Water

In 1990, San Diegans used 235 gallons of water per capita daily compared, in 2000, it was 216 gallons/capita daily and in 2021, it was 134 gallons/capita daily. Water consumption has been decreasing in the County of San Diego. Despite this, taxpayers might find issues in:

As a voter, it is important to know the county's water providing agencies, their function and the area they serve
 * Drought and Conservation
 * Water and Utility Price Increse
 * Water Contamination
 * Self-Reliance

San Diego County Water Authority
San Diego County Water Authority sustains a $240 billion regional economy and the quality of life for 3.3 million residents through a multi-decade water supply diversification plan, major infrastructure investments and forward-thinking policies that promote fiscal and environmental responsibility.

The Water Authority currently serves 24 member agencies that deliver water across the San Diego region. Member agencies are represented on a 36-member Water Authority Board of Directors. A member of the San Diego County Board of Supervisors (currently, Supervisor Jim Desmond of District 5) also serves as a non-voting representative to the Water Authority Board.

After experiencing severe drought and water shortages in the 1990s, the San Diego County Water Authority, its 24 member agencies and residents countywide simultaneously invested in the largest water conservation and transfer program in U.S. history while reducing per capita water use by more than 40%. At the same time, the Water Authority’s commitment to affordability includes securing $25 million from the State of California to pay water bills for San Diego County residents impacted by COVID-19; securing $90 million in 2021-22 through successful litigation efforts and distributing that money directly to its 24 member agencies; avoiding hundreds of millions of dollars in future costs on water deliveries; and maintaining strong credit ratings that reduce the cost of infrastructure.

Local water agencies also have invested in local supplies such as brackish groundwater, recycled water and water purification. And the Water Authority developed the largest seawater desalination plant in the nation, which provide approximately 50 million gallons a day of drought-proof water supplies. Today, about a third of the water used across the region is from local sources – and that number is expected to grow as more water purification projects come online. The San Diego strategy has been featured as a model in The New York Times, Wall Street Journal, Yale Environment 360, and CBS News.

Over the past few decades, residents and businesses across San Diego County have adopted “WaterSmart” plants, irrigation technologies and habits that not only save money, but also create vibrant yards, reduce energy use, protect natural resources and reduce landscape maintenance. The Water Authority partners with other agencies and organizations to offer a variety of WaterSmart tools, including classes and rebates, along with a water-use calculator and other resources.

To find your water district, click here.

Carlsbad Municipal Water District
The City of Carlsbad is served by three water districts: Carlsbad Municipal Water District; Vallecitos Water District and the Olivenhain Municipal Water District.

See the map here.

Mootamai Municipal Water District
The Mootamai Municipal Water District (MWD) was formed in 1962 specifically to protect the water rights of district property owners. The District includes two discontiguous areas within the San Luis Rey River watershed with aggregate territory of approximately one square mile.

Olivenhain Municipal Water District
Olivenhain Municipal Water District is a public agency providing water, wastewater services, recycled water, hydroelectricity, and the operation of Elfin Forest Recreational Reserve. Olivenhain Municipal Water District is governed by a five-member Board of Directors elected for staggered four-year terms, with each director being elected from a specific geographic area of OMWD’s service area.

Padre Dam Municipal Water District
Padre Dam provides water, wastewater, recycled water and park and recreation services to over 100,000 residents in the East San Diego County communities of Santee, El Cajon, Lakeside, Flinn Springs, Harbison Canyon, Blossom Valley, Alpine, Dehesa and Crest. We are a public agency with policies and procedures directed by an elected five-member Board of Directors

See the map here.

Pauma Municipal Water District
The Pauma Municipal Water District (MWD) manages water rights protection efforts on behalf of district property owners by coordinating legal and engineering activities related to water supply issues.

Questhaven Municipal Water District
The Questhaven Municipal Water District (MWD) provides potable water service in the unincorporated community of Questhaven west of the City of Escondido.

Ramona Municipal Water District
The RMWD boundaries encompass approximately 45,800 acres (75 square miles) in the unincorporated area of San Diego County. RMWD provides services to approximately 7,000 urban parcels and 3,000 rural parcels with an approximate population of 40,000 people. The RMWD service area encompasses the Santa Maria Valley and surrounding hills with elevations ranging from 1,300 feet to 2,100 feet mean sea level (MSL).

Ramona Municipal Water District is governed by a five-member board of directors that serve staggered four-year terms of office, representing five geographical divisions.

Rainbow Municipal Water District
The District provides water and sanitation services to the unincorporated communities of Rainbow, Bonsall, and portions of Vista, Oceanside and Fallbrook.

Rainbow Municipal Water District directors are elected officials representing each of five divisions and are selected by voters in the November general election in even-numbered years.

Rincon Del Diablo Municipal Water District
Rincon Water provides water (and fire protection) services within specific boundaries, whose lines cross into various cities including the cities of Escondido, San Marcos, and San Diego as well as the unincorporated areas of San Diego County.

