OC SANITATION DISTRICT OPEN HOUSE

Saturday, June 8, 2024

Get ready for a FREE, fun, and educational day at the Orange County Sanitation District’s (OCSD) Open House! This exciting event will feature live entertainment, food, interactive informational booths, and a guided tour of OCSD’s treatment facility. Stop by the MWDOC table for resources on water-saving rebates, programs, and more. Mark your calendars and bring the whole family!

CLICK HERE for more event details.

WEEA LEADERSHIP ROUNDTABLE #18

Tuesday, June 18, 2024

Did you know? Roughly one-third of the water sector's current workforce will become eligible for retirement in the next 10 years. The Water Energy Education Alliance (WEEA), administered and led by MWDOC, invites you to join us for the next Leadership Roundtable meeting on Tuesday, June 18, 2024, from 9:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m., where we will welcome the Los Angeles Department of Water & Power as our featured guest speakers. Six (6) expert panelists from the largest municipal utility in the nation will address key employment strategies to attract, train, and retain water and energy employees crucial to sustaining critical services. Registration is required to attend.

CLICK HERE to view and share the invitation flyer.

MWDOC WATER AWARENESS POSTER CONTEST

2024 Winners Announcement

MWDOC is proud to announce the winners of our 2024 Water Awareness Poster Contest, themed "Save Blue. Live Green." This year, nearly 800 entries showcased the creativity of K-12 students, with 40 winners and 17 honorable mentions selected across various grade bands. The top 40 students will be honored at an interactive awards ceremony at Shipley Nature Center in Huntington Beach this June. Congratulations to all participants for their outstanding artwork and commitment to water conservation. 

CLICK HERE to view the winning entries!

MWDOC FEATURED ON 'IMPACT OC'

Tuesday, April 23, 2024

Have you heard? MWDOC General Manager Harvey De La Torre sat down with OC Talk Radio's Dawn Kamber to discuss crucial water issues facing Orange County. In this insightful conversation, De La Torre delves into topics ranging from water supply challenges to innovative solutions for sustainability. 

CLICK HERE to watch and listen to the full interview. 

METROPOLITAN'S CAMP4W

A Special MWDOC Workshop Board Meeting

Resilience, Reliability, Financial Sustainability, and Affordability. On May 1, The Metropolitan Water District of Southern California’s (Metropolitan) Board Chair Adán Ortega and General Manager Adel Hagekhalil shared their insights and vision on Metropolitan's Climate Adaptation Master Plan for Water (CAMP4W) with Orange County water leaders at a special MWDOC hosted Workshop Board Meeting. Ortega and Hagekhalil also discussed regional and local community priorities, including water supply conditions, drought mitigation projects, and Metropolitan’s recent board budget decision.

CLICK HERE for an overview of CAMP4W.

5 HOT TIPS!

To Help Your Garden Beat the Summer Heat

Sarah Wilson, Public Affairs Specialist, MWDOC

Spending time outdoors during the summer is a cherished activity, but the heat can take a toll on both you and your garden. Embracing water-smart gardening techniques can help you achieve lush, healthy plants while minimizing water use, making your outdoor space enjoyable all season long. Whether you're a seasoned gardener or just starting out, these tips will provide you with practical ways to nurture your garden efficiently and sustainably.

CLICK HERE to read more. 

5 REASONS TO CARE!

About Your Annual Water Quality Report

Nate Shepherd, Public Affairs Coordinator, MWDOC

Did you know? Each year, your local water provider publishes a Consumer Confidence Report (CCR) that details water sources, tested contaminants, and how your water quality meets Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) standards. Stay informed about the clean, safe, and reliable drinking water that is vital for your community’s health and resilience.

CLICK HERE to read more.

WATER ENGINEERING 4 GOOD AWARD

Oxford Academy

California's water future is looking bright as young innovators at Water Engineering 4 Good (WE4G) showcase their cutting-edge solutions to drought challenges. WE4G is an online STEAM competition presented by The Metropolitan Water District of Southern California (Metropolitan), where middle and high school students develop engineering solutions to address drought issues and learn from water industry professionals. Oxford Academy, located in MWDOC member agency Golden State Water Company’s service area, won this year's WE4G competition with an innovative project that included a physical model made from recycled materials and an animated CAD (computer-aided design) model. Their impressive multimedia presentation documented their progress through video journals and social media posts, showcasing their creativity and understanding.

CLICK HERE to view the winning project presentation.

