Tag Archive for: San Diego County Water Authority

Shawn McCoy successfully transitioned from military to civilian employment through the SkillBridge program. Photo: San Diego County Water Authority

SkillBridge Program Puts Veterans To Work In Water Industry Jobs

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When Shawn McCoy graduated from American Military University after 20 years of military service, he thought he’d become a park ranger. 

With a bachelor’s degree in environmental science and a concentration in fish and wildlife management and sustainability now under his belt, he was fully equipped to head into his new career. 

However, after his kids decided they wanted to stay in San Diego County, DOD SkillBridge — a program aimed toward connecting exiting military members with civilian work — redirected McCoy to an internship that satisfied both his family’s wishes and his desire to work in environmental science. 

SkillBridge Program Offers Valuable Work Experience To Veterans

After completing 20 years of service in the U.S. Marine Corps, Shawn McCoy sought job training through the SkillBridge program. Photo: San Diego County Water Authority

After completing 20 years of service in the U.S. Marine Corps, Shawn McCoy sought job training through the SkillBridge program. Photo: San Diego County Water Authority

During his 20 years in the service, McCoy worked as a helicopter mechanic for the U.S. Marine Corps and completed two deployments in Afghanistan and Iraq. In January 2023, he became a water resources intern for the San Diego County Water Authority, entering a completely different world. 

“I was so used to structure, but coming out, there’s obviously a lot more freedom,” said McCoy. “The Water Authority was a good way to reintroduce me to the real world when I got out. Something as simple as, ‘Do I have to check in with you when I go to lunch,’ were all things I had to get used to.” 

As a water resources intern, he took on roles that pulled from his environmental science education. In addition to his daily tasks of documenting, screening, and reviewing reports for the department, he went on field visits to monitor vegetation restoration and participated in construction projects. 

He also became acquainted with the Claude “Bud” Lewis Carlsbad Desalination Plant during his time as a Water Authority intern — where he would later spend much of his time.

Water Authority Internship Leads To Water Industry Job

Shawn McCoy now works full time as an environmental resources manager for Channelside Water Resources LP at the Claude "Bud" Lewis Carlsbad Desalination Plant. Photo: San Diego County Water Authority

Shawn McCoy now works full-time as an environmental manager for Channelside Water Resources LP at the Claude “Bud” Lewis Carlsbad Desalination Plant. Photo: San Diego County Water Authority

After hearing about a job opening at Channelside Water Resources LP, McCoy applied and was hired on as an environmental manager in July 2023, directly after his internship with the Water Authority. 

In his current role, McCoy manages day-to-day activities at the Carlsbad plant, including overseeing maintenance and operations and ensuring environmental health and safety. 

He credits his time at the Water Authority for his smooth transition into his role with Channelside. 

“The Water Authority is where I was first introduced to the water purchase agreement and how it ties to the desal plant,” said McCoy. “So, I got to learn about the desal plant prior to even coming into this role.” 

As for the future of his career, McCoy hopes to eventually go back to school to receive his master’s degree and work his way up to the director of operations. Thanks to SkillBridge and the San Diego County Water Authority, McCoy is already on the road to reaching those goals.  

Repairing a Critical Calgary Feeder Main Line After a Catastrophic Failure

/in , /by /ES&E Magazineby David Nesseth Mentioned: San Diego County Water Authority

While the process of paving over underground repairs and refilling the feeder main line brought a collective sigh of relief in Calgary, critical water quality tests loomed as workers focused on the finish line in the dwindling days of June.

The more than three-week ordeal of repairing the nearly 50-year-old, 11 kilometre-long, two-metre diameter feeder main was a significant challenge for Calgary’s Water Services Director, Nancy Mackay, her team, and other municipal departments, not to mention the city’s 1.6 million residents.

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Local Water Rates to Increase 14.9%

/in , /by /Valley Road Runner by David Ross Mentioned: San Diego County Water Authority

Valley Center Municipal Water District rates will see an overall rate increase of 16.1 % effective January 1, 2025 from its wholesale supplier, the San Diego County Water Authority (SDCWA), which supplies 100% of VCMWD’s water. When combined with a lower 5% increase for locally controlled operations costs, the net impact for most customers will be 14.9%.

