Release of Bay-Delta Documents Highlights Need for Cost-Effective Plan

The public release of thousands of pages of documents about fixing the Sacramento-San Joaquin Bay-Delta underscores the need for cost-effective and attainable solutions, the San Diego County Water Authority said Monday. About 20 percent of the San Diego region’s water supplies flow through the Bay-Delta, the hub of the state’s water supply system which has become a less reliable water source in recent years as the ecosystem has deteriorated.

Water Authority Recommends Mandatory Water-Use Restrictions

In response to deepening drought conditions and new statewide directives, the San Diego County Water Authority staff will recommend that the agency’s Board of Directors activate the next stage of the region’s drought response plan next week and declare a Level 2 Drought Alert calling for mandatory water conservation measures to prevent water waste. The actions would help San Diego County keep as much water as possible in storage for 2015 and comply with emergency water conservation mandates approved today by the State Water Resources Control Board.

Water Authority Adopts $1.58 Billion Budget for Fiscal Years 2018 and 2019

The San Diego County Water Authority’s Board of Directors today adopted a $1.58 billion budget for fiscal years 2018 and 2019, representing a 2 percent increase from the current two-year budget due largely to increasing water supply and treatment costs. The Board also adopted rate increases for calendar year 2018 of 3.7 percent for both untreated and treated water; actual increases will vary among the Water Authority’s 24 member agencies based on each agency’s unique circumstances. Expenses were held in check as the Water Authority continues its transition from building infrastructure under its Capital Improvement Program to maintaining facilities and […]

Damages Phase of Trial Challenging MWD Rates Starts March 30

The second phase of the San Diego County Water Authority’s landmark rate case against the Metropolitan Water District of Southern California starts Monday, March 30, nearly one year after the Water Authority won the first phase with a court ruling that rates set by MWD violate several provisions of California law.

Contract Talks Launched for Potential 500MW San Vicente Energy Storage Facility

The San Diego County Water Authority’s Board of Directors on Thursday authorized negotiations with Tenaska Inc.-Diamond Generating Corp. Joint Venture to assess the potential for developing a major energy storage facility at San Vicente Reservoir near Lakeside. The project would leverage existing water and energy infrastructure to reduce upward pressure on water rates while expanding the potential for renewable energy use across the region. The Water Authority and its partner, the City of San Diego, are seeking to draft a Project Development Agreement by spring 2018 for consideration by their governing boards. In November, the agencies identified Tenaska-Diamond as the […]

MWD Approves 15 Percent Cuts to Water Supplies for San Diego County

Facing unprecedented drought conditions, the Metropolitan Water District of Southern California’s board of directors on Tuesday approved a 15 percent water supply cutback to the San Diego County Water Authority and its other customers starting July 1. That decision is one of several important actions in coming weeks that will impact the San Diego region’s water supplies and conservation targets over the next year.

Water Authority Recommends $1.5 Billion Budget for Fiscal Years 2016 and 2017

The San Diego County Water Authority’s general manager on Thursday recommended a $1.5 billion budget for fiscal years 2016 and 2017, up 2 percent from the current two-year budget due largely to higher costs for the purchase and treatment of water.

Trial Begins Tuesday in Water Authority’s Lawsuits Challenging MWD’s Rates

On Tuesday, lawyers for the San Diego County Water Authority will argue in San Francisco Superior Court for overturning illegal rates charged by the Los Angeles-based Metropolitan Water District of Southern California, commencing a five-day trial that has financial implications for water ratepayers across the region and state.

You can help ensure that this vital Bill get approved!

The San Diego County Water Authority is urging Governor Schwarzenegger to work with the Legislature to sign a bill that would allocate money from existing, voter-approved bonds for water supply related projects in 2009. The bill is also important as a means to provide a needed and immediate economic stimulus to our state’s economy. SBXX-1 will accomplish this goal.