Chula Vista, CA – On April 9, 2024, the South Bay Irrigation District Board of Directors approved a proclamation to rebrand the district as “South Bay Water.” The updated name enhances the connection between the district and its important role as the governance branch of Sweetwater Authority, a public water agency that serves 200,000 residents in South Bay with safe and reliable tap water.
Encinitas, Calif. — Olivenhain Municipal Water District invites amateur photographers of all ages to its Elfin Forest Recreational Reserve for the seventeenth annual amateur photography contest that will run from November 18, 2023, through April 21, 2024.
“For seventeen years, our contest has prompted visitors to capture Elfin Forest Recreational Reserve’s stunning beauty from their unique perspective,” said OMWD Board Director Marco San Antonio. “The contest promotes the importance of protecting wildlife habitat at the reserve so that future generations may also enjoy the many wonders it offers.”
The 11th annual Lake Jennings Spring Photo Contest is now open for entries. The theme is “Life at the Lake.”
The contest goal is to share the beauty of the reservoir and its surroundings with the local community while highlighting public recreation opportunities. Photos can capture any aspect of the lake, including recreation, fishing, lake vistas, wildlife, and wildflowers.
Photos taken at Lake Jennings between March 1 and May 31, 2022 are eligible.
Contest participants can get a free day-pass to access, explore and photograph the scenic reservoir in Lakeside.
Judging will be performed by a panel of Helix Water District staff. Entries are judged based on this year’s theme, visual appeal, technical quality, and creativity.
Photographer Johnathan Bradley of Lemon Grove won first place in 2021 for his image titled “Open Field.” Photo: Helix Water District
“We encourage photographers of all skill levels to visit Lake Jennings and enter the 2022 Spring Photo Contest,” said recreation manager Kira Haley. “Lake Jennings offers visitors plenty of beautiful things to photograph like its scenic views, clear water, numerous trails, fishing, and plenty of wildlife.”
Gabriel Heilpern’s photo “Fishing on the Lake,” was second in the youth category last year. Photo: Helix Water District
Contest sponsor, Helix Water District, will award prizes in two divisions, adult and youth. First-place winners in each division will receive $150; second-place winners will receive $100, and third-place winners will receive $50. Awards will be presented at a public board meeting in June.
Participants must submit entries digitally to by 11:59 p.m. on Tuesday, May 31. There is a limit of three photo submissions per photographer. Photos may not contain watermarks. See rules, and entry, and model release forms at http://www.lakejennings.org/photo-contest/.
In 2021, third place in the Adult category went to Jeff Morin for “Ladies On A Lunch Break.” Photo: Helix Water District
Sixty-one photographers submitted their work in 2021. Photographer Johnathan Bradley of Lemon Grove won first place for his image titled “Open Field” and second place for the photo “Sun Star.” Third place went to Jeff Morin for “Ladies On A Lunch Break.”
In the Youth category, first place went to Aaron De’Souza for “Cacti by the Lake,” and second place to Gabriel Heilpern, “Fishing on the Lake.”
Photographers planning their visit should check the Lake Jennings website for current information on hours and access.
(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 metropolitan San Diego region.)
One dozen San Diego County water agencies are looking for the best in landscaping makeover projects for the 2022 regional WaterSmart landscape competition. This annual competition showcases residential water-saving landscaping projects to inform and inspire other homeowners to consider replacing their turf-based yard designs.
The contest deadline for all participating agencies is Friday, May 13.
Spring Valley, Calif. – The Otay Water District has launched a New Year’s-themed Instagram photo contest as one way to help make the community aware of water-saving efforts during the drought. The District encourages participants to use their creativity and share photographs of how they plan to save more water in 2022.
The theme “Life at the Lake” inspired 61 photographers to enter the 2021 Lake Jennings Spring Photo Contest, held for the 10th year by the Helix Water District.
Photographer Johnathan Bradley of Lemon Grove won first place for his image titled “Open Field” and second place for the photo “Sun Star.” Third place went to Jeff Morin for “Ladies On A Lunch Break.”
