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WaterSmart Makeover: Escondido Yard is a Handcrafted Haven

/in , , , /by /The San Diego Union-Tribuneby Caron Golden

In Jeanne Reutlinger’s world, gardening is an act of collaboration with friends and neighbors — meaning you don’t need much of a budget at all to create a prize-winning front yard. In Reutlinger’s case, her garden is the 2022 WaterSmart Landscape Contest winner for the city of Escondido’s water district.

(Editor’s Note: Residents of San Diego County can schedule free WaterSmart Checkups to make their properties more water-efficient and are eligible for water-saving rebates: www.sdcwa.org/your-water/conservation/. Read more about Jeanne Reutlinger’s WaterSmart moves here: www.waternewsnetwork.com/escondido-landscape-makeover-winner-goes-from-weeds-to-wow/ The City of Escondido is one of the San Diego County Water Authority’s 24 member agencies that deliver water across the San Diego County region.) 

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Water Industry Workers Support Holiday Giving Programs

/in , , /by /Water News Network

Holiday giving programs are a tradition among the San Diego region’s water and wastewater agencies. As in previous years, in 2022, employees pitched in to help a wide array of nonprofit community services.

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City of Poway staff including the Public Works Utilities (Water/Wastewater) Divisions provided toys and shoes for over 150 children in cooperation with the Kiwanis Club “Holiday with a Hero” event.(L to R): Erick Calderon, Amjad Mohamed, Barry Medlin, Randy Slusher, Terry Zaragoza, and Michael Devenere. Photo: City of Poway

Water Industry Workers Support Holiday Giving Programs

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Holiday giving programs are a tradition among the San Diego region’s water and wastewater agencies. As in previous years, in 2022, employees pitched in to help a wide array of nonprofit community services.

Members of the San Diego County Water Authority’s Charitable Giving Committee and Employee Association teamed up to help out in a food drive for the San Diego Food Bank and also encouraged employees to volunteer their time to help the organization.

A donation drive for Just In Time for Foster Youth collected financial donations and informed employees about opportunities to act as mentors and also connect college-bound foster youth with financial aid options and r help them move into a dorm or off-campus housing.

Bringing joy to kids in need

We had 16 of our staff support 20 children in the South Bay through the Angel Tree program this year. holiday giving programs

Sweetwater Authority employees gathered enough items to support 20 children in the South Bay through the Angel Tree program in 2022. Photo: Sweetwater Authority

Sweetwater Authority

Sweetwater Authority employees have been active participants in the Salvation Army Angel Tree program for nearly two decades, providing toys to children in its service area. Every year, employees take a tag that contains information about the recipient (age, gender, toy request). The employee shops for the item and brings them back unwrapped to the office. The Salvation Army picks up and delivers the donated toys. This year, employees donated enough toys to help make Christmas bright for 20 South County families and kids.

Helix Water District

The Helix Water District employee volunteer program, “Helix Helps,” collected toys for the Marine Corps Toys for Tots program at each of its facilities. Photo: Helix Water District Workers embrace Holiday Giving

The Helix Water District employee volunteer program, “Helix Helps,” collected toys for the Marine Corps Toys for Tots program at each of its facilities. Photo: Helix Water District

Every holiday season, the U.S. Marine Corps works with nonprofits and businesses to collect toys for distribution to children in need through its annual Toys for Tots campaign. The Helix Water District employee volunteer program, “Helix Helps,” collects toys each year from collection boxes at each of its facilities and donated them both in-person and virtually.

Special giving traditions of generosity

Environmental Programs/Utilities employees dropping off donations for this year’s employee holiday drive. City of Escondido Environmental Programs/Utilities employees drop off donations for this year’s holiday drive.(L to R): Marielle Decker, Emily Mixer, Sawyer Epp. Photo: City of Escondidov

City of Escondido Environmental Programs/Utilities employees drop off donations for this year’s holiday drive. (L to R): Marielle Decker, Emily Mixer, Sawyer Epp. Photo: City of Escondido

City of Escondido

City of Escondido employees, including the water and wastewater divisions put together “Souper Sacks,” bags of non-perishable food and fun surprises distributed through the city’s senior program at the Escondido Senior Center. This year’s effort brought 104 Souper Sacks. In addition, 500 pajamas were collected for students and families at the Escondido Union School District by the city’s “PJ Angels” for the Operation PJ program.

City of Poway

The City of Poway’s Public Works / Utilities employees collaborated with the Kiwanis Club “Holiday With A Hero” event to collect toys and shoes for more than 150 Poway children – a 50% increase from 2021.

