We welcome the new year with heavy hearts about the recent events in our nation’s Capitol and a renewed commitment to civility and respect at every level of government. At the same time, we are maintaining our concentration on our priorities for the year, which are numerous and significant. I’m focused on advancing San Diego […]
If more than three decades in the fire service taught me anything, it’s that we are always stronger together. This has never been more clear than over the past several months, as the Water Authority and its 24 member agencies have worked together to ensure an affordable, safe and reliable water supply, as San Diego County […]
Thank you for your support over the past two years. It’s been an honor to serve as the chair of the Water Authority’s Board of Directors. While some may not realize it, this 36-member Board plays a critical role in sustaining San Diego County’s quality of life and economy. And I’m pleased to say that […]
As my two-year term as the Water Authority Board chair winds down, it’s my pleasure to update you on two important efforts that are underway for the betterment of the San Diego region. First of all, our Board voted unanimously last week to spend a few more months discussing and assessing a study of a […]
As you know, the Water Authority has been working for years to conclude lawsuits over rates set by the Los Angeles-based Metropolitan Water District of Southern California – and this week, we have taken a big step forward with the entry of final judgment in two major cases. Yesterday, a Superior Court judge has awarded […]
During my nearly two years as chair of the Water Authority’s Board of Directors, I have seen firsthand the regional benefits of decisions made by our predecessors to secure water supply reliability. I cannot count the number of times I have been thankful for all the board members, regional stakeholders, staff and supporters in decades […]
I’m pleased to share some good news for our region. You will recall the Water Authority was recently awarded $15 million in state grants for several water supply projects throughout the county. Earlier this week, we also secured approval of more than $115 million for local water supply projects in San Diego County through the […]
I hope this finds you safe and healthy despite the challenging circumstances that we face as a region, state and nation. While our hearts are heavy, we continue working on several critical issues at the Water Authority this month, and I would like to share three of them with you briefly. The Water Authority’s Board […]
Today, I have a special project to share with you that we have been working on with our member agencies across San Diego County. Since the pandemic started, the region’s water and wastewater agencies have collaborated closely to ensure that these vital services remain fully functional. After all, they are the foundation of both emergency […]
Across the country, public agencies are scrambling to fill holes created by the pandemic – financial holes and, worse yet, holes in the workforce. It is safe to assume, until a vaccine is developed or an antibody treatment is found, we are living the new normal. As we hope and pray that the worst days […]
As we adjust to the new – and hopefully temporary – realities of this pandemic, it’s worth reflecting on the good that is happening in our community, our state and our nation. Doctors and nurses are bravely treating the sick by the thousands. Grocery store employees are working long hours to stock shelves and serve […]
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 […]
A historic achievement for the San Diego region passed almost unnoticed when the San Diego County Water Authority’s Board of Directors adopted new wholesale water rates in late June. The rate-setting process highlighted how the Water Authority’s independent water supplies from the Colorado River are now both less expensive and more reliable than supplies from […]
We’ve got a great thing going here in San Diego County, from the mountains to the coast and from the far northern reaches of our region to the international border. Our economy is strong – one of the largest in the nation – with everything from global giants to startups trying to make a splash. […]
Like a bad penny, a plan to tax water keeps turning up in Sacramento. That’s right: under two proposals circulating in the Capitol, California would start taxing the most fundamental resource on the planet. Such taxes would needlessly drive up costs for families already struggling to make ends meet and undermine the very goals that […]
Building a Collaborative Vision for San Diego County
/in Features, View From The Chair /by Ed JoyceWe welcome the new year with heavy hearts about the recent events in our nation’s Capitol and a renewed commitment to civility and respect at every level of government. At the same time, we are maintaining our concentration on our priorities for the year, which are numerous and significant. I’m focused on advancing San Diego […]
Building a Vision of Regional Strength Through Collaboration
/in Features, View From The Chair /by Ed JoyceIf more than three decades in the fire service taught me anything, it’s that we are always stronger together. This has never been more clear than over the past several months, as the Water Authority and its 24 member agencies have worked together to ensure an affordable, safe and reliable water supply, as San Diego County […]
