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Highlights from October 2026

As Orange County prepares for the storm season, strong regional partnerships continue to play an important role in helping communities prepare and respond.

The Orange County Water District (OCWD) is working with the City of Newport Beach to support coastal storm preparations by providing sand for emergency sandbags and coordinating additional deliveries ahead of upcoming storms. Newport Beach is one of the 19 retail water agencies served by OCWD, and this effort builds on a history of mutual aid between our agencies. OCWD has also offered available sand to Caltrans to support storm preparedness needs.

This is the kind of work that is a win-win all around. It puts available local resources to practical use, supports storm preparedness, and allows existing sand to provide a broader public benefit. OCWD is also exploring opportunities to make additional sand available for future beach replenishment as part of a regional effort evaluating beneficial uses for inland sediment in coastal areas.

These partnerships complement the work OCWD carries out year-round to prepare for storms, including increasing groundwater recharge capacity, maintaining water infrastructure, and coordinating with regional partners to capture as much stormwater as conditions allow.

I’m proud that OCWD is putting local resources to work in ways that support our communities while continuing to provide a safe and reliable water supply for Orange County.

OCWD has been named Sustainable Government of the Year by Sustain SoCal for its work in sustainable water management, environmental stewardship and use of local resources.

The award recognizes efforts across the District, including groundwater recharge, water quality protection, habitat management and operation of the Groundwater Replenishment System (GWRS) in partnership with the Orange County Sanitation District.

Sustain SoCal President & CEO shared, "OCWD stands out for turning sustainability into measurable results. Its work demonstrates how a public agency can strengthen water reliability, use resources wisely and deliver meaningful environmental benefits, while also building strong public-private partnerships that help advance innovative solutions.”

"OCWD is on the cutting edge of both water treatment innovation and land management conservation." - 2026 Groundwater Adventure Tour attendee

Bulldozers working in the Santa Ana River are performing essential maintenance that supports groundwater recharge and flood control.

Over many decades, the Santa Ana River and its tributaries have been dammed, channelized and modified to reduce flood risk and protect people and property throughout the watershed. In Orange County, this same river system is also critical to the local water supply, providing about 45% of OCWD’s groundwater recharge on average.

OCWD uses bulldozers to move accumulated sediment, maintain flow paths and sand levees, and remove some vegetation where needed. This work helps water move through the river and improves opportunities for it to soak into the ground.

Watch the video to learn more about why this work matters.

OCWD recently welcomed representatives from member agency Yorba Linda Water District (YLWD) for a knowledge-sharing meeting focused on groundwater management and long-term planning. The visit included tours of the GWRS, lab, and Engineering Research Center.

The District also supported YLWD’s recent Open House by hosting an information booth and speaking with community members about the Orange County Groundwater Basin and OCWD’s role in managing the region’s groundwater supply.

Strong partnerships with member agencies help improve coordination, support informed planning and expand public understanding of Orange County’s water resources.

GM John Kennedy speaks to local community leaders about the value of the Orange County Groundwater Basin.

ACWA Executive Director Karla Nemeth visits OCWD to learn about the groundwater basin and to tour the GWRS.

Staff coordinated a visit with the U.S. Department of Energy to highlight Orange County's robust PFAS response.

Join OCWD for an upcoming webinar focused on the workforce behind the systems that keep water and wastewater treatment facilities running safely, reliably and efficiently.

This webinar will explore what it takes to become and succeed as an operator, including certification, training, technical skills and hands-on experience.

The discussion will also examine how operator roles are evolving as technologies advance and experienced professionals retire, and why developing the next generation of qualified operators is an important priority for the water and wastewater sectors.

Behind the Controls: Preparing the Next Generation of Water and Wastewater Operators

Monday, December 7, 2026

12p.m. - 1p.m.

Free Webinar

OCWD is celebrating three decades of its Children's Water Education Festival! This milestone event will take place April 14–15, 2027, at Oak Canyon Park, bringing together thousands of third, fourth, and fifth grade students for two days of hands-on water, science, and environmental education.

We invite organizations and community members to help make this year’s Festival a success. Here are three ways to get involved.

Present: Bring your organization's mission to life by leading an interactive activity that sparks curiosity and introduces students to careers in water, science, and the environment.

Sponsor: Sponsor contributions provide students with educational experiences that extend beyond the classroom. A variety of sponsorship opportunities are available to meet your organization's needs, and in-kind donations are also welcome.

Volunteer: Volunteers play an important role in guiding students, assisting presenters, and supporting Festival activities. Your time and enthusiasm help create a memorable educational experience for Orange County students.

Hands-on, engaging activities for students. 

Fun volunteer opportunities at our educational booths. 

You may even get to see some animals!

Congratulations to Jenna Carpenter, Environmental Specialist/Field Biologist, who has been named OCWD’s 2026 Employee of the Third Quarter.

Jenna was recognized for going above and beyond in support of the District, particularly through her role as a knowledgeable and engaging spokesperson on OCWD’s natural resources work. She made herself readily available for media interviews, including outside normal work hours, and consistently represented OCWD with professionalism, enthusiasm and expertise.

Her efforts helped generate widespread coverage of KD1, a bald eagle born in the Prado Basin in 2022 and recently seen around Shadow, the well-known Big Bear bald eagle, with stories appearing in major media outlets across the country and internationally. Jenna also provided additional content through a Q&A video, helping answer public questions and further showcase the District’s natural resources work.

Jenna brings this same level of commitment to her everyday responsibilities. She is known for being collaborative, responsive and willing to take on new assignments, while bringing a positive attitude and strong technical expertise to her work.

This 2026 OC Water Summit, themed "Flow Forward: Securing Water Supply Through Innovation," brought together water leaders, policymakers and industry experts to discuss forward-thinking strategies for addressing regional water supply challenges and strengthening long-term water reliability.

Those who were unable to attend, or who would like to revisit a session, can now watch the presentations online and hear the latest perspectives on innovation, planning and the future of water in Orange County.

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.