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Highlights from August 2026

August was National Water Quality Month, but at the Orange County Water District (OCWD), protecting water quality is a responsibility we carry out every day.

Our Water Quality and Laboratory teams are central to that work, conducting extensive monitoring and testing throughout the groundwater basin and providing the scientific data that guide District decisions. Their efforts, together with staff across OCWD, help ensure the basin remains a safe and reliable source of drinking water for 2.5 million people.

That work extends beyond routine monitoring and regulatory requirements. OCWD also closely tracks constituents of emerging concern, using advanced testing and research to identify potential water quality issues and respond proactively as new regulations develop. PFAS is one example of how that approach has helped the District act early and support our retail water agencies in addressing a complex water quality challenge.

OCWD’s approach to PFAS has also reflected the District’s focus on transparency and accountability. Earlier this year, the Orange County Grand Jury recognized the District’s proactive response to PFAS and commended several aspects of our program. OCWD recently provided its formal response to the report, addressing report findings and recommendations and providing additional context on the District’s ongoing efforts to protect groundwater quality and support our retail water agencies.

I want to thank our dedicated employees whose expertise, diligence and attention to detail help protect Orange County’s water supply every day.

200
drinking water wells

500

compounds tested

1,500
wells sampled


20,000
samples collected

400,000
results analyzed

2.5 million
people served

(numbers shown are annual averages)

Record-High Stormwater Capture at Prado Dam  

OCWD and the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers captured a record 18.1 billion gallons of water at Prado Dam between July 2025 and June 2026, the highest total since the 1940s. The amount is enough to supply more than 110,000 households for one year and is valued at more than $55 million. 

The record reflects the benefits of Forecast Informed Reservoir Operations (FIRO), which uses advanced weather forecasting to help inform reservoir operations while maintaining flood protection. Close coordination between the two agencies helped maximize opportunities to capture stormwater for groundwater recharge. 

Water released from Prado Dam is sent downstream to OCWD recharge facilities in Anaheim and Orange, where it replenishes the Orange County Groundwater Basin. During fiscal year 2025-26, Santa Ana River flows, including captured stormwater, accounted for approximately 60% of OCWD’s groundwater recharge. 

Statewide Innovation Award 

FIRO at Prado Dam received a 2026 California Municipal Utilities Association (CMUA) Impact Award and took home first-place honors in the Innovative Projects and Programs category. The annual awards highlight projects and programs that demonstrate innovation, community value and strong execution. FIRO at Prado Dam was recognized for its collaborative approach to increase stormwater capture for groundwater recharge. 

The project is a partnership among OCWD, the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, Scripps Institution of Oceanography’s Center for Western Weather and Water Extremes, and the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service. Together, the partners have worked through complex scientific, operational, regulatory and environmental considerations to advance FIRO at Prado Dam.  

"I’m pleased that CMUA recognizes the impact of FIRO, not just for water supply’s bottom line but also the impact in terms of collaboration between agencies across federal, state and local levels.”

- Cary Talbot, PhD, PE, National Lead, Forecast Informed Reservoir Operations Program, Coastal & Hydraulics Laboratory, US Army Engineer Research & Development Center

Derrick Mansell Named Operator of the Year 

GWRS Operations Manager Derrick Mansell was named WateReuse California’s Operator of the Year, recognizing his nearly two decades of technical expertise, leadership and contributions to the successful operation of the Groundwater Replenishment System (GWRS).

His experience spans advanced treatment processes including microfiltration, reverse osmosis and ultraviolet light with hydrogen peroxide, and he has contributed to the successful commissioning and startup of the GWRS Final Expansion. The completion of the final expansion enables GWRS to produce 130 million gallons of purified recycled water every day - enough water for 1 million people. Beyond plant operations, Derrick regularly shares his expertise with industry peers, stakeholders and visitors through tours, conference presentations and technical exchanges.

OCWD Shares Expertise at Conference 

During the 2026 WateReuse California Annual Conference, several staff members participated in conference sessions covering a range of topics central to advanced water purification and reuse.

Presentations addressed advanced water treatment operator certification, reverse osmosis operations and membrane evaluation, analytical methods for recycled water, PFAS removal in municipal reuse reverse osmosis concentrate, and lessons learned from operating the world's largest indirect potable reuse facility.

Their participation reflects OCWD’s continued leadership in advancing water reuse and sharing the knowledge gained through decades of operating, researching and expanding the GWRS.

The student visits were among several international GWRS tours this summer. OCWD also welcomed delegations from Abu Dhabi, Taiwan, United Arab Emirates, and South Korea, providing visitors with an opportunity to learn about the GWRS and Orange County’s leadership in water reuse.

OCWD’s technical expertise and operational experience continue to support research well beyond the District’s own projects. Staff routinely assist universities and other research organizations by providing water samples, sharing historical plant and performance data, hosting as a test site, and supplying equipment and materials for independent studies. 

A recent example involved researchers studying how reverse osmosis membranes change during long-term operation. OCWD provided used membrane modules from the GWRS, along with system-performance data and technical guidance, allowing researchers to evaluate membrane aging under real-world conditions. Providing this type of data and expertise helps advance broader industry knowledge and supports continued innovation in water treatment and reuse.  

(Pictured here is a reverse osmosis membrane, provided by OCWD, that was cut open in the lab for research.)

KD1, now known as "Kaydee," hatched in the Prado Basin in 2022 and was banded that April as part of OCWD's efforts to track and monitor bald eagles born in the area. Its distinctive lavender “KD1” band recently allowed the young eagle to be identified more than 70 miles away in Big Bear Valley, where it has been seen near Shadow, one of the area’s well-known resident bald eagles.

The Prado Basin is an important part of OCWD’s groundwater recharge system and also provides habitat for a wide range of wildlife. OCWD biologists conduct regular biological monitoring throughout the area as part of the District’s environmental stewardship and operational activities. 

OCWD Field Biologist Jenna Carpenter, who was present when KD1 was banded, recently answered questions about the eagle’s connection to Prado, its journey to Big Bear and what biologists can learn from banding and monitoring eagles over time. 

Watch the Q&A video to learn more!

The 18th Annual OC Water Summit returns Friday, September 25, at the Westin South Coast Plaza, bringing together hundreds of water professionals, industry leaders, policymakers and stakeholders for a full-day discussion on the issues shaping southern California’s water future. 

This year’s theme, Flow Forward: Securing Water Supply Through Innovation, will take a closer look at the decisions, investments and technologies that will influence water reliability in the years ahead. Sessions will explore the future of the Colorado River, the growing workforce challenges facing the industry, where California should prioritize its next major water investments, and how cybersecurity, artificial intelligence and drones are changing operations.

Attendees will hear from experts and industry leaders through panel discussions and presentations designed to provide practical insight into water supply, infrastructure, workforce development, technology and policy. 

Register early and save!

Tickets are $175 through September 4 and include all sessions, self-parking, continental breakfast, and a plated lunch. Tickets increase to $200 after September 4.

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.