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.
Hauck Mesa Storage Reservoir Moving to Completion
/in Facilities & Operations, News /by Kimberlyn VelasquezThe San Diego County Water Authority Hauck Mesa Storage Reservoir project in North San Diego County reached a major milestone in late April when crews poured the concrete roof of the new prestressed concrete water tank. The major construction project, which began in March 2021, will improve drinking water supply reliability for the county. The […]
Stable Renewable Energy Prices Locked In by Helix Water District
/in Facilities & Operations, News /by Gayle FalkenthalProactive efforts by the Helix Water District have saved thousands of dollars per year in the district’s energy costs, and are helping it transition to renewable energy. Helix buys most of its electricity through the State of California’s Direct Access Program and the electric service provider it contracts with, Calpine Energy Solutions. Helix has worked […]
City of San Diego Celebrates Barrett Reservoir 100 Year Anniversary
/in Facilities & Operations, News /by Gayle FalkenthalBarrett Reservoir marks its first century of service, playing an important role in the City of San Diego’s water supply system. Barrett is one of nine reservoirs that make up part of the City’s vast water system. Fishing season opens at the reservoir on May 4. “For 100 years, Barrett Reservoir has served as an […]
New Water Tank in Mission Trails Nearly Complete and Will Soon Disappear
/in Facilities & Operations, News /by Kristiene GongConstruction of the new Flow Regulatory Structure II, or FRS II, in Mission Trails Regional Park is nearing completion. The structure is now completely enclosed on all sides and was successfully tested. Construction crews have started placing soil around the exterior walls to begin burying the structure. In the next three weeks, the roof will […]
Repair Work on Hodges Dam to Begin
/in Facilities & Operations, News /by Gayle FalkenthalAs part of continuing efforts to maintain and invest in City of San Diego infrastructure, repair work starts within the next two weeks on Hodges Dam, at the Hodges Reservoir north of Rancho Bernardo. “It’s been over a century since Hodges Dam was constructed, and we are making significant investments to maintain this vital asset,” […]
Manchester Avenue Potable Water Pipeline Replacement Project Completed
/in Facilities & Operations, News /by Gayle FalkenthalThe Olivenhain Municipal Water District recently completed the Manchester Avenue Potable Water Pipeline Project. In total, 3,700 linear feet of aged potable water pipeline was replaced along Manchester Avenue, Rancho Santa Fe Road and Encinitas Boulevard. The pipelines previously serving water in this area were installed in 1961 and were approaching the end of their […]
Asset Management: Successful Pipeline Repair 4 Project in San Diego
/in Facilities & Operations, News /by Ed JoyceTens of millions of gallons of water are flowing through a major pipeline in North San Diego County after successful repairs on a distressed section of Pipeline 4. The urgent repair project is a testament to the San Diego County Water Authority’s proactive Asset Management Program, which helps maintain water supply reliability while saving ratepayers […]
Successful Pipeline 4 Repair Saves San Diego County Ratepayers Money
/in Facilities & Operations, News /by Ed JoyceTens of millions of gallons of water will soon be flowing again through a major pipeline in North San Diego County following successful repairs on a distressed section of Pipeline 4 near Bonsall. San Diego County Water Authority staff detected potential pipeline weaknesses just north of West Lilac Road in late January using real-time acoustic fiber-optic […]
Proactive Pipeline Repair Maintains Water Supply Reliability, Affordability
/in Facilities & Operations, News /by Ed JoyceThe San Diego County Water Authority is proactively fixing a 90-inch diameter pipeline in Bonsall. The work is part of the agency’s long-term commitment to maintaining regional investments in water supply reliability and affordability. Water Authority staff detected potential pipeline weaknesses just north of West Lilac Road in late January using real-time acoustic fiber-optic monitoring. This […]
Otay Water District Invests in Preventive System Maintenance
/in Facilities & Operations, News /by Gayle FalkenthalAs part of its preventive maintenance program to safeguard its water supply and reduce water loss, the Otay Water District is conducting leak inspections of its pipeline system. Leak detection and repair programs save water by ensuring water system integrity. The District uses state-of-the-art equipment to inspect its water distribution system for leaks in pipelines, […]
San Vicente Potential Energy Storage Facility Project Moves Ahead
/in Facilities & Operations, News /by Ed JoyceAs partners, the City of San Diego and the San Diego County Water Authority will begin negotiations on a project development agreement with the BHE Kiewit Team to develop Phase 1 of the potential San Vicente Energy Storage Facility Project, which could generate enough energy for about 135,000 households. The proposed project is subject to a full environmental […]
Training Preps North County Firefighters for Confined Space Rescues
/in Facilities & Operations, News /by Gayle FalkenthalNorth San Diego County fire agencies teamed up with Olivenhain Municipal Water District in early December for confined space training drills. The drills prepare firefighting professionals to respond to emergencies in facilities such as water or wastewater treatment plants and are required to maintain their confined space certification. This year, training took place in one […]
Manchester Avenue Pipeline Replacement Project Underway in Encinitas
/in Facilities & Operations, News /by Gayle FalkenthalWork is progressing toward completion on the first of two pipeline replacement projects in Encinitas by Olivenhain Municipal Water District. Replacement of an existing drinking water pipeline is wrapping up at Rancho Santa Fe Road and Encinitas Boulevard, with completion expected in early 2022. The original pipeline was installed in 1961 and was approaching the […]
Trout Season Opens at Lake Jennings
/in Facilities & Operations, News /by Gayle FalkenthalThe 2021 trout season opened Nov. 19 at Lake Jennings, the Helix Water District reservoir in Lakeside. The lake is one of San Diego County’s hot spots for trout fishing, ranked second in the county by SDFish.com. The first delivery of 2,000 pounds of trout traveled 913 miles from Idaho in an oxygenated truck to […]
Water Authority Completes Pipeline 3 Relining in Mission Trails Regional Park
/in Facilities & Operations, News /by Kristiene GongSan Diego County Water Authority Operations and Maintenance staff recently completed a complex relining project on a section of Pipeline 3 in central San Diego, within Mission Trails Regional Park. Pipeline 3 traverses the western portion of the region from the Riverside County border in the north to Lower Otay Reservoir in the south. Large-diameter […]