Agency News

News from the Water Authority and its 24 member agencies.

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.

San Diego County Water Authority And its 24 Member Agencies

LAFCO Decision Could Raise Region’s Water Bills by Nearly $200 Million

Updated figures released today show that disadvantaged communities, working families, farmers, and others across San Diego County will be forced to pay nearly $200 million more over the next decade for water service unless agencies seeking to leave the Water Authority are required to fully cover their costs. On July 10, the San Diego Local […]

Sweetwater Authority Approves $66.9M Budget for Fiscal Year 2023-24, Prioritizing Process Improvements and Water Supply Development

Chula Vista, Calif. – At its meeting on June 28, the Sweetwater Authority Governing Board approved a $66.9 million budget for fiscal year 2023-24. The budget allocation highlights the Authority’s commitment to maintaining a reliable and efficient water system, while responding to inflationary pressures, including significant increases in electricity, chemical, and San Diego County Water […]

San Diego County Water Authority And its 24 Member Agencies

Water Authority General Manager Sandra L. Kerl Retires

San Diego County Water Authority General Manager Sandra L. Kerl retires today after more than 40 years of public service, with Deputy General Manager Dan Denham taking over as acting GM until the Board of Directors permanently fills the position. Kerl’s tenure at the Water Authority included 10 years as deputy general manager and four […]

Olivenhain Municipal Water District Logo landscape design workshops

OMWD Board Recognizes Winner of 2023 WaterSmart Landscape Contest

Encinitas, Calif. — At its June 21 meeting, Olivenhain Municipal Water District’s Board of Directors honored Brad Lefkowits as winner of its annual contest designed to inspire attractive landscape transformations that reduce outdoor water use.

Olivenhain Municipal Water District Logo landscape design workshops

Seven Local Photographers Honored for Their Images of Elfin Forest Recreational Reserve

Encinitas, Calif. — At its June 21 meeting, Olivenhain Municipal Water District’s Board of Directors recognized seven photographers for their winning images in the sixteenth annual Elfin Forest Recreational Reserve photo contest. The contest offers amateur photographers an opportunity to connect viewers with wildlife and the outdoors. Submissions support EFRR efforts to protect wildlife and […]

San Diego County Water Authority And its 24 Member Agencies

Water Authority Board Approves 2024 Wholesale Rates After Public Hearing

The San Diego County Water Authority Board of Directors today approved wholesale water rates for 2024 following a public hearing and approved the recommended budget for the next two fiscal years. The budget and rates support continued work on numerous agency priorities, including capital projects critical for maintaining safe and reliable water supplies. “The Board […]

San Diego County Water Authority And its 24 Member Agencies

Water Authority Board Holds Public Hearing on 2024 Wholesale Water Rates

June 15, 2023 – On June 22, the San Diego County Water Authority Board of Directors will hold a public hearing about proposed wholesale water rates for 2024, followed by votes on the rate proposal and the recommended budget for the next two fiscal years. The Water Authority Board is seeking to manage cost increases […]

Helix Water District Logo Square officers for 2021

Helix Water District Awarded $10.3 Million Grant

June 8, 2023 – California’s Department of Water Resources announced that it has awarded Helix Water District $10.3 million in grant funds for the district’s drought resilience and drinking water supply reliability project. Helix was one of 26 California agencies, and the only San Diego County agency, to receive a portion of the $217 million […]

Local Elementary School Students Show Water Conservation and Environmental Stewardship Through Art

Chula Vista, Calif. – Last week Sweetwater Authority selected 10 local elementary school students as winners of the “Being Water Wise Is…” Poster Contest. The annual contest is open to K-6th graders in the Authority’s service area, and encourages the students to think about the importance of water in their everyday lives, and how they […]

Olivenhain Municipal Water District Logo landscape design workshops

OMWD Receives 2023 Environmental Excellence Award from Industrial Environmental Association

Encinitas, Calif. — Olivenhain Municipal Water District was recognized today by the Industrial Environmental Association as one of three winners of the 2023 Environmental Excellence Awards. The awards event was held at the San Diego Convention Center during the 2023 Environmental Training Symposium and Conference, and recognizes OMWD’s Recycled Water Pipeline Extension 153A Project. The […]

San Diego County Water Authority And its 24 Member Agencies

Assembly Bill Would Protect Water Ratepayers Across County

May 25, 2023 –  The San Diego County Water Authority’s Board of Directors today voted to support Assembly Bill 530, which would ensure ratepayer protections when water districts separate. The bill was authored by Assemblymember Tasha Boerner of Encinitas and sponsored by the City of San Diego. It seeks to amend California’s County Water Authority […]

San Diego County Water Authority And its 24 Member Agencies

Thanks for Planting Me! ‘Spokesplants’ Promote Landscape Transformation

May 25, 2023 – The San Diego County Water Authority is launching a public outreach and education campaign this summer to encourage wider adoption of sustainable landscapes that are more suitable for the region’s Mediterranean climate. The “Thanks for Planting Me!” campaign offers gratitude to the hundreds of thousands of San Diegans who are using […]

Otay Water District Logo

Otay Water District Announces New Theme for Annual Student Poster Contest

Spring Valley, Calif. – Students in kindergarten through 12th grade are invited to unleash their creativity in the Otay Water District’s annual Student Poster Contest. This year’s theme is “being water wise is…” Otay’s annual educational program encourages students to create a poster demonstrating their water awareness. Water conservation or stewardship should be reflected in the […]

San Diego County Water Authority And its 24 Member Agencies

Water Authority Issues Statement on Consensus-Based Plan for the Colorado River

May 22, 2023 – San Diego County Water Authority General Manager Sandra L. Kerl today issued the following statement regarding a new consensus-based plan to conserve water on the Colorado River: “Today, the Lower Colorado River Basin states, California, Arizona, and Nevada, provided the U.S. Bureau of Reclamation with a plan to conserve up to […]