Olivenhain Municipal Water District

Olivenhain Municipal Water District employees make sure pets in need aren't forgotten at the holidays with a donation to the San Diego Humane Society. Photo: Olivenhain Municipal Water District

Olivenhain Municipal Water District employee Tammi Bowman and her assistant Daisy make sure pets in need aren’t forgotten during the holidays with a donation to the San Diego Humane Society. Photo: Olivenhain Municipal Water District

Olivenhain Municipal Water District employees enjoy playing Santa’s elves each holiday season with special giving traditions. Olivenhain MWD supports a family of six, three veterans, and two older adults through the Salvation Army Adopt-A-Family program. Donations were also gathered and dropped off to support the San Diego Humane Society.

For 17 years, OMWD employees have enthusiastically supported fundraising for the nonprofit Water for People. The water district works with communities across the globe to install safe water and sanitation systems, educating local people on good health practices and saving thousands of lives. Olivenhain employees have volunteered abroad, helping set up water and sewer systems with the agency’s full support.

Olivenhain Municipal Water District “elves” Tammi Bowman and Paul Martinez show off donated nut baskets in front of “adoption” collection boxes. Photo: Olivenhain Municipal Water District

Olivenhain Municipal Water District “elves” Tammi Bowman and Paul Martinez show off donated nut baskets in front of “adoption” collection boxes. Photo: Olivenhain Municipal Water District

During the holiday season, the San Diego chapter holds a competition to sell the most gift baskets donated by Wonderful Pistachios. Employees help assemble the baskets for sale. OMWD has been a top donor in past years. It set an ambitious goal of 200 baskets to win the honor of being “the nuttiest place to work in San Diego.” The agency’s employees exceeded the goal with 204 baskets collected.

(Editor’s note: The Helix Water District, Sweetwater Authority, Olivenhain Municipal Water District, City of Poway, and City of Escondido are five of the San Diego County Water Authority’s 24 member agencies that deliver water across San Diego County.)

City of Escondido Recognized as Water Saving Model

/in , , /by /Water News Network

As California endures its worst drought in 1,200 years, San Diego County’s water industry has developed diversified sources and accelerated conservation practices to secure its water supply for the future. The City of Escondido’s innovative water treatment and saving methods offers a model for other drought-stricken cities.

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The City of Escondido’s innovative water treatment and saving methods offers a model for other drought-stricken cities. Escondido recognized

City of Escondido Recognized as Water Saving Model

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As California endures its worst drought in 1,200 years, San Diego County’s water industry has developed diversified sources and accelerated conservation practices to secure its water supply for the future.

The City of Escondido’s innovative water treatment and saving methods offers a model for other drought-stricken cities. Escondido has led the San Diego region on climate change mitigation and was recently ranked first in San Diego County for its performance and progress on its Climate Action Plan.

  • Escondido earned the highest score (97.5) on the 2022 Climate Action Plan Report Card.
  • The overall score is based on its increasing climate equity, green infrastructure, and food availability.
  • Escondido joined the Clean Energy Alliance to bring Community Choice Energy to the City’s residents and local businesses in 2023.

“Not only is Escondido leading in water conservation, but the quality of our water is also noteworthy,” said Christopher McKinney, City of Escondido Director of Water Utilities. “Our advanced water treatment plants ensure our drinking water meets or exceeds all state and federal health standards for water quality as noted in the 2021 Water Quality Report. We also took a more ambitious approach to incorporate new and more stringent quality control processes over the last two years, making the Escondido Water Quality Lab one of only two California labs already compliant with new accreditation standards.”

Investing in meeting new water measures

Local farmers formed the Escondido Irrigation District in 1888 to ensure both residents and the booming agricultural sector had steady water access. Photo: City of Escondido recognized

Local farmers formed the Escondido Irrigation District in 1888 to ensure both residents and the booming agricultural sector had steady water access. Photo: City of Escondido

When Escondido was incorporated as a city in 1888, the influx of families moving to the area quickly pressured the water supply. Within a year, local farmers formed the Escondido Irrigation District to ensure both residents and the booming agricultural sector had steady water access.

The City of Escondido, and San Diego County as a whole, has invested significant energy and resources into meeting new water measures, such as:

  • Household water restrictions regarding irrigation, landscaping, and recreational water use.
  • Customer-request-only water conservation regulations at restaurants, hotels, and other public spaces.
  • Converting agricultural land from untreated water sources to treated water sources.

“Escondido has a long history of being ahead of the curve on sustainable practices,” said Jennifer Schoeneck, City of Escondido Deputy Director of Economic Development. “Our proactive and comprehensive strategy to water conservation has made our city an enviable locale for innovative companies and new and novel water-saving solutions.”

