The Boards of Directors of the Rainbow Municipal Water District (RMWD) and Fallbrook Public Utilities District (FPUD) have each adopted Resolutions of Application to detach from the San Diego County Water Authority (SDCWA) and annex into the Eastern Municipal Water District (EMWD), Metropolitan Water District’s (MWD) wholesaler.

The Local Agency Formation Committee voted on July 10, to approve the detachment of Rainbow Municipal Water District and Fallbrook Public Utility from the San Diego County Water Authority  and annexation to the Eastern Municipal Water District. The proposed annexation is subject to terms and conditions, including an exit fee and an election by the residents of the District.

Election Information

The special election to vote on RMWD Measure B was on Tuesday, November 7. The certified election results should be announced in December.

Media

Below are articles, press releases, and documents related to the proposed detachment.

2023

Election Mailer - October 27, 2023

Village News - October 5, 2023, Voter information pamphlets go out to registered voters for Nov. 7 elections

Fox 5 - September 30, 2023, Pamphlets sent to voters ahead of District 4, water separation special election

San Diego Union Tribune - September 21, 2023, Bill to require countywide vote on water districts’ divorce passes, but likely too late for San Diego

KPBS - September 15, 2023, Special Election 2023: Fallbrook, Rainbow water districts detachment measure

CBS 8 - September 15, 2023, Fallbrook and Rainbow water detachment efforts - Interview with Tom Kennedy

Times of San Diego - September 13, 2023, Bill Passes Forcing County Vote on Water District Exits, But Won’t Affect Fallbrook, Rainbow

CBS 8 - August 29, 2023, Supervisors pass policy supporting customer vote for water district departures

CBS 8 - August 28, 2023, Fallbrook/Rainbow want to leave SD County Water Authority

ABC 10 - August 22,2023, San Diego County Water Authority sues over Fallbrook, Rainbow possibly leaving district

KPBS - August 21, 2023, County Water Authority sues over Rainbow, Fallbrook agencies' departures

The Coast News Group - August 22, 2023, County Water Authority sues over Rainbow, Fallbrook agencies’ departures

KUSI - July 11, 2023, Rainbow, Fallbrook voters to choose whether to leave San Diego County Water Authority

ABC 10 - July 10, 2023, Communities of Fallbrook, Rainbow to vote on switching water districts

FOX 5 - July 10, 2023, North County communities permitted to cut ties with County Water Authority

KPBS - July 10, 2023, Fallbrook, Rainbow water 'divorce' approved by county commission

CBS 8 - July 7, 2023, Fallbrook and Rainbow look to leave the San Diego County Water Authority to save money

2022

San Diego Union Tribune - November 5, 2022 Fallbrook, Rainbow would save on water bills...

Village News - FPUD and RMWD Detachment without exit fee conditions - April 5, 2022,  LAFCO begins public review of draft

Village News - May 12,2022, May 2, 2022 Town Hall Meeting 

Village News - March 1, 2022, FPUD and Rainbow water customers would save an estimated $7.6 million a year by switching suppliers 

Union Tribune - February 12, 2022, Why the Cost of Water in San Diego Has Blown Past L.A. 

2021

Union Tribune - Agencies Spar with County Over Rising Water Rates - December 19, 2021

November 2021 Town Hall Meeting - Village News - December 10, 2021

Village News - August 12, 2021, The Time Has Come 

Voice of San Diego - May 12, 2021, Why RMWD and FPUD want to leave SDCWA. 

Village News - April 14, 2021, Fallbrook and Rainbow Water districts launch public education campaign 

Village News - March 3, 2021, FPUD Board approves payment to LAFCO for costs related to analyzing detachment proposal

Village News - February 10, 2021, Detachment committee consultant to receive supply reliability 

Village News - January 6, 2021, Detachment committee introduces consultant

Village News - December 16, 2021, Fallbrook and Rainbow join others in opposing the SDCWA controversial water plan

Village News - December 8, 2020, Another reason Fallbrook and Rainbow are seeking to leave the Water Authority 

Village News - November 5, 2020, FPUD Seeking to Switch Wholesaler Due to Cost Savings 

Village News - August 20, 2020, Detachment Progress 

Village News - July 17, 2020, LAFCO Detachment Review Committee Meeting 

Village News - June 11, 2020, LAFCO Approves Review Committee 

San Diego Union Tribune - March 19, 2020, Water Fight

Village News - March 19, 2020, LAFCO Application

San Diego Union Tribune - Feb. 23, 2020, San Diego Union Tribune

San Diego Reader - Jan. 14, 2020, Water Supply Article

Village News - Dec. 28, 2019

Oside News Article - Dec. 18, 2019

Village News - Countywide Vote on Reorganization - Dec. 6, 2019

Times of San Diego - Potential Countywide Vote - Nov. 26, 2019

FPUD Increase Due to Higher Regional Rate - San Diego Union Tribune June 22, 2019

Two Agencies Want to Secede From the San Diego County Water Authority Voice of San Diego - June 3, 2019