The Otay Water District selected four winners in its New Year-themed Instagram photo contest as part of its campaign to encourage water-saving efforts during the statewide drought. One is an Otay Water District customer, and three others live within San Diego County.
The four talented photographers put their skills to use, helping to make their community’s residents and businesses more aware of the need to save water.
The Otay Water District selected four winners in its New Year-themed Instagram photo contest as part of its campaign to encourage water-saving efforts during the statewide drought. One is an Otay Water District customer, and three others live within San Diego County.
The four talented photographers put their skills to use, helping to make their community’s residents and businesses more aware of the need to save water.
“This contest was one of many ways we continue to educate the community on the importance of saving water,” said Otay Water District Board President Tim Smith. “Although San Diego County may have reliable supplies for 2022 and beyond, the state remains in a drought, and the Otay Water District is doing its part to support the state’s efforts asking residents and businesses to step up conservation efforts now for current and future conditions.”
All photo entries were posted to social media, including Instagram, Facebook, and Twitter, using the hashtag #OtaySaveWaterResolution. Although the contest was open to all U.S. residents, the Otay Water District encouraged its customers to enter and share their ideas.
Emily Tutor is the 2022 Otay Water District Instagram Photo Contest for “Most Likes,” and it’s easy to see why. Photo Courtesy: Otay Water District
First-place winner is Emily Tutor, @emily_anne04. She wrote, “In 2022 we’re conserving water by fixing our dripping sinks!”
Second-place winner @jwilzen’s photo champions composting to help with conserving water. Photo Courtesy: Otay Water District
Second-place winner Janna Wilzen, @jwilzen, explained, “Indoor and outdoor composting helps with conserving water by improving the soil chemical properties; thereby assisting to increase soil matter. Additionally, collecting runoff water from the rain helps to reduce the amount of polluted waters which can affect all wildlife in all ecosystems. Self-watering planters are also beneficial in conserving water as they have reservoirs that sit at the bottom of the planter which evenly distribute water when it’s needed.”
Otay Water District personnel chose their winners based on theme, originality, and creativity.
Photographer @rosie_barnett_photography is the 2022 Otay Water District Instagram Photo Content first-place winner. Photo Courtesy: Otay Water District
Photographer Rosie Barnett of @rosie_barnett_photography is the first-place winner. She offered tips for her fellow residents as part of her entry.
“Your garden is an extension of your home and a great place to start when conserving water! Did you know you can have a beautiful garden and still be #waterwise! Here are a few tips:
* Check for leaks in pipes, hoses, faucets and couplings
* Water your lawn only when it needs it
* Water during the cool parts of the day
* Plant drought resistant trees and plants
* Put a layer of mulch around trees and plants
* Use a broom to clean driveways, sidewalks and steps
*You could possibly save up to 100 gallons a day!”
Of her win, Barrett commented, “What an honor!”
Heaven Morgan shared her gardening know-how in her winning photo. Photo Courtesy: Otay Water District
Second-place winner in selected by Otay category is Heaven Morgan, @heavenmajesta, who shared her gardening know-how.
“Rehab plants + Water saving tricks = pure joy! 🌱💦✨ A really easy way to save a bit of water around the garden is to keep a dish under potted plants! This allows the runoff to be either used to water other plants or absorbed back into the plant by way of wick watering which means you don’t have to water as often! Another easy way to make use of the run off is to hold potted plants over in ground plants or planters while watering this method allows the extra water to run right off onto the next plant! Happy gardening!”
Winners received either restaurant gift cards or Amazon gift cards.
To learn more about conservation practices, water-use efficiency, and other resources available to Otay customers, go to otaywater.gov/conservation.
Editor’s note: The Otay Water District is one of the San Diego County Water Authority’s 24 member agencies that deliver water across the metropolitan San Diego region.)
Pure Water Oceanside is the first operating advanced water purification facility in San Diego County, providing a new local supply. The facility was officially dedicated with a celebration Tuesday in Oceanside. Elected officials and water leaders throughout Southern California commemorated the milestone which coincided with World Water Day.
The San Diego County Water Authority and three member agencies are partnering with Altman Plants for an Adopt-A-Plant event Saturday in Encinitas.
Vista-based Altman Plants, the largest nursery plant grower in the nation, has led efforts to increase water-efficiency and sustainability. The first 500 guests will receive free Smart Planet-brand drought-tolerant succulents to spur more residents to adopt water-efficient landscaping.
Pure Water Oceanside is the first operating advanced water purification facility in San Diego County, providing a new local supply. The facility was officially dedicated with a celebration Tuesday in Oceanside. Elected officials and water leaders throughout Southern California commemorated the milestone which coincided with World Water Day.
Pure Water Oceanside purifies recycled water to create a new local source of high-quality drinking water that is clean, safe, drought-proof and environmentally sound.
“On this World Water Day, we celebrate the City of Oceanside’s contribution to managing our invaluable water resources with the opening of Pure Water Oceanside,” said Cari Dale, City of Oceanside water utilities director. “Today we made history by moving one step closer to achieving the goal of greater water independence for not only our city, residents and businesses, but also the region as a whole.”
