Water Resources Specialist Ogawa told the San Dieguito Water District board on Oct. 15 that the 2025 water year produced below-average local rainfall and higher potable demand, but the district has sufficient supply for the coming year.

"The water year is from October 1 to September 30," Ogawa said, adding that 2025 began with a late wet-season start and that Northern San Diego County received about six inches less than the historical average. Ogawa said statewide totals were near average because wetter conditions were concentrated in northern California.

The district’s water portfolio includes local raw water from Lake Hodges Reservoir and imported treated and raw water supplied by the San Diego County Water Authority. Ogawa described Lake Hodges as the district’s less expensive source, noting "there's difference between $300 per acre-foot compared to $1,600 plus from County Water Authority." She said the County Water Authority can meet the county’s supply needs under current demand projections.

The district reported that potable demand increased in fiscal year 2025 compared with 2024, a change the presentation linked closely to lower precipitation. Ogawa displayed a multi-year chart showing a correlation between annual precipitation and water demand: when rainfall rises, demand falls, and vice versa.

For the 2025 water year the district highlighted operational and outreach accomplishments: staff completed about 180 water-waste and leak work orders, customers received more than $4,000 in rebates for water-saving devices (primarily flume devices), the district hosted four workshops and two contests, and its quarterly newsletter reached more than 7,000 subscribers.

Looking ahead to water year 2026, Ogawa cited recent climate updates noting a La Niña pattern and research that suggests California will see more intense storms that can increase flood risk even as some seasons trend drier. "This second bullet is needs to be updated," Ogawa said during the presentation when summarizing recent climate announcements, acknowledging that some slides reflected late-breaking information.

Ogawa said there are currently no emergency water-use restrictions; the district will continue to encourage Level 1 voluntary conservation actions. The district is also updating its five-year urban water management plan to reassess supplies and identify strategies for future conditions.

Board members asked for technical details during the question period. Vice President Ehlers asked where precipitation data were measured; Ogawa said the charts use measurements from the Carlsbad (McClellan) Airport station, the closest available routine data point for the district’s charts. Board member Schaeffer asked about the district’s ability to capture and store stormwater during heavy rains; Ogawa said Lake Hodges remains a key local asset but emphasized that the County Water Authority is an important imported supply source.

Board members also discussed smart meter rollout timelines and leak detection. Ogawa and staff described current leak-detection work orders and said the district flags accounts with year-over-year increased use for field inspection. The board was told that full smart-meter implementation is a multi-year, expensive project and will take time to complete.

The presentation closed with a reminder that the district has completed required monthly and annual regulatory reporting and that staff will return with updates to the urban water management plan and any material changes to supply forecasts.