Upper Water News Splash – December
Investing in Tomorrow’s Water Thinkers!
‘24-’25 Water Education Grant Recipients: West Covina High School
On November 12th, the Upper Water Board of Directors approved $22,171.09 in funding for the 2025-26 fiscal year, supporting more than 20 Water Education Grant applicants. Each of the approved applications met the program’s criteria and educational goals, which are designed to spark curiosity, deepen students’ understanding of water and actively engage them in meaningful, hands-on learning.
Upper Water is excited to follow these projects, as they teach classrooms about the role water plays in our daily lives. The impressive number of applications reflects the dedication of the Board and staff to the schools we serve, as well as the enthusiasm of the educators, who are inspiring future water professionals. Congratulations to our awardees!
FREE Landscape Workshop
🌧️ Rain to Roots🌿: Water for Your Garden
Residents are invited to join a virtual landscape workshop on Thursday, January 29, 2026, at 6 PM, taught by Green Media Creations. This workshop will guide participants through practical ways to turn rain into a resource, covering rain gardens, swales, and storage options to help attendees choose the best approach for their landscape.
Topics include:
• Selecting the right rainwater capture method
• Siting and sizing rain gardens
• Managing inflow and overflow
• Maintenance tips and troubleshooting
To register, visit www.upperwater.org/water-smart-workshops.
What to Do When it Rains?
Even in the cooler weather and winter rain, every drop still counts. Here are four simple ways to save water during the season:
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Check your irrigation controller. Make sure it’s off and stays off during rainy periods.
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Take advantage of free water. Capture rain in barrels or cisterns for later outdoor use.
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Invest in smart irrigation. Use soil moisture sensors and weather-based controllers to water efficiently.
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Shower efficiently. Keep showers short and consider installing WaterSense-labeled showerheads.
Outdoor and indoor rebates are available at socalwatersmart.com or visit upperwater.org/rebates.
Being Water Wise Is…” 2025-2026 Student Art Contest
‘24-’25 “Being Water Wise is…” Art Contest Artwork by 11th Grader Brianna Lopez
This year’s theme, “Being Water Wise Is…” invites students to explore what it means to use water wisely and efficiently in everyday life: at home, at school, and in our communities. Clean, reliable water is a vital resource, and students are encouraged to express the importance of conservation and responsible water stewardship through their artwork.
Submission deadline: April 13, 2026 at 5:00 PM
For more information, please visit: www.upperwater.org/art-contest-submission/ or contact Alexis Silva at Alexis@usgvmwd.org
Celebrate the Season with New Water-Wise Habits🎁
October marked the beginning of the new Water Year. With the holidays approaching and a new calendar year ahead, Upper Water would like to offer a few holi-yay water-saving tips to help you stay mindful during this busy season.🎄 Holiday cooking, gifting, cleaning, and celebrating can add up quickly, so it’s important to build small, thoughtful habits.
- Deck the halls, not water bills. Use watersense-labeled products for your showerheads, faucets, irrigation systems, and more.
- Don’t be a drip this holiday.
Address any leaks you find and use a Flume to track your water use. - Sleigh your cooking cleanup.
Scrape food scraps and run the dishwasher only when it’s full. - Give your lawn a winter vacation.
After a big storm, avoid turning your irrigation system back on right away. - Wrap up your water waste.
Stay mindful of your daily water use and save wherever you can.
Happy Retirement Ruben and Evelyn!
Please join us in honoring two remarkable Upper Water team members as they retire this year.
Ruben, our Community Outreach Specialist for 19 years, began his journey with Upper Water as a Secretary/Receptionist in 2006. Over the years, he expanded his role to Project Assistant and ultimately became a cornerstone of our community outreach programs. From organizing WaterFest and Watershed Restoration projects to supporting conservation programs, Ruben has kept the office running smoothly while ensuring excellent service to our water retailers and partners. Known for his professionalism and sense of humor, Ruben has left a lasting mark on both colleagues and the community.
Evelyn, our Chief Financial Officer for 18 years, brought extensive audit and finance expertise to Upper Water when she joined in 2007. A Certified Public Accountant, Evelyn has guided the District’s financial operations with diligence and precision, drawing on her experience in auditing major banks and managing finance divisions internationally. Her leadership and financial stewardship have been essential to Upper Water’s continued success.
Their dedication, expertise, and leadership have left a lasting legacy. We wish Ruben and Evelyn happiness, health, and adventure in this next chapter of life. Thank you both for everything you’ve done!
About Upper Water
Upper Water’s mission is to provide a reliable, sustainable, diversified, and affordable portfolio of high-quality water supplies to the San Gabriel Valley; including water conservation, recycled water, storm water capture, storage, water transfers and imported water. Upper Water services nearly one million people in its 144 square mile service territory. Governed by a five-member elected board of directors, Upper Water is a member agency of the Metropolitan Water District of Southern California. Annually, more than 78 billion gallons of water is used in Upper Water’s service area. For more information about Upper Water and the water use efficiency programs mentioned, please visit our website www.upperwater.org
