December 2024

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IN THIS ISSUE:

Welcome to the December issue of MWDOC's

eCurrents newsletter! This month, we're excited to announce our first Scouts BSA Clinic of the season, where 75 Scouts will gain hands-on experience in preserving natural resources. Additionally, the upcoming Water Energy Education Alliance meeting is just around the corner, where attendees can learn and share valuable insights into creating opportunities for students to explore careers in California's water industry. Our "Did You Know?" section explores Proposition 4's impact on Orange County's water future and shares timely holiday water-saving tips. In case you missed it, MWDOC assisted Orange County water agencies to align with the EPA national goals while achieving state-approved, non-lead designation. What's more, Ricky RaindropSM brought water awareness to South OC elementary students, 24 educators earned Project WET certifications, and we revealed the theme for our 2025 Water Awareness Poster Contest.


Our latest issue includes all of this and so much more! If you have any comments or suggestions for future topics, please contact us at info@mwdoc.com. Thank you for subscribing!

MWDOC is governed by a seven-member

Board of Directors. To learn more, click on the image above, or visit our website at www.mwdoc.com.

For a complete list of upcoming and archived MWDOC meetings, click on the image above,

or visit our website at www.mwdoc.com.

UPCOMING EVENTS

OC SCOUTS BSA CLINIC

Saturday, January 25, 2025


Calling all OC Scouts BSA! MWDOC will be co-hosting a hands-on clinic with El Toro Water District (ETWD) for OC scouts to earn their Soil and Water Conservation Merit Badge. The clinic includes interactive lessons on soil and water conservation, including an exclusive tour of ETWD’s wastewater facility. All seven (7) requirements of the merit badge are completed during the 4-hour clinic!


CLICK HERE to register Scouts for the clinic on January 25!

WEEA LEADERSHIP ROUNDTABLE #20

Tuesday, February 11, 2025


Water workforce wisdom delivered! Join us on February 11, 2025, for our next Water Energy Education Alliance (WEEA) meeting, where we welcome guest speaker Don Jones, an esteemed industry leader, educator, and workforce advocate with Cuyamaca College Center for Water Studies. At this Leadership Roundtable, Don will share trusted insights and powerful lessons from his 60 years of experience in industry and education, supporting, developing, and implementing water career pathway programs.


CLICK HERE to register or to view and share the invitation flyer.

CLICK HERE to learn more about WEEA and discover sponsorship opportunities.

IN CASE YOU MISSED IT

MWDOC MEETS USEPA NATIONAL GOALS

2024 Deadline Met


MWDOC is spearheading efforts to assist Orange County agencies in eliminating lead contamination in drinking water, which is in alignment with the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency's (USEPA) national goals. Working with 13 retail water agencies, MWDOC assisted participating agencies in successfully meeting the USEPA's October 2024 deadline for submission of their Service Line Inventories while achieving state-approved non-lead designations for all 13 agencies' systems and staying within budget. The mandate required a comprehensive inventory of all water service lines, regardless of property ownership. With consultant Hazen and Sawyer's support through our Shared Services Program, MWDOC reduced costs, streamlined processes, saved resources, and reinforced its commitment to water quality and public health. 

DID YOU KNOW?

5 WONDERFUL WAYS!

To Have a Water-Smart Winter

Nate Shepherd, Public Affairs Coordinator, MWDOC


Are you hosting family and friends this season? Embrace the spirit of giving while saving water, too! Small changes can make a big difference, from gifting drought-tolerant plants to fixing leaks, running full dishwasher loads, and adjusting outdoor watering. Let’s make this holiday joyful and water-smart!


CLICK HERE to get started.

5 KEY GOALS!

Of Prop. 4 on California's Water Future

Municipal Water District of Orange County


Did you know? California voters have approved Proposition 4, authorizing the state to borrow $10 billion for climate initiatives, such as ensuring safe drinking water, wildfire prevention, and drought resilience. While proponents highlight the long-term benefits of these investments, some critics argue that the state could have prioritized these essential services within its existing budget. How will the new voter approved bond assist the state’s water infrastructure?


CLICK HERE to learn more. 

