Supply and Demand

News updates on the regional water supply and water use, including current reports, future projections, and long-term planning.

The Olivenhain Municipal Water District's award winning 4S Ranch Water Reclamation Facility celebrates its 20th anniversary in August 2023. Photo: Olivenhain Municipal Water District

Recycled Water Pipeline Benefits Olivenhain Municipal Water District Customers

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A new recycled water pipeline is being tapped by Olivenhain Municipal Water District customers for landscape irrigation. Olivenhain Municipal Water District has successfully converted Westmont of Encinitas to recycled water for landscape irrigation. The assisted living facility is the first of many customers along the Manchester Avenue and South El Camino Real corridor to tap […]

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DWR-Reclamation-Water right-drought-conserve

DWR, Reclamation Submit Request to Adjust Water Right Permit Conditions to Conserve Storage

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Following the driest three-year period on record, California experienced one of the wettest three weeks in January. But now those extreme wet conditions have activated a water quality standard in the Delta that, coupled with the extended dry period since then, could result in a sharp reduction in the amount of water that can be […]

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Water Authority Welcomes New MWD Board Chair Adán Ortega

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The San Diego County Water Authority Board of Directors on January 26 welcomed Metropolitan Water District of Southern California Board Chair Adán Ortega, Jr. by hosting a reception for him to meet San Diego County’s community, civic and business leaders. Ortega took the helm of  MWD’s Board on January 10 as the first Latino chair […]

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Rincon Water Rebates a Hit With Customers

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Rincon del Diablo Municipal Water District reports that it completed an initiative to provide nearly $1.2 million in rebates to customers and has received overwhelmingly positive feedback about the program. The rebates were made possible following years of litigation by the San Diego County Water Authority against the Metropolitan Water District of Southern California for […]

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Carlsbad Desalination Plant Celebrates 100 Billion Gallons Served

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The Claude “Bud” Lewis Carlsbad Desalination Plant has served more than 100 billion gallons of high-quality, locally controlled water over the past seven years – a milestone passed in late October, as California entered a fourth consecutive year of severe drought. The plant produces an average of more than 50 million gallons of high-quality, locally […]

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Once complete, the Manchester Avenue Recycled Water Project will reduce demand for imported potable water by more than 10 million gallons every year. Photo: Joe Jensen, Olivenhain Municipal Water District

Water Recycling Projects Expanding in San Diego County

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A proactive approach to developing diversified water sources, including water recycling projects and conservation efforts, are helping the San Diego region weather the current drought. The Olivenhain Municipal Water District is working on multiple projects to expand the use of recycled water. The U.S. Bureau of Reclamation awarded the North San Diego Water Reuse Coalition, […]

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Affordability-San Diego County Water Authority-Esquivel

Water Affordability Focus of Water Authority Roundtable

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Water affordability for ratepayers was the topic of discussion during a legislative roundtable Thursday at the San Diego County Water Authority. The Water Authority convened state, regional and local officials in search of winning strategies for enhancing water affordability for ratepayers across the county and the state. Water agency managers, board members, elected officials and […]

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Helix Water District-WIFIA loan-EPA-Water reuse

Helix Water District Gets $18 Million Loan for Water Reuse Projects

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The Helix Water District has received an $18 million loan from the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency to support the Drinking Water Reliability Project. Helix will use the Water Infrastructure Finance and Innovation Act, or WIFIA loan, to increase the region’s drinking water resiliency by expanding water reuse opportunities and reducing the reliance on imported water. […]

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Carlsbad Desalination Plant Cuts Energy Demand to Help Avoid Blackouts

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Poseidon Resources (Channelside) LP and the San Diego County Water Authority are temporarily reducing water production at the Claude “Bud” Lewis Carlsbad Desalination Plant to support statewide emergency energy conservation efforts during the extreme heat wave. While the plant accounts for less than 1% of peak energy demand in San Diego Gas & Electric’s service […]

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North County Water Reuse Coalition-water reuse-drought proof-recycling

North San Diego Water Reuse Coalition Awarded Up to $17.8 Million in Federal Funding

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The North San Diego Water Reuse Coalition was awarded a grant of up to $17.8 million for the development of recycled water infrastructure. The grant funds come from the U.S. Bureau of Reclamation. “As we face increasingly devastating drought conditions, it’s imperative that we continue to diversify our water supplies and strengthen our local water […]

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Colorado River Basin-drought-Water conservation

Water Conservation is Critical in San Diego County as Colorado River Declines

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Sandra L. Kerl, general manager of the San Diego County Water Authority, issued the following statement in response to the U.S. Bureau of Reclamation’s 24-month projection for water levels in Lake Mead and Lake Powell. “Today’s announcement by the Bureau of Reclamation is a reminder of just how important it is to increase water conservation across […]

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San Diego County Water Authority Water Resources Specialist Efren Lopez joined CBS 8’s Carlo Cechetto to discuss additional ways San Diegans can reduce their water use. Photo: CBS 8 water saving tips

Water Authority Offers Water Saving Tips on CBS 8

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As the current drought stretches into a third year, the San Diego County Water Authority is providing water saving tips as part of a drought survival kit to San Diegans. Scientists confirm California and the Southwest U.S. is experiencing the worst megadrought in the last 1,200 years. It has prompted Governor Gavin Newsom to order […]

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Olivenhain Municipal Water District-recycled water pipeline-construction

Manchester Pipeline Projects Continue with Installation of Recycled Water Pipeline

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Olivenhain Municipal Water District is beginning construction this week on a new recycled water pipeline in Encinitas along Manchester Avenue and South El Camino Real from Via Poco to Tennis Club Drive. Once complete, customers connecting to this new pipeline will irrigate with recycled water, which will reduce demand for imported potable water by more […]

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Olivenhain Dam and Reservoir 2023 rates

Water Authority Proposes 2023 Rates and Charges for Member Agencies

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The San Diego County Water Authority is taking strategic steps to minimize 2023 rate increases for its 24 member agencies and their customers while ensuring a safe, reliable, and affordable water supply as drought grips California for a third consecutive year. Water Authority staff proposed increasing 2023 rates and charges for member agencies by 5.2% […]

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East County Advanced Water Purification Plant Groundbreaking

Groundbreaking for East County Advanced Water Purification Program

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The East County Advanced Water Purification Program broke ground, marking an important milestone for the recycled water project in San Diego County. Scheduled to be complete in 2026, the East County AWP will generate up to 11.5 million gallons per day of purified water— meeting approximately 30% of current drinking water demands for East San […]

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