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.
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 […]
Water Authority Kicks Off 2023 Water Facilities Master Plan Update
/in Facilities & Operations, News /by Ed JoyceThe San Diego County Water Authority has begun crafting its 2023 Water Facilities Master Plan Update and will advertise for professional service support in early November following an update last week to the Board of Directors. The plan, updated every 10 years, will lay out strategies to optimize Water Authority facilities to serve the region […]
Joint Project By Olivenhain MWD and City of Encinitas Reaches Final Phase
/in Facilities & Operations, News /by Gayle FalkenthalThe El Camino Real Potable Water Pipeline Replacement and Green Bike Lane Striping Project has reached its final stage. After the Olivenhain Municipal Water District Board approved filing of a notice of completion for the pipeline portion of the project, the City of Encinitas will finish restoring the street and complete new bike lane striping. […]
Desal Plant Operations Continue; Protective Boom Installed at Lagoon
/in Facilities & Operations, News /by Ed Joyce(Editor’s note: As of Friday, October 8, the Carlsbad Desalination Plant continues operating at full production with no indication of oil in the feed water. As a precautionary measure, protective booms have been placed at several locations in the Aqua Hedionda Lagoon, including in front of the desalination plant intake). Poseidon Water and the San […]
Request for Proposals Issued to Develop San Vicente Energy Storage Facility
/in Facilities & Operations, News /by Ed JoyceSan Diego County Water Authority this week issued a formal Request for Proposals seeking a full-service private partner capable of developing a large-scale pumped energy storage project planned jointly by the Water Authority and the City of San Diego. Proposals are due by 2 p.m. Nov. 3, and details such as how to file are […]
Water Infrastructure Project to Begin in Poway
/in Facilities & Operations, News /by Ed JoyceConstruction will start soon on the first of three projects to increase the reliability of drinking water for Poway water customers now and generations to come. Two water storage tanks will be built as part of a temporary bypass project. During construction access to some amenities at Lake Poway will be impacted. The ballfield at […]
San Vicente Energy Storage Facility Powers Ahead with $18M Boost
/in Facilities & Operations, News /by Ed JoyceA large-scale renewable energy project proposed jointly by the City of San Diego and the San Diego County Water Authority received $18 million in the state budget signed this week by Gov. Gavin Newsom, enough to advance the San Vicente Energy Storage Facility through initial design, environmental reviews, and the federal licensing process. The San […]
Water Project in Mission Trails Park More Than 50% Complete
/in Facilities & Operations, News /by Kristiene GongThe San Diego County Water Authority’s Mission Trails FRS II water project is now more than halfway complete. The project will upgrade the Water Authority’s untreated water system in Mission Trails Regional Park. When finished in 2022, the upgrades will provide more reliable water delivery to treatment plants that serve the central and south sections […]
Sweetwater Reservoir Now Open on Fridays for Public Use
/in Facilities & Operations, News /by Ed JoyceThe Sweetwater Authority has added another day for the public to enjoy activities at the Sweetwater Reservoir in Spring Valley. Previously open Saturdays through Mondays, the Authority expanded operations to include Fridays to give residents more opportunities to get outside and experience nature this summer. Starting Friday, July 2, Sweetwater Reservoir will be open so […]
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 […]