As soon as the Water Authority’s Martin Coghill heard about a catastrophic pipeline failure in Calgary two weeks ago, he knew how distressing it could be. “When they’re in a situation where they call us for help from over 1,600 miles away, that’s a bad, bad day,” Coghill said. The Water Authority was quickly able […]
Helix Water District’s newly released 2023 Water Quality Report shows that throughout 2023, the district continued to deliver top-quality drinking water that meets all federal and state drinking water regulations. What water supplies contain depends on where they come from. As water travels through rock, soils, and rivers, it takes with it the characteristics of […]
Much like your body, public infrastructure needs constant care and attention. Check-ups, tests, and consistent monitoring help you stay on top of your health. It’s similar with the regional water infrastructure, with 1,400 structures, 308 miles of large pipelines, a dam, a water treatment plant, as well as pump stations and hydroelectric facilities. All pieces […]
One of the largest water valves key to Helix Water District operations was recently replaced. The massive five-ton, five-foot diameter valve is one of the largest in the district’s operation. This valve isolates a section of pipe allowing water from Lake Jennings to flow into the R.M. Levy Water Treatment Plant. This replacement addresses two […]
The California Department of Water Resources performed its fourth snowpack survey of the season on Tuesday, April 2, confirming that the early winter’s “snow drought” gave way to a slightly above-normal snowpack following a series of storms. DWR’s early April snow survey marks what is considered the peak snowpack for the year in the Sierra […]
Work on the East County Advanced Water Purification Program facilities and pipelines reached multiple milestones at the start of 2024, and construction continues on schedule at multiple East County locations through 2025. As soon as 2026, the AWP will deliver water to the faucets of customers in the Padre Dam Municipal Water District, Helix Water […]
California water agencies including the San Diego County Water Authority are exploring ways to better manage sporadic periods of abundant rainfall — part of a larger effort to meet the ever-changing realities they face logistically and economically. Water Authority General Manager Dan Denham recently discussed the evolution of regional water management on the Southern California […]
For the second time in recent months, the San Diego County Water Authority is considering an innovative water transfer that could eventually deliver drought-resilient water supplies to South Orange County through the Moulton Niguel Water District and help combat increasing water rates for San Diegans. Both districts have signed a Memorandum of Understanding MOU to […]
Officials from Northern California visited San Diego County this week as part of a tour focused on regional water use and reliability investments that have been touted as a national model of water management. San Diego County Water Authority General Manager Dan Denham welcomed about two dozen leaders at the start of the event, explaining […]
After more than two decades of drought, water utilities serving the largest urban regions in the arid Southwest are embracing a drought-proof source of drinking water long considered a supply of last resort: purified sewage. Water supplies have tightened to the point that Phoenix and the water supplier for 19 million Southern California residents are […]
Millions of dollars in federal aid are still available for low-income water customers in San Diego County to cover overdue residential water and wastewater bills. The San Diego County Water Authority helped secure the federal funds — and the deadline for applications has been extended to March 31, 2024. The Low-Income Household Water Assistance Program […]
The Biden-Harris administration October 25 announced next steps in the efforts to protect the stability and sustainability of the Colorado River System and strengthen water security in the West. The Department of the Interior’s Bureau of Reclamation released a revised draft Supplemental Environmental Impact Statement (SEIS) as part of the ongoing, collaborative effort to update the […]
For insight into the numerous atmospheric rivers that brought impressive precipitation accumulations to California this Water Year and how it compares to previous years, the Scripps Institution of Oceanography Center for Western Weather and Water Extremes provides this end of water year 2023 summary. Water Year 2023 and Atmospheric Rivers • Water Year 2022 experienced […]
The Biden-Harris administration October 19 announced next steps in the formal process to develop future operating guidelines and strategies to protect the stability and sustainability of the Colorado River system and strengthen water security in the West. The guidelines under development would be implemented in 2027, replacing the 2007 Colorado River Interim Guidelines for Lower […]
El Niño and La Niña are natural climate phenomena that alter weather patterns around the world. El Niño occurs irregularly but shows up roughly every three to seven years and typically lasts between nine and 12 months with occasional exceptions that linger for multiple years. After three successive years of La Niña (2020-2023), the National […]
San Diego Region ‘Not Immune’ to Calgary Pipeline Failure
/in Facilities & Operations, News /by Gayle FalkenthalAs soon as the Water Authority’s Martin Coghill heard about a catastrophic pipeline failure in Calgary two weeks ago, he knew how distressing it could be. “When they’re in a situation where they call us for help from over 1,600 miles away, that’s a bad, bad day,” Coghill said. The Water Authority was quickly able […]
Helix Water District Releases Water Quality Report
/in Supply & Demand /by Gayle FalkenthalHelix Water District’s newly released 2023 Water Quality Report shows that throughout 2023, the district continued to deliver top-quality drinking water that meets all federal and state drinking water regulations. What water supplies contain depends on where they come from. As water travels through rock, soils, and rivers, it takes with it the characteristics of […]