Threat Emerges to Reduce Water Supply Reliability, Fracture Region
/in Features, View From The Chair /by Ed JoyceThank you for your support over the past two years. It’s been an honor to serve as the chair of the Water Authority’s Board of Directors. While some may not realize it, this 36-member Board plays a critical role in sustaining San Diego County’s quality of life and economy. And I’m pleased to say that […]
Help Us Reduce Water Rates
/in Features, View From The Chair /by Ed JoyceAs my two-year term as the Water Authority Board chair winds down, it’s my pleasure to update you on two important efforts that are underway for the betterment of the San Diego region. First of all, our Board voted unanimously last week to spend a few more months discussing and assessing a study of a […]
Major Water Rate Case Victory; San Diego County is Stronger Together
/in Features, View From The Chair /by Ed JoyceAs you know, the Water Authority has been working for years to conclude lawsuits over rates set by the Los Angeles-based Metropolitan Water District of Southern California – and this week, we have taken a big step forward with the entry of final judgment in two major cases. Yesterday, a Superior Court judge has awarded […]
Charting a Long-Term Water Strategy for San Diego County
/in Features, View From The Chair /by Ed JoyceDuring my nearly two years as chair of the Water Authority’s Board of Directors, I have seen firsthand the regional benefits of decisions made by our predecessors to secure water supply reliability. I cannot count the number of times I have been thankful for all the board members, regional stakeholders, staff and supporters in decades […]
Good News: Hundreds of Millions of Dollars Approved for Local Water Projects
/in Features, View From The Chair /by Ed JoyceI’m pleased to share some good news for our region. You will recall the Water Authority was recently awarded $15 million in state grants for several water supply projects throughout the county. Earlier this week, we also secured approval of more than $115 million for local water supply projects in San Diego County through the […]
Jim Madaffer: Supporting Protections for Ratepayers and Property Owners
/in Features, View From The Chair /by Kimberlyn Velasquezby Jim Madaffer, Board ChairI hope this finds you safe and healthy despite the challenging circumstances that we face as a region, state and nation. While our hearts are heavy, we continue working on several critical issues at the Water Authority this month, and I would like to share three of them with you briefly. The Water Authority’s Board […]
Jim Madaffer: We’re Here For You
/in Features, View From The Chair /by Ed Joyceby Jim Madaffer, Board ChairToday, I have a special project to share with you that we have been working on with our member agencies across San Diego County. Since the pandemic started, the region’s water and wastewater agencies have collaborated closely to ensure that these vital services remain fully functional. After all, they are the foundation of both emergency […]
Jim Madaffer: Strategic Steps to Address Emerging Fiscal Realities
/in Features, View From The Chair /by Kimberlyn Velasquezby Jim Madaffer, Board ChairAcross the country, public agencies are scrambling to fill holes created by the pandemic – financial holes and, worse yet, holes in the workforce. It is safe to assume, until a vaccine is developed or an antibody treatment is found, we are living the new normal. As we hope and pray that the worst days […]
Jim Madaffer: Adjusting to the New Normal
/in Features, View From The Chair /by Kimberlyn Velasquezby Jim Madaffer, Board ChairAs we adjust to the new – and hopefully temporary – realities of this pandemic, it’s worth reflecting on the good that is happening in our community, our state and our nation. Doctors and nurses are bravely treating the sick by the thousands. Grocery store employees are working long hours to stock shelves and serve […]
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 […]
Historic Water Deal Provides Less Expensive, More Reliable Supplies
/in Features, View From The Chair /by Gayle Falkenthal /San Diego County Water Authorityby Mark Muir, Board ChairA historic achievement for the San Diego region passed almost unnoticed when the San Diego County Water Authority’s Board of Directors adopted new wholesale water rates in late June. The rate-setting process highlighted how the Water Authority’s independent water supplies from the Colorado River are now both less expensive and more reliable than supplies from […]
Everything in San Diego County is Brought to You by Water
/in Features, View From The Chair /by Gayle Falkenthal /San Diego County Water Authorityby Mark Muir, Board ChairWe’ve got a great thing going here in San Diego County, from the mountains to the coast and from the far northern reaches of our region to the international border. Our economy is strong – one of the largest in the nation – with everything from global giants to startups trying to make a splash. […]
Water Tax Proposal Remains Poor Policy
/in Features, View From The Chair /by Gayle Falkenthal /San Diego County Water Authorityby Mark Muir, Board ChairLike a bad penny, a plan to tax water keeps turning up in Sacramento. That’s right: under two proposals circulating in the Capitol, California would start taxing the most fundamental resource on the planet. Such taxes would needlessly drive up costs for families already struggling to make ends meet and undermine the very goals that […]