You are here: Home / News & events / Newsletter / November 2020
OCWD Board Members
Vicente Sarmiento, Esq.
First Vice President
Cathy Green
Second Vice President
Stephen R. Sheldon
Denis R. Bilodeau, P.E.
Jordan Brandman
Dina L. Nguyen, Esq.
Kelly E. Rowe, C.E.G., C.H.
Tri Ta
Roger C. Yoh, P.E.
Ahmad Zahra
Michael R. Markus
P.E., D.WRE
• President's Message — Election Results
• GWRS in Brave Blue World Movie on Netflix
• OCWD Retains AAA Fitch Rating for 13th Consecutive Year
• The District Plays a Role in Extinguishing Blue Ridge Fire
• OCWD Named 2020 Special Districts Award Winner
• NWRI Clarke Prize Honors Dr. Karl Linden
• North and South Basin Quarterly Update
• Wild Secrets – Recharging Birds
• OCWD Water Webinar Series
• Nuts & Bolts
• Out in the Community
• OCWD in the News
• OCWD Employees
• Upcoming Events
• Tours
President's Message — Election Results
The Orange County Water District (OCWD; District) has a team of Directors to protect the interests of the District and its 19 local water suppliers. They proactively lead the development of new and existing programs and policies with the ultimate goal of providing high quality and abundant groundwater to the people and businesses of north and central Orange County.
Out of the 10 directors on our team, two were up for election. I am happy to say that Director Tri Ta (Division 4: Los Alamitos, Seal Beach and parts of Buena Park, Cypress, Garden Grove, Huntington Beach, Stanton and Westminster) and Director Cathy Green (Division 6: Parts of Fountain Valley and Huntington Beach) were elected to serve another term on the OCWD board. To learn more about the OCWD board members, please visit our website.
In addition to my appointment to the OCWD board, I have been on the Santa Ana City Council since 2007. I recently ran for the city mayoral position and I say with much humility and gratitude that the good people of Santa Ana have voted me to that seat. I will become the first new mayor in 26 years. Read More…
GWRS in Brave Blue World Movie on Netflix
Brave Blue World, a feature length documentary narrated by actor Liam Neeson, shows a hopeful future for grand scale water fixes and notes many valid solutions that are being used today, including the Groundwater Replenishment System (GWRS), which is featured in the newly released movie now on Netflix.
Water scarcity is a global issue affecting more than 40% of the people on our planet, according to the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations.
Orange County Water District Executive Director of Operations/GWRS Mehul Patel was interviewed at length about the GWRS and appears in the 50-minute documentary. "Brave Blue World covers inspiring innovations across five continents that could lead to a sustainable water future," said Mehul Patel. "It was an honor to have the GWRS—which produces 100 million gallons per day of drinking water to supplement that found in nature—be chosen as one pioneering role model. It is especially noteworthy because we are celebrating our 12th year in operation (January 2020) and we have produced more than 300 billion gallons to date." Read More…
OCWD Retains AAA Fitch Rating for 13th Consecutive Year
The Orange County Water District's (OCWD; the District) commitment to sound financial management was reaffirmed when Fitch Ratings assigned the District's obligations a AAA rating, a designation it has achieved annually since 2008. Fitch Ratings cited the District as having a robust financial profile that includes strong liquidity, competitive pricing and very low operating costs.
"OCWD's excellent financial standing has allowed us to provide greater water reliability for the region by financing and securing funding for critical water infrastructure projects, including the Groundwater Replenishment System (GWRS) Final Expansion," stated OCWD President Vicente Sarmiento. "The board and staff are committed to managing the District in a fiscally responsible manner to help ensure cost savings for the 19 water agencies it serves and their 2.5 million customers." Read More…
The District Plays a Role in Extinguishing Blue Ridge Fire
Water from the Santa Ana River is diverted to the Prado Wetlands, which the Orange County Water District (OCWD) created and manages. In late October, water within the OCWD wetlands ponds was used to fill fire helicopters to help extinguish the Blue Ridge Fire.
About 20,100 residences in Yorba Linda, Brea and Chino Hills had to be evacuated and more than 15,000 acres were scorched.
The Prado Wetlands, the largest constructed wetlands on the west coast of the United States, are located in Riverside County. The Prado Sediment Management Demonstration project, which is currently implementing a screen to remove tree roots and other large amounts of debris, was temporarily halted for safety and to ensure water availability in OCWD ponds to fill fire helicopters.
