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Looking Ahead: Ramona Municipal Water District To Focus On Expanding Customer Reach And Updating Wellfield Park

The Ramona Municipal Water District is looking forward to continuing to increase customer service while seeking options to help control costs as they move into the new year, said general manager Erica Wolski.

Robinson Tank “R” Project Completed

On November 8, 2022, the Ramona Municipal Water District Board of Directors unanimously approved a resolution renaming Improvement District No. 5 (ID-5) tank to Robinson Tank to recognize retiring Director Jim Robinson’s 20-year service to the community. Director Robinson served on the water board from 1994 to 2010 and from 2018 to 2022.

He added his foresight and timely advice to numerous RMWD committees including those to improve the District’s engineering processes, the District’s responses to future with lessons learned from the Witch Creek Fire and planning and improvements for Santa Maria Recycled Water Plant. He was instrumental in the development of Ramona Parks and Recreation Association, Wellfield Community Park, and Ramona Junior Fairgrounds.

Robinson Tank-Ramona Municipal Water District-public service

Robinson Tank “R” Project Completed

On November 8, 2022, the Ramona Municipal Water District Board of Directors unanimously approved a resolution renaming Improvement District No. 5 (ID-5) tank to Robinson Tank to recognize retiring Director Jim Robinson’s 20-year service to the community. Director Robinson served on the water board from 1994 to 2010 and from 2018 to 2022.

He added his foresight and timely advice to numerous RMWD committees including those to improve the District’s engineering processes, the District’s responses to future with lessons learned from the Witch Creek Fire and planning and improvements for Santa Maria Recycled Water Plant. He was instrumental in the development of Ramona Parks and Recreation Association, Wellfield Community Park, and Ramona Junior Fairgrounds.

Board President Jim Hickle in November 2022 said of Director Robinson, “He’s always been an advocate for the youth and the community. That’s what I like most about him. We will miss his historical perspective. He’s been around for many years, so he understands why we did things in the past and he has a knowledge of the water systems. His knowledge and history with the district will be missed. I think all the board members will agree with that.”

Robinson Tank was originally constructed as part of the ID-5 project in 1981. It is located off of Old Julian Highway between downtown Ramona and the San Diego Country Estates. The tank is 484,000 gallons and 40-foot high and 46 feet in diameter. It was recently recoated and therefore was an excellent tank to choose to honor retiring Director Robinson.

The District was also looking to connect its infrastructure with the community and took inspiration from Fallbrook PUD’s Rattlesnake Tank, on which Fallbrook staff annually paint the year of the graduating high school class. After discussing with Ramona High School and RMWD’s board members and staff, the decision was made to paint an “R” on the tank for Ramona, Ramona High School, and Robinson.

(Editor’s note: The Ramona 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.) 

Big ‘R’ on Ramona Water Tank Honors Retired Water District Director

The water tank visible from Hanson Lane has been re-painted with an “R” for Ramona, Ramona High School and Jim Robinson, who retired after 20 years on the Ramona Municipal Water District’s board of directors.

The ID-5 water tank off Old Julian Highway between downtown Ramona and San Diego Country Estates is now known as the “Robinson Tank.”

Water District Takes Steps to Improve Parks and Recreation Services in Ramona

Ramona Municipal Water District directors took several steps Tuesday night that will transform the way parks and recreation issues are decided and could improve offerings for residents in the future.

They unanimously agreed to hire a full-time Park and Facilities Coordinator to oversee the operation of Wellfield Park and related facilities. They also authorized the creation of a seven-member Parks and Recreation Community Advisory Committee that will advise the water district on parks and recreation activities.

Sustainable Ramona: Are There Incentives, Rebates for Water Conservation?

Sustainable Ramona is a local group dedicated to the preservation of our surroundings. By responding to your questions each month, we intend to provide you with common-sense, affordable, short- and long-term ways to manage issues such as increasing water shortages, high heat, high electric bills and minimize waste going to landfills. The question this month is: Are there rebates and incentives to facilitate water conservation? Answer: There are many, both indoors and outdoors.

Water District Expects to Gain Additional $78K Per Month with New Investment Policy

A new investment strategy is expected to boost Ramona Municipal Water District’s income by $78,000 each month, with extra earnings arriving as early as February, officials said.

The water district’s directors unanimously approved updates to the agency’s investment policy at their meeting on Jan. 10. The policy allows staff to open accounts with the California Asset Management Program (CAMP) and the San Diego County Treasurer’s Pooled Money Fund.

Calif. Announces $86 Million for Water Resilience Projects

California’s Department of Water Resources announced that it has awarded $86 million in financial assistance to meet the immediate and long-term water needs for millions of Californians. The department is providing $44 million to its Small Community Drought Relief Program and $42 million to its Integrational Regional Water Management Program.

Ramona Water District Pursues Grant Funding for Climate-Related or Other Projects

Ramona Municipal Water District directors agreed to apply for a state grant for up to $750,000 to help pay for a staff grant writer position and launch climate-related programs.

The Regional Climate Collaboration Program Grant, made available through the California Strategic Growth Council, makes about $5.4 billion in bond funds available for safe drinking water, water quality and supply, flood control, natural resource protection and park improvements.

Ramona Water District Adopts Regional Water Management Plan, Pursues $4.8M in Grants

The Ramona Municipal Water District board on July 12 adopted the San Diego Integrated Regional Water Management (IRWM) Plan as an avenue to $4.8 million in grants.

The water district has already applied for the funds available through IRWM grants. The source of the funds is Proposition 1 — the Water Quality, Supply and Infrastructure Improvement Act — which was approved by California voters in 2014 and authorizes $510 million in IRWM funding.