California water agencies including the San Diego County Water Authority are exploring ways to better manage sporadic periods of abundant rainfall — part of a larger effort to meet the ever-changing realities they face logistically and economically. Water Authority General Manager Dan Denham recently discussed the evolution of regional water management on the Southern California […]
For the second time in recent months, the San Diego County Water Authority is considering an innovative water transfer that could eventually deliver drought-resilient water supplies to South Orange County through the Moulton Niguel Water District and help combat increasing water rates for San Diegans. Both districts have signed a Memorandum of Understanding MOU to […]
Officials from Northern California visited San Diego County this week as part of a tour focused on regional water use and reliability investments that have been touted as a national model of water management. San Diego County Water Authority General Manager Dan Denham welcomed about two dozen leaders at the start of the event, explaining […]
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 […]
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 […]
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 […]
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 […]
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 […]
El Niño and La Niña are natural climate phenomena that alter weather patterns around the world. El Niño occurs irregularly but shows up roughly every three to seven years and typically lasts between nine and 12 months with occasional exceptions that linger for multiple years. After three successive years of La Niña (2020-2023), the National […]
Twenty years ago, in October 2003, water officials from across the Southwest signed the largest water conservation-and-transfer agreement in U.S. history, the QSA, or Quantification Settlement Agreement. The agreement has provided decades of water security for San Diego County and benefits for numerous partners across the Southwest. In total, that pact supplies more than half […]
Thanks to a decades-long supply diversification strategy and continued efficient use of water across the region, the San Diego County Water Authority announced that the region has reliable supplies to meet demands in Water Year 2024, which started October 1. Hydrologists use Oct. 1 to begin measuring the snow and rain that will help carry […]
The cutting-edge world of desalination and the future of water supply in Southern California is the topic for conversation and insight from water agency officials in a new podcast. The four distinguished guests are from San Diego County Water Authority, Eastern Municipal Water District, Las Virgenes Municipal Water District and South Coast Water District. Learn […]
The East County Advanced Water Purification project is progressing, with construction underway at multiple East San Diego County locations. The project will create a new, local, sustainable, and drought-proof water supply using state-of-the-art technology to purify East San Diego County’s recycled water. Construction for the East County AWP is expected to be completed in 2025, […]
Construction on the City of Poway’s clearwell replacement is anticipated to begin this fall following the award of contract to Gateway Pacific Contractors, Inc. The contract was awarded at the Sept. 19 Poway City Council meeting. The clearwell is Poway’s major storage reservoir for water treated at the water treatment plant, prior to being distributed […]
El Niño is anticipated to continue through the Northern Hemisphere winter (with a greater than 95% chance through January – March 2024). An El Niño Advisory remains in effect. In August, sea surface temperatures (SSTs) were above average across the equatorial Pacific Ocean [Fig. 1], with strengthening in the central and east-central Pacific. All of the […]
Water Agencies Evolving to Address Changing Realities
/in News, Supply & Demand /by Gayle FalkenthalCalifornia water agencies including the San Diego County Water Authority are exploring ways to better manage sporadic periods of abundant rainfall — part of a larger effort to meet the ever-changing realities they face logistically and economically. Water Authority General Manager Dan Denham recently discussed the evolution of regional water management on the Southern California […]
Water Agencies Explore Innovative Transfer Deal for Drought-Resilient Water
/in News, Supply & Demand /by Gayle FalkenthalFor the second time in recent months, the San Diego County Water Authority is considering an innovative water transfer that could eventually deliver drought-resilient water supplies to South Orange County through the Moulton Niguel Water District and help combat increasing water rates for San Diegans. Both districts have signed a Memorandum of Understanding MOU to […]
Water Management and Efficiency Highlight San Diego Tour
/in News, Supply & Demand /by Gayle FalkenthalOfficials from Northern California visited San Diego County this week as part of a tour focused on regional water use and reliability investments that have been touted as a national model of water management. San Diego County Water Authority General Manager Dan Denham welcomed about two dozen leaders at the start of the event, explaining […]
Colorado River Shortages Drive Major Advances in Recycled Sewage Water Use
/in Colorado River Basin /by Gayle FalkenthalAfter 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 […]
Money Still Available for Low-Income Water Customers in San Diego County
/in California and the West, News /by Mike LeeMillions 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 […]
Next Steps to Protect Stability and Sustainability of Colorado River Basin
/in Colorado River Basin, News /by Mike Leeby U.S. Bureau of ReclamationThe 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 […]
The Atmospheric Rivers of Water Year 2023: End of Water Year Summary
/in News, Science/Environment /by Mike LeeFor 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 […]
Bureau of Reclamation Advances Long-Term Planning Efforts to Protect the Colorado River System
/in Colorado River Basin, News /by Mike Lee /U.S. Bureau of Reclamationby USBR News ReleaseThe 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 […]
What is El Niño?