Last year the overall rate of increase was 9%. “This one is a little bit larger than we have seen in the past,” VCMWD Gen. Mgr Gary Arant told The Roadrunner. “Though in the mid-90s rates went up over 30% in some years. It is certainly not unprecedented in the history of rate increases.”

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California To Send 200 Litres of Water per Second to Mexico Amid Shortage

/in , /by /Newsweek Mentioned: San Diego County Water Authority

The San Diego County Water Authority will supply the Mexican state of Baja California with 200 liters of water per second to support Tijuana residents during the summer. This water will be delivered through an international pipeline connecting San Diego, California, to Tijuana.

“There is a greater demand when it gets hot,” said Carlos Alberto Machado Parra, director for Baja’s Public Service and Planning Commission (CESPT) in Tijuana, according to Border Report. “We always maintain this binational connection so we can supply neighborhoods that may be short on supply. “

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Calgary Honours Men who Helped Get Replacement Pipe at White Hatting Ceremony

/in , /by /CTV Newsby Melissa Gilligan Mentioned: San Diego County Water Authority

The two men who helped Calgary get a replacement pipe to help repair the city’s ruptured feeder main were honoured over the weekend.

When the pipe broke in June, city officials put out an international call for replacements. On Sunday, City of Calgary worker Toby Weickert and San Diego County Water Authority worker Martin Coghill both received white hats for their efforts.

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Calgary Mayor Thanked Workers Involved in the Repair of the Water Main Break at Conference

/in , /by /City News Everywhere Mentioned: San Diego County Water Authority

Gondek white-hatted over 100 guests from out of town, as well as formally white-hatting Toby Weickert, and Martin Coghill who arranged the delivery of the feeder main pipe from San Diego to Calgary.

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San Diego County Water Authority Raising Rates 14%, Costs Passed on to Consumers, Businesses

/in , /by /ABC 10 News by Craig Harris Mentioned: San Diego County Water Authority

The Uptown Car Wash in Hillcrest has been a haven for the budget shopper. The company offers a wash for less than $10, while a full detail is more pricey. However, the costs for those services likely are increasing.

That’s because the San Diego County Water Authority this week raised water rates by 14%. The higher water bills are expected to begin in January for the county’s 23 agencies, including the City of San Diego, which has raised water bills 16% the past few years.

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BLOG: How Can we Get Rid of the Carlsbad Ocean Desalination Plant?

/in , /by /Orange Juice Blogby John Earl Mentioned: San Diego County Water Authority

On July 25, the San Diego County Water Authority (CWA) Board of Directors voted for a 14% wholesale rate increase effective in 2025 for the wholesaler’s 23 local water agencies, to be followed by a 16.4% increase in 2026 plus 5.6% in 2027 (40.1 percent compounded).

The increase is part of an unstoppable trend in county water management caused by CWA’s high debts and declining water use, resulting in less revenue for paying those debts—over $2 billion worth.

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Wholesale Water Rates Won’t Rise as Sharply as Feared. Here’s Why That Could Still Cost Ratepayers.

/in , /by /The San Diego Union-Tribuneby David Garrick Mentioned: San Diego County Water Authority

Water rates in San Diego County won’t go up next year as sharply as some feared — but the county water authority’s efforts to keep rates low are becoming a significant threat to its credit rating.

A sharply divided water authority board voted Thursday to reduce next year’s rate increase from 18 percent to 14 percent, which eases pressure on local water agencies to raise rates on their customers.

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Water Rates Will Rise, But Hurt Less than Expected

/in , /by /Voice of San Diegoby MacKenzie Elmer Mentioned: San Diego County Water Authority

San Diego’s main water seller OK’d a less-doomy price increase than the region was expecting, setting it at 14 percent on Thursday.

To make that work, the San Diego County Water Authority will have to find $2 million it can cut from its budget and delay some anti-earthquake-related upgrades to its biggest aqueducts. Those cuts save ratepayers from an anticipated 18 percent beginning January 1. But 14 percent is still the largest annual rate increase on the wholesale price of San Diego water since 2011, Water Authority records show.

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