Ruby Dela Cruz from the City of San Diego and Raul Villalpando from the City of Escondido were two of eight individuals honored at the 95th Annual California Water Environment Association (CWEA) Awards. Both have served their city for the past 23 years, and their awards recognize their contributions to enhancing California’s water environment. Ruby […]
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, the opportunity to get rid of your […]
Catherine and Bryan Binotti’s transformation of the front yard of their historic La Mesa home to a lush, water-efficient landscape was selected as the winner of the Helix Water District 2024 Water-Smart Landscape Contest. The annual competition recognizes residents for their outstanding water-efficient landscapes based on overall attractiveness, design, efficient irrigation, appropriate plant selection and […]
Olivenhain Municipal Water District’s Board of Directors honored Rick Whitney as the 2024 WaterSmart Landscape design contest winner. Water agencies throughout the county participate in an annual contest to encourage landscape transformations that reduce outdoor water use, are attractive, and often require less maintenance than turf-heavy landscapes. Each agency selects a winner within its service […]
Four photographers were recognized by the Olivenhain Municipal Water District’s Board of Directors for their winning images in its 17th annual Elfin Forest Recreational Reserve photo contest. The winning photos feature the natural beauty of the 784-acre reserve near Escondido. “We are grateful for the stunning contest photos received this year. Countless individuals will see […]
Elementary school students in Padre Dam Municipal Water District schools are making a splash and being recognized for their artwork, which highlights the importance of being water-wise. Padre Dam’s Board of Directors announced the winners of the District’s “Being Water Wise Is…” Student Poster Contest during its June board meeting. Thirteen kindergarten through fifth-grade students […]
The Helix Water District selected two East County students as recipients of $1,000 college scholarships for 2024. The students were recognized at the May Board of Directors meeting. Paige Newlon Receives Friedgen Scholarship Paige Newlon received the Robert D. Friedgen Scholarship. It was established upon Friedgen’s retirement in 1998, after serving as Helix’s general manager […]
At the June Helix Water District board meeting, talented student artists were honored for their winning work in the 2024 Student Poster Contest. The students created winning posters to depict the theme “Being Water Wise Is visually.” The Metropolitan Water District of Southern California holds the regional poster contest to increase student awareness about water. […]
The City of Escondido’s Environmental Programs division announced the 2024 Water Awareness Calendar Contest winners at the May 15 City Council meeting. Twelve fourth-grade students enrolled in Escondido’s public and private elementary schools were honored by the City Council in front of their families, city staff, and teachers for the art they submitted to the […]
Biodiversity is increasingly threatened, making habitat preservation a priority. Recognizing the need for action, the Vallecitos Water District partnered with the San Diego Audubon Society to launch the Native Plant Seed Library, a groundbreaking program aimed at safeguarding botanical heritage. The library ensures the region’s botanical heritage remains intact for future generations and supports bird […]
Earlier this week, a fire broke out near Sweetwater Authority’s (Authority) Loveland Reservoir in Alpine, California. Authority staff swiftly responded to assist emergency services with access and logistics in their effort to fight the wind-driven fire, which burned approximately 18 acres before being contained. Loveland Reservoir, an important drinking water resource for Authority customers, served […]
Olivenhain Municipal Water District’s Board of Directors recognized its top three entries in the 2024 North County Water Agencies Water Awareness Poster Contest at its May board meeting. The theme for the 2024 contest was “Love Water, Save Water.” The contest teaches students the value of water as a limited resource and the importance of […]
The Jamacha Park Homeowners Association in Rancho San Diego is the region’s latest showcase for low-water landscaping after receiving one of four One Water Awards from the Metropolitan Water District of Southern California. The awards recognize large-scale improvements to facilities and landscapes that achieve significant water savings. The four projects honored in early May are […]
The San Diego County Water Authority Board of Directors on April 26 honored six star students for top-tier water projects in the 2024 Greater San Diego Science and Engineering Fair. The awards are part of the agency’s effort to inspire young people to solve water-related challenges and pursue water industry careers. This year’s middle school […]
With climate change creating new challenges for managing safe and reliable water supplies, trees are increasingly recognized and relied on for their importance in helping mitigate weather extremes and contributing to water conservation efforts. Trees are among the most valuable investments in San Diego County’s landscape – including your own waterwise landscaping. No other landscape […]
Water Professionals Honored at 95th CWEA Awards
/in Achievements /by Gayle FalkenthalRuby Dela Cruz from the City of San Diego and Raul Villalpando from the City of Escondido were two of eight individuals honored at the 95th Annual California Water Environment Association (CWEA) Awards. Both have served their city for the past 23 years, and their awards recognize their contributions to enhancing California’s water environment. Ruby […]
Turf Rebate Program Offering More Money 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, the opportunity to get rid of your […]
Grossmont Home Wins Helix Water District 2024 Landscape Contest
