SAN DIEGO, Calif., Aug. 27, 2002 -- Educational tours of a Lakeside water treatment plant, a water-saving garden in Escondido, a business outreach program, and a video program featuring techniques used in a local water conservation garden are among the San Diego County projects sponsored by Metropolitan Water District's Community Partnering Program.
Metropolitan Chairman Phillip J. Pace joined the San Diego County Water Authority's board of directors recently in presenting nearly $50,000 in sponsorship checks to four local agencies and organizations receiving community partnering funds in fiscal year 2002-03.
"The projects receiving sponsorships recently demonstrate the vast array of investments Metropolitan is making through the Community Partnering Program," Pace said in presentation ceremonies during the SDCWA's board meeting.
"The partnerships forged recently will foster discussion of water quality, water conservation and water reliability issues important to the region through research, educational collaborations at all levels and policy forums," Pace said.
Jim Turner, SDCWA board chairman, congratulated the agencies -- Helix Water District, Rincon del Diablo Municipal Water District, the Water Conservation Garden Authority of El Cajon, and the South County Economic Development Council.
"It's good to see the money our ratepayers pay to Metropolitan coming back into the community for worthwhile projects such as these," Turner said. With $10,000 in community partnering funds presented recently, the Helix Water District will offer educational tours for up to 6,000 upper elementary school students and adults of its R.M. Levy Treatment Plant in Lakeside. The tours will help promote water quality, explain and teach the science and technology involved in water treatment, and encourage water awareness, conservation and responsible use.
A $10,000 sponsorship will upgrade the demonstration garden at Rincon del Diablo Municipal Water District offices in Escondido. The "Yes, I Can Do That" garden will feature low-water-using, easy-to-maintain plants in "hydroscape" zones, which place plants together according to irrigation needs.
The South County Economic Development Council plans to use its $18,000 partnering sponsorship on a business outreach program in south San Diego County. The program involves the chambers of commerce in San Ysidro, Otay Mesa, Imperial Beach, Chula Vista and National City, as well as the San Ysidro Business Association, to inform local business about contract opportunities at Metropolitan.
The Water Conservation Garden Authority in El Cajon will be featured in a 30-minute video offering water conservation, irrigation and water-wise planting techniques, under a $10,000 partnering sponsorship. Produced and directed by David Garcia of the Ask Earthman Foundation, the video will feature all aspects of the 4.2-acre garden.
This year, Metropolitan will distribute more than $600,000 in Community Partnering Program sponsorships and in-kind services to programs that demonstrate a value-added benefit to Metropolitan and its 26 member public agencies, serving 17 million water consumers in six Southland counties.
Sponsorships are provided for water-related activities such as public forums, educational and research programs, exhibits and other community-based events. Memberships in national, state, regional and local associations that support Metropolitan's corporate and mission statements also are eligible, as well as educational mini-grants and innovative conservation pilot programs.
For more information about Metropolitan's programs, visit the district's Web site, mwdh2o.com.
The Metropolitan Water District of Southern California is a cooperative of 26 cities and water agencies serving 17 million people in six counties. The district imports water from the Colorado River and Northern California to supplement local supplies, and helps its members to develop increased water conservation, recycling, storage and other water-management programs.
Source: Metropolitan Water District of Southern California