Photo was taken by Alex Cervantes, an OCWD senior heavy equipment operator.
OCWD Named 2020 Special Districts Award Winner
The Orange County Water District (OCWD; the District) was recognized as a Special Districts Award Winner by AT&T and Government Technology Magazine. This prestigious program acknowledges excellence in innovation and leadership for special district agencies across the country. The award was granted in the category, Technology Innovation: Citizens, which commends the use of technology to enhance services to the public during the COVID-19 pandemic. OCWD was applauded for its virtual outreach response, which includes a robust tour program, water webinars and more.
"It's an honor to be recognized for our efforts to quickly and effectively adapt to the challenges of interacting with the community during the COVID-19 pandemic," said OCWD President Vicente Sarmiento. "We're committed to community education and outreach and are proud of our success in maintaining these efforts through technology and innovation," he added. Read More…
NWRI Clarke Prize Honors Dr. Karl Linden
This year's Clarke Prize Laureate is Karl Linden, Ph.D., the Mortenson Professor in Sustainable Development at the University of Colorado in Boulder. He is an innovator in wastewater treatment technology.
The 27th Annual Clarke Prize Award virtual ceremony was hosted by the National Water Research Institute (NWRI) on Nov. 10, 2020. Highlights of the ceremony are available.
Dr. Linden's Clarke Prize Lecture, "Water Treatment at the Speed of Light," highlighted the ceremonies. The National Water Research Institute and the Joan Irvine Smith and Athalie R. Clarke Foundation presented him with the 2020 Clarke Prize, a medallion and a $50,000 cash award.
Dr. Linden has strong research connections to the water recycling community. His current research focuses on ultra violet (UV) light-emitting diode (LED) and UV disinfection for water treatment systems.
The Clarke Prize is presented annually for excellence in the fields of water science research and technology. Established by NWRI in 1993, the prize recognizes individuals of exceptional ability and promotes better water research and technology.
The Orange County Water District is a long-time NWRI member agency and produced a video that was also shown during the ceremony.
National Water Research Institute is a 501c3 nonprofit that collaborates with water utilities, regulators, and researchers in innovative ways to help develop new, healthy sources of drinking water.
North and South Basin Quarterly Update
The Orange County Water District (OCWD; the District) manages and protects the Orange County Groundwater Basin that underlies north and central Orange County, from which 19 cities and water agencies draw their water supply. OCWD implements a proactive groundwater and surface water monitoring program to protect the quality of the Orange County Groundwater Basin and ensure the water it provides meets or exceeds state and federal drinking water standards.
Industrial chemicals have impacted areas in the northern and southern parts of the groundwater basin; North Basin (near Fullerton, Anaheim and Placentia) and South Basin (near Santa Ana, Tustin and Irvine). OCWD is proactively seeking ways to clean up the pollution in a united effort with local and national regulatory agencies.
Below is an update on activities in and around the North and South Basin sites. OCWD will continue to update stakeholders as the need arises. Read More…
Wild Secrets – Recharging Birds
By Richard Zembal, natural resources director for the Orange County Water District
Under the skillful supervision of the Orange County Water District (OCWD; the District), there is a 6-mile stretch of the Santa Ana River that principally feeds recharge basins. The river, along with these manufactured "lakes," filter water into a large groundwater basin to be pumped as drinking water for 2.5 million people in north and central Orange County.
OCWD's recharge management starts further upstream in Riverside County near Prado Dam and includes the largest manmade wetlands on the west coast of the United States. Collectively, this expanse of land, river and basins act as giant natural purifiers and nurture wildlife as well. Read More…
OCWD Water Webinar Series
The Orange County Water District's (OCWD; the District) Water Webinar Series continues Monday, Nov. 30 at noon with an in-depth examination of the District's expansive recharge system.
Each day, several hundred million gallons of groundwater are pumped from the Orange County Groundwater Basin to satisfy the needs of 2.5 million people in north and central parts of the county,­ and it takes more than Mother Nature to refill it.
"Soarin' Over the Surface Recharge System" investigates what it takes to run one of the world's most complex recharge systems, the history behind OCWD's groundwater recharge and what the District is doing to prepare for the upcoming storm season.
In addition to an OCWD expert, attendees will hear from a local water provider about their partnership with OCWD. The free webinar is perfect for both newcomers to the water industry and seasoned professionals. Registration is now open for this exciting virtual event.
