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HomeMy WebLinkAboutPipeline 02 - Spring 2020T H E O T A Y W A TER DISTRICT • P R OUDL Y SERVING E A ST C OUNT Y A ND TH E S OUTH B A Y SINC E 1956 A NE W SLE TTER FOR CUS TOM E RS OF THE OTAY WATER DISTRICT SPRING 2020 FOLLOW OTAY WATER ON... / SIGA AL DISTRITO DE AGUA DE OTAY EN... OTAY WATER DISTRICT – Board of Directors The Board of Directors meets on the first Wednesday of the month at 3:30 p.m. in the Board meeting room. The public is encouraged to attend at 2554 Sweetwater Springs Boulevard, Spring Valley, CA. PresidentGary Croucher, Division 3gcroucher@otaywater.gov Vice PresidentMark Robak, Division 5mrobak@otaywater.gov TreasurerMitch Thompson, Division 2mthompson@otaywater.gov Board MemberTim Smith, Division 1tsmith@otaywater.gov Board MemberHector Gastelum, Division 4hector@otaywater.gov Dedicated to Community Service FOR MORE INFORMATION ABOUT THE OTAY WATER DISTRICT CALL (619) 670-2222 OR GO TO OTAYWATER.GOV The Pipeline Newsletter is published quartely by the Otay Water District and can also be found online at otaywater.gov. Copywright ©2018 Otay Water District. All rights reserved. Otay Partners with San Diego County Water Authority to Support Food Bank During COVID-19 Crisis The Otay Water District, in partnership with the San Diego County Water Authority and other local water agencies, has launched a virtual food drive to support the San Diego Food Bank. This offers the opportunity for District customers, employees, Board members, and anyone from the public to provide meals to families and seniors affected by the COVID-19 crisis. The District, through employee and public donations, has raised more than $3,100. And the region, through all water agencies has raised nearly $20,000. For details and to donate securely online, visit otaywater.gov/food-drive-covid19. Otay se une a la San Diego County Water Authority para apoyar al Food Bank durante la crisis del COVID-19 El Distrito de Agua de Otay, en colaboración con la San Diego County Water Authority y otras agencias locales de agua, ha lanzado una campaña virtual de colecta de alimentos para apoyar al San Diego Food Bank. Este esfuerzo va a permitir que los clientes del distrito, los empleados, los miembros de la junta directiva, y el público en general proporcionen alimentos a las familias y personas de la tercera edad que han sido afectadas por la crisis del COVID-19. El distrito ha recaudado más de $3,100 a través de donaciones públicas y de empleados, y a nivel regional, todas las agencias de agua han recaudado casi $20,000. Para obtener más información y realizar una donación segura en línea, por favor visite otaywater.gov/food-drive-covid19. Otay Keeps Your Drinking Water Safe Every Day and it is Less Expensive than Bottled Water As your local water provider, the Otay Water District is committed to delivering safe and reliable water to all its customers every day — even during challenging times like the current COVID-19 crisis. The District has been closely monitoring the local, state, and federal advisories regarding the outbreak of COVID-19. And although many challenges are surrounding the virus, it has no impact on the District’s drinking water supplies or services. The virus is transmitted from person to person and not through water. According to the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, there is no evidence to support the survival of COVID-19 in drinking water. The EPA has recommended continuing to drink, cook, and bathe with tap water as usual. That is because water delivered by the District is monitored and tested at various points in the distribution system to ensure its quality and safety. Filtration, chlorine disinfection, and other treatment processes are used to eliminate pathogenic organisms — including inactive viruses and bacteria — in the water supply. The District delivers water of the highest quality and meets all stringent state and federal drinking water requirements. This information is detailed in the District’s annual Consumer Confidence Report, available at otaywater.gov/ConsumerConfidenceReport. With your tap water remaining safe and healthy and no disruption to the District’s water services, there is no need to stockpile on bottled water during this health outbreak. Your tap water is not only safe but also may be more affordable than bottled water. On average, tap water in the region is about three-quarters of a cent per gallon. Plus, there are no waiting lines to purchase or access tap water. To protect the health of the public and its employees, the District’s lobby has been closed until further notice. It has also taken extra precautions by providing a secure and supportive work environment through many staff working remotely from home. Due to the District’s technology enhancements prior to COVID-19, the staff is able to continue most all operations as if they were in the office. For those staff in the field who maintain and repair the District’s water system, they have been asked to keep