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Highlights from November 2025

When the rain pours, the Orange County Water District (OCWD; the District) delivers. During the November storms, OCWD captured more than six billion gallons of Santa Ana River stormwater that will be recharged into the Orange County Groundwater Basin.  

A large amount of this water is currently stored behind Prado Dam and will be gradually released for recharge, made possible by our decades-long partnership with the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers. This coordination allows us to safely store stormwater and bring it down to Orange County where it becomes part of our drinking water supply.  

Our planning, infrastructure investments, and the dedication of OCWD staff make this success possible. Kudos to our staff who work around the clock during storms to coordinate operations and ensure we’re able to capture every possible drop. Their work goes beyond the storm season; their year-round efforts to maintain our equipment and recharge facilities are critical to maximizing the benefit of every storm. 

We’re capturing more stormwater than ever before, and with initiatives like Forecast Informed Reservoir Operations (FIRO) at Prado Dam – an approach that uses advanced forecasting to better anticipate the timing and intensity of storms – we are positioned to capture even more in the years to come. 

Last month, Serrano Water District presented a resolution to the OCWD Board, thanking OCWD board members and staff for its leadership in addressing PFAS across Orange County. The resolution commends OCWD’s policy and technical guidance in developing PFAS treatment facilities that have supported retail agencies in restoring safe, reliable groundwater supplies.

One example is the Serrano Water District PFAS Treatment Plant, one of the first PFAS treatment plants to come online in Orange County, that can treat up to 4.6 million gallons of water per day. More than 50 wells – roughly half of those impacted – have been returned to service through OCWD’s proactive PFAS program. 

As of October 31, 2025, more than 79 billion gallons of groundwater have been treated to remove PFAS – reflecting sustained progress across OCWD and local suppliers.

The recent PFAS Quarterly Update includes important milestones and news such as countywide well restorations reaching the halfway mark, with 53 of 106 impacted wells returning to service; the State Water Resources Control Board’s Division of Drinking Water new and revised advisory levels for four types of PFAS; a new OCWD PFAS adsorption pilot study with Yorba Linda Water District; and approximately $131 million secured in initial settlements to help offset PFAS treatment costs. Read these items and more in the latest PFAS Quarterly Update. 

At the Innovation Summit North America, Executive Director of Planning and Natural Resources Lisa Haney served as a panelist for “From Pilots to Practice: GenAI for Water Sector Innovation,” highlighting OCWD’s long history of pioneering approaches in groundwater management.

She highlighted the importance of robust data infrastructure, which is enabling smarter operations, faster decision-making, and measurable outcomes. OCWD’s Planning Department plays a central role in advancing innovation by coordinating cross-departmental teams and leading initiatives such as Forecast-Informed Reservoir Operations, the Prado Digital Twin, and the forward-looking Resilience Plan – supporting the District's efforts in scaling solutions across the region while strengthening local water supply reliability. 

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.