Rincon del Diablo Municipal Water District

Rincon del Diablo Municipal Water District has been recognized as one of the Best Places to Work in San Diego County. This honor came thanks to the hard work of our incredible employees and the culture of service they embrace every day. Over the next several months, we’re going to introduce you to the dedicated, amazing people who are the heart of Rincon Water!

MEET ALEX!

Alex Anderson loves working with -- and figuring out -- new technology, which is ideal as he’s the Information Technology Manager for Rincon Water! Alex works behind the scenes to support day-to-day operations, providing IT security and keeping everything running safely for Rincon’s customers, the Board of Directors and the entire staff.

Alex has more than 26 years of experience working in IT, starting his career with the City of Murrieta before moving into the private sector and then to Rincon in 2023.

The biggest challenge for Alex (and the biggest challenge for most people working in IT) is cybersecurity. Unfortunately, bad actors are working day and night to disrupt or even hold computer systems and data for ransom. Alex works diligently to check Rincon’s systems for vulnerabilities and fix any areas of weakness; your privacy and information security is his No. 1 priority.

Another area of focus is rolling out new technologies and equipment. While change is often difficult, it’s necessary to ensure Rincon is using the most efficient and reliable technology for its critical systems.

In his free time, Alex loves live music – attending as many concerts as he can fit into his schedule. His last concert was Pearl Jam, but at the top of his list of “best concerts” is the Human League who he saw at the Darker Waves Festival in Huntington Beach.

Rincon del Diablo Municipal Water District has been recognized as one of the Best Places to Work in San Diego County. This honor came thanks to the hard work of our incredible employees and the culture of service they embrace every day. Over the next several months, we’re going to introduce you to the dedicated, amazing people who are the heart of Rincon Water!

Meet Jesus Duenas!

Jesus Duenas has been with Rincon Water for the past three years, having joined us from a facilities maintenance position at a local casino resort. In his job at the resort, Jesus was tasked with fixing anything and everything that was broken – a key skill set he brought with him to his role at Rincon.

Moving from hospitality to the water industry was a significant change, but a friend working at another water district recommended it as a strategic career path. It didn’t take Jesus long to realize how true this was; Rincon Water offers opportunities for career growth and a much better work-life balance, allowing him to spend more time with his family.

Jesus has lived in North County for the past 10 years and he welcomes the wide range of work he does for Rincon Water and its customers. Recently, he passed the Distribution 1 certification and began working more in the community, a role he finds exciting and fulfilling. It was his co-workers who encouraged him to return to school to receive his advanced certification; since then, he has achieved his Distribution 2 certification, giving him the skills required to work on critical water infrastructure.

Outside of work, Jesus and his family are passionate about soccer, playing together on weekends near their Temecula home. His 8-year-old son plays for a local soccer club, and both Jesus and his wife, who met playing soccer, have been involved in the sport since they were young. They both play recreationally and are planning for their 4-year-old daughter to pick up the sport when she gets a bit older

The family is also in love with Disney movies, with "Up" and "Inside Out" being among their favorites. Much to the excitement of his children, Jesus and his wife recently added a dog named Simba to their family – a tribute to The Lion King.

If Jesus were giving advice to anyone considering a career change, he would encourage them to pursue a position in the water industry. He finds it is a profession full of opportunities and he takes great pride in his work at Rincon Water.

Rincon del Diablo Municipal Water District has been recognized as one of the Best Places to Work in San Diego County. This honor came thanks to the hard work of our incredible employees and the culture of service they embrace every day. Over the next several months, we’re going to introduce you to the dedicated, amazing people who are the heart of Rincon Water!

Sean Glaser has been a dedicated member of the Rincon Water team for more than two decades. He started his journey in facilities maintenance and transitioned three years ago to his current role as an Administrative Assistant in Conservation. Sean's passion lies in helping customers understand their water usage and assisting them in saving both water and money.

One of Sean’s proudest accomplishments is his certification as an irrigation auditor. Through Rincon's home landscape survey program, Sean helps coordinate on-site inspections and field notes to help customers reduce water consumption. This free service, available to our customers every three years, helps address common issues like leaks and inefficient irrigation. Sean is also responsible for ensuring compliance with backflow measures, crucial for both residential and business customers.

Sean's commitment to educating future generations is clear from his outreach work. This year, he conducted 11 classroom visits for 4th-grade students in schools across the district, focusing on preventing storm drain pollution. He finds it amazing how much these students already understand about water conservation.
One of the most rewarding aspects of Sean's job is talking to customers every day. He takes pride in helping them resolve questions about their water bills, feeling like a detective as he identifies the underlying issues and provides guidance that can save customers money.

Outside of work, Sean enjoys creating and playing ambient music with effect pedals. As a talented musician, he is influenced by his favorite group, the Cure. He’s also an enthusiastic sci-fi fan, with a special love for Star Trek. He's attended 20 Star Trek conventions, meeting many cast members. At home, he and his wife are kept company by two cats, Onyx and Marble, 7-year-old brothers whose names are inspired by their colors. When he's not at work, you might find him at Felix's BBQ with Soul in San Marcos, enjoying some St. Louis ribs.

