April 15, 2019
Water Authority Seeks Statewide Solution to Drinking Water Woes

The Water Authority's Board of Directors on March 28 threw it's support behind a coordinated statewide approach to ensure that all communities in California have daily access to safe, reliable drinking water.

More than a half-dozen bills have been introduced in Sacramento to provide safe and reliable water supplies for disadvantaged communities in the Central and Salinas Valleys. The Water Authority Board supports a plan to combine several measures into a unified legislative package.

“By amending several components of the relevant bills and linking them in a modified single reform package, we would advance a more comprehensive fix to drinking water quality issues throughout the state,” said Glenn Farrel, government relations manager for the Water Authority.

Cash Rebates Increase for Grass Removal in San Diego Region

As of April 1, the Metropolitan Water District of Southern California is offering $2 per square foot for every square foot of grass removed from yards and replaced with sustainable landscaping. All San Diego County residents are eligible for the $2 rebate.

Additional rebates may also be available. An online incentive calculator identifies the current rebate amounts.

WaterSmart Landscape Contest Seeks Inspiring Entries

The 2019 WaterSmart Landscape Contest invites homeowners across San Diego County to share their landscaping makeovers to inspire residents to consider their own makeovers by showcasing the beauty and variety of water-efficient landscapes.

The winning landscape from each of the participating water agencies will receive a prize valued at $250 and be recognized in print and online publications. Judging criteria includes overall attractiveness, design, efficient methods of irrigation, appropriate plant selection and maintenance. The deadline to apply is April 26.

Taste San Diego's Local Bounty at "Graze at the Fields" Event

Did you know San Diego County has a thriving $4.8 billion agriculture industry? From fruits and vegetables to nursery plants and fresh cut flowers, San Diego farms rely on the safe and reliable water supplies from the Water Authority and its 24 member agencies.

That's why the Water Authority is partnering with the San Diego County Farm Bureau to sponsor a unique outdoor dining experience at the Carlsbad Flower Fields on Thursday, April 25 from 5 to 8 p.m. Guests at the Graze at the Fields event will enjoy deliciously-paired dishes and beverages and have the opportunity to meet local farmers and chefs.

Did You See?

On April 5, The San Diego Union-Tribune published an op-ed by Water Authority Board Chair Jim Madaffer about securing water storage capacity in Lake Mead, a vital reservoir on the Colorado River.

"It’s a common-sense solution that benefits everyone involved because it offers us the ability to set aside more water without building any new dams, without spending any new money on reservoirs and at no charge from the federal government," Madaffer wrote.

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