District Leadership Foundation (SDLF) for achieving re-accreditation with a “Transparency Certificate of Excellence.” SDLF recognizes organizations for their outstanding efforts to promote a transparent, well-governed public agency. “This award is a testament to Vallecitos’ commitment to open government,” said Vallecitos Board President Dr. Tiffany Boyd-Hodgson. […]
Tijuana Water Deliveries, Explained
/in Features, News, WaterSmart Living, WNN /by Jordan BeaneOver the last few weeks, several stories have come out about water deliveries being made to the city of Tijuana. Here’s some of the basics behind this unique international agreement. Whose water is it? Mexico’s. Water delivered through the Emergency Deliveries Agreement is a portion of the Colorado River supplies allotted to Mexico under the […]
Increased Turf Rebate Means More Cash for Less Grass
/in WaterSmart Living /by Jordan BeaneFor residents across the region thinking about turning their front yards into sustainable, WaterSmart landscapes, now’s a great time to act. If you’re looking to get ahead of AB 1572, a law passed last year that bans the irrigation of ornamental turf with potable water starting in 2027, or have been waiting to the opportunity […]
Lush Landscape Design Wins 2024 Otay Water District Makeover Contest
/in WaterSmart Living /by Gayle FalkenthalChula Vista resident Shannon Nembach’s Italian-inspired landscaping proves that a waterwise landscape doesn’t need to be restricted to gravel and cacti. Neimbach’s makeover received the “Best In District” first-place award in the Otay Water District’s WaterSmart Landscape Contest. Her garden is in the Otay Water District’s division 4, represented by Board President Jose Lopez. “Otay […]
Vista Irrigation District Selects 2024 Landscape Contest Winner
/in Features, WaterSmart Living /by Gayle FalkenthalThe Vista Irrigation District Board of Directors recognized Thomas McCarter as the district’s 2024 WaterSmart Landscape Contest winner at its July meeting. McCarter and his wife, Alice, moved into their current residence three years ago. Upon moving in, their yard was mostly a blank slate, with a majority of the yard unplanted. Working together as […]
Helix Water District Recognizes Top Photographers in Annual Photo Contest
/in Achievements, Features /by Gayle FalkenthalBeautiful scenery, wildlife, and native plants are featured in this year’s winning photos in the annual Lake Jennings 2024 Photo Contest. The contest is held annually by the Helix Water District. The District Board of Directors recognized the top photographers at its July meeting. The District runs the contest each year as a fun way […]
Hard Work Pays Off for 2024 Escondido Landscape Contest Winner
/in Features, WaterSmart Living /by Gayle FalkenthalWhen longtime Escondido residents Anita and Larry Palmer moved into their new home in 2016, they decided the lawns and water-guzzling plants in their front and back yards “would have to go.” The result of their landscape makeover is the 2024 City of Escondido Landscape Makeover contest winner. The homeowners hoped to save the cost […]