The San Diego County Water Authority offers free WaterSmart classes, with both virtual and in-person options, taught by local landscape design professionals. Classes help participants understand landscape design and maintenance, soil identification and health, turf types and removal tips, plant selection, rainwater catchment, irrigation retrofits and project installation, whether completed as a DIY project or […]
A new but little-known change in California law designating aquifers as “natural infrastructure” promises to unleash a flood of public funding for projects that increase the state’s supply of groundwater. The change is buried in a sweeping state budget-related law, enacted in July, that also makes it easier for property owners and water managers to […]
The San Diego County Water Authority was recognized with a national award from the Alliance for Water Efficiency for programs that help county residents and businesses conserve water. The Water Authority earned the 2023 Utility Innovation Award for developing and deploying of one of the first and most comprehensive multi-benefit water-use efficiency incentive programs in […]
San Diego County Water Authority executives Tish Berge and Kelley Gage were promoted Monday by General Manager Dan Denham. Berge moves from assistant general manager to deputy general manager after two years in her prior post. Gage, who served as director of water resources the past five years, is now assistant general manager. Berge moves from […]
The San Diego County Water Authority Board of Directors August 24 voted unanimously to appoint Dan Denham as general manager. The appointment follows the June retirement of former General Manager Sandra L. Kerl. Denham has served in several leadership capacities with the Water Authority for the past 17 years, including his most recent post as […]
The Vista Irrigation District, one of the San Diego County Water Authority’s 24 member agencies, is celebrating its 100th anniversary. In the 1920s, citrus and avocado farming in the Vista area increased so quickly that the growing region faced the real danger of running out of water. Completing the Henshaw Dam in 1923 made it […]
Large trees were the driving force that led Encinitas homeowners to remove grass and create a vibrant, low-water use landscape. The waterwise transformation won the San Dieguito Water District 2023 Landscape Makeover Contest. Rick and Melanie Cullen had a yard with grass with large shade trees. But the roots of their three large Liquidambar trees […]
(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: Vicki Quiram, Carlsbad Municipal Water District Who: Vicki Quiram was […]
Three resourceful homeowners took advantage of free resources, including design and plant selection advice, to create beautiful drought-tolerant landscapes. Their projects were named winners of the 2023 Vallecitos Water District Landscape Makeover Contest. Video features the three winning projects Dean Williams: Drab To Delightful Carlsbad homeowner Dean Williams and his wife didn’t like their existing […]
The slope of a 1920s La Mesa home went from a drab lawn to lush floral color with climate-appropriate plants, winning recognition from the Helix Water District as the runner-up in its 2023 WaterSmart Landscape Contest. The contest promotes beautiful, water-efficient landscapes and rewards people for their inspiring gardens. Joanna and Larry Henning created the […]
Santee homeowners Edie and Tate Thomas created a beautiful landscape with California native plants to save water, beautify their home, and support the region’s wildlife. Their effort won the 2023 Padre Dam Municipal Water District landscape makeover contest. Preserving rainfall by design In 2018, the couple began working on their makeover project. Edie Thomas is […]
Free water use surveys offered through the Metropolitan Water District of Southern California provide both residential and commercial customers with recommendations to improve landscape and indoor water use efficiency. The surveys are available throughout Southern California, including San Diego County. The San Marcos Unified School District took advantage of the opportunity for water use surveys […]
The Vallecitos Water District Board of Directors recognized students from district area schools for their excellence in the classroom in two separate contests: poster art for fourth graders and an essay competition for scholarships. Students who compete for a scholarship must complete an essay and provide a personal statement related to their background and/or goals. […]
Helix Water District received recognition from The Climate Registry as a Water-Energy Leader Gold organization after the district reduced its electric use by 15% and greenhouse gas emissions by 40%. The Climate Registry is a nonprofit organization that helps companies, governments, and institutions reduce their emissions. Its Water-Energy Nexus Registry is sponsored by the California […]
On June 27, the San Diego County Water Authority kicked off its first Citizens Water Academy since 2020, when COVID-19 forced a shutdown of the program. The academy offers attendees the opportunity to gain a deeper understanding of the Water Authority’s life-sustaining mission. Participants learn firsthand about critical water issues affecting the region and go […]
Free WaterSmart Classes Help Residents Transform Landscapes
/in Features, WaterSmart Living /by Kristiene GongThe San Diego County Water Authority offers free WaterSmart classes, with both virtual and in-person options, taught by local landscape design professionals. Classes help participants understand landscape design and maintenance, soil identification and health, turf types and removal tips, plant selection, rainwater catchment, irrigation retrofits and project installation, whether completed as a DIY project or […]
New California Law Bolsters Groundwater Recharge as Strategic Defense Against Climate Change
/in Conservation Corner, Features /by Mike Lee /Water Education Foundation / Western Water Newsby Nick CahillA new but little-known change in California law designating aquifers as “natural infrastructure” promises to unleash a flood of public funding for projects that increase the state’s supply of groundwater. The change is buried in a sweeping state budget-related law, enacted in July, that also makes it easier for property owners and water managers to […]