a safe distance from each other and the public. Prior cross-training has also allowed staff to work on other tasks they may not have normally worked on while at the office. The District continues to follow recommendations provided by the California Department of Public Health and the U.S. Centers for Disease Control. For more information, including COVID-19 resources and bill payment options, visit otaywater.gov/COVID-19. To speak to a customer service representative, call (619) 670-2222 or email customerservice@ otaywater.gov. Otay mantiene su agua potable segura todos los días y es más económica que el agua embotellada Como su proveedor de agua local, el Distrito de Agua de Otay está comprometido a entregar agua segura y confiable a sus clientes todos los días del año, incluso en tiempos difíciles como la crisis del COVID-19. El Distrito está monitoreando muy de cerca las advertencias locales, estatales y federales con respecto al brote del COVID-19. Aunque existen muchos desafíos en torno al virus, estos no tienen impacto en los suministros o servicios de agua potable del Distrito. El virus se transmite de persona a persona, y no a través del agua. De acuerdo con la Agencia Ambiental de los Estados Unidos (EPA, por sus siglas en inglés), no hay pruebas que respaldan la supervivencia del COVID-19 en el agua potable. La EPA recomienda que las personas continúen bebiendo, cocinando y bañándose con agua de la llave como siempre lo han hecho. Esto se debe a que el agua que provee el Distrito es monitoreada y examinada en varios puntos del sistema de distribución para garantizar su calidad y seguridad. Además, se utilizan sistemas de filtración y desinfección con cloro, así como otros procesos de tratamiento para eliminar patógenos, incluyendo virus y bacterias, en el suministro de agua tratada. El Distrito suministra agua de primera calidad y cumple con los requisitos más estrictos estatales y federales de agua potable. Esta información se encuentra en el Informe Anual de Confianza del Consumidor del Distrito de Agua de Otay que está disponible en otaywater.gov/ ConsumerConfidenceReport. Con el agua de la llave que es segura y saludable, y sin tener interrupciones en los servicios de agua del Distrito, no hay necesidad de almacenar agua embotellada durante esta crisis de salud pública. El agua de la llave es segura, pero también es más económica que el agua embotellada. En promedio, un galón de agua de la llave en la región cuesta aproximadamente tres cuartos de centavo. Además, no hay filas de espera para comprar o tener acceso al agua de la llave. La recepción del Distrito está cerrada hasta previo aviso para proteger la salud del público y sus empleados. Aunado a esto, el Distrito ha tomado precauciones adicionales para proporcionar un ambiente de trabajo seguro y de apoyo al facilitar que muchos miembros del personal trabajen de forma remota desde su casa. Gracias a los avances tecnológicos del Distrito, logrados antes de la crisis del COVID-19, el personal puede realizar la mayoría de las operaciones como si estuviera en la oficina. El personal de campo, quienes mantienen y reparan el sistema de agua del Distrito, está guardando una sana distancia entre ellos mismos y el público. Además, la capacitación cruzada previa ha permitido al personal laborar en otras áreas que no habrían trabajado normalmente si estuvieran en la oficina. El Distrito continúa siguiendo las recomendaciones proporcionadas por el Departamento de Salud Pública de California y los Centros para el Control y la Prevención de Enfermedades de los Estados Unidos. Para obtener más información, incluidos los recursos del COVID-19, y opciones de pago de facturas, por favor visite otaywater.gov/COVID-19. Para hablar con un representante de servicio al cliente, por favor llame al (619) 670-2222 o envíe un correo electrónico a customerservice@ otaywater.gov. Nan Sterman is a garden expert, author, designer, and educator. Nan leads international garden tours, is the author of several books, and hosts the show A Growing Passion on KPBS TV, www.waterwisegardener.com It is hard to stay home. It is hard to be away from friends and family, school, work, and routine. Yet this time can also be an opportunity to rethink what home is and how you live at home; that includes the plants that share your living space. Indoor plants liven up the indoors. Their soft shapes and textures contrast against hard walls, counters and floors. Plants contribute earth colors like green, burgundy, and silver, as well as bold colors like red, yellow, orange, and pink. Some houseplants flower indoors; some are fragrant, and all contribute the invisible oxygen that is critical to our lives. Most plants we grow as houseplants are native to the shady understories of warm, tropical regions of the world. They are naturally adapted to the lower light and warmer temperature conditions inside our homes. Still, like outdoor plants, indoor plants all have different water needs. Plants like prayer plants (Calathea) and African