San Dieguito Water District to Celebrate 90 Years at Next City Council Meeting

Editor’s Note: The following announcement is from the San Dieguito Water District.

March 18, 2012 marked the San Dieguito Water District’s 90^th anniversary.  Over the years, the District has experienced tremendous growth and change, persevering through continuous disputes over water rights, economic struggles during the Great Depression, and multiple droughts. 

The history of water in the Encinitas area began in 1918, before the District was formed, when Hodges Dam, San Dieguito Dam, and Hodges Flume were constructed by the San Dieguito Mutual Water Company, a private company.  The San Dieguito Irrigation District was formed on March 18, 1922, by the South Coast Land Company.  At that time, the District obtained rights to Lake Hodges water.  In 1923, a redwood main line stretching from San Dieguito Reservoir to Santa Fe Drive was constructed and provided service to the four meters in the area.  

Early on, the San Dieguito Irrigation District’s primary function was to deliver water for irrigational purposes, accommodating a prosperous agricultural industry in the region, which became known as “The Flower Capital of the World”.  As the number of residential meters grew, the District changed its name to the San Dieguito Water District in 1975.  Today, the District provides approximately 2 billion gallons of potable water and 162 million gallons of recycled water to over 38,000 citizens in the coastal region of Encinitas. 

San Dieguito Water District Interim General Manager Bill O’Donnell states, “The District, along with the community we serve, has seen many changes over the years.  One thing that has not changed is the pride that the San Dieguito Water District employees take in serving our customers.”

To honor the 90^th anniversary, the San Dieguito Water District will present a video highlighting historical events of the District at the March 28 Encinitas City Council Meeting.  The presentation will begin at 6 pm in the Council Chambers located at 505 South Vulcan Avenue in Encinitas. 

Editor’s Note: A version of the video presentation is attached to this article.