Carlsbad Desalination Plant Named International Plant of the Year for 2016
The Claude "Bud" Lewis Carlsbad Desalination Plant has been honored with a Global Water Award as the Desalination Plant of the Year for 2016 by Global Water Intelligence, publisher of periodicals for the international water industry. The award, announced April 18 at the Global Water Summit in Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates, goes to "the desalination plant, commissioned during 2015, that represents the most impressive technical or ecologically sustainable achievement in the industry." 
"The successful completion of the largest desalination plant in North America followed years of seemingly insurmountable technical, financial and legal hurdles," according to Global Water Intelligence. "The tenacity shown by the developer team is matched only by the importance of seawater desalination as a key part of the solution to California's water crisis. A canny combination of state-of-the art energy recovery technology with an external energy offsetting programme makes Carlsbad the first major infrastructure project in the state of California to completely neutralise its carbon footprint."
The Carlsbad plant is a major piece of the Water Authority's multi-decade strategy to diversify the region's water supply portfolio. It uses reverse osmosis membrane technology to produce approximately 10 percent of the region's water supply; it is a core supply regardless of weather conditions, and it is blended with water from other sources for regional distribution.
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Water Savings Rebound; Region Beats State Mandates Through March
Residents and businesses continue to conserve as new targets take effect
Preliminary data released April 25 by the Water Authority show that the San Diego area is continuing to beat the state's aggregate savings target for the region, reducing potable water use by 21 percent from June 2015 through March 2016.
The State Water Resources Control Board measures emergency conservation compliance on a cumulative basis, even though water-use reports are filed monthly. Starting in March, the region's aggregate cumulative target is 13 percent - down from 20 percent during the initial phase of the state mandates due to credits for drought-resilient water supplies from the Claude "Bud" Lewis Carlsbad Desalination Plant.
March was the first month in which Water Authority member agencies benefitted from reductions in state water-use targets; most local agencies' targets were lowered by 8 percentage points from the initial phase of regulations, which lasted from June 2015 through February 2016. The revised state mandates require local water agencies to reduce water use by 8 to 28 percent compared to a 2013 baseline, providing greater flexibility to irrigate trees deeply, replace lawns with WaterSmart landscapes, and preserve fire-safe buffers around homes near open spaces.
More information about the state regulation, including a comparison of local agencies' conservation targets, is at www.sdcwa.org/state-board-regulations.
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Water Authority Lauded for
Water Supply Strategy
County and business leaders celebrate Earth Day with water conservation education
The Water Authority was honored April 19 for successful long-term strategy to diversify San Diego County's water sources and reduce dependence on imported water by the Industrial Environmental Association (IEA) and the County of San Diego at the annual VIP Earth Day Award Luncheon. In addition, five San Diego organizations were recognized for increasing water-use efficiency at their facilities. The Earth Day Awards went to BAE Systems San Diego Ship Repair, Continental Maritime of San Diego, Kyocera America, Solar Turbines and UC San Diego.
Water Authority Board Chair Mark Weston received the award on behalf of the Water Authority and was the keynote speaker. He discussed the Water Authority's supply diversification strategy and congratulated local businesses for their water-savings efforts.
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Applications for Next Citizens Water Academy Due May 19
The Water Authority is pleased to announce it is accepting applications for its award-wining program that provides emerging civic leaders with an inside look into the Water Authority's efforts to ensure a safe and reliable water supply for the San Diego region.
Citizens Water Academy participants learn how the Water Authority helps protect the region's economy and quality of life through its water supply diversification strategy. The Water Academy also covers drought, facilities operations and maintenance, long-term planning, and water-use efficiency. Participants have opportunities to interact with Water Authority executives and tour world-class water facilities.
The deadline to apply for the next session of the Citizens Water Academy is 5 p.m. Thursday, May 19. The session dates for the summer class are:
- Session 1: Thursday, June 9; 5 to 8:30 p.m.
- Session 2: Thursday, June 16; 5 to 8:30 p.m.
- Session 3: Saturday, June 25; 7:30 a.m. to 2 p.m. (includes tour)
Applicants must commit to attend all three sessions. The selection process is competitive and acceptance is not guaranteed.
Note: The Water Authority keeps an interest list for future academies. Those who are interested, but cannot attend this class, can ask to be notified when future class dates are announced by emailing wateracademy@sdcwa.org.
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Give the Gift of The Garden
Looking for an ideal Mother's Day gift that will keep giving all year round? The Water Conservation Garden in El Cajon is a six-acre display and botanical garden that showcases drought-tolerant plants. Use the coupon code below and receive $10 off an annual membership. Being an annual member not only supports The Garden, but includes numerous benefits, such as:
- Free gardening classes
- Free admission to botanical gardens throughout California
- Discounts to nearly a dozen San Diego County nurseries, gift shops and other related retailers
- Invitations to members-only Garden events
The Garden also offers potted succulents for sale at significant discounts. Stop in and pick one up for Mother's Day for a lovely gift to be enjoyed for years to come! For more information, go to www.TheGarden.org or call 619-660-0614.
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