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Long term drought and dwindling Colorado River supplies have Phoenix urgently pursuing highly treated recycled sewage as a drinking water supply. Photo: Wikimedia Commons

Colorado River Shortages Drive Major Advances in Recycled Sewage Water Use

After more than two decades of drought, water utilities serving the largest urban regions in the arid Southwest are embracing a drought-proof source of drinking water long considered a supply of last resort: purified sewage. Water supplies have tightened to the point that Phoenix and the water supplier for 19 million Southern California residents are […]

Top (L to R): Mel Katz, chair SDCWA Board; Jim Madaffer, Vice Chair Colorado River Board of CA and SDCWA Board member; Gloria Cordero, MWD’s representative to the Colorado River Board; Adan Ortega, chair MWD Board; J.B. Hamby, Chair Colorado River Board of CA. Bottom (L To R): Dan Denham, SDCWA General Manager; Camille Touton, Commissioner of the U.S. Bureau of Reclamation; Adel Hagekhalil, MWD General Manager; Jamie Asbury, Imperial Irrigation District General Manager. Photo: San Diego County Water Authority

Historic Agreement Signed To Protect The Colorado River  

The San Diego County Water Authority today joined the Imperial Irrigation District, Metropolitan Water District of Southern California, Fort Yuma Quechan Indian Tribe, Palo Verde Irrigation District, Coachella Valley Water District, and the United States Bureau of Reclamation in signing a historic agreement to protect the Colorado River Basin. It is the first in a […]

Padre Dam Municipal Water District Files Lawsuit Against Grossmont-Cuyamaca Community College District Over Required Water System Upgrades

SANTEE – Padre Dam Municipal Water District (Padre Dam) has filed a lawsuit against Grossmont-Cuyamaca Community College District (Grossmont) in California Superior Court – San Diego aimed at resolving a dispute over necessary water system upgrades on the Grossmont college campus and transferring ownership of the water system to Grossmont.

Vallecitos Water District Board of Directors (left to right): President Tiffany Boyd-Hodgson, District 5; Vice President Jim Pennock, District 1: Director Erik A. Groset, Division 4; Director Jim Hernandez, Division 2; Director Craig Elitharp, Division 3. Photo: Vallecitos Water District

Boyd-Hodgson Named 2024 Vallecitos Board President

The Vallecitos Water District Board of Directors selected its leadership for 2024 at its December board meeting. Dr. Tiffany Boyd-Hodgson was selected to serve as president. Boyd-Hodgson represents Division 5 which includes San Elijo Hills, Discovery Lake, and part of Lake San Marcos. She is a neuroscientist by training and mother of four. Boyd-Hodgson’s priorities […]

A new landmark agreement led by the San Diego County Water Authority will provide regional water solutions which include storing water in Lake Mead. Photo: National Park Service

Landmark Water Exchange Agreement Saves Water and Costs  

A new landmark water exchange agreement will increase water levels in Lake Mead, fight upward pressure on wholesale water rates, and create a new template for water management in the arid West. The one-year agreement was announced on Friday, December 1 by the San Diego County Water Authority. The agreement is supported by the U.S. […]

Vallecitos District Logo

James Gumpel Appointed General Manager of the Vallecitos Water District Beginning January 1, 2024

San Marcos, CA – At the board meeting last night, the Vallecitos Water District (VWD) Board of Directors voted unanimously to appoint James Gumpel as General Manager beginning January 1, 2024.  

Olivenhain Municipal Water District Logo landscape design workshops

Olivenhain Municipal Water District Honors 2023 “Pure Excellence” Award Winners

Encinitas, Calif. —At its November 15 board meeting, Olivenhain Municipal Water District recognized several community members with “Pure Excellence” awards for making a positive impact in the community in 2023. The winners—Congressman Scott Peters, MiraCosta College, California Landscape Technologies, BCK Programs, and Rich Reimer—were acknowledged for advancing water use efficiency and protecting the natural environment. […]

Olivenhain Municipal Water District Logo landscape design workshops

Elfin Forest Recreational Reserve Launches 17th Annual Amateur Photography Contest

Encinitas, Calif. — Olivenhain Municipal Water District invites amateur photographers of all ages to its Elfin Forest Recreational Reserve for the seventeenth annual amateur photography contest that will run from November 18, 2023, through April 21, 2024. “For seventeen years, our contest has prompted visitors to capture Elfin Forest Recreational Reserve’s stunning beauty from their […]

San Diego County Water Authority And its 24 Member Agencies

Money Still Available for Low-Income Water Customers in San Diego County

Millions of dollars in federal aid are still available for low-income water customers in San Diego County to cover overdue residential water and wastewater bills. The San Diego County Water Authority helped secure the federal funds — and the deadline for applications has been extended to March 31, 2024. The Low-Income Household Water Assistance Program […]

Low-income-household water bills-federal assistance

Money Still Available for Low-Income Water Customers in San Diego County

Millions of dollars in federal aid are still available for low-income water customers in San Diego County to cover overdue residential water and wastewater bills. The San Diego County Water Authority helped secure the federal funds — and the deadline for applications has been extended to March 31, 2024. The Low-Income Household Water Assistance Program […]

Reclamation-Colorado River-Lake Powell-Lake Mead-conservation

Next Steps to Protect Stability and Sustainability of Colorado River Basin

The Biden-Harris administration October 25 announced next steps in the efforts to protect the stability and sustainability of the Colorado River System and strengthen water security in the West. The Department of the Interior’s Bureau of Reclamation released a revised draft Supplemental Environmental Impact Statement (SEIS) as part of the ongoing, collaborative effort to update the […]

San Diego County Water Authority And its 24 Member Agencies

Jeff Stephenson Named Director of Water Resources

October 24, 2023 – Jeff Stephenson has been appointed director of water resources for the San Diego County Water Authority, where he leads the department responsible for regional water supply planning and long-term facilities planning. Stephenson brings more than 27 years of experience at the Water Authority to fill the position vacated by the department’s […]

Water Year 2023-Atmospheric Rivers-CW3E

The Atmospheric Rivers of Water Year 2023: End of Water Year Summary

For insight into the numerous atmospheric rivers that brought impressive precipitation accumulations to California this Water Year and how it compares to previous years, the Scripps Institution of Oceanography Center for Western Weather and Water Extremes provides this end of water year 2023 summary. Water Year 2023 and Atmospheric Rivers • Water Year 2022 experienced […]

Lake Mead-Lake Powell-Colorado River Basin-U.S. Bureau of Reclamation

Bureau of Reclamation Advances Long-Term Planning Efforts to Protect the Colorado River System

The Biden-Harris administration October 19 announced next steps in the formal process to develop future operating guidelines and strategies to protect the stability and sustainability of the Colorado River system and strengthen water security in the West. The guidelines under development would be implemented in 2027, replacing the 2007 Colorado River Interim Guidelines for Lower […]

Olivenhain Municipal Water District Logo landscape design workshops

Water and Irrigation Workshop on November 6 in Encinitas

Encinitas, Calif. — Olivenhain Municipal Water District invites the public to attend a free “Water and Irrigation Workshop.” The workshop aims to empower residents with strategies to improve water use efficiency. It will be held on November 6, from 5:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m., at the Encinitas Community and Senior Center, located at 1140 Oakcrest […]