Each of the entries highlighted the unique beauty of Lake Jennings activities enjoyed by locals and visitors, including camping, fishing, hiking, spotting wildlife, and enjoying the view. The contest was open for photos taken between March 1 and May 31, 2021. Eleven entries from March 2020 were included since they were entered before Lake Jennings closed due to the pandemic.
“This year’s contest had photographers from all over the county and even some international participants,” said Kira Haley, Lake Jennings recreation manager. “Our photo contest visitors brought the lake to life through their experiences camping, fishing, watching wildlife, and exploring the many trails and vistas of the lake.”
First Place – Johnathan Bradley – “Open Field”
Second Place – Johnathan Bradley – “Sun Star”
Third Place – Jeff Morin – “Ladies on a Lunch Break”
Honorable Mention – Erik Hyman –”Deep Pier”
First Place – Aaron De’Souza – “Cacti by the Lake”
Second Place – Gabriel Heilpern – “Fishing on the Lake”
The winning photos are also available on Lake Jennings’ Facebook page and the District’s website.
Thirteen talented student photographers creatively captured the importance of water in their homes and in the context of the coronavirus pandemic in Sweetwater Authority’s 2021 High School Photo Contest.
Winners were selected from 50 students from South San Diego Bay high schools who submitted more than 100 entries in two categories: black and white, and color photography. In each photo, water plays a central part in favorite activities and quality of life.
The water agency acknowleged it was an unusual year and thanked students for their contributions during an unusual school year.
“This year’s contest was unique, in that we asked students to reflect on the meaning of water in their homes and in the context of the pandemic,” said Leslie Payne, Sweetwater Authority public affairs manager. “The entries we received and their accompanying essays reflected not only on the importance of water but also of the ability of art to uplift us all during difficult times.”
First Place, Color: Winner Kayla Rosenberg, a freshman at Hilltop High School, said her entry “Sunshine Shower” portrayed the family dog’s sense of fun. Photo: Courtesy Sweetwater Authority
First place winner Kayla Rosenberg, a freshman at Hilltop High School, said her entry “Sunshine Shower” shows how her family uses water to have fun. “During the long hot days, I usually turn on the hose to water the grass and plants. But, my biggest dog just can’t resist the shower of water.”
Second Place, Color: Chula Vista High School sophomore Araceli Romo portrayed her love for watercolor painting in “Watercolor Wonderland” Photo: Courtesy Sweetwater Authority
Chula Vista High School sophomore Araceli Romo portrayed her love for watercolor painting in “Watercolor Wonderland.” Her photo won second place.
Third Place, Color: Trinity Fuentecilla, Eastlake High School, “Water for Roots” Photo Courtesy: Sweetwater Authority
Alia Kircher, a senior at Bonita Vista High School, said her photo “Roots” depicting a plant’s roots growing in water “symbolizes how water keeps us alive.”
First Place, Black and White: Mariah Journigan, Bonita Vista High School, “Shelter In Place” Photo: Courtesy Sweetwater Authority
Junior Mariah Journigan of Bonita Vista High School described her winning photo “Shelter In Place” in her entry essay: “Every drop of water in this picture represents two things: The chaos and uncertainty in the past year during COVID-19, and the daily lifeline it has been to us at home … Having water to wash our hands has been a lifeline and nothing less than an essential part of my daily life this past year.”
Second Place, Black and White: Airyl Van Dayrit, Sweetwater High School, said “Water’s Vibrant Shades” represents both the comfort of water as an essential element along with the realities of water pollution and scarcity. Photo: Courtesy Sweetwater Authority
Second Place winner Airyl Van Dayrit a senior at Sweetwater High School, said “Water’s Vibrant Shades” represents both the comfort of water as an essential element along with the realities of water pollution and scarcity.
Honorable Mention: Trinity Fuentecilla, 9th Grade, Eastlake High School – “Tree Branch View” Photo: Courtesy Sweetwater Authority
Trinity Fuentecilla, a freshman at Eastlake High School, won third place for her photo “Water for Roots,” celebrating a new love of plants developed during the pandemic.
