May 15, 2017
Water Authority Board Secretary Gary Croucher (left), Vice Chair Jim Madaffer and Chair Mark Muir accept the Clair A. Hill Agency Award for Excellence from the ACWA Vice President Brent Hastey.
Water Authority Wins Statewide Award for Carlsbad Desalination Project
 
The nation's largest statewide coalition of water agencies honored the Water Authority on May 10 for innovation and excellence in water resources management with its addition of supplies from the Carlsbad Desalination Project.
 
The 2017 Clair A. Hill Water Agency Award for Excellence, presented at the Association of California Water Agencies (ACWA) Spring Conference in Monterey, has been awarded annually since 1988 to exemplary programs developed by ACWA member agencies for managing and protecting water supplies in California

Court Hears Appeals in Water Authority Litigation Over Illegal MWD Rates
 
The 1st District Court of Appeal in San Francisco on May 10 heard oral argument in the appeals of the Water Authority's victories in two lawsuits against the Los Angeles-based Metropolitan Water District of Southern California. A decision from the Court of Appeal is due by Aug. 10. 

Local Potable Reuse Projects Take Important Steps Forward
 
The California Coastal Commission on May 10 unanimously approved a modified permit for the City of San Diego's Point Loma Wastewater Treatment Plant saving $1.8 billion in conversion costs. The city's commitment to reducing ocean discharge and implementing its Pure Water program were factors in the Commission's decision to approve the modified permit. Click here to read more.

Additionally, the California State Water Resources Control Board (SWRCB) Division of Drinking Water on May 8 awarded conceptual approval to Padre Dam Municipal Water District's East County Advanced Water Purification Program. The SWRCB also awarded Padre Dam $116.2 million as part of the Proposition 1 Water Recycling Funding Program. Click here to read more. 
Water Quality Discussion: What's in Your Faucet?
 
The Water Conservation Garden is hosting an expert forum about drinking water quality on Thursday, May 18 from 5 to 7 p.m. "What's in Your Faucet" panelists, including Water Authority Director of Water Resources Bob Yamada, will discuss seawater desalination, bottled water, recycled water, lead testing and other issues.

Admission is $10 for garden members and $15 for non-members. Seating is limited, and pre-registration is recommended.

There's Still Time to Enter Live WaterSmart Photo Contest

In celebration of Water Awareness Month, the Water Authority is hosting the Live WaterSmart photo contest to highlight the value of water and promote water-use efficiency as a lifestyle regardless of the weather.
 
The photo contest runs on Instagram (@sdcwa) through May 31. To participate, take a photo that demonstrates how water is an essential part of your life -- indoors or outdoors -- and submit it to sdcwa@sdcwa.org.
 
The Balboa Park Cultural Partnership, Hilton La Jolla Torrey Pines, SeaWorld and The Cravory have donated great prizes. The next 20 people who submit eligible photos will receive two tickets to the San Diego County Fair.
 
Click here for contest rules and guidelines.
Did you See?

Water Authority Energy Program Manager Kelly Rodgers was interviewed by 10 News on May 4 about the potential San Vicente Energy Storage Project.

"As San Diegans start to crank their air conditioners, the city and the Water Authority are developing a way to store energy by using water," the article states. "Water officials said it's expected to save ratepayers money in the long run."

Click here to read more and watch the video.
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