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.
Category Archives: News Release
‘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.
Water Authority Expands Water-Use Efficiency Opportunities for Low-Income Homes
The San Diego County Water Authority is expanding a long-running partnership with San Diego Gas & Electric (SDG&E) to increase the availability of devices that save both water and energy for thousands of income-qualified residents across the region. The Water Authority’s investment of $150,000 will supplement funding for water-saving devices, allowing SDG&E’s Energy Savings Assistance Program to serve more customers. Approximately 21,000 residents annually have participated in the program, receiving assistance for devices such as low-flow showerheads and efficient washing machines. “We are committed to helping the San Diego region make the most of our water supplies inside and outside […]
Water Authority Prevails in Open Meetings Lawsuit
Superior Court Judge John S. Meyer ruled in favor of the San Diego County Water Authority on July 20, 2018, in a lawsuit that erroneously alleged the agency was violating the state’s primary open meetings statute, known as the Brown Act. San Diegans for Open Government, represented by Cory Briggs, sued the Water Authority on June 12, 2017, claiming violations of the Brown Act. Briggs asserted that the four delegates appointed by the Water Authority to the Metropolitan Water District’s Board of Directors were a “legislative body” under the Brown Act. Under that incorrect theory, Briggs argued that any time […]
Water Authority One of Six ‘Platinum’ Drinking Water Utilities Honored Nationwide
The San Diego County Water Authority on Monday was one of six public water agencies nationwide to receive a Platinum Award for Utility Excellence from the Association of Metropolitan Water Agencies, or AMWA. The awards recognize outstanding achievement in implementing nationally recognized best practices for effective utility management.
Secretary of the Interior Babbitt to sign historic Colorado River agreement
The final major component of a plan to reduce California’s dependence on Colorado River water is set for implementation when the Secretary of the Interior, Bruce Babbitt, signs the Record of Decision for Colorado River Interim Surplus Criteria. The Secretary will sign the agreement at a ceremony hosted by the San Diego County Water Authority at 10 a.m. Jan. 16, at the Coronado Island Marriott Resort 2000 Second St., Coronado, Calif.