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at-a-glance
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 Helix
Water District is a progressive industry leader, providing
high quality water, through an efficient and reliable
system. Our innovative and dedicated employees and Board
members maximize human and technological resources, providing
superior service to our customers.
The
Helix Water District covers an area of nearly 50 square
miles, serving the cities of La Mesa, El Cajon, Lemon
Grove, the community of Spring Valley, and various unincorporated
areas near El Cajon.
Helix
operates as a public agency under Irrigation District
Laws of the State of California. The District is governed
by a Board of five Directors elected to four-year terms
by registered voters in the divisions in which they live.
Also see Board of Directors.
The
Helix Water District Board of Directors meets in an open
meeting on the first and third Wednesday of the month
at 3 p.m. and 6 p.m., respectively, in the Helix Water
District Board Room located at 7811 University Ave., in
La Mesa. The agenda is posted in the lobby and on our
website. See Meeting
Agenda .
Helix
Water District's history dates back to 1885 when the San
Diego Flume Company built Cuyamaca Dam, a diverting dam
on the San Diego River, and thirty-three and one-half
miles of wooden flume to bring water to the people of
San Diego County. Subsequently the Flume Company was sold
to the Cuyamaca Water Company. In 1913 the La Mesa, Lemon
Grove and Spring Valley Irrigation District was organized.
In 1926 the District purchased the Cuyamaca Water Company
and became an operating water agency. For more details,
see Helix History.
Less
than 20% of our water is local runoff from winter rain
and snow releases from Lake Cuyamaca and natural runoff
into El Capitan Reservoir. The rest is a blend of water
from the Colorado River and Northern California. This
water is purchased from the San Diego County Water Authority,
who in turn purchases its water from the Metropolitan
Water District of Southern California.
Helix
Water District owns Lake Jennings and Lake Cuyamaca. Helix
also has storage rights of 10,000 acre feet in El Capitan
Reservoir for water from Lake Cuyamaca, San Diego River
tributaries, and imported water. Treated water is stored
in the 30-million-gallon Grossmont Reservoir and 21 other
storage tanks located throughout the District. The District
has a total storage capacity of 63 million gallons for
filtered water. For more information, see Lake
Jennings.
Helix
Water District customers receive water treated at Helix's
R. M. Levy Treatment Plant in Lakeside. The water is continuously
monitored and tested during and following the treatment
process. Our state-certified lab uses the latest analytical
instruments and testing methods. Helix's treated water
consistently meets all federal and state standards for
quality and safety. A detailed Water Quality Report is
available on request. Click to view The
Report.
The
Helix Board is committed to programs that educate the
public about water issues and conservation. The 35-year-old
school education program is active at all grade levels
and includes a tour of our Lake Jennings watershed. Helix
also has a speaker's bureau to share with the public the
latest in water issues. For more information, click Education.
Helix's
per-capita usage of water was 20 gallons per day lower
in 1998 than in 1988. This drop in usage is largely due
to the many conservation programs offered by the District.
These programs include replacing high-water-use toilets,
showerheads and washing machines with water-saving models.
We anticipate an even lower per capita use as customers
begin using water-efficient landscape techniques after
visiting the Water Conservation Garden. For more information,
click Conservation. |
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El
Monte Valley Project
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Helix
Water District is pursuing a new, permanent water
supply source by augmenting water in the El Monte
Valley underground basin with highly purified, recycled
water, which will supply about 15 percent of the
district’s total demand.
Read more... |
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