/in WaterSmart Living /by Gayle FalkenthalCatherine and Bryan Binotti’s transformation of the front yard of their historic La Mesa home to a lush, water-efficient landscape was selected as the winner of the Helix Water District 2024 Water-Smart Landscape Contest. The annual competition recognizes residents for their outstanding water-efficient landscapes based on overall attractiveness, design, efficient irrigation, appropriate plant selection and […]
Award-Winning Landscape Design Features Rainwater Capture
/in WaterSmart Living /by Gayle FalkenthalOlivenhain Municipal Water District’s Board of Directors honored Rick Whitney as the 2024 WaterSmart Landscape design contest winner. Water agencies throughout the county participate in an annual contest to encourage landscape transformations that reduce outdoor water use, are attractive, and often require less maintenance than turf-heavy landscapes. Each agency selects a winner within its service […]
OMWD Board Honors Winners of Elfin Forest Recreational Reserve Photo Contest
/in Achievements /by Gayle FalkenthalFour photographers were recognized by the Olivenhain Municipal Water District’s Board of Directors for their winning images in its 17th annual Elfin Forest Recreational Reserve photo contest. The winning photos feature the natural beauty of the 784-acre reserve near Escondido. “We are grateful for the stunning contest photos received this year. Countless individuals will see […]
Padre Dam Honors Winners of the 2024 Student Poster Contest
/in Education /by Gayle FalkenthalElementary school students in Padre Dam Municipal Water District schools are making a splash and being recognized for their artwork, which highlights the importance of being water-wise. Padre Dam’s Board of Directors announced the winners of the District’s “Being Water Wise Is…” Student Poster Contest during its June board meeting. Thirteen kindergarten through fifth-grade students […]
Exceptional Students Win College Scholarships from Helix Water District
/in Education, Features /by Gayle FalkenthalThe Helix Water District selected two East County students as recipients of $1,000 college scholarships for 2024. The students were recognized at the May Board of Directors meeting. Paige Newlon Receives Friedgen Scholarship Paige Newlon received the Robert D. Friedgen Scholarship. It was established upon Friedgen’s retirement in 1998, after serving as Helix’s general manager […]
Helix Water District 2024 Student Poster Contest Winners Illustrate “Being Water Wise Is”
/in Education, Features /by Gayle FalkenthalAt the June Helix Water District board meeting, talented student artists were honored for their winning work in the 2024 Student Poster Contest. The students created winning posters to depict the theme “Being Water Wise Is visually.” The Metropolitan Water District of Southern California holds the regional poster contest to increase student awareness about water. […]
City of Escondido 2024 Student Poster Contest Winners Named
/in Education /by Gayle FalkenthalThe City of Escondido’s Environmental Programs division announced the 2024 Water Awareness Calendar Contest winners at the May 15 City Council meeting. Twelve fourth-grade students enrolled in Escondido’s public and private elementary schools were honored by the City Council in front of their families, city staff, and teachers for the art they submitted to the […]
Vallecitos Water District Opens Audubon Society Native Plant Seed Library
/in Education, Features /by Gayle FalkenthalBiodiversity is increasingly threatened, making habitat preservation a priority. Recognizing the need for action, the Vallecitos Water District partnered with the San Diego Audubon Society to launch the Native Plant Seed Library, a groundbreaking program aimed at safeguarding botanical heritage. The library ensures the region’s botanical heritage remains intact for future generations and supports bird […]
Loveland Reservoir Serves As Vital Resource in Fighting Recent Wildfire
/in Features, News /by Gayle FalkenthalEarlier this week, a fire broke out near Sweetwater Authority’s (Authority) Loveland Reservoir in Alpine, California. Authority staff swiftly responded to assist emergency services with access and logistics in their effort to fight the wind-driven fire, which burned approximately 18 acres before being contained. Loveland Reservoir, an important drinking water resource for Authority customers, served […]
OMWD Names Winners of the 2024 Water Awareness Poster Contest
/in Education /by Gayle FalkenthalOlivenhain Municipal Water District’s Board of Directors recognized its top three entries in the 2024 North County Water Agencies Water Awareness Poster Contest at its May board meeting. The theme for the 2024 contest was “Love Water, Save Water.” The contest teaches students the value of water as a limited resource and the importance of […]
Jamacha Park HOA Wins Award For Landscape Makeover Project
/in Achievements /by Gayle FalkenthalThe Jamacha Park Homeowners Association in Rancho San Diego is the region’s latest showcase for low-water landscaping after receiving one of four One Water Awards from the Metropolitan Water District of Southern California. The awards recognize large-scale improvements to facilities and landscapes that achieve significant water savings. The four projects honored in early May are […]
Future Water Leaders Shine at 2024 Science and Engineering Fair
/in Education, Features /by Kristiene GongThe San Diego County Water Authority Board of Directors on April 26 honored six star students for top-tier water projects in the 2024 Greater San Diego Science and Engineering Fair. The awards are part of the agency’s effort to inspire young people to solve water-related challenges and pursue water industry careers. This year’s middle school […]
Celebrate Arbor Day: Discover How San Diego’s Tree Planting Programs Combat Climate Change and Save Water
/in Features, WaterSmart Living /by Gayle FalkenthalWith climate change creating new challenges for managing safe and reliable water supplies, trees are increasingly recognized and relied on for their importance in helping mitigate weather extremes and contributing to water conservation efforts. Trees are among the most valuable investments in San Diego County’s landscape – including your own waterwise landscaping. No other landscape […]