Tag Archive for: City of San Diego

San Diego homeowners can take advantage of discounted rain barrels and workshops through April. Photo: Courtesy: Solana Center for Environmental Innovation

Discounted Rain Barrels and Workshops Available For San Diego Residents

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With San Diego’s rainy months just ahead, Solana Center for Environmental Innovation (Solana Center) and Think Blue San Diego (the City of San Diego Stormwater Department) are providing discounted rain barrels to encourage City of San Diego residents to collect and conserve rainwater and reduce stormwater pollution.

Rain barrels are $30 each for City of San Diego residents after the $75 discount (original price $105), while supplies last. By using a rain barrel, San Diegans can collect water for later use and reduce runoff to the ocean.

Free Rainwater Harvesting Workshops

Participants in two upcoming workshops can pick up their new discounted rain barrels at the same time. Photo: Courtesy: Solana Center for Environmental Innovation

Participants in two upcoming workshops can pick up their new discounted rain barrels at the same time. Photo: Courtesy: Solana Center for Environmental Innovation

City of San Diego residents may attend a free rainwater harvesting webinar on Wednesday, February 26, 2026, to learn more about whether rainwater harvesting is the right fit for their household before ordering their rain barrel. They may also attend a rain barrel and rain harvesting workshop on Sunday, March 29, 2026, or Sunday, April 19, 2026, and pick up their discounted barrels afterward at the same location.

“Rain barrels provide free, untreated water for gardening and landscaping,” says Solana Center educator and rain barrel specialist, Sarah Van Horn. “Collecting rainwater is also an easy step households can take to keep our local waterways clean and free from contaminants.”

Benefits of Rain Barrels

When it rains, stormwater flows from roofs, sidewalks, and other hard urban surfaces onto city streets, picking up pollution and trash along the way. Water that enters the stormwater system flows untreated directly into our creeks, rivers, bays, beaches, and, ultimately, the ocean. Instead of letting fresh rainwater flow off of your property, you can collect some of it in rain barrels where it can be saved and used to irrigate yards and plants that need it most.

Just one inch of rain yields 600 gallons per 1,000 square feet of roof space, depending on your roof configuration. That’s a lot of free, fresh water for San Diegans to divert and help their plants thrive. The rain barrels provided can store up to 50
gallons of rainwater for later use each time it rains, and include screens to prevent mosquito entry and breeding.

Collecting rainwater from your roof can contribute to water conservation by reducing the need to use potable municipal water for irrigation, helping to reduce pollutant flows to local waterways, and reducing flooding around your property and neighborhood.

Rain Barrel Program Details

City of San Diego residents eligible for discounted rain barrels can attend a virtual or an in-person workshop to learn more about maximizing their benefits. Photo: Courtesy: Solana Center for Environmental Innovation

City of San Diego residents eligible for discounted rain barrels can attend a virtual or an in-person workshop to learn more about maximizing their benefits. Photo: Courtesy: Solana Center for Environmental Innovation

Here’s how the program works:

1. Check your address to ensure you qualify as a City of San Diego resident.

2. Register for the rain barrel distribution event of your choice:

Sunday, Mar. 29, 2026: Mountain View Community Center – 641 S Boundary St., San Diego, CA 92113
Sunday, April 19, 2026: North Clairemont Recreation Center – 4421 Bannock Ave, San Diego, CA 92117

3. Register to attend a workshop or webinar to learn more about rainwater harvesting
and how to use your rain barrel:

Webinar: Thursday, Feb. 26, 2026 – 6 – 7 p.m.
In-Person Workshop: Sunday, Mar. 29, 2026 – 10 – 11 a.m. – Mountain View Community Center
In-Person Workshop: Sunday, Apr. 19, 2026 – 11 a.m. – 12 p.m. – North Clairemont Recreation Center

Check your eligibility for the program here on the website.

Funding for this project has been provided in full or in part from the Water Quality, Supply, and Infrastructure Improvement Act of 2014 and through an agreement with the State Department of Water Resources.

