Carlsbad desalination plant backdrop for regional water accord

North Coast Current • June 6, 2026

Water leaders from California, Nevada and Arizona gathered at the Claude “Bud” Lewis Carlsbad Desalination Plant on Wednesday, June 3, to sign an agreement aimed at exploring interstate water exchanges as a way to strengthen long-term water reliability across the Southwest.

Olivenhain water pipeline project earns accolades

North Coast Current • May 28, 2026

The Olivenhain Municipal Water District has received a 2026 Project of the Year award for pipeline replacement work along Rancho Santa Fe Road near the Encinitas-Carlsbad border.

Carlsbad City Council member new Water Authority secretary

News Release • February 3, 2026

The San Diego County Water Authority Board of Directors on Thursday, Jan. 22, unanimously elected Carlsbad City Councilmember Teresa Acosta as the board’s new secretary.

Students explore opportunities at San Elijo JPA Water Career Day

Adam Kaye • November 9, 2025

Nobody stops needing water — and that means the water industry never stops needing skilled workers. To show students what that future can look like, three local water agencies teamed up to host the 2025 Water Career Day on Oct. 22 at the San Elijo Joint Powers Authority Water Campus in Encinitas.

$286M upgrade done for Carlsbad water plant

North Coast Current • October 28, 2025

The Claude “Bud” Lewis Carlsbad Desalination Plant has completed a $286 million upgrade to its seawater intake and discharge system, a state-mandated project designed to protect marine life while maintaining the facility’s water production capacity, the San Diego County Water Authority announced Tuesday, Oct. 28.

Vallecitos Water District board approves rate increase

North Coast Current • October 24, 2025

Vallecitos Water District customers will see higher water bills starting Jan. 1 following an Oct. 15 Board of Directors vote to approve a rate increase.

From septic tanks to sustainability: Encinitas talk highlights invisible service

Adam Kaye • October 14, 2025

If anything can illustrate the concept of public goods, an Encinitas Historical Society board member said, it’s the sewer system. With that introduction, General Manager Mike Thornton of the San Elijo Joint Powers Authority on Oct. 4 recounted the decades-long evolution of wastewater treatment in Encinitas and Solana Beach.

San Diego County and state water agencies settle lengthy legal battle

News Release • June 24, 2025

The Metropolitan Water District of Southern California and the San Diego County Water Authority announced the settlement this month of a 15-year legal dispute over rates and the price term of an exchange agreement between the agencies.

North County water agencies further partnership to minimize costs

News Release • March 25, 2025

The Olivenhain Municipal Water District and Vallecitos Water District approved entering into a partnership agreement March 19 allowing Vallecitos to install communication equipment at Olivenhain’s Denk Reservoir site in Carlsbad.

Scott Maloni joins Olivenhain Municipal Water District board

News Release • December 11, 2024

Scott Maloni was sworn in Dec. 5 as the newest member of Olivenhain Municipal Water District's Board of Directors.

Vallecitos Water District receives re-accreditation with honors

News Release • September 5, 2024

The Vallecitos Water District was honored in August for achieving re-accreditation with a Transparency Certificate of Excellence issued by the Special District Leadership Foundation, given to organizations for their outstanding efforts to promote a transparent, well-governed public agency.

Water districts announce suit against San Diego over state of Lake Hodges dam

North Coast Current • August 2, 2024

Two North San Diego County water districts are filing suit against the city of San Diego over the state of the Lake Hodges dam, which the districts allege resulted in the loss of a local water supply.