MWDOC WATER POLICY FORUM & DINNER

June 26, 2025

How will federal priorities shape California’s water future? Join us for an evening of critical dialogue as we welcome U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS) Deputy Secretary Troy Edgar as keynote speaker at our next MWDOC Water Policy Forum & Dinner on June 26. From infrastructure to sustainability, discover what lies ahead and connect with other leaders shaping regional resilience.

CLICK HERE to download a print invitation.

CLICK HERE to register an individual today!

CLICK HERE to reserve a table of eight (8)!

SMWD WATER FESTIVAL

June 7, 2025

Hey OC! Don’t miss Santa Margarita Water District's (SMWD) Water Festival on Saturday, June 7 from 10:00 a.m. - 1:00 p.m. Join us for a fun-filled day with food, kids’ activities, garden demos, and more. Meet your local water experts, chat with gardening pros, and explore how your water system works. Catch a special screening of The Journey of Water and sign up for an exclusive infrastructure tour—you may even get to take a photo with Ricky Raindrop^SM!

CLICK HERE for more information.

MWDOC WATER AWARENESS POSTER CONTEST

2025 Winner Announcement

Honoring OC’s water heroes! MWDOC is proud to recognize the winners of the 2025 Water Awareness Poster Contest! This year’s theme, “Water Heroes: Saving Every Drop,” inspired nearly 600 K-12 students across Orange County to submit creative and thoughtful artwork. From those entries, 40 winners and 11 honorable mentions were selected. Winners will be celebrated at an awards ceremony in Huntington Beach this June. Thank you to all who participated and helped promote water-smart habits through art!

CLICK HERE to view the winning posters!

OC GIRL SCOUTS CLINIC 

May 10, 2025

Shaping a more sustainable future—one water-smart Girl Scout at a time! On Mother’s Day weekend, MWDOC and Orange County Water District (OCWD) co-hosted a MWDOC Water Resources and Conservation Patch clinic for OC Girl Scouts and their families. Girl Scouts toured OCWD’s Groundwater Replenishment System and explored water careers through interactive activities led by MWDOC and Inside the Outdoors. Girls learned about jobs like Environmental Planner, Water Resources Specialist, Public Affairs Coordinator, and more!

CLICK HERE to learn more about our Girl Scouts program. 

OC SCOUTS BSA CLINIC 

April 19, 2025

Empowering young water stewards! Together MWDOC, Trabuco Canyon Water District (TCWD), Inside the Outdoors, and Scouting America supported over 60 Orange County Scouts BSA in earning their Soil and Water Conservation Merit Badge! All seven (7) requirements for the Soil and Water Conservation Merit Badge were completed in a fun-filled 4 hours. Through hands-on learning and an exclusive tour of TCWD’s facility, Scouts explored how to protect natural resources and took meaningful steps toward becoming the next generation of conservation leaders.

CLICK HERE to learn more about our OC Scouts BSA program.

5 THINGS TO KNOW!

About Assembly Bill (AB) 1572

Rachel Waite-Harvey, Water Use Efficiency Supervisor, MWDOC

Did you know? Assembly Bill (AB) 1572 is changing how commercial and Homeowners Association (HOA) landscapes can use water. The state legislation prohibits the use of drinking water to irrigate nonfunctional turf on commercial, industrial, institutional (CII) properties and HOA common areas throughout the state of California.

CLICK HERE to learn more about AB 1572.

5 PRACTICAL WAYS!

To Save Water During an Emergency

Gabriela Landeros, WEROC Specialist, MWDOC

In a crisis, simple habits make a big difference. Discover five (5) practical ways to make your water supply last longer, support your household’s needs, and stay prepared when it matters most.

CLICK HERE to learn more!

MWD WATER WORKFORCE SUMMIT

May 1, 2025

What if the future of water starts in the classroom? At The Metropolitan Water District of Southern California’s (MWD) inaugural Water Workforce Development Summit, MWDOC Public Affairs Manager and Water Energy Education Alliance (WEEA) Executive Director Tiffany Baca moderated a powerful panel on building pathways to water careers with K-20 educators. Administered by MWDOC, WEEA connects industry with education to ensure students have real-world career opportunities—because the future of water depends on those who protect it.

CLICK HERE to learn more about WEEA.

REAL PEOPLE, REAL SAVINGS

City of Tustin

Say goodbye to thirsty turf and hello to a blooming backyard makeover! This Tustin resident transformed 1,635 sq. ft. of traditional grass into a vibrant landscape filled with California Friendly® plants and efficient drip irrigation. The result? A colorful, low-maintenance garden that slashed outdoor water use and now thrives with butterflies, bees, and beauty.

CLICK HERE to learn more about this garden transformation and find inspiration for your home!

CLICK HERE to start saving with water-smart rebates!

MWDOC HONORED WITH DUAL RECOGNITION FOR TRANSPARENCY AND GOVERNANCE EXCELLENCE

April 17, 2025

MWDOC has earned two (2) top honors from the Special District Leadership Foundation, highlighting its transparency, fiscal responsibility, and governance excellence. These awards place MWDOC among California’s most trusted and well-managed public agencies.

CLICK HERE to read more.

ORANGE COUNTY REGISTER

California Water Orange County 2025

In case you missed it, MWDOC was featured in the OC Register’s annual California Water Orange County edition for its leadership in water use efficiency, emergency preparedness, and regional collaboration. The articles highlight MWDOC’s efforts to help Orange County residents and agencies meet new state water standards, plan for emergencies through Water Emergency Response Organization of Orange County (WEROC), and invest in long-term water reliability and affordability. MWDOC continues to champion a resilient and sustainable water future for our region by offering expert support, innovative programs, and strategic partnerships.

CLICK HERE to read more (pages 8-9).

CalWEP PEER TO PEER 2025

May 28-29, 2025

MWDOC experts took the stage at CalWEP’s Peer to Peer 2025, presenting alongside member agency leaders from Golden State Water Company, Irvine Ranch, Moulton Niguel, and South Coast water districts. From interactive sessions on water use efficiency and water loss control to diving into funding innovation and workforce development, our star team—including Joe Berg, Rachel Davis, Rachel Waite-Harvey, and Tiffany Baca—showcased Orange County’s commitment to collaboration, water-smart innovation, and shaping the future workforce.

CLICK HERE to view the full agenda.

SAN CLEMENTE BEACH CLEAN UP

April 26, 2025

Ricky Raindrop^SM was last seen at the City of San Clemente's Earth Day Beach Clean Up and Educational Fair on Saturday, April 26, at the San Clemente Pier and Parque Del Mar. Attendees visited educational booths and collected litter to prevent it from going into the ocean. Ricky was in attendance to celebrate Earth Day and the community members who are making a water-smart impact in their city!

CLICK HERE to learn more about Ricky Raindrop^SM.

Cheers to Tap Water Day! Celebrate by drinking great-tasting water directly from your tap today or every day. Water agencies around California work daily to provide safe, clean, reliable drinking water for our homes, businesses, and schools. || Attention educators! Check out this teacher toolkit from The @mwdh2o and @WeTap: www.mwdh2o.com/education

#OCisWaterSmart #tapwaterislife #reliablewater #waterawarenessmonth

-Instagram, May 1