Padre Dam Municipal Water District’s Board of Directors has appointed Ivan Andujar to fill the Board vacancy in Division 4 as the result of the recent passing of August Caires. Andujar was sworn into office and officially seated on the Board of Directors immediately following the Board appointment at the September 6, 2023 Board meeting. Andujar will serve for the remainder of the current team which expires in December 2024.
“It is a true honor to have been selected to represent Division 4. My interest in being part of Padre Dam’s Board is to be a voice for the customers I serve in Division 4,” said newly appointed Board Member Ivan Andujar. “My first priority as a new Board member will be to learn all aspects of Padre Dam operations so that I will have the knowledge necessary to make sound decisions with my fellow Board members.”
https://www.waternewsnetwork.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/09/Ivan-Swearing-In-WNN-PRIMARY.jpg450845Mike Leehttps://www.waternewsnetwork.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/04/WNN-Horizontal-White-Blue2.pngMike Lee2023-09-19 09:57:512023-09-19 09:57:35Padre Dam Board Appoints New Board Member to Division 4
Padre Dam Municipal Water District’s Board of Directors has appointed Ivan Andujar to fill the Board vacancy in Division 4 as the result of the recent passing of August Caires. Andujar was sworn into office and officially seated on the Board of Directors immediately following the Board appointment at the September 6, 2023 Board meeting. Andujar will serve for the remainder of the current team which expires in December 2024.
“It is a true honor to have been selected to represent Division 4. My interest in being part of Padre Dam’s Board is to be a voice for the customers I serve in Division 4,” said newly appointed Board Member Ivan Andujar. “My first priority as a new Board member will be to learn all aspects of Padre Dam operations so that I will have the knowledge necessary to make sound decisions with my fellow Board members.”
Andujar was one of three candidate who applied for the open Board seat in Division 4. After Board interviews at the regular Board meeting, Andujar was selected as the top choice of three candidates.
“It is a true honor to have been selected to represent Division 4. My interest in being part of Padre Dam’s Board is to be a voice for the customers I serve in Division 4,” stated newly appointed Board Member Ivan Andujar. Photo: Padre Dam Municipal Water District
Active community member
Andujar prides himself as being an active community member within the area he lives – East County. He currently serves as the Chief Operations Officer for the East County Transitional Living Center and also is the Chairman of the Alpine/Mountain Empire Chamber of Commerce. Additionally, Andujar is a member of the El Cajon Rotary Club, Lakeside Kiwanis, San Diego Leadership Foundation and Community Emergency Response Team.
Ivan Andujar was sworn into office and officially seated on the Board of Directors immediately following the Board appointment at the September 6, 2023 Board meeting. Andujar will serve for the remainder of the current team which expires in December 2024. Photo: Padre Dam Municipal Water District
Padre Dam provides water, sewer, recycled water and recreation services to approximately 102,000 residents in East San Diego County including Santee, El Cajon, Lakeside, Flinn Springs, Harbison Canyon, Blossom Valley, Alpine, Dehesa and Crest. The District is a public agency with policies and procedures directed by an elected five-member Board of Directors. The District imports 100% of our treated water supply and treats two million gallons per day (MGD) of wastewater at our Water Recycling Facility.
(Editor’s note: The Padre Dam Municipal Water District is one of the San Diego County Water Authority’s 24 member agencies that deliver water across the metropolitan San Diego region.)
https://www.waternewsnetwork.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/09/Ivan-Andujar-PRIMARY-cropped.jpg450845Mike Leehttps://www.waternewsnetwork.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/04/WNN-Horizontal-White-Blue2.pngMike Lee2023-09-18 12:10:232023-09-21 13:58:42Padre Dam Board Appoints New Board Member to Division 4
Padre Dam Municipal Water District Board Vice President August Caires died August 2 from pancreatic cancer. He was 76 years old.
