The Metropolitan Water District of Southern California has announced that it will increase rates and property taxes throughout the region over the next two years as the state grapples with fundamental changes to its water supply and usage.
The San Diego County Water Authority issued its Fiscal Year 2023 Annual Report, recapping the agency’s efforts to adapt, engage, and transform in ways that ensure a safe and resilient regional water system today and for future generations.
The annual report can be accessed on the Water Authority website.
The San Diego County Water Authority issued its FY23 annual report, part of its effort to ensure transparency. Photo: San Diego County Water Authority
The Water Authority is committed to informing residents and businesses about key issues, projects, and programs that impact the regional water supply. The Annual Report is part of this effort.
Each year, Board members and staff make presentations to more than 100 business, community, and civic groups.
In communities with active or proposed construction projects, the Water Authority conducts proactive outreach to ensure awareness about neighborhood impacts. In addition, the agency participates in numerous civic organizations that strengthen the community, and it creates periodic outreach and education campaigns about critical issues.
With the help of a federal loan, the Water Authority invested in environmental upgrades to the Claude “Bud” Lewis Carlsbad Desalination Plant, saving ratepayers tens of millions of dollars. Photo: San Diego County Water Authority
Managing water in a hot, dry climate like requires continual innovation, collaboration, conservation, and strategic investments. The FY23 Annual Report recaps the Water Authority’s multiple initiatives to pursue further collaboration on river management, as well as its successful advocacy for new legislation that would give the state more tools to deal with extreme weather.
Of importance to ratepayers, strategic actions were taken to address inflationary pressures and decreased water sales to keep water rates as low as possible. With the help of a federal loan, the Water Authority invested in environmental upgrades to the Claude “Bud” Lewis Carlsbad Desalination Plant, saving ratepayers tens of millions of dollars.
The Water Authority also obtained grant funds to install free water-saving devices in underrepresented communities, and it helped secure federal financial aid for low-income water customers in the region to cover overdue residential water and wastewater bills.
The Water Authority seeks to maintain the lowest possible rates while working to ensure that everyone in the region has access to safe and reliable water supplies. Water affordability requires coordinated efforts by all levels of government – federal, state, wholesale, and retail.
The timely rehabilitation of the First Aqueduct is part of the Water Authority’s proactive asset management program. Photo: San Diego County Water Authority
Finally, the Water Authority completed one of its biggest maintenance operations in more than 75 years. The work was part of a proactive asset management program to maintain and rehabilitate its 308 miles of large-diameter pipelines, which deliver water to millions of San Diegans. This transformational work was critical in ensuring the reliability of the region’s water delivery system. The program promotes water affordability by avoiding costly unplanned disruptions in service.
With decades of strategic investments, the Water Authority has emerged as a model for statewide efforts to develop diversified water supply portfolios that can adapt to the changing climate. These assets provide water supply reliability for the region’s economy and 3.3 million residents. Over the past year, the Water Authority continued to prepare the region for an uncertain future.
From helping customers lower their water bills to protecting ratepayers from rate increases, the Water Authority is always looking for ways to support San Diego County’s long-term welfare. Though challenges persist, the agency strives to continue making a positive impact by advocating for initiatives that move the region and state toward water affordability and reliability.
Sweetwater Authority customers impacted by flooding due to San Diego County rainstorms in early 2024 can seek assistance as they begin recovery efforts.
The Sweetwater Authority Governing Board approved a 12-month freeze on late fees and discontinuation of water service for non-payment for customers who sustained flood damage. The moratorium aims to alleviate financial stress and allow customers to focus on recovery efforts.
“The Board is dedicated to the well-being of our customers, especially during challenging times,” said Board Chair Paulina Martinez-Perez. “By providing this benefit for customers affected by recent flooding and exploring ways we can provide more assistance in the future, we demonstrate our commitment to helping our community recover and thrive.”
Impacted customers should immediately contact Sweetwater Authority Customer Service at (619) 420-1413 to discuss their account needs. They can apply for the benefit through the Authority’s website.
To be eligible for benefits, customer accounts must be located in areas identified as impacted by the cities of Chula Vista, National City, or the County of San Diego. Any other accounts will require verification by Sweetwater Authority staff.
