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HomeMy WebLinkAboutPipeline 01 - Winter 2020T H E O T A Y W A TER DISTRICT • P R OUDLY SERVING E A ST C OUNT Y A ND TH E S OUTH B A Y SINC E 1956 A NEWSLET T E R FOR CUSTO MER S OF THE O TAY WATER DISTRICT WINTER 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. “Es fórmula pero también es agua del grifo”, ganador del primer lugar por mayor número de likes @cofcheerleader, Michigan. Concurso Drink Tap December. Instagram Contest Winners Capture Why Water is Important During the Holidays Eight photos have been selected as winners of the Otay Water District’s first Instagram photo contests. During the 2019 holiday season, the District invited Instagrammers to submit photos reflecting their appreciation for water. In November, the District launched its first contest: “Thankful for Water.” Nine participants submitted photos tied to the theme of being thankful for water during the holiday season. Photo entries varied. One captured the use of water to prepare for a holiday meal, another captured a selfie by a pond, and others photographed landscapes and wildlife. Although, the entries varied in images, they all depicted our precious resource — water — that is needed during the season and year-round. In December, eight participants submitted photos for the second contest: “Drink Tap December.” This contest focused on why participants find that drinking tap water is important. Some entries included a photo of the ocean below a pier representing how tap water helps keep the ocean plastic-free, a toddler enjoying a bottle of milk made with water from the tap, and a demonstration presented in Tanzania on the difference between clean and unclean water. “I am just thrilled to win! My heart was truly touched to donate a water filter while in Tanzania to a Maasai family in need of the things we take for granted like clean and safe drinking water,” said Margaret Minor, a first- place winner in the “Drink Tap December” contest. Minor lives in the District’s service area in Chula Vista. Four winners from each contest were chosen based on two categories: first and second place with the most “likes” and first and second place who were selected by District staff based on originality, creativity, and theme. Ganadores del concurso en Instagram presentan la importancia del agua durante la temporada decembrina Ya hemos seleccionado a las ocho fotografías ganadoras del primer concurso en Instagram del Distrito de Agua de Otay. Durante la temporada decembrina 2019, el Distrito invitó a los Instagramers a enviar fotografías que reflejaran su aprecio por el agua. En noviembre, el Distrito lanzó su primer concurso Thankful for Water. Nueve participantes sometieron fotografías al concurso con el tema “Agradecidos por el agua” durante las fiestas decembrinas. Las fotografías que se recibieron fueron muy diversas. Una capturó el uso del agua durante la preparación de un típica comida de las fiestas de fin de año; otra fue una selfi junto a un estanque; y otros fotografiaron paisajes y vida silvestre. Aunque las imágenes fueron muy diferentes entre sí, todas retrataron el agua, nuestro recurso más precioso e indispensable durante todo el año. En diciembre, ocho participantes enviaron sus fotografías al segundo concurso Drink Tap December. En este concurso los participantes se centraron en la importancia de beber agua del grifo. Algunas obras incluyeron una fotografía del océano debajo de un muelle que representa cómo el agua del grifo ayuda a mantener el océano libre de plástico; un niño pequeño que disfruta de una botella de leche preparada con agua del grifo; y una demostración presentada en Tanzania sobre la diferencia entre el agua limpia y sucia. “¡Estoy feliz de haber ganado! Me conmoví mucho cuando doné un filtro de agua en Tanzania a una familia Maasai que necesitaba las cosas que nosotros damos por sentado como el agua potable limpia y segura”, dijo Margaret Minor, ganadora del primer lugar del concurso Drink Tap December. Minor vive en el área de servicio del Distrito en Chula Vista. Se eligieron cuatro ganadores de cada concurso en dos categorías: primer y segundo lugar con más likes; y primer y segundo lugar seleccionados por el personal del Distrito en función de la originalidad, la creatividad y el tema. To see the eight winning entries, visit otaywater.gov/ig-contest-19-winners. Para ver las ocho fotografías ganadoras, por favor visite otaywater.gov/ig-contest-19-winners. “Tengo profundo agradecimiento por el agua ya que crea cosas y paisajes hermosos como se muestra en mi imagen. El agua crea nubes, tierras exuberantes y un hermoso hogar para las criaturas marinas”, ganador del primer lugar por haber obtenido el mayor número de likes @cm_photography_and_design, Riverside. Concurso Thankful for Water. “Gracias al agua porque puedo enjuagar las frutas y verduras del jardín que voy a utilizar en la preparación de la cena para las fiestas”, ganador del primer lugar por mejor fotografía @lzetouna, Jamul. Concurso Thankful for Water. “Somos afortunados de vivir en un país que tiene agua limpia. Solo la mitad de los 22 millones de habitantes de Tanzania tienen acceso a