Highlights from September 2025 | | | | President's Message: OCWD and U.S. Army Corps Collaborate to Boost Water Reliability | | |
In September, the National Water Supply Alliance (NWSA) held its held its Annual Meeting in Irvine, and I was honored to join as President of the Orange County Water District (OCWD) to deliver welcome remarks. The meeting focused on direct dialogue with U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (USACE) leadership and members on water supply policy, reservoir operations, and current challenges.
For decades, OCWD has partnered with the Corps to advance water reliability while prioritizing flood protection. In our first year as an NWSA member, we participated in discussions on federal reservoir operations managed by USACE and local supply reliability. OCWD and USACE capture Santa Ana River storm flows at Prado Dam to recharge the Orange County Groundwater Basin, which provides up to 85% of drinking water for 2.5 million people. On average, 24,000 acre-feet per year can now be captured behind the dam, which is enough to meet the annual needs of 200,000 people.
OCWD staff member Lisa Haney presented on sediment removal at Prado Dam, which would add about 2 billion gallons of stormwater capture per year and is part of a series of efforts the District undertakes to increase reliability for the region. We work with the Corps and our local and state partners toward greater water abundance for Orange County.
| | OCWD and IRWD Dedicate New PFAS Treatment Plant | | |
The Orange County Water District (OCWD) and Irvine Ranch Water District (IRWD) co-hosted a dedication and ribbon cutting for a new PFAS treatment plant in Orange. The event underscored the agencies’ partnership to safeguard water quality and public health.
The facility uses ion exchange technology to remove PFAS — a group of manufactured chemicals increasingly found in water sources across the country — from groundwater pumped from Orange Park Acres Well Number 1. The system purifies up to 3,200 gallons of water per minute, enough to serve about 14,000 households in IRWD’s service area.
“OCWD is proud to partner with agencies like IRWD to implement solutions that protect our groundwater and ensure a resilient water supply,” said OCWD President Denis Bilodeau. “This project demonstrates the power of regional collaboration and our shared commitment to protecting water quality for generations to come.”
To learn more about OCWD's PFAS treatment policy, visit the PFAS education center.
| | OCWD Leads the Way in Innovative Water Treatment Research | | |
OCWD’s Research & Development Department, in partnership with Yorba Linda Water District (YLWD), is conducting a PFAS adsorption pilot at YLWD’s PFAS Treatment Plant in Placentia. The study maintains OCWD’s program of testing treatment media for PFAS removal — evaluating proven, off-the-shelf products alongside newer, emerging materials — to pinpoint best-performing, best-value options water agencies and cities could consider for their treatment systems.
This work is partially funded by The Water Research Foundation and Tucson Water, with in-kind analytical support from the State Water Resources Control Board’s Division of Drinking Water. Through continued collaboration with regional partners, OCWD advances practical, forward-looking research that strengthens water reliability and helps keep water safe and affordable for the community.
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Another study is also grant-funded this fall. OCWD's R&D department received notice of a $200,000 award from the U.S. Bureau of Reclamation’s Desalination and Water Purification Research Pitch to Pilot program. The funding will support a two-year study to modernize microbial monitoring.
The study will apply DNA sequencing and digital polymerase chain reaction to provide deeper insight into biological water quality at the Groundwater Replenishment System (GWRS), the world’s largest potable reuse project of its kind. These state-of-the-art methods will help advance water treatment science and ensure the continued production of safe, reliable drinking water. While the GWRS already meets and exceeds all safety requirements, these new techniques will add another layer of confidence in the multibarrier treatment process. Through its leadership in research, OCWD delivers real-world solutions to today’s water challenges and strengthens potable reuse as a safe, sustainable practice.
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After studies like the above are completed, R&D staff prioritize publishing their work in scientific journals to broaden the impact and reach of the District. Most recently, OCWD Principal Scientist Jana Safarik and Director of Research Dr. Megan Plumlee co-authored an article in the journal Water Research titled “NDMA Soft-Sensors for Potable Reuse: A Model Development Study.” The study used data-driven modeling to simulate soft sensors for real-time UV dose control, improving treatment of NDMA — a trace disinfection byproduct — and achieving up to 31% energy savings at potable reuse facilities. Supported by the National Alliance for Water Innovation, this work underscores OCWD's commitment to advancing energy-efficient, high-quality and cost-effective potable reuse.
| | GWRS Highlighted as a Model for Water Reuse | | |
Smart Water Magazine profiled the Groundwater Replenishment System (GWRS) in “Orange County's Groundwater Replenishment System as a Scalable Model for Water Security,” highlighting the GWRS as a blueprint for the future and the role of potable reuse as a scalable, sustainable and essential solution to today’s water challenges. The magazine also published an article authored by Executive Director of Operations Mehul Patel, “How Orange County's GWRS Revolutionized Water Reuse.”
OCWD was mentioned and Director of Research Dr. Megan Plumlee was quoted in Stanford Magazine's October cover story, "Pipe Dreams," which explores beneficial uses for wastewater, including water reuse.
This media coverage affirms the District's leadership in advancing water reuse.
| | OCWD Visits Mesa Water Education Center | | |
OCWD representatives visited the Mesa Water Education Center in Costa Mesa to support the advancement of water education and identify opportunities to enhance OCWD’s educational and tour elements, while strengthening collaboration with a local partner.
The center provides a hands-on overview of the infrastructure that delivers water to homes and businesses, as well as the Orange County Groundwater Basin, managed by OCWD, which supplies approximately 85% of the drinking water for 2.5 million residents in northern and central Orange County. OCWD hosts thousands of visitors annually to learn about water reuse, groundwater management, and water quality, and is recognized as a global leader in these areas.
| | OCWD Speakers Bureau: From Classrooms to Global Exchanges | | |
Director of Engineering Ryan Bouley briefed students at A Plus 1 Academy in Irvine about the Orange County Water District and the Groundwater Replenishment System (GWRS).
Director of Public Affairs Gina Ayala presented on GWRS outreach during a monthly information exchange between U.S. and Ukrainian water utilities organized by the Mykolaiv Water Hub.
These engagements underscore OCWD's commitment to water education and to sharing best practices as a globally recognized leader on water solutions.
| | OC Water Summit Session Videos Now Live | | |
The 17th annual OC Water Summit, hosted by the Orange County Water District and the Municipal Water District of Orange County, successfully brought together colleagues, water industry experts, community leaders and elected officials to explore strategies for enhancing regional water reliability.
The popular event featured four engaging sessions that fostered discussion, collaboration, and the exchange of ideas on critical water issues facing the region. All four sessions are now available to view online at ocwatersummit.com/program.
| | Thirsty for More Information? | | |
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.
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ABOUT OCWD
The Orange County Water District manages the local groundwater basin that provides 85% of the water supply for 19 cities and retail water districts in north and central Orange County, serving 2.5 million people. For more than 90 years, OCWD has proactively implemented initiatives to protect and increase local water supplies. OCWD replenishes the basin, prevents seawater intrusion, and protects Orange County’s rights to Santa Ana River water.
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OCWD BOARD MEMBERS
President Denis R. Bilodeau, P.E.
1st Vice President Van Tran, Esq.
2nd Vice President Erik K. Weigand
Valerie Amezcua
Cathy Green
Fred Jung
Natalie Meeks
Dina L. Nguyen, Esq.
Stephen R. Sheldon
Roger C. Yoh, P.E.
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For more information, please visit www.ocwd.com and follow @OCWaterDistrict on social media.
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