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Encinitas Landscape Transformation Project Wins Local Contest

Encinitas, Calif.—Olivenhain Municipal Water District’s Board of Directors honored at its September 9 meeting Laura Lisauskas as the winner of OMWD’s 2020 Watersmart Landscape Contest.

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Fourth-Grade Artists Win OMWD’s 2020 Water Awareness Poster Contest

Encinitas, Calif.—Olivenhain Municipal Water District’s Board of Directors recognized the winners of the 2020 North County water agencies’ Water Awareness Poster Contest at its September 9 meeting.

Reservoir Keeper Viviana Castellon shared her expertise with citizens as part of the City’s #AskAnExpert series on Instagram. Photo: City of San Diego/Instagram

San Diegans #AskAnExpert Reservoir Recreation Questions

Reservoir Keeper Viviana Castellon shared her expertise with citizens during the City of San Diego’s #AskAnExpert series on Instagram as part of the City’s community outreach to citizens. The City regularly offers the opportunity for the public to ask employees about its services including parks, libraries, streets, and water. “We find that it’s a great […]

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San Diego County Water Authority Seeks Rate Relief at MWD

With the recession and the COVID-19 pandemic causing economic havoc nationally and across Southern California, the San Diego County Water Authority has adopted several cost-cutting strategies to reduce rate increases and it’s asking the Los Angeles-based Metropolitan Water District of Southern California to do the same. When the Water Authority’s Board of Directors approved its […]

(L to R): Director DeAna Verbeke, Board President Mark Gracyk, Director and Parks, Land, Lakes and Garden Committee Chair Dan McMillan, Director and Parks, Land, Lakes and Garden Committee ViceChair Joel Scalzitti, and Director Kathleen Hedberg cut the ribbon for the new Lake Jennings Boat Dock on Monday, August 31. Photo: Helix Water District

New Lake Jennings Boat Dock Open

A new floating boat dock at popular reservoir and recreation facility Lake Jennings was unveiled with a ribbon-cutting ceremony on August 31 and opened to the public for boating and fishing activities. The dock is reinforced concrete encapsulating a solid polystyrene core, which makes the dock float. Numerous safety features include a nonskid concrete surface, […]

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Olivenhain Municipal Water District Board Will Not Increase Capacity Fees in 2020

Encinitas, Calif. — Olivenhain Municipal Water District’s Board of Directors voted unanimously at its August meeting not to raise water capacity fees in Fiscal Year 2021. After a comprehensive review, the board determined that current fees adequately cover OMWD’s planned capital expenditures through June 30, 2021. Capacity fees are one-time charges to new development connecting […]

CW3E has numerous tools and technologies that affiliates can use to augment water research and improve on-the-ground decisions of water managers. Photo: NOAA

Water Authority Joins Scripps Institution of Oceanography to Optimize Water Management

The San Diego County Water Authority is partnering with the Scripps Institution of Oceanography at UC San Diego to better predict atmospheric rivers and improve water management before, during, and after those seasonal storms. This month, Scripps’ Center for Western Weather and Water Extremes (CW3E) launched the Water Affiliates Group, which brings together cutting-edge science […]

LG Sonic’s specific low power ultrasonic transmitters emit signals which are not harmful to people, fish, plants or other wildlife. Photo: Vallecitos Water District water quality

Vallecitos WD Uses Innovative Technology to Monitor Water Quality

The Vallecitos Water District is known for its sustainable practices in water and wastewater treatment processes, without any compromise in water quality. The district is now using a new ultrasound technology to address water quality at the Stanley A. Mahr Reservoir with a reduced need for chemical treatment. Mahr Reservoir was completed in 1981. Originally […]

Pumped Energy Storage-Lake Hodges-Olivenhain

Water Agencies Help Address California Energy Shortages

Water agencies across San Diego County are doing their part to stabilize the state’s power grid during this week’s heatwave by generating hydropower and altering operations to trim electricity demands – and they are offering long-term solutions to reduce future energy shortages. The California Independent System Operator issued a statewide Flex Alert from Sunday through […]

Carlsbad Desalination Plant Supports Statewide Energy Conservation Efforts

Carlsbad, Calif. (August 18, 2020) –To support statewide emergency energy conservation efforts, Poseidon Water and the San Diego County Water Authority are temporarily reducing water production at the Claude “Bud” Lewis Carlsbad Desalination Plant. While the plant uses less than 1% of peak energy demand in San Diego Gas & Electric’s service territory, Poseidon and the […]

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Final Judgment Entered in Favor of Water Authority in 2010-2012 Rate Litigation

A Superior Court judge has awarded the San Diego County Water Authority $44,373,872.29 in a final judgment for two cases covering rates paid by San Diego County ratepayers during calendar years 2011-2014. The award included $28,678,190.90 in damages for the Metropolitan Water District of Southern California’s breach of contract for the four years at issue, […]

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Vista Irrigation District Will Not Increase Water Charges in 2020

Vista, Calif. — At its August 5 meeting, Vista Irrigation District’s Board of Directors voted not to increase its water service charge in 2020 in an effort to support its customers facing financial challenges during the COVID-19 pandemic. “Our board is concerned about the financial impacts that our customers are facing,” said Vista Irrigation District […]

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Otay Selects El Cajon Homeowner as Winner of the WaterSmart Landscape Contest

Spring Valley, Calif. – At its virtual Board of Directors meeting on August 5, the Otay Water District Board recognized El Cajon resident Patricia Wood for taking the title of “Best in District” in the Otay Water District’s 2020 WaterSmart Landscape Contest. Her landscape demonstrates a well thought-out design, methods for efficient irrigation, and appropriate […]

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Imperial County Agencies Deliver 500,000 Face Masks to Agriculture Workers

The Imperial County Agricultural Commissioner’s Office has taken the lead in distributing more than 500,000 face masks to all sectors of the agriculture industry in the Imperial Valley. “This was a positive result of the state understanding our need,” said Imperial County Agricultural Commissioner Carlos Ortiz. “They heard us.” Agriculture is one of the essential […]

Recreational activities such as fishing at Lower Otay Reservoir are continuing safely under new coronavirus safety protocols. Photo: City of San Diego reservoirs open

San Diego Reservoirs Open with Coronavirus Safety Guidelines

All City of San Diego reservoirs previously closed in response to the coronavirus pandemic are now open to the public during regular business hours for walking, jogging, cycling, fishing and boating. Normal fishing and boating fees will apply. “Overall everything is working well,” said Bryan Norris, the City’s reservoirs and recreation program manager.  “Several reservoirs are […]