violets, need to be consistently damp. Then, there is a large group of houseplants that originate in tropical monsoon regions of the world. According to houseplant grower and breeder Jim Booman of Booman Floral in north San Diego County, these plants are adapted to alternating wet and dry periods, which is the way most of us treat houseplants. Booman grows house plants professionally and for pleasure. House plants are best grown in plastic or ceramic pots. These materials protect roots from desiccating in the cold months when heating systems dry out the air in our homes. Plastic pots are lightweight too, so they are easy to rearrange. For the potting mix, look for one that is half perlite, pumice, or other “inorganic” material. These large, irregular shaped particles create large pore spaces for water to drain through easily. The other half of an ideal potting mix is compost, peat, coconut coir or other “organic” material that holds onto water. The balance of organic and inorganic medium both wets easily and drains quickly. That way, roots get the water they need, but do not get waterlogged. Dolomitic lime helps buffer the pH, which is helpful since our region’s water is high in salts. Add slow-release fertilizer with a nutrient ratio of 15-9-12 into the potting mix. Reapply according to label directions. Then top the pot with a half-inch layer of rounded gravel, marbles, or other inert material. That helps hold in moisture. The mulch also keeps out pesky fungus gnats and curious house cats. Booman cautions against letting a pot sit in a water-filled saucer. Roots that are constantly wet eventually rot. Instead, put rocks in the saucer and set the pot on top of the rocks, out of the water. When should you water? With these plants stick your finger a few inches down into the potting mix. When it feels dry, it is time to water. Always water pots from the top and for long enough that water runs out the hole in the bottom. That flushes salts through the potting mix and away from roots. If you water just a little bit at a time or mist your plants, you will eventually see a layer of a white crust on the top of the potting mix or the pot. That is salt buildup from the salts that are naturally in our water and it is not good for plants. Do not be overwhelmed. Growing houseplants is pretty straightforward, even if you lose a few along the way. It has happened to the best of us. Here is a list of houseplants that do not require frequent watering, courtesy of Jim Booman: • Dracaena marginata • Wax plant (Hoya carnosa) • Snake plant (Sansevieria) • Philodendron • Chinese evergreen (Aglaonema) • Ficus • Lipstick plant (Aeschynanthus) Nan StermanWaterwise GardenerPlants to Stay Home With Online Educational Resources for You and Your Children While Sheltering at Home ADULT RESOURCES: Irrigation Consultations – Online or by Phone Give your irrigation a proper spring tune-up with a one-on-one consultation and guidance to help you achieve an understanding of how to set up, retrofit, operate, and maintain your irrigation system. Register at thegarden.org. Members: $65; nonmembers: $80 Landscape Makeover Videos On-Demand The San Diego County Water Authority offers WaterSmart landscape makeover videos on-demand that guide you step by step to create your own beautiful, water- efficient landscape. You can learn how to measure your property, how to get to know your soil, which plants to choose, where to plant, and more. Visit watersmartsd.org. FAMILY AND CHILDREN RESOURCES: Kindness Bingo (All Ages) Play Ms. Smarty-Plants Kindness Bingo and bring a lot of joy and fun into your home. Your goal is to complete five acts of kindness or more. Play with your family, neighbors, and friends. Visit mssmartyplants.org. Water-Saver Lesson (K-6) Observe, record, and identify water-use ef- ficiency opportunities within your home and landscape. Students, grades K-6, can join Ms. Smarty-Plants for a virtual lesson, field trip, fun quiz, and more to become Earth He- roes from home. Visit mssmartyplants.org. Apart But Not Alone (Elementary-Level Students) The San Diego County Water Authority is offering free online videos that cover a variety of topics related to water and science. Learn about water supplies in the San Diego region, the quality of our tap water, proper ways to wash hands, and more. Visit sdcwa.org/education. With an increase in demand for toilet paper during the COVID-19 pandemic, the Otay Water District reminds its customers to avoid flushing alternatives down the toilet. Although labeled as “flushable” or “disposable,” household products like baby wipes or disinfecting wipes should not be flushed. Most wipes are made of woven fibers that do not easily break down or dissolve. These types of products can clog pipes and cause homeowners expensive and time-consuming plumbing repairs. They can also clog public sewer pipes and pump station equipment that can lead to sewer backups. Customers are encouraged to dispose of these items in the trash, not the toilet. Avoid Flushing Toilet