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 […]
San Diego region’s water and wastewater agency employees pitched in to carry on a tradition of holiday giving in 2024 to benefit a wide array of nonprofit community services. Otay Water District Supports San Diego Food Bank This holiday season, the Otay Water District is partnering with the San Diego Food Bank to provide food […]
For the second year in a row, the San Diego County Water Authority and its partners have struck a deal to conserve water in Lake Mead, support the long-term sustainability of the Colorado River and save local ratepayers money. The agreements between the Water Authority, the Imperial Irrigation District, and the Metropolitan Water District, with […]
Weather scientists predict modest or below-average rainfall this winter due to the La Niña weather pattern arriving in late 2024. Capturing rainfall is a smart water management tactic. Now is an ideal time to take advantage of several upcoming rainwater harvesting workshops and rebate programs available in San Diego County and the rainfall available in […]
San Diego County’s most popular reservoir recreation areas offer special holiday season events through 2024 and host winter activities during the region’s cooler months. Holiday Spirit at Santee Lakes Enjoy San Diego County’s mild weather and spend Thanksgiving at Santee Lakes Recreation Preserve. Campground space is available. A three-night minimum stay is required, but you […]
Calling all farmers! The Agricultural Irrigation Efficiency Program (AIEP) offers local farmers rebates to improve their on-farm irrigation system efficiencies. Program participants who implement the recommended site improvements to achieve an estimated 0.2 increase in emission uniformity (EU) or distribution uniformity (DU) or greater are eligible for rebates. The base rebate is $1,000 per acre […]
Laura and Jaime Cervantes knew they wanted to conserve water but still wanted a functional and eye-catching design for their landscape. The transformation from thirsty turf to a beautiful habitat is the 2024 Sweetwater Authority Landscape Contest winner. The regional WaterSmart Landscape Contest allows residential water agency customers to showcase their waterwise landscapes. Customers submit […]
At first glance, you might mistake Jason McAllister’s thriving green landscape for a water-thirsty garden. Look closer, though, and you’ll see that the plants in this tropical oasis are anything but water hogs. The landscape’s impressive transformation is the 2024 winner of the Padre Dam Municipal Water District’s WaterSmart Landscape Contest winner. Tropical oasis created […]
In partnership with the San Diego County Water Authority, the Vista Irrigation District and Vallecitos Water District are teaming up to offer free landscape design workshops in November to help its customers redesign and install new water saving, sustainable landscapes at a convenient North County location. Two classes take place on Saturday, November 2, at […]
The Padre Dam Municipal Water District is making a splash with their new podcast, “The Water Drop”. The Water Authority member agency kicked off the new project in March, featuring Padre Dam staff as well as outside experts discussing an array of industry topics including sustainability, trends and the future of all things water. “We […]
A familiar face was featured on the cover of the October edition of Municipal Water Leader magazine: Water Authority General Manager Dan Denham. In a wide-ranging interview with former Metropolitan Water District General Manager Jeff Kightlinger, Denham discussed his background, the relationships between the Water Authority and other agencies, major challenges facing the water sector […]
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 […]
Member Agencies Support Communities During Holiday Season
/in News, WaterSmart Living /by Gayle FalkenthalSan Diego region’s water and wastewater agency employees pitched in to carry on a tradition of holiday giving in 2024 to benefit a wide array of nonprofit community services. Otay Water District Supports San Diego Food Bank This holiday season, the Otay Water District is partnering with the San Diego Food Bank to provide food […]
Innovative Water Deal Deliver Benefits to Regional Ratepayers
/in Agency News, Features, News, Uncategorized, WaterSmart Living /by Jordan BeaneFor the second year in a row, the San Diego County Water Authority and its partners have struck a deal to conserve water in Lake Mead, support the long-term sustainability of the Colorado River and save local ratepayers money. The agreements between the Water Authority, the Imperial Irrigation District, and the Metropolitan Water District, with […]
Rainwater Harvesting Rebates Help San Diegans Meet Irrigation Needs
/in Features, WaterSmart Living /by Gayle FalkenthalWeather scientists predict modest or below-average rainfall this winter due to the La Niña weather pattern arriving in late 2024. Capturing rainfall is a smart water management tactic. Now is an ideal time to take advantage of several upcoming rainwater harvesting workshops and rebate programs available in San Diego County and the rainfall available in […]
San Diego Reservoirs Offer Community Holiday Activities
/in Features, WaterSmart Living /by Gayle FalkenthalSan Diego County’s most popular reservoir recreation areas offer special holiday season events through 2024 and host winter activities during the region’s cooler months. Holiday Spirit at Santee Lakes Enjoy San Diego County’s mild weather and spend Thanksgiving at Santee Lakes Recreation Preserve. Campground space is available. A three-night minimum stay is required, but you […]
Still Time to Act on Agriculture Rebate Offer
/in Conservation Corner, Features, WaterSmart Living /by Jordan BeaneCalling all farmers! The Agricultural Irrigation Efficiency Program (AIEP) offers local farmers rebates to improve their on-farm irrigation system efficiencies. Program participants who implement the recommended site improvements to achieve an estimated 0.2 increase in emission uniformity (EU) or distribution uniformity (DU) or greater are eligible for rebates. The base rebate is $1,000 per acre […]
Beautiful Habitat Named Sweetwater Authority Landscape Makeover Winner
/in Features, WaterSmart Living /by Gayle FalkenthalLaura and Jaime Cervantes knew they wanted to conserve water but still wanted a functional and eye-catching design for their landscape. The transformation from thirsty turf to a beautiful habitat is the 2024 Sweetwater Authority Landscape Contest winner. The regional WaterSmart Landscape Contest allows residential water agency customers to showcase their waterwise landscapes. Customers submit […]
Tropical Landscape Wins Padre Dam MWD 2024 WaterSmart Landscape Contest
/in WaterSmart Living /by Gayle FalkenthalAt first glance, you might mistake Jason McAllister’s thriving green landscape for a water-thirsty garden. Look closer, though, and you’ll see that the plants in this tropical oasis are anything but water hogs. The landscape’s impressive transformation is the 2024 winner of the Padre Dam Municipal Water District’s WaterSmart Landscape Contest winner. Tropical oasis created […]
Vista Irrigation District and Vallecitos Water District Host Free Landscape Workshops
/in Features, WaterSmart Living /by Gayle FalkenthalIn partnership with the San Diego County Water Authority, the Vista Irrigation District and Vallecitos Water District are teaming up to offer free landscape design workshops in November to help its customers redesign and install new water saving, sustainable landscapes at a convenient North County location. Two classes take place on Saturday, November 2, at […]
Padre Dam MWD Launches New Podcast
/in Features, News, WaterSmart Living /by Jordan BeaneThe Padre Dam Municipal Water District is making a splash with their new podcast, “The Water Drop”. The Water Authority member agency kicked off the new project in March, featuring Padre Dam staff as well as outside experts discussing an array of industry topics including sustainability, trends and the future of all things water. “We […]
Water Authority GM Profiled in “Municipal Water Leader” Magazine
/in Media Coverage, San Diego County, WaterSmart Living /by Jordan BeaneA familiar face was featured on the cover of the October edition of Municipal Water Leader magazine: Water Authority General Manager Dan Denham. In a wide-ranging interview with former Metropolitan Water District General Manager Jeff Kightlinger, Denham discussed his background, the relationships between the Water Authority and other agencies, major challenges facing the water sector […]