Chula Vista, Calif. – Sweetwater Authority recently acquired a NO-DES system to support the agency’s water main flushing program, which maintains overall water quality. The Authority is the first agency in the region to purchase the water-saving equipment. Bringing the flushing program fully in-house will achieve significant cost-savings for the agency and its customers.
The San Diego County Water Authority is celebrating National Engineers Week by highlighting how the agency’s engineers are instrumental in keeping the water flowing to San Diegans. Since the Water Authority’s formation in 1944, engineers have played a pivotal role in the establishment and growth of the agency and its commitment to delivering safe, reliable water supplies to San Diego.
(Editor’s Note: Founded by the National Society of Professional Engineers, National Engineers Week (February 19–25, 2023) is dedicated to ensuring a diverse and well-educated future engineering workforce by increasing understanding of and interest in engineering and technology careers.)
A California water irrigation district has launched Project Nexus, which is installing a 4 MW solar canopy on an irrigation canal in California.
ESS Inc., a saltwater energy storage system manufacturer, has announced the delivery of an Energy Warehouse system to the Turlock Irrigation District in central California. The energy storage company will deploy a few Energy Warehouse containers to pair with solar panels over irrigation canals.
The San Diego County Water Authority is celebrating National Engineers Week by highlighting how the agency’s engineers are instrumental in keeping the water flowing to San Diegans.
Since the Water Authority’s formation in 1944, engineers have played a pivotal role in the establishment and growth of the agency and its commitment to delivering safe, reliable water supplies to San Diego.
The Water Authority’s first general manager, J. L. Burkholder, who oversaw the completion of Pipeline 1, which gave San Diego access to the Colorado River in 1947, also held the title of chief engineer. At the Water Authority, National Engineers Week is a time to remember its roots while also appreciating the team leading it into the future.
Water Authority Assistant General Manager Tish Berge, who is a registered professional chemical engineer, explained the importance of having a strong presence of engineers in organizations like the Water Authority.
“Engineering at its core is problem solving,” Berge said. “That type of thinking is applicable at all levels within an organization. At this stage in my career, the most rewarding aspect of my job is leading talented individuals and preparing the next generation.”
The Water Authority has 23 staff members that hold professional engineering or engineering-in-training licenses.
(L) San Diego County Water Authority Assistant General Manager Tish Berge, a registered professional chemical engineer, and (R) Emma Ward-McNally, engineer and construction manager at the Water Authority. Photo: San Diego County Water Authority
Emma Ward-McNally, engineer and construction manager at the Water Authority, said her love for science and curiosity of the world around her drew her into the field of engineering. She said her passion for problem solving keeps her going.
“I love my job because no two projects are ever the same and they all offer unique challenges and opportunities,” Ward-McNally said.
At the Water Authority, problem solving can look a little different than other retail water agencies, said Principal Asset Management Specialist Eric Rubalcava, who is a professional engineer.
Large diameter pipelines and structures allow for Rubalcava and his team to physically go inside the infrastructure for inspections. A typical inspection over the course of 10 days will cover 12 miles of pipeline. Rubalcava and his crew look for visible cracking of the pipeline liner, exposed or corroded metal, coating failures, spalled concrete, pulled joints; anything that provides evidence that our infrastructure is in a degraded state.
For Rubalcava, the job is rewarding because of his direct involvement in keeping the water system reliable by determining infrastructure needs.
“This work is physically demanding but I get to do something that most people don’t get to experience, including many of my Water Authority colleagues,” Rubalcava said.
Water Authority Principal Asset Management Specialist Eric Rubalcava performing an internal inspection of Pipeline 4EII in South San Diego County. Photo: San Diego County Water Authority
Senior Engineering Technician Karla Sanchez spends her time out in the field above ground. One of her main roles is maintaining a presence at construction sites where she ensures that projects are meeting contract specifications.
“One of the favorite parts of my job is being out in the field monitoring construction and working with various talented individuals in the water industry,” Sanchez said.
Water Authority Senior Engineering Technician Karla Sanchez. Photo: San Diego County Water Authority
When engineers aren’t out in the field, Senior Water Resources Specialist Anjuli Corcovelos said a typical day on the job includes data analysis, communication, and solving problems.
All this comes together when presented with projects like the Moosa Canyon Pipeline Repair and Replacement Planning Study. Corcovelos and her team had to determine which of the eight possible solutions would be best. The project involved coordination with several other departments as part of a massive team effort. It’s the type of project Corcovelos finds the most satisfying.
“Those challenges, those stressful days or nights trying to really figure out that solution, come together sometimes with other teammates to make that happen,” said Corcovelos. “But ultimately when you achieve that goal, and you identify what that solution is and be able to see those effects come to light, it really truly is very rewarding.”
Leading up to National Engineers Week, engineers across multiple departments at the Water Authority have been looking ahead together at what the future holds for engineering projects which will positively impact San Diego’s water supply.