Sweetwater Authority also works with customers who cannot pay their water bills by offering extended payment plans whenever possible. The Governing Board is exploring the implementation of an in-house assistance program specifically tailored for low-income customers.
The Low-Income Household Water Assistance Program (LIHWAP), established by Congress in 2021, offers one-time payments to cover outstanding residential water and/or wastewater bills. Photo: San Diego County Water Authority
In addition, the Low Income Household Water Assistance Program (LIHWAP) offers additional support for all customers facing financial challenges. The program provides payment for current or past-due water bills.
LIHWAP was established to provide aid during the pandemic. It has been expanded and extended through March 2024. Since September 2022, Authority customers have received over $250,000 of assistance from this program.
Qualified customers can apply for funding at www.maacproject.org/lihwap or call the Authority’s Customer Service team for more information.
The San Diego County Water Authority has agreed to a settlement with the Rainbow Municipal Water District (RMWD) and Fallbrook Public Utility District (FPUD), allowing both to detach from the Water Authority while dropping all litigation.
In exchange, the two districts agreed to an immediate $25 million payment plus related costs and fees. The settlement minimizes rate impacts on San Diego County’s 3.3 million residents while avoiding expensive litigation. It also provides institutional certainty moving forward.
“While the majority of SDCWA’s remaining 22-district membership remains opposed to detachment, they agree that this settlement makes the best of a bad situation,” said Mel Katz, chairman of the Water Authority Board. “While we continue to believe the detachment award should have been higher, RMWD and FPUD are required to pay all costs above the amount ordered by the Local Agency Formation Commission (LAFCO) in addition to its entire exit fee upfront, meaning there will be no immediate rate impacts for ratepayers.”
As part of the settlement agreement, both RMWD and FPUD have agreed to pay all costs related to the decommissioning of Water Authority facilities not being used post-detachment. The two agencies have agreed to indemnify and hold harmless the Water Authority against any future claims related to detachment. Both will complete all administrative, technical, and infrastructure-related tasks before the facilities can be transferred.
These settlement conditions exceed the conditions prescribed by LAFCO as part of its conditions for detachment.
In response to LAFCO’s July decision to approve RMWD and FPUD’s request for detachment, Assemblymember Tasha Boerner introduced and passed Assembly Bill 399: The Water Ratepayer Protection Act. Mayor Todd Gloria and the City of San Diego supported AB 399.
This legislation was signed into law by Governor Gavin Newsom this fall and will go into effect in January 2024. It will require a countywide election to be held for a detachment of a local district moving forward. Its provisions protect the long-term integrity of the Water Authority and the San Diego region’s ratepayers.
The Vallecitos Water District Board of Directors selected its leadership for 2024 at its December board meeting.
Tiffany Boyd-Hodgson
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 include water equity, water education, diversifying water supply, and providing clean, reliable water at the lowest possible rate. In 2023, she chaired the Personnel/Policy/Public Awareness Committee and served on the Finance Committee.
During her tenure on the Board, Boyd-Hodgson has been instrumental in establishing the Vallecitos Water District internship program with Palomar College, the scholarship program for area youth, and codifying single-use plastics reduction at the district.
Jim Pennock
Jim Pennock was selected as Vice President. Pennock was first elected to the Vallecitos Water District board in 2020. A resident of San Marcos since 1995, Pennock’s involvement in the community includes having served on the Budget Review Committee, Student and Neighbor Relations Commission, and Planning Commission.
Pennock has also coached youth sports in San Marcos for the past 26 years. Pennock currently works in the insurance industry, and has owned his own insurance agency for the last 26 years.
Boyd-Hodgson and Pennock are joined by three directors on the 2024 board. They are Director Jim Hernandez, Division 2; Director Craig Elitharp, Division 3; and Director Erik A. Groset, Division 4.
(Editor’s note: The Vallecitos Water District is one of the San Diego County Water Authority’s 24 member agencies that deliver water across the San Diego County region.)
