Tag Archive for: Sweetwater Authority

Carolina Schultz's transformed landscape demonstrates how homeowners can create a beautiful, California-friendly landscape using less water. Photo: Sweetwater Authority

Landscape Transformation Wins Sweetwater Authority Contest

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National City homeowner Catalina Schultz decided to reinvent her yard. Her landscape transformation from grass to a low-water use design is the 2023 winner of the Sweetwater Authority WaterSmart Landscape Makeover Contest.

The front yard before the landscape transformation. Photo: Sweetwater Authority

The front yard before the landscape transformation. Photo: Sweetwater Authority

Schultz’s landscape demonstrates how homeowners can create a beautiful, California-friendly landscape using less water. Schultz was recognized for her accomplishment at the Authority’s June board meeting.

When Schultz purchased her house in 2011, the front yard was covered in turf and required lots of effort and water to maintain. She decided to reinvent her yard, planning out a space full of low-water use plants, steppingstone, and decorative planters.

The space is now full of low-water use plants, steppingstones, and decorative planters. Photo: Sweetwater Authority landscape transformation

The space is now full of low-water use plants, steppingstones, and decorative planters. Photo: Sweetwater Authority

The transformed landscape includes flowering plants and shrubs like Sedum, Oleander, and Aeonium. The yard also features a variety of cacti and succulents, including Elephant Bush, Ghost Euphorbia, Jade, Cholla Cactus, and more.

Impressive water-saving results

A rain barrel is part of the newly redesigned landscape. Photo: Sweetwater Authority

A rain barrel is part of the newly redesigned landscape. Photo: Sweetwater Authority

Schultz now waters her yard only once a month when needed. A passionate gardener, she prefers to water each plant by hand, using water collected from her rain barrel.

By switching from turf to water-wise plants, Schultz saves an estimated 12,000 gallons of water each year.

“Ms. Schultz’s landscape transformation clearly demonstrates that investing in a water-wise landscape can add beauty to your home while providing big savings on your water bill,” said Board Chair Hector Martinez. “The Authority is here to provide rebates, resources, and support to any customer interested in investing in a low water-use landscape.”

Catalina Schultz now waters her yard only once a month when needed. Photo: Sweetwater Authority

Catalina Schultz now waters her yard only once a month when needed. Photo: Sweetwater Authority

The annual WaterSmart Landscape Contest is an opportunity for Authority customers to showcase their best, water-wise landscapes. All customers who have transformed their yards to be more water efficient are encouraged to enter the contest for the chance to win a $250 gift certificate.

(Editor’s note: The Sweetwater Authority is one of the San Diego County Water Authority’s 24 member agencies that deliver water across the San Diego County region.) 

Sweetwater Authority Logo 2019Sweetwater Authority Logo 2019

WaterSmart Landscape Contest Winner Saves Water, Adds Beauty to National City Home

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Chula Vista, Calif. – At its meeting on June 28, Sweetwater Authority named Catalina Schultz of National City this year’s winner of the WaterSmart Landscape Contest. Schultz’s landscape demonstrates how homeowners can create a beautiful, California friendly landscape using less water.

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Student Artists Show Water Conservation Through Winning Art

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The Sweetwater Authority selected 10 elementary school students as the winners of its  “Being Water Wise Is…” 2023 Student Art Poster Contest. The annual contest is open to kindergarten through sixth-grade students in the Authority’s service area. The contest encourages students to think about the importance of water in their everyday lives, and how they can help protect and conserve water in their homes and community.

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Fourth grade student Amara Drosi is one of ten winners in the 2023 Sweetwater Authority Student Poster Contest. Photo: Sweetwater Authority

Student Artists Show Water Conservation Through Winning Art

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The Sweetwater Authority selected 10 elementary school students as the winners of its  “Being Water Wise Is…” 2023 Student Art Poster Contest. The annual contest is open to kindergarten through sixth-grade students in the Authority’s service area. The contest encourages students to think about the importance of water in their everyday lives, and how they can help protect and conserve water in their homes and community.