agua potable limpia”, primer ganador de la mejor fotografía @sflyflyom, Chula Vista. Concurso Drink Tap December. “It might be formula, but it’s also tap water! Keeping baby healthy!” “Drink Tap December” First-Place Winner for Most “Likes” @cofcheerleader, Michigan. “…thankful for water because it creates beautiful things and landscapes as shown in my image. It creates clouds, lush lands and a beautiful home for sea creatures…” “Thankful for Water” First-Place Winner for Most “Likes” @cm_photography_and_design, Riverside. “Thankful for water to rinse garden fruits and vegetables to serve for the holiday meal.” “Thankful for Water” First-Place Winner for “Best” Photo @lzetouna, Jamul. “We are fortunate to live in a country that has clean water. Only half of Tanzania’s 22 million people have access to clean drinking water.” “Drink Tap December” First-Place Winner for “Best” Photo @sanflymom, Chula Vista. 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 The holidays are past, and all the decorations put away. What will you do with your poinsettias? Plant them, of course! Poinsettias’ botanical name is Euphorbia pulcherrima. They are native to tropical forests of Mexico and Central America where they grow ten or twelve feet tall and wide. What look like poinsettia flowers are actually bright colored bracts. The true flowers are tiny, yellow, and sit in the very center of the bracts. The bracts, though, are what make poinsettias so beautiful, and are also what breeders tinker with to create different colors and patterns. While the wild plants have been tamed somewhat, potted poinsettias are not intended to be houseplants long term. So, keeping potted poinsettias going through the holidays can be a challenge. Your poinsettias will do best in a spot with bright light, where temperatures stay around 65 degrees day and night. Drainage is critical, in fact, most poinsettias succumb to overwatering – they literally drown. So, remove the fancy foil wrapper as soon as you bring the plant into your house. If you put a plate or bowl beneath the pot to catch excess water, prop the pot up on gravel or on pot feet so the poinsettia does not sit in water. When you water, take the pot to the sink and let the water run into it slowly, until it saturates the soil and starts to drip out the bottom. Wait for the surface to dry out before watering again. Once the holidays are over, do not throw your poinsettias away; plant them in your garden instead. If you live along the coast, plant just after the New Year. Inland, keep poinsettias indoors in their pots after the last frost in spring, then plant. Your poinsettias will bloom again, in the ground, if they are planted in a spot that gets total nighttime darkness from September to December. How much light they get during the day is not nearly as important as the darkness they get overnight. If there is a security light nearby or a streetlight, a bright window, or just twinkly lights, the plants will grow but the showy bracts will stay green, rather than turn red or pink or even gold. Plant your poinsettias in soil that drains well, so the roots do not stay wet – just like in pot. Do not be surprised if they drop all their leaves right after you plant them. Be patient while they recover from transplant shock. Once the days warm up past 60 degrees, your poinsettias will sprout new growth. At that point, give them some all-purpose organic fertilizer and continue to fertilize through the growing season, following the directions on the label. If you like big, rangy poinsettias, do not bother pruning. But if you prefer a more compact, bushier plant, prune according to the holidays. Prune the branches back by as much as half on Memorial Day. Do the same thing on the Fourth of July and again on Labor Day. Shape the plant as you prune. New flower buds start to form after Labor Day, so do not prune them again or you will cut off the buds. By the way, poinsettias were long thought to be toxic, but that has proven to be an urban myth. Like other members of the Euphorbia family, they do have a white milky sap that can irritate skin and damage eyes. That said, as you enjoy your potted poinsettia on the dining room table, it is best to wash your hands if a branch breaks off and the white sap drips onto your skin. And if you already threw your poinsettias away, at least you have an idea for this year’s holiday season! Nan StermanWaterwise Gardener Register for classes or events at thegarden.org or call (619) 660-0614x10 Gardening for Grownups with Ms. Smarty-Plants Saturday, March 19, 5 - 6 p.m. Enjoy tasty treats, make a take-home craft, and join fellow home gardeners in a playful discussion on plants and sustainability with Ms. Smarty-Plants. Members: $8; nonmembers: $12 Spring Garden & Butterfly Festival Saturday, Apr. 25, 9 a.m. – 3 p.m. Bring your family to celebrate spring and a green future with educational programs, exhibitors, and demonstrations that highlight conservation of resources and culture. Free admission. UPCOMING EVENTS Post-Holiday Poinsettia Practices FREE 2020 Faces of the Water Industry Calendar Pick up the first-ever calendar to highlight the important roles of