Solana Center for Environmental Innovation (Solana Center) is an award-winning 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization based in Encinitas, CA that has provided waste diversion and environmental education in San Diego County for over 40 years. Solana Center’s work centers on community education, direct resource conservation and waste reduction, and innovative environmental research and development. Learn more at www.solanacenter.org.

To help educate San Diegans about the importance of stormwater services to neighborhood quality of life, Think Blue San Diego is the City of San Diego’s longest-running and most successful public education and outreach program. For more than 20 years, this Stormwater Department program has implemented innovative, proactive steps to stop pollution before it gets into storm drains.

The shoreline firepits at Lake Jennings are especially popular during the summer months. Photo: Lake Jennings reservoirs

San Diego Regional Reservoirs Offer Summer Activities

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Although San Diego County is best known for its beautiful beaches, it is also home to more than 20 freshwater lakes and reservoirs. These bodies of water offer a variety of recreational opportunities.

Lake fishing lets anglers hook catfish, bluegill, carp, crappie, sunfish, bass, and trout. Water enthusiasts can enjoy kayaking, boating, rowing, and wakeboarding on the calm waters. For families, barbecue and picnic areas offer the perfect location to spend the day by the lake.

Many of San Diego County’s most popular reservoir recreation areas offer seasonal events through Labor Day to celebrate San Diego County’s beautiful summer weather.

Summer In Full Swing At Santee Lakes

Night fishing is a popular activity at Santee Lakes during the summer months. Photo: Santee Lakes

Night fishing is a popular activity at Santee Lakes during the summer months. Photo: Santee Lakes

Santee Lakes offers a variety of summer activities, including fishing, camping, picnic shelters with BBQ grills, and entertainment. The park also features playgrounds, a sprayground at Lake 1 to cool the kids and their adult friends, and hiking trails. For campers, there is laser tag on Friday nights. 

Enjoy live music with the “Summer Jams on Deck” series featuring music on select Fridays and Saturdays from 5 to 7 p.m.

More than 230 species of birds migrate through or call Santee Lakes home. Photo: Santee Lakes reservoirs

More than 230 species of birds migrate through or call Santee Lakes home. Photo: Santee Lakes

Santee Lakes has seven lakes where fishing is permitted, with options for both day and night fishing (for campers with a permit). If you’re new to fishing, “Fishing 101” is offered on select Saturday mornings through September. A park ranger can offer tips both for beginners and seasoned anglers. Meet at the General Store from 8 a.m. to 9:30 a.m. Check the website Events Calendar for dates.

Originally opened to the public in 1961, today, Santee Lakes Recreation Preserve hosts over 760,000 visitors annually. The 190-acre park’s lakes are stocked with fish year-round. Other amenities include cabin rentals, boating, facility rentals, and approximately 230 bird species.

Lake Jennings Open For Summer Fun

Fishing hours are extended at Lake Jennings during summer months. Photo: Lake Jennings

Fishing hours are extended at Lake Jennings during summer months. Photo: Lake Jennings

Lake Jennings is open daily from 6 a.m. to 5 p.m. Through Labor Day, hours are extended for boating and fishing until midnight (entrance gate closes at 10 p.m.). It is catfish season, with the lake restocked with 1,000 pounds every few weeks throughout the season.

If you want to try for the lake record, Chris Sprecco caught an 84.4 lb. blue catfish on January 18, 2020, breaking the previous lake record of a 71.3 lb. blue catfish held by Bob Bowden on June 1, 2014.

Especially popular in summer months are Hermit Cove lakefront firepit rentals from 6 p.m. to 9 p.m. Firepit rentals include lake entrance fees for up to six people, Adirondack chairs, two bundles of wood, fire starter, and set-up/clean-up. A ranger is on hand to help light and extinguish fires. Visitors can add on S’mores supplies or tailgate supplies, including hot dogs.

Family and friends enjoy gathering around the Lake Jennings firepits on warm summer nights. Photo: Lake Jennings reservoirs

Family and friends enjoy gathering around the Lake Jennings firepits on warm summer nights. Photo: Lake Jennings

Advance reservations are required for dates through October. Firepits can be reserved online or by calling (619) 390-1623. Fishing permits are not included and must be purchased separately.