“We are thrilled to have received so many incredible posters this year from so many talented students,” said Sweetwater Authority Board Chair Hector Martinez. “The Authority runs this contest every year with the goal of helping students think critically about the importance of water. This year students did a fantastic job illustrating what being water-wise means to them.”

Winning student artwork

Oliver Bucud, Fourth Grade Student Artists Show

Oliver Bucud, Fourth Grade

Alandra Contreras Olvera, Fourth Grade

Alandra Contreras Olvera, Third Grade

Sabrina Dacanay, Third Grade Student Artists Show

Sabrina Dacanay, Third Grade

 

Lee Ann Davis, Fourth Grade Student Artists Show

Lee Ann Davis, Fourth Grade

Amara Drosi, Fourth Grade

Amara Drosi, Fourth Grade

Vanya Herroz, Fourth Grade

Vanya Herroz, Fourth Grade

Audrey Manaig, Fourth Grade

Audrey Manaig, Fourth Grade

Ryann Moody, Fourth Grade

Ryann Moody, Fourth Grade

Aaron Ramirez, Fourth Grade

Aaron Ramirez, Fourth Grade

Caleb Zacharzuk, Fourth Grade

Caleb Zacharzuk, Fourth Grade

Five students advance to regional competition

More than 60 students in the Authority’s service area submitted artwork for this year’s contest. Of the ten winners, five students will have their artwork submitted to the Metropolitan Water District of Southern California’s regional contest:

  • Alondra Contreras Olvera
  • Sabrina Dacanay
  • LeeAnn Davis
  • Audrey Manaig
  • Ryann Moody

If selected, their art work will be featured in MWD’s 2024 art calendar. In 2023, second-grade student Melanie Garcia’s artwork was selected to represent Sweetwater Authority in the MWD student art calendar.

Second grader Melanie Garcia represents Sweetwater Authority with her winning student artwork. Photo: MWD

Second grader Melanie Garcia represents Sweetwater Authority with her winning artwork. Photo: Metropolitan Water District of Southern California

Winners received art supplies kits, sketchpads and gift cards. See all the winning posters: www.sweetwater.org/postercontest23.

(Editor’s note: The Sweetwater Authority is one of the San Diego County Water Authority’s 24 member agencies that deliver water across the San Diego County region.) 

Sweetwater Authority Logo 2019Sweetwater Authority Logo 2019

Local Elementary School Students Show Water Conservation and Environmental Stewardship Through Art

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Chula Vista, Calif. – Last week Sweetwater Authority selected 10 local elementary school students as winners of the “Being Water Wise Is…” Poster Contest. The annual contest is open to K-6th graders in the Authority’s service area, and encourages the students to think about the importance of water in their everyday lives, and how they can help protect and conserve water in their homes and community.

“We are thrilled to have received so many incredible posters this year from so many talented students,” said Board Chair Hector Martinez. “The Authority runs this contest every year with the goal of helping students think critically about the importance of water. This year students did a fantastic job illustrating what being water wise means to them.”

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Loveland Reservoir May Be Weeks Away From Partial Reopening

/in , , /by /Fox 5 by Kasia Gregorczyk

A group of East County residents made the trip to the South Bay Wednesday evening to fight for the reopening of Loveland Reservoir. It’s a topic they’ve been raising concern about for several months now.

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East County Residents Continue to Question Loveland Reservoir Closure

/in , /by /Fox 5 by Kasia Gregorczyk

East County residents are still searching for answers after the Loveland Reservoir was drained and then closed to public access. They haven’t been told when or if they’ll be able to use the area for recreation again.

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Eight Student Photographers Selected as Sweetwater Authority High School Photo Contest Winners

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Eight high school students were honored for their award-winning photographs in the annual Sweetwater Authority High School Photo Contest. The winners were selected from a group of 62 students from high schools across the South Bay within the Authority’s service area.