Sami Sweis, professional engineer (PE) in Water Resources, is working with Corcovelos along with other departments and water agencies on his current favorite project: The 2023 Water Facilities Master Plan Study. The master plan goes all the way out to 2045 by evaluating existing and planning for new regional water facilities. The overall goal is to keep the water supply reliable and diverse while also maintaining or increasing operational resiliency and reliability.
“It’s really enjoyable because of the collaboration we have with our other departments and member agencies, and knowing that in the future we’re going to have some projects that are going to be beneficial to San Diego as a region,” Sweis said.
(Editor’s Note: Founded by the National Society of Professional Engineers, National Engineers Week (February 19–25, 2023) is dedicated to ensuring a diverse and well-educated future engineering workforce by increasing understanding of and interest in engineering and technology careers.)
As we entered the fall of 2022 in California, news headlines read of a 1,200-year drought and state agencies warned the current drought from 2020 to 2022 was the driest on record.
In a matter of weeks, stories changed to talk of flooding, mudslides, and record rainfall. The New Year brought one of the wettest months on record in California. This set of evolving headlines is nothing new.
Chula Vista, Calif. –With the completion of a second water transfer, Sweetwater Authority has secured an additional year’s worth of local water supplies. Sweetwater Reservoir is at over 50% capacity, for the first time since 2019. These transfers equate to saving the Authority and its ratepayers approximately $11 million in costs associated with purchasing water.
(Editor’s note: The SweetwaterAuthority is one of the San Diego County Water Authority’s 24 member agencies that deliver water across the San Diego County region.)
January 26, 2023 – The San Diego County Water Authority Board of Directors today welcomed Metropolitan Water District of Southern California Board Chair Adán Ortega, Jr. by hosting a reception for him to meet San Diego County’s community, civic and business leaders.
Ortega took the helm of MWD’s Board on January 10 as the first Latino chair in the district’s 95-year history. In a presentation today during the Water Authority’s formal Board meeting, Ortega focused on shared challenges and opportunities the two water wholesalers face in the era of climate change.
The recent series of atmospheric rivers dumped enough rain and snow on Northern California to give us hope that the end of the drought may be near. California’s Department of Water Resources is reporting that the state’s snow water equivalent, or how much water the snowpack is expected to yield, is almost double what we expect at this time of year. According to department officials, it’s “the best start to our snowpack in over a decade.”
As part of its annual preventative maintenance program to safeguard its water supply and reduce water loss, the Otay Water District will conduct leak inspections of its pipeline system beginning January 30. Inspections are expected to continue until April 28.
As part of its annual preventative maintenance program to safeguard its water supply and reduce water loss, the Otay Water District will conduct leak inspections of its pipeline system beginning January 30. Inspections are expected to continue until April 28. The District’s contractor, Utility Services Associates, will inspect approximately 171 miles of potable water mains in Spring Valley and Jamul, along with potable and recycled water mains in areas of Chula Vista.
Minor water leaks account for more than a trillion gallons of water wasted each year in homes across the United States. According to the EPA Fix-A-Week-Leak website, each average household with unaddressed leaks can account for 10,000 gallons of water loss every year, enough to wash 300 loads of laundry.
Since 2013, the proactive Leak Detection Program has identified 292 leaks that have been repaired by the District, resulting in an average annual savings of $54,000 per year from reduced water losses. Graphic: Otay Water District
For example, the EPA reports a leak just one-32nd of an inch in diameter (about the thickness of a dime) can waste 6,300 gallons of water per month.
Since 2013, the proactive Leak Detection Program has identified 292 leaks that have been repaired by the District, resulting in an average annual savings of $54,000 per year from reduced water losses.
“The Otay Water District conducts inspections annually in different communities we serve,” said Otay System Operations Manager Jake Vaclavek. “It is more critical than ever to insure we are not wasting water as we cope with our state’s ongoing megadrought.”
An effective leak detection and repair program is one of the main components for water conservation and an important part of asset management. Photo: Otay Water District
Customers may see workers inspecting the meter in front of their home or business, typically between 7 a.m. and 5 p.m., Monday through Friday. Weekend and night work may also be required. Inspections can range from a few minutes to a full day.
Inspection workers will wear a Utility Services Associates logo and carry company identification. They will not need access to the homes or property of customers. They may contact customers if they need to momentarily shut off their water supply for further testing. Water supply will not be shut off without permission from someone at the home or property.
The Otay Water District will continue its annual leak inspection through April. Photo: Otay Water District
Workers might lift water meter covers, inspect, and attach equipment to meters or valves. If they suspect a leak, the Otay Water District will contact the customer and advise them of the potential leak.
For questions on the Otay Water District Leak Detection Program, contact customer service at (619) 670-2222.
(Editor’s note: The Otay Water District is one of the San Diego County Water Authority’s 24 member agencies that deliver water across the San Diego County region.)
The Water News Network is San Diego County’s source for water news and information.
Sweetwater Authority Logo 2019