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 […]
John Allen, a resident of Vista, California, for 17 years, says he “got a bug” for growing cycads, inspired by a local enthusiast who raised and retrieved them. Cycads are a plant group that originally flourished back in the dinosaur age. It wasn’t long before he began cultivating them in his one-acre garden, adding palms, […]
Over the last few weeks, several stories have come out about water deliveries being made to the city of Tijuana. Here’s some of the basics behind this unique international agreement. Whose water is it? Mexico’s. Water delivered through the Emergency Deliveries Agreement is a portion of the Colorado River supplies allotted to Mexico under the […]
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, or have been waiting to the opportunity […]
Chula Vista resident Shannon Nembach’s Italian-inspired landscaping proves that a waterwise landscape doesn’t need to be restricted to gravel and cacti. Neimbach’s makeover received the “Best In District” first-place award in the Otay Water District’s WaterSmart Landscape Contest. Her garden is in the Otay Water District’s division 4, represented by Board President Jose Lopez. “Otay […]
The Vista Irrigation District Board of Directors recognized Thomas McCarter as the district’s 2024 WaterSmart Landscape Contest winner at its July meeting. McCarter and his wife, Alice, moved into their current residence three years ago. Upon moving in, their yard was mostly a blank slate, with a majority of the yard unplanted. Working together as […]
When longtime Escondido residents Anita and Larry Palmer moved into their new home in 2016, they decided the lawns and water-guzzling plants in their front and back yards “would have to go.” The result of their landscape makeover is the 2024 City of Escondido Landscape Makeover contest winner. The homeowners hoped to save the cost […]
San Diego County Fair attendees found inspiration for low-water-use sustainable landscaping projects from award-winning examples of creative climate-appropriate and native plant gardens at the Fair’s popular Paul Ecke Jr. Garden Show exhibit area. Californians Learning About Sustainable Landscape Design Debby Dunn, Senior Water Resources Specialist with the Water Authority, explains how Californians are changing their […]
San Diego County businesses and public agencies looking to replace ornamental grass with more sustainable landscaping are now eligible for increased rebates from the Metropolitan Water District of Southern California. Metropolitan has added one dollar to its Turf Replacement Program base incentive to $3 per square foot for commercial, industrial and institutional sectors and $4 […]
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 […]
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 […]
A Lake San Marcos homeowners association successfully upgraded its community landscape to achieve water savings and cost savings with assistance from a joint program offered through a partnership between the San Diego County Water Authority and the County of San Diego. The Landscape Optimization Service (LOS) offered through the Waterscape Rebate Program is a technical […]
Water leaks don’t happen just in the home. This year, the Environmental Protection Agency’s (EPA) annual Fix-A-Leak Week 2024 program focuses on the importance of repairing leaks and saving water in the workplace and commercial buildings such as hospitals, schools, hotels, retail stores, and community centers. Fix-A-Leak Week was created in 2009 by the Environmental […]
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 […]
Diverse Design Named Vallecitos 2024 Landscape Makeover Contest Winner
/in Features, WaterSmart Living /by Gayle FalkenthalJohn Allen, a resident of Vista, California, for 17 years, says he “got a bug” for growing cycads, inspired by a local enthusiast who raised and retrieved them. Cycads are a plant group that originally flourished back in the dinosaur age. It wasn’t long before he began cultivating them in his one-acre garden, adding palms, […]
Tijuana Water Deliveries, Explained
/in Features, News, WaterSmart Living, WNN /by Jordan BeaneOver the last few weeks, several stories have come out about water deliveries being made to the city of Tijuana. Here’s some of the basics behind this unique international agreement. Whose water is it? Mexico’s. Water delivered through the Emergency Deliveries Agreement is a portion of the Colorado River supplies allotted to Mexico under the […]
Increased Turf Rebate Means More Cash 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, or have been waiting to the opportunity […]
Lush Landscape Design Wins 2024 Otay Water District Makeover Contest
/in WaterSmart Living /by Gayle FalkenthalChula Vista resident Shannon Nembach’s Italian-inspired landscaping proves that a waterwise landscape doesn’t need to be restricted to gravel and cacti. Neimbach’s makeover received the “Best In District” first-place award in the Otay Water District’s WaterSmart Landscape Contest. Her garden is in the Otay Water District’s division 4, represented by Board President Jose Lopez. “Otay […]
Vista Irrigation District Selects 2024 Landscape Contest Winner
/in Features, WaterSmart Living /by Gayle FalkenthalThe Vista Irrigation District Board of Directors recognized Thomas McCarter as the district’s 2024 WaterSmart Landscape Contest winner at its July meeting. McCarter and his wife, Alice, moved into their current residence three years ago. Upon moving in, their yard was mostly a blank slate, with a majority of the yard unplanted. Working together as […]
Hard Work Pays Off for 2024 Escondido Landscape Contest Winner
/in Features, WaterSmart Living /by Gayle FalkenthalWhen longtime Escondido residents Anita and Larry Palmer moved into their new home in 2016, they decided the lawns and water-guzzling plants in their front and back yards “would have to go.” The result of their landscape makeover is the 2024 City of Escondido Landscape Makeover contest winner. The homeowners hoped to save the cost […]
Award-Winning County Fair Landscape Exhibits Educate and Entertain
/in WaterSmart Living /by Gayle FalkenthalSan Diego County Fair attendees found inspiration for low-water-use sustainable landscaping projects from award-winning examples of creative climate-appropriate and native plant gardens at the Fair’s popular Paul Ecke Jr. Garden Show exhibit area. Californians Learning About Sustainable Landscape Design Debby Dunn, Senior Water Resources Specialist with the Water Authority, explains how Californians are changing their […]
Increased Rebates in 2024 for Large-Scale Landscape Makeover Projects
/in Features, WaterSmart Living /by Gayle FalkenthalSan Diego County businesses and public agencies looking to replace ornamental grass with more sustainable landscaping are now eligible for increased rebates from the Metropolitan Water District of Southern California. Metropolitan has added one dollar to its Turf Replacement Program base incentive to $3 per square foot for commercial, industrial and institutional sectors and $4 […]
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 […]
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 […]
Fairways HOA Achieves Savings Through Landscape Optimization
/in Features, WaterSmart Living /by Gayle FalkenthalA Lake San Marcos homeowners association successfully upgraded its community landscape to achieve water savings and cost savings with assistance from a joint program offered through a partnership between the San Diego County Water Authority and the County of San Diego. The Landscape Optimization Service (LOS) offered through the Waterscape Rebate Program is a technical […]
Fix-A-Leak Week 2024 Brings WaterSense To Work
/in WaterSmart Living /by Gayle FalkenthalWater leaks don’t happen just in the home. This year, the Environmental Protection Agency’s (EPA) annual Fix-A-Leak Week 2024 program focuses on the importance of repairing leaks and saving water in the workplace and commercial buildings such as hospitals, schools, hotels, retail stores, and community centers. Fix-A-Leak Week was created in 2009 by the Environmental […]