Paper Alternatives I am honored to be serving you, our customers, and our community, and would like to introduce myself as the new general manager of the District. I assumed full duties with the approval of the Board of Directors on March 11 and my predecessor Mark Watton retired on March 27. This transition took place amidst quite a tumultuous time with much of our world shutting down and our lives being altered in countless ways. The challenge ahead is a big one for all of us. Our community consists of residential, small and large businesses, and so much more. We are all doing our part to avoid spreading and contracting the virus, so we are socially distancing ourselves from others, wearing masks, washing our hands, and staying home when possible. Our children are out of school and learning from home. I know this is no easy feat for the parents, teachers, nor the children. I commend all of you for getting through this as best as you can. One thing I do want to make certain during these uncertain times is that the water and wastewater services provided by the District continue to be safe and reliable. Our staff continue to work daily and are just as committed to provide these services because they are essential to your lives, now more than ever. I feel confident in our Board and our staff to continue making decisions as they always have to provide exceptional services to the more than 225,000 customers in our communities and to manage resources in a transparent and fiscally responsible manner. I live in the South Bay and spend much of my time within the District’s service area with my wife and children, so I know how vital this is to all of us. I have been at Otay since 2012 starting as a utility services manager until 2014 and then served as the assistant chief of water operations from 2014 until March of this year. Prior to that, I worked as a consultant on the private side and served in the U.S. Navy as a nuclear submarine officer for seven years. My experience in the private and public sector including the military, contributes to the District’s existing structure and discipline, while also being able to confront difficult times with steady calm. Thank you for being a customer and I look forward to continuing to serve our communities! Items to avoid flushing include, but are not limited to the following: • Disinfecting or baby wipes • Diapers • Feminine hygiene products • Mop refills • Paper towels • Paper rolls • Tissues • Cigarettes • Medicines • Cotton swabs • Bandages • Paint, pesticides or hazardous chemicals • Cat litter Nan Sterman is a garden expert, author, designer, and educator. Nan leads international garden tours, is the author of several books, and hosts the show A Growing Passion on KPBS TV, www.waterwisegardener.com It is hard to stay home. It is hard to be away from friends and family, school, work, and routine. Yet this time can also be an opportunity to rethink what home is and how you live at home; that includes the plants that share your living space. Indoor plants liven up the indoors. Their soft shapes and textures contrast against hard walls, counters and floors. Plants contribute earth colors like green, burgundy, and silver, as well as bold colors like red, yellow, orange, and pink. Some houseplants flower indoors; some are fragrant, and all contribute the invisible oxygen that is critical to our lives. Most plants we grow as houseplants are native to the shady understories of warm, tropical regions of the world. They are naturally adapted to the lower light and warmer temperature conditions inside our homes. Still, like outdoor plants, indoor plants all have different water needs. Plants like prayer plants (Calathea) and African violets, need to be consistently damp. Then, there is a large group of houseplants that originate in tropical monsoon regions of the world. According to houseplant grower and breeder Jim Booman of Booman Floral in north San Diego County, these plants are adapted to alternating wet and dry periods, which is the way most of us treat houseplants. Booman grows house plants professionally and for pleasure. House plants are best grown in plastic or ceramic pots. These materials protect roots from desiccating in the cold months when heating systems dry out the air in our homes. Plastic pots are lightweight too, so they are easy to rearrange. For the potting mix, look for one that is half perlite, pumice, or other “inorganic” material. These large, irregular shaped particles create large pore spaces for water to drain through easily. The other half of an ideal potting mix is compost, peat, coconut coir or other “organic” material that holds onto water. The balance of organic and inorganic medium both wets easily and drains quickly. That way, roots get the water they need, but do not get waterlogged. Dolomitic lime helps buffer the pH, which is helpful since our region’s water is high in salts. Add slow-release fertilizer with a nutrient ratio of 15-9-12 into the potting mix. Reapply according to label