Lake Jennings is an exceptional destination during the summer months for the serious and casual wildlife viewer and photographer. The rolling hills, the endless lake, the coastal sage, and the riparian areas provide a diverse habitat in a small area. Common sightings include deer, fox, and osprey. Bird watchers are drawn to Lake Jennings for its rich variety of bird species.

Shoreline Fishing At Sweetwater Reservoir

Shoreline fishing is allowed along a 2.5-mile stretch on the south side of Sweetwater Reservoir from Friday through Monday from 7 a.m. to 5 p.m. through September. Located at the eastern edge of Bonita, Sweetwater Reservoir’s Recreation Program is easily accessible and offers outdoor activities, including birdwatching and a riding and hiking trail operated by the County of San Diego.

Visitors must bring their own food, drink, bait, and tackle, including drinking water. Portable restrooms are provided.

The entrance is located at 3203 Summit Meadow Road in Bonita. A valid California Department of Fish and Wildlife Fishing License is required. Regular fishing fees remain in effect on Fridays, Saturdays, and Mondays. For more information on current hours, fees, and safety, visit www.sweetwater.org/fishing.

Primarily a local water supply for the Authority’s 200,000 customers in National City, Chula Vista, and Bonita, the Authority has created recreational opportunities including fishing programs and a riding and hiking trail at Sweetwater operated by the County of San Diego through a license from the Authority.

Lake Miramar Offers Oasis In The Heart of San Diego

The five mile road circling Lake Miramar is popular for cycling, walking, and running. Photo: City of San Diego

The five mile road circling Lake Miramar is popular for cycling, walking, and running. Photo: City of San Diego

Just east of Interstate 15 in Scripps Ranch, the Miramar Reservoir is popular for producing some of the biggest largemouth bass in the world. Visitors can also enjoy boating, kayaking, and canoeing activities. There are 18 barbecues and 48 picnic tables for family outings.

The park’s concession facility offers boat and bike rentals, bait and tackle, and snacks. For walkers, runners, and cyclists, the lake’s five-mile-long scenic trail that wraps around the lake is a popular highlight.

The lake is open daily from sunrise to sunset. For more information, visit the City of San Diego’s website.

San Vicente Reservoir A Favorite For Water Sports

Some of the region's best water sports and fishing is found at the San Vicente Reservoir in Lakeside. Photo: City of San Diego

Some of the region’s best water sports and fishing is found at the San Vicente Reservoir in Lakeside. Photo: City of San Diego

Located in Lakeside, the San Vicente Reservoir is open Thursdays through Sundays from Memorial Day through October. From one half hour before sunrise until sunset, general boating and water contact sports such as water skiing, wakeboarding, stand-up paddleboarding, and canoeing and kayaking are permitted.

Personal watercraft are allowed if safely towing a skier, wakeboarder, or tube device meeting safety regulations.

At San Vicente, visitors can enjoy some of the region’s best fishing. Picnic and barbecue areas and restrooms are open. Leashed dogs are permitted. Visit the lake webpage for additional information.

VOSD Podcast: The Sports Episode

/in , /by /Voice of San Diegoby Scott Lewis Mentioned: San Diego County Water Authority
Quoted: San Diego County Water Authority

We also broke down San Diego’s soaring water rates and discussed Councilmember Marni von Wilpert’s surprising suggestion that the city of San Diego should consider leaving the San Diego County Water Authority.  

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Rainwater harvesting using rain barrels can be part of your irrigation management strategy. Photo: National Audubon Society

Rainwater Harvesting Rebates Help San Diegans Meet Irrigation Needs

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Weather scientists predict modest or below-average rainfall this winter due to the La Niña weather pattern arriving in late 2024. Capturing rainfall is a smart water management tactic. Now is an ideal time to take advantage of several upcoming rainwater harvesting workshops and rebate programs available in San Diego County and the rainfall available in the months ahead.

The National Weather Service predicts drier than average conditions. Photo: National Weather Service

The National Weather Service predicts drier than average conditions. Photo: National Weather Service

City of San Diego rebate programs

City of San Diego residents can take advantage of rebates for rain barrels, rain gutter installation, downspouts and other water management tools. Visit the City’s Public Utilities Rebate page to learn about your options and requirements.