water industry professionals including Otay employees. To reserve your copy, email your name to esalmeron@otaywater.gov. Once you receive a confirmation email, please print and bring it to the front desk at 2554 Sweetwater Springs Blvd, Spring Valley, CA 91978. We are open Monday-Friday, 8 a.m. - 5 p.m. One copy per residence, while supplies last. Mark Watton is retiring from the Otay Water District after serving as the general manger for more than 15 years. Watton’s service to the District and its customers began with his election to the Otay board of directors in 1983. He served four one-year terms as board president and retired from the board in 2001. Watton returned to Otay as its general manager in 2004. As a public servant, Watton has continued to protect Otay’s water customers from increases in the price of wholesale water, energy, and recycled water by reprioritization of capital improvement costs, exercising discipline over payroll costs, and making strategic investments in technology, employees, and process improvements. Although Otay and many water agencies face several challenges, Watton has led a staff that works through these challenges to continue Otay’s effectiveness in providing reliable water, recycled water, and sewer services efficiently, minimizing impacts to its ratepayers. “I look back on all of my years dedicated to the District and I’m thrilled to see where it is now,” says Watton. “I have no doubt that with our terrific staff and talented new general manager, the District will continue on its path of success.” Watton leaves a desired legacy, not just at Otay, but in the water industry. He is held in high regard as a thought leader throughout the state and beyond. Watton’s dedication to community service at Otay and in the region’s water industry is unmatched. For all of this and more, the Otay Board and staff will not forget his leadership, fiscal stewardship and commitment to Otay’s customers and its staff, and at the same time wish him the best on his future endeavors and look forward to what the future of Otay holds, continuing to sustain the quality of services that customers expect. A big thank you to Mark Watton for his commitment, determination, and leadership! Mark Watton Retires After More Than 15 Years as the General Manager of Otay and Nearly Four Decades of Dedicated Service in the Water Industry Update Your Contact Information for Your Billing Account Due to recent changes in Senate Bill 998, the District will no longer be contacting customers with delinquent accounts via U.S. mail. A customer with a past due bill should now expect an automated phone call, email, or text. For this reason, the District reminds customers to ensure their contact information (phone number and email) is up-to-date by contacting the District at contact@otaywater.gov or (619) 670-2222. Governor Signs AB 1588: New Law Paves the Way for Veterans and Will Increase the Pool of Qualified Applicants in California’s Water Industry Water and wastewater treatment is an essential industry. Aging infrastructure and workforce in the water industry, combined with more than 250,000 U.S. military members leaving military service each year, led the Otay Water District and the San Diego County Water Authority to cosponsor AB 1588. And in October 2019, Governor Gavin Newsom signed AB 1588 (Gloria/Gray) into law, which provides a path for veterans transitioning to civilian employment to receive credit for their military experience and education toward certifications in the water industry. In addition, this new law should help the state’s industry replace a wave of retiring Baby Boomers. Assemblymembers Todd Gloria (San Diego) and Adam Gray (Merced) introduced the bill; several other state legislators co-authored it. U.S. Navy veteran and new Otay General Manager Jose Martinez initiated the idea of the bill. “We’d like to open up this talent pool to all those qualified,” says Martinez. “Veterans are the right candidates to fill these jobs because of the work they’ve already demonstrated in their careers and their time in the military.” The San Diego region alone employs approximately 4,500 water and wastewater workers, with more than 1,400 of those workers expected to reach retirement age by 2024. Statewide, there are approximately 6,000 active certified wastewater treatment plant operators, and approximately 35,000 drinking water treatment and distribution operators in California. Water agencies like Otay are working with the State Water Resources Control Board to define the process of this new law. Nevertheless, it is underway and includes having a veteran with water industry experience serve on a regulatory advisory board along with water industry members. Until the process is defined, Otay, other water agencies, community colleges, veterans’ advocates, and other organizations will educate and raise awareness among veterans about why careers in the water industry represent a great opportunity. For more details, visit otaywater.gov/ab-1588. State legislators, water industry leaders, veterans’ advocates, and business and community organizations gathered at the Veterans Museum in Balboa Park on Oct. 16 to celebrate Gov. Gavin Newsom’s signing of AB 1588. 