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News from the City of Encinitas | February 12, 2026
| |  | | City's Online Portal: Maintenance This Weekend | | |
The City will be conducting scheduled system maintenance of our online self-service portals to improve reliability and enhance our online services. The Customer Self Service (CSS) Portal will be offline starting Thursday, February 12, 2026 at 4:00 p.m. and will reopen Tuesday, February 17, 2026 at 7:00 a.m. During this time, Customer Self Service records and uploads will be unavailable, and Utilities Access (water bill payment) will also be offline.
Service alternatives:
• Schedule inspections: buildinginspections@encinitasca.gov
• Start/stop water service: waterbill@sdwd.org or 760-633-2658
• Report issues anytime through the myEncinitas app
Bookmarks may need updating after maintenance concludes and the portals are back online. Thank you for your patience.
| | Water Awareness Poster Contest | |
The San Dieguito Water District invites 4th-grade students to participate in the annual Water Awareness Poster Contest! The theme is “Love Water, Save Water,” encouraging students to illustrate creative ways to conserve and protect our water resources.
Winning posters will be featured in a special calendar, and selected students will receive recognition.
Submission Guidelines:
- Entries must be hand-drawn using bright and bold colors
- Printing the coloring page on thick paper is recommended
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Submit your artwork by April 10, 2026
Download the entry form here. Let’s inspire our future water stewards - one poster at a time!
| | Beach Sand Replenishment Coming to Leucadia State Beach | | |
Encinitas’ coastline will soon get a natural boost. Beginning mid-February through mid-March 2026, approximately 9,400 cubic yards of compatible sediment will be delivered to Leucadia State Beach as part of an approved sand replenishment effort.
The sediment comes from a permitted development site on Manchester Avenue and has undergone geotechnical and environmental review to ensure it meets State and Federal requirements. Crews will place the material in the nearshore intertidal zone, where natural wave action and coastal currents will distribute the sand along the shoreline. A temporary staging area will be set up at Moonlight State Beach, and hauling operations are expected to take about three weeks during normal construction hours (7 a.m. to 7 p.m.).
This effort supports long-term coastal resilience and helps maintain healthy beach conditions for the community to enjoy. For more information or questions, contact Todd Mierau, Coastal Zone Program Administrator, (760) 633-2693 or tmierau@encinitasca.gov.
| | Celebrate February by spreading the love with native plants! 🌷🩷🌼 | | |
Happy Love Month, Encinitas! Did you know? 🐝Encinitas is recognized as a Bee City USA Affiliate!
In 2023, Encinitas joined hundreds of other Bee City USA Affiliates in prioritizing local pollinators and their habitats by promoting the use of native plants and trees while reducing harmful pesticide use throughout Encinitas.
Native plants use less water, provide food and habitats for local pollinators and wildlife, and are better adapted to our climate! Prioritizing natives strengthens local ecosystems and reduces the need for maintenance.
Whether you are planting in your yard, patio, or community space, choosing native plants is a meaningful way to show love to our environment all year long! 💚🌎🦋
If you’re interested in learning more about native plants and finding rebates for turf replacement, visit the City’s Climate Dashboard at EncinitasEnvironment.org.
| | Zero-Waste Valentine's Day Tips | | |
💘Happy (almost) Valentine’s day Encinitas! To kick off the celebration, we wanted to share some tips to keep your Valentine’s day celebration sustainable and zero waste! 💘
- Try creating a handmade gift! Nothing speaks more from the heart than a hand-crafted gift. This is a thoughtful way to save some money and be creative for your Valentine! 😍
- Choose reusable packaging! Gift bags, old wrapping paper, or paper grocery bags are some easy swaps (that you may already have) to wrap your gift. Avoid plastic and glitter in your gift to limit your impact! 😘
- Gift an experience rather than a novelty item! Experiences are a great way to bond and deepen relationships. This can be tickets to a game, a walking tour, or an at home date night. 💗
- And most importantly, once your Valentine’s flowers start to brown or wilt, compost them in your green bin! 💖
We hope these tips were helpful! Let’s keep the Earth’s heart happy this year. Have a great Valentine’s day Encinitas! 💘😘😍💗💖
| | Enter the WaterSmart Landscape Contest | | |
Proud of your water-efficient yard? Show it off in the WaterSmart Landscape Contest for a chance to win valuable prizes! The contest recognizes attractive, sustainable landscapes that make smart use of water while enhancing curb appeal.
Entries will be judged on overall attractiveness, efficient irrigation methods, design, and appropriate plant selection and maintenance. The deadline to apply is May 8, 2026. For eligibility requirements and application details, visit landscapecontest.com or contact your local water agency.
| | Senior Lifestyle Expo – Live Boldly. Live Well | |
The Encinitas Chamber of Commerce proudly presents its annual Senior Expo, “Live Boldly. Live Well” at the Encinitas Community and Senior Center. This free event is open to the public and made possible through a partnership between the Encinitas Chamber and the City of Encinitas.
The event is designed for those approaching retirement, already retired, or caring for aging loved ones—offering helpful resources and guidance to navigate this important life stage. Attendees can connect with a wide range of exhibitors, including healthcare professionals, housing specialists, senior lifestyle companies, fitness and wellness providers, government agencies, insurance experts, and financial and tax service providers.
Date: Saturday, February 21, 2026
Time: 9:00 a.m. – 12:00 p.m.
Location: Encinitas Community and Senior Center
1140 Oakcrest Park Drive, Encinitas
Cost: FREE
For more information, visit the event webpage.
| | Native Plants & Waterwise Landscaping Workshop | | |
Learn how to create a beautiful, sustainable garden that thrives in San Diego’s climate at the Native Plants and Waterwise Landscaping Workshop. Presented by landscape architect Steve Sherman, the free workshop will cover how to select native and waterwise plants, design a water-efficient landscape, and maintain healthy growth. A garden tour of OMWD’s CA-friendly demonstration garden is also included. It's free to attend, but registration is required.
Date: Saturday, March 14, 2026
Time: 10:00 a.m. to 11:30 a.m. at the
Location: Olivenhain Municipal Water District Board Room
1966 Olivenhain Rd., Encinitas
Cost: FREE
Reserve your spot by clicking here.
| | Download the MyEncinitas App! | | | | |
The MyEncinitas App is a digital portal that allows users to obtain information related to City services and request assistance. Through the app, residents can find online information, report an issue, learn about City projects and more.
MyEncinitas App
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