California Senate President pro Tempore Toni G. Atkins June 16 recognized the accomplishments of San Diego County Water Authority General Manager Sandra L. Kerl, who is retiring later this month after a 41-year career in public service.
During a ceremony at the Water Authority’s Kearny Mesa headquarters, Atkins presented Kerl with a framed plaque of the resolution on behalf of the entire San Diego County delegation in the state Legislature. The resolution honors Kerl’s long career, highlighting many of her accomplishments, including her work the past 14 years at the Water Authority.
https://www.waternewsnetwork.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/02/water-news-network.png00Mike Leehttps://www.waternewsnetwork.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/02/water-news-network.pngMike Lee2023-06-19 11:30:332023-06-19 11:32:15Water Authority General Manager Sandra Kerl Celebrated for 40 Year Public Service Career
San Diego County residents continue to embrace low-water use landscapes taking advantage of rebates to swap grass for native and drought-tolerant plants. There are also incentives for areas with larger landscapes to increase water use efficiency.
Landscape upgrade projects which previously were too complex for volunteer associations to manage are now possible with expert assistance through a program offered through a San Diego County Water Authority and County of San Diego partnership.
The walkway area before and after its recent landscape makeover. Photos: Vallecitos Water District
The Landscape Optimization Service, or LOS, is offered through the County’s Waterscape Rebate Program. The technical assistance program is designed for large-scale landscaping projects. The program helps applicants with large landscapes, such as HOAs, parks, and commercial properties, navigate the requirements, overcome barriers, and maximize rebate eligibility.
El Norte Park Homes in Escondido used the program to create a water-saving landscape makeover project. Upgrades included replacing 10,000 square feet of grass with new native plant gardens inside the property and low-water use plants on the exterior. The new colorful landscaping uses less water. Drip irrigation was upgraded and a swale acts as a water retention feature.
El Norte Park Homes transformation
Jesse Hynd of MSE Landscape Professionals performed the makeover work.
“We’ve been doing these turf rebate enhancement projects for a little over five to six years now,” said Hynd. “What I’ve noticed is that it’s helped a lot of the HOAs and commercial projects get on board.
“Water districts are offering a lot more incentives now, not only just for a per square foot rebate. There are a lot of irrigation rebates now. The more water retention options we add to the site, offer even more money back.”
Hynd said the multiple incentives offer maximum rebate funding while helping the region achieve its long-term water-saving goals.
Helping hand from the experts
With expert assistance from the Landscape Optimization Service, El Norte Homes expects to achieve water savings while maximizing its rebates to make the project cost-effective. Photo: Vallecitos Water District
El Norte Park Homes board member Fred Johnson said he learned about the program through a Vallecitos Water District newsletter article. He had a lot of questions.
“I have experience with a similar project from about ten years ago when I served on another board,” said Johnson. “It was much smaller in scale. And that program didn’t provide any assistance. We as a board had to fill out all the forms, take all the before and after photos, submit the paperwork, and hope we didn’t miss anything to get our rebates.”
Johnson contacted Megan Chery of Environmental Incentives, which oversees the LOS program. Working with Johnson and the board, Cherry determined the project was eligible for the rebate program, and the board approved the project moving forward. Johnson says it made the difference.
“They helped us identify what kind of [landscape] plan,”said Johnson. “They did our design for us. They identified all the rebates, and they’re going to process all the rebates. It was much simpler and easier using the Landscape Optimization Service.”
The finished project retains grass for activities while using both low-water-use plants and natives in different areas. Photo: Vallecitos Water District
“We’re so pleased our outreach helped El Norte Park Homes take advantage of this program,” said Vallecitos Water District Conservation Supervisor Chris Robbins. “Many of our larger customers are eager to update their landscaping to be more water efficient but don’t have the time, funds, or expertise to do it on their own. The County and Water Authority partnership featuring the LOS enables us to offer our customers the help they need to make it possible with assistance from start to finish.”
Practical use of grass
Outreach from the Vallecitos Water District helped El Norte Park Homes take advantage of the Landscape Optimization Service. Photo: Vallecitos Water District
Makeovers don’t require the elimination of all grass. Instead, grass is retained where it is most useful and practical.
“We didn’t want to eliminate all the turf because it’s nice to have some usable grass area, especially in a park like this,” said Hynd. “We decided to break up sections not only to maximize the usable space of grass to keep for the residents but then provide a nice native garden where we could benefit from the rebates, benefit from the low water use, and still create a very beautiful space.”
LOS staff analyzes estimated water and cost savings, which helps decision-makers justify the investment with an understanding of how quickly the project will pay for itself. The program also offers discounted designs to participants.
