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Water in Orange County Needs “One Voice” <br /> <br /> <br />2021-2022 Orange County Grand Jury Page 16 <br /> <br />• Consolidation of the existing two wholesale water districts, OCWD and MWDOC, or the <br />forming of a new agency would be complicated. The process would likely begin through <br />Orange County LAFCO before moving to State legislative level, both of which would be <br />divisive and risk political influence and interference when revising local and State water <br />acts. <br />Despite these complications and challenges, the OCGJ concluded that the County will be better <br />served by creating a “one voice” agency to lead and represent all aspects of wholesale water <br />operations in Orange County. <br />FINDINGS <br />F1 A singular water authority for Orange County’s wholesale water supply likely would <br />result in further opportunities at the local, State, and federal levels in legislation, policy <br />making and receiving subsidies and grants. <br />F2 The current fragmented water system structure and operations provides challenges as it <br />relates to development of new interconnected infrastructure as well as maintenance of <br />existing systems. <br />F3 There is a great disparity between the North/Central and South Orange County water <br />sources, management, and operations carried out by OCWD and MWDOC. <br />F4 South Orange County has many smaller retail water districts that lack a formal <br />centralized leadership. Notwithstanding this lack of structure, South Orange County retail <br />water districts have displayed effective collaboration when dealing with one another. <br />F5 Orange County Water District is a recognized worldwide leader in groundwater resource <br />management and reclamation. Its leadership, innovation, and expertise can be further <br />utilized to serve all of Orange County in developing additional innovative and beneficial <br />programs. <br />F6 Orange County currently does not have a countywide coordinated policy regarding water <br />conservation, which results in difficulty when complying with any new State-mandated <br />conservation regulations. <br />RECOMMENDATIONS <br />R1 By January 2023, Orange County wholesale water agencies should formally begin <br />analysis and collaboration towards forming a single wholesale water authority or <br />comparable agency to operate and represent wholesale water operations and interests of <br />all imported and ground water supplies. (F1, F2, F3, F4, F6)