Agency News

News from the Water Authority and its 24 member agencies.

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OMWD Achieves Top Honors for Transparency and Fiscal Responsibility

Encinitas, Calif. — The Special District Leadership Foundation honored Olivenhain Municipal Water District today at California Special Districts Association’s annual conference in Palm Desert as a “District of Distinction–Platinum Level,” its highest accreditation. This designation recognizes OMWD’s commitment to sound fiscal management, ethical administration, and transparency in all areas of its operations.

South Bay Businesses Can Save Water and Money With New SWA Partnership Program

Chula Vista, Calif. – The new Water Efficiency Partner Program recently launched by Sweetwater Authority (Authority) aims at helping businesses save money by assisting them to reduce their water use. Through the program, businesses gain access to a free water use audit and personalized recommendations. Businesses are also offered exclusive incentives to help offset the […]

Water Conservation is Critical in San Diego County as Colorado River Declines

Aug. 16, 2022 – Sandra L. Kerl, general manager of the San Diego County Water Authority, issued the following statement in response to the U.S. Bureau of Reclamation’s 24-month projection for water levels in Lake Mead and Lake Powell. “Today’s announcement by the Bureau of Reclamation is a reminder of just how important it is […]

Governor’s Resilience Strategy Promotes Needed Investments in Water Reliability

Aug. 11, 2022 – Sandra L. Kerl, general manager of the San Diego County Water Authority, issued the following statement in response to the water supply strategy released today by Gov. Newsom. “Gov. Newsom has shown remarkable leadership dealing with extreme drought conditions, and his new strategy to improve California’s water resilience is another important step to protect […]

Sweetwater Authority’s New Scholarship Program Supports Careers In The Water Industry

Chula Vista, Calif. – Sweetwater Authority (Authority) recently launched a new scholarship program to provide funding for people interested in pursuing a career in the water industry. The Work for Water Scholarship is available to anyone living in the Authority’s service area. Two $1,000 scholarships will be awarded to new or currently enrolled students at […]

Padre Dam Board Vice President James Peasley Passes Away

Santee, Calif. – Padre Dam Municipal Water District’s longtime Board member and Board Vice President James Peasley passed away on August 2. Board President Bill Pommering shares, “I have been honored to work with Jim for over a decade. Our community has lost a friend and a champion of serving the water needs of our […]

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Manchester Pipeline Projects Continue with Installation of Recycled Water Pipeline

Encinitas, Calif. — Olivenhain Municipal Water District is beginning construction this week on a new recycled water pipeline in Encinitas along Manchester Avenue and South El Camino Real from Via Poco to Tennis Club Drive. Once complete, customers connecting to this new pipeline will irrigate with recycled water, which will reduce demand for imported potable […]

Agencies Cooperating to Refurbish Reservoir for Recycled Water

As drought conditions worsen in California, the San Elijo Joint Powers Authority is partnering with the San Dieguito and Olivenhain Municipal water districts to expand water recycling in north San Diego County. The three districts’ cooperation in the planning and building of recycled water infrastructure dates to the early 1990s. Today, the agencies are planning […]

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Helix Recognized For Openness and Accessibility

La Mesa, Calif. – The Special District Leadership Foundation has announced that Helix Water District is the recipient of the District Transparency Certificate of Excellence in recognition of the district’s outstanding efforts to promote transparency and good governance. The district has consistently received this award since 2015. “This award demonstrates the commitment of our board […]

Helix Water District Logo Square officers for 2021

Helix Recognized for Excellence in Financial Reporting

La Mesa, Calif. – The Government Finance Officers Association (GFOA)  announced today that Helix Water District is the recipient of a Distinguished Budget Presentation Award for our fiscal year 2022-23 budget document. “This award shows the commitment by the district’s board of directors and staff to serving the public with integrity, fiscal accountability, and transparency.” […]

Water Authority General Manager Sandra Kerl Named CUWA Board Chair

July 21, 2022 – San Diego County Water Authority General Manager Sandra L. Kerl is taking the reins as board chair of California Urban Water Agencies (CUWA), a nonprofit corporation that supports development of sound water policy statewide. The Water Authority is one of 11 member agencies of CUWA that are collectively responsible for serving […]

Water Authority Adopts 2023 Rates and Charges

June 23, 2022 – Faced with the same inflationary pressures that are pushing up prices for residents and businesses, the San Diego County Water Authority Board of Directors today adopted 2023 water rates using strategies to minimize increases for its 24 member agencies and their customers. The rates and charges will increase by 3.7% for […]

Agencies Partner to Urge Summer of Water Conservation During Extreme Drought

June 23, 2022 – State, regional, and local leaders are joining forces to urge water conservation across San Diego County and statewide at the start of summer. With drought conditions worsening in every corner of the Southwest, California Gov. Gavin Newsom has called on residents and businesses to take additional conservation measures to help ease […]

WaterSmart Landscape Contest Winner Showcases More Beauty With Less Water

Chula Vista, Calif. – Sweetwater Authority (Authority) named Nancy Cavanah of Chula Vista this year’s winner of the WaterSmart Landscape Contest at last night’s Governing Board (Board) Meeting. Cavanah’s landscape was selected from a diverse pool of applicants as the best example of how to create a beautiful landscape using less water. After years of […]

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Encinitas Landscape Transformation Project Wins Local Contest

Encinitas, Calif. — Olivenhain Municipal Water District’s Board of Directors honored at its June 22 meeting Mike and Cathy Godfrey as OMWD’s winner of the 2022 WaterSmart Landscape Contest. “Maximizing water efficiency outdoors is especially important as drought conditions remain in effect across the state,” said OMWD Board Director Neal Meyers. “Showcasing the diversity and […]