Agency News

News from the Water Authority and its 24 member agencies.

Recent Water Transfers from Loveland Reservoir Provide Ecological Benefit

Chula Vista, Calif. – In fall 2022 and winter 2023, Sweetwater Authority transferred storage water from Loveland Reservoir to Sweetwater Reservoir to meet customer drinking water needs. Years of prolong drought conditions created a need to transfer the water to Sweetwater Reservoir, where it can be treated and distributed to Authority customers at a lower […]

San Diego County Water Authority And its 24 Member Agencies

Water Authority Sues to Stop Imminent, Illegal Water Rate Increase

Litigation aims to protect ratepayers from ‘LAFCO tax’ while seeking out-of-court settlement     August 21, 2023 – The San Diego County Water Authority today filed suit against the San Diego Local Agency Formation Commission, or LAFCO, to protect the environment and to stop an imminent and illegal rate increase from harming farmers, working families, small businesses, […]

Loveland Reservoir Expected to Spill Early Next Week Due to Tropical Storm, Flooding in Area Likely

Residents in the Sweetwater River flood-plain asked to prepare in order to reduce possibility of damage to property Chula Vista, Calif. – Due to expected heavy rainfall from tropical storm Hilary, Sweetwater Authority expects unplanned water releases, or spills, from Loveland Reservoir in Alpine, California may occur early next week. These potential unplanned water releases, […]

Helix Water District Logo Square officers for 2021

Helix Recognized for Excellence in Financial Reporting

The Government Finance Officers Association (GFOA) announced that Helix Water District received a Certificate of Achievement for Excellence in Financial Reporting for its fiscal year 2021-22 Annual Comprehensive Financial Report. The district’s Annual Comprehensive Financial Report communicates the district’s finances after the fiscal year closes on June 30. The Certificate of Achievement recognizes the district’s […]

Robinson Tank-Ramona Municipal Water District-public service

Robinson Tank “R” Project Completed

On November 8, 2022, the Ramona Municipal Water District Board of Directors unanimously approved a resolution renaming Improvement District No. 5 (ID-5) tank to Robinson Tank to recognize retiring Director Jim Robinson’s 20-year service to the community. Director Robinson served on the water board from 1994 to 2010 and from 2018 to 2022. He added […]

August Caires-Padre Dam Muncipal Water District-August A. Caires

Padre Dam Board Vice President August A. Caires

Padre Dam Municipal Water District Board Vice President August Caires died August 2 from pancreatic cancer. He was 76 years old. “Augie served this District and his community with outstanding distinction for nearly 30 years. He was a good friend and colleague to many of us,” said Padre Dam Board President Bill Pommering. “He will […]

Vista Irrigation District Logo

Vista Irrigation District Receives National Award for Financial Reporting

Vista, Calif. — Vista Irrigation District has been presented with the Certificate of Achievement for Excellence in Financial Reporting by the Government Finance Officers Association of the United States and Canada (GFOA) for its annual comprehensive financial report (ACFR) for fiscal year ending June 30, 2022. This certificate is the only national award for public […]

Helix Water District Logo Square officers for 2021

Helix Water District Named Water Energy Leader Gold

The Climate Registry has recognized Helix Water District as a Water-Energy Leader Gold organization after the district reduced its electric use by 15% and greenhouse gas emissions by 40%. The Climate Registry made the announcement this month after the University of San Diego’s Energy Policy Initiative Center confirmed the district’s 2019 and 2021 total greenhouse […]

Vista Irrigation District Logo

Vista Irrigation District Announces WaterSmart Landscape Contest Winner

Vista, Calif. — The Vista Irrigation District board of directors recognized Diane Krupnak as the district’s 2023 WaterSmart Landscape Contest winner. 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.

Sweetwater Authority Welcomes Roberto Yano as Assistant General Manager

Chula Vista, Calif.  – Sweetwater Authority has brought on Roberto Yano as the agency’s new Assistant General Manager. With 30 years of experience in public works, engineering and leadership at the City of Chula Vista and the City of National City, Yano brings a wealth of relevant knowledge and expertise to the Authority.

Olivenhain Municipal Water District Logo landscape design workshops

WaterSmart Landscape Makeover Workshop to be Held August 1

Encinitas, Calif. — Olivenhain Municipal Water District, San Dieguito Water District, Santa Fe Irrigation District, City of Encinitas, and San Diego County Water Authority are offering a free WaterSmart landscape makeover workshop to assist residents in selecting climate-appropriate plants for their landscapes. The workshop will be held on Tuesday, August 1, from 5:30 p.m. to […]

Sweetwater Authority’s Work for Water Scholarship Supports Careers in the Water Industry

Chula Vista, Calif. – Sweetwater Authority’s Work for Water Scholarship provides funding for people who are interested in pursuing a career in the water industry. The 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 the Center for Water Studies […]

San Diego County Water Authority And its 24 Member Agencies

Neena Kuzmich Named Director of Engineering

July 12, 2023 – Neena Kuzmich has been appointed director of engineering for the San Diego County Water Authority – the first woman to lead the Engineering Department since the agency’s formation in 1944. Kuzmich brings more than 25 years of experience as a civil engineer to fill the position vacated by the retirement of […]

Water Authority Responds to LAFCO Commission Vote on Detachment

July 10, 2023 – Mel Katz, chair of the San Diego County Water Authority’s Board of Directors, issued the following statement in response to today’s decision by the San Diego County Local Area Formation Commission (LAFCO) regarding the proposed detachment of two water agencies from the Water Authority. “Today’s unprecedented decision by San Diego LAFCO […]

WaterSmart Landscape Contest Winner Saves Water, Adds Beauty to National City Home

Chula Vista, Calif. – At its meeting on June 28, Sweetwater Authority named Catalina Schultz of National City this year’s winner of the WaterSmart Landscape Contest. Schultz’s landscape demonstrates how homeowners can create a beautiful, California friendly landscape using less water.