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HISTORIC RAIN, YET DROUGHT REMAINS <br /> <br /> <br />ORANGE COUNTY GRAND JURY 2022 I 2023 Page 12 of 57 <br />County Grand Juries have recommended that the MWOC and OCWD merge for a more <br />efficient and streamlined approach towards water management. <br />Orange County Water District (Water Wholesaler) <br />The Orange County Water District (OCWD) provides water to 2.5 million residents in <br />North and Central Orange County. The District effectively manages the Orange County <br />groundwater basin that provides approximately 77% of water used in the region. It <br />supplies the 19 cities and retail water agencies in Central and North Orange County <br />with potable water. As the sole adjudicator of Orange County’s ground water basin, the <br />agency plays a vital role in assuring the aquifer is effectively managed. <br />The Orange County Water District has been a true innovator in water management and <br />operates the world’s largest water purification replenishment system for indirect potable <br />water use. Over 130 million gallons per day are recycled into the Orange County <br />aquifer, thus replenishing this vital resource. It has exhausted the wastewater supply <br />available for recycling through its comprehensive efforts. <br />The management of Orange County’s underground reservoir has been exceptional. <br />OCWD has also implemented a regional groundwater banking program to assure long- <br />term reliability and increasing stormwater capture behind Prado Dam where water <br />eventually gets released and recharged into the Orange County aquifer, thus becoming <br />part of the local water supply. <br />Despite its absolute success at recycling, the Orange County Water District must still <br />import 23% of its water brokered by the Municipal Water District of Orange County <br />through the Metropolitan Water District. The local Orange County ground water basin is <br />simply not large enough to meet demand. <br />Water Retailers <br />The Irvine Ranch Water District serves a large Orange County populace of 600,000, <br />primarily in the Cities of Irvine, Lake Forest, parts of the Cities of Orange, Costa Mesa, <br />Tustin, and Newport Beach. IRWD provides water as well as reliable sewage collection <br />and treatment. The combination of being a water retailer combined with managing <br />sewage treatment has allowed IRWD to implement groundbreaking recycling water <br />programs for non-potable use and innovative urban runoff programs. The district relies <br />partially on the Orange County basin for its water supply, but also is dependent on 20% <br />of imported water from the Municipal Water District of Orange County. <br />As an innovator, the IRWD secured rights to the Kern water basin for water storage. <br />This storage reduces its reliance on Metropolitan Water District and provides access to <br />a potential supply of water in an emergency. Through conservation and water efficiency <br />programs, IRWD has reduced overall water consumption year over year allowing <br />development to continue to move forward unabated within the jurisdiction it serves. <br />However, growth in community development exposes IRWD to shortages as its <br />allocation of imported water is determined by Municipal Water District of Orange <br />County.