“Augie served this District and his community with outstanding distinction for nearly 30 years. He was a good friend and colleague to many of us,” said Padre Dam Board President Bill Pommering. “He will be missed greatly.”
Caires led the District as General Manager from 1993 to 2006 and served on Padre Dam’s Board of Directors from 2007 to 2023.
https://www.waternewsnetwork.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/04/WNN-Horizontal-White-Blue2.png00Mike Leehttps://www.waternewsnetwork.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/04/WNN-Horizontal-White-Blue2.pngMike Lee2023-08-09 17:05:542023-08-09 17:08:28Padre Dam Board Vice President August A. Caires
Padre Dam Municipal Water District Board Vice President August Caires died August 2 from pancreatic cancer. He was 76 years old.
“Augie served this District and his community with outstanding distinction for nearly 30 years. He was a good friend and colleague to many of us,” said Padre Dam Board President Bill Pommering. “He will be missed greatly.”
Caires led the District as General Manager from 1993 to 2006 and served on Padre Dam’s Board of Directors from 2007 to 2023. He served as Board President in 2009 and 2017 and Vice President in 2008, 2011, 2015-2016 and 2023. Caires served on the East County Advanced Water Purification Program’s Joint Powers Authority Board of Directors from 2019 to 2023. He was also a Veteran of the United States Army.
Decades of public service
During his tenure, he represented Padre Dam on the San Diego Metro Commission/Metro Wastewater Joint Powers Authority, the San Diego Independent Rates Oversight Committee, the Association of California Water Agencies’ Water Management Committee and the Association of California Water Agencies/Joint Powers Insurance Authority. His commitment to the community extended beyond his role with Padre Dam; he served on the Grossmont College Foundation Board as well as 40 years as a member of the Rotary Club of Santee-Lakeside, serving as President for three terms and earning the Rotarian of the Year award for demonstrating “Service Above Self.”
Caires’ professional background includes 41 years of public service, including 27 years as a public agency CEO. Among his many accomplishments as Padre Dam’s General Manager, Caires created the Workforce Partnership which made labor, management and the Board equal partners in strategic planning – a great tradition of collaboration that continues today. In 2002, Caires was honored as one of the Top Ten Leaders in the Public Works Profession in the United States and Canada by the American Public Works Association.
“Augie’s passing leaves a deep sadness among Padre Dam employees.” said Board President Pommering. “I have known and worked with him since 2009. I will miss his counsel, I will miss his friendship and I will miss Augie.”
Padre Dam’s Customer Service Center was rededicated as the August A. Caires Customer Service Center at the July 19, 2023, Board Meeting. Padre Dam’s Board recognized Director Caires for his outstanding public service to the District, community and San Diego region. Photo: Padre Dam Municipal Water District
Leadership ensures water reliability
Caires was a tireless proponent of infrastructure integrity, water quality and fire safety. His aspirations and advocacy for the Santee Lakes Recreation Preserve resulted in the planning and approval of many projects, and his forethought and leadership were instrumental in making it a nationally recognized, award winning park. He was a strong advocate for ensuring water reliability while working to keep costs down, and was instrumental in the District’s efforts to advance water recycling and bring a local water supply to East County through the East County Advanced Water Purification Program.
During his time as General Manager, Caires played a pivotal role in the building of a new Customer Service Center in order to co-locate the District’s Administration offices with the Operations facilities already located at Santee Lakes. In July 2023, the building was rededicated as the August A. Caires Customer Service Center in recognition for Caires’ outstanding public service to the District, community and San Diego region.