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 The holidays are past, and all the decorations put away. What will you do with your poinsettias? Plant them, of course! Poinsettias’ botanical name is Euphorbia pulcherrima. They are native to tropical forests of Mexico and Central America where they grow ten or twelve feet tall and wide. What look like poinsettia flowers are actually bright colored bracts. The true flowers are tiny, yellow, and sit in the very center of the bracts. The bracts, though, are what make poinsettias so beautiful, and are also what breeders tinker with to create different colors and patterns. While the wild plants have been tamed somewhat, potted poinsettias are not intended to be houseplants long term. So, keeping potted poinsettias going through the holidays can be a challenge. Your poinsettias will do best in a spot with bright light, where temperatures stay around 65 degrees day and night. Drainage is critical, in fact, most poinsettias succumb to overwatering – they literally drown. So, remove the fancy foil wrapper as soon as you bring the plant into your house. If you put a plate or bowl beneath the pot to catch excess water, prop the pot up on gravel or on pot feet so the poinsettia does not sit in water. When you water, take the pot to the sink and let the water run into it slowly, until it saturates the soil and starts to drip out the bottom. Wait for the surface to dry out before watering again. Once the holidays are over, do not throw your poinsettias away; plant them in your garden instead. If you live along the coast, plant just after the New Year. Inland, keep poinsettias indoors in their pots after the last frost in spring, then plant. Your poinsettias will bloom again, in the ground, if they are planted in a spot that gets total nighttime darkness from September to December. How much light they get during the day is not nearly as important as the darkness they get overnight. If there is a security light nearby or a streetlight, a bright window, or just twinkly lights, the plants will grow but the showy bracts will stay green, rather than turn red or pink or even gold. Plant your poinsettias in soil that drains well, so the roots do not stay wet – just like in pot. Do not be surprised if they drop all their leaves right after you plant them. Be patient while they recover from transplant shock. Once the days warm up past 60 degrees, your poinsettias will sprout new growth. At that point, give them some all-purpose organic fertilizer and continue to fertilize through the growing season, following the directions on the label. If you like big, rangy poinsettias, do not bother pruning. But if you prefer a more compact, bushier plant, prune according to the holidays. Prune the branches back by as much as half on Memorial Day. Do the same thing on the Fourth of July and again on Labor Day. Shape the plant as you prune. New flower buds start to form after Labor Day, so do not prune them again or you will cut off the buds. By the way, poinsettias were long thought to be toxic, but that has proven to be an urban myth. Like other members of the Euphorbia family, they do have a white milky sap that can irritate skin and damage eyes. That said, as you enjoy your potted poinsettia on the dining room table, it is best to wash your hands if a branch breaks off and the white sap drips onto your skin. And if you already threw your poinsettias away, at least you have an idea for this year’s holiday season! Nan StermanWaterwise Gardener Register for classes or events at thegarden.org or call (619) 660-0614x10 Gardening for Grownups with Ms. Smarty-Plants Saturday, March 19, 5 - 6 p.m. Enjoy tasty treats, make a take-home craft, and join fellow home gardeners in a playful discussion on plants and sustainability with Ms. Smarty-Plants. Members: $8; nonmembers: $12 Spring Garden & Butterfly Festival Saturday, Apr. 25, 9 a.m. – 3 p.m. Bring your family to celebrate spring and a green future with educational programs, exhibitors, and demonstrations that highlight conservation of resources and culture. Free admission. UPCOMING EVENTS Post-Holiday Poinsettia Practices FREE 2020 Faces of the Water Industry Calendar Pick up the first-ever calendar to highlight the important roles of water industry professionals including Otay employees. To reserve your copy, email your name to esalmeron@otaywater.gov. Once you receive a confirmation email, please print and bring it to the front desk at 2554 Sweetwater Springs Blvd, Spring Valley, CA 91978. We are open Monday-Friday, 8 a.m. - 5 p.m. One copy per residence, while supplies last. Mark Watton is retiring from the Otay Water District after serving as the general manger for more than 15 years. Watton’s service to the District and its customers began with his election to the Otay board of directors in 1983. He served four one-year terms as board president and retired from the board in 2001. Watton returned to Otay as its general manager in 2004. As a public servant, Watton has continued to protect Otay’s water customers from increases in the price of wholesale water, energy, and recycled water