The California state Department of Water Resources issued $31.1 million in grants for 13 projects in the San Diego region, the County Water Authority announced Thursday. Lake Hodges home owners will benefit from cleaner lake water and a likely increase in wildlife and aquatic life due to the improvements.
These projects will allegedly boost local supply, reduce demand, improve water quality, manage storm water, restore habitat and enhance species, according to the San Diego County Water Authority.
“These grants will help our region meet goals for water conservation and expanding drought-proof water supplies,” said Mark Stadler, the San Diego Integrated Regional Water Management program manager. “Several of the projects will restore habitat along our streams, rivers and and especially Lake Hodges.”
The largest of the funded projects are the following:
-$6 million to expand the Padre Dam Municipal Water District’s water reclamation plant.
-$3.8 million to the SDCWA to retrofit a prison with water-efficient fixtures, you know how those prisoners love to take long showers.
-$3 million to the Rural Community Assistance Corp. to improve water quality in economically disadvantaged rural areas.
-$2.9 million to the city of San Diego to improve water quality at Lake Hodges reservoir.
-$2.9 million to San Diego Zoo Global to replace turf grass, upgrade a wastewater treatment plant and expand water conservation education efforts.
-$2.5 million to the San Elijo Joint Powers Authority for recycled water and low-impact development strategies to offset potable water demands, reduce urban runoff and implement water quality monitoring at the San Elijo Lagoon.
The U.S. Forest Service, city of Escondido, Sweetwater Authority, UC San Diego, Water Conservation Garden and Groundwork San Diego also received state funding. For more details, see the SDCWA release.