Click here to view this newsletter as a webpage

Highlights from June 2026

I’m pleased to share that an Orange County Grand Jury report released last month recognized OCWD’s leadership in addressing PFAS and its ongoing work to protect Orange County’s groundwater supply.

PFAS are not unique to Orange County; they affect water systems across the nation and around the world. What distinguishes Orange County is how this challenge has been addressed. The report highlighted OCWD’s partnership with local water providers to restore impacted groundwater wells, build treatment facilities, secure outside funding, and keep the public informed.

That work is continuing and has already produced significant results. Of the 106 wells impacted by PFAS, 53 have already been returned to service through the construction of PFAS treatment facilities.

The Grand Jury commended OCWD for securing diversified funding sources to support timely treatment facility construction and cited the District's collaborative cost-sharing approach with its member agencies as a model for addressing complex public challenges. To date, OCWD has secured approximately $283 million through state and federal grants, legal settlements with chemical manufacturers, and other funding sources to help offset treatment costs and reduce impacts to ratepayers.

While there is still more work ahead, the progress made so far demonstrates what can be accomplished through a shared commitment to safeguarding Orange County’s water supply.

I encourage you to read the full report "PFAS and Public Awareness: A Closer Look at Orange County Drinking Water," and visit OCWD's PFAS Education Center to learn more about the actions being taken to protect our region’s water resources. 

OCWD has begun using Nanostack membrane coating technology on one full-scale, 5-million-gallon-per-day reverse osmosis (RO) unit at the Groundwater Replenishment System (GWRS). This technology applies a hydrophilic coating to standard RO membrane elements and is designed to improve fouling resistance and enhance membrane cleanability. This approach differs from traditional membrane upgrades, which typically involve replacing membranes with entirely new products.

Before installation, OCWD’s Research and Development staff evaluated the coated membranes alongside other commercially available RO products through the District’s satellite vessel program, which allows new membrane technologies to be tested under GWRS operating conditions before full-scale application.

This project demonstrates OCWD’s continued commitment to evaluating and adopting innovative solutions that can enhance operations. OCWD will continue to monitor the installation to evaluate how the coating performs over time under full-scale GWRS operating conditions.

Representatives from OCWD and several member agencies participated in a tour of Prado Dam organized by Yorba Linda Water District General Manager Mark Toy. The program included presentations on the history of Prado Dam and the Santa Ana River Mainstem Project, updates on the Prado Dam Spillway Project, the latest on Forecast Informed Reservoir Operations (FIRO), followed by a guided tour of the facility.

The visit provided attendees with a firsthand look at dam operations and learn about its vital role in Orange County's water supply. By capturing Santa Ana River storm flows, Prado Dam helps maximize groundwater recharge while supporting flood risk management.

Director of Water Quality Patrick Versluis was selected to be a part of the State Water Resources Control Board Division of Drinking Water (DDW)'s Water Technical Access Portal (WaterTAP) advisory group.

Public water systems in California are required to report critical information to DDW, including but not limited to the operation of their water system, contact information, water quality, water quantity, treatment efficacy, compliance, and water rates. This information provides the foundation for data-driven decisions to ensure all Californians have safe, affordable, and accessible drinking water.

The WaterTAP project will modernize drinking water data and information management and allow DDW to better make this data available to the public. Advisory group members will provide DDW staff with input, feedback, and perspectives on project goals, functionality, usability, and implementation considerations.

Executive Director of Planning and Natural Resources Lisa Haney recently participated in the international SWAN (Smart Water Networks Forum) Conference in Tampa, Florida, where she moderated a panel debate on the future of digital twins and artificial intelligence (AI) in the water industry.

The session brought together utility leaders, technology providers, and industry experts to discuss how AI is changing the way digital twins are developed and used to support water management. Panelists explored opportunities to improve operational decision-making, predictive planning, infrastructure management, and workforce efficiency while also addressing important topics such as governance, data quality, transparency, and building trust in AI-driven tools.

OCWD continues to be recognized as a leader in this space through its development of a digital twin for Prado Basin. The District's work integrates geographic information systems (GIS), remote sensing, hydrologic modeling, environmental monitoring, and AI to better understand the relationships between water operations, habitat conditions, groundwater recharge, and regulatory compliance. The platform is helping support Forecast Informed Reservoir Operations (FIRO), environmental monitoring, and long-term watershed planning.

Participation in international forums such as SWAN allows OCWD to share its innovative work while learning from leading utilities and technology organizations around the world. The conference provided valuable insights into emerging AI applications and reinforced the importance of collaboration as the water sector continues to advance digital transformation.

GWRS water was once again put to creative use at the Orange County Water Association’s 4th Annual Summer Splash, where homebrewers used purified recycled water to craft a variety of beers and ciders for the event’s Pure Beer Homebrew Tasting. Styles included a West Coast Pilsner, Chocolate Porter, Vienna Lager, Pale Ale, and more.

GWRS water was also recently used by Washington DC-based DC Water and a local brewery to create a beer that was offered to attendees of an event associated with the American Water Work Association’s Annual Conference and Exposition

As the saying goes, “tastes like water, because it is water.” In this case, it tastes like beer, because it is beer. Through engaging initiatives like these, OCWD continues to help build public understanding and confidence in purified recycled water and its role in creating a reliable local water supply.

Pictured here is a new can design for GWRS water that is available for OCWD to distribute for educational and outreach purposes, per California Assembly Bill (AB) 2022.

OCWD hosted the June WateReuse Orange County Chapter meeting, bringing together water industry professionals for presentations by OCWD and Brown and Caldwell. Following the meeting, attendees had an opportunity to tour the GWRS, Philip L. Anthony Water Quality Laboratory, and Engineering Research Center.

The event provided an opportunity to showcase OCWD’s leadership in water reuse, research, and water quality while fostering collaboration and knowledge sharing among water professionals throughout the region.

More than 100 attendees heard from OCWD Chief Hydrogeologist Roy Herndon, P.G., C.HG, during a webinar examining the Santa Ana River’s essential role in supporting Orange County’s water supply. The presentation highlighted how water from the Santa Ana River watershed is captured and managed to replenish the Orange County Groundwater Basin, which provides a reliable supply of drinking water for 2.5 million residents.

Attendees learned about the river’s history, including major floods and the legal framework established by the 1969 Santa Ana River Judgment, as well as the role of the Santa Ana River Watermaster and key infrastructure throughout the watershed.

In case you missed it, a recording of the webinar is now available.

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.