by reprioritization of capital improvement costs, exercising discipline over payroll costs, and making strategic investments in technology, employees, and process improvements. Although Otay and many water agencies face several challenges, Watton has led a staff that works through these challenges to continue Otay’s effectiveness in providing reliable water, recycled water, and sewer services efficiently, minimizing impacts to its ratepayers. “I look back on all of my years dedicated to the District and I’m thrilled to see where it is now,” says Watton. “I have no doubt that with our terrific staff and talented new general manager, the District will continue on its path of success.” Watton leaves a desired legacy, not just at Otay, but in the water industry. He is held in high regard as a thought leader throughout the state and beyond. Watton’s dedication to community service at Otay and in the region’s water industry is unmatched. For all of this and more, the Otay Board and staff will not forget his leadership, fiscal stewardship and commitment to Otay’s customers and its staff, and at the same time wish him the best on his future endeavors and look forward to what the future of Otay holds, continuing to sustain the quality of services that customers expect. A big thank you to Mark Watton for his commitment, determination, and leadership! Mark Watton Retires After More Than 15 Years as the General Manager of Otay and Nearly Four Decades of Dedicated Service in the Water Industry Update Your Contact Information for Your Billing Account Due to recent changes in Senate Bill 998, the District will no longer be contacting customers with delinquent accounts via U.S. mail. A customer with a past due bill should now expect an automated phone call, email, or text. For this reason, the District reminds customers to ensure their contact information (phone number and email) is up-to-date by contacting the District at contact@otaywater.gov or (619) 670-2222. Governor Signs AB 1588: New Law Paves the Way for Veterans and Will Increase the Pool of Qualified Applicants in California’s Water Industry Water and wastewater treatment is an essential industry. Aging infrastructure and workforce in the water industry, combined with more than 250,000 U.S. military members leaving military service each year, led the Otay Water District and the San Diego County Water Authority to cosponsor AB 1588. And in October 2019, Governor Gavin Newsom signed AB 1588 (Gloria/Gray) into law, which provides a path for veterans transitioning to civilian employment to receive credit for their military experience and education toward certifications in the water industry. In addition, this new law should help the state’s industry replace a wave of retiring Baby Boomers. Assemblymembers Todd Gloria (San Diego) and Adam Gray (Merced) introduced the bill; several other state legislators co-authored it. U.S. Navy veteran and new Otay General Manager Jose Martinez initiated the idea of the bill. “We’d like to open up this talent pool to all those qualified,” says Martinez. “Veterans are the right candidates to fill these jobs because of the work they’ve already demonstrated in their careers and their time in the military.” The San Diego region alone employs approximately 4,500 water and wastewater workers, with more than 1,400 of those workers expected to reach retirement age by 2024. Statewide, there are approximately 6,000 active certified wastewater treatment plant operators, and approximately 35,000 drinking water treatment and distribution operators in California. Water agencies like Otay are working with the State Water Resources Control Board to define the process of this new law. Nevertheless, it is underway and includes having a veteran with water industry experience serve on a regulatory advisory board along with water industry members. Until the process is defined, Otay, other water agencies, community colleges, veterans’ advocates, and other organizations will educate and raise awareness among veterans about why careers in the water industry represent a great opportunity. For more details, visit otaywater.gov/ab-1588. State legislators, water industry leaders, veterans’ advocates, and business and community organizations gathered at the Veterans Museum in Balboa Park on Oct. 16 to celebrate Gov. Gavin Newsom’s signing of AB 1588. T H E O T A Y W ATER DISTRICT • P R OUDLY SERVING E A ST C OUNT Y A ND TH E S OUTH B A Y SINC E 1956 A NEWSLET T E R FOR CUSTO MER S OF T HE OTAY WATER DISTRICT WINTER 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. “Es fórmula pero también es agua del grifo”, ganador del primer lugar por mayor número de likes @cofcheerleader, Michigan. Concurso Drink Tap December. Instagram Contest Winners Capture Why Water is Important During the Holidays Eight photos have been selected as winners of the Otay Water District’s first Instagram photo contests. During the 2019 holiday season, the District invited Instagrammers to submit photos reflecting their appreciation for water. In November, the District launched its first contest: “Thankful for Water.” Nine participants submitted photos tied to the theme of being