Vallecitos Water District

08/30/2026

Sunday is National Beach Day! 🌊☀️
..Not so sure if hardhats and orange vests are the coolest look for beach day, but hey, our dedication to protecting our local environment and water resources never takes a day off. Whether you're catching waves, building sandcastles, or just hitting the San Diego beaches this weekend, remember to help keep our beaches clean and beautiful for everyone. Have a great and safe Sunday!

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08/29/2026

Did we get your attention? Snakes might be scary, but a surprise high water bill can be just as frightening! 🐍

Learning to read your water meter is one of the easiest ways to take control of your usage and detect leaks early. It's a simple, powerful skill that saves water and your hard-earned dollars.
Here’s a video to show you how (spoiler alert—it's a rubber snake!): https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2vamyeiO_Ik

How to Check for Leaks:

• Stop All Water Use: Make sure all indoor and outdoor taps, sprinklers, and appliances (like dishwashers and washing machines) are turned off.
• Find Your Meter: Locate your water meter box, usually near the street or in a utility area, and carefully remove the lid (watch out for critters!).
• Check the Leak Indicator: Look for a small low-flow indicator or register to see if water is actively moving through the system.
• The Test: If you have stopped all water use and the register indicates flow when it shouldn't be, you likely have a leak.

If You Find a Leak: Don't panic! A small leak can often be an easy fix on a faucet or toilet. For larger issues, you may need to call a licensed plumber.

Taking five minutes to check your meter can save you hundreds of gallons of water and keep your monthly expenses in check. Be a leak detective and help us conserve our precious resources! 💧🛠️. Check our page for plenty more information about meters and how to read them https://www.vwd.org/i-want-to/water-meters. Have questions? – put them in the comments. 👇🏼

08/28/2026

HOAs, property managers, and large property owners—is your landscaping stuck in the 80s? 🌿

If your property is located in an unincorporated area of North County—including North Twin Oaks Valley and Lake San Marcos—you could be eligible for generous rebates through the County’s Waterscape Rebate Program (WRP).

Take inspiration from The Fairways at Lake San Marcos HOA, which recently transformed their landscape:
✅ 23,000 sq. ft. of turf replaced
✅ 100,000 gallons of annual runoff saved
✅ 1 million gallons of water conserved
✅ $66,000 estimated savings over 10 years

Whether you’re looking to boost your property's value, lower maintenance costs, or enhance your fire resilience with water-wise native plants and ember-resistant zones, the WRP offers the tools to make it happen.

👉 See the impact for yourself and start your project here: https://www.sandiegocounty.gov/content/sdc/dpw/watersheds/RebatesIncentives/LOS.html

08/27/2026

Some San Marcos history we stumbled upon in a fun post. A lot has changed since VWD's start in 1955, but boy, 1903's a vastly different San Marcos. Have some interesting history to share? Drop it in the comments 👇🏼

In 1903, San Marcos decided it was easier to move the entire town than to move the railroad. 🚂

Spanish explorers named the valley Los Vallecitos de San Marcos in 1797, the little valleys of Saint Mark, for the April 25 feast day. In 1840 the Rancho Vallecitos de San Marcos grant went to José María Alvarado. German and Dutch immigrants began arriving in the early 1880s, and John H. Barham founded the first townsite in 1883, complete with a post office and a newspaper.

Then the Santa Fe built its tracks through the valley in 1887 and ran them a full mile from the town center. A railroad you cannot walk to is not really a railroad. So in 1903 the residents did the obvious thing and relocated the town eastward to meet the tracks.

For another half century San Marcos stayed what it had always been, a place of farms, dairies and poultry ranches. Colorado River water arrived in 1956, and the city incorporated on January 28, 1963.

An entire town picked itself up and walked a mile east to catch a train.

08/26/2026

Harness the Power of AI to Save Water and Money! 🌞🤖💧

On these extra hot days, your lawn might require more care —but that doesn't mean your water use and bill has to skyrocket. If you are still using a traditional, fixed sprinkler timer, you are likely wasting water and overspending during these high-heat summer days. There’s a smarter way: upgrade to an AI-powered smart irrigation controller!

Here’s how it works:
🌦️ Connects to Wi-Fi and tracks real-time local weather, ev***ration, and your unique plants.
🌱 AI automatically adjusts your watering schedule—no more guesswork, no more waste.
💡 Keeps your landscape healthy and green, even during heatwaves.

Why switch now?
✅ Slash your outdoor water use by up to 50%
✅ Protect your plants from heat stress and under-watering
✅ Enjoy hands-off, fully automated watering—let AI do the work!

