Helix Water District Recognized as a Certified Green Business by Helix Water District Jun 6, 2025 Member Submitted News LA MESA – Leaders from Helix Water District, a public water utility serving 278,000 people in San Diego’s east county suburbs, received a Green Business certification from the California Green Business Network and the City of La Mesa. This certification recognizes the district’s ongoing commitment to environmentally responsible business practices. To achieve certification, businesses and government entities must meet an extensive set of core and elective measures covering seven categories: energy, pollution prevention, solid waste, transportation, wastewater, water and community. Helix has made significant investments in clean energy, securing a renewable energy supply through its power purchase agreement and further reducing its reliance on fossil fuels by installing solar panels at its Nat L. Eggert Operations Center. It has seen double-digit cost savings, as high as 18%, on electric commodity costs for the last several years and has secured the renewable energy supply it needs through 2030. “Our district’s focus on sustainability also has financial benefits,” said Dan McMillan, Helix Water District board president. “We can make decisions that are good for the environment as well as the ratepayer’s wallet.” The district currently fuels its fleet by 100% renewable diesel, which reduced the district’s carbon emissions by an estimated 500 metric tons per year. It is also developing state-of-the-art charging infrastructure at its operations center to support its transition to an electric fleet. This charging infrastructure is funded almost entirely through grants because of the district’s swift action to develop the project and secure funding. Helix also underwent a lighting retrofit and installed energy-efficient window coverings at its facilities. It further installed lighting controls, has a programmable smart thermostat and ENERGY STAR appliances to reduce its electric usage. Through retrofits and energy efficient appliances and measures, the district has reduced its electric consumption by 15%. Additionally, a key priority of the district is educating customers on the responsible use of water, promoting the adoption of high-efficiency appliances and irrigation, and encouraging the use of climate-appropriate landscaping. Helix models water efficiency at its facilities through its low-water use toilets, faucets, appliances and irrigation systems. These efficiencies allow the district to reduce its water consumption and long-term water costs. In 2020, the district installed drip irrigation and a low-water use demonstration garden at its administration office to reduce its outdoor water use and provide a resource to the community. Visitors can see firsthand what plants thrive in the San Diego climate and what water-wise landscaping can look like. “This certification proves that a government agency can prioritize sustainability while managing public funds responsibly,” said Helix Water District Board Director Mark Gracyk. “The district is proud to be an industry leader in sustainable and fiscally responsible business practices.” Helix Water District is a local government agency responsible for tap water in San Diego’s East County suburbs. The district provides water treatment for a population of 500,000 and distributes water to 278,000 people in La Mesa, El Cajon, Lemon Grove, Spring Valley and other unincorporated areas of the county.
