Agency News

News from the Water Authority and its 24 member agencies.

Tish Berge Joins Water Authority Executive Leadership Team

February 11, 2021 – Veteran water industry executive Tish Berge is joining the San Diego County Water Authority as assistant general manager, bringing experience from every aspect of water utility management to serve the region. Berge is currently general manager of the Sweetwater Authority, one of the Water Authority’s 24 member agencies. Berge starts her new […]

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OMWD Begins the New Year by Connecting a Local Neighborhood to Recycled Water

Encinitas, Calif. — Olivenhain Municipal Water District has connected the newly developing Santa Fe Heights neighborhood to its recycled water system, supplying the community with locally produced recycled water. “We are excited to see another neighborhood begin using recycled water for irrigation,” said OMWD Board Secretary Ed Sprague. “Using recycled water is key for long-term […]

New Reservoir to Protect Local Drinking Water Deliveries in North County

January 28, 2021 – A major construction project to improve drinking water supply reliability in North County will start in February after the San Diego County Water Authority’s Board of Directors today approved an $11.4 million contract for the work to Pacific Hydrotech Corporation of Perris, Calif.

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Water District to Sponsor Scholarship Contest

Vista, Calif. — Vista Irrigation District invites local high school seniors to compete for scholarships from the district. Up to six scholarships may be awarded; the minimum scholarship award amount is $1,000 and the maximum scholarship award amount is $3,000. The purpose of the scholarship program is to encourage students to learn more about water […]

Major Rehabilitation of First Aqueduct Complete

January 21, 2021 – The San Diego County Water Authority recently completed a major rehabilitation project on the historic First Aqueduct in North San Diego County. The project renovated and replaced dozens of structures on two large-diameter pipelines, including the historic Pipeline 1. Pipeline 1 delivered the first imported water to the San Diego region […]

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Olivenhain Municipal Water District General Manager Kimberly Thorner Joins County Water Authority Board

Encinitas, Calif. — Olivenhain Municipal Water District General Manager Kimberly Thorner was seated this afternoon at her first board meeting as OMWD’s representative on the San Diego County Water Authority board of directors. OMWD’s board unanimously appointed Ms. Thorner to the position at its November 18, 2020 meeting and she was sworn in on January […]

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Larry Watt Named President of OMWD’s Board of Directors for Third Time

Encinitas, Calif. — Today, board director Larry Watt presided over Olivenhain Municipal Water District’s first meeting of 2021 as president. OMWD’s board unanimously elected to take new seats and selected Mr. Watt for a third term as president. Initially appointed to the board in 2011, Mr. Watt represents Division 2 of OMWD’s service area, which […]

Controlled Transfer of Water from Sweetwater Authority’s Loveland Reservoir Begins Today

Chula Vista, Calif. – In order to secure additional water sources for our customers, Sweetwater Authority initiated a controlled transfer of water from its two reservoirs on Monday, January 11, 2021.

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Vista Irrigation District Board Holds Annual Organizational Meeting

Vista, Calif. — Vista Irrigation District board of directors elected Patrick Sanchez as its president and Marty Miller as its vice-president for 2021 at its annual organizational meeting. Sanchez has served on the board since March 2017. This will be the first time he has led the board since being elected. Sanchez represents division 4, […]

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Otay Water District Board Elects Tim Smith as 2021 Board President

Spring Valley, Calif. – At its December meeting, the Otay Water District Board of Directors elected new officers to lead the District’s Board for 2021. The board elected board member Tim Smith, who represents division 1, as president. The board also elected board member Mark Robak, serving division 5, as vice president and Jose Lopez, […]

Mona Rios Appointed to Sweetwater Authority Governing Board

Mona Rios was appointed to serve on the Sweetwater Authority Governing Board. Her appointment was made official at the City of National City Council meeting on Tuesday, December 15.

Mona Rios Elected Vice Chair of Water Authority Board

December 11, 2020 – The San Diego County Water Authority’s Board of Directors on Thursday elected Mona Rios as vice chair to serve with Board Chair Gary Croucher and Secretary Jerry Butkiewicz. She is the first Latina to serve as a Board officer in the Water Authority’s 76-year history. Rios joined the Water Authority Board […]

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Helix Water District Board Elects Officers for 2021

At a December 9, 2020 meeting, the Helix Water District Board of Directors elected Director Joel Scalzitti to serve as board president in 2021 and Director Kathleen Coates Hedberg to serve as the board’s vice president. Scalzitti was elected to the board in 2012 and represents Helix’s division 5, which extends from El Cajon to […]

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OMWD’s Financial Reporting is Spotless According to Recent Audit

Encinitas, Calif. — At its December 9 meeting, Olivenhain Municipal Water District’s Board of Directors were presented the 2019 – 2020 Comprehensive Annual Financial Report, which received a clean bill of health from the independent audit of OMWD financial statements for the previous fiscal year.

Newly Elected and Reelected Sweetwater Authority Board Members Sworn in for Four-Year Terms; New Chair and Vice Chair Appointed

At the December 9 Sweetwater Authority Governing Board meeting, Josie Calderon-Scott, Paulina Martinez-Perez and Jose Preciado were sworn into their four-year terms as Directors. At the same meeting, the Authority’s Governing Board appointed Director Hector Martinez as Board Chair and Director Alejandra Sotelo-Solis as Vice Chair for 2021 term.