Laserfiche WebLink
HISTORIC RAIN, YET DROUGHT REMAINS <br /> <br /> <br />ORANGE COUNTY GRAND JURY 2022 I 2023 Page 6 of 57 <br />successfully manages the ground water basin serving North and Central Orange <br />County. These efforts include actively pursuing water transfer and water banking <br />agreements outside of Orange County. Local water suppliers need to expand their <br />portfolio to meet demands. Additional capture of precipitation, supplying groundwater <br />through infiltration, additional storage systems, development of ocean desalination, and <br />recycling and reuse of water all need to be considered and improved and implemented. <br />The general public, the ultimate users of the water, need to continue their efforts to <br />conserve water by installing low-flow toilets and showerheads, appliances that use less <br />water, using recycled water for landscape irrigation, and eventually accepting the use of <br />recycled water purified for drinking purposes. They also need to support and expedite <br />the development of desalination plants to create a new source of water for the future. It <br />will be necessary for the water suppliers to develop effective public awareness <br />programs to help the public understand the need and desirability of this new paradigm. <br />METHOD OF STUDY <br />The Orange County Grand Jury (OCGJ) took the following steps in investigating this <br />issue: <br />• Identified and interviewed key personnel: <br />o Persons or entities responsible for providing potable water to their Orange <br />County constituents <br />o Persons knowledgeable in projects to improve capture, reclamation, <br />recycling, delivery, and infrastructure improvements <br />o Persons involved in the planning and execution of providing new habitable <br />dwellings <br />o Persons who are reputable in the field of climatology – past, present, and <br />future <br />• Reviewed information from the various water districts and interested parties <br />including: <br />o Orange County Water District (OCW) <br />o Orange County Coast Keepers <br />o California Department of Water Resources <br />o Miscellaneous Water Districts <br />o Municipal Water District of Orange County (MWDOC) <br />o Metropolitan Water District (MET) <br />• Reviewed numerous documents pertaining to this report (see bibliography for <br />complete list) <br />• Members of the OCGJ toured the following facilities: <br />o Municipal Water District of Orange County Headquarters <br />o Orange County Water District Ground Water Recovery Facility <br />o Metropolitan Water District <br /> Headquarters