RRain barrel rebates are available through several programs in the San Diego region. Photo: Suzy Morris / Creative Commons rainwater harvesting

Rain barrel rebates are available through several programs in the San Diego region. Photo: Suzy Morris / Creative Commons

The Solana Center For Environmental Innovation offers a rain barrel purchase program for City of San Diego residents. The Solana Center will help set up your household for water harvesting success. Order your discounted rain barrel by January 11, 2025, for pick up at the North Clairemont Recreation Center on Saturday, January 25. You can attend a free rainwater harvesting workshop at 10 a.m. More information is available on the Solano Center website.

County of San Diego rebate programs

The County’s Waterscape Rebate Program will host free rainwater harvesting workshops in 2024. Workshops teach residents how to capture rainwater to supplement your irrigation needs, save money on water bills, and protect our region’s environment by preventing pollutants from spilling into regional watersheds.

Workshop dates are expected to be scheduled soon. For future workshops, check the County of San Diego Waterscape Rebate Program website.

Residents in unincorporated areas of San Diego County may be eligible to receive a free rain barrel. Workshop participants in incorporated areas can check their rebate eligibility on the San Diego County website’s interactive map.

If you live in unincorporated San Diego AND receive your water from the San Diego County Water Authority and its member agencies, you are eligible for ALL rebates listed under the County program. 

The County of San Diego Watershed Protection Program (WPP) partners with the San Diego County Water Authority and Metropolitan Water District of Southern California (through SoCal WaterSmart) and can assist residents in determining which program benefits are available.

Reduce water use to preserve the environment and save costs

Using rain barrels and other rainwater diversion tools helps keep runoff pollutants out of stormwater systems and the environment. Photo: Pixabay/CC

Using rain barrels and other rainwater diversion tools helps keep runoff pollutants out of stormwater systems and the environment. Photo: Pixabay/CC

During San Diego County’s limited periods of rainfall, any rainwater captured from your roof and property saves money. It also helps the region maintain its water supplies.

In addition to rain barrels, directing downspouts to fill containers lets you choose how to use the rainwater you capture. The overflow should empty onto your yard or a landscape feature to infiltrate the excess flow into the soil. Rain chains can assist with this.

The County is committed to protecting the water quality in creeks, streams, and coastal areas. Runoff from irrigation, storms, and even faulty septic systems can pollute our waterways and threaten public health.

When businesses and households make changes to reduce water use and use rainwater in their landscapes, we preserve healthy, safe waterways and more reliable water supplies while achieving cost savings.

How rain barrel rebates work

After you make your purchase of rain saving containers and any other items eligible for rebates and have installed them, you can apply for rebates. Current rain barrel rebates are $35 and limited to two per household for most San Diego County residents. You can submit for multiple projects. Learn more at SoCal Water Smart.

Conserve water for landscape maintenance

Directing downspouts into water collecting features in your landscaping makes use of rainfall. Photo: County of San Diego rain barrel rebates

Directing downspouts into water collecting features in your landscaping makes use of rainfall. Photo: County of San Diego

Even light rain can provide enough water for later use. A roof with a 2,000-square-foot surface area can capture 300 gallons from only a quarter inch of rain.

Stored water can be released gradually into landscaping between winter rainstorms, building up the soil sponge and ensuring that native plants get adequate water during the winter months when they need it most. If you need additional water in the summer and capture enough of it during the winter, you may be able to use your stored water for supplemental irrigation.

Visit the Solana Center For Environmental Innovation website for additional details on conservation rebate programs and to order rain barrels.

