January 8, 2019
'Women in Water' Conference on Jan. 17 Highlights Expanded Career Options

The second annual Women in Water – Exploring Career Pathways conference aims to bring more women into the water and wastewater industry through a day-long series of workshops and panel discussions. Registration is still open for the Jan. 17 conference at the Center for Water Studies at Cuyamaca College in El Cajon.

Sandy Kerl, deputy general manager of the San Diego County Water Authority, will be the keynote speaker. Target audiences include women contemplating a career change; women in the water and wastewater industry looking to advance their careers; military veterans transitioning to civilian life; and high school girls seeking to learn more about career opportunities as they near graduation.

San Diego Region Wins $500,000 for Water Supply Development Research Projects

Three projects designed to enhance water supply reliability across the San Diego region have secured a total of $500,000 in grant funds for advanced planning activities from the Metropolitan Water District of Southern California.

The funding will allow the Water Authority, Padre Dam Municipal Water District and a collaborative effort by City of San Diego and Olivenhain Municipal Water District to take a variety of supply development plans to the next level, continuing the region’s successful efforts to diversify its water supplies.

New Partnership Introduces South County Students to Water Industry Career Opportunities

Sweetwater Authority and Otay Water District have forged a new partnership with the Chula Vista Elementary School District to introduce fifth grade students to career opportunities and issues in the water and wastewater industry.

The “Hydro Station” program, which launches in Spring 2019 with 5,000 fifth grade students, is designed to address a significant shortage of skilled workers entering these career fields. Water agencies are facing a wave of retirements by Baby Boomer employees and a lack of skilled workers ready to replace them.

Apply or Nominate a Local Leader to the Citizens Water Academy

The Water Authority is accepting applications and nominations for its award-winning Citizens Water Academy. Participants will have an opportunity to go behind the scenes and learn about the importance of a safe and reliable water supply to the San Diego region's economy and quality of life. 

Nominations are due Monday, Feb. 4. Applications are due Monday, Feb. 11. Participants are selected through a competitive process.

The spring 2019 class dates and locations are: 

  • Session 1: Thursday, March 7, from 5 to 8:30 p.m. (Balboa Park)
  • Session 2: Wednesday, March 13, from 5 to 8:30 p.m. (Kearny Mesa)
  • Session 3: Saturday, March 23, from 7:30 a.m. to 2 p.m. (Escondido)

Did You See?

On Dec. 13, the Times of San Diego published a story about the Claude "Bud" Lewis Carlsbad Desalination Plant producing its 40 billionth gallon of drinking water during its first three years of commercial operations.

“It’s incredible what we’ve accomplished in three years,” said San Diego County Water Authority Deputy General Manager Sandra Kerl. “Since coming online in 2015, the Carlsbad Desalination Plant has met nearly 10 percent of the region’s water demand, and it will be a core water resource for decades to come.”

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