Escondido’s methods of sustainability

Innovative water-saving techniques in Escondido are driven in part by the city’s agricultural sector and commitment to regenerative practices. Photo: City of Escondido recognized

Innovative water-saving techniques in Escondido are driven in part by the city’s agricultural sector and commitment to regenerative practices. Photo: City of Escondido

Innovative water-saving techniques in Escondido are driven in part by the city’s agricultural sector and commitment to regenerative practices. The city takes a multifaceted approach when it comes to effective water conservation methods.

The City of Escondido will put its new water filtration system into operation in 2023. The water filtration system takes treated water up to the recycled water standard and makes it usable for agriculture irrigation, supporting area growers, and farmers. The recycled water program will reduce the cost of water by as much as 40 % and produce a reliable, drought-proof supply.

For residents, the City of Escondido offers water-wise workshops, classes, programs, and contests to implement drought-tolerating landscaping. Since 1991, fourth graders in the Escondido water district have participated in an annual poster contest, illustrating the value of water resources.

Residents and businesses who invest in water-saving solutions can participate in a variety of rebate programs.

“We take regenerative practices seriously in Escondido,” said Escondido City Manager Sean McGlynn. “Shifting towards water and energy independence, zero waste, and clean technologies is a top priority for the City.”

(Editor’s Note: The City of Escondido is one of the San Diego County Water Authority’s 24 member agencies that deliver water across the metropolitan San Diego region.)

north sd water reuse logo

North San Diego Water Reuse Coalition Awarded Up to $17.8 Million in Federal Funding to Continue Improving Local Water Supply Reliability

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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.”

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Escondido Landscape Makeover Winner Goes from Weeds to Wow

/in , , /by /Water News Network

When Jeanne Reutlinger moved to her Escondido home in 2019, the neglected front yard was full of weeds, baked by the sun, and car exhausts from the street. Three years later, Reutlinger’s vision and hard work for a natural low maintenance habitat created a pollinator’s paradise full of native plants. Her efforts won the 2022 City of Escondido’s Landscape Makeover Contest.

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Jeanne Reutunger transformed a neglected front yard into a beautiful native garden and the winner of the 2022 City of Escondido Landscape Makeover Contest. Photo: City of Escondido

Escondido Landscape Makeover Winner Goes from Weeds to Wow

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When Jeanne Reutlinger moved to her Escondido home in 2019, the neglected front yard was full of weeds, baked by the sun, and car exhausts from the street. Three years later, Reutlinger’s vision and hard work for a natural low maintenance habitat created a pollinator’s paradise full of native plants. Her efforts won the 2022 City of Escondido’s Landscape Makeover Contest.

When Jeanne Reutlinger moved to her Escondido home in 2019, the neglected front yard was full of weeds, baked by the sun and car exhausts from the street. Photo: City of Escondido

When Jeanne Reutlinger moved to her Escondido home in 2019, the neglected front yard was full of weeds, baked by the sun and car exhausts from the street. Photo: City of Escondido

“I wanted to do my own planting and create a colorful water-wise garden to attract butterflies and small birds,” says Reutlinger. At age 84, she got a helping hand transforming the “forlorn lawn” full of weeds, ruts, and dead tree roots from her grandson, John, who helped with extensive plantings. He also assisted his grandmother in creating a natural bird bath from an old tree stump that the birds love.

Creativity, ingenuity, and patience pay off

The award-winning design used plant cuttings and other cost-saving measures. Photo: City of Escondido

“I did the flower, succulent, small shrub and ground cover planting myself over the past three years. It has been a continual work in progress,” said Reutlinger. “I planted colorful heat tolerant plants and clippings from friends and neighbors that require little water and thrive in the heat. I collected rocks and cast-off bricks to make several different beds for my plantings. I dig around each plant and make a berm of soil to hold the water in to prevent runoff.”

Reutlinger said the cost for the makeover was minimal due to her creativity and by tackling the work herself. “It is easy to start plants from cuttings and saves money if one is patient to nurture the little cuttings,” said Reutlinger.

Native garden nurtures pollinators

The native plant garden attracts pollinators including endangered Monarch butterfliest. Photo: City of Escondido landscape makeover

The native plant garden attracts pollinators, including endangered Monarch butterflies. Photo: City of Escondido

The yard is filled with California Poppies, giant Gazania Daisies (which reseed themselves constantly), and marigolds which Reutlinger replants each year with seeds from the previous year’s flowers. Reutlinger planted bougainvillea, rosemary, sea lavender, lantana, succulents, and multiple milkweed varieties. Reutlinger adds seasonal colorful nursery flowers in the spring to enjoy during cooler, rainier weather.

