Agency News

News from the Water Authority and its 24 member agencies.

Olivenhain Municipal Water District Logo landscape design workshops

4S Ranch Water Reclamation Facility Earns Plant of the Year Recognition

Encinitas, Calif. — Olivenhain Municipal Water District’s Board of Directors accepted at its May 19 meeting California Water Environment Association San Diego section’s 2020 Plant of the Year Award for its 4S Ranch Water Reclamation Facility. The Plant of the Year award acknowledges OMWD’s accomplishments in compliance, innovative practices, and cost‐effectiveness. “Our board is thrilled […]

Olivenhain Municipal Water District Logo landscape design workshops

OMWD’s Recycled Water Treatment Project Named Project of the Year

Encinitas, Calif. — Olivenhain Municipal Water District’s Ultraviolet Disinfection System Project was recognized today as a 2021 Project of the Year by American Public Works Association’s San Diego and Imperial County Chapter at its virtual awards event. The UV project replaced an outdated system at OMWD’s 4S Ranch Water Reclamation Facility in order to continue […]

High School Photo Contest Winners Highlight Importance of Water at Home

Chula Vista, Calif. – Thirteen local high school students will be honored for their award-winning photographs at tomorrow night’s Sweetwater Authority Board Meeting. The winners were selected from a group of 50 students from high schools across South Bay who submitted over 100 entries for the Authority’s annual High School Photo Contest. This year’s contest […]

Water-Use Efficiency, Investments Protect Region as Drought Impacts Spread

Board Chair thanks ratepayers, member agencies  May 11, 2021 – “Governor Newsom’s latest drought emergency declaration is a grim reminder of the growing water supply challenges across California – and of the value of three decades of our collective dedication to use water efficiently combined with strategic investments that protect San Diego County from dry […]

Helix Water District Logo Square officers for 2021

Helix Water District Board Approves Rate Adjustments Designed to Ensure System Reliability

Helix Water District Board of Directors approved water rates and service charges for fiscal years 2021-22 and 2022-23 on Wednesday, April 28, 2021. These rates and charges were based on recommendations made by an independent rate consultant.

Ratepayers Save $48 Million in Water Authority Bond Refundings

April 29, 2021 – The San Diego County Water Authority this month completed a series of bond refundings that will save ratepayers $48 million – the latest in a long series of debt refinancing moves that help reduce the cost of critical water infrastructure investments. The savings from the refinancing of Series 2021S-1 (Green Bonds) and […]

Water Authority Offers Help to Regions in Need During Drought

April 23, 2021 – The San Diego County Water Authority’s Board of Directors yesterday authorized staff to explore opportunities to help other water districts weather an emerging drought across California. Three decades of investments in supply reliability, along with a continued emphasis on water-use efficiency, mean the San Diego region has sufficient water supplies for […]

LOGO-SDCWA-Vallecitos Water District-Stacked

Agencies Reach Agreement over Water Deliveries

April 22, 2021 – The San Diego County Water Authority and the Vallecitos Water District have reached agreement over pipeline repairs and how to measure water deliveries while moving ahead as partners to ensure long-term water supply reliability. The Water Authority’s Board of Directors on Thursday approved terms of a settlement with Vallecitos designed to […]

Water Authority Applauds Governor’s Targeted Approach to Drought

Board Chair responds to Gov. Newsom’s executive action today April 21, 2021 – “We applaud Governor Newsom for taking a targeted, flexible, and iterative approach to drought management that provides support for individual regions that are suffering from drought while also recognizing regions like San Diego County that have sufficient water supplies due to three […]

Vista Irrigation District Logo

Water District Uses Rate Rebate to Offset Future Increases

Vista, Calif. — Vista Irrigation District board of directors voted to use $1.57 million received from the San Diego County Water Authority as part of a legal settlement with the Metropolitan Water District of Southern California to offset the financial impact of Water Authority rate increases over the next five years.

Olivenhain Municipal Water District Logo landscape design workshops

OMWD to Use $2 Million Water Wholesaler Refund to Reduce Future Costs to Customers

Encinitas, Calif. — Olivenhain Municipal Water District’s Board of Directors unanimously voted at its April 14 meeting to utilize a $2 million refund to reduce future rate increases to OMWD ratepayers. The refund resulted from San Diego County Water Authority’s decade-long litigation with Metropolitan Water District of Southern California seeking legal rates and repayment of […]

Olivenhain Municipal Water District Logo landscape design workshops

Board to Honor Outgoing Director Ed Sprague and Appoint Replacement

Encinitas, Calif. — At its May 19 meeting, OMWD’s Board of Directors will honor outgoing Division 5 Director Edmund K. Sprague, who will retire from the board following the May 19 meeting. Mr. Sprague announced on March 17 his intent to retire, at which time OMWD Board President Larry Watt thanked him for his 13 […]

Helix Water District Logo Square officers for 2021

Helix Water District’s New Customer Assistance Program Starts Today

The Helix Helps Customer Assistance Program starts today, April 5, and offers a one-time credit of up to $300  to help Helix Water District’s residential customers  who live in a single-family home, are behind on their water bill and can demonstrate loss of income due to the Covid-19 pandemic.

Olivenhain Municipal Water District Logo landscape design workshops

OMWD Awarded Federal Funding to Complete its Advanced Metering Infrastructure Project

Encinitas, Calif. — Olivenhain Municipal Water District has been awarded $500,000 in grant funding from United States Bureau of Reclamation for OMWD’s Advanced Metering Infrastructure project. The award was made available through USBR’s Water and Energy Efficiency Research Program for Fiscal Year 2021.

Otay Water District Logo

Otay Water District Announces Launch of 2021 WaterSmart Landscape Contest

Spring Valley, Calif. – The Otay Water District announces the launch of the 2021 WaterSmart Landscape Contest. The contest awards the title of “Best in District” and a $250 nursery gift card to the customer judged to have the most attractive, water-efficient yard. The deadline to enter is Friday, May 14, 2021.