2021 Annual Report
Legislation and
Leadership
Water Authority Helps Secure Millions in Grant Funds
In July 2020, the California Department of Water Resources awarded more than $15 million in grant funds to advance several regional water projects in San Diego County, ranging from water recycling and reuse to water conservation. The Water Authority submitted the funding request on behalf of the San Diego Integrated Regional Water Management Program, or IRWM.
Water projects that received funding:
- Paradise Valley Creek Water Quality and Community Enhancement, City of National City, Flood Damage Reduction, $3,681,056
- Pure Water Oceanside, City of Oceanside, Water Supply–Groundwater, $3,115,000
- North County Recycled Water Project, San Elijo Joint Powers Authority, Water Supply–Recycled Water, $2,820,000
- North City Pure Water Facility Influent Pump Station and Conveyance Pipeline, City of San Diego, Water Supply–Recycled Water, $1,477,600
- 2020 Regional Water-Use Efficiency Programs, San Diego County Water Authority, Water Conservation, $1,440,000
- San Elijo Stormwater Capture & Reuse, San Elijo Joint Powers Authority, Water Supply–Recycled Water, $1,195,000
- Lower Santa Margarita River Indirect Potable Reuse Pilot Project, Fallbrook Public Utility District, Water Supply–Recycled Water, $687,500
In addition, the grant allocated $920,180 to the Water Authority to administer the grant. The U.S. Bureau of Reclamation in March 2021 also awarded three San Diego County water agencies a total of $2,788,500 in 2021 WaterSMART Water and Energy Efficiency Grants. A total of $42.4 million in grants was given to 55 projects across 13 states to improve water reliability and efficiency, conserving more 98,000 acre-feet of water per year.
Projects awarded WaterSMART grants in San Diego County:
- The City of Oceanside’s Advanced Metering Infrastructure and Pipeline Improvement Project (Phase III) — $2,000,000
- Olivenhain Municipal Water District Advanced Metering Infrastructure Water Use Efficiency Project— $500,000
- San Diego County Water Authority WaterSmart Contractor Incentive Program — $288,500
“The Water Authority and its member agencies have been leaders in helping customers improve water efficiency, which ultimately helps our communities become more resilient to both dry years and the large-scale impacts of climate change. This grant money is added value for our region as we continue to do our part for people and the planet.”
Water Authority
