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 […]
John Allen, a resident of Vista, California, for 17 years, says he “got a bug” for growing cycads, inspired by a local enthusiast who raised and retrieved them. Cycads are a plant group that originally flourished back in the dinosaur age. It wasn’t long before he began cultivating them in his one-acre garden, adding palms, […]
On Thursday, Metropolitan Water District of Southern California (MWD) Chairman Adán Ortega and Interim General Manager Deven Upadhyay addressed collaboration between two of the largest wholesale water agencies in Southern California in light of MWD’s major long-term planning effort. This process aims to chart a course for meeting Southern California’s water resource management needs while […]
The Vallecitos Water District (VWD) was honored by the Special District Leadership Foundation (SDLF) for achieving re-accreditation with a “Transparency Certificate of Excellence.” SDLF recognizes organizations for their outstanding efforts to promote a transparent, well-governed public agency. “This award is a testament to Vallecitos’ commitment to open government,” said Vallecitos Board President Dr. Tiffany Boyd-Hodgson. […]
Over the last few weeks, several stories have come out about water deliveries being made to the city of Tijuana. Here’s some of the basics behind this unique international agreement. Whose water is it? Mexico’s. Water delivered through the Emergency Deliveries Agreement is a portion of the Colorado River supplies allotted to Mexico under the […]
For residents across the region thinking about turning their front yards into sustainable, WaterSmart landscapes, now’s a great time to act. If you’re looking to get ahead of AB 1572, a law passed last year that bans the irrigation of ornamental turf with potable water starting in 2027, or have been waiting to the opportunity […]
Chula Vista resident Shannon Nembach’s Italian-inspired landscaping proves that a waterwise landscape doesn’t need to be restricted to gravel and cacti. Neimbach’s makeover received the “Best In District” first-place award in the Otay Water District’s WaterSmart Landscape Contest. Her garden is in the Otay Water District’s division 4, represented by Board President Jose Lopez. “Otay […]
The Vista Irrigation District Board of Directors recognized Thomas McCarter as the district’s 2024 WaterSmart Landscape Contest winner at its July meeting. McCarter and his wife, Alice, moved into their current residence three years ago. Upon moving in, their yard was mostly a blank slate, with a majority of the yard unplanted. Working together as […]
Beautiful scenery, wildlife, and native plants are featured in this year’s winning photos in the annual Lake Jennings 2024 Photo Contest. The contest is held annually by the Helix Water District. The District Board of Directors recognized the top photographers at its July meeting. The District runs the contest each year as a fun way […]
When longtime Escondido residents Anita and Larry Palmer moved into their new home in 2016, they decided the lawns and water-guzzling plants in their front and back yards “would have to go.” The result of their landscape makeover is the 2024 City of Escondido Landscape Makeover contest winner. The homeowners hoped to save the cost […]
San Diego County regional water and wastewater industries connect with their communities through service projects year-round. Vallecitos Water District employees eagerly embrace community involvement in addition to their important roles in maintaining safe and reliable water through an annual blood drive. The District will host its 28th Community Blood Drive in cooperation with the San […]
San Diego County Fair attendees found inspiration for low-water-use sustainable landscaping projects from award-winning examples of creative climate-appropriate and native plant gardens at the Fair’s popular Paul Ecke Jr. Garden Show exhibit area. Californians Learning About Sustainable Landscape Design Debby Dunn, Senior Water Resources Specialist with the Water Authority, explains how Californians are changing their […]
San Diego County businesses and public agencies looking to replace ornamental grass with more sustainable landscaping are now eligible for increased rebates from the Metropolitan Water District of Southern California. Metropolitan has added one dollar to its Turf Replacement Program base incentive to $3 per square foot for commercial, industrial and institutional sectors and $4 […]
Ruby Dela Cruz from the City of San Diego and Raul Villalpando from the City of Escondido were two of eight individuals honored at the 95th Annual California Water Environment Association (CWEA) Awards. Both have served their city for the past 23 years, and their awards recognize their contributions to enhancing California’s water environment. Ruby […]
For residents across the region thinking about turning their front yards into sustainable, WaterSmart landscapes, now’s a great time to act. If you’re looking to get ahead of AB 1572, a law passed last year that bans the irrigation of ornamental turf with potable water starting in 2027, the opportunity to get rid of your […]
SkillBridge Program Puts Veterans To Work In Water Industry Jobs
/in Jobs and Training /by Gayle FalkenthalWhen 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 […]
Diverse Design Named Vallecitos 2024 Landscape Makeover Contest Winner
/in Features, WaterSmart Living /by Gayle FalkenthalJohn Allen, a resident of Vista, California, for 17 years, says he “got a bug” for growing cycads, inspired by a local enthusiast who raised and retrieved them. Cycads are a plant group that originally flourished back in the dinosaur age. It wasn’t long before he began cultivating them in his one-acre garden, adding palms, […]
Water Authority Welcomes MWD Chair to Discuss Regional Water Future
