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South Bay Irrigation District transforms into “South Bay Water,” announces upcoming community logo contest

Chula Vista, CA  – On April 9, 2024, the South Bay Irrigation District Board of Directors approved a proclamation to rebrand the district as “South Bay Water.” The updated name enhances the connection between the district and its important role as the governance branch of Sweetwater Authority, a public water agency that serves 200,000 residents […]

Helix Water District crews lower the five-ton replacement valve into place for installation. Photo: Helix Water District

Helix Water District Replaces Aging Key Water Valve

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 […]

(Left to right) California Dept. of Water Resources Director Karla Nemeth, California Natural Resources Agency Secretary Wade Crowfoot and Gov. Gavin Newsom join the snow survey team for fourth media snow survey of the 2024 season is held at Phillips Station in the Sierra Nevada. The survey is held approximately 90 miles east of Sacramento off Highway 50 in El Dorado County. Photo:  Andrew Nixon, California Dept. of Water Resources

Snow Survey Confirms Water Supplies Remain Plentiful for San Diego

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 […]

Olivenhain Municipal Water District Logo landscape design workshops

OMWD’s AAA Bond Rating Affirmed

Encinitas, CA — Olivenhain Municipal Water District’s AAA Revenue Bonds were affirmed with a stable outlook on March 27 by Fitch Ratings, a global rating agency that offers independent credit opinions. The AAA rating is the highest possible grade and has been awarded to only a handful of agencies in Southern California.

Olivenhain Municipal Water District Logo landscape design workshops

Construction of New Recycled Water Pipelines Allows OMWD to Reduce Dependence on Imported Drinking Water

Encinitas, CA — Olivenhain Municipal Water District is scheduled to start construction in April on the extension of several underground pipelines within the cities of Encinitas and Carlsbad that will allow the conversion of 28 irrigation meters to recycled water.

As soon as 2026, the East County Advanced Water Program will deliver water to the faucets of customers. Photo: East County AWP milestone

East County Advanced Water Program Hits Multiple Milestones  

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 […]

The San Diego County Water Authority issued its Fiscal Year 2023 Annual Report, focusing on the need to adopt, engage, and transform its operations to ensure a healthy and resilient regional water system in the face of change. Photo: San Diego County Water Authority FY23 annual report

Year Of Impact: Water Authority Issues FY2023 Annual Report

The San Diego County Water Authority issued its Fiscal Year 2023 Annual Report, recapping the agency’s efforts to adapt, engage, and transform in ways that ensure a safe and resilient regional water system today and for future generations. The annual report can be accessed on the Water Authority website. Commitment to public transparency The Water […]

Low water conditions reveal the light-colored rink traces along the rock-wall shoreline at Lake Mead, showing the decreased water level from years of drought conditions in the Colorado River basin. Innovative water sharing agreements can help to mitigate this. Photo: Christopher Clark / U.S. Department of the Interior - Bureau of Reclamation

Water Agencies Evolving to Address Changing Realities

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 […]

The San Diego County Water Authority added desalinated seawater to its supply portfolio in 2015 with the start of commercial operations at the nation’s largest seawater desalination plant. Photo: San Diego County Water Authority

Water Agencies Explore Innovative Transfer Deal for Drought-Resilient Water

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 […]

North County Water Agencies Partner to Offer Free California-friendly Landscape Design Workshop

Encinitas, CA — In order to promote outdoor water use efficiency, Olivenhain Municipal Water District, San Dieguito Water District, and Santa Fe Irrigation District invite members of the public to attend a free California-friendly landscape design workshop on Wednesday, March 13 from 5:30 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. The event will be held at the OMWD […]

Sweetwater Authority customer affected by flood damage should contact the agency to apply for available assistance programs. Photo: Sweetwater Authority

Sweetwater Authority Offers Help To Flood Damage Victims

Sweetwater Authority customers impacted by flooding due to San Diego County rainstorms in early 2024 can seek assistance as they begin recovery efforts. The Sweetwater Authority Governing Board approved a 12-month freeze on late fees and discontinuation of water service for non-payment for customers who sustained flood damage. The moratorium aims to alleviate financial stress […]

OMWD Hosts Complimentary Rain Harvesting Workshop

Encinitas, CA — Olivenhain Municipal Water District, San Dieguito Water District, and Santa Fe Irrigation District have partnered to offer a free workshop for area residents to learn about the benefits of rain barrels and best practices for rainwater collection. This workshop will be held on January 27 from 10:00 a.m. to 11:30 a.m., at […]

Northern California water industry leaders tour the FlorAbunda Nursery in the Elfin Forest area to see water use efficiency measures in place. Photo: San Diego County Water Authority

Water Management and Efficiency Highlight San Diego Tour

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 […]

Jose Lopez (L) has been appointed president of the Otay Water District for 2024; Paulina Martinez-Perez (R) has been appointed board president of Sweetwater Authority for 2024. Photos: Otay Water District and Sweetwater Authority

New Leadership at South Bay Water Agencies in 2024

The Otay Water District and the Sweetwater Authority start 2024 with new officers to lead their respective boards of directors. Lopez elected President of Otay Water District Board The Otay Water District board elected director Jose Lopez, who represents division four, as president. Lopez’s election as president follows one year of board leadership under past […]

Sweetwater Authority Board Appoints New Leadership For 2024 Term; Adjusts Meeting Times For New Year

Chula Vista, CA – Last month, the Sweetwater Authority (Authority) Governing Board (Board) appointed Director Paulina Martinez-Perez as Board Chair and Director Hector Martinez as Vice Chair for the 2024 term. Martinez-Perez has served on the Board since 2020 and Martinez has served since 2018. At the same meeting, the Board adopted Resolution 23-23, adjusting […]