Sean's story is a testament to all of the dedicated people at Rincon Water who truly care about their jobs, the community, and ensuring that our customers receive exceptional, personalized service.

- Rincon Water Flips the Switch on Solar Energy at Rockhoff Pump Station -

Rincon del Diablo Municipal Water District this week launched a 40-kilowatt solar power generating project at its Rockhoff Pump Station, which provides potable water to 800 of the District’s customers.

The solar array consists of 159 ground-mounted panels, which will provide enough power to operate the system during daylight hours. The system will continue to operate from the power grid overnight and when solar conditions are unfavorable.

“The Rockhoff Pump Station has been the biggest consumer of power in our water system, typically using more than $150,000 of electricity per year,” said Clint Baze, General Manager of Rincon Water. “This is an important first step in lowering our power consumption and building a more resilient and efficient distribution system for our customers.”

The District is planning to expand its use of solar power, including at the Harmony Grove Water Reclamation Facility. Rincon Water currently uses smaller-scale solar energy for its Supervisory Control and Data Acquisition (SCADA) network, which allows for the supervision and monitoring of the water system.

“We are looking to expand solar within our district where it makes financial sense. Our goal is to provide safe and reliable water for our customers as efficiently as possible,” Baze said.

Happy World Water Day!

Today, on the 31st annual commemoration of World Water Day, we encourage people to celebrate the importance of water in our lives. We also need to remember the critical need to conserve and protect this precious resource.

Like many regions, San Diego County faces serious water challenges, including droughts, increasing demand and limited supply. But together, we can make a difference!

Here are some simple ways you can help:
• Fix leaks promptly to prevent water waste.
• Reduce water usage by taking shorter showers and turning off the tap while brushing your teeth.
• Water your lawn and plants during cooler parts of the day to minimize evaporation.
• Support water-friendly landscaping with native plants that require less water.

At Rincon Water, we are committed to being a responsible guardian of this precious resource and helping our customers be strong advocates as well.

Every drop saved makes a big impact. Let’s work together to ensure a sustainable future for our communities and our planet.

Rincon del Diablo Municipal Water District has been recognized as one of the Best Places to Work in San Diego County. This honor came thanks to the hard work of our incredible employees and the culture of service they embrace every day. Over the next several months, we’re going to introduce you to the dedicated, amazing people who are the heart of Rincon Water!

Meet Tawni Alarid – Rincon Water’s Human Resources and Risk Analyst who joined the organization in 2019.

After spending five years with the City of San Diego, Tawni joined the Rincon Water team, where she currently serves as our Human Resources and Risk Analyst. Although working in a public utility wasn’t her original career goal, she fell in love with the field's complexities.

Tawni is a true believer in the importance of water conservation and safety. She wishes more people understood the incredible effort needed to maintain water quality and environmental standards – both for drinking water and wastewater treatment. At Rincon Water, she enjoys how the role gives her the opportunity to collaborate with every department, advocating for employees and fostering a supportive atmosphere.

Outside of work, Tawni loves the challenge of coaching youth soccer and enjoys exploring the diverse offerings across San Diego County, from its beaches (particularly Encinitas and Cardiff) to its culinary delights (she’s a big fan of the burgers at Rocky’s in Crown Point!), all while juggling hobbies like baseball, soccer, and boxing.
Tawni lives in Escondido with her husband, three kids and a lively Boxer named Lulu. She’s deeply rooted in the Escondido community, actively participating in school councils and advisory committees.

Tawni is a strong advocate for careers in the water industry. Her advice for aspiring water professionals? Embrace the vast number of opportunities in the field, whether through trades or academia. “Most people don’t realize how many fulfilling jobs there are in water – every state, county and city has a need for water utility employees.”

Unique Training at Rincon's Reclamation Facility...

Rincon del Diablo Municipal Water District had the pleasure of hosting elite firefighters from area departments on Jan. 24 for highly specialized mountain search and rescue training. The firefighters used the rock cliffs over a recycled water retention pond at Rincon’s Harmony Grove Water Reclamation Facility to simulate various rescue situations.

This is the second time Rincon has been able to host an important training event at our facility. It’s part of our organization’s DNA to work hard toward goals that benefit our community – and this is a unique way to continue those contributions.

The Harmony Grove Water Reclamation Facility treats about 90,000 gallons of waste every day on average and has a maximum capacity of 250,000 gallons and as has been acknowledged by the National Association of Clean Water Agencies as a Gold Peak Performance facility. Rincon team members work around the clock to keep the water system safe, clean, efficient, and reliable – and the Harmony Grove plant ensures water is treated properly and used effectively. The surrounding neighborhood and parks are irrigated with recycled water from this facility, keeping our community green and beautiful.

We are proud of our award- winning Water Reclamation facility and can’t wait to give you a peek inside. Watch for our virtual tour coming soon to www.rinconwater.org.

DON'T MISS THIS VERY SPECIAL, INTERGALACTIC AND FUN EVENT!

