The Vallecitos Water District named three beautiful and water-efficient landscape makeover projects as its trio of 2025 Landscape Makeover Contest Winners. Lisa Urabe, Vallecitos Public Information Representative and U.C. Master Gardener, says that although each of the three landscape winners designed vastly different gardens, all of the winners use their gardens as natural extensions of […]
Chula Vista residents Catherine and David Spence are the 2025 Otay Water District’s annual WaterSmart Landscape Contest winners. Their award-winning project upgraded their grassy side yard with a low-maintenance, drought-tolerant garden that better suits their busy and active lifestyle after retirement. As a result of their landscape makeover, the Spences report an overall reduction in […]
The County of San Diego’s Waterscape Rebate Program will host rainwater harvesting workshops throughout the fall months of 2025. It’s an ideal time for homeowners to explore their options for water-saving improvements that also benefit the San Diego region’s watershed. The first rainwater harvesting workshop scheduled for Fall 2025 takes place on Saturday, September 27, 2025, at […]
The Olivenhain Municipal Water District (OMWD) invites residents to attend an informative Open House and Emergency Preparedness Event in collaboration with the Encinitas Fire Department, Rancho Santa Fe Fire Protection District, San Diego Gas & Electric, and other local agencies on Saturday, September 6, from 9 a.m. to 12 noon. The event will take place […]
The Vista Irrigation District board of directors recognized Janet Chambers as the district’s 2025 WaterSmart Landscape Contest winner at its August meeting. Chambers moved into her current residence about 11 years ago. The original yard consisted of a plain-looking lawn and one large Liquidambar tree. Because the existing lawn consumed a tremendous amount of water […]
The transformation of an Encinitas yard into a sustainable landscape providing habitat for wildlife and pollinators is the 2025 winner of the San Dieguito Water District’s annual landscape contest. Wildlife biologist Shea Okeefe said when she decided to take on the landscape project, she drew on her professional expertise as a scientist. “When we decided […]
Encinitas resident Ramona Copley’s landscape makeover project was selected by the Olivenhain Municipal Water District as the 2025 winner of the annual WaterSmart Landscape Contest. The OMWD board honored Copley at its June board meeting. “To reduce our water use, my husband and I wanted to transform our yard of trees and grass into a […]
The transformation of the Claerman family’s landscaping began with research and field trips. The results of their landscaping makeover were named the 2025 City of Escondido Landscape Makeover contest winner. Yannick Claerman’s landscape transformation process included research on drought-tolerant plants, plant groupings, soil types, and how to use compost and mulch to enhance water efficiency. […]
The transformation of a Fletcher Hills front yard in El Cajon showcases what a drive for sustainability and some family effort can create. The effort by homeowners Sinead and Lance G. is this year’s winner of the Helix Water District 2025 WaterSmart Landscape Contest. The annual contest celebrates residents who demonstrate outstanding water-efficient landscaping through […]
Trees are among the most valuable investments in San Diego County’s landscape, including in your landscaping. No other plant plays a more significant role in fighting climate change, supporting sustainability, and maintaining a healthy watershed than trees. National Arbor Day on Friday, April 25, reminds us of the many benefits that trees have to offer, […]
Deciding to undertake a landscape makeover involves many choices. Choosing your new landscape plants is one of your most enjoyable tasks. But walking into your local nursery can present so many choices that it’s overwhelming. What plants work best in the San Diego climate regions, and which ones use water efficiently? San Diego County Water […]
The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency’s (EPA) annual “Fix A Leak Week” program focuses on the importance of repairing leaks and saving water in the workplace and other commercial buildings such as hospitals, schools, hotels, retail stores, and community centers, as well as in the home. In 2025, Fix a Leak Week will take place March […]
Although no system can guarantee 100% effectiveness against a large wildfire, maintaining water tanks and rehabilitating them when needed is vital to ensure they are ready in an emergency. There are few direct water sources in the San Diego region. Other than rainfall and saltwater desalination, water must be imported. Regional water districts store water […]
The popular WaterSmart Landscape Makeover annual competition is now open for 2025 entries. The contest highlights residential landscaping with grass areas that have been transformed into flourishing and colorful water-smart landscapes. Contest judges look for winners who represent the best in landscaping makeover projects from 12 participating San Diego County water agencies. Winning entrants feature […]
San Diego business and civic leader Mel Katz was seated today as San Diego County Water Authority’s newest representative on the board of directors of the Metropolitan Water District of Southern California. Katz has served on the Water Authority’s board of directors since 2018, representing the city of Del Mar and served as chair from […]
Landscape Makeover Trio Named Vallecitos 2025 Contest Winners
/in Features, WaterSmart Living /by Gayle FalkenthalThe Vallecitos Water District named three beautiful and water-efficient landscape makeover projects as its trio of 2025 Landscape Makeover Contest Winners. Lisa Urabe, Vallecitos Public Information Representative and U.C. Master Gardener, says that although each of the three landscape winners designed vastly different gardens, all of the winners use their gardens as natural extensions of […]
Low-Maintenance Garden for Retirement Wins Otay Water District 2025 Landscape Contest
/in Features, WaterSmart Living /by Gayle FalkenthalChula Vista residents Catherine and David Spence are the 2025 Otay Water District’s annual WaterSmart Landscape Contest winners. Their award-winning project upgraded their grassy side yard with a low-maintenance, drought-tolerant garden that better suits their busy and active lifestyle after retirement. As a result of their landscape makeover, the Spences report an overall reduction in […]
