All Features

Behind-the-scenes stories about regional water issues, projects, and people.

Ed Pedrazzi (third from right) with his team during his time as VWD Water Operations Supervisor, including current and retired Vallectos Water District employees (L to R) Joey Shore, Rocky Eltzroth, Shawn Askine, Pedrazzi, Cheryl Minichilli, and Richard Arballo. Photo: Vallecitos Water District

Vallecitos WD Employee Ed Pedrazzi Recognized for Leadership

Vallecitos Water District Operations and Maintenance Manager Ed Pedrazzi is the ACWA 2023 “Excellence in Water Leadership” award winner. Pedrazzi received his career honor at the Association of California Water Agencies annual conference on May 9. The award recognizes individuals who have “made a remarkable and visible contribution to the enhancement, protection, or development of […]

Clint Baze-Clint-Board-Welcome to the Board

Welcome to the Board: Clint Baze, Rincon del Diablo Municipal Water District

(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: Clint Baze, Rincon del Diablo Municipal Water District Who: Clint […]

The “Water Smart Living” series of articles created by Water Resources Specialist Joni German and also published as a public service in the Times of San Diego won a CAPIO Award of Distinction in the Writing category. outreach efforts

Outreach Efforts Honored at 2023 CAPIO EPIC Awards

The San Diego County Water Authority received two Awards of Distinction for outreach programs at the 2023 California Association of Public Information Officers (CAPIO) “EPIC Awards” competition for California public agency communication programs. The Water Authority’s “Faces of the Water Industry” public outreach campaign created by Public Affairs Representative Andrea Mora won in the Social […]

Vista Irrigation District scholarship winners (left to right): Monica Lozada, Naia Riggenbach, Sarai Rojas, Samantha Harris, Colin Gastauer. (Not pictured: Riley Robbins) Photo: Vista Irrigation District. 2024 scholarship

Six Students Awarded Scholarships by Vista Irrigation District

Vista Irrigation District has awarded college scholarships to six high school seniors and selected three fourth-grade students as winners of two separate district‑sponsored contests. The annual contest is open to high school seniors living or attending school within the Vista Irrigation District service area. The content is intended to increase the knowledge and awareness of […]

The sustainable landscape demonstration garden at the Olivenhain Municipal Water District’s (OMWD) headquarters provides customers with examples of water-efficient landscaping techniques that can save water and money.

Demonstration Garden is Inspiration for Olivenhain MWD Customers

Using water efficiently is a way of life and an important responsibility in the San Diego region. Water users have learned how to make the most of every drop and avoid wasteful or careless habits. Homeowners are replacing impractical thirsty lawns with beautiful low-water-use landscaping. Over the past decade, residents have adopted habits that not […]

A student at the science fair showcases her project board. Innovation-technology

Students Showcase Innovation in Water Technology

Middle and high school students from San Diego and Imperial counties showcased their creativity and innovation in water technology at the Greater San Diego Science and Engineering Fair. Winning students at the March event presented multi-faceted water technology designed for use in agriculture, water conservation, safety and treatment, creating solutions to some of the San […]

Honorable Mention: "Ripples and Rocks," Stuart Nelson, Hilltop High School

Eight Student Photographers Selected as Sweetwater Authority High School Photo Contest Winners

Eight high school students were honored for their award-winning photographs in the annual Sweetwater Authority High School Photo Contest. The winners were selected from a group of 62 students from high schools across the South Bay within the Authority’s service area. Students submitted 148 entries in two categories, color, and black and white. Winners were […]

Earth Day-Earth Day 2023-Landscape Makeover-Water Conservation

Every Day is Earth Day for Water Agencies in San Diego County

“Invest in Our Planet” is the theme for Earth Day 2023. Investing in sustainable, local water supply sources and conservation has long been a way of life in San Diego County by water agencies and residents. “Investing in our planet can take many forms, and the challenges we face differ from community to community,” said […]

4S Ranch Water Reclamation Facility-CWEA 2022 Plant of the Year

Olivenhain Municipal Water District 4S Ranch Water Reclamation Facility Is California’s Plant of the Year

Olivenhain Municipal Water District’s 4S Ranch Water Reclamation Facility is the California Water Environment Association statewide 2022 Plant of the Year. The award was presented April 19 at CWEA’s Annual Conference in San Diego. The award acknowledges the facility’s accomplishments to increase water supply reliability by reducing imported water demand and plant operations. In addition to […]

Kyle Swanson-Welcome to the Board-Padre Dam Municipal Water District

Welcome to the Board: Kyle Swanson, Padre Dam Municipal Water District

(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: Kyle Swanson, Padre Dam Municipal Water District Who: Kyle Swanson […]

Sprinklers-Spruce-EPA-Water Conservation

Spruce Up Your Sprinklers in April

Californians gave their irrigation systems the winter off in much of 2023 thanks to above-average precipitation. As the weather warms, the U.S. EPA encourages everyone to perform a maintenance check in April as part of its “Sprinkler Spruce Up” effort. A sprinkler spruce-up involves four steps: inspect, connect, direct, and select. Cracks in pipes can […]

Otay Water District-2023 Landscape Makeover Contest

Otay Water District Opens 2023 Landscape Makeover Contest

The Otay Water District has launched its annual WaterSmart Landscape Contest as part of a continuing effort to encourage water conservation. Outdoor watering accounts for more than half of residential water use. The resident judged to have the most attractive, drought-toleranat garden receives a nursery gift card, among other prizes, and the title “Best in […]

Water Authority General Manager Sandra Kerl’s keynote address focused on the sixth annual conference theme, “Building Resilience In Post-Pandemic Times.” Photo: San Diego County Water Authority

Diversity, Inclusion Key Themes at Women in Water Symposium

San Diego County Water Authority General Manager Sandra L. Kerl delivered an inspiring keynote address at the 2023 Women in Water Symposium at Cuyamaca College. The conference was not held at the college in 2021 or 2022 due to the coronavirus pandemic. And Kerl’s address focused on the sixth annual conference theme, “Building Resilience In […]

For the first time since 2020, the Women In Water Conference returns to Cuyamaca College on March 29. Photo: San Diego County Water Authority

Women in Water Conference Fosters Workforce Diversity

San Diego County Water Authority General Manager Sandra Kerl is the keynote speaker at the 2023 Women in Water Conference at Cuyamaca College Wednesday, March 29. This year’s theme is “Building Resilience In Post-Pandemic Times.” Kerl’s remarks will focus on the conference theme of building career resilience in a new post-pandemic work environment. The conference […]

Fix a Leak Week is a reminder every March to check indoor and outdoor plumbing systems for costly, wasteful water leaks. Graphic EPA WaterSense

Fix-A-Leak Week 2023 Saves Water, Environment

Fix a Leak Week is an opportunity for all water users to repair leaks and save our most precious resource.  The week (March 20-26) is a reminder every March to check indoor and outdoor plumbing systems for costly, wasteful water leaks. Increasing awareness of opportunities to repair leaks is supported by the San Diego County […]