CAPIO 2024 AWARD WINNERS

Tuesday, May 14, 2024

Have you heard? Southern California water communications pros met the high-water mark at this year’s annual California Association of Public Information Officials (CAPIO) awards ceremony! Congratulations to The Metropolitan Water District of Southern California and MWDOC member agencies, the Orange County Water District and the Irvine Ranch Water District, for top nods in their categories. MWDOC Public Affairs also made a splash as a Dollar Stretcher award winner for its innovative communications and outreach efforts to promote the Westminster Coronet Watersmart Conservation Garden project. This award marks MWDOC’s twenty-third recognition for exceptional communications since 2018.

CLICK HERE to learn more about MWDOC’s latest award-winning project!

WEROC LEADER RECOGNIZED FOR EXCELLENCE

A Trailblazer in Emergency Management

Vicki Osborn, the Director of Emergency Management at MWDOC, was honored with the President’s Award at the California Emergency Services Association (CESA) Southern Chapter Spring Program Meeting and received the Senator Nicholas C. Petris Award at the annual CESA Conference. Additionally, she obtained the California Professional Emergency Manager (CA-PEM) Certification. At MWDOC, Vicki oversees the Water Emergency Response Organization of Orange County (WEROC) which protects 3.1 million Orange County residents through the resiliency and reliability of the county’s water and wastewater agencies. 

CELEBRATING SUSTAINABILITY

MWDOC Leak Detection Program's Big Impact

Blazing the trail in environmental stewardship, MWDOC’s Leak Detection Program earned a nomination for Association of California Cities - Orange County’s Golden Hub of Innovation Award! In 2023, MWDOC’s Leak Detection crew surveyed 1,350 miles of water main, fixing leaks that saved 1,718 acre-feet of water. That’s enough to supply 5,100 OC households with water for a year. Congratulations to MWDOC’s hardworking Leak Detection crew on this notable achievement!

REAL PEOPLE, REAL SAVINGS

City of Westminster

Experience sustainability in action! Thanks to an innovative collaboration between MWDOC, the Wyland Foundation, Saddleback Community College, the City of Westminster, and many others, Coronet WaterSmart Conservation Garden is a vibrant, drought-tolerant oasis spanning 5,011 sq. ft. This water-smart transformation project has an impressive annual water savings of over 200,000 gallons and is designed to be a replicable model for visitors with easy to find and incorporate water-saving landscape techniques and technologies! 

CLICK HERE to learn more about this park transformation and find inspiration for your next garden project!

CLICK HERE to start saving with water smart rebates!

ASSISTANT GENERAL MANAGER

Dr. Melissa Baum-Haley

MWDOC proudly announces the appointment of Dr. Melissa Baum-Haley as Assistant General Manager. Dr. Baum-Haley, who joined MWDOC in 2011, has demonstrated exceptional leadership and expertise, significantly advancing the District’s Water Smart Industrial Program and water resource planning initiatives. Her promotion underscores her dedication and invaluable contributions to water management and policy development.

CLICK HERE to read more.

LOCAL RELIABILITY PROJECT RECEIVED $39.9 MILLION AWARD

Doheny Ocean Desalination Project

In a groundbreaking move for Southern California's water future, The Metropolitan Water District of Southern California (Metropolitan) has approved a $39.9 million investment in South Coast Water District’s Doheny Ocean Desalination Project, marking a significant milestone in regional water sustainability. This project promises to deliver 5,600 acre-feet of new, drought-proof water annually to South Orange County, safeguarding the area against disruptions from natural disasters.

CLICK HERE to read the full story.

TCWD'S WATER AWARENESS DAY

Saturday, May 11, 2024

Ricky the Rambunctious Raindrop^SM was last seen on the run at Trabuco Canyon Water District’s (TCWD) Water Awareness Day! Ricky participated alongside TCWD customers of all ages in hands-on learning activities, water safety education, and water-smart games that inspired good water stewardship. Be sure to say “hi” to Ricky the next time you see him around Orange County!

CLICK HERE to learn more about Ricky Raindrop^SM!

SMWD'S GALACTIC WATER FESTIVAL

Saturday - May the 4th Be With You!

Epic infrastructure tours, pipe building races, worm composting, and more! Ricky the Rambunctious Raindrop^SM joined Santa Margarita Water District (SMWD) at their annual legendary Water Festival, teaming up with garden-smart Jedi masters and Darth Vader to help celebrate SMWD’s 60th anniversary with its stellar water-smart customers.

CLICK HERE to learn how Ricky and his friends help Orange County save water! 

Hey OC! Did you know? There was an Earth Day event hosted by Municipal Water District of Orange County City of Westminster Wyland Inside the Outdoors Foundation and Ten Strands last weekend! Attendees enjoyed water conservation giveaways, painting, and planting activities and participated in water stewardship quizzes to test their knowledge. Stay tuned for our future events this summer! #OCisWaterSmart. || Learn more about MWDOC's educational initiatives, visit mwdoc.com/watereducation

-Facebook, April 23