MWDOC Celebrates 75 Years of Service, Reliability, and Regional Partnership
*View photos from the Celebratory Board Meeting.*
FOUNTAIN VALLEY, Calif. (January 21, 2026) — The Municipal Water District of Orange County (MWDOC) is proud to commemorate its 75th anniversary, marking decades of planning and partnership to secure reliable, high-quality water. Established in 1951 to bring imported water from The Metropolitan Water District of Southern California (Metropolitan) to the region, MWDOC enters this milestone year with a renewed commitment to collaboration, innovation, and long-term water stewardship. As the County’s wholesale water provider and resource planning agency, MWDOC also offers water education, emergency preparedness, and water-saving rebates and programs that support a sustainable water future for approximately 3.18 million residents of Orange County.
“MWDOC’s 75-year history reflects what is possible when local leadership, coordination, and planning come together,” said MWDOC Board President Larry Dick. “From strengthening water reliability to educating the next generation, our agency remains dedicated to serving Orange County with integrity, excellence, and a clear vision for the future.”
A Legacy of Reliability and Regional Partnership
Since its formation, MWDOC has built a reputation as the County’s water resource-planning agency, advancing long-term water reliability through analysis, shared-cost programs, and interagency collaboration. Partnerships with Metropolitan, 13 water districts, 13 cities, and one groundwater basin manager help ensure resilient water supplies and coordinated planning across the region.
Through engineering analyses, system reliability studies, and long-range infrastructure planning, MWDOC supports the entire County in identifying vulnerabilities, evaluating supply scenarios, and advancing projects that improve regional water resilience. MWDOC also advocates for state and federal funding to support critical regional water infrastructure projects. These technical efforts help ensure that local investments align with regional needs and long-term supply strategies.
“From our earliest days, MWDOC has focused on long-term planning, building partnerships and relations all the while advocating for Orange County’s water future,” said MWDOC General Manager Harvey De La Torre. “MWDOC will continue expanding its planning, technical and engineering support to help member agencies deliver reliable water supplies in an increasingly complex regulatory and climate environment. As we look to the next 75 years, we remain committed to the collaboration and innovation that have always defined our work.”
Advancing Water Efficiency, Education, and Emergency Preparedness
MWDOC’s mission is to provide reliable, high-quality water supplies to meet present and future needs at equitable and cost-effective rates, and to promote water use efficiency for all of Orange County. This mission continues to guide its investments and initiatives, enhancing regional resilience and community engagement. In commemorating 75 years, MWDOC reflects on its track record of leadership in:
Water Use Efficiency
MWDOC administers rebates and incentives on behalf of its member agencies, helping residents and businesses reduce water use, lower long-term demand, and support reliability. In fact, since 2001, MWDOC has secured more than $40 million in grant funding to support sustainable water use and strengthen regional water supply reliability. In recent years, the agency has expanded this effort through its Water Loss Control Programs, which support proactive leak detection by equipping local agencies with tools to improve system efficiency and comply with evolving state requirements.
Education & Public Information
Since 1973, MWDOC has played a leading role in water education through K–12 and community programs that promote long-term water awareness and stewardship. These efforts include curriculum-aligned lessons, hands-on activities, interactive presentations, teacher resources, long-running poster contests, and award-winning public education and water awareness campaigns that make complex water system concepts accessible. Together, these initiatives foster environmental responsibility, support informed decision-making, and help future generations understand and value Orange County’s water resources.
Emergency Preparedness and Response
MWDOC administers the Water Emergency Response Organization of Orange County (WEROC), established in 1983, which provides local water and wastewater agencies with coordinated training, emergency response planning, and mutual aid support critical to disaster preparedness. This coordination strengthens regional resilience by ensuring agencies can quickly share expertise, operational support, and resources during supply disruptions, earthquakes, or other emergencies.
Water Policy Forum
Since their inception, MWDOC’s Water Policy Forum and Dinners have evolved into a respected platform for high-profile speakers leading today’s public policy discussions. Featuring water industry experts, political and regulatory officials, and other key figures, these forums provide valuable insights into critical water issues and initiatives shaping Orange County’s future. These events are a vital opportunity for professionals committed to water policy, environmental sustainability, and regional planning.
Inspection Trips
MWDOC’s participation in Metropolitan’s inspection trips is part of a long-running Metropolitan board program that formally dates back to 1975. Hosted jointly by Metropolitan and MWDOC, these educational trips offer invited guests—often elected officials, business leaders, educators, and other stakeholders—firsthand insight into water issues and major facilities related to imported water supplies. Through these trips, MWDOC has also routinely taken the lead in educating the Orange County Grand Jury on the County’s imported water resources.
Charting the Next 75 Years
“As we commemorate this milestone, we honor those who laid the foundation for a resilient water future—visionary board members, dedicated staff, and the many partner agencies who share in this work,” said President Dick. “Together, we look forward to building on this legacy for generations to come.”
MWDOC’s 75th anniversary underscores the agency’s continued commitment to service, integrity, innovation, and ensuring safe, reliable, high-quality water for Orange County.
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Established in 1951, the Municipal Water District of Orange County (MWDOC) is a wholesale water provider and resource planning agency. MWDOC focuses on sound planning and appropriate investments in water supply, water use efficiency and conservation, water education, public information and outreach, legislative advocacy, and emergency preparedness. MWDOC’s 27 water agencies, comprised of both city water departments and water districts, provide water service to the public.