District Awards

2022

Best of East County Awards 2022 Reader's Poll

The East County Californian newspaper
Santee Lakes was recognized in the following categories:

  • Best Place for Fishing - Gold Star Award
  • Best Place for Camping - Gold Star Award
  • Best Place to Walk or Jog - Silver Star Award

East County Honors - Environmental Stewardship

East County Chamber of Commerce
Santee Lakes was recognized by the East County community through a survey conducted by the East County Chamber of Commerce for exhibiting outstanding customer service, maintaining a positive reputation and delivering consistently high-quality service, while practicing the responsible use and protection of the natural environment through conservation and sustainability practices.

SANTEE’S FAVORITE - BEST HOSPITALITY & RECREATION BUSINESS

Santee Chamber of Commerce
Through the Santee Chamber of Commerce’s Best of poll, the Santee Community voted Santee Lakes as "Best Hospitality and Recreation Business."

Gold Tier Stauts in the halo club

Good Sam
Awarded to the Santee Lakes Campground for providing superior facilities that are well maintained, clean, and have a highly appealing appearance.

2021

Project of the Year - Mountain View Connector Pipeline

American Public Works Association: San Diego and Imperial County Chapters
Padre Dam’s Mountain View Connector Pipeline Project was recognized for practicing good construction management techniques, safety performance, community relations and environmental protection awareness.  

Small Collection System of the Year

California Water Environment Association San Diego Section and Runner-up Statewide
Recognized Padre Dam for outstanding maintenance programs, regulatory compliance and safety & training procedures. 

Excellence in Technology - Development of innovative digalert application

California Special Districts Association
Using GIS to map underground utilities, the District integrated the information into their database and added it to a DigAlert Response Web map.   The application improved response time when customers request utility location mapping before undertaking any project requiring them to dig. 

Outstanding Small Project - Mission Creek Sewer LIft Station Bypass System  

ASCE San Diego Section
Awarded to the District for demonstrating significant innovation and streamlining complex logistics to provide a substantial benefit to the community in the Construction of the Mission Creek Sewer Lift Station Bypass System.  

Large Park of the year & plan-it green park of the year

National Association of RV Parks and Campgrounds
Awarded to Santee Lakes for delivering an extraordinary guest experience as a result of all-around excellence in operations, professionalism, marketing, customer service, industry involvement and for exemplifying environmentally-friendly practices across all areas of park operations. 

San Diego's best 2021 readers poll

San Diego Union Tribune
Santee Lakes was recognized by the community in the following categories:

  • Best Hiking Trails
  • Best Place to Get Married
  • Best Entertainment Venue
  • Best San Diego Attraction
  • Best Scenic Spot
  • Best Staycation Location

2020

Outstanding Water Project

The American Society of Civil Engineers
Padre Dam was presented with the Outstanding Water Project award for the Secondary Connection Project.

AWARD OF DISTINCTION

California Association of Public Information Officials
CAPIO honored Padre Dam with the Award of Distinction in the Annual Report category for the District's 2018 Annual Report.

BEST URBAN FORESTRY PROGRAM

California Urban Forestry 
Santee Lakes was honored for significantly enhancing the urban forest by bringing the community together to plant trees and creating a consistent and well-managed urban forest.

BEST PLACE FOR FISHING

The East County Californian
Santee Lakes was honored to receive the Best of East County Gold Star Award for Best Place for Fishing.

BEST PLACE FOR Camping

The East County Californian
Santee Lakes was honored to receive the Best of East County Gold Star Award for Best Place for Camping.

BEST Family/Kids Attractions

The East County Californian
Santee Lakes was honored to receive the Best of East County Gold Star Award for Best Family/Kids Attraction.

BEST Park

The East County Californian
Santee Lakes was honored to receive the Best of East County Gold Star Award for Best Park.

BEST PLACE FOR A First Date

The East County Californian
Santee Lakes was honored to receive the Best of East County Gold Star Award for Best Place for a First Date.

BEST PLACE to Walk and Jog

The East County Californian
Santee Lakes was honored to receive the Best of East County Silver Star Award for Best Place to Walk and Jog.

BEST Eco-Friendly Business

The East County Californian
Santee Lakes was honored to receive the Best of East County Silver Star Award for Best Eco-Friendly Business.

Right of Way Mapping Competition Winner - Jocker Alejandro

International Right of Way Association
Padre Dam’s Right of Way Agent Jocker Alejandro was recognized for his effective use of graphics, legends, symbols and innovative methods while developing the Mountain View Connector Pipeline & Fire Hazard Analysis GIS map. 

East County Honors - Entertainment & Recreation Facility of the Year

East County Chamber of Commerce
Santee Lakes was recognized by the East San Diego County community through a survey conducted by the East County Chamber of Commerce for exhibiting outstanding customer service, maintaining a positive reputation and delivering consistently high quality service. 

EDWARD L. BERNAYS MARK OF EXCELLENCE BRONZE AWARD

Public Relations Society of America: San Diego Chapter
Awarded to Padre Dam in the category of Annual Reports for the District's 2019 Annual Report.

SANTEE’S FAVORITE - BEST Hospitality & Recreation Business

Santee Chamber of Commerce
Through the Santee Chamber of Commerce’s Best of poll, the Santee Community voted Santee Lakes as "Best Hospitality and Recreation Business."

Utility of The Future Today

The Water Environment Federation
Padre Dam received the Utility of the Future Today Award for the District's leadership in the development of water reuse as well as its strong workplace culture.


Past Awards