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Water Districts Link Up, Ratepayers Gain

Under the agreement signed between the two agencies in 2012, VWD will purchase a minimum of 2,750 acre-feet per year of treatment services from OMWD, roughly the amount of water required to supply 5,500 households. This agreement is mutually beneficial for ratepayers of both agencies. VWD will purchase treatment services from OMWD at a lower rate than is offered by regional water wholesalers, reducing the per-unit purchase cost of water. Meanwhile, OMWD will sell surplus treatment services, offsetting water treatment costs, and improve efficiency by running its plant at full capacity.

“This is another example of what can happen when water agencies find a way to collaborate and leverage resources,” said OMWD Treasurer Larry Watt. “As we contend with reduced demands as a result of the drought, the completion of this connection allows us to continue to operate our treatment plant at full capacity and take advantage of that efficiency.”

OMWD Board President Ed Sprague said, “We have a long-standing partnership with Vallecitos, and the board and staff members at both agencies continue to do the right thing for our ratepayers by continually exploring innovative and forward-thinking ways that we can reduce costs while maintaining high levels of service.”

The San Elijo Hills Pump Station has won an Award of Merit for engineering excellence from the American Council of Engineering Companies. VWD received the award, in part, because of its efforts to reduce environmental impact by constructing the pump station entirely on the footprint of Questhaven Road, built in the 1960s and no longer utilized. VWD was able to avoid removing native vegetation for the pump station project, protecting the long-term welfare and sustainability of open space and wildlife in the area.

VWD General Manager Dennis Lamb stated, “We are very fortunate to have our goals aligned with OMWD during these challenging times of drought.  The agreement shows how local agencies can work together to share our limited resources while providing greater flexibility, reliability, and cost control which will ultimately benefit our customers.”

“Our alliance with OMWD, combined with our recent connection to the Carlsbad desalination plant, is making a difference in San Marcos and the north San Diego County community,” said VWD Board President Mike Sannella. “These two projects will provide up to 45 percent of VWD’s annual supply from local resources, supporting a strong local economy and the highest quality of life.”

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L-R: VWD Board Vice President Craig Elitharp, VWD Board Director Hal Martin, VWD Board Director Jim Hernandez, Board President Mike Sannella, OMWD Board Vice President Larry Watt, OMWD Board Director Jerry Varty, OMWD Board Director Bob Topolovac.