The enhanced incentives include rebates for turf replacement, smart controller stations, rain barrels, and cisterns. In addition to offering technical assistance to upgrade larger landscapes on multifamily and commercial properties, a cost-share is available for agricultural growers to make water-saving upgrades.
(Editor’s Note: The Vallecitos Water District is one 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/VWD-El-Norte-Hill-Above-BA-845X450.jpg450848Gayle Falkenthalhttps://www.waternewsnetwork.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/02/water-news-network.pngGayle Falkenthal2023-06-19 08:53:182023-06-20 10:44:00Landscape Optimization Service Simplifies El Norte Park Homes Makeover
California Senate President pro Tempore Toni G. Atkins June 16 recognized the accomplishments of San Diego County Water Authority General Manager Sandra L. Kerl, who is retiring later this month after a 41-year career in public service.
During a ceremony at the Water Authority’s Kearny Mesa headquarters, Atkins presented Kerl with a framed plaque of the resolution on behalf of the entire San Diego County delegation in the state Legislature. The resolution honors Kerl’s long career, highlighting many of her accomplishments, including her work the past 14 years at the Water Authority.
The resolution, in part, reads:
“Sandy Kerl was named General Manager in 2019, and having helped the Water Authority overcome numerous obstacles during her tenure, which was dominated by drought and countless other high profile issues, she has consistently expressed her gratitude for the dedication and determination of her Water Authority colleagues and Board members who have ensured the continuity of safe and reliable water supplies regardless of the challenges, including those presented by the COVID-19 pandemic, during which time the operations and maintenance staff consistently showed up every day in the field while the entirety of the office staff was moved to remote work in just one week to continue providing water around the clock.”
Atkins highlighted many of Kerl’s accomplishments, leadership and her success in meeting numerous challenges during the past four years as Water Authority general manager.
“I am incredibly honored by this recognition,” said Kerl. “I have the most incredibly talented people to work with, including the Board of Directors. We have done the hard work to secure the reliability of our water supply in San Diego and that is an accomplishment we all share.”
Dedicated to public service
Kerl joined the Water Authority as deputy general manager in November 2009 and served as acting general manager from March through November 2019 before being appointed by the Board of Directors to her current post.
As general manager, Kerl’s priorities include enhancing relations with the Water Authority’s member agencies, minimizing rate increases, concluding the long-running litigation with the Metropolitan Water District of Southern California, and ensuring long-term water supplies for the semi-arid San Diego region.
One of Kerl’s first challenges as general manager was leading the transition to remote work during the COVID-19 pandemic for about three-quarters of the Water Authority’s 250 employees. She also commissioned the first employee survey in the agency’s history as part of a larger effort to integrate different generations of employees, embrace the diversity of the agency’s workforce and empower all employees to reach their full potential.
Kerl’s career highlights in the water industry include leading the effort to secure financing for the nation’s largest seawater desalination plant, a public-private partnership that was hailed as a model for other large-scale water works around the country.
Kerl has more than 35 years of progressively responsible experience in all aspects of municipal management. She served as city manager of La Mesa, California, and has broad experience with city management, extensive knowledge of organizational issues, and a pragmatic understanding of capital project management and delivery.
While guiding the @sdcwa through the COVID pandemic, Sandy Kerl remained committed to diversifying and empowering the Authority’s workforce and enhancing relations with its member agencies. I'm honored to recognize her 41 years of public service and wish her well in retirement. pic.twitter.com/GOFrvZCTjJ
— Senator Toni Atkins (@SenToniAtkins) June 16, 2023
https://www.waternewsnetwork.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/06/Sandra-L.-Kerl-and-Sen.-Pro-Tem-Toni-Atkins-2.jpg450845Mike Leehttps://www.waternewsnetwork.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/02/water-news-network.pngMike Lee2023-06-16 14:50:112023-06-18 10:09:45Water Authority General Manager Sandra Kerl Celebrated for 40 Year Public Service Career
June 15, 2023 – On June 22, the San Diego County Water Authority Board of Directors will hold a public hearing about proposed wholesale water rates for 2024, followed by votes on the rate proposal and the recommended budget for the next two fiscal years.
The Water Authority Board is seeking to manage cost increases created by extraordinary inflationary pressures and depressed water sales, while at the same time protecting ratepayers, ensuring water reliability, and maintaining the Water Authority’s strong credit ratings that reduce the life-cycle cost of infrastructure. Due to its long-term commitment to strategic financial management, the Water Authority has senior lien credit ratings of AAA from Standard & Poor’s, AA+ from Fitch ratings and Aa2 from Moody’s.
https://www.waternewsnetwork.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/11/SDCWA-200x200-1.png200200Mike Leehttps://www.waternewsnetwork.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/02/water-news-network.pngMike Lee2023-06-15 16:01:092023-06-19 08:05:44Water Authority Board Holds Public Hearing on 2024 Wholesale Water Rates
San Diego’s boundary referees are rushing to push up a vote on a controversial water divorce before the state Legislature can step in.