/in News, Science/Environment /by Mike Lee /UC San Diego Today (Scripps Institution of Oceanography)by Alex FoxEl Niño and La Niña are natural climate phenomena that alter weather patterns around the world. El Niño occurs irregularly but shows up roughly every three to seven years and typically lasts between nine and 12 months with occasional exceptions that linger for multiple years. After three successive years of La Niña (2020-2023), the National […]
QSA: Landmark Conservation Pact Marks 20 Years of Water Security for San Diego
/in News, Supply & Demand /by Mike LeeTwenty years ago, in October 2003, water officials from across the Southwest signed the largest water conservation-and-transfer agreement in U.S. history, the QSA, or Quantification Settlement Agreement. The agreement has provided decades of water security for San Diego County and benefits for numerous partners across the Southwest. In total, that pact supplies more than half […]
Reliable Water Supplies Make San Diego Region Well-Prepared for 2024
/in News, Supply & Demand /by Mike LeeThanks to a decades-long supply diversification strategy and continued efficient use of water across the region, the San Diego County Water Authority announced that the region has reliable supplies to meet demands in Water Year 2024, which started October 1. Hydrologists use Oct. 1 to begin measuring the snow and rain that will help carry […]
Desalination and Future of Water Supply in Southern California
/in News, Supply & Demand /by Mike LeeThe cutting-edge world of desalination and the future of water supply in Southern California is the topic for conversation and insight from water agency officials in a new podcast. The four distinguished guests are from San Diego County Water Authority, Eastern Municipal Water District, Las Virgenes Municipal Water District and South Coast Water District. Learn […]
East County Advanced Water Purification Project Progressing
/in News, Supply & Demand /by Gayle FalkenthalThe East County Advanced Water Purification project is progressing, with construction underway at multiple East San Diego County locations. The project will create a new, local, sustainable, and drought-proof water supply using state-of-the-art technology to purify East San Diego County’s recycled water. Construction for the East County AWP is expected to be completed in 2025, […]
Major Reservoir Upgrade is Part of Poway Water Infrastructure Program
/in Facilities & Operations, News /by Mike LeeConstruction on the City of Poway’s clearwell replacement is anticipated to begin this fall following the award of contract to Gateway Pacific Contractors, Inc. The contract was awarded at the Sept. 19 Poway City Council meeting. The clearwell is Poway’s major storage reservoir for water treated at the water treatment plant, prior to being distributed […]
El Niño Anticipated to Continue Through the Northern Hemisphere Winter
/in News, Science/Environment /by Mike Lee /NWS Climate Prediction CenterEl Niño is anticipated to continue through the Northern Hemisphere winter (with a greater than 95% chance through January – March 2024). An El Niño Advisory remains in effect. In August, sea surface temperatures (SSTs) were above average across the equatorial Pacific Ocean [Fig. 1], with strengthening in the central and east-central Pacific. All of the […]