💰 BONUS: Vallecitos customers may be eligible for cash-back rebates through our partner agencies.
- Properties under 1 acre: $80+ per controller
- Properties over 1 acre: $35 per active station/zone

Getting started is easy:
1️⃣ Buy an EPA WaterSense-certified smart controller
2️⃣ Install and set up your new schedule
3️⃣ Apply online at SoCal Water$mart and get your rebate!

Don’t miss out on savings and a healthier landscape. Check your eligibility and claim your rebate today! 👇🔗 https://socalwatersmart.com/en/residential/rebates/available-rebates/irrigation-controllers/

08/25/2026

With Vallecitos, where there’s smoke, there’s... a safer sewer system! 💨💧

If you spot mysterious smoke coming from a street grate or roof vent, don’t panic! If the Vallecitos Water District is in your neighborhood, it’s just routine maintenance at work.

Our crews use a specialized blower to introduce a harmless v***r into underground lines, finding hidden cracks and improper connections before they turn into major spills. Here is the quick rundown:

🏠 Roof Vents = Good: Smoke puffing from your roof vents means your home’s plumbing is properly sealed.

🌳 Yards or Gutters = Issue Found: Smoke surfacing in unexpected places points to broken pipes, missing cleanout caps, or illegal storm drain connections.

✨ Safe & Temporary: The v***r is non-toxic, clean, leaves no residue, and disappears fast!

What to do if test "smoke" (actually a harmless v***r) appears inside the home when we test:
Smoke shouldn't enter your living space. If it does, a dried-out plumbing trap is usually the culprit—simply run water down your unused sinks, tubs, and floor drains for about a minute to seal it back up. Concerns, or need assist? Just let our crews know, or reach out.

Vallecitos always notifies residents in advance before testing begins. Plus, while home plumbing is the owner's responsibility, friendly crews will often handle quick on-the-spot courtesy fixes (like replacing a missing cleanout cap) and leave a door hanger to let you know!

08/23/2026

🌿 Is your yard ready for wildfire season? 🏠🔥

Ready to build a safer, more sustainable landscape? Vallecitos Water District customers in eligible unincorporated areas of San Diego County—including North Twin Oaks Valley and Lake San Marcos—can get started with the County’s Waterscape Rebate Program (WRP).

Protecting your home and our local watershed go hand-in-hand. Water-wise landscaping isn't just about saving water—it’s a powerful tool to make your property more fire-resilient.

By choosing native, drought-tolerant plants and utilizing non-combustible groundcover (like rock or gravel) in the first five feet around your home, you can create a crucial ember-resistant zone.

Incentives available for:
💧 Turf Replacement (with bonuses for native plants)
⚙️ Smart Irrigation (Weather-Based Irrigation Controllers)
🌧️ Rainwater Harvesting (Barrels and cisterns)
🌱 Water Quality Upgrades (Stormwater features, downspout disconnects, and septic pumping)
🚜 Agricultural Efficiency

Take advantage of these partner-funded rebates to upgrade your property, save money, and increase your fire resilience.

👉 Learn more and apply today: www.sandiegocounty.gov/watershedrebates (Click on the Waterscape Rebate Program)

08/21/2026

Today, we honor the wisdom, hard work, and lasting contributions of our seniors. At Vallecitos Water District, we have a deep appreciation for "seniority"—having served San Marcos since 1955.

To mark the occasion, we’re looking back at our roots with water industry legend Jack Kubota. Jack’s stories offer a fascinating glimpse into how our community evolved from a quiet country town into the thriving region we call home today.

🎥 Watch the full history with Jack Kubota: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OtllEj7rxvI

Take a moment today to reach out to the mentors and older loved ones who have shaped your life. We are especially grateful for Jack’s enduring legacy and proud that his son, Russell, continues that commitment to service at our District today!

08/20/2026

Today, we celebrate National Lemonade Day. VWD sends a huge shoutout to our hardworking local growers right here in our backyard.

We're on record for claiming that NOTHING is more refreshing than a glass of quality VWD water, but we might have to eat (drink) our words, and admit that a fresh-squeezed glass of lemonade could be even MORE refreshing. When you combine incredible, locally harvested fresh lemons with our product – reliable, clean water – it’s a truly winning combination to keep cool when the temperatures climb.

Cheers to the harvest and staying refreshed! 🥂

08/19/2026

Happy National Photography Day! 📸

A big thanks to all the talented photographers in our community for capturing the beauty that surrounds us. We may be a bit biased, but we think our water tanks nestled in the hills of San Marcos make for some of the best views around!

Just look at this epic sunset shot by local photographer Alan Crosthwaite from Double Peak Park. Our Double Peak tank, featured here, sits at one of the highest points in San Marcos. Its elevation is key to maintaining reliable water pressure and supply for our residents.

Photo credit: Alan Crosthwaite Photography

Have a water-themed photo of your own? Share it with us in the comments!