The 25th Annual Fire and Water Expo on Saturday, September 23rd will be a fun and exciting event showcasing fire safety, disaster preparedness, water conservation, and quality of life issues for the whole family – and it’s free!

The event will be held at Escondido Fire Station #4, Kit Carson Park (3301 Bear Valley Parkway, Escondido), where visitors of all ages will enjoy fire engine rides, free crafts, a K9 demonstration, a helicopter landing, timely water conservation information and tips, health and safety tips, lots of information from area agencies and organizations, and MUCH more!

The theme this year is “To Safety and Beyond,” reminding everyone about the importance of having a safety plan in place BEFORE an emergency, such as wildfire or drought, occurs. And this year, in support of the intergalactic theme, special guests from Palomar Observatory will be there and will help you to see solar flares on the sun using a special telescope.

Don't forget to bring your camera!!

For more info, visit: firewaterexpo.com

Home | Firewaterexpo

DON'T MISS THIS VERY SPECIAL, FUN INTERGALACTIC EVENT!

The 25th Annual Fire and Water Expo on Saturday, September 23rd will be a fun and exciting event showcasing fire safety, disaster preparedness, water conservation, and quality of life issues for the whole family – and it’s free!

The event will be held at Escondido Fire Station #4, Kit Carson Park (3301 Bear Valley Parkway, Escondido), where visitors of all ages will enjoy fire engine rides, helicopter landing, safety tips, timely water conservation information and tips, lots of information from area agencies and organizations, and MUCH more!

The theme this year is “To Safety and Beyond,” reminding everyone about the importance of having a safety plan in place BEFORE an emergency. And in support of the intergalactic theme, this year we have special guests from Palomar Observatory who will be helping you to view solar flares on the sun with a special telescope.

Need more info? Visit: www.firewaterexpo.org

DON'T MISS THIS FUN & IMPORTANT EVENT

The 22nd Annual Fire and Water Expo on Saturday, September 24th will be a fun and exciting event showcasing fire safety, disaster preparedness, water conservation, and quality of life issues for the whole family – and it’s free!

The event will be held at Escondido Fire Station #4, Kit Carson Park (3301 Bear Valley Parkway, Escondido), where visitors of all ages will enjoy fire engine rides, a farm animal petting zoo, a K9 demonstration, a medical helicopter landing, timely water conservation information and tips, lots of information from area agencies and organizations, and MUCH more!

The theme this year is “Constructing Your Safety Plan,” reminding everyone about the importance of having a safety plan in place BEFORE an emergency, such as wildfire or drought, occurs.

For more info, visit: www.firewaterexpo.org

The Escondido Fire Department and Rincon del Diablo Fire District have shared in the traditional goal of saving lives and safeguarding property over many decades. And with recent unprecedented rainfall, wildfire prevention and preparedness are more critical than ever. As a result, both agencies are teaming up once again on Saturday, September 25th from 10:00 am to 2:00 pm at Fire Station #4 located at the Mary Lane entrance to Kit Carson Park, 3301 Bear Valley Parkway.

This year’s expo, Farm Fresh is agriculture-theme to honor Escondido’s rich agricultural history! Farm Fresh will provide families and friends with an opportunity to access information, products, and other resources in order to be well-prepared for the fire season. A variety of businesses and organizations will staff booths and displays during the event to provide information about everything from fire safety and prevention, to water conservation, pet care, and more.

The Expo, which is a free community event and an annual tradition for the past twenty-five years, will be a fun experience for all ages. Expo-goers will have an opportunity to talk with hardworking first responders, see firefighting equipment up close, as well as learn how to prevent fires and prepare for emergencies. A CalFire helicopter landing, a simulated auto extrication using the jaws of life, farm animals, food trucks, shaved ice, and kettle corn will round out this exciting event.

For more information, please visit www.rinconwater.org. See you there!

WARN – Water Awareness in Residential Neighborhoods.

While you are enjoying a swimming pool to beat the summer heat, Rincon Water and its partner, the Escondido Fire Department, would like to remind you to practice life-saving tips based on the “Safer 3”: Safer Kids, Safer Water, and Safer Response. By remembering these safety tips when you live or play around water - you may save the life of a child you know and love.

Safer Kids – Never leave a child unsupervised around water. Assign an adult “Water Watcher” to maintain constant supervision. Always watch children around any water environment including a pool, stream, lake, beach, bathtub, toilet, or even a bucket of water!

Safer Water – Have life-saving equipment such as ring buoys or reaching poles available for use and know how to use them. Take steps to minimize unauthorized use of a pool. Install fencing with self-closing and self-latching gates and alarms around pools. Lock all doors and windows leading to a pool.

Safer Response – If you find someone in trouble in the water, yell for help and get them out of immediately. Call 9-1-1 and stay on the line. Follow the instructions of the 9-1-1 operator until help arrives and begin CPR if you are trained. Non-swimmers should reach or throw - but don’t jump in - to pull the person out of the water. Instead, reach with an arm/leg, broom/mop handle, reaching pole, or wet towel. Other options would be to throw in a lifejacket, ring buoy, ball, or anything that floats.

For more important tips, please visit: fire.escondido.org/watersafety