Groundwater Management Plan, SGMA Alternative Plan, Santa Ana River Watermaster, & Imported Water Recharge Report
Groundwater Management Plan 2015 Update
OCWD adopted its first Groundwater Management Plan in 1989. The latest update was completed in 2015. This plan sets forth basin management goals and objectives and describes how the basin is managed. This includes description of basin hydrogeology, water supply monitoring programs, management and operation of recharge facilities, water quality protection and management, and natural resource and collaborative watershed programs. Basin management goals are (1) to protect and enhance groundwater quality, (2) to protect and increase the sustainable yield of the basin in a cost-effective manner, and (3) to increase the efficiency of District operations.
Sustainable Groundwater Management Act Alternative Plan
In 2014, the California Sustainable Groundwater Management Act (SGMA) was passed. The law provides authority for agencies to develop and implement groundwater sustainability plans (GSP) or alternative plans that demonstrate the basin is being managed sustainably. On January 1, 2017, the Orange County Water District, city of La Habra, and Irvine Ranch Water District submitted the Basin 8-1 Alternative to the California Department of Water Resources. Elements to be included in GSPs as described in the California Water Code (§10727.2, 10727.4, and 10727.6) have been incorporated into the Alternative. Prior to the Alternative, OCWD provided five groundwater management plans. The first was published in 1989 and its last was published in 2015. Like its predecessors, the Basin 8-1 Alternative will be updated every five years per SGMA requirements.
Santa Ana River Watermaster
The Santa Ana River Watermaster report is required by the Stipulated Judgment (Judgment) in the case of Orange County Water District v. City of Chino, et al., Case No. 117628-County of Orange. The Watermaster annually compiles the basic hydrologic and water quality data necessary to determine compliance with the provisions of the Judgment. The data include records of stream discharge (flow) and quality for the Santa Ana River (River) at Prado Dam and at Riverside Narrows as well as discharges for most tributaries; flow and quality of nontributary water entering the River; rainfall records at locations in or adjacent to the Watershed; and other data that may be used to support the determinations of the Watermaster.
The most current report may be viewed/downloaded below. For Watermaster reports prior to water year 2016-2017, please submit a public records request.
Imported Water Recharge Report
This report, required by a 2008 agreement the District and seven other agencies signed with the Santa Ana Regional Water Quality Control Board (Regional Water Board), presents a projection of future total dissolved solids and nitrate concentrations in the Orange County Management Zone. The Regional Water Board is responsible to protect the quality of surface water and groundwater in the watershed that includes the Orange County Groundwater Basin. Every six years, OCWD must complete a report to the Regional Water Board that evaluates future water quality conditions in the Orange County Groundwater Basin. This report was completed in July 2016.