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September 20, 2022 Honorable Erick Larsh, Presiding Judge Page 2 <br /> <br />SANTA ANA CITY COUNCIL <br /> <br />Vicente Sarmiento <br />Mayor <br />vsarmiento@santa-ana.org <br />Phil Bacerra <br />Mayor Pro Tem, Ward 4 <br />pbacerra@santa-ana.org <br />Thai Viet Phan <br />Ward 1 <br />tphan@santa-ana.org <br />Nelida Mendoza <br />Ward 2 <br />nmendoza@santa-ana.org <br /> <br />Jessie Lopez <br />Ward 3 <br />jessielopez@santa-ana.org <br />Johnathan Ryan Hernandez <br />Ward 5 <br />jryanhernandez@santa-ana.org <br /> <br />David Penaloza <br />Ward 6 <br />dpenaloza@santa-ana.org <br /> <br /> <br /> <br />line-item budget “earmarks” and favorable policies for our water agencies. However, it is difficult to <br />ascertain the level of increased effectiveness a single authority would have versus the current makeup <br />and how that would ultimately serve the needs of the individual water agencies. As it relates to <br />subsidies and grants, due to their competitive award processes, it is unclear if a consolidation of <br />wholesalers would have any discernable effect on results. <br /> <br />F2 – The current fragmented water system structure and operations provide challenges as they relate <br />to development of new interconnected infrastructure, as well as maintenance of existing systems. <br /> <br />RESPONSE: Concur with this Finding <br /> <br />While there are challenges to interconnection, it is not impossible. For the City of Santa Ana, the <br />current system continues to work, even if it is not perfect. <br /> <br />F3 – There is a great disparity between the North/Central and South Orange County water sources, <br />management, and operations carried out by OCWD and MWDOC. <br /> <br />RESPONSE: Concur with this Finding <br /> <br />There are significant differences in the way water is managed in North/Central and South Orange <br />County, which is largely due to the natural water resources available in each of these areas. As a <br />result, the regions have invested in and developed their unique water resources, management, and <br />operations in diverse, yet effective ways. <br /> <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 utilized to serve <br />all of Orange County in developing additional innovative and beneficial programs. <br /> <br />RESPONSE: Concur with this Finding <br /> <br />OCWD has a proven track record of managing and protecting the Orange County groundwater basin, <br />which has been instrumental in reducing our dependence on more expensive and less reliable <br />imported water. Additionally, OCWD is at the forefront of PFAS treatment technology and has fully <br />funded cleanup facilities. OCWD pays for critical infrastructure and has brokered water storage and <br />stewardship programs. <br /> <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 conservation <br />regulations. <br /> <br />RESPONSE: Concur with this Finding <br /> <br />It is the purview of each water agency to develop water conservation policies that meet the needs of <br />their communities and comply with state-mandated regulations. Santa Ana has learned from past