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Water in Orange County Needs “One Voice” <br /> <br /> <br />2021-2022 Orange County Grand Jury Page 13 <br /> <br />• Replaces groundwater that is pumped out of the basin every year with Santa Ana River <br />watershed, recycled, imported, storm and natural incidental water recharge. <br />• Ensures groundwater supply safety and quality through monitoring and testing. <br />• Recycles water primarily through the GWRS which takes treated wastewater that <br />otherwise would be sent to the Pacific Ocean and purifies it for aquifer recharge. <br />• Participates in legislative and community engagement and education. <br />• Develops additional innovative programs such as Forecast Informed Reservoir <br />Operations (FIRO) at Prado Dam, capturing and recharging stormwater in the Santa Ana <br />River, and anticipating and optimizing stormwater runoff. <br />• Coordinates contaminant treatment, financial resource needs, and policy such as for Per- <br />and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) which enter the aquifer and wells primarily <br />through the Santa Ana River flows. Additionally, organizes litigation and accountability <br />for the contaminant sources. <br /> <br />Retail Water Districts <br />In addition to being the direct link to consumers, retail agencies provide several additional <br />services beyond those provided by wholesalers. Those services include maintaining water quality <br />and testing throughout their distribution systems, repair and replacement of critical <br />infrastructure, regulatory compliance, customer service, water use conservation, recycled water <br />for irrigation or other non-potable uses, and public outreach and health-related services. <br /> <br />Where Do We Go from Here? <br />Assessment of Current State <br />Reliable sources shared opinions with the OCGJ that the current OC wholesale structure is <br />“dysfunctional”, “prevents speaking with one voice for all of Orange County water interests” <br />involving the aquifer and imported water sources, and “currently provides redundant services <br />with redundant costs.” Also, multiple member agencies of MWDOC have expressed <br />dissatisfaction with MWDOC’s operating effectiveness related to MET board and legislative <br />representation, member charges for provided services, and the scope of emergency <br />preparedness.13F <br />14 <br /> <br />In addition, this dual structure of MWDOC and OCWD has resulted in missed opportunities for <br />the County in the form of more extensive multiple agency collaboration, increased operating <br />efficiency, decreased reliance on imported water, and the creation of a more reliable water <br /> <br />14 Information based on multiple interviews, past agreements between MWDOC and MWDOC member agencies, <br />and LAFCO Municipal Service Reviews.