Rancho Santa Fe Fire Protection District Archives

(L to R) Elfin Forest Recreational Reserve Park Supervisor Jeff Anderson, volunteer Keith Kelly, rangers Jonathan Zeller and Shawnn Schaub, volunteers Walter Haslop and Pure Excellence winner Mike Dzurko, Escondido Creek Conservancy Land Manager Donna Leon, and volunteers Rich Riemer, Debbie Matsumoto, and Marvin Valverde at Elfin Forest Interpretive Center Honoring Susan J. Varty. Photo: Olivenhain Municipal Water District

OMWD Announces 2025 Pure Excellence Awards

November 24, 2025/in Achievements, Features /by Gayle Falkenthal

The Olivenhain Municipal Water District (OMWD) recognized the winners of its 2025 Pure Excellence Awards at its November board meeting. The winners were honored for their positive impact on OMWD and local communities.

OMWD Board President Matthew Hahn said, “We are grateful for the efforts of our award winners for their partnership in delivering excellent service to OMWD customers and our communities.”

2025 Pure Excellence Awards winners: Front row (L to R): Olivenhain Fire Safe Council board members Jennifer Bishop, Jeff Dasch, and Sara Lifton; Beverly Weber, and Cass Arrieta President Wes Wise. Back row (L to R): OFSC board member Hector Paredes, Rancho Santa Fe Fire Protection District Fire Chief McQueade, OMWD President Matthew Hahn, and RSFFPD President James Ashcraft. Photo: Olivenhain Municipal Water District

2025 Pure Excellence Awards Winners

Businesses of the Year: B Weber Consulting and Cass Arrieta. For providing exceptional customer service and responsiveness during urgent situations.

Nonprofit of the Year: Olivenhain Fire Safe Council. OFSC has shared wildfire prevention and preparedness information through its “Neighborhood Ambassador” program and at community events, such as OMWD’s open house and emergency preparedness event.

The Rancho Santa Fe Fire Protection District will lead a wildfire prevention workshop and display a fire engine (events permitting). Photo: Olivenhain Municipal Water District emergency preparedness

The Rancho Santa Fe Fire Protection District led a wildfire prevention workshop and displayed a fire engine at a public open house in August. Photo: Olivenhain Municipal Water District

Community Outreach of the Year: Rancho Santa Fe Fire Protection District. OMWD and RSFFPD collaborated on many media events, press releases, state legislation, and joint water- and fire-wise landscape workshops and emergency preparedness community meetings in 2025.

Volunteer of the Year: Mike Dzurko. Dzurko welcomes visitors at the interpretive center at OMWD’s Elfin Forest Recreational Reserve, familiarizing the public with the Reserve and its natural habitat. He has volunteered for 84 shifts over the past 24 months.

NOTE: The Coast News Group named the Olivenhain Municipal Water District’s Elfin Forest Recreational Reserve its “Best Place to Volunteer” in its 2025 Best of North County Awards after an online vote that included 18 other candidates.

The September 6 Open House event will feature OMWD departments and customer programs, and OMWD and Leucadia Wastewater District will display several of their specialized utility vehicles. Photo: Olivenhain Municipal Water District

OMWD & First Responders Host Open House and Emergency Preparedness Event on Sept. 6

September 2, 2025/in Education, Features, WaterSmart Living /by Gayle Falkenthal

The Olivenhain Municipal Water District (OMWD) invites residents to attend an informative Open House and Emergency Preparedness Event in collaboration with the Encinitas Fire Department, Rancho Santa Fe Fire Protection District, San Diego Gas & Electric, and other local agencies on Saturday, September 6, from 9 a.m. to 12 noon.

The event will take place at the district’s headquarters, located at 1966 Olivenhain Road in Encinitas.

The Rancho Santa Fe Fire Protection District will lead a wildfire prevention workshop and display a fire engine (events permitting). Photo: Olivenhain Municipal Water District

Safeguard Your Home: Water-Smart and Fire-Wise Landscaping Workshop

As part of the open house, OMWD offers a free Water-Smart and Fire-Wise Landscaping Workshop from 10 a.m. to 11:30 a.m.

As peak wildfire season approaches, this free workshop offers waterwise landscaping tips, wildfire emergency preparedness resources, and expert advice in a fun, family-friendly setting.

