Although San Diego County is best known for its beautiful beaches, it is also home to more than 20 freshwater lakes and reservoirs. These bodies of water offer a variety of recreational opportunities. Lake fishing lets anglers hook catfish, bluegill, carp, crappie, sunfish, bass, and trout. Water enthusiasts can enjoy kayaking, boating, rowing, and wakeboarding […]
Award-winning exhibits at the San Diego County Fair Paul Ecke Jr. Garden Show offer attendees inspiration for their own low-water use landscaping projects from examples of creative low-water use and native plant gardens at the Fair’s popular exhibit. Groovy Garden Returns To County Fair’s Garden Show Debby Dunn, Senior Water Resources Specialist with the San […]
The San Diego County Water Authority’s Board of Directors today approved wholesale water rates for 2026 following a public hearing and approved the recommended budget for the next two fiscal years. Despite ongoing inflationary pressures and the continued impacts of climate change on the Southwest, the Water Authority minimized impacts on ratepayers through a number […]
The Vallecitos Water District (VWD) Board of Directors recognized students from district schools for their excellence in the classroom, awarding $2,000 scholarships to six deserving students. The scholarship program was established by the board in 2022 to provide scholarships to high school students, as well as students at Palomar College and California State University San […]
Seven amateur photographers were recognized by the Olivenhain Municipal Water District’s Board of Directors at its June meeting for their award-winning entries in the 18th annual Elfin Forest Recreational Reserve (EFRR) photo contest. The contest ran from November 2024 through April 2025. The winning photographs feature plants, animals, and unique scenery that showcase the 784-acre […]
The transformation of a Fletcher Hills front yard in El Cajon showcases what a drive for sustainability and some family effort can create. The effort by homeowners Sinead and Lance G. is this year’s winner of the Helix Water District 2025 WaterSmart Landscape Contest. The annual contest celebrates residents who demonstrate outstanding water-efficient landscaping through […]
Signaling a new era of collaboration, the San Diego County Water Authority and the Metropolitan Water District of Southern California today announced the settlement of a 15-year legal dispute over rates and the price term of an exchange agreement between the agencies. At a news conference in San Diego, leaders from two of the state’s […]
The San Diego County Water Authority (SDCWA) and the Metropolitan Water District (MWD) reached a landmark settlement ending litigation that dates back to 2010—marking the beginning of a new era of collaboration between the water agencies. The agreement was signed by leaders from both agencies outside of SDCWA’s headquarters in Kearny Mesa. The settlement dismisses […]
Olivenhain Municipal Water District General Manager Kimberly Thorner was honored with the Kenneth J. Miller Founders’ Award by Water For People, an international non-profit organization, for her efforts on American Water Works Association’s California-Nevada Section’s Water for People San Diego Committee. The award recognizes exceptional volunteers who are working to support water and sanitation in […]
Community leaders from across San Diego County expressed their support for the end of long running litigation between the San Diego County Water Authority and Metropolitan Water District following the morning news conference announcing the settlement. “Settling litigation between Metropolitan and the Water Authority is a springboard for stabilizing rates through water exchanges and transfers. […]
The Vallecitos Water District (VWD) Board of Directors recognized students from district schools for their excellence in the classroom through its 2025 Student Poster Art Contest at its June board meeting. Three fourth-grade students from the local community were named winners of the district’s annual student poster art contest. The poster contest, targeting fourth-grade students, […]
Twelve fourth-grade students from schools in Escondido were recognized at the City of Escondido’s May City Council Meeting as finalists in the 2025 Water Awareness Student Poster Contest. Three students were named first, second, and third-place winners for their entries. These three winners will have their artwork featured in the 2026 North County Water Agency […]
The Vallecitos Water District was recognized with a One Water Award from the Metropolitan Water District of Southern California (Metropolitan) for its efforts to work with homeowners associations in its district on turf replacement projects. Public Information/Conservation Supervisor Chris Robbins accepted the award on behalf of the Vallecitos Water District in a recognition event at […]
Three talented fourth-grade students were recognized by the Olivenhain Municipal Water District Board of Directors at its May 21 meeting as the winners of the 2025 North County Water Agencies Water Awareness Poster Contest, themed “Love Water, Save Water.” Kaiyan Beam from Olivenhain Pioneer Elementary School and David W. Brand and Audrey Nam, both from […]
Two exceptional East County students received $1,000 college scholarships awarded by the Helix Water District at the May Board of Directors meeting. They are Grossmont High School senior Ashley Beard and El Capitan High School senior Agostinho Soto-wang, Ashley Beard Seeks Role As Legal Advocate Midway through their senior year, Beard had a 4.87 weighted […]
San Diego Regional Reservoirs Offer Summer Activities
/in Achievements, Features /by Gayle FalkenthalAlthough San Diego County is best known for its beautiful beaches, it is also home to more than 20 freshwater lakes and reservoirs. These bodies of water offer a variety of recreational opportunities. Lake fishing lets anglers hook catfish, bluegill, carp, crappie, sunfish, bass, and trout. Water enthusiasts can enjoy kayaking, boating, rowing, and wakeboarding […]
San Diego County Fair Landscape Exhibits Educate and Entertain
/in Achievements, Education, Features /by Gayle FalkenthalAward-winning exhibits at the San Diego County Fair Paul Ecke Jr. Garden Show offer attendees inspiration for their own low-water use landscaping projects from examples of creative low-water use and native plant gardens at the Fair’s popular exhibit. Groovy Garden Returns To County Fair’s Garden Show Debby Dunn, Senior Water Resources Specialist with the San […]