directions. Then top the pot with a half-inch layer of rounded gravel, marbles, or other inert material. That helps hold in moisture. The mulch also keeps out pesky fungus gnats and curious house cats. Booman cautions against letting a pot sit in a water-filled saucer. Roots that are constantly wet eventually rot. Instead, put rocks in the saucer and set the pot on top of the rocks, out of the water. When should you water? With these plants stick your finger a few inches down into the potting mix. When it feels dry, it is time to water. Always water pots from the top and for long enough that water runs out the hole in the bottom. That flushes salts through the potting mix and away from roots. If you water just a little bit at a time or mist your plants, you will eventually see a layer of a white crust on the top of the potting mix or the pot. That is salt buildup from the salts that are naturally in our water and it is not good for plants. Do not be overwhelmed. Growing houseplants is pretty straightforward, even if you lose a few along the way. It has happened to the best of us. Here is a list of houseplants that do not require frequent watering, courtesy of Jim Booman: • Dracaena marginata • Wax plant (Hoya carnosa) • Snake plant (Sansevieria) • Philodendron • Chinese evergreen (Aglaonema) • Ficus • Lipstick plant (Aeschynanthus) Nan StermanWaterwise GardenerPlants to Stay Home With Online Educational Resources for You and Your Children While Sheltering at Home ADULT RESOURCES: Irrigation Consultations – Online or by Phone Give your irrigation a proper spring tune-up with a one-on-one consultation and guidance to help you achieve an understanding of how to set up, retrofit, operate, and maintain your irrigation system. Register at thegarden.org. Members: $65; nonmembers: $80 Landscape Makeover Videos On-Demand The San Diego County Water Authority offers WaterSmart landscape makeover videos on-demand that guide you step by step to create your own beautiful, water- efficient landscape. You can learn how to measure your property, how to get to know your soil, which plants to choose, where to plant, and more. Visit watersmartsd.org. FAMILY AND CHILDREN RESOURCES: Kindness Bingo (All Ages)Play Ms. Smarty-Plants Kindness Bingo and bring a lot of joy and fun into your home. Your goal is to complete five acts of kindness or more. Play with your family, neighbors, and friends. Visit mssmartyplants.org. Water-Saver Lesson (K-6) Observe, record, and identify water-use ef- ficiency opportunities within your home and landscape. Students, grades K-6, can join Ms. Smarty-Plants for a virtual lesson, field trip, fun quiz, and more to become Earth He- roes from home. Visit mssmartyplants.org. Apart But Not Alone (Elementary-Level Students) The San Diego County Water Authority is offering free online videos that cover a variety of topics related to water and science. Learn about water supplies in the San Diego region, the quality of our tap water, proper ways to wash hands, and more. Visit sdcwa.org/education. With an increase in demand for toilet paper during the COVID-19 pandemic, the Otay Water District reminds its customers to avoid flushing alternatives down the toilet. Although labeled as “flushable” or “disposable,” household products like baby wipes or disinfecting wipes should not be flushed. Most wipes are made of woven fibers that do not easily break down or dissolve. These types of products can clog pipes and cause homeowners expensive and time-consuming plumbing repairs. They can also clog public sewer pipes and pump station equipment that can lead to sewer backups. Customers are encouraged to dispose of these items in the trash, not the toilet. Avoid Flushing Toilet Paper Alternatives I am honored to be serving you, our customers, and our community, and would like to introduce myself as the new general manager of the District. I assumed full duties with the approval of the Board of Directors on March 11 and my predecessor Mark Watton retired on March 27. This transition took place amidst quite a tumultuous time with much of our world shutting down and our lives being altered in countless ways. The challenge ahead is a big one for all of us. Our community consists of residential, small and large businesses, and so much more. We are all doing our part to avoid spreading and contracting the virus, so we are socially distancing ourselves from others, wearing masks, washing our hands, and staying home when possible. Our children are out of school and learning from home. I know this is no easy feat for the parents, teachers, nor the children. I commend all of you for getting through this as best as you can. One thing I do want to make certain during these uncertain times is that the water and wastewater services provided by the District continue to be safe and reliable. Our staff continue to work daily and are just as committed to provide these services because they are essential to your lives, now more than ever. I feel confident in our Board and our staff to continue