Water Authority Earns National Conservation Innovation Award
/in Achievements, Features /by Mike LeeThe San Diego County Water Authority was recognized with a national award from the Alliance for Water Efficiency for programs that help county residents and businesses conserve water. The Water Authority earned the 2023 Utility Innovation Award for developing and deploying of one of the first and most comprehensive multi-benefit water-use efficiency incentive programs in […]
Tish Berge and Kelley Gage Appointed to Key Leadership Positions
/in Achievements, Features /by Mike LeeSan Diego County Water Authority executives Tish Berge and Kelley Gage were promoted Monday by General Manager Dan Denham. Berge moves from assistant general manager to deputy general manager after two years in her prior post. Gage, who served as director of water resources the past five years, is now assistant general manager. Berge moves from […]
Dan Denham Appointed San Diego County Water Authority General Manager
/in Achievements, Features /by Mike LeeThe San Diego County Water Authority Board of Directors August 24 voted unanimously to appoint Dan Denham as general manager. The appointment follows the June retirement of former General Manager Sandra L. Kerl. Denham has served in several leadership capacities with the Water Authority for the past 17 years, including his most recent post as […]
Vista Irrigation District Celebrates 100 Years of Service
/in Achievements, Features /by Gayle FalkenthalThe Vista Irrigation District, one of the San Diego County Water Authority’s 24 member agencies, is celebrating its 100th anniversary. In the 1920s, citrus and avocado farming in the Vista area increased so quickly that the growing region faced the real danger of running out of water. Completing the Henshaw Dam in 1923 made it […]
Mountains Inspire Winners of San Dieguito Water District 2023 Landscape Contest
/in Features, WaterSmart Living /by Gayle FalkenthalLarge trees were the driving force that led Encinitas homeowners to remove grass and create a vibrant, low-water use landscape. The waterwise transformation won the San Dieguito Water District 2023 Landscape Makeover Contest. Rick and Melanie Cullen had a yard with grass with large shade trees. But the roots of their three large Liquidambar trees […]
Welcome to the Board: Vicki Quiram, Carlsbad Municipal Water District
/in Features, Welcome to the Board /by Mike Lee(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: Vicki Quiram, Carlsbad Municipal Water District Who: Vicki Quiram was […]
Vallecitos Water District 2023 Landscape Makeover Winners Find Inspiration
/in Features, WaterSmart Living /by Gayle FalkenthalThree resourceful homeowners took advantage of free resources, including design and plant selection advice, to create beautiful drought-tolerant landscapes. Their projects were named winners of the 2023 Vallecitos Water District Landscape Makeover Contest. Video features the three winning projects Dean Williams: Drab To Delightful Carlsbad homeowner Dean Williams and his wife didn’t like their existing […]
Lush Landscape Recognized as Runner-Up in Helix Landscape Contest
/in Conservation Corner, Features /by Gayle FalkenthalThe slope of a 1920s La Mesa home went from a drab lawn to lush floral color with climate-appropriate plants, winning recognition from the Helix Water District as the runner-up in its 2023 WaterSmart Landscape Contest. The contest promotes beautiful, water-efficient landscapes and rewards people for their inspiring gardens. Joanna and Larry Henning created the […]
Santee Garden Oasis Wins 2023 Padre Dam Municipal Water District Landscape Contest
/in Conservation Corner, Features /by Gayle FalkenthalSantee homeowners Edie and Tate Thomas created a beautiful landscape with California native plants to save water, beautify their home, and support the region’s wildlife. Their effort won the 2023 Padre Dam Municipal Water District landscape makeover contest. Preserving rainfall by design In 2018, the couple began working on their makeover project. Edie Thomas is […]
San Marcos Unified School District Benefits From Free Water Use Survey
/in Conservation Corner, Features /by Gayle FalkenthalFree water use surveys offered through the Metropolitan Water District of Southern California provide both residential and commercial customers with recommendations to improve landscape and indoor water use efficiency. The surveys are available throughout Southern California, including San Diego County. The San Marcos Unified School District took advantage of the opportunity for water use surveys […]
Students Recognized For Conservation Art, Scholarship Excellence by Vallecitos Water District
/in Education, Features /by Gayle FalkenthalThe Vallecitos Water District Board of Directors recognized students from district area schools for their excellence in the classroom in two separate contests: poster art for fourth graders and an essay competition for scholarships. Students who compete for a scholarship must complete an essay and provide a personal statement related to their background and/or goals. […]
Helix Water District Named Water Energy Leader with Energy Use Reductions
/in Achievements, Features /by Gayle FalkenthalHelix Water District received recognition from The Climate Registry as a Water-Energy Leader Gold organization after the district reduced its electric use by 15% and greenhouse gas emissions by 40%. The Climate Registry is a nonprofit organization that helps companies, governments, and institutions reduce their emissions. Its Water-Energy Nexus Registry is sponsored by the California […]
Citizens Water Academy Returns for Summer 2023
/in Education, Features /by Kimberlyn VelasquezOn June 27, the San Diego County Water Authority kicked off its first Citizens Water Academy since 2020, when COVID-19 forced a shutdown of the program. The academy offers attendees the opportunity to gain a deeper understanding of the Water Authority’s life-sustaining mission. Participants learn firsthand about critical water issues affecting the region and go […]