 

 

Hungry goats are used to help clear brush and maintain wildfire safety at the Miramar Reservoir. Photo: City of San Diego

Goats Help Maintain Miramar Reservoir, Reduce Fire Risk

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Visitors enjoy seeing the variety of wildlife when visiting the City of San Diego’s Miramar Reservoir in the Scripps Ranch community.
Recent visitors might have been surprised by an unusual group of animals:  hundreds of goats grazing near the dam.
The City’s Public Utilities Department contracted with a local company to have more than 250 goats clear dry brush to allow for inspection of the dam and help reduce fire risk.
Under human supervision, several dozen goats can efficiently and safely clear an acre of brush per day. Photo: City of San Diego

Under human supervision, several dozen goats can efficiently and safely clear an acre of brush per day. Photo: City of San Diego

Goat Herds Provide Energy-Efficient Reservoir Maintenance

Public Utilities operates and maintains dams for nine reservoirs that support the water supply for the City of San Diego. Routine maintenance and daily inspections help ensure the safety of this vital infrastructure.
Goats can play a vital role in this maintenance because they provide an energy-efficient and low-carbon alternative to mechanized equipment to remove dry brush and ensure proper visibility of the face of the dam.
Since 2005, the City of San Diego has allowed the use of goats to remove brush, which helps reduce the risk of wildfires. Goats are voracious eaters and are not picky about what they consume.
Twenty to thirty goats can clear an acre of brush in a few days. The goats eat plants down to the soil’s surface but leave root systems that help keep soil from washing away and causing hillside erosion.

Goats May Become A Regular Sight

Goats may be used at additional locations among the City of San Diego's nine reservoirs. Photo: City of San Diego

Goats may be used at additional locations among the City of San Diego’s nine reservoirs. Photo: City of San Diego

After evaluating the goats’ work at Miramar Reservoir, the City will assess the feasibility of using their services in other locations.
Private property owners with large amounts of land needing brush clearance within the City of San Diego can also use goats to remove brush on their property. They must first receive a permit from the Fire-Rescue Department. There is no charge for the permit application.
Combustible vegetation, especially dry brush, should be cleared to reduce fire risk. Any material left in its natural state will readily ignite, burn, and cause fire to move to any structure or other vegetation. This includes dry grass, brush, weeds, litter, and waste.
For more information about brush management and guidelines, visit sandiego.gov/fire/services/brush.

Peters’ Bill to Streamline Permit Renewal for Wastewater Plant Passes in Committee

/in , , /by /Times of San Diegoby Jennifer Vigil

The legislation would simplify the city of San Diego’s permitting process to operate the Point Loma Wastewater Treatment Plant, which will allow the city to move forward with its water-recycling project, Pure Water.

The program will supply half of San Diego’s drinking water by 2035 and help solidify the region’s water security amidst worsening conditions on the Colorado River.

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City of San Diego Fixing Break in 36-Inch Water Main off Black Mountain

/in , /by /CBS8by David Gotfredson

The City of San Diego is repairing a major leak in a 36-inch water main off Black Mountain in Rancho Peñasquitos.

City workers had to bring in heavy equipment to dig down and locate the break in the water transmission line of Carmel Valley Road.

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VOSD Podcast: The Solution to Pollution is Not Dilution

/in , /by /Voice of San Diegoby Andrea Lopez-Villafaña

The city of San Diego has embarked in a multibillion dollar effort to recycle its wastewater into drinking water. It’s a project years in the making, but officials expect to complete the first phase in 2027.

This week on the podcast, Voice of San Diego’s social media pro Bella Ross recaps what she learned on a recent tour of the new facility. And she gets into why people don’t want to drink the recycled water — but also why they need to get over it.

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Water Districts Sue City of San Diego Over Lake Hodges Dam Maintenance

/in , /by /CBS8by David Gotfredson

Two local water districts have filed a lawsuit in North County court alleging the city of San Diego failed for years to maintain the Lake Hodges Dam.

The water districts allege they have lost $21 million due to the release of water from Lake Hodges in recent months.

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We’re About to Drink Toilet Water. Why That’s a Good and Safe Thing to Do.

/in , /by /Voice of San Diegoby MacKenzie Elmer

Try driving up Morena Boulevard in Mission Valley, or north through Bay Park and Clairemont, and chances are you’ll be bottlenecked by an army of orange traffic cones demarking a huge construction project that will consume northern San Diego for years to come.

The city of San Diego is currently building a massive wastewater-to-drinking water recycling system – but it must tear up the streets to do it. The new pipe route tunnels from Morena Pump Station near the San Diego International Airport, then 10 miles north to University City and then another 8 miles to Miramar Reservoir, the final stop for all our transformed toilet water.

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