The District is a public agency governed by a five-member Board of Directors, each representing a geographic area within the District. Directors are elected by the voters within their divisions for four-year staggered terms.

San Luis Rey Municipal Water District
The San Luis Rey Municipal Water District (MWD) underwrites activities in an unincorporated north county area to protect the water rights of property owners who are dependent on local groundwater. The MWD covers approximately 5 square miles between Interstate Highway 15 on the west and the Pala Indian Reservation on the east and generally bisected by the San Luis Rey River.

Valley Center Municipal Water District
The Valley Center (Municipal) Water District (MWD) provides potable water and wastewater treatment and reclamation services within the unincorporated community of Valley Center.

Yuima Municipal Water District
The Pauma Municipal Water District (MWD) manages water rights protection efforts on behalf of district property owners by coordinating legal and engineering activities related to water supply issues.

Borrego Water District
The Borrego (California) Water District (WD) provides groundwater replenishment, water, wastewater, flood control, vector control, solid waste, and park and recreation services within the unincorporated east county community of Borrego Springs.

Canebrake County Water District
The Canebrake County Water District (CWD) provides potable water service within a small high-desert community south of the unincorporated east county community of Julian.

See the map here.

On the 2022 General election, voters get to elect 3 of 4 candidates for Board Members.

Coachella Valley Water District
CVWD delivers irrigation and domestic (drinking) water, collects and recycles wastewater, provides regional storm water protection, replenishes the groundwater basin and promotes water conservation.

CVWD's service area covers approximately 1,000 square miles from the San Gorgonio Pass to the Salton Sea, mostly within the Coachella Valley in Riverside County, California. The boundaries also extend into small portions of Imperial and San Diego counties.

Cuyamaca Water District
The Cuyamaca Water District is among several water districts providing potable water service to the residents and businesses of the Lake Cuyamaca area, an unincorporated area southeast of the town of Julian, California.

Helix Water District
Helix delivers safe and reliable water to the cities of La Mesa, Lemon Grove and El Cajon, the Spring Valley and Lakeside communities, and other areas of the county. We provide water for homes, schools and jobs, and for firefighting.

Lakeside Water District
The District serves approximately 14 square miles of the unincorporated community of Lakeside, including the areas of Eucalyptus Hills, Moreno Valley, Muth Valley and Wintergardens, with a population estimated at 35,000.

Otay Water District
The District's facilities serve the water, recycled water, and the sewer needs of customers residing in the communities of of eastern Chula Vista, Bonita, Jamul, Spring Valley, Rancho San Diego, unincorporated areas of El Cajon and La Mesa, and eastern Otay Mesa along the international border with Mexico.

Five board of directors, elected by voters to serve respective divisions, set the District’s ordinances, policies, taxes, and rates for service. Members of the board serve four-year terms of office.

See the map here.

San Dieguito Water District
The San Dieguito (Irrigation) Water District (WD) provides potable water treatment and distribution service within the approximate western-half of the City of Encinitas.

Vallecitos Water District
Vallecitos Water District provides water, wastewater, and reclamation services to San Marcos; the community of Lake San Marcos; parts of Carlsbad, Escondido and Vista and other unincorporated areas in north San Diego County.

Wynola Water District
The Wynola (California) Water District (WD) provides potable water service within a small residential development in unincorporated east county. Although formed as a California Water District, the District operates as the Wynola Water District.

Vista Irrigation District
Vista Irrigation District provides water to much of northern San Diego County in California, including the city of Vista, and portions of San Marcos, Escondido, Oceanside and unincorporated areas of the county.

The ultimate decision-making responsibility of the Vista Irrigation District rests with a five-member governing board. Elected to four-year terms, the members are active community leaders in many organizations. Their awareness of the changing needs of the District is enhanced by their experience and understanding of local and state water issues. They are committed to efficient and economical methods of supplying high quality water to the District’s customers.

South Bay Irrigation District
SBID and National City formed a joint powers public water agency, named Sweetwater Authority. Sweetwater Authority manages and operates the water system, providing water to National City, western portions of Chula Vista and Bonita, California.

Santa Fe Irrigation District
SFID's service area is located in northern San Diego County and includes coastal and inland communities. SFID provides potable water service for residential, commercial, institutional and agricultural customers; and recycled water for irrigation of public common areas, golf courses, schools, businesses and Caltrans.

Camp Pendleton Military Installation
Unlike most of Southern California, which relies on imported water supplies, nearly all of MCB CamPen’s drinking water comes from local groundwater sources. Wells located on the base supply water to all portions of MCB CamPen except for San Mateo Point Housing, which receives water from the South Coast Water District. Residents of San Mateo Point Housing should receive a consumer confidence report from this off-base water supplier.

Fallbrook Public Utility District
The Fallbrook Public Utility District (PUD) provides water and wastewater services within the unincorporated north county communities of Fallbrook and De Luz.

Useful Websites

 * Get It Done! for the City of San Diego