Click here to view this newsletter as a webpage

Highlights from February 2026

I recently attended the World Water-Tech Innovation Summit, where I was invited to speak about the Orange County Water District’s (OCWD) PFAS response. The forum provided an opportunity to share how OCWD is responding to a complex water quality challenge through a coordinated, forward-looking approach that has positioned the District as a leader in California and on a global scale. 

As the manager of one of the most closely monitored groundwater basins in the state, OCWD takes emerging water quality challenges seriously. In Orange County, PFAS have been detected in the Orange County Groundwater Basin at very low concentrations, measured in parts per trillion. Addressing PFAS represents an estimated $1.8 billion effort over 30 years. While the District did not manufacture or release PFAS into the environment, we recognize our responsibility to respond promptly and proactively. From the outset, our “all for one, one for all” management approach has ensured a unified regional response. 

OCWD continues to work closely with its 19 cities and retail water districts that rely on the basin to remove PFAS and ensure compliance with state and federal drinking water regulations. Of the 106 groundwater production wells affected, more than 50 have already been returned to service. The District is also doing everything possible to protect ratepayers and offset costs, including participating in litigation and securing approximately $152 million in state and federal grant funding to date. 

Looking ahead, OCWD remains committed to continued monitoring, treatment implementation, and maintaining a reliable groundwater supply for the region. You can learn more about these efforts by visiting the PFAS Education Center.

Join us on Tuesday, March 24, 2026, from 12:00 - 1:00 p.m. for Operational Strategies for Maximizing Stormwater Capture, a webinar exploring how coordinated operations are contributing to increased stormwater capture in Orange County. 

This OCWD-hosted webinar will highlight decades of collaboration with the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, focusing on operations at Prado Dam and along the Santa Ana River that allow storm flows to be strategically captured and stored in the Orange County Groundwater Basin. Participants will receive an update on the recent rains and learn how projects like Forecast Informed Reservoir Operations (FIRO) support even greater stormwater capture.

As part of the District's ongoing efforts to share best practices and learn from others, OCWD staff recently participated in a knowledge exchange meeting with the Salt River Project (SRP). The visit provided an opportunity to share perspectives on water management practices and operational approaches used by large, multi-purpose agencies. 

During the visit, OCWD staff toured a range of SRP facilities and infrastructure supporting both water and power operations. The exchange offered insight into how integrated systems are planned, operated, and maintained to serve a large and growing population, and underscored the value of continued collaboration and information sharing among peer agencies. 

The American Membrane Technology Association (AMTA) selected the Groundwater Replenishment System (GWRS) as its 2026 Membrane Facility of the Year (greater than 5 MGD), recognizing excellence in membrane treatment operations and management.

The award highlights the facility’s advanced membrane treatment processes, operational reliability, and ongoing commitment to industry best practices.

The GWRS, a joint project between OCWD and the Orange County Sanitation District (OC San), is the world's largest water purification system for indirect potable reuse. It takes 100% of OC San's reclaimable wastewater flows and produces 130 million gallons of high-quality water every day.

Learn more about the GWRS and tour opportunities here.

OCWD recently hosted a two-day research planning workshop convened by the California State Water Resources Control Board and the Water Research Foundation (WRF), reinforcing the District’s leadership role in advancing water recycling efforts in California. 

The session brought together more than 50 experts from industry, academia, utilities, and state regulatory agencies to identify priority research to advance the implementation of water recycling in California. Through collaborative discussions, participants developed project concepts for an available $1.5 million in state grant funding that will be administered by WRF.  

Through long-term habitat restoration and management, OCWD has brought the least Bell’s vireo back from the brink of extinction. From just 19 territories in 1986, OCWD has successfully helped the vireo to flourish - becoming one of California’s great environmental success stories. The 2025 breeding season saw 684 territorial males, 272 breeding pairs, 121 nests and 441 fledglings.

OCWD owns and manages more than 2,150 acres of wetlands in the Prado Basin as part of its water supply operations. Ongoing stewardship has strengthened riparian conditions, supported wildlife recovery, and improved water quality while continuing to support groundwater recharge for the Orange County Groundwater Basin. 

OCWD is pleased to welcome two executive directors whose leadership supports the District’s operations and its more than 220 employees in carrying out OCWD’s mission.

David Albaugh

Director of Human Resources

David oversees the District’s human resources and risk and safety programs, including labor relations, recruitment, benefits, and workforce development and training. He brings more than 30 years of experience across municipal government and large, mission-driven organizations. 

Francisco (Frank) Hernandez

Director of Information Services

With more than 25 years of public-sector technology leadership experience, Frank manages the District’s technology infrastructure supporting operations and business functions. His experience spans enterprise IT strategy, cybersecurity, cloud operations, and system modernization. 

Learn about OCWD's role in providing a safe, reliable, local water supply by attending an event, webinar or tour. Individuals and groups are invited to tour the award-winning GWRS and other District facilities.

Through our active speakers bureau program, you may request for our staff to come speak to organizations and schools, as well as conferences and events.