Padre Dam Municipal Water District Board Vice President August Caires died August 2. He was 76 years old. “Augie served this District and his community with outstanding distinction for nearly 30 years. He will be missed greatly.” https://t.co/4BcsCEIJzj#PublicService#cawater
— San Diego County Water Authority💧 (@sdcwa) August 9, 2023
(Editor’s note: The Padre Dam Municipal Water District is one of the San Diego County Water Authority’s 24 member agencies that deliver water across the San Diego County region.)
https://www.waternewsnetwork.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/08/Caires-1-primary.jpg450599Mike Leehttps://www.waternewsnetwork.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/04/WNN-Horizontal-White-Blue2.pngMike Lee2023-08-09 09:01:422023-08-09 11:40:36Padre Dam Board Vice President August A. Caires
Santee homeowners Edie and Tate Thomas created a beautiful landscape with California native plants to save water, beautify their home, and support the region’s wildlife. Their effort won the 2023 Padre Dam Municipal Water District landscape makeover contest.
https://www.waternewsnetwork.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/04/WNN-Horizontal-White-Blue2.png00Mike Leehttps://www.waternewsnetwork.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/04/WNN-Horizontal-White-Blue2.pngMike Lee2023-08-02 10:04:332023-08-02 10:04:18Santee Garden Oasis Wins 2023 Padre Dam Municipal Water District Landscape Contest
Santee homeowners Edie and Tate Thomas created a beautiful landscape with California native plants to save water, beautify their home, and support the region’s wildlife. Their effort won the 2023 Padre Dam Municipal Water District landscape makeover contest.
Preserving rainfall by design
Buried large unglazed clay pots in their yard called ollas, allows watering the plants with minimal water loss. Photo: Padre Dam Municipal Water District
In 2018, the couple began working on their makeover project. Edie Thomas is an architect, and Tate Thomas is a contractor. They took advantage of their building and design skills by creating a topography to capture and preserve the rainwater falling on their yard.
Their landscape is irrigated through underground rock ravines that collect rainwater in a rock-lined underground cistern reservoir which flows water to plants through gravity. They also buried large unglazed clay pots in their yard called ollas, which have above-ground access points to refill them with water. Plants wrap their roots around the porous ollas, which seep water out as needed, watering the plants with minimal water loss.
Edit Thomas advises other homeowners to do the same with their landscape topography.
“I always recommend people visualize a single drop of rainwater falling at the highest point of your landscape,” she said. “Watch where gravity takes that raindrop and plan your landscape around that flow.”
The pair also use drip irrigation about once a month along with occasional hand watering during extended dry periods.
Colorful variety of native plants featured
A wide variety of California native plants are featured in the winning landscape design. Photo: Padre Dam Municipal Water District
Long nature walks and information from the California Native Plant Society inspired the Thomas’s to use native plants for most of their landscape, mixing colors and texture to be visually appealing. They have been richly rewarded with an ecosystem of butterflies, caterpillars, bees, birds, and bunnies. They describe their design concept as “playful chaos.”
Community space
The sidewalk in front of the garden is designed to be a community space for those walking by. The large California Coastal Live Oak provides shade to the retaining wall, designed as a place to sit and rest. Visitors can browse through books from the couple’s Little Free Library. Water-efficient herbs growing in the planter boxes under the tree are offered to those who pass by.
Edie and Tate Thomas spend most evenings on their patio, enjoying the space and watching their ecosystem thrive. They look forward to watching the plants grow and mature in the coming years and even decades.
“It’s so rewarding to see people come by and rest in the shade or take some rosemary for their dinner,” said Edie Thomas. “I love that we get to give a small square of land back to nature and that our neighbors enjoy it as much as we do.”
(Editor’s note: The Padre Dam Municipal Water District is one of the San Diego County Water Authority’s 24 member agencies that deliver water across the San Diego County region.)
https://www.waternewsnetwork.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/08/Padre-Dam-2023-Landscape-3-845X450.jpg451845Gayle Falkenthalhttps://www.waternewsnetwork.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/04/WNN-Horizontal-White-Blue2.pngGayle Falkenthal2023-08-01 16:31:242023-08-01 16:35:41Santee Garden Oasis Wins 2023 Padre Dam Municipal Water District Landscape Contest
Already paying some of the highest water bills in the nation, customers of Padre Dam Municipal Water District as well as 22 other agencies could see their rates increase even more if two North County water districts secede from the San Diego County Water Authority.