Interested in viewing a previous webinar, such as October's "Exploring Careers in the Water and Wastewater Industry?" Visit the Water Webinars webpage to watch a recording.
The Nuts & Bolts column features OCWD construction updates each month.
Construction projects coming down the pipeline.
• Construction on all phases of the Groundwater Replenishment System Final Expansion continues as crews work on facilities in Fountain Valley and Huntington Beach, including construction of the 3 ½ mile pipeline along the Santa Ana River trail that will bring treated wastewater from Huntington Beach to Fountain Valley. In Fountain Valley, other work includes continued construction of the micro-filtration facility, the reverse osmosis facility, and ultra violet light with hydrogen peroxide trains. At OCSD's Plant No. 2 in Huntington Beach, crews continue to work on the holding tanks.
• Construction of a monitoring well cluster, consisting of three separate wells spaced approximately 10 feet apart, began in early November on Oriole Avenue in Fountain Valley. The two deep wells will be drilled using the direct mud rotary drilling method and the shallow well will be drilled using the hollow stem auger drilling method. Construction is anticipated to take up to one month to complete.
• The Talbert Barrier Extraction Well Destruction Project has begun construction. The project includes the abandonment of seven existing vaults in Huntington Beach and Fountain Valley that are from extraction wells that were decommissioned last February. The abandonment includes filling of approximately 4,500 linear feet of existing buried 24-inch diameter pipeline. Construction is expected to last two months.
Out in the Community
As part of its standard to forge and maintain long-term, positive and proactive relationships with members of the local community and greater water industry and to be transparent about its operations and programs, OCWD board members and staff speak regularly before groups and at events. We recently participated in the following:
• Directors Vicente Sarmiento, Cathy Green and Dina Nguyen; General Manager Mike Markus; and OCWD staff met virtually with Congressman Alan Lowenthal to discuss District updates and federal priorities.
• Directors Vicente Sarmiento, Jordan Brandman, Denis Bilodeau, and Dina Nguyen, along with General Manager Mike Markus and Executive Director of Water Quality and Technical Resources Jason Dadakis, met with Congressman Lou Correa to provide a federal update on District projects and programs.
• Executive Director of Engineering and Water Resources John Kennedy and Recharge Planning Manager Adam Hutchinson presented an overview of OCWD history and groundwater management tools to a stakeholder group involved in preparing a Groundwater Sustainability Plan for the Oxnard Subbasin and Pleasant Valley Basin.
• Executive Director of Operations Mehul Patel participated as a panelist during a California Water Environment Association-hosted discussion of the documentary Brave Blue World, which featured the Groundwater Replenishment System.
OCWD continues to be recognized for its leadership in the water industry. Below are the District's recent media highlights that feature OCWD and the GWRS:
• Wateronline: Biwater Inc. Continues Robust Business Growth Despite The Impact from COVID-19
• Yahoo News: Vote Centers in Fountain Valley: Where To Vote in Person 2020
OCWD Employees
The District's employees are its most valuable resources. OCWD is committed to recruiting the best and enriching their lives so that they may grow within the water industry and the District family. This month, we celebrate a new staff member.
Please be advised that District facilities are temporarily closed to the public in response to COVID-19. Members of the public may participate in public meetings via Zoom. Information on how to participate is listed at the top of each agenda found in the "Next meeting" box on the District's meeting agenda site.
Tours­­­
In an effort to safeguard the health and safety of its employees and the community and continue its popular tour program during the novel coronavirus pandemic, the Orange County Water District is offering virtual tours of the Groundwater Replenishment System (GWRS) in webinar format.
The virtual tours feature an in-depth look at the world-renowned GWRS through a video tour of the facility led by General Manager Mike Markus. The presentations are followed by live Q&A.
Five virtual tours were held during the month of October. Groups participating included two nursing classes from California State University, Long Beach; hydrology students from California State University, Long Beach; Katella High School AP science students; and University of California, Irvine engineering students.
Generally, virtual tours are held the first Friday of every month and are open to the general public. The next public tour is as follows:
Dec. 4– 10:00 a.m. to 11:30 a.m.
Registration is required for all public tours and is available through the OCWD book a tour site.
Tours for school groups and community organizations can be scheduled to accommodate group schedules. Should you have any questions or wish to obtain more information about scheduling a tour, please contact Kira Erquiaga at kerquiaga@ocwd.com.
www.ocwd.com
18700 Ward Street