making decisions as they always have to provide exceptional services to the more than 225,000 customers in our communities and to manage resources in a transparent and fiscally responsible manner. I live in the South Bay and spend much of my time within the District’s service area with my wife and children, so I know how vital this is to all of us. I have been at Otay since 2012 starting as a utility services manager until 2014 and then served as the assistant chief of water operations from 2014 until March of this year. Prior to that, I worked as a consultant on the private side and served in the U.S. Navy as a nuclear submarine officer for seven years. My experience in the private and public sector including the military, contributes to the District’s existing structure and discipline, while also being able to confront difficult times with steady calm. Thank you for being a customer and I look forward to continuing to serve our communities! Items to avoid flushing include, but are not limited to the following: • Disinfecting or baby wipes • Diapers • Feminine hygiene products • Mop refills • Paper towels • Paper rolls • Tissues • Cigarettes • Medicines • Cotton swabs • Bandages • Paint, pesticides or hazardous chemicals • Cat litter T H E O TAY WATER DISTRICT • P R OUDLY SERVING E A ST C OUNT Y A ND TH E S OUTH B A Y SINC E 1956 A NE WSLET TE R FOR CUSTOMER S OF T HE OTAY WATER DISTRICT SPRING 2020 FOLLOW OTAY WATER ON... / SIGA AL DISTRITO DE AGUA DE OTAY EN... OTAY WATER DISTRICT – Board of Directors The Board of Directors meets on the first Wednesday of the month at 3:30 p.m. in the Board meeting room. The public is encouraged to attend at 2554 Sweetwater Springs Boulevard, Spring Valley, CA. PresidentGary Croucher, Division 3gcroucher@otaywater.gov Vice PresidentMark Robak, Division 5mrobak@otaywater.gov TreasurerMitch Thompson, Division 2mthompson@otaywater.gov Board MemberTim Smith, Division 1tsmith@otaywater.gov Board MemberHector Gastelum, Division 4hector@otaywater.gov Dedicated to Community Service FOR MORE INFORMATION ABOUT THE OTAY WATER DISTRICT CALL (619) 670-2222 OR GO TO OTAYWATER.GOV The Pipeline Newsletter is published quartely by the Otay Water District and can also be found online at otaywater.gov. Copywright ©2018 Otay Water District. All rights reserved. Otay Partners with San Diego County Water Authority to Support Food Bank During COVID-19 Crisis The Otay Water District, in partnership with the San Diego County Water Authority and other local water agencies, has launched a virtual food drive to support the San Diego Food Bank. This offers the opportunity for District customers, employees, Board members, and anyone from the public to provide meals to families and seniors affected by the COVID-19 crisis. The District, through employee and public donations, has raised more than $3,100. And the region, through all water agencies has raised nearly $20,000. For details and to donate securely online, visit otaywater.gov/food-drive-covid19. Otay se une a la San Diego County Water Authority para apoyar al Food Bank durante la crisis del COVID-19 El Distrito de Agua de Otay, en colaboración con la San Diego County Water Authority y otras agencias locales de agua, ha lanzado una campaña virtual de colecta de alimentos para apoyar al San Diego Food Bank. Este esfuerzo va a permitir que los clientes del distrito, los empleados, los miembros de la junta directiva, y el público en general proporcionen alimentos a las familias y personas de la tercera edad que han sido afectadas por la crisis del COVID-19. El distrito ha recaudado más de $3,100 a través de donaciones públicas y de empleados, y a nivel regional, todas las agencias de agua han recaudado casi $20,000. Para obtener más información y realizar una donación segura en línea, por favor visite otaywater.gov/food-drive-covid19. Otay Keeps Your Drinking Water Safe Every Day and it is Less Expensive than Bottled Water As your local water provider, the Otay Water District is committed to delivering safe and reliable water to all its customers every day — even during challenging times like the current COVID-19 crisis. The District has been closely monitoring the local, state, and federal advisories regarding the outbreak of COVID-19. And although many challenges are surrounding the virus, it has no impact on the District’s drinking water supplies or services. The virus is transmitted from person to person and not through water. According to the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, there is no evidence to support the survival of COVID-19 in drinking water. The EPA has recommended continuing to drink, cook, and bathe with tap water as usual. That is because water delivered by the District is monitored and tested at various points in the distribution system to ensure its quality and safety. Filtration, chlorine disinfection, and other treatment processes are used to eliminate pathogenic organisms — including inactive viruses and bacteria — in the water supply. The District