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Olivenhain Municipal Water District

OMWD is a public agency providing water, wastewater services, recycled water, hydroelectricity, and operation of Elfin Forest Recreational Reserve. German settlers began the community that is OMWD’s namesake in 1884; the name is of German origin meaning “olive grove.” The gradual decline of farming activity during the 1950s and the importation of water to Southern California slowly transformed the Olivenhain area into a residential community. OMWD was incorporated on April 9, 1959, to develop an adequate water supply for area landowners and residents. Today, OMWD is over 48 square miles, and serves approximately 86,000 customers in Encinitas, Carlsbad, San Diego, San Marcos, Solana Beach, and neighboring communities. OMWD’s David C. McCollom Water Treatment Plant treats up to 34 million gallons of water per day that is delivered to homes and businesses, and our 4S Ranch Water Reclamation Facility produces up to 2 million gallons per day of recycled water for landscape irrigation.... Read more

Additional Culture Details

To minimize the demands we place on our ratepayers, OMWD strives to do more with less. Not only does this involves efforts like aggressively pursuing grant funding for important projects and utilizing the latest cost-effective technologies, but also cultivating a culture of hard work, camaraderie, innovation, and safety.

In order to effect this culture, OMWD frequently recognizes its employees’ achievements. All OMWD pay increases are merit-based such that employees are incentivized to meet or exceed job expectations at all times. OMWD’s safety commitment is such that employees are constantly looking out for one another to maintain the exceptional streak without a preventable lost-time injury, which leads to significant cost savings. Employees that come up with unique cost-saving approaches to their jobs are recognized through the “Better Way” program.

Company Values:
•    Responsible—Exercise responsible management of public funds
•    Responsive—Provide responsive service and open communication with the public that we serve
•    Ethical—Promote ethical behavior in the conduct of district business
•    Transparent—Ensure fair and open processes involving the public
•    Stable—Provide a healthy work environment
•    Sustainable—Promote environmental responsibility and sustainability, and ensure provisions for the future

Purpose:
1.    Providing safe, reliable, high‐quality drinking water to each customer in a cost‐effective manner
2.    Providing wastewater collection services and reclamation in an environmentally responsible manner; and producing and supplying high‐quality recycled water to irrigation customers in support of regional water conservation efforts
3.    Operating Elfin Forest Recreational Reserve in the most cost‐effective, safe, environmentally responsive, and service‐oriented manner
4.    Pursuing alternative and/or renewable resources as a means of offsetting costs and energy charges, providing sustainability
5.    Providing a safe, healthful, and rewarding work environment that encourages communication as well as values employee participation and personal achievement
6.    Exceeding all federal, state, and local regulatory requirements for providing potable water, water reclamation, and recycled water
7.    Minimizing all operational costs while maintaining a high level of customer service
8.    Maintaining open communication and participation with the public through active conservation and educational programs as well as continually seeking customer input for informed decision making
9.    Ensuring that financial plans, policies, and practices maintain the ability to construct, operate, and maintain all approved facilities including replacement funds for future needs
10.    Planning and constructing the Master Plan of Facilities to meet long‐term water storage, treatment, transmission, and distribution needs
11.    Establishing programs and policies to develop alternative water supplies to serve existing and future customers
12.    Cultivating supportive and positive relationships with the federal, state, and local agencies, which may impact Olivenhain Municipal Water District operations.

Vision: Olivenhain Municipal Water District aspires to cost‐effectively provide high‐quality services garnering the trust and respect of its customers, employees, partners, and fellow water agencies.

Mission:
Olivenhain Municipal Water District is a multi‐functioning public agency that is dedicated and committed to serving present and future customers by:
•    Water—Providing safe, reliable, high‐quality drinking water while exceeding all regulatory requirements in a cost‐effective and environmentally responsive manner
•    Recycled water/wastewater treatment—Providing recycled water and wastewater treatment in the most cost‐effective and environmentally responsive method.
•    Parks—Safely operating Elfin Forest Recreational Reserve and providing all users with a unique recreational, educational, and environmental experience.
•    Emergency management—Complying with policies and procedures that adhere to local, state, and federal guidelines for national security and disaster preparedness.
•    Sustainable operations—Pursuing alternative and/or renewable resources with the most sustainable, efficient, and cost‐effective approach.

15.    Company Values:
•    Responsible—Exercise responsible management of public funds
•    Responsive—Provide responsive service and open communication with the public that we serve
•    Ethical—Promote ethical behavior in the conduct of district business
•    Transparent—Ensure fair and open processes involving the public
•    Stable—Provide a healthy work environment
•    Sustainable—Promote environmental responsibility and sustainability, and ensure provisions for the future
... Read more

Recent Awards

Company Snapshots

WTP
OMWD group photo 2019
Water Reclamation Facility public tour
pump & motor maintenance
OMWD Park Rangers training with first responders