Launched in summer 2023, the "Thanks for Planting Me!" campaign thanked residents for adopting low-water landscapes tailored to San Diego County’ Mediterranean climate. In addition, the campaign reminded residents about resources the Water Authority and its partners offer to assist with landscape transformation, including rebates and educational workshops related to best practices in water-use efficiency. The campaign also focused on reaching underserved communities, and materials were translated into multiple languages to build on existing efforts to reach diverse audiences. It’s all part of the long-term effort to ensure supply reliability for all residents despite challenges of the changing climate.

The campaign garnered more than 29 million impressions over a variety of media – from digital ads to billboards. The Water Authority and member agencies also participated in community events over the summer, including the San Diego County Fair, and bolstered its partnership with San Diego Zoo Global.

One of the most important ways the Water Authority meets big challenges is through strategic direction provided by the agency’s diverse Board of Directors. In January 2023, the Water Authority welcomed seven new board members, one of the largest groups of new Board members in more than a decade.

The new members -- Teresa Acosta (City of Carlsbad), Clint Baze (Rincon del Diablo Municipal Water District), Steve Castaneda (Sweetwater Authority), Lindsay Leahy (City of Oceanside), Joy Lyndes (City of Encinitas), Kyle Swanson (Padre Dam Municipal Water District) and Ditas Yamane (City of National City) -- brought extensive knowledge of local and regional affairs, along with diverse perspectives needed to navigate the complex world of water policy.

The board’s experience in the water industry has also allowed directors to move into other positions of regional leadership. Board Member Jim Madaffer was elected vice chair of the Colorado River Board to represent California in river management and water rights discussions.

The Water Authority’s four delegates to the Metropolitan Water District’s Board of Directors also took leadership roles, with Lois Fong-Sakai elected Board secretary; Gail Goldberg serving as vice chair of Finance, Audit & Planning; Marty Miller serving as chair of the Ad Hoc Committee on the Colorado River; and Tim Smith serving as chair of the Finance, Audit, Insurance & Real Property Committee. In her role as vice chair, Goldberg led MWD’s long-term planning effort, which aimed to integrate the agency’s financial, resources, and climate adaptation planning to meet the needs of its member agencies in an affordable and equitable manner.

For the second straight year, the Water Authority was named a Top Workplace for 2022 by The San Diego Union-Tribune. Based solely on employee feedback, the newspaper honor roll measures workplace values deemed critical to organizational success, like alignment, execution, and connection.

The award honored years of effort by the agency to foster a culture of collaboration and community among water employees that encourages personal and professional advancement while elevating the water industry as a whole. The Top Workplace title is a testament to the agency’s commitment to maintaining inclusive, supportive and empowering workplace policies.

In October 2022, the Water Authority’s Board of Directors approved a landmark Project Labor Agreement to govern most of the agency’s future construction contracts, ensuring that infrastructure improvement projects deliver a range of community and worker benefits while continuing to be built to the highest standards.

By setting the bar for the Board to consider PLAs at $1 million, the Board embraced a strategy designed to foster a well-trained local workforce; enhance the Water Authority’s ability to compete for state and federal construction grants; prevent work disruptions; and expedite resolution of disputes.

A PLA is a collective bargaining agreement that spells out specific terms and conditions that govern labor issues for given projects. Under the PLA, all contractors are eligible to compete on projects. Those who are the successful bidders follow certain requirements, including hiring locally. The PLA also promotes hiring skilled, reliable workers, while helping to ensure projects are completed safely, on-time and within budget.

In August 2022, the Water Authority’s Board of Directors appointed of David J. Edwards as the agency’s general counsel. Following a nationwide search, Edwards’ 17 years of experience in public service in water and environmental issues set him apart. In his previous position as deputy city attorney and lead counsel for the Los Angeles Department of Water & Power, Edwards gained a breadth of experience and expertise in water and natural resource rights, wildlife and water protection, power and public utility/agency issues.