Helix Water District

Helix History (1990-1999)

1990
The serious drought continues, with a Stage II Water Alert in effect. Tunnel Hill 2 Tank is completed. San Diego County Water Authority experiences a major pipeline break. Helix provides treated water to neighboring districts affected by the break. Amphitheater at Harry Griffen Park dedicated to Mabel P. Bryan. Helix's Treatment Plant and Public Education Department both celebrate 25 years.

At the same time
Iraq invades Kuwait. People wonder "Who Killed Laura Palmer" on Twin Peaks. Roller Blades become the craze. "Another Day in Paradise" and "From a Distance" are popular songs. Movie theaters are showing "Misery," "Dances With Wolves," and "Ghost."

1991
Helix buys the Hewlett-Packard 3000 computer. Miracle March brings 20 inches of rain, but it is insufficient to end drought. 7,800 ultra-low-flow toilets funded in major retrofit project. 18,000 low-flow showerheads replace high-flow models. Water Fair attracts 300 people wanting to save water.

At the same time
U.S. launches Operation Desert Storm as millions watch on TV. Mount Pinatubo erupts in the Philippines. "Beauty and the Beast" and "Silence of the Lambs" are big boxoffice draws. Two oft-heard songs are "Baby, Baby" and "Unforgettable."

1992
Harold Ball Pump Station, below Chet Harritt Dam in Lakeside, is put on-line. Nat Eggert retires from the Board after 38 years of service. Best Management Practices (BMPs) originated.

At the same time
Bill Clinton elected President. NAFTA is signed. The nation breaks out in the two-step while listening to "Achy Breaky Heart." "My Cousin Vinny," "Unforgiven," and "A Few Good Men" are playing at the movies.

1993
The six-year drought ends. Design underway for the new Nat Eggert Operations Center in El Cajon. New computer-based lab information system installed at Treatment Plant. San Diego County Water Authority installs their 96-inch pipeline through La Mesa.

At the same time
The World Trade Center in New York is bombed. "Schindler's List" and "Bodyguard" are showing in movie theatres. People are listening to "I Will Always Love You" and "Aladdin." The Hubble Space Telescope is repaired by Endeavor astronauts.

1994
District refinances bonds, saving $692,000. "Setting Standards of Excellence in Public Service" statement initiated. Design is finalized for the Fletcher Hills Combined Tank. The Treatment Plant's Clearwell Tank is re-roofed and strengthened. The first Waterun, a 5k run around Lake Jennings, is held in May to promote wise water use. Helix's Water Awareness Kids' Xeriscape Garden at Murdock Elementary wins statewide award.

At the same time
Los Angeles is hit by the Northridge Earthquake. Memorable movies are "Lion King," "Forrest Gump" and "Pulp Fiction." DJs are playing "All I Want to Do." U.S. troops seize Haiti and install new leader.

1995
The Fletcher Hills Combined Tank tops the District's interest for the year. Grossmont Tank, designed to fit into the neighboring residential area, gets phone books delivered and earns an Orchid Award. Construction begins on the Nat L. Eggert Operations Center. Lake Jennings gets a new boat dock. A wise water drop named Freshet debutes in educational materials.

At the same time
Oklahoma City bombing. "Apollo 13," "Toy Story," "Braveheart," and "Babe" are the big films. Songs include "Kiss From a Rose", "What if God Was One of Us?" and "Colors of the Wind." Battles in Croatia are ongoing.

1996
Work progresses on the new Operations Center. Historic Cuyamaca sensitive-plant agreement is reached. The Combined Tank continues to attract attention. The design of the tank brings mixed reviews, winning both an Onion Award and an Outstanding Civil Engineering Project Award. Ozone pilot program studied at Treatment Plant. Helix buys the former Southland Corporation office building in La Mesa for its new Administrative Office.

At the same time
"Twister" blows away movie audiences, while "Jerry McGuire" has people saying "Show me the money." Songs include "Change the World," "Blue," and "Because You Love Me." Benjamin Netanyahu becomes Israel's Prime Minister.

1997
Second wash water tank completed at the Treatment Plant. District web page launched. The Nat L. Eggert Operations Center is opened. Work begins on a Geographic Information System (GIS) to add "intelligence" to Helix mapping. Water Savvy Public Forum held in conjunction with KPBS. Agreement reached with SDCWA regarding shared expansion of Treatment Plant.

The new Operations Center on Vernon Way in El Cajon replaced the Wagner Street shops that were built in 1953. The new site, pictured above in 1999, covers over 7 acres.

At the same time
The world loses Princess Diana and Mother Teresa. Theaters are showing "Titanic," "Good Will Hunting," and "As Good as it Gets." "Candle in the Wind" and "Theme from Titanic" are popular songs. Sheep are cloned. The Hale-Bopp Comet passes by Earth.

1998
Helix moves into the new office at 7811 University Avenue in January. Groundbreaking of The Water Conservation Garden at Cuyamaca College takes place. Landmark water conservation and transfer agreement between SDCWA and the Imperial Irrigation District (IID) is reached. Treatment Plant expansion project begins. The current capacity to treat 67 million gallons of water per day (mgd) is being increased to 106 mgd. Bob Friedgen retires as General Manager after almost 45 years of service with the District. Don Kuhl, Assistant General Manager and 27-year veteran of the District, becomes General Manager.

Helix employees moved into the "new" Administration Office over a weekend in January of 1998. Purchasing and remodeling this building (previously owned by the Southland Corporation) cost the District less than half the anticipated cost of constructing a new building.

At the same time
Peace in Northern Ireland after many years. The brutal realities of war are depicted vividly in "Saving Private Ryan." Padres go to World Series.

1999
The Water Conservation Garden wins an Orchid Award. Dr. Lillian Childs retires after serving 20 years on the board of directors. John B. Linden is appointed to complete Childs' term. Design for the third and final phase of the Flume Pipeline Replacement Project is completed.

At the same time
After 13 years as a star guard for the Chicago Bulls, Michael Jordan announces his retirement from basketball. United States President Clinton is acquitted of impeachment charges. Joe DiMaggio, the renowned baseball centerfielder for the New York Yankees during their golden years in the 1940s, dies at age 84. NATO goes to war against Yugoslavia to protect the ethnic Albanian majority in the province of Kosovo. John F. Kennedy Jr., his wife, Carolyn Bessette, and Carolyn's sister Lauren die when Kennedy's private plane crashes off the coast of Massachusetts.

Go to 2000-