FOUNTAIN VALLEY, Calif. -- The Board of Directors of the Municipal Water District of Orange County (MWDOC), Orange County Water District (OCWD) and Coastal Municipal Water District have adopted a resolution declaring their support for renewed water conservation efforts in Orange County. The resolution supports key water agencies in forming a partnership to pool resources for water conservation, to provide common financial support for all promising methods of water efficiency, and to jointly implement future water conservation measures. The renewed emphasis on conservation results from predicted Orange County population growth, increased water demands, and possible future water shortages.
The Orange County Sanitation District (OCSD), OCWD, MWDOC and the city of Anaheim Public Works Department have formed a Water Use Efficiency and Conservation steering committee to guide the renewed conservation and water efficiency efforts of participating Orange County water agencies. The goal of the steering committee is to take a countywide leadership role in water conservation efforts that will involve all Orange County water agencies and their customers.
Currently, MWDOC has one of the best water efficiency programs in the county. Its program includes water efficiency education, marketing of hardware -- such as low flow toilets and shower heads -- and landscape irrigation programs designed to maximize commercial, residential, and governmental water efficiency. MWDOC also provides technical assistance on water efficiency matters to all area water agencies.
OCSD has taken an active role in funding water efficiency hardware replacement, the use of recycled water in their plant operations, and providing OCWD with treated water for purification and injection to create a freshwater barrier against seawater intrusion. OCSD is also funding improvements to city sewer systems to cut down on storm flows and water infiltration into the sewer systems, and is a co-sponsor with OCWD of a new, proposed Groundwater Replenishment System. The new project could provide 100,000 acre-feet of new water for Orange County, enough water for 200,000 families each year.
OCWD is involved in water reuse programs including Water Factory 21, the Green Acres project, and the proposed Groundwater Replenishment System. OCWD also provides groundwater at a discounted rate for water agencies that install water efficiency hardware.
The City of Anaheim has been a local leader in water conservation, groundwater protection, and water efficiency programs. Ed Aghjayan, Public Utilities General Manager for the City of Anaheim, has taken on the leadership role as the first Chairman of the Steering Committee.
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