“The many birds with their cheerful songs that enjoy my birdbath in the mornings are a delight,” said Reutlinger. “It is a joy to see the many Monarch butterflies that have made their home in my yard with the various milkweed plantings in my garden. I have been able to watch the full life cycle of the Monarch from egg to growing caterpillar to chrysalis to beautiful adult butterfly right in my own yard.”

Colorful yard draws compliments

The results of Jeanne Reutlinger’s hard work benefit her entire neighborhood. Photo: City of Escondido

Reutlinger says she gets compliments from her neighbors, who enjoy the beauty and color her yard adds to the neighborhood. “It was once a bleak and barren corner and has now been transformed with a lot of love and enjoyment over the years into a water-wise habitat for birds and butterflies and it gives smiles to all who pass by,” she said.

Reutlinger chooses to hand water her plants, allowing her to control the amount of water each plant receives. She also relishes what she calls sunshine therapy. “Hand watering gets me out of the house every day to enjoy my garden and soak up the vitamin D and get the exercise and movement that my 84-year-old self needs,” said Reutlinger.

Up to 80% of local household water consumption is outdoors. The annual Landscape Makeover Contest aims to inspire residents to consider a landscape makeover by showcasing the beauty and variety of water-efficient landscapes.

Interested residents can learn more about WaterSmart Living, including the 2023 contest and classes on the WaterSmartSD website.

(Editor’s note: The City of Escondido is one of the San Diego County Water Authority’s 24 member agencies that deliver water across the metropolitan San Diego region.)

Escondido Poster Contest Celebrates Winning Water Awareness Artwork

/in , , /by /Water News Network

Twelve finalists from Escondido schools join a long tradition of fourth-graders entering the annual City of Escondido Student Poster Contest. Students were asked to depict the 2022 contest theme “Love Water, Save Water” to illustrate the value of water resources through creative, hand-drawn art.

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City of Escondido Student Poster Contest winners posing at City Hall. 1st row (L to R): Chance Hsieh, Ella Olson, Camila Aguilar, Noam Brumfield, Sonja Bolen. 2nd row (L to R): Joshua Carpia, Katalina Palacio, Andres Olivas Maldonado, Jeinelle Love G. Millamena, Natalia Guevara, Addison Frew, Alex Bredel. Photo: City of Escondido

Escondido Poster Contest Celebrates Winning Water Awareness Artwork

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Twelve finalists from Escondido schools join a long tradition of fourth-graders entering the annual City of Escondido Student Poster Contest. Students were asked to depict the 2022 contest theme “Love Water, Save Water” to illustrate the value of water resources through creative, hand-drawn art.

The students were recognized at the May 25 City Council meeting. They were given certificates and prizes donated by Escondido merchants who support the program and the city’s conservation efforts.

The first, second, and third place winners will be featured in next year’s 2023 North County water agencies’ regional calendar.

The winners of the 2022 City of Escondido Student Poster Contest 

Escondido Poster Contest First Place: Camila Aguilar, Quantum Academy. Photo: City of Escondido

Escondido Poster Contest First Place: Camila Aguilar, Quantum Academy. Photo: City of Escondido

 

Escondido Student Poster Contest Second Place: Katalina Palacio, Heritage Charter. Photo: City of Escondido

 

Escondido Student Poster Contest Third Place: Addison Frew, Quantum Academy. Photo: City of Escondido

Escondido Student Poster Contest Third Place: Addison Frew, Quantum Academy. Photo: City of Escondido

Nine additional students received Honorable Mentions

(L to R): Honorable Mention winners Sonja Bolen, Noah Brumfield, and Alex Bredel. Photo: City of Escondido

 

(L to R): Honorable Mention winners Joshua Carpia, Natalia Guevara, Chance Hsieh. Photo: City of Escondido

 

Honorable Mention winners (L to R): Andres Olivas Maldonado, Jeinelle Love G. Millamena, Ella Olson. Photo: City of Escondido

Contest part of comprehensive science education program

The poster contest is a fun activity with a serious goal: teaching children the value of water and the need for water conservation. The City of Escondido supports local public and private schools by providing the Water Science Education Program to elementary and afterschool programs.

The program teaches water science to raise awareness of Earth’s resources through interactive and collaborative activities supplementing each school’s science curriculum. The lessons help meet Next Generation Science Standards. The annual poster contest is part of this yearly program.

(Editor’s note: The City of Escondido is one of the San Diego County Water Authority’s 24 member agencies that deliver water across the metropolitan San Diego region.)