Rainwater Harvesting Workshops Begin September 27 in Lakeside
/in Features, Supply & Demand, WaterSmart Living /by Gayle FalkenthalThe County of San Diego’s Waterscape Rebate Program will host rainwater harvesting workshops throughout the fall months of 2025. It’s an ideal time for homeowners to explore their options for water-saving improvements that also benefit the San Diego region’s watershed. The first rainwater harvesting workshop scheduled for Fall 2025 takes place on Saturday, September 27, 2025, at […]
OMWD & First Responders Host Open House and Emergency Preparedness Event on Sept. 6
/in Education, Features, WaterSmart Living /by Gayle FalkenthalThe Olivenhain Municipal Water District (OMWD) invites residents to attend an informative Open House and Emergency Preparedness Event in collaboration with the Encinitas Fire Department, Rancho Santa Fe Fire Protection District, San Diego Gas & Electric, and other local agencies on Saturday, September 6, from 9 a.m. to 12 noon. The event will take place […]
Pollinator Paradise Wins 2025 Vista Irrigation District Landscape Contest
/in Features, WaterSmart Living /by Gayle FalkenthalThe Vista Irrigation District board of directors recognized Janet Chambers as the district’s 2025 WaterSmart Landscape Contest winner at its August meeting. Chambers moved into her current residence about 11 years ago. The original yard consisted of a plain-looking lawn and one large Liquidambar tree. Because the existing lawn consumed a tremendous amount of water […]
Haven for Wildlife and Pollinators Wins San Dieguito Water District 2025 Landscape Makeover Contest
/in Features, WaterSmart Living /by Gayle FalkenthalThe transformation of an Encinitas yard into a sustainable landscape providing habitat for wildlife and pollinators is the 2025 winner of the San Dieguito Water District’s annual landscape contest. Wildlife biologist Shea Okeefe said when she decided to take on the landscape project, she drew on her professional expertise as a scientist. “When we decided […]
Encinitas Resident Wins OMWD 2025 Landscape Contest
/in Achievements, Features, WaterSmart Living /by Gayle FalkenthalEncinitas resident Ramona Copley’s landscape makeover project was selected by the Olivenhain Municipal Water District as the 2025 winner of the annual WaterSmart Landscape Contest. The OMWD board honored Copley at its June board meeting. “To reduce our water use, my husband and I wanted to transform our yard of trees and grass into a […]
Escondido Landscape Contest Winner Inspired By Local Gardens
/in Achievements, Features, WaterSmart Living /by Gayle FalkenthalThe transformation of the Claerman family’s landscaping began with research and field trips. The results of their landscaping makeover were named the 2025 City of Escondido Landscape Makeover contest winner. Yannick Claerman’s landscape transformation process included research on drought-tolerant plants, plant groupings, soil types, and how to use compost and mulch to enhance water efficiency. […]
Fletcher Hills Family Wins Helix Water District 2025 WaterSmart Landscape Contest
/in Features, WaterSmart Living /by Gayle FalkenthalThe transformation of a Fletcher Hills front yard in El Cajon showcases what a drive for sustainability and some family effort can create. The effort by homeowners Sinead and Lance G. is this year’s winner of the Helix Water District 2025 WaterSmart Landscape Contest. The annual contest celebrates residents who demonstrate outstanding water-efficient landscaping through […]
Celebrate Arbor Day: Discover How Planting More Trees in San Diego Supports Climate Resiliency
/in WaterSmart Living /by Gayle FalkenthalTrees are among the most valuable investments in San Diego County’s landscape, including in your landscaping. No other plant plays a more significant role in fighting climate change, supporting sustainability, and maintaining a healthy watershed than trees. National Arbor Day on Friday, April 25, reminds us of the many benefits that trees have to offer, […]
New Plant Lists Help Homeowners Create A Beautiful, Sustainable Garden
/in Features, WaterSmart Living /by Gayle FalkenthalDeciding to undertake a landscape makeover involves many choices. Choosing your new landscape plants is one of your most enjoyable tasks. But walking into your local nursery can present so many choices that it’s overwhelming. What plants work best in the San Diego climate regions, and which ones use water efficiently? San Diego County Water […]
Find and Fix Leaks During Fix-A-Leak Week 2025
/in Features, WaterSmart Living /by Gayle FalkenthalThe U.S. Environmental Protection Agency’s (EPA) annual “Fix A Leak Week” program focuses on the importance of repairing leaks and saving water in the workplace and other commercial buildings such as hospitals, schools, hotels, retail stores, and community centers, as well as in the home. In 2025, Fix a Leak Week will take place March […]
Vallecitos Coronado Water Tank Gets Upgrade To Prepare For Wildfire Season
/in Features, WaterSmart Living /by Gayle FalkenthalAlthough no system can guarantee 100% effectiveness against a large wildfire, maintaining water tanks and rehabilitating them when needed is vital to ensure they are ready in an emergency. There are few direct water sources in the San Diego region. Other than rainfall and saltwater desalination, water must be imported. Regional water districts store water […]
Landscape Makeover Contest Open For 2025 Entries
/in Features, WaterSmart Living /by Gayle FalkenthalThe popular WaterSmart Landscape Makeover annual competition is now open for 2025 entries. The contest highlights residential landscaping with grass areas that have been transformed into flourishing and colorful water-smart landscapes. Contest judges look for winners who represent the best in landscaping makeover projects from 12 participating San Diego County water agencies. Winning entrants feature […]
Representing Water Authority, Director Katz Joins MWD Board
/in Agency News, Features, Home Headline, News, WaterSmart Living /by Jordan BeaneSan Diego business and civic leader Mel Katz was seated today as San Diego County Water Authority’s newest representative on the board of directors of the Metropolitan Water District of Southern California. Katz has served on the Water Authority’s board of directors since 2018, representing the city of Del Mar and served as chair from […]