Both the Fallbrook Public Utilities District and the Rainbow Municipal Water District have been trying to leave the CWA because they say the costs for the purchased water is too high, and they can get it cheaper by joining the Eastern Municipal Water District in Riverside County.
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Sustainable landscape demonstration gardens inspire homeowners to create and maintain their own beautiful, water-efficient landscapes. In California, where more than half of urban water usage goes towards landscape irrigation, any reduction in water consumption contributes to successful conservation efforts.
The San Diego County Water Authority and several member agencies host demonstration gardens that residents can visit and gather ideas for their own landscape makeovers and water-efficient upgrades. With gardens flourishing in late spring, it’s the perfect time for a self-guided garden tour.
San Diego County Water Authority
The four principles of sustainable landscaping are on display at the San Diego County Water Authority Sustainable Landscaping Demonstration Garden outside its Kearny Mesa office in San Diego. Photo: San Diego County Water Authority
The Water Authority sustainable landscape demonstration garden at its Kearny Mesa headquarters showcases how homeowners can increase water efficiency and boost the environmental benefits of outdoor spaces through sustainable landscaping practices.
The 3,000-square-foot garden incorporates well-known water-efficient techniques such as climate-appropriate plants and high-efficiency irrigation. It also includes features to enhance water efficiency and reduce stormwater runoff.
Helix Water District
Native, water-wise plants thrive in one of the Helix Water District’s demonstration gardens. Photo: Helix Water District
Helix Water District created its first demonstration landscape in July 2020 at the district’s administration office in La Mesa. The project beautifies the neighborhood and serves as an inspiration to install low-water-use landscaping.
Three unique water-wise gardens include a Mediterranean garden on University Avenue, a desert landscape on Lee Avenue, and a California native landscape at the main entrance on Quince Street. Each garden boasts an array of flowers, colors, and textures and is easily visible from the sidewalk. The plants in these gardens are adapted to San Diego’s climate, requiring half to a fifth of the water needed by a traditional lawn. The gardens, at 7811 University Avenue in La Mesa, are low maintenance and provide habitat for local wildlife.
The Helix Water District demonstration garden includes interactive elements such as descriptive signs with QR codes that visitors can scan to learn more about specific plants. Photo: Helix Water District
Plant markers display each plant’s name so visitors can write down their favorites and a QR code that can be scanned with a smartphone to access additional information such as light and water needs. Visitors can access hwd.fyi/get-inspired to download the garden plans, obtain plant lists, and view several resources available to help start their own garden.
Olivenhain Municipal Water District
Customers can visit the California-friendly demonstration garden and hydroponic gardening tower at OMWD’s headquarters free any day of the year. Photo: Olivenhain Municipal Water District
The Olivenhain Municipal Water District headquarters houses a sustainable landscape demonstration garden showcasing water-efficient landscaping techniques. Customers can visit the California-friendly demonstration garden and hydroponic gardening tower free of charge throughout the year, either in person or online.
The garden highlights four key principles of sustainable landscaping: healthy soils, rainwater as a resource, climate-appropriate plants, and low-water use irrigation. Its location is 1966 Olivenhain Road, Encinitas.
Padre Dam Municipal Water District
More than 175 water-efficient plant and tree species are on display at the Padre Dam Municipal Water District Demonstration Garden. Photo: Padre Dam Municipal Water District
The Padre Dam Municipal Water District encourages East San Diego County residents to explore its water-efficient demonstration landscape to see more than 175 water-efficient plant and tree species. Padre Dam’s Water Conservation Garden is open to the public during business hours and located at its Customer Service Center at 9300 Fanita Parkway in Santee.