“We’re giving our neighbors the tools to protect their homes and their families, while also sharing more about the critical services that Olivenhain Municipal Water District provides every day,” said OMWD Board Director Ebin Lanfried. “As wildfires and other emergencies become an even greater challenge in our region, it’s essential that we prepare together.”

Presentations will be provided by California Landscape Technologies, Encinitas Fire Department, and Rancho Santa Fe Fire Protection District. Learn tips on water-efficient landscaping, firescaping techniques, and how to protect your property against wildfires.

The workshop is free, but registration is required at www.olivenhain.com/events.

Open House Highlights OMWD Customer Programs

The OMWD Open House and Emergency Preparedness Event offers a variety of displays and informational booths. Photo: Olivenhain Municipal Water District

The OMWD Open House event will feature informational booths showcasing OMWD departments and customer programs, as well as local fire department emergency preparedness efforts.

OMWD and Leucadia Wastewater District will display several of their specialized utility vehicles.

The Rancho Santa Fe Fire Protection District and Encinitas Fire Department plan to exhibit a fire truck and engine at the event (if not responding to area emergencies).

Paramedics from American Medical Response ambulance service will demonstrate CPR techniques and display a specialized response vehicle.

The Olivenhain Municipal Water District Open House offers family-friendly activities along with informational emergency preparedness workshops and exhibits. Photo: Olivenhain Municipal Water District

Booths from area organizations include:

OMWD departments will provide information, answer questions, and discuss free programs.
San Diego Gas & Electric, San Diego County Water Authority, and Leucadia Wastewater District will present their programs and services.
Booths representing Rancho Santa Fe Fire Protection District and Encinitas Fire Department will provide wildfire and emergency preparedness advice and materials.
Local elementary students will showcase their environmentally focused projects.

The sustainable landscape demonstration garden at the Olivenhain Municipal Water District’s (OMWD) headquarters provides customers with examples of water-efficient landscaping techniques that can save water and money.

The sustainable landscape demonstration garden at the Olivenhain Municipal Water District headquarters provides customers with examples of water-efficient landscaping techniques that can save water and money. Photo: Olivenhain Municipal Water District

Attendees can tour OMWD’s California-friendly demonstration garden, which exhibits water-efficient plants, and emphasizes key principles of sustainable landscaping.

Participants can take part in family-oriented activities, enjoy refreshments, and receive a complimentary emergency preparedness and water-efficiency kit, while supplies last.

North County firefighters-confined space-Olivenhain Municipal Water District

Training Preps North County Firefighters for Confined Space Rescues

January 3, 2022/in Facilities & Operations, News /by Gayle Falkenthal

North San Diego County fire agencies teamed up with Olivenhain Municipal Water District in early December for confined space training drills. The drills prepare firefighting professionals to respond to emergencies in facilities such as water or wastewater treatment plants and are required to maintain their confined space certification.

Participants from North County fire agencies benefitted from the opportunity for team building during their recent training exercise hosted by the Olivenhain Municipal Water District. Photo: Olivenhain Municipal Water District

This year, training took place in one of OMWD’s water transmission vaults. Firefighters were able to use the vaults to practice confined space entries and other rescue scenarios. Fire personnel worked with OMWD staff in a team effort, and both groups benefitted from the opportunity to understand each other’s equipment and protocols.

Participating fire agencies include the Cities of Carlsbad, Del Mar, Encinitas, Oceanside, San Marcos, Solana Beach, North County, Vista, and the Rancho Santa Fe Fire Protection District.

Preparing for emergencies

As a result of training with OMWD, North County fire agencies can now respond more efficiently and confidently to similar facilities thanks to establishing working relationships in advance of emergencies. Photo: Olivenhain Municipal Water District

Confined space permits are required by OSHA before making any kind of confined space entry or rescue. OMWD and other member water agencies use such permits. Bob Topolovac, OMWD board director, said, “The confined space training with the fire agencies helps everyone prepare for emergencies that could happen in similar facilities.”

OMWD staff reviewed the conditions and possible actions within the vault space with fire crews. Participants discussed decision-making for confined space entry and conditions they might encounter, such as chemical exposure and electrical lock-out/tag-out requirements.

As a result of training, fire agencies can now respond more efficiently and confidently to similar facilities thanks to establishing working relationships in advance of emergencies. “We appreciate the collaboration with local fire agencies to ensure we’re all prepared for potential future emergencies. We look forward to supporting future training exercises,” added Topolovac.

(Editor’s note: The Olivenhain 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.)

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