delivers water of the highest quality and meets all stringent state and federal drinking water requirements. This information is detailed in the District’s annual Consumer Confidence Report, available at otaywater.gov/ConsumerConfidenceReport. With your tap water remaining safe and healthy and no disruption to the District’s water services, there is no need to stockpile on bottled water during this health outbreak. Your tap water is not only safe but also may be more affordable than bottled water. On average, tap water in the region is about three-quarters of a cent per gallon. Plus, there are no waiting lines to purchase or access tap water. To protect the health of the public and its employees, the District’s lobby has been closed until further notice. It has also taken extra precautions by providing a secure and supportive work environment through many staff working remotely from home. Due to the District’s technology enhancements prior to COVID-19, the staff is able to continue most all operations as if they were in the office. For those staff in the field who maintain and repair the District’s water system, they have been asked to keep a safe distance from each other and the public. Prior cross-training has also allowed staff to work on other tasks they may not have normally worked on while at the office. The District continues to follow recommendations provided by the California Department of Public Health and the U.S. Centers for Disease Control. For more information, including COVID-19 resources and bill payment options, visit otaywater.gov/COVID-19. To speak to a customer service representative, call (619) 670-2222 or email customerservice@ otaywater.gov. Otay mantiene su agua potable segura todos los días y es más económica que el agua embotellada Como su proveedor de agua local, el Distrito de Agua de Otay está comprometido a entregar agua segura y confiable a sus clientes todos los días del año, incluso en tiempos difíciles como la crisis del COVID-19. El Distrito está monitoreando muy de cerca las advertencias locales, estatales y federales con respecto al brote del COVID-19. Aunque existen muchos desafíos en torno al virus, estos no tienen impacto en los suministros o servicios de agua potable del Distrito. El virus se transmite de persona a persona, y no a través del agua. De acuerdo con la Agencia Ambiental de los Estados Unidos (EPA, por sus siglas en inglés), no hay pruebas que respaldan la supervivencia del COVID-19 en el agua potable. La EPA recomienda que las personas continúen bebiendo, cocinando y bañándose con agua de la llave como siempre lo han hecho. Esto se debe a que el agua que provee el Distrito es monitoreada y examinada en varios puntos del sistema de distribución para garantizar su calidad y seguridad. Además, se utilizan sistemas de filtración y desinfección con cloro, así como otros procesos de tratamiento para eliminar patógenos, incluyendo virus y bacterias, en el suministro de agua tratada. El Distrito suministra agua de primera calidad y cumple con los requisitos más estrictos estatales y federales de agua potable. Esta información se encuentra en el Informe Anual de Confianza del Consumidor del Distrito de Agua de Otay que está disponible en otaywater.gov/ ConsumerConfidenceReport. Con el agua de la llave que es segura y saludable, y sin tener interrupciones en los servicios de agua del Distrito, no hay necesidad de almacenar agua embotellada durante esta crisis de salud pública. El agua de la llave es segura, pero también es más económica que el agua embotellada. En promedio, un galón de agua de la llave en la región cuesta aproximadamente tres cuartos de centavo. Además, no hay filas de espera para comprar o tener acceso al agua de la llave. La recepción del Distrito está cerrada hasta previo aviso para proteger la salud del público y sus empleados. Aunado a esto, el Distrito ha tomado precauciones adicionales para proporcionar un ambiente de trabajo seguro y de apoyo al facilitar que muchos miembros del personal trabajen de forma remota desde su casa. Gracias a los avances tecnológicos del Distrito, logrados antes de la crisis del COVID-19, el personal puede realizar la mayoría de las operaciones como si estuviera en la oficina. El personal de campo, quienes mantienen y reparan el sistema de agua del Distrito, está guardando una sana distancia entre ellos mismos y el público. Además, la capacitación cruzada previa ha permitido al personal laborar en otras áreas que no habrían trabajado normalmente si estuvieran en la oficina. El Distrito continúa siguiendo las recomendaciones proporcionadas por el Departamento de Salud Pública de California y los Centros para el Control y la Prevención de Enfermedades de los Estados Unidos. Para obtener más información, incluidos los recursos del COVID-19, y opciones de pago de facturas, por favor visite otaywater.gov/COVID-19. Para hablar con un representante de servicio al cliente, por favor llame al (619) 670-2222 o envíe un correo electrónico a customerservice@ otaywater.gov.