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Honorable Mention: "Ripples and Rocks," Stuart Nelson, Hilltop High School

Eight Student Photographers Selected as Sweetwater Authority High School Photo Contest Winners

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Eight high school students were honored for their award-winning photographs in the annual Sweetwater Authority High School Photo Contest. The winners were selected from a group of 62 students from high schools across the South Bay within the Authority’s service area. Students submitted 148 entries in two categories, color, and black and white.

Winners were recognized at the April 26 Sweetwater Authority board meeting.

“The Board is proud to support this annual contest and looks forward to seeing the entries and continued involvement from our local high school community,” said Sweetwater Authority Board Chair Hector Martinez. “We are continually amazed by the talent and photography skills of students in our service area, and we encourage residents to go to see the photos at the Bonita Museum and Historical Society.”

Color Category Winners

First Place: “Make A Splash,” Cristian Ramirez, Hilltop High School, Grade 12

First Place: “Make A Splash,” Cristian Ramirez, Hilltop High School, Grade 12

Second Place: “Life,” Averie Acosta, Bonita Vista High School, Grade 10

Second Place: “Life,” Averie Acosta, Bonita Vista High School, Grade 10

Third Place: “Hilltop Park Stream,” Daniel Hernandez, Chula Vista High School, Grade 9

Third Place: “Hilltop Park Stream,” Daniel Hernandez, Chula Vista High School, Grade 9

Honorable Mention: "A Stroke of Color," Andrea Covarrubias, Hilltop High School

Honorable Mention: “A Stroke of Color,” Andrea Covarrubias, Hilltop High School

First Place: “Make A Splash,” Cristian Ramirez, Hilltop High School, Grade 12

Honorable Mention: “Calaman-sea,” Jeremy De Las Alas, Bonita Vista High School

Honorable Mention: "Ripples and Rocks," Stuart Nelson, Hilltop High School

Honorable Mention: “Ripples and Rocks,” Stuart Nelson, Hilltop High School

Black & White Category Winners

First Place: “Match,” Averie Acosta, Bonita Vista High School, Grade 10

First Place: “Match,” Averie Acosta, Bonita Vista High School, Grade 10

Second Place: “Kick the Water,” Allison Reyes, Bonita Vista, High School, Grade 11

Second Place: “Kick the Water,” Allison Reyes, Bonita Vista, High School, Grade 11

Second Place: “Kick the Water,” Allison Reyes, Bonita Vista, High School, Grade 11 student photographers

Third Place: “Drops on Umbrella,” Stuart Nelson, Hilltop High School, Grade 12

Honorable Mention: “Morning Dew," Jeremy De Las Alas, Bonita Vista High School

Honorable Mention: “Morning Dew,” Jeremy De Las Alas, Bonita Vista High School

Honorable Mention: "The Rose," Nicholas Gallegos, Hilltop High School student photographer

Honorable Mention: “The Rose,” Nicholas Gallegos, Hilltop High School

All the winning photos are displayed online, and at a special exhibit at the Bonita Museum & Cultural Center.

(Editor’s note: The Sweetwater Authority is one of the San Diego County Water Authority’s 24 member agencies that deliver water across the San Diego County region.) 

Sweetwater Authority Logo 2019Sweetwater Authority Logo 2019

Sweetwater Authority High School Photo Contest Winners Announced

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Chula Vista, Calif. – Eight local high school students were honored for their award-winning photographs at the Sweetwater Authority Board Meeting on April 26. The winners were selected from a group of 62 students from high schools across the South Bay who submitted 148 entries for the Authority’s High School Photo Contest.

“The Board is proud to support this annual contest, and looks forward to seeing the entries and continued involvement from our local high school community,” said Board Chair Hector Martinez. “We are continually amazed by the talent and photography skills of students in our service area and we encourage residents to go to see the photos at the Bonita Museum and Historical Society.”

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