Good planning is the key to meeting the future water needs of a large and diverse community.  The Otay Water Districts mission is to provide the best quality of water and wastewater service to customers in a professional, effective, and efficient manner.

The population of our service area has grown dramatically since the District was established back in 1956.  The Otay Water District responded to this challenge by closely following our long-range Strategic Business Plan and providing the infrastructure network and services needed to serve our large and changing customer base.

To ensure customers always have an ample water supply, the District is actively working to continue diversifying our water resources. This includes collaborating with neighboring water agencies, investigating local groundwater aquifers, supporting efforts to develop ocean water desalination, supporting agricultural to urban water transfers, promoting conservation and the use of recycled water.

The Otay Water District is a recognized leader in the use of recycled water for irrigation.  The Districts Ralph W. Chapman Treatment Plant produces more than a million gallons per day of high quality recycled water.  We also purchase up to another six million gallons per day from the City of San Diegos South Bay Water Reclamation Plant.  This recycled water is used to irrigate golf courses, parks and open space in eastern Chula Vista.

Water conservation will always be a high priority, and the District has put into practice a wide range of cost-effective solutions for homes and businesses. The District is also founding sponsor of the award-winning Water Conservation Garden.  Located on the campus of Cuyamaca College, this nearly 5-acre demonstration garden illustrates the many ways water-conserving landscapes can be achieved economically and beautifully.

These are just a few of the ways the Otay Water District is working for the future, serving the community and making the most of our region's precious water resources.

Tap Versus Bottled Water: The Truth About Tap  

Bottled water has been a successful industry for many years. However, in today's environmental and economically sensitive times, more people are taking into consideration bottled waters high cost and growing impact to the environment, including its large carbon footprint.

There are many reasons why consumers have turned to bottled water. With the busy lives we lead, many appreciate bottled waters convenience and portability, while other people keep it in stock for emergencies. Some consumers also perceive bottled water as pure or even safer to drink than tap water.  Local studies have also shown that most people in San Diego County say they prefer the taste of bottled water.   

Links:

www.drinktap.org

www.water-ed.org/watersources/default.asp

www.acwa.com/television/water_factoids.asp 

Perception: Bottled water is more pure and safer to drink

Truth:  In the vast majority of cases, both bottled water and tap water are safe, healthy choices.  As a customer of the Otay Water District, please be assured the water coming from your tap meets all the stringent regulations of the State of California and those required by the US EPA under the Safe Drinking Water Act.  Bottled water is regulated through the Food and Drug Administration and is required to meet the same high standards as tap water.

If you would like to know specifically what is in your tap water, each year we deliver to your home and business a water quality report called the annual Consumer Confidence Report.  A copy of this report can be viewed or downloaded under the Home/Publications tab on this website. 

Perception: Bottle water is pure and comes from pristine sources

Truth:  It is often true that bottled water, many marketed with images of glaciers or mountain springs, is simply repackaged tap water.  Research estimates that 25% - 45% of bottled water on the market is simply filtered and packaged water from a municipal supply.  Yet bottled water can cost upwards of 500 times more than tap water.

What can you do?

Tip #1:  To enhance the taste of tap water, one simple suggestion is to leave an open pitcher in the refrigerator overnight.  The exposure to air allows the small amount of chlorine in tap water to evaporate.  That small amount of chlorine is added during the treatment process to ensure adequate disinfection and maintain tap waters high quality.  Using the chilled water with a refillable water bottle or thermos provides an inexpensive way to achieve the convenience, portability and refreshing taste of bottled water, but at an affordable price. 

Using refillable plastic bottles or thermoses will reduce the number of plastic bottles ending up in area landfills and the environment. This practice will also help reduce the amount of petroleum needed to create millions of plastic bottles each year as well as reduce the amount of energy needed to transport those bottles to the marketplace. 

Tip #2:  Filter your own water at home.  This can range from an inexpensive container with an activated charcoal filter, an under counter reverse osmosis system, to the installation of a full-home water filtering system.  These options are each convenient, easy to use and enhance the taste of your tap water.  They achieve the same desired result, while still costing a fraction of the price of bottled water.  For more information on California state certified water filtration systems, please visit the California Department of Public Health's website.