Welcome to the Board: Vicki Quiram, Carlsbad Municipal Water District
Who: Vicki Quiram was seated on the San Diego County Water Authority Board of Directors on June 19, 2023, representing the Carlsbad Municipal Water District. Quiram serves on the Water Planning and Environmental and Imported Water committees for the Water Authority.
Ten talented student artists were honored for their winning work in the annual student poster contest at the May 17 Helix Water District board meeting. The students created their winning posters to visually depict the theme “Being Water Wise Is.”
The Metropolitan Water District of Southern California holds the regional poster contest to increase student awareness about water. Kindergarten through eighth-grade students in local district schools are eligible to compete. This year, 453 students from 24 schools within the Helix Water District Service area submitted posters depicting how to use water wisely.
First Place – Evelyn Racine, Christ Lutheran School, Grade 3
Second Place – Awra Boubetana, La Mesa Arts Academy, Grade 4
Third Place – Katharina Theuer, Christ Lutheran School, Grade 3
Honorable Mention – Aletheia Moffit, Julian Charter School Manzanita, Grade 1
Honorable Mention – Ava Bleiweiss, Fuerte Elementary, Grade 1
First Place – Catalina Raquel Jones, La Mesa Arts Academy, Grade 7
Second Place – Heaton Grey Hadidian, Christ Lutheran School, Grade 8
Third Place – Audrey Robinson, La Mesa Arts Academy, Grade 7
Honorable Mention – Valerie Silva, Mount Vernon Elementary, Grade 5
Honorable Mention – Cameryn Kovar, Saint Martin of Tours Academy, Grade 7
All winning posters will be forwarded to the Metropolitan Water District to be considered for inclusion in its 2024 “Being Water Wise Is” calendar.
First-place winner Catalina Jones in the Grades 5 – 8 category also won as a sixth grader in 2022, and her poster was included in the Metropolitan Water District 2023 regional calendar.
Helix Water District students were also selected for inclusion in the 2022 calendar, and in the 2021 calendar, in competition with all other regional winners.
This year’s winning posters are displayed on the Helix Water District website and Facebook page.
(Editor’s note: The Helix Water District is one of the San Diego County Water Authority’s 24 member agencies that deliver water across the San Diego County region.)
The San Diego County Water Authority Board of Directors welcomed seven new members from across the region at its first regular Board meeting of the year on January 26, expanding the agency’s leadership and policy making skills during a critical period for water in the West.
Each of the Water Authority’s 24 retail member agencies are represented by at least one member of the 36-member Board of Directors, which sets the Water Authority’s strategic direction.
Encinitas, Carlsbad and Oceanside representatives on the San Diego County Water Authority Board of Directors are among seven new members who participated in their first formal meeting Jan. 26.
Encinitas Deputy Mayor Joy Lyndes, Carlsbad Councilwoman Teresa Acosta and Oceanside Water Utilities Director Lindsay Leahy are part of the Water Authority’s 24 retail member agencies, which are represented by at least one member of the 36-member Board of Directors, according to a Jan. 27 agency news release.
January 27, 2023 – The San Diego County Water Authority Board of Directors welcomed seven new members from across the region at its first regular Board meeting of the year on January 26, expanding the agency’s leadership and policy making skills during a critical period for water in the West.
Each of the Water Authority’s 24 retail member agencies are represented by at least one member of the 36-member Board of Directors, which sets the Water Authority’s strategic direction. The Water Authority provides wholesale water supplies that sustains 3.3 million people and a $268 billion regional economy, in coordination with its member agencies.
“Our new directors bring qualifications and experience that will expand our capacity and provide diverse perspectives about the complex issues we face,” said Water Authority Board Chair Mel Katz. “We will all benefit from these experienced leaders who have proven skills in a wide variety of business and public agencies.”
New Water Authority Board members are:
The Board generally holds its regular meetings on the fourth Thursday of each month, with special workshops and other meetings as needed. Board members serve on committees and special work groups and are also appointed to represent the Water Authority on the boards or committees of other agencies and government organizations.
The public is invited to attend monthly meetings and to comment on agenda items or other matters before the Board. To learn more about Water Authority Board members and meetings, go to: www.sdcwa.org/about-us/board-of-directors/
The Water News Network is San Diego County’s source for water news and information.
