Facilities and Operations
News on the processes, people, and places working to deliver a safe and reliable wholesale water supply to the San Diego region’s 24 member water agencies.
The Water News Network is San Diego County’s source for water news and information.
Vintage Water Pipeline Now at Bonita Museum
/in Facilities & Operations, News /by Ed JoyceA key piece of water infrastructure – a steel pipe that delivered water to residents of San Diego County – is now on display at the Bonita Museum & Cultural Center. Earlier this year, the Sweetwater Authority completed the replacement of its 36-inch transmission main in the Bonita Valley area. Portions of the large critical […]
Vallecitos Water District Taps Tech for Pipeline Inspection
/in Facilities & Operations, News /by Gayle FalkenthalThe Vallecitos Water District is using a specialized camera and sonar to evaluate the condition of a sewer pipeline between San Marcos and Carlsbad. The Land Outfall West pipeline is a large sewer line that stretches from El Camino Real to the Encina Water Pollution Control Facility in Carlsbad. Originally installed in 1986, an evaluation […]
San Marcos Interceptor Project Ready for Phase 2 Summer Start
/in Facilities & Operations, News /by Gayle FalkenthalThe San Marcos Interceptor Replacement Project remains on schedule, with Phases 1 and 1A completed according to the Vallecitos Water District. The project replaces the District’s 1960s era 21-inch diameter sewer interceptor with more than 12,000-feet of 42-inch diameter sewer pipeline between Twin Oaks Valley Road and Pacific Street. The Interceptor is a large trunk […]
Water Authority Recommends 0% Change in Next Two-Year Budget
/in Facilities & Operations, News /by Ed JoyceThe San Diego County Water Authority’s general manager today recommended to the Board of Directors a $1.7 billion budget for fiscal years 2022 and 2023 – a 0% change from the current two-year budget – due to the agency’s continuing commitment to cost control. Water Authority staff also proposed increasing rates and charges for member […]
Pure Water Oceanside’s New Virtual Reality Video
/in Facilities & Operations, News /by Ed JoyceTo celebrate Water Awareness Month in May and highlight the value of water, the City of Oceanside has unveiled its new virtual reality video tour. The 360-degree video shows the water recycling process that prepares water for Pure Water Oceanside. The advanced water purification project will create a new local source of high-quality drinking water […]
Value of Water: Mission Trails FRS II
/in Facilities & Operations, News /by Ed JoyceWhat does project do? The Mission Trails Flow Regulatory Structure II Project, or FRS II, will be an underground concrete water tank in Mission Trails Regional Park that will store slightly less than five million gallons of water and be used to balance flows in the aqueduct system. FRS II will be the second underground […]
Watershed Survey Helps Maintain San Diego Regional Water Quality
/in Facilities & Operations, News /by Gayle FalkenthalThe City of San Diego Public Utilities Department conducts regular surveys of its watersheds to monitor and maintain high water quality within those watersheds. The City recently released its 2020 Watershed Sanitary Survey. Conducted and issued every five years since 1996 as required by California law, the report identifies actual or potential causes of local […]
Sweetwater Authority Reservoirs Provide Safe Public Recreation
/in Facilities & Operations, News /by Gayle FalkenthalOne year into the coronavirus pandemic, San Diego County’s reservoirs and lakes have provided welcome opportunities for safe, accessible outdoor family recreation. After shutting down in March 2020, facilities began to slowly reopen through the summer months by carefully implementing safety guidelines, including increased sanitation, social distancing, and restricted attendance to allow San Diegans to […]
Over $2.7 Million in Federal Grants Awarded to San Diego Water Agencies
/in Facilities & Operations, News /by Ed JoyceThe U.S. Bureau of Reclamation has awarded three San Diego County water agencies a total of $2,788,500 in 2021 WaterSMART Water and Energy Efficiency Grants. A total of $42.4 million in grants was given to 55 projects across 13 states to improve water reliability and efficiency, conserving more 98,000 acre-feet of water per year. “The […]
Credit Agencies Affirm Water Authority’s Strong Ratings Despite Headwinds
/in Facilities & Operations, News /by Ed JoyceAll three major rating agencies – S&P, Moody’s, and Fitch – have affirmed the San Diego County Water Authority’s strong credit ratings, which will help the Water Authority optimize its debt portfolio and minimize the cost of financing important water reliability projects. The reports cited the Water Authority’s strategic management, its conservative approach to water […]
Volunteers Offer Birds Eye View at South Lake Reservoir
/in Facilities & Operations, Features /by Gayle FalkenthalFor decades, it was a source of drinking water for the San Marcos area. Today, the South Lake Reservoir has new life as a local wildlife habitat. South Lake was built with an earthen dam and provided drinking water to the Lake San Marcos area, most of downtown San Marcos, and the Coronado Hills area. […]
Water Main Breaks Decline in San Diego for Fourth Year in a Row
/in Facilities & Operations, News /by Gayle FalkenthalIncreased maintenance efforts by the City of San Diego of its water system infrastructure is paying off for ratepayers. For the fourth year in a row, the number of water main breaks has decreased in the City of San Diego. Thirty-three water main breaks were reported in 2020, the lowest total in more than 15 […]
Helix Water District Demonstration Landscape Blossoms
/in Facilities & Operations, News /by Ed JoyceThe plants are thriving at Helix Water District’s demonstration landscape just eight months after the project was completed. The WaterSmart plants at the District’s administration office in La Mesa beautify the neighorhood while inspiring people to install sustainable, WaterSmart landscaping. “Everything is growing in beautifully,” said Helix Water District General Manager Carlos Lugo. “We started […]
Vallecitos Water District Valve Maintenance Program Ensures Reliable Service
/in Facilities & Operations, News /by Gayle FalkenthalJust as owners perform routine maintenance to keep their cars running smoothly, water systems need regular maintenance to provide reliable service. The Vallecitos Water District’s Valve Maintenance Program ensures these vital components in its water distribution remain in good working condition throughout the District. Valves left without proper maintenance for long periods can become a […]
Major Rehabilitation of First Aqueduct Complete
/in Facilities & Operations, News /by Kristiene GongThe 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 in 1947 and remains […]