The Local Agency Formation Commission is holding an emergency meeting Wednesday to push up a vote on whether two small farming communities can break up with the San Diego County Water Authority in search of cheaper water in Riverside County.
https://www.waternewsnetwork.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/02/water-news-network.png00Chelsea Camposhttps://www.waternewsnetwork.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/02/water-news-network.pngChelsea Campos2023-06-14 10:21:262023-06-14 10:26:56Everyone Is Racing to Decide a San Diego Water Divorce
Lake Hodges has reopened for boating and fishing after a one-year closure to repair deteriorating concrete on the upstream face of its century-old dam.
“We are excited to be able to once again offer this beautiful fishing and recreational resource to the community,” said Arian Collins, San Diego’s supervising public information officer, in June 1 email.
https://www.waternewsnetwork.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/02/water-news-network.png00Kristiene Gonghttps://www.waternewsnetwork.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/02/water-news-network.pngKristiene Gong2023-06-13 10:20:522023-06-13 10:29:53Lake Hodges Reopens for Boating and Fishing After Dam Repairs Completed
What seemed like an internal dispute among San Diego County water agencies is now reverberating in Sacramento and Los Angeles, potentially raising the stakes in the outcome.
At issue is the effort by two small North County water districts to get out from under the San Diego County Water Authority umbrella and hook up with an agency in Riverside County to obtain cheaper water.
https://www.waternewsnetwork.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/02/water-news-network.png00Mike Leehttps://www.waternewsnetwork.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/02/water-news-network.pngMike Lee2023-06-12 10:57:112023-06-12 11:01:10Opinion: Turmoil in San Diego’s Water World
Hoping to alleviate a perennial tug-of-war between the Imperial Irrigation District (IID) Directors and farmers on timely payments for conserved water, the IID voted to provide revenue certainty to the On-Farm Efficiency Conservation Program (OFECP) by approving $310.50/AF payment rate for all the 2023 conservation and authorize a budget amendment to increase the 2023 budget by $9.936 million at the regular meeting Tuesday, June 6.
The IID had agreed to a single payment rate not to exceed the $310.50/AF, and this would prorate the fixed budget of $41,399,800 to create at least 133,333 AF of conserved water, back in November 2022.
All is done to comply with the QSA that requires the IID to furnish San Diego County Water Authority (SDCWA) with 200,000 AF a year. The complaints the farmers have had with the IID was expending capital upfront to conserve water either through leveling, sprinkler, pump backs, drip, or tile, and then waiting months, or more than a year to get paid for the conserved water. Unfortunately, some of the costs never were reimbursed if paperwork requirements or water conserved did not meet the pre-set standards.
https://www.waternewsnetwork.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/02/water-news-network.png00Mike Leehttps://www.waternewsnetwork.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/02/water-news-network.pngMike Lee2023-06-12 10:54:442023-06-12 11:06:08IID Adds $10 million to Pay for On-Farm Conserved Water
Padre Dam Water District’s board is fed up with having to pay higher rates for the water it purchases from the San Diego County Water Authority, and voted unanimously not to go along with any rate hike unless the CWA gets serious about its long-range planning.
The five-member board took the vote after listening to a presentation by CEO Kyle Swanson (photo, right)about CWA raising the wholesale rate charged to member water agencies next year by a range between 8.2 to 12.7 percent. At one point, CWA was considering increasing to about 13 percent, but the range is ever-changing and unknowable at the current time, Swanson said.
https://www.waternewsnetwork.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/02/water-news-network.png00Chelsea Camposhttps://www.waternewsnetwork.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/02/water-news-network.pngChelsea Campos2023-06-12 10:49:302023-06-12 11:06:27Padre Dam Board Tells CWA It Can’t Accept Any Water Rate Increase
A local government body on Monday delayed the decision on whether two North County water districts can leave the San Diego County Water Authority to buy cheaper water elsewhere.
Fallbrook Public Utility District and Rainbow Municipal Water District want a divorce from the San Diego County Water Authority (SDCWA) because they say the water rate is too high. They want to move to the Eastern Municipal Water District in Riverside for its cheaper water. It’s a process called detachment.
https://www.waternewsnetwork.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/02/water-news-network.png00Chelsea Camposhttps://www.waternewsnetwork.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/02/water-news-network.pngChelsea Campos2023-06-07 10:00:132023-06-07 10:13:59Fallbrook, Rainbow Water ‘Divorce’ Decision Delayed Until August