thankful for water during the holiday season. Photo entries varied. One captured the use of water to prepare for a holiday meal, another captured a selfie by a pond, and others photographed landscapes and wildlife. Although, the entries varied in images, they all depicted our precious resource — water — that is needed during the season and year-round. In December, eight participants submitted photos for the second contest: “Drink Tap December.” This contest focused on why participants find that drinking tap water is important. Some entries included a photo of the ocean below a pier representing how tap water helps keep the ocean plastic-free, a toddler enjoying a bottle of milk made with water from the tap, and a demonstration presented in Tanzania on the difference between clean and unclean water. “I am just thrilled to win! My heart was truly touched to donate a water filter while in Tanzania to a Maasai family in need of the things we take for granted like clean and safe drinking water,” said Margaret Minor, a first- place winner in the “Drink Tap December” contest. Minor lives in the District’s service area in Chula Vista. Four winners from each contest were chosen based on two categories: first and second place with the most “likes” and first and second place who were selected by District staff based on originality, creativity, and theme. Ganadores del concurso en Instagram presentan la importancia del agua durante la temporada decembrina Ya hemos seleccionado a las ocho fotografías ganadoras del primer concurso en Instagram del Distrito de Agua de Otay. Durante la temporada decembrina 2019, el Distrito invitó a los Instagramers a enviar fotografías que reflejaran su aprecio por el agua. En noviembre, el Distrito lanzó su primer concurso Thankful for Water. Nueve participantes sometieron fotografías al concurso con el tema “Agradecidos por el agua” durante las fiestas decembrinas. Las fotografías que se recibieron fueron muy diversas. Una capturó el uso del agua durante la preparación de un típica comida de las fiestas de fin de año; otra fue una selfi junto a un estanque; y otros fotografiaron paisajes y vida silvestre. Aunque las imágenes fueron muy diferentes entre sí, todas retrataron el agua, nuestro recurso más precioso e indispensable durante todo el año. En diciembre, ocho participantes enviaron sus fotografías al segundo concurso Drink Tap December. En este concurso los participantes se centraron en la importancia de beber agua del grifo. Algunas obras incluyeron una fotografía del océano debajo de un muelle que representa cómo el agua del grifo ayuda a mantener el océano libre de plástico; un niño pequeño que disfruta de una botella de leche preparada con agua del grifo; y una demostración presentada en Tanzania sobre la diferencia entre el agua limpia y sucia. “¡Estoy feliz de haber ganado! Me conmoví mucho cuando doné un filtro de agua en Tanzania a una familia Maasai que necesitaba las cosas que nosotros damos por sentado como el agua potable limpia y segura”, dijo Margaret Minor, ganadora del primer lugar del concurso Drink Tap December. Minor vive en el área de servicio del Distrito en Chula Vista. Se eligieron cuatro ganadores de cada concurso en dos categorías: primer y segundo lugar con más likes; y primer y segundo lugar seleccionados por el personal del Distrito en función de la originalidad, la creatividad y el tema. To see the eight winning entries, visit otaywater.gov/ig-contest-19-winners. Para ver las ocho fotografías ganadoras, por favor visite otaywater.gov/ig-contest-19-winners. “Tengo profundo agradecimiento por el agua ya que crea cosas y paisajes hermosos como se muestra en mi imagen. El agua crea nubes, tierras exuberantes y un hermoso hogar para las criaturas marinas”, ganador del primer lugar por haber obtenido el mayor número de likes @cm_photography_and_design, Riverside. Concurso Thankful for Water. “Gracias al agua porque puedo enjuagar las frutas y verduras del jardín que voy a utilizar en la preparación de la cena para las fiestas”, ganador del primer lugar por mejor fotografía @lzetouna, Jamul. Concurso Thankful for Water. “Somos afortunados de vivir en un país que tiene agua limpia. Solo la mitad de los 22 millones de habitantes de Tanzania tienen acceso a agua potable limpia”, primer ganador de la mejor fotografía @sflyflyom, Chula Vista. Concurso Drink Tap December. “It might be formula, but it’s also tap water! Keeping baby healthy!” “Drink Tap December” First-Place Winner for Most “Likes” @cofcheerleader, Michigan. “…thankful for water because it creates beautiful things and landscapes as shown in my image. It creates clouds, lush lands and a beautiful home for sea creatures…” “Thankful for Water” First-Place Winner for Most “Likes” @cm_photography_and_design, Riverside. “Thankful for water to rinse garden fruits and vegetables to serve for the holiday meal.” “Thankful for Water” First-Place Winner for “Best” Photo @lzetouna, Jamul. “We are fortunate to live in a country that has clean water. Only half of Tanzania’s 22 million people have access to clean drinking water.” “Drink Tap December” First-Place Winner for “Best” Photo @sanflymom, Chula Vista.