December 2025

FALLBROOK, CA – As the year comes to an end, Rainbow Water reflects on 2025 milestones that made an impact to improve operations for the community. From partnerships with neighboring agencies to awards for high-quality service, the team continuously strove for excellence. The year was marked by informed decisions by Rainbow Water's Board of Directors and experienced staff who navigated with the mission of providing high-quality water in a fiscally sustainable manner.

The most significant milestone was the first full calendar year with a new water wholesaler, Eastern Municipal Water District, after Rainbow Water’s detachment from the San Diego County Water Authority. Major projects were completed to make detachment possible, including completion of the Division 1 Pump Stations project, which included the installation of three prefabricated potable water pump stations to increase water supply reliability. The San Diego and Imperial Counties Chapter of the American Public Works Association recognized Rainbow Water with the 2025 Honor Project of the Year Award for their efforts to complete the Division 1 Pump Station project in eight months.

“Our financial position is stronger and more stable than it has been in years, largely due to the structural benefits of detachment,” said Jake Wiley, Rainbow Water General Manager. “As a 100% imported water agency, the cost and reliability of wholesale supply will always be central to our financial planning. By securing a lower-cost, long-term supply agreement with Eastern Municipal Water District, Rainbow Water shielded its customers from significant wholesale rate increases in 2025 and beyond.”

Rainbow Water partnered with North County Fire Protection District to swiftly respond to the Lilac and Pala fires in January. Previous investments in creating defensible space around infrastructure through brush-clearing activities, funded by grants obtained from the California Office of Emergency Services, were key to fighting the fires. Days after the local fires, team members from Rainbow Water traveled 100 miles to provide mutual aid for water agencies impacted by the Eaton Fire in Altadena. The team represented the importance of interagency cooperation and commitment to serve during the most difficult emergencies.

Fostering a supportive and collaborative environment is at the core of Rainbow Water, and this commitment was expanded through a focus on community outreach with Bonsall Unified School District and Vallecitos School District. Key events included career-centered speaking engagements and student field trips to the San Luis Rey Wastewater Reclamation Facility to explore careers in the water industry.

Partnerships continued with the finalization of a mutual services agreement with Fallbrook Public Utility District (FPUD), Rainbow Water, Valley Center Municipal Water District, and Yuima Municipal Water District, which opened doors to share resources and costs for specialized equipment and advocacy efforts. The agreement was an integral part of maintaining seamless water supply operations during a historic 21-day shutdown of the Metropolitan Aqueduct pipeline in June, after the Board approved an interconnection agreement to allow supplemental water access with FPUD.

In an ongoing effort to sustain the agricultural legacy of the community, Rainbow Water continued to partner with local agencies to bring the Regional CropSWAP Program, which resulted in over $1 million in reserved grant funding for local growers. For the second consecutive year, customers participated in the regional program, which focused on revitalizing the agricultural community through crop conversion projects.

Rainbow Water’s success is driven by a dedicated team of 59 employees with decades of expertise who work 365 days a year to serve the community. In recognition of the collaborative work culture that drives this innovative small team, the San Diego Union-Tribune named Rainbow Water as a 2025 Top Workplace for the fifth consecutive year. Top Workplaces recognized Rainbow Water as the 15th top-ranked small employer in San Diego County and the only public agency to receive the award in this category.

Rainbow Water celebrated the service of two retiring key members of the Information Technology team, Ed Bradley and Mark Cline. The skilled team members made an indelible mark by innovating key projects throughout their tenure from the late 1980s to the present. Bradley retired in late 2024 after 35 years of service and Cline retires in January 2025 after 36 years of service.

Rainbow Water received numerous awards from professional organizations throughout the year, acknowledging key projects and best practices. The Association of California Water Agencies Joint Powers Insurance Authority awarded Rainbow Water with two H.R. La Bounty Safety Awards for fleet vehicle outfitting and safety helmet implementation. The Government Financial Officers Association recognized Rainbow Water with the 2025 Distinguished Budget Presentation Award for the 10th consecutive year and a 2024 Certificate of Achievement for Excellence in Financial Reporting for the fifth year in a row.

Rainbow Water is proud to help the community grow for the past 70 years by making improvements to enhance the quality of life and looks forward to providing safe, reliable, and sustainable water in 2026.