Water Authority Board Approves 2026 Wholesale Rates
/in Achievements, Features /by Jordan BeaneThe San Diego County Water Authority’s Board of Directors today approved wholesale water rates for 2026 following a public hearing and approved the recommended budget for the next two fiscal years. Despite ongoing inflationary pressures and the continued impacts of climate change on the Southwest, the Water Authority minimized impacts on ratepayers through a number […]
Students Recognized For Scholarship Excellence by Vallecitos Water District
/in Education, Features /by Gayle FalkenthalThe Vallecitos Water District (VWD) Board of Directors recognized students from district schools for their excellence in the classroom, awarding $2,000 scholarships to six deserving students. The scholarship program was established by the board in 2022 to provide scholarships to high school students, as well as students at Palomar College and California State University San […]
Wildlife and Wild Views Win 2025 Elfin Forest Recreational Reserve Photo Contest
/in Achievements, Features /by Gayle FalkenthalSeven amateur photographers were recognized by the Olivenhain Municipal Water District’s Board of Directors at its June meeting for their award-winning entries in the 18th annual Elfin Forest Recreational Reserve (EFRR) photo contest. The contest ran from November 2024 through April 2025. The winning photographs feature plants, animals, and unique scenery that showcase the 784-acre […]
Fletcher Hills Family Wins Helix Water District 2025 WaterSmart Landscape Contest
/in Features, WaterSmart Living /by Gayle FalkenthalThe transformation of a Fletcher Hills front yard in El Cajon showcases what a drive for sustainability and some family effort can create. The effort by homeowners Sinead and Lance G. is this year’s winner of the Helix Water District 2025 WaterSmart Landscape Contest. The annual contest celebrates residents who demonstrate outstanding water-efficient landscaping through […]
Water Authority, MWD End Lengthy Legal Dispute
/in Achievements, Features, Uncategorized /by Jordan BeaneSignaling a new era of collaboration, the San Diego County Water Authority and the Metropolitan Water District of Southern California today announced the settlement of a 15-year legal dispute over rates and the price term of an exchange agreement between the agencies. At a news conference in San Diego, leaders from two of the state’s […]
Media Roundup: End of Litigation
/in Achievements, Features, Uncategorized /by Jordan BeaneThe San Diego County Water Authority (SDCWA) and the Metropolitan Water District (MWD) reached a landmark settlement ending litigation that dates back to 2010—marking the beginning of a new era of collaboration between the water agencies. The agreement was signed by leaders from both agencies outside of SDCWA’s headquarters in Kearny Mesa. The settlement dismisses […]
Water For People Recognizes Kimberly Thorner for Volunteer Leadership
/in Achievements, Features /by Gayle FalkenthalOlivenhain Municipal Water District General Manager Kimberly Thorner was honored with the Kenneth J. Miller Founders’ Award by Water For People, an international non-profit organization, for her efforts on American Water Works Association’s California-Nevada Section’s Water for People San Diego Committee. The award recognizes exceptional volunteers who are working to support water and sanitation in […]
Regional Leaders Hail Settlement Agreement
/in Achievements, Features, Uncategorized /by Jordan BeaneCommunity leaders from across San Diego County expressed their support for the end of long running litigation between the San Diego County Water Authority and Metropolitan Water District following the morning news conference announcing the settlement. “Settling litigation between Metropolitan and the Water Authority is a springboard for stabilizing rates through water exchanges and transfers. […]
Students Recognized For Conservation Posters by Vallecitos Water District
/in Education, Features /by Gayle FalkenthalThe Vallecitos Water District (VWD) Board of Directors recognized students from district schools for their excellence in the classroom through its 2025 Student Poster Art Contest at its June board meeting. Three fourth-grade students from the local community were named winners of the district’s annual student poster art contest. The poster contest, targeting fourth-grade students, […]
Winners Announced In City of Escondido 2025 Student Poster Contest
/in Education, Features /by Gayle FalkenthalTwelve fourth-grade students from schools in Escondido were recognized at the City of Escondido’s May City Council Meeting as finalists in the 2025 Water Awareness Student Poster Contest. Three students were named first, second, and third-place winners for their entries. These three winners will have their artwork featured in the 2026 North County Water Agency […]
One Water Awards Honors Vallecitos Water District Projects
/in Achievements, Features /by Gayle FalkenthalThe Vallecitos Water District was recognized with a One Water Award from the Metropolitan Water District of Southern California (Metropolitan) for its efforts to work with homeowners associations in its district on turf replacement projects. Public Information/Conservation Supervisor Chris Robbins accepted the award on behalf of the Vallecitos Water District in a recognition event at […]
OMWD Announces 2025 Water Awareness Poster Contest Winners
/in Education, Features /by Gayle FalkenthalThree talented fourth-grade students were recognized by the Olivenhain Municipal Water District Board of Directors at its May 21 meeting as the winners of the 2025 North County Water Agencies Water Awareness Poster Contest, themed “Love Water, Save Water.” Kaiyan Beam from Olivenhain Pioneer Elementary School and David W. Brand and Audrey Nam, both from […]
East County Students Win Helix Water District Scholarships
/in Education, Features /by Gayle FalkenthalTwo exceptional East County students received $1,000 college scholarships awarded by the Helix Water District at the May Board of Directors meeting. They are Grossmont High School senior Ashley Beard and El Capitan High School senior Agostinho Soto-wang, Ashley Beard Seeks Role As Legal Advocate Midway through their senior year, Beard had a 4.87 weighted […]