The board of directors of the San Diego County Water Authority today approved a $436 million budget for fiscal year 2002 that allows the Water Authority to continue providing a safe, reliable water supply to the region. The Water Authority's fiscal year begins July 1. The budget consists of five major elements: water purchases, $222.6 million; Capital Improvement Program Annual Appropriation, $131.3 million; debt service, $54 million; the operating budget, $26.2 million; and equipment replacement, $1.9 million.
Category Archives: News Release
San Diego Region’s Water Supplies Remain Adequate Despite Statewide Drought
Despite a statewide drought declaration on Friday, the San Diego County Water Authority has adequate supplies for 2014 because of local investments in diverse and more reliable water supplies over the past two decades and a long-term decrease in regional water demand.
The Water Authority is not projecting the need for countywide water-use restrictions this year, though the agency is closely monitoring hydrologic conditions across the Southwest. It is also encouraging residents and businesses to use water as efficiently as possible to avoid water waste.
Landmark Trial Over MWD’s Rates Concludes in Superior Court
Lawyers for the San Diego County Water Authority on Monday wrapped up their case against the Los Angeles-based Metropolitan Water District of Southern California, concluding a five-day trial with more than $2 billion at stake for county residents. Judge Curtis E. A. Karnow requested post-trial briefs from both parties by Jan. 17, with a hearing on those briefs scheduled for Jan. 23. Following the Jan. 23 hearing, Judge Karnow will take the matter under submission before issuing his decision.
Saving water saves energy
The San Diego County Water Authority is reminding residents and businesses countywide to conserve water during the upcoming summer months. This year it is especially important to minimize water use wherever possible since saving water also saves the energy required to pump and deliver the water. Since 75 to 95 percent of the water used in the county is imported from Northern California and the Colorado River, a huge amount of energy is required to deliver that water to county homes.
Jim Madaffer Elected as Board Chair of Water Authority
New officers for the San Diego County Water Authority’s Board of Directors were unanimously elected today, with Jim Madaffer starting his two-year term as Board chair on Oct. 1. Madaffer, vice chair of the Board for the past two years as a representative from the City of San Diego, will serve with incoming Vice Chair Gary Croucher, a Board representative from the Otay Water District, and incoming Secretary Christy Guerin from the Olivenhain Municipal Water District. Mark Muir, who represents the San Dieguito Water District on the Water Authority’s Board, served as chair for the past two years. He was […]
Water Authority Board Conditionally Supports WaterFix Project in Bay-Delta
The San Diego County Water Authority’s Board of Directors today unanimously gave conditional support to current plans for California WaterFix, the state’s $17 billion proposal to address water supply constraints in the Sacramento-San Joaquin Bay-Delta. The Board made its backing contingent on a project financing plan that treats San Diego County ratepayers fairly through the proper allocation of project costs by the Metropolitan Water District of Southern California, the sole source of Bay-Delta water for the San Diego region. The updated policy principles adopted by the Board also promote independent oversight of project finances and construction progress, along with continued […]
Carlsbad Desalination Project Named ‘Far West Deal of the Year’ for 2013
The Carlsbad Desalination Project on Friday was named the “Far West Deal of the Year” for 2013 by The Bond Buyer magazine, making it eligible for the publication’s top national honor to be announced Dec. 5 in New York.
Court rules San Diego should be represented at MWD closed door meetings on Preferential Rights litigation
(San Francisco, CA) — In a decision that validates the San Diego County Water Authority’s belief that it is unfair and illegal to exclude San Diego representation at closed door meetings of the Metropolitan Water District of Southern California, a San Francisco Superior Court judge today ruled that a representative of the Water Authority must be present to protect its interests at all future closed door meetings at MWD on the pending preferential rights litigation. The Water Authority is one of 26 member public agencies of MWD.
Water Authority board seeks legal clarification of water it can depend upon from MWD
The San Diego County Water Authority board of directors today voted to seek legal clarification of an antiquated formula used by the Metropolitan Water District of Southern California (MWD) to calculate the amount of water to which each of MWD's member agencies is legally entitled. The lawsuit is an attempt to bring closure to decades of uncertainty surrounding “preferential rights” to water from MWD and to ensure that the amount of water the Water Authority has rights to more accurately reflects payments it has made to MWD.
‘Fall Back’ and Adjust Irrigation Systems to Save Water During Cooler Months
The end of daylight saving time on Sunday offers residents a reminder to assess their outdoor watering needs and adjust their irrigation systems to reduce water waste. Plants simply don’t need as much water during cooler months – and they typically don’t need irrigation at all after heavy rains.