City of Poway Kumeyaay Native Plant Demonstration Garden
Monkey Flowers, Chalk Dudleya, wild cucumber, and Penstamon are all blooming at the Kumeyaay Ipai Interpretive Center in Poway. Photo: Courtesy Kumeyaay Ipai Interpretive Center at Poway via Facebook
The City of Poway honors its Native American heritage with its Native Plant Demonstration Garden as part of the Kumeyaay-Ipai Interpretive Center. It’s open the third Saturday of each month from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. for both docent-led and self-guided tours, located at 13104 Carriage Road, Poway.
A thriving community of Native Americans populated Pauwai long before the Spanish arrived. The evidence of their lives and work can be seen today at the Center, founded by a partnership with the City of Poway, Friends of the Kumeyaay, and the San Pasqual Band of Indians.
A video tour showcasing Native American plant uses can be viewed online here.
Vallecitos Water District
In 2023, a Little Free Library was installed at the north end of the Vallecitos Water District garden, stocked with garden books to inspire residents to adopt water-wise gardening practices. Photo: Vallecitos Water District
The Vallecitos Water District developed its demonstration garden in 2010 with design plans from Palomar College Environmental Architecture and Design students. The project received support from local businesses, organizations, and District employees.
The garden showcases sustainable practices and includes a rainwater harvesting system that collects rain from the roof into three storage tanks with a combined 2,500-gallon capacity. This system reduces the reliance on potable water, and the captured rainwater is used for the prominent water features in the garden which run on solar power.
California-friendly plants are supported with plant-nurturing mulch, compost, and biosolid pellets made from recycled wastewater solids produced at a treatment plant partially owned by Vallecitos, the plants are bolstered with moisture and nutrients. This eliminates the need for chemical fertilizers.
The garden features a weather-based irrigation controller display, durable aluminum shade structures, dry riverbeds, artificial turf, micro-irrigation, and an artistic sculpture highlighting the value of water. A new private patio area has been added, and all pathways are now ADA-accessible.
Vallecitos’ sustainable demonstration garden has achieved recognition as a “Certified Wildlife Habitat” by the National Wildlife Federation in 2013 and has been acknowledged as a “Certified Earth Friendly Garden” by the Master Gardeners Association of San Diego County. In 2023, a Little Free Library was installed at the north end of the garden, stocked with garden books to inspire residents to adopt water-wise gardening practices. The garden is located at 201 Vallecitos De Oro, San Marcos.
The Water Conservation Garden
The Water Conservation Garden features a Native Habitat Garden, the Compost Exhibit, the Veggie Garden, and the Succulent Garden. Take a free, docent-led tour the first Saturday of each month at 10 a.m. Illustration: The Water Conservation Garden
The Water Conservation Garden is a nearly five-acre display showcasing water conservation through a series of themed exhibits. Displays include a native plant garden and vegetable garden as well as how-to gardening and irrigation exhibits. Admission is free and the garden can be viewed on a self-guided tour or through one of its programs including classes and special events. The Water Conservation Garden is located at 12122 Cuyamaca College Drive West, El Cajon.
Using water efficiently is a way of life and responsibility in the San Diego region. Residents have adopted habits that not only save money, but also create vibrant yards, reduce energy use, protect natural resources, and reduce landscape maintenance.
In a 2007 survey published in The Journal of the American Association of Botanical Gardens and Arboreta, half of those surveyed during a visit to San Diego County’s Water Conservation Garden found reported making a change to their landscape due to their visit to the water conservation demonstration garden, illustrating their value to the community.
La Mesa resident Nick Voinov stands in front of his 2022 Helix Water District Landscape Contest winning yard. Photo: Helix Water District
Along with the sustainable landscape demonstration gardens, many of the Water Authority’s member agencies provide opportunities for their customers to enter the annual WaterSmart Landscape Contest. The stories of the winners are regularly published in the Water News Network and can be found in the Features tab on the WNN homepage under the Conservation Corner category. The WaterSmart Living category, also under the Features tab, offers resources and tips on how to convert water-wasting landscapes to beautiful water-wise gardens.