Honorable Mention: Esteban Robledo, 11th Grade, Hilltop High School – “Let’s Take a Leap of Faith” Photo: Courtesy Sweetwater Authority
Honorable Mention: Kaitlyn Vu, 12th Grade, Hilltop High School – “Thirst Quencher” Photo: Courtesy Sweetwater Authority
Judging was done through a blind selection process by Sweetwater Authority staff members and Bonita Museum & Cultural Center Director Wendy Wilson. First-place winners in each category were awarded $400; second place, $300; third place, $200; and $50 for Honorable Mention.
The winning photos are displayed in a slideshow. A special exhibit at the Bonita Museum & Cultural Center will showcase the winning photographs from May 15 through June 12.
(Editor’s note: The Sweetwater Authority is one of the San Diego County Water Authority’s 24 member agencies that deliver water across the metropolitan San Diego region.)
San Diego County residents who have converted to more water-efficient landscaping can enter the 2021 WaterSmart Landscape Contest hosted by 12 regional water agencies. Entry is as simple as submitting your photos and plant information by Friday, May 14. Eleven San Diego County Water Authority member agencies are participating, including the Helix Water District, Otay Water District, and Sweetwater Authority.
Oceanside finished second in a national water conservation challenge among cities with populations between 100,000 and 299,999, behind only Lakeland, Florida, it was announced Wednesday. During the month of August, Oceanside residents pledged to save water and protect the environment as part of the Wyland National Mayor’s Challenge for Water Conservation.
Six student artists from schools in the Otay Water District’s service area were named as winners of the district’s 2020 Water is Life Student Poster Contest. Entries were selected as those best demonstrating creativity and awareness of water-use efficiency through art.
The annual contest is one of many educational programs offered by the district as an opportunity for students to learn and reflect on the importance of water conservation and stewardship. Students are encouraged to create a poster depicting the theme “Water is Life” which relates to using water wisely.
In February 2020 before the COVID-19 pandemic shutdown, the district invited students from elementary through high schools in its service area to participate in the contest. Despite the pandemic forcing many people to work and learn from home, the contest remained open as a stay-at-home activity students could enjoy.
“At a time when most are working or learning from home during the pandemic, it was refreshing to see students, parents, and our Board members excited about this educational, creative, and fun project,” said Eileen Salmeron, communications assistant, and contest coordinator.
The district selected first through third-place winners from elementary and high school. The district recognized all winners from each category with a certificate, art kit, and goody bag of items with the Otay Water District logo and a conservation message. First and second place winners also received gift cards.
The Otay Board of Directors honored its winning student artists at its monthly virtual meeting on Sept. 2.
“As I grew up, I started learning that the Earth has an expiration date,” said Sofia Perez Valles, first-place winner in the high school category. “Through this poster, I was able to continue the passion of mine to help save the Earth because I was able to inform people of the different ways that we can support water-use efficiency.”
The six local winners will now compete in the regional Metropolitan Water District of Southern California annual student poster contest for a chance to be selected among entries from participating water agencies and featured in its 2021 Water is Life Calendar. In 2020, district calendar poster contest winner Maya Santana, a fifth-grade student from Wolf Canyon Elementary School, was selected to appear in the regional calendar.
First place: Zahraa Alzayadi, Fifth grade, Jamacha Elementary School. Photo: Otay Water District
Second place, Elementary Schools: Amy Coghill, third grade, Tiffany Elementary School. Photo: Otay Water District
Third place, Elementary Schools: Sophie Coghill, kindergarten, Tiffany Elementary School. Photo: Otay Water District
First place, High Schools: Sofia Perez Valles, 12th Grade, Olympian High School. Photo: Otay Water District
Second place, High Schools: Stephenie Pace, 12th grade, Olympian High School. Photo: Otay Water District
Third place, High Schools: Lucia Perez Valles, 10th grade, Olympian High School. Photo: Otay Water District
To learn more about the Otay Water District’s annual poster contest and other educational programs, go to otaywater.gov/education.
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