Agenda Packet_2022-09-20 - Laserfiche WebLink

Home Browse Search

Water in Orange County Needs "One Voice" Supply.15 Currently, many projects are undertaken by individual or small groups of retail agencies that could be more expansive if guided by a single wholesale water supplier providing diverse water sources. Another missed opportunity is a lack of coordinated County analysis about the benefits and drawbacks related to potential desalination projects. Even though desalination projects potentially impact the water supply for all of Orange County, OCWD and MWDOC independently consider these desalination projects and their impact. Furthermore, many water experts believe that this fragmentation results in less than optimum legislative lobbying effectiveness. This affects programs such as water conservation, related water consumption standards such as State storage projects to capture more water supply during wet years, contamination treatment standards, and the Delta Conveyance System, which is a proposed more efficient and effective system to move water from Northern California to the central and southern part of the State. Benefits of a Single County Agency - "One Voice" The Orange County Grand Jury found that creation of a single County wholesale water agency to serve as a conduit for both imported and groundwater would be most effective in coordinating water supply diversification, major infrastructure investments, and developing forward -thinking policies and practices. This single agency would also help facilitate fiscal and environmental responsibility. Orange County water agencies have earned a tremendous reputation for innovative projects and strategies related to increasing a reliable water supply, even in drought conditions. How do we leverage what already is exemplary and collaborative in Orange Counter water operations? • Groundwater Replenishment System (GWRS) • Santa Ana River Conservation and Conjunctive Use program (SARCCUP)16 • Inter -county perspective with neighboring jurisdictions of the Inland Empire, San Diego, and Los Angeles Counties. • Purple water recycling for irrigation coming from treated waste and stormwater capture. • Burris Basin conversion to Anaheim Coves Trail (OCWD / City partnership).17 Water experts believe "One Voice" would result in increased influence on the MET Board. The OCJG concluded that having all types (groundwater and imported water) of wholesale water " Information based on multiple water professional interviews. 16 www.ieua.org/read-our-reports/santa-ana-river-conservation-and-conjunctive-use-program/ 17 http://www.santa-ana-river-trail.com/trail/burris_basin.asp 2021-2022 Orange County Grand Jury Page 14 City Council 8 — 16 9/20/2022