Celebrating 75 Years with
Our Member Agencies:
Embracing the
future together
A pipeline section of the First Aqueduct is lowered in 1946, approximately one year before the first imported water flowed into San Diego County.
Letter from the Board Officers and General Manager
The 2019 fiscal year was a time to celebrate the remarkable history of the Water Authority and a time to cast a new vision for the future. For 75 years, the San Diego County Water Authority has played a pivotal role in our region’s development as an international hub for innovation, recreation, agriculture, trade and so much more.
Operation and Rehabilitation
Major water projects were both commenced and completed during the fiscal year, as the Water Authority improved its regional operations and remained at the forefront of water technology. Rehabilitation began on the historic First Aqueduct, two pipeline relining projects were successfully concluded, and the agency hosted a showcase to display the latest condition assessment technologies.
Diversification and efficiency
The Claude “Bud” Lewis Carlsbad Desalination Plant reached one major milestone by delivering more than 40 billion gallons of water – and another by securing a permit for new facilities that will improve long-term operations at the plant. The Water Authority refocused on the future by preparing for a study on a new regional conveyance system and supporting member agency efforts to secure funding for water planning and treatment projects.
Innovation and Business Services
The Water Authority continued developing innovative ways to improve efficiency in the region and within its facilities in 2019, saving ratepayers millions of dollars by refinancing bonds used to build a pipeline connected to the Carlsbad Desalination Plant and installing new cyber and physical security measures at the Kearny Mesa office.
Communication and Collaboration
The Water Authority and its member agencies celebrated 75 years of service to the San Diego region during the fiscal year. It was a time of building partnerships with stakeholders, including leaders in major industries like agriculture and brewing. The agency also collaborated with local singer Jon Foreman of Switchfoot, who helped share the Water Authority story with new audiences.
Legislation and leadership
Supporting statewide efforts to improve water reliability, the Water Authority backed the governor’s proactive approach to water supply planning. The agency also enhanced collaboration with the Metropolitan Water District of Southern California, while promoting alternatives to a state drinking water tax and advancing a bill to help military veterans join the water and wastewater industry.