O.C. Water Briefing Featured State Water Resources Control Board Members
State Water Resources Control Board (SWRCB) Chair Felicia Marcus and Member E. Joaquin Esquivel were guest speakers at the Water Briefing and Brunch held Aug. 23 at the Orange County Water District (OCWD; the District). The event was hosted by OCWD, Irvine Ranch Water District, Moulton Niguel Water District, and Santa Margarita Water District.
Prior to the briefing, Marcus and Esquivel toured the Groundwater Replenishment System (GWRS), which Marcus says is a “model example of how to reuse a valuable resource to diversify local water supplies and secure long-term water resilience.”
OCWD President Denis Bilodeau began the briefing by welcoming the speakers as well as other guests in attendance, which largely included representatives from local Orange County water agencies. Bilodeau introduced Marcus who was appointed by Governor Brown to the SWRCB in 2012 and designated by the Governor as chair in April 2013.
Marcus spoke about the SWRCB’s important work to implement federal and state laws regarding drinking water and water quality. She also spoke about the priority issues now facing the SWRCB including permanent water conservation, water quality objectives, waste discharge requirements for cannabis cultivation, and others that can be seen at https://www.waterboards.ca.gov/board_info/priorities/index.shtml. Marcus concluded by thanking Orange County for its tremendous leadership in the water industry and introduced Esquivel.
Esquivel is the newest member of the State Water Resources Control Board. He served as assistant secretary for federal water policy at the California Natural Resources Agency since 2015 and worked for U.S. Senator Boxer for more than eight years working on water and agricultural policy. Esquivel shared his background and qualifications that led him to a position on the SWRCB, which he was deeply honored to accept. He was grateful to be in attendance and looks forward to working with the water community on many important issues. The SWRCB’s mission is to preserve, enhance, and restore the quality of California’s water resources and drinking water for the protection of the environment, public health, and all beneficial uses, and to ensure proper water resource allocation and efficient use, for the benefit of present and future generations.