/in Achievements, Agency News, Colorado River Basin, Features /by Jordan BeaneOn Thursday, Metropolitan Water District of Southern California (MWD) Chairman Adán Ortega and Interim General Manager Deven Upadhyay addressed collaboration between two of the largest wholesale water agencies in Southern California in light of MWD’s major long-term planning effort. This process aims to chart a course for meeting Southern California’s water resource management needs while […]
Vallecitos Water District Meets Highest Transparency Standards
/in Achievements, Features /by Gayle FalkenthalThe Vallecitos Water District (VWD) was honored by the Special District Leadership Foundation (SDLF) for achieving re-accreditation with a “Transparency Certificate of Excellence.” SDLF recognizes organizations for their outstanding efforts to promote a transparent, well-governed public agency. “This award is a testament to Vallecitos’ commitment to open government,” said Vallecitos Board President Dr. Tiffany Boyd-Hodgson. […]
Tijuana Water Deliveries, Explained
/in Features, News, WaterSmart Living, WNN /by Jordan BeaneOver the last few weeks, several stories have come out about water deliveries being made to the city of Tijuana. Here’s some of the basics behind this unique international agreement. Whose water is it? Mexico’s. Water delivered through the Emergency Deliveries Agreement is a portion of the Colorado River supplies allotted to Mexico under the […]
Increased Turf Rebate Means More Cash for Less Grass
/in WaterSmart Living /by Jordan BeaneFor residents across the region thinking about turning their front yards into sustainable, WaterSmart landscapes, now’s a great time to act. If you’re looking to get ahead of AB 1572, a law passed last year that bans the irrigation of ornamental turf with potable water starting in 2027, or have been waiting to the opportunity […]
Lush Landscape Design Wins 2024 Otay Water District Makeover Contest
/in WaterSmart Living /by Gayle FalkenthalChula Vista resident Shannon Nembach’s Italian-inspired landscaping proves that a waterwise landscape doesn’t need to be restricted to gravel and cacti. Neimbach’s makeover received the “Best In District” first-place award in the Otay Water District’s WaterSmart Landscape Contest. Her garden is in the Otay Water District’s division 4, represented by Board President Jose Lopez. “Otay […]
Vista Irrigation District Selects 2024 Landscape Contest Winner
/in Features, WaterSmart Living /by Gayle FalkenthalThe Vista Irrigation District Board of Directors recognized Thomas McCarter as the district’s 2024 WaterSmart Landscape Contest winner at its July meeting. McCarter and his wife, Alice, moved into their current residence three years ago. Upon moving in, their yard was mostly a blank slate, with a majority of the yard unplanted. Working together as […]
Helix Water District Recognizes Top Photographers in Annual Photo Contest
/in Achievements, Features /by Gayle FalkenthalBeautiful scenery, wildlife, and native plants are featured in this year’s winning photos in the annual Lake Jennings 2024 Photo Contest. The contest is held annually by the Helix Water District. The District Board of Directors recognized the top photographers at its July meeting. The District runs the contest each year as a fun way […]
Hard Work Pays Off for 2024 Escondido Landscape Contest Winner
/in Features, WaterSmart Living /by Gayle FalkenthalWhen longtime Escondido residents Anita and Larry Palmer moved into their new home in 2016, they decided the lawns and water-guzzling plants in their front and back yards “would have to go.” The result of their landscape makeover is the 2024 City of Escondido Landscape Makeover contest winner. The homeowners hoped to save the cost […]
Vallecitos Water District Blood Drive Inspired By Vista Teen
/in Features /by Gayle FalkenthalSan Diego County regional water and wastewater industries connect with their communities through service projects year-round. Vallecitos Water District employees eagerly embrace community involvement in addition to their important roles in maintaining safe and reliable water through an annual blood drive. The District will host its 28th Community Blood Drive in cooperation with the San […]
Award-Winning County Fair Landscape Exhibits Educate and Entertain
/in WaterSmart Living /by Gayle FalkenthalSan Diego County Fair attendees found inspiration for low-water-use sustainable landscaping projects from award-winning examples of creative climate-appropriate and native plant gardens at the Fair’s popular Paul Ecke Jr. Garden Show exhibit area. Californians Learning About Sustainable Landscape Design Debby Dunn, Senior Water Resources Specialist with the Water Authority, explains how Californians are changing their […]
Increased Rebates in 2024 for Large-Scale Landscape Makeover Projects
/in Features, WaterSmart Living /by Gayle FalkenthalSan Diego County businesses and public agencies looking to replace ornamental grass with more sustainable landscaping are now eligible for increased rebates from the Metropolitan Water District of Southern California. Metropolitan has added one dollar to its Turf Replacement Program base incentive to $3 per square foot for commercial, industrial and institutional sectors and $4 […]
Water Professionals Honored at 95th CWEA Awards
/in Achievements /by Gayle FalkenthalRuby Dela Cruz from the City of San Diego and Raul Villalpando from the City of Escondido were two of eight individuals honored at the 95th Annual California Water Environment Association (CWEA) Awards. Both have served their city for the past 23 years, and their awards recognize their contributions to enhancing California’s water environment. Ruby […]
Turf Rebate Program Offering More Money for Less Grass
/in WaterSmart Living /by Jordan BeaneFor residents across the region thinking about turning their front yards into sustainable, WaterSmart landscapes, now’s a great time to act. If you’re looking to get ahead of AB 1572, a law passed last year that bans the irrigation of ornamental turf with potable water starting in 2027, the opportunity to get rid of your […]