Agency News

News from the Water Authority and its 24 member agencies.

Sweetwater Authority Wins Statewide Award for Hydro Station Education Experience

Chula Vista, Calif. – On Wednesday, July 22, the Sweetwater Authority (Authority) Governing Board was presented with the California Association of Public Information Officials (CAPIO) Award of Distinction for excellence in public information and communications. The Authority received the award earlier this month for its innovative communication for the Hydro Station Education Experience.

Water Agencies Warn of Threatening Calls by Scam Artists

Water agency customers in several San Diego County communities have received scam phone calls this week demanding immediate payment of water bills by credit card or their water will be turned off. Don’t be fooled! Hang up. Public water agencies in San Diego County do not make phone threats for immediate credit card payment. In […]

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Olivenhain Municipal Water District Continues to Expand Recycled Water Use 

Seagate Village Homeowner Association in Encinitas Now Irrigating with Recycled Water Encinitas, Calif. — Olivenhain Municipal Water District began supplying locally produced recycled water to the Seagate Village Homeowner Association in Encinitas today. By converting to recycled water, the HOA will offset imported potable demand by about 9.5 acre-feet annually, or nearly 3.1 million gallons, […]

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Helix Water District’s Demonstration Landscape is Complete

Helix Water District’s new demonstration landscape, located at its administration office in La Mesa, is complete. The project beautifies the neighborhood and inspires others to install WaterSmart landscaping.

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Vista Irrigation District Announces WaterSmart Landscape Contest Winners

Vista, Calif. — The Vista Irrigation District board of directors recognized customers for their entries in the district’s WaterSmart Landscape Contest. The annual contest recognizes outstanding water-wise residential landscapes based on the criteria of overall attractiveness, appropriate plant selection, design, appropriate maintenance, and efficient methods of irrigation. Robin and Mike Zeigler received the “Best in […]

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East County Advanced Water Purification Program Receives $86 Million in Funding from Metropolitan Water District’s Local Resources Program

July 15, 2020, Santee, Calif. – The Metropolitan Water District of Southern California’s Board of Directors recently approved the East County Advanced Water Purification Program for its Local Resources Program, providing approximately $86 million in funding for this important water supply project.

State Awards $15 Million for San Diego Regional Water Projects

July 8, 2020 – The California Department of Water Resources has awarded more than $15 million in grant funds to advance several regional water projects in San Diego County, ranging from water recycling and reuse to water conservation.

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North County Agencies Secure $2.8 Million for Recycled Water Projects

Encinitas, Calif. — The California Department of Water Resources approved a grant package that will provide $2.8 million in state grant funding to three North County water and wastewater agencies to expand and upgrade recycled water infrastructure.

Water Districts Work Together to Save Ratepayers Money

Encinitas, Calif. — Olivenhain Municipal Water District and Vallecitos Water District have entered into an agreement that will allow for cooperative use of Vallecitos’ Double Peak Reservoir site in San Marcos. The arrangement is expected to save OMWD ratepayers over $100,000.

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Strategic Steps Minimize Water Rates for 2021

Following a public hearing, the San Diego County Water Authority’s Board of Directors today adopted rate increases for 2021 that are 30% lower than proposed last month following a series of refinements by staff. In addition, the Board directed staff to return in September or October with any further opportunities to reduce the 2021 rate […]

Sweetwater Authority Board Approves $64M Budget for Fiscal Year 2020-21, No Rate Increase

The Sweetwater Authority Governing Board approved the budget for fiscal year 2020-21 at its June 24, 2020 meeting. The budget does not increase water rates for customers and reflects more than $13M in reductions over last fiscal year. To achieve these savings, the Board worked closely with Authority staff to produce a balanced budget that […]

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Olivenhain Municipal Water District and County of San Diego Department of Parks and Recreation Partnership Receives State Recognition

County Named Recycled Water Customer of the Year  Encinitas, Calif. — The WateReuse Association of California recognized County of San Diego Department of Parks and Recreation as a 2020 Recycled Water Customer of the Year today. The award was presented at WateReuse’s first virtual conference. Olivenhain Municipal Water District nominated the County for its dedication […]

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Fitch Reaffirms OMWD’s “AAA” Bond Rating

Encinitas, Calif. — At Olivenhain Municipal Water District’s June 17 board meeting, OMWD staff notified its Board of Directors that Fitch Ratings, a global rating agency that offers independent credit opinions, has reaffirmed the district’s “AAA” bond rating with a stable outlook. AAA is the highest possible rating assigned by Fitch, and OMWD is one […]

Sweetwater Authority Expands Contract Opportunities for Local Businesses, Vendors

Doing business with Sweetwater Authority is easier than ever for local companies, thanks to revisions in the water agency’s procurement policy recently approved by its Governing Board. The revised policy created a preferential purchasing program for local businesses and directed agency staff to engage the local vendor community through a newly created vendor webpage and […]

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OMWD Announces Virtual Neighborhood Meeting on June 11 about Pipeline Project along Encinitas Boulevard and Manchester Avenue

Encinitas, Calif. — The public is invited to attend a virtual public meeting via Zoom on June 11 to learn about the potable water pipeline project that Olivenhain Municipal Water District will begin in fall 2020 at the intersection of Rancho Santa Fe Road and Encinitas Blvd.