Meet the “Robots” Protecting San Diego’s Water Pipelines
/in Facilities & Operations, News /by Kristiene GongMuch like your body, public infrastructure needs constant care and attention. Check-ups, tests, and consistent monitoring help you stay on top of your health. It’s similar with the regional water infrastructure, with 1,400 structures, 308 miles of large pipelines, a dam, a water treatment plant, as well as pump stations and hydroelectric facilities. All pieces […]
Helix Water District Replaces Aging Key Water Valve
/in Facilities & Operations /by Gayle FalkenthalOne of the largest water valves key to Helix Water District operations was recently replaced. The massive five-ton, five-foot diameter valve is one of the largest in the district’s operation. This valve isolates a section of pipe allowing water from Lake Jennings to flow into the R.M. Levy Water Treatment Plant. This replacement addresses two […]
Snow Survey Confirms Water Supplies Remain Plentiful for San Diego
/in California and the West /by Gayle FalkenthalThe California Department of Water Resources performed its fourth snowpack survey of the season on Tuesday, April 2, confirming that the early winter’s “snow drought” gave way to a slightly above-normal snowpack following a series of storms. DWR’s early April snow survey marks what is considered the peak snowpack for the year in the Sierra […]
East County Advanced Water Program Hits Multiple Milestones
/in News, Supply & Demand /by Gayle FalkenthalWork on the East County Advanced Water Purification Program facilities and pipelines reached multiple milestones at the start of 2024, and construction continues on schedule at multiple East County locations through 2025. As soon as 2026, the AWP will deliver water to the faucets of customers in the Padre Dam Municipal Water District, Helix Water […]
Water Agencies Evolving to Address Changing Realities
/in News, Supply & Demand /by Gayle FalkenthalCalifornia water agencies including the San Diego County Water Authority are exploring ways to better manage sporadic periods of abundant rainfall — part of a larger effort to meet the ever-changing realities they face logistically and economically. Water Authority General Manager Dan Denham recently discussed the evolution of regional water management on the Southern California […]
Water Agencies Explore Innovative Transfer Deal for Drought-Resilient Water
/in News, Supply & Demand /by Gayle FalkenthalFor the second time in recent months, the San Diego County Water Authority is considering an innovative water transfer that could eventually deliver drought-resilient water supplies to South Orange County through the Moulton Niguel Water District and help combat increasing water rates for San Diegans. Both districts have signed a Memorandum of Understanding MOU to […]
Water Management and Efficiency Highlight San Diego Tour
/in News, Supply & Demand /by Gayle FalkenthalOfficials from Northern California visited San Diego County this week as part of a tour focused on regional water use and reliability investments that have been touted as a national model of water management. San Diego County Water Authority General Manager Dan Denham welcomed about two dozen leaders at the start of the event, explaining […]
Colorado River Shortages Drive Major Advances in Recycled Sewage Water Use
/in Colorado River Basin /by Gayle FalkenthalAfter more than two decades of drought, water utilities serving the largest urban regions in the arid Southwest are embracing a drought-proof source of drinking water long considered a supply of last resort: purified sewage. Water supplies have tightened to the point that Phoenix and the water supplier for 19 million Southern California residents are […]
Money Still Available for Low-Income Water Customers in San Diego County
/in California and the West, News /by Mike LeeMillions of dollars in federal aid are still available for low-income water customers in San Diego County to cover overdue residential water and wastewater bills. The San Diego County Water Authority helped secure the federal funds — and the deadline for applications has been extended to March 31, 2024. The Low-Income Household Water Assistance Program […]
Next Steps to Protect Stability and Sustainability of Colorado River Basin
/in Colorado River Basin, News /by Mike Leeby U.S. Bureau of ReclamationThe Biden-Harris administration October 25 announced next steps in the efforts to protect the stability and sustainability of the Colorado River System and strengthen water security in the West. The Department of the Interior’s Bureau of Reclamation released a revised draft Supplemental Environmental Impact Statement (SEIS) as part of the ongoing, collaborative effort to update the […]
The Atmospheric Rivers of Water Year 2023: End of Water Year Summary
/in News, Science/Environment /by Mike LeeFor insight into the numerous atmospheric rivers that brought impressive precipitation accumulations to California this Water Year and how it compares to previous years, the Scripps Institution of Oceanography Center for Western Weather and Water Extremes provides this end of water year 2023 summary. Water Year 2023 and Atmospheric Rivers • Water Year 2022 experienced […]
Bureau of Reclamation Advances Long-Term Planning Efforts to Protect the Colorado River System
/in Colorado River Basin, News /by Mike Lee /U.S. Bureau of Reclamationby USBR News ReleaseThe Biden-Harris administration October 19 announced next steps in the formal process to develop future operating guidelines and strategies to protect the stability and sustainability of the Colorado River system and strengthen water security in the West. The guidelines under development would be implemented in 2027, replacing the 2007 Colorado River Interim Guidelines for Lower […]
What is El Niño?
/in News, Science/Environment /by Mike Lee /UC San Diego Today (Scripps Institution of Oceanography)by Alex FoxEl Niño and La Niña are natural climate phenomena that alter weather patterns around the world. El Niño occurs irregularly but shows up roughly every three to seven years and typically lasts between nine and 12 months with occasional exceptions that linger for multiple years. After three successive years of La Niña (2020-2023), the National […]