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.
Michelle McMahon, Olivenhain Municipal Water District IT Coordinator, is the Water Utility Hero of the Week. The water and wastewater industry is among the sectors that are classified as essential during the coronavirus pandemic and the employees are essential workers.
Editor’s Note: This feature highlights water utility employees in the San Diego region working during the coronavirus pandemic to ensure a safe, reliable and plentiful water supply. The water industry is among the sectors that are classified as essential. Michelle McMahon, Olivenhain Municipal Water District IT Coordinator, is the Water Utility Hero of the Week.
I worked long hours in a previous career, feeling unappreciated, and heard that OMWD was a great place to work. Best professional change I ever made! I feel that my work has a positive impact within OMWD. What I do matters to the people I support and the ratepayers we serve. It has been good for my work/life balance.
Things got crazier. Then it calmed down as it settled into the new normal. Equipment became difficult to purchase. Deliveries, especially those coming from China (computers and their components), took what felt like a lifetime. Purchasing, programming, deploying equipment, and training end-users were a priority. Everything was (and still is) sanitized repeatedly. Remote support has become prominent, even for users located on-site. End users are more understanding of what it takes to make their computers, cell phones, tablets, and desk phones working properly.
I have acquired a collection of nearly 100 personal masks and a dozen OMWD masks! I have hand sanitizer and alcohol wipes easily accessible. OMWD has placed these items throughout for everyone’s use. I try to help people remotely from my computer whenever possible. I disinfect my workspace each day and other workstations with every support call.
I look forward to the new normal. I am curious what the “new normal” will be. This really is an unprecedented time. I think it will be a hybrid of “before the pandemic” and “during the pandemic” for some time, perhaps years. I look forward to spending time with friends, sharing their joy of finally returning to work, and being free to get my hair or nails done whenever I would like!
Encinitas, Calif. — Fourth-grade students living or attending school in Olivenhain Municipal Water District’s service area are invited to enter its 28th annual poster contest. The contest is held in participation with other North County water agencies, and will accept entries until April 5. This year’s theme is “Love Water, Save Water.”
Olivenhain Municipal Water District recently announced that it has connected the newly developing Santa Fe Heights neighborhood to its recycled water system, supplying the community with locally produced recycled water.
“We are excited to see another neighborhood begin using recycled water for irrigation,” said OMWD Board Secretary Ed Sprague. “Using recycled water is key for long-term sustainability of our water supply.”
Encinitas, Calif. — Olivenhain Municipal Water District has connected the newly developing Santa Fe Heights neighborhood to
its recycled water system, supplying the community with locally produced recycled water.
“We are excited to see another neighborhood begin using recycled water for irrigation,” said OMWD Board Secretary Ed
Sprague. “Using recycled water is key for long-term sustainability of our water supply.”
Encinitas, Calif. — Today, board director Larry Watt presided over Olivenhain Municipal Water District’s first meeting of 2021 as president.
OMWD’s board unanimously elected to take new seats and selected Mr. Watt for a third term as president. Initially appointed to the board in 2011, Mr. Watt represents Division 2 of OMWD’s service area, which includes portions of the cities of Carlsbad and Encinitas. He previously served as president from 2013 through 2014 and from 2017 through 2018.
Encinitas, Calif. — At its December 9 meeting, Olivenhain Municipal Water District’s Board of Directors were presented the 2019 – 2020 Comprehensive Annual Financial Report, which received a clean bill of health from the independent audit of OMWD financial statements for the previous fiscal year.
Encinitas, Calif. — Kristie Bruce‐Lane was sworn in today by General Manager Kimberly Thorner as Olivenhain Municipal
Water District’s newest board director. Voters in OMWD’s Division 4—consisting of the communities of 4S Ranch,
Rancho Cielo, Elfin Forest, and Harmony Grove—selected Mrs. Bruce‐Lane as their representative to the Board of
Directors in the November 3 general election
Encinitas, Calif. — Olivenhain Municipal Water District recognized at its November 18 board meeting nine individuals and businesses making a significant, positive impact over the last year in the community, the San Diego region, or local water systems.
