Chula Vista, Calif. – Last week Sweetwater Authority selected 10 local elementary school students as winners of the “Being Water Wise Is…” Poster Contest. The annual contest is open to K-6th graders in the Authority’s service area, and encourages the students to think about the importance of water in their everyday lives, and how they can help protect and conserve water in their homes and community.
“We are thrilled to have received so many incredible posters this year from so many talented students,” said Board Chair Hector Martinez. “The Authority runs this contest every year with the goal of helping students think critically about the importance of water. This year students did a fantastic job illustrating what being water wise means to them.”
https://wnn.brainshine.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/06/SWAbluelake-LR.png200200Mike Leehttps://wnn.brainshine.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/04/WNN-Horizontal-White-Blue2.pngMike Lee2023-06-04 14:52:062023-06-04 14:52:06Local Elementary School Students Show Water Conservation and Environmental Stewardship Through Art
A group of East County residents made the trip to the South Bay Wednesday evening to fight for the reopening of Loveland Reservoir. It’s a topic they’ve been raising concern about for several months now.
https://wnn.brainshine.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/04/WNN-Horizontal-White-Blue2.png00Andrea Morahttps://wnn.brainshine.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/04/WNN-Horizontal-White-Blue2.pngAndrea Mora2023-05-18 10:49:172023-05-18 10:51:25Loveland Reservoir May Be Weeks Away From Partial Reopening
East County residents are still searching for answers after the Loveland Reservoir was drained and then closed to public access. They haven’t been told when or if they’ll be able to use the area for recreation again.
Eight high school students were honored for their award-winning photographs in the annual Sweetwater Authority High School Photo Contest. The winners were selected from a group of 62 students from high schools across the South Bay within the Authority’s service area.
Eight high school students were honored for their award-winning photographs in the annual Sweetwater Authority High School Photo Contest. The winners were selected from a group of 62 students from high schools across the South Bay within the Authority’s service area. Students submitted 148 entries in two categories, color, and black and white.
Winners were recognized at the April 26 Sweetwater Authority board meeting.
“The Board is proud to support this annual contest and looks forward to seeing the entries and continued involvement from our local high school community,” said Sweetwater Authority Board Chair Hector Martinez. “We are continually amazed by the talent and photography skills of students in our service area, and we encourage residents to go to see the photos at the Bonita Museum and Historical Society.”
Color Category Winners
First Place: “Make A Splash,” Cristian Ramirez, Hilltop High School, Grade 12
Second Place: “Life,” Averie Acosta, Bonita Vista High School, Grade 10
Third Place: “Hilltop Park Stream,” Daniel Hernandez, Chula Vista High School, Grade 9
Honorable Mention: “A Stroke of Color,” Andrea Covarrubias, Hilltop High School
Honorable Mention: “Calaman-sea,” Jeremy De Las Alas, Bonita Vista High School
Honorable Mention: “Ripples and Rocks,” Stuart Nelson, Hilltop High School
Black & White Category Winners
First Place: “Match,” Averie Acosta, Bonita Vista High School, Grade 10
Second Place: “Kick the Water,” Allison Reyes, Bonita Vista, High School, Grade 11
Third Place: “Drops on Umbrella,” Stuart Nelson, Hilltop High School, Grade 12
Honorable Mention: “Morning Dew,” Jeremy De Las Alas, Bonita Vista High School
Honorable Mention: “The Rose,” Nicholas Gallegos, Hilltop High School
All the winning photos are displayed online, and at a special exhibit at the Bonita Museum & Cultural Center.
(Editor’s note: The Sweetwater Authority is one of the San Diego County Water Authority’s 24 member agencies that deliver water across the San Diego County region.)
https://wnn.brainshine.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/04/Sweetwater-Photo-2023-Color-HM3-845X450.jpg450845Gayle Falkenthalhttps://wnn.brainshine.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/04/WNN-Horizontal-White-Blue2.pngGayle Falkenthal2023-04-27 14:04:432023-04-27 14:04:43Eight Student Photographers Selected as Sweetwater Authority High School Photo Contest Winners
Chula Vista, Calif. – Eight local high school students were honored for their award-winning photographs at the Sweetwater Authority Board Meeting on April 26. The winners were selected from a group of 62 students from high schools across the South Bay who submitted 148 entries for the Authority’s High School Photo Contest.
“The Board is proud to support this annual contest, and looks forward to seeing the entries and continued involvement from our local high school community,” said Board Chair Hector Martinez. “We are continually amazed by the talent and photography skills of students in our service area and we encourage residents to go to see the photos at the Bonita Museum and Historical Society.”
https://wnn.brainshine.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/06/SWAbluelake-LR.png200200Mike Leehttps://wnn.brainshine.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/04/WNN-Horizontal-White-Blue2.pngMike Lee2023-04-27 09:53:242023-04-27 09:53:24Sweetwater Authority High School Photo Contest Winners Announced
Chula Vista, Calif. — Sweetwater Authority expanded its “Free Fishing” promotion to include Saturdays and Sundays at the Sweetwater Reservoir Recreation Program. Free access begins Saturday, April 22 and will continue through the end of 2023.
Located at the eastern edge of Bonita, California, Sweetwater Reservoir’s Recreation Program is easily accessible to Authority customers and offers an abundance of outdoor activities, including shoreline fishing and a riding and hiking trail operated by the County of San Diego.
The program’s shoreline fishing access stretches along a 2.5 mile stretch on the south side of Sweetwater Reservoir. Anglers can catch a variety of fish, including bass, catfish, bluegill, red eared sunfish and crappie.
