September 11, 2014

In This Issue

Regional Water Use Drops in August

Accepting Applications for the Citizens Water Academy

Relining Project Completed On Time and On Budget

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Regional Water Use Drops in August

Year-over-year figures show region

responding to calls for conservation

Water use in San Diego County dropped 6 percent in August 2014 compared to August 2013 even though temperatures last month were warmer than average - another sign that water conservation efforts are expanding countywide to combat serious drought conditions across California.

August was the first month after the Water Authority's Board of Directors declared a Drought Alert condition calling for mandatory water conservation measures to keep as much water as possible in storage for 2015. The Water Authority's 24 member agencies have been adopting mandatory water-use restrictions in recent weeks if they didn't already have them in place.

The year-over-year reduction in potable water use of 6 percent in August is based on figures reported to the Water Authority by member agencies. The savings is approximately 1.2 billion gallons - enough to serve about 20,000 residents for a year.

The decrease in August continued a positive trend that shows residents and businesses in San Diego County are working hard to save water despite getting little help from the weather. The average daily temperatures in August 2014 were about 2 degrees above normal, while temperatures were slightly below average in August 2013.

The Water Authority is not anticipating reductions to its imported water supplies this year that would trigger mandatory supply cutbacks to its member agencies; however, that could happen in 2015 if conditions don't improve.

Click here for more information on the region's water use during the drought.

Click on the link below to see a related article from The New York Times on the dwindling possibilities for a wet winter:

Hopes for a Strong El Nino Fade in California

Water Authority Launches
Citizens Water Academy

If you are passionate about making the San Diego region a better place in which to live and work, then we have just the program for you. The Water Authority is now accepting nominations and applications for its inaugural Citizens Water Academy class this fall. The Citizens Water Academy is designed to educate the San Diego region about critical water supply issues and how those issues are related to living and working in the region. The academy will create a growing and diverse network of influential water ambassadors for the community.

Applications will go through a competitive evaluation process to select participants. For more details on class dates and times, click here.

If you would like to nominate a future or emerging leader, please complete the nomination form here.

To nominate yourself, please complete the application here.

South Bay Pipeline Relining
Project Completed

On time and on budget, a large-diameter pipeline relining project traversing 5.4 miles of Bonita and eastern Chula Vista is now complete.

The pipeline that was relined was installed in the early 1970s.

The relining project was conducted in several phases, using 17 portals to access the underground pipe. Pipeline relining is used on long stretches of pipelines and involves inserting new steel liners into existing pipelines. The new liners are anticipated to last approximately 50 to 75 years. Relining existing pipelines with steel is a quicker, more cost-effective alternative to excavating, removing, and replacing an entire pipeline and generally takes up to a year to complete.

The Water Authority's Pipeline Relining Program is a multi-decade program that will rehabilitate and extend the life of approximately 82 miles of aging delivery pipelines throughout the county.

With this project done, more than 39 miles have been rehabilitated.

The Water Authority appreciates the patience and support of residents and stakeholders during construction.

More information on current Water Authority construction projects can be found here.

The San Diego County Water Authority works through its 24 member agencies to provide a safe and reliable water supply to support the region's $191 billion economy and quality of life of 3.1 million residents.