Plans Proceed for Solar Farm at Carlsbad City Reservoir
Carlsbad is working with consultants and industry experts to build a solar energy farm on 30 to 40 acres the city owns at the Maerkle Reservoir.
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Welcome to the Board: Vicki Quiram, Carlsbad Municipal Water District
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.
Welcome to the Board: Vicki Quiram, Carlsbad Municipal Water District
(Editor’s Note: This feature highlights new members of the San Diego County Water Authority’s 36-member Board of Directors. Each of the Water Authority’s 24 member agencies appoints at least one representative to the Board, which sets policy for the Water Authority.)
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.
Background/Education: Vicki Quiram earned a Bachelor of Science Civil Engineering from the University of Texas. She is a Registered Professional Engineer (Texas) Public Works Leadership Fellow, a Envision Sustainability Professional, and holds a Masters Certificate in High Performance Leadership and Certified Life Coach. Quiram is a former Public Works Director and Assistant Director of Public Works for the County of Orange and the cities of Ventura and Westwood. She also served as New Hampshire Commissioner of Administrative and Environmental Services.
Water Industry Affiliations: North San Diego Water Reuse Coalition, American Water Works Association, American Public Works Association, and National Water Resources Committee.
Q & A
Q: How did you get interested in water issues?
A: My interest in water started as a little girl with a father that had a passion for water and took the family every Sunday on drives to water and wastewater treatment facilities 😊. Because of this instilled love for water, I later received my engineering degree with a focus on hydraulics and hydrology. Since that time, I have had the wonderful opportunity to work in the water, wastewater, stormwater, flood control, watershed planning and environmental professions in both the private sector and city, county and state governments. My passion for this industry has never stopped growing. I am very fortunate to have experienced the excitement of seeing all water become One Water! My passion for the always-interesting, constantly-changing and challenging world of water will never end.
Q: What are your priorities or interests as a Board member?
A: I will prioritize the availability of a safe, reliable, and affordable water and recycled water supply for all customers that we represent. I will personally and professionally prioritize listening to and understanding the diverse needs and opinions of other board members and the extremely qualified Water Authority staff and will ask questions and work hard to make the best decisions possible for the region.
Q: Besides maintaining safe and reliable water supplies, what do you see as the top three issues facing the San Diego region?
A: Housing and Transportation; The maintenance and replacement of aging infrastructure; More extreme weather in the future and the difficulty of planning and being prepared for droughts, floods and other events that challenge the people’s housing and infrastructure.
Q: What do you like to do when you are not working?
A: Spend time with my husband, children and grandchildren; Camp, hike and be outdoors, Facilitate skills classes and mentor and coach women.
The Water Authority’s Board of Directors typically meets on the fourth Thursday of each month. The Board invites the public to attend its monthly meetings and to comment on agenda items or other matters before the Board. For meeting times, agendas and documents, go to www.sdcwa.org/board-directors
Low-Cost Rain Barrels Are Still Available to Reduce Outdoor Water Use
Encinitas, Calif. —More than 70% of the western United States is experiencing severe or extreme drought conditions, and Californians are still being asked to curb water consumption to preserve water supplies. To encourage water conservation, Olivenhain Municipal Water District, in partnership with neighboring water districts San Dieguito Water District, Santa Fe Irrigation District, and Carlsbad Municipal Water District, is offering discounted rain barrels to area residents through November 30.
North County Water Agencies Offers Low‐Cost Rain Barrels to Help Customers Save Water
Encinitas, Calif. — To encourage water conservation as drought conditions persist, Carlsbad Municipal Water District, Olivenhain Municipal Water District, San Dieguito Water District, and Santa Fe Irrigation District have partnered to offer discounted rain barrels to area residents this fall. Collecting rainwater for future use not only can save drinking water and money, but also reduces irrigation runoff that can carry pollutants into local waterways and beaches.
Although average rainfall in San Diego County is just under ten inches annually, even light rain can provide a sufficient amount of water for later use. For example, a roof with a 2,000‐square‐foot surface area can capture 300 gallons from only a quarter inch of rain.
Rain barrels at Solana Center
Rain barrels ordered from October 1 to November 30 will be available for pick up at Solana Center for Environmental Innovation located at 137 North El Camino Real in Encinitas. Photo: Solana Center
Fifty‐gallon barrels are on sale for $97, with a final cost of $62 after a $35 rebate from water wholesaler Metropolitan Water District of Southern California. Rebates on rain barrels and other water‐saving measures are available at www.socalwatersmart.com.
Rain barrels ordered from October 1 to November 30 will be available for pick up at Solana Center for Environmental Innovation located at 137 North El Camino Real in Encinitas. Visit www.solanacenter.org/rain‐barrels for more information and to order rain barrels.
Catching rain in barrels not only saves water for use in gardening and landscaping but also prevents rainwater from draining to the ocean and picking up contaminants along the way.
(Editor’s note: The City of Carlsbad, Olivenhain Municipal Water District, San Dieguito Water District and the Santa Fe Irrigation District are four of the San Diego County Water Authority’s 24 member agencies that deliver water across the metropolitan San Diego region.)
North San Diego Water Reuse Coalition Awarded Up to $17.8 Million in Federal Funding to Continue Improving Local Water Supply Reliability
Encinitas, Calif. — The United States Bureau of Reclamation has announced that it has awarded the North San Diego Water Reuse Coalition a grant of up to $17.8 million for the development of recycled water infrastructure in San Diego’s North County.
“As we face increasingly devastating drought conditions, it’s imperative that we continue to diversify our water supplies and strengthen our local water independence,” said U.S. Representative Mike Levin. “The North San Diego Water Reuse Coalition plays a critical role in that effort, which is why I am proud to see the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law funding investments for their important work to expand the use of recycled water.”
OMWD Offers Low-Cost Rain Barrels to Help Customers Save Water
Encinitas, Calif. — Olivenhain Municipal Water District has partnered with neighboring water districts—San Dieguito Water District, Santa Fe Irrigation District, and Carlsbad Municipal Water District—to offer discounted rain barrels to area residents this winter.
Rain barrels ordered by January 31, 2022 will be available for pick up at Solana Center for Environmental Innovation located at 137 North El Camino Real in Encinitas.
Fifty-gallon barrels are on sale for $97, with a final cost of $62 after a $35 rebate from water wholesaler Metropolitan Water District of Southern California. Rebates on rain barrels and other water-saving measures are available at www.socalwatersmart.com.
Low-Cost Rain Barrels Available for OMWD Customers
Encinitas, Calif. — To encourage water conservation and reduce runoff that can carry pollutants into local waterways and beaches, Olivenhain Municipal Water District has partnered with neighboring water districts—San Dieguito Water District, Santa Fe Irrigation District, and Carlsbad Municipal Water District—to offer discounted rain barrels to area residents.
Carlsbad Municipal Water District Launches New Billing System
It has been 20 years in the making, but the Carlsbad Municipal Water District has finally launched a new billing system.
Approved several years ago, the new system makes it much easier to register, sign up for automatic payments and get billing information, to name a few, said Finance Manager Cheryl Gerhardt.
The new system upgrade also includes 24-hour, 7-day-a-week ability to check a balance or make a payment, paperless billing and other features, which went live March 3 to the public.
The Water News Network is San Diego County’s source for water news and information.
