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HISTORIC RAIN, YET DROUGHT REMAINS <br /> <br /> <br />ORANGE COUNTY GRAND JURY 2022 I 2023 Page 17 of 57 <br />Orange County should develop a funding strategy for <br />water projects that is acceptable to rate-payers and does <br />not overly burden lower income groups. <br /> <br />major water projects have been financed through state and federal governments or <br />through special tax assessments. This is an easier burden on lower income groups than <br />strictly through rate structures. Orange County should develop a funding strategy for <br />water projects that is acceptable to rate-payers and does not overly burden lower <br />income groups. <br /> <br /> <br /> <br /> <br /> <br />Actions to Secure and Strengthen Supply <br />Numerous initiatives and projects have been planned to improve and strengthen the <br />existing supply systems: <br />1) water banking, <br />2) purchasing water rights, <br />3) recycling water, <br />4) reuse of water for potable purposes, <br />5) aquifer management, <br />6) utilization of other supplies, and <br />7) water efficiency. <br />However, these projects are years behind schedule and taking an extraordinarily long <br />time to complete. These initiatives are important to point out as efforts, but it must be <br />noted that by themselves, they are not solutions to Orange County’s water reliability. <br />The Grand Jury’s evaluation of these efforts is included in Appendix A “Local Agency <br />Action to Secure Water Supply.” <br />The efforts to diversify the water portfolio and make the existing supply more resilient <br />are commendable, but a new source is also needed. <br /> <br />Effective Management of Initiatives <br />Orange County needs an entity to champion and lead the efforts to develop a water <br />source that will enhance the reliability of existing water supplies. Orange County water <br />suppliers have completed and are engaged in several projects to improve the resilience <br />of our water supply, but efforts for the whole County have been limited. A countywide <br />effort to develop a drought-resistant source of water is necessary due to climate <br />change. <br />Effective countywide management of water resources would alleviate the jurisdictional <br />issues that have hampered the development of recycled water in South County <br />including shared use of the aquifer for all of Orange County. A Climate Resiliency <br />District could serve this purpose.