EDUCATION CORNER

WATER AWARENESS POSTER CONTEST

Deadline: March 12, 2025


Let your students’ inner Water Heroes shine through MWDOC’s annual Water Awareness Poster Contest! We are accepting entries by mail now until March 12. All Orange County K-12 students are invited to submit original artwork that reflects the theme: ‘Water Heroes: Saving Every Drop.’ Forty (40) winners will be selected – 10 from each grade band K-2, 3-5, 6-8, and 9-12 - and celebrated with prizes and an interactive awards ceremony.


CLICK HERE to view the contest flyer and rules.

CLICK HERE to view a Grab-and-Go activity for students and families.

CLIMATE CHANGE & CALIFORNIA WATER

Saturday, November 2, 2024


Collaboration to help combat climate change! MWDOC, the California Department of Water Resources, The Metropolitan Water District of Southern California, and California Project WET hosted a water education teacher workshop for 6th – 12th grade educators on climate change and its impact on California’s water resources. Of those who attended, 20 teachers and four (4) water agency staff were certified in the Project WET curriculum and learned about connections to careers in water.


CLICK HERE to learn more about MWDOC’s water education efforts!

WORKFORCE DEVELOPMENT

MULTIGENERATIONAL WORKFORCE

Thought-Provoking Survey


Did you know? For the first time in history, five (5) distinct generations are working together side by side in the workplace. In today’s multigenerational environment, collaboration can present both challenges and exciting opportunities. From varying communication styles and preferences, work ethics, and gaps in technology and institutional knowledge, what do you think is the biggest obstacle to effective teamwork across generations?


CLICK HERE to take our anonymous survey and weigh in!

HELPFUL RESOURCES

REAL OC TRANSFORMATIONS

REAL PEOPLE, REAL SAVINGS

City of Fountain Valley


Hey OC! Did you know? Orange County cities and businesses have been replacing their thirsty grass with native plants through MWDOC’s Commercial Rebate Program. The City of Fountain Valley recently replaced 3,143 square feet of grass with 440 water-smart plants for an expected savings of 138,000 gallons of water annually.


CLICK HERE to start saving with water-smart rebates!

RICKY ON THE RUN

R.H. DANA ELEMENTARY ANNUAL JOGATHON

November 15, 2024


High fives for all! Ricky RaindropSM was on the run in Dana Point, encouraging the kids who participated in the R.H. Dana Elementary School’s Jogathon to be good water stewards. South Coast Water District handed out high-quality tap water to thirsty runners as the new and improved Ricky cheered them on. This year, Ricky RaindropSM celebrates 50 years of teaching OC residents how to be water-smart, and he’s not slowing down. Be on the lookout for Ricky in your community!


CLICK HERE to learn more about Ricky’s 50th celebration. 

POLLING PLACE

How will you choose to save water this holiday season?
Minimizing water use in holiday meal prep and cleanup.
Turning off outdoor sprinklers during rainy days.
Running only full loads of dishes and laundry.
Decorating with drought-tolerant or low-water plants.
Other ideas? Share with us at PublicAffairs@mwdoc.com!

FAVORITE POSTS

Have you heard? October 5-13 is Water Professionals Appreciation Week! Join the statewide celebration to show support for the people who work tirelessly to ensure safe, clean, and reliable water for our communities. #CAWaterWeek #EssentialWorkers #ThankWaterPros #WorkForWater || Find, give a shoutout, and tag your local water provider on social media! https://mwdoc.com/servicearea.

-Facebook, Oct. 7

Thank you to our dedicated water professionals for ensuring a sustainable future for our community. Join the statewide celebration to show support for the people who work tirelessly to ensure safe, clean, and reliable water for our communities. #CAWaterWeek #EssentialWorkers #ThankWaterPros #WorkForWater || Find out more about our Leak Detection team! https://tinyurl.com/5fz7d8ja

-Instagram, Oct. 8

MWDOC and our partner agencies are hard at work on the latest update to the Orange County Water & Wastewater Multi-Jurisdictional Hazard Mitigation Plan. This five-year plan bolsters our Orange County community's resilience.

-X, Oct. 23

Municipal Water District of Orange County

Phone: (714) 963-3058 Fax: (714) 964-9389

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