press release

Wednesday, January 10, 2007

Contact: Sue King, 619-409-6721

South Bay water district joins the Water Conservation Garden

CHULA VISTA - Sweetwater Authority begins the year as a new sponsoring member of the Water Conservation Garden at Cuyamaca College.

The Garden, located in Rancho San Diego, within the Sweetwater River watershed, is a unique demonstration landscape facility with a mission to promote water conservation in the southern California landscape through excellent exhibits and programs that educate and inspire the public.

“Sweetwater’s membership in the Garden represents awareness by our Board of the need to expand water conservation to outdoor use,” said Sweetwater Authority Board Chairman R. Mitchel Beauchamp.

“Indoor conservation measures, such as restrictor shower heads, low-flow toilets, and water-efficient household appliances have significantly reduced indoor water use for our customers. Now the focus is outdoors, where many of the single-family residences in our district can benefit from the information and demonstrations at the Garden. The plantings at the Garden are mature and demonstrate the growth potential of the various species, most of which are suitable for the coastal National City and Chula Vista climate of Sweetwater’s service area,” Beauchamp added.

Beauchamp will serve on the Conservation Garden Board of Directors, with Sweetwater Authority Vice Chairman James C. Alkire as alternate.

Sweetwater Authority is the seventh sponsoring member of the Garden. The Garden was formed as a Joint Powers Authority in 1992 by Otay and Helix water districts and the Grossmont-Cuyamaca Community College District. Since the Garden officially opened to the public in the summer of 1999, the San Diego County Water Authority (which serves as lead agency), the City of San Diego, and Padre Dam Municipal Water District have also joined the Garden as members. Each agency is represented on the Garden Board.

Throughout the year, the Garden offers a variety of classes and events for landscape professionals, homeowners and children. The Garden’s address is 12122 Cuyamaca College Drive West, El Cajon, CA. It is open to the public seven days a week from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m., and admission is free. Check the Garden’s website at www.thegarden.org for scheduled events and other information.

Sweetwater Authority provides public water service to 180,000 residents of Chula Vista, National City and Bonita, California.

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