The Orange County Water District has been named Sustainable Government of the Year by Sustain SoCal, which cited the district’s environmental stewardship, water management and use of local resources.
“This recognition affirms the value of doing the work the right way,” said OCWD President Denis Bilodeau. “For OCWD, that means balancing reliable water supplies, responsible stewardship and long-term value for the communities we serve.”
OCWD manages the Orange County Groundwater Basin, which supplies approximately 85% of the water used by 2.5 million people in north and central Orange County. The district captures stormwater and Santa Ana River flows to recharge the basin, monitors groundwater quality and manages habitat in areas where it conducts water operations.
In partnership with the Orange County Sanitation District, OCWD operates the Groundwater Replenishment System (GWRS), which treats wastewater to produce up to 130 million gallons of purified water per day. That water is used to replenish the groundwater basin.
The district has set aside more than 1,100 acres for environmental preservation and manages about 465 acres of constructed wetlands in the Prado Basin, which filter river water before it reaches recharge facilities. According to OCWD, habitat restoration and monitoring in the area have contributed to the recovery of the endangered least Bell’s vireo, a songbird whose documented territories have grown from 19 in 1986 to more than 760 today.
“OCWD stands out for turning sustainability into measurable results,” said Scott Kitcher, president and CEO of Sustain SoCal. “Its work demonstrates how a public agency can strengthen water reliability, use resources wisely and deliver meaningful environmental benefits, while also building strong public-private partnerships that help advance innovative solutions.”
District officials say the groundwater programs reduce Orange County’s dependence on imported water, which is more expensive than local supplies.
