Orange County Water District

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Orange County Water District (OCWD) manages the large groundwater basin that provides reliable, high-quality groundwater to 20 cities and water agencies and their 2.3 million customers in north and central Orange County, CA. OCWD is a special district, separate from the County of Orange, which supplies water to retailers in the cities throughout north and central Orange County. The District is governed by a locally elected and/or appointed Board of Directors. The members of the Board are directly accountable to the residents of the community.

Since 1933 the District has enhanced Orange County’s groundwater quality and reliability in an environmentally friendly manner. With years of sound planning and appropriate investment in the groundwater basin, OCWD has more than doubled its output of water. The basin is primarily fed by the Santa Ana River and is larger than the largest reservoir in Southern California. It provides an emergency back up supply of water for citizens living in south Orange County, CA. The District's ability to capture water in its replenishment facilities has ensured the basin is ready should Orange County face a multi-year drought.

OCWD's water quality and water research laboratories are some of the finest in the state of California. In 2006, OCWD began work on a new expanded, state-of-the-art water quality laboratory. The District also works with outside water quality and health experts to ensure that the groundwater OCWD provides is safe and healthy water.

As arid Orange County continues to grow and be challenged by increasing demand and relatively constant imported water supplies, the District has invested in ways to get more water into and out of the groundwater basin. A landmark water project called the Groundwater Replenishment System will create a new, reliable water supply to prevent seawater intrusion and to recharge the Districts groundwater basin. OCWD is very proud of this visionary water project and the high quality of water it will produce.

OCWD is located at 10500 Ellis Avenue, Fountain Valley, CA 92728. For more information about the Orange County Water District, visit www.ocwd.com on the Internet.