Item 07 - Response to OC Grand Jury Report_ Historic Rain, Yet Drought

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HISTORIC RAIN, YET DROUGHT REMAINS ORANGE COUNTY GRAND JURY 2022 I 2023 Page 13 of 57 Until the desalination plant comes online, and should MWDOC fail to deliver required water, SCWD is highly vulnerable to supply disruption. The Moulton Niguel Water District serves 170,000 residents in South Orange County, and is highly dependent on imported water from the Municipal Water District of Orange County (in excess of 90% of its potable water). Therefore, the District has made a major effort to drive efficiency and conservation efforts, which have been successful in reducing water utilization and continue to allow local development. Negotiations are underway with local sanitation districts to attempt to initiate recycling programs for the betterment of the community. The collaboration with South Orange County Wastewater Authority (SOCWA) has been less than cooperative thereby impeding recycling efforts. Should the Municipal Water District of Orange County fail to deliver the required water, Moulton Niguel Water District is highly vulnerable to supply disruption. The Rancho Santa Margarita Water District (RSMWD) imports 100% of its potable water from the Municipal Water District of Orange County and services over 200,000 residents in south Orange County, primarily the eastern portion of Orange County from Mission Viejo to San Clemente. As a result, the District has committed to developing local reliable drinking water supplies. RSMWD constantly monitors opportunities to enhance its water portfolio. The current major effort is the San Juan Watershed project that will capture local stormwater runoff as well as directing recycled water to recharge the local underground aquifer. Conservation water efficiency efforts have also played a major role to minimize water usage. Within RSMWD’s service area, there are major communities being planned. The planned communities under development, Los Flores and the Ranch, will add 15,000 homes or approximately 60,000 additional residents to the District’s customer base. With this development the water demand will increase and therefore will increase the need to import water. Should Municipal Water District of Orange County fail to deliver required water, RSMWD is highly vulnerable to supply disruption. The South Coast Water District (SCWD), like other south Orange County water districts, is highly dependent on imported water from the MWDOC. SCWD serves 35,000 residents and 2 million visitors a year. SCWD relies on 90% of its potable water being supplied by the MWDOC. SCWD is to be applauded in its attempt to expand its efforts to decrease its dependence on imported water. Recently, SCWD was granted approval to proceed with an ocean desalination plant of 5 million gallons of water a day. The plant is to be built within the next five years. SCWD is working to maximize recycling efforts to minimize reliance on imported water. Major conservation and water efficiency programs have been implemented locally. Until the desalination plant comes online, and should MWDOC fail to deliver required water, SCWD is highly vulnerable to supply disruption.