The program is currently open Friday through Monday from 7 a.m. to 5 p.m. The entrance is located at 3203 Summit Meadow Road, Bonita, CA 91902. A valid California Department of Fish and Wildlife Fishing License is required. Regular fishing fees are still in effect on Fridays and Mondays.
Sweetwater Authority is a public water agency providing safe, reliable water to National City, Chula Vista and Bonita.
Sweetwater Authority is hosting a Rate Study Workshop-Technical Session on April 19 from 3-4 p.m. The Authority is currently conducting a water rate cost of service study. The study will evaluate the Authority’s existing rates and rate structure for water charges and provide recommendations for updating the rates and/or rate structure. Members of the public are invited to attend the rate workshop to hear about the rate study from NBS, the Authority’s consultant performing the study, and to provide feedback and ask questions.
Chula Vista – Sweetwater Authority is hosting a Rate Study Workshop -Technical Session on April 19, 2023 from 3:00 p.m. – 4:00 p.m. This in-person workshop is being held at the Authority’s Administration Building located at 505 Garrett Avenue in Chula Vista.
https://wnn.brainshine.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/06/SWAbluelake-LR.png200200Mike Leehttps://wnn.brainshine.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/04/WNN-Horizontal-White-Blue2.pngMike Lee2023-03-29 12:25:432023-03-29 12:25:43Join Us for a Rate Study Workshop on April 19, 2023
Fix a Leak Week is an opportunity for all water users to repair leaks and save our most precious resource. The week (March 20-26) is a reminder every March to check indoor and outdoor plumbing systems for costly, wasteful water leaks.
Increasing awareness of opportunities to repair leaks is supported by the San Diego County Water Authority and its 24 member agencies, and by other regional WaterSense partners throughout North America.
“While Fix a Leak Week is a reminder to save water by repairing leaks, San Diegans continue to be WaterSmart by upgrading plumbing devices with high-efficiency toilets and low-flow showerheads, and by using smart irrigation controllers that automatically adjust with the weather,” said Water Resources Specialist Debby Dunn, with the San Diego County. “We encourage residents and businesses to take advantage of the rebates available to save water indoors and outdoors.”
Minor leaks, water waste
Minor water leaks account for more than a trillion gallons of water wasted each year in homes across the United States. For example, repairing a leaky toilet can save up to 500 gallons of water a day. In just a month, that’s enough to fill a backyard swimming pool.
According to the EPA, an average household’s leaks can account for nearly 10,000 gallons of water wasted every year. Homes with easily correctable leaks can waste 90 gallons or more per day. By fixing easily correctable leaks, consumers can save water cut an average of 10% off their monthly water bill.
Upgrade or repair leaking fixtures indoors and outside
Adding water efficient upgrades will help meet long-term regional conservation goals. Photo: San Diego County Water Authority
The Water Authority has partnered with San Diego Gas and Electric to install nearly 4,000 WaterSense-labeled showerheads and 2,213 water-efficient toilets for residents. A $3 million grant from the California Department of Water Resources Urban Community Drought relief grant program will fund the installation of 7,300 additional toilets and smart irrigation controllers. The upgrades will save about 6,000 acre-feet of water. Replacing inefficient or leaking toilets with high-efficiency models reduces water use by 60%.
March Fix a Leak Week 2023
Regional water agencies help customers save water and money
The Vallecitos Water District added a new video for 2023 to its award-winning series helping customers find and fix leaks to save water and money. This year, Vallecitos Water District asks viewers to take the “10 Minute Challenge.”
The Sweetwater Authority is offering tips for consumers and rebates of up to $75 for leak repairs made through June 30. Consumers can schedule a free water audit by calling the Water Efficiency Hotline at 619-409-6779 or email
The Sweetwater Authority also offers customers a $75 rebate to replace or install a new pressure-reducing valve at their home. The valves help to address high pressure that can cause increased wear on fittings, making them more prone to leaks.
A rebate of up to $100 is also available for qualifying leak detectors and flow monitors, which can alert customers to potential leaks through an app on their smartphone. Check out all the water efficiency rebates: www.sweetwater.org/rebates.
Minor water leaks account for more than a trillion gallons of water wasted each year in homes across the United States. Photo: Rajesh Balouria
The Otay Water District offers helpful tips to fix leaks and save water on its website and its social media, including:
Check your water meter before and after a two-hour period when no water is being used. If the meter changes, you may have a leak. Visit otaywater.gov/how-to-read-your-meter to learn how to track your water use.
Place a few drops of food coloring in the toilet tank and wait 10 minutes without flushing. If color appears in the bowl, you have a leak.
Examine faucet gaskets and pipe fittings for any water on the outside of the pipe to check for surface leaks.
Easy fix for some leaks
Leaky showerheads or dripping faucets are often easy to fix, requiring common tools and hardware that can pay for themselves in water savings. How much? According to the EPA Fix-A-Week-Leak website, each average household with unaddressed leaks can account for 10,000 gallons of water loss every year, enough to wash 300 loads of laundry.
Investing just 10 minutes to perform a quick search of your home and fixing them can save an additional 10% on your water bill.
Check WaterSmartSD.org for tips and for more information about Fix a Leak Week.
To educate water users and promote the importance of repairing leaks to conserve and protect the water supply, Fix a Leak Week was created in 2009 by the Environmental Protection Agency WaterSense program.
(Editor’s note: The Vallecitos Water District, Otay Water District and Sweetwater Authority are three of the San Diego County Water Authority’s 24 member agencies that deliver water across the San Diego County region.)
Sweetwater Authority Logo 2019