(Editor’s Note: The Helix Water District, City of Poway, Olivenhain Municipal Water District, Padre Dam Municipal Water District, and the Vallecitos Water District are five of the San Diego County Water Authority’s 24 member agencies that deliver water across the San Diego region.)
https://www.waternewsnetwork.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/06/Padre-Dam-Demo-Garden-845X450.jpg450845Gayle Falkenthalhttps://www.waternewsnetwork.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/04/WNN-Horizontal-White-Blue2.pngGayle Falkenthal2023-06-04 13:43:202023-06-04 13:43:20Experience a Sustainable Demonstration Garden Self-Tour
Kyle Swanson was seated on the San Diego County Water Authority Board of Directors on January 11, 2023, representing the Padre Dam Municipal Water District. Swanson serves on the Administrative and Finance, Legislation and Public Outreach and Water Conservation Garden JPA committees for the Water Authority.
https://www.waternewsnetwork.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/04/WNN-Horizontal-White-Blue2.png00Mike Leehttps://www.waternewsnetwork.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/04/WNN-Horizontal-White-Blue2.pngMike Lee2023-04-06 10:15:162023-04-06 10:16:47Welcome to the Board: Kyle Swanson, Padre Dam 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: Kyle Swanson, Padre Dam Municipal Water District
Who: Kyle Swanson was seated on the San Diego County Water Authority Board of Directors on January 11, 2023, representing the Padre Dam Municipal Water District. Swanson serves on the Administrative and Finance, Legislation and Public Outreach and Water Conservation Garden JPA committees for the Water Authority.
Background/Education: Swanson, a native of San Diego, earned a bachelor’s degree in geography from San Diego State University. He is the CEO/General Manager of the Padre Dam Municipal Water District and previously served as Executive Director of the East County Advanced Water Purification Project. He holds a Grade 5 Water Distribution Operator Certification and a Grade 2 Water Treatment Operator Certification, both from the State Water Resources Control Board. Swanson is also a Certified Public Manager and a Certified Special District Manager, SDLF.
Water Industry Affiliations:
WateReuse California, Member Board of Trustees; American Water Works Association (AWWA); California Water Environment Association (CWEA); Association California Water Agencies (ACWA); and California Special Districts Association (CSDA).
Q & A
Q: How did you get interested in water issues?
A: As a San Diego Native my interest in water started at a young age. I was fortunate to have a family actively involved in the construction of large civil water treatment and conveyance infrastructure in the southwest. My father would routinely take me to projects providing an early respect for the facilities required to deliver safe and reliable water to our taps. My education and career followed with a water interest studying and working in hydrology and later with public water utilities. Water is both powerful and transformational; the issues relating are also equally so.
Q: What are your priorities or interests as a Board member?
A: Ensuring future generations benefit from our efforts towards water resiliency, development of local water supplies and the continual investment in a robust water system.
Q: Besides maintaining safe and reliable water supplies, what do you see as the top three issues facing the San Diego region?
A: Cost of Living, Resource Stewardship, Societal Collaboration
Q: What do you like to do when you are not working?
A: I’m an avid outdoor enthusiast. I enjoy camping with my family, exploring the natural beauty, riding mountain bikes and restoring cars. San Diego offers the perfect playground. We all need to take more time to pause our days and enjoy those around us and the environment we live in.
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 towww.sdcwa.org/board-directors
https://www.waternewsnetwork.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/03/Kyle-Swanson-Welcome-to-the-Board-March-2023-Primary.jpg450845Mike Leehttps://www.waternewsnetwork.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/04/WNN-Horizontal-White-Blue2.pngMike Lee2023-04-06 08:10:212023-04-06 08:21:02Welcome to the Board: Kyle Swanson, Padre Dam Municipal Water District