The $70 million project uses advanced technology, including ultrafiltration, reverse osmosis and advanced oxidation to provide 3 million gallons per day or more than 20% of the City of Oceanside’s drinking water supply. The source of the recycled water to create the purified water is from the city’s own San Luis Rey Water Reclamation Facility.
The City of Oceanside dedicated Pure Water Oceanside today on #WorldWaterDay💧The facility purifies recycled water to provide more than 20% of Oceanside’s drinking water supply. San Diego County Water Authority GM Sandra Kerl: “To see this project come to fruition is monumental.” pic.twitter.com/Flcaakzapx
— Ed Joyce (@EdJoyce) March 22, 2022
“Pure Water Oceanside exemplifies our commitment to innovative projects that improve the lives of the citizens who call our great city home,” said City of Oceanside Mayor Esther Sanchez. “Not only will the project safeguard against ongoing drought concerns, but it will also improve the quality and quantity of our local aquifer and reduce our reliance on imported water, ensuring clean and reliable water is available for future generations.”
The $70 million project uses advanced technology, including ultrafiltration, reverse osmosis and advanced oxidation to provide 3 million gallons per day or more than 20% of the City of Oceanside’s drinking water supply. Photo: San Diego County Water Authority
Pure Water Oceanside addresses a variety of challenges faced by the city. Before the project went online, Oceanside imported most of its water from the Sacramento Bay Delta and the Colorado River, hundreds of miles away. This imported water is subject to rising costs out of the city’s control, requires an enormous amount of energy to transport and is vulnerable to natural disasters and earthquakes. Pure Water Oceanside addresses these challenges by diversifying the city’s water supply and reducing its reliance on imported water.
The launching of Pure Water Oceanside coincides with a larger movement for the region as a whole to create sustainable water supplies in San Diego County. In addition to Pure Water Oceanside, two other water reuse projects are planned for the region: the East County Advanced Water Purification Program and Pure Water San Diego.
(Editor’s note: The City of Oceanside, City of San Diego, Padre Dam Municipal Water District, and the Helix Water District are four of the San Diego County Water Authority’s 24 member agencies that deliver water across the metropolitan San Diego region.)
California’s Department of Water Resources Friday announced that due to the ongoing statewide drought, it must reduce the State Water Project allocation to 5% of requested supplies for 2022, but San Diego County Water Authority officials said they remain confident in the region’s supply.
DWR previously set the allocation at 15% but a historically dry January and February, with no significant storms forecast for March, required a reduction in the allocation to conserve available water supply, a statement from the state agency read.
“Today’s announcement about reduced allocations from the State Water Project brings into focus the increasing challenges created by the megadrought,” said Sandra L. Kerl, general manager of the San Diego County Water Authority. “This is an emergency felt throughout the state and we strongly support continued conservation.”
“Reduced water deliveries from the State Water Project highlight how the San Diego region’s conservation ethic combined with investments in drought-resilient supplies are paying off,” Kerl said. “The region uses very little water from the Bay-Delta, and even with reduced allocations, the Water Authority has reliable water supplies for 2022 and beyond.”
In addition to the 5% allocation, DWR will also provide any unmet critical health and safety needs of the 29 water agencies that contract to receive State Water Project supplies.
California’s Department of Water Resources Friday announced that due to the ongoing statewide drought, it must reduce the State Water Project allocation to 5% of requested supplies for 2022, but San Diego County Water Authority officials said they remain confident in the region’s supply.
“Today’s announcement about reduced allocations from the State Water Project brings into focus the increasing challenges created by the megadrought. This is an emergency felt throughout the state and we strongly support continued conservation.”
As the worst drought in 1,200 years grips the West, the Claude “Bud” Lewis Carlsbad Desalination Plant is protecting the San Diego region with 50 million gallons a day of drought-proof water.
Completed in 2015, the plant was built before the period of increasing inflation that’s driving up prices for water infrastructure projects that are just starting. That means the desal plant is safeguarding the region’s economy and quality of life today at a lower cost than it would be to build now.
March 18, 2022 – “Today’s announcement about reduced allocations from the State Water Project brings into focus the increasing challenges created by the megadrought. This is an emergency felt throughout the state and we strongly support continued conservation.
“Reduced water deliveries from the State Water Project highlight how the San Diego region’s conservation ethic combined with investments in drought-resilient supplies are paying off. The region uses very little water from the Bay-Delta, and even with reduced allocations, the Water Authority has reliable water supplies for 2022 and beyond.
“During this extended drought, we urge residents and businesses to use water wisely by limiting showers to five minutes, fixing indoor and outdoor water leaks, and ensuring irrigation systems are working efficiently. We must continue to care for our most precious natural resource to sustain our economy and quality of life – not just for today but for our future.”
— Sandra L. Kerl, General Manager, San Diego County Water Authority
The Water News Network is San Diego County’s source for water news and information.
