MWDOC Provides Feedback to LAFCO’s OCWD MSR and SOI Public Review Draft, Encourages Collaborative Approaches

Key areas noted in MWDOC’s response include ensuring that cost savings and purported benefits are grounded in sound financial analysis, safeguarding the integrity of governance and representation, and clearly demonstrating how changes would deliver meaningful improvements to water reliability and value for Orange County. MWDOC also highlights that within each of the MWDOC and OCWD’s recent MSRs, LAFCO found no service deficiencies, and each agency is adequately prepared to provide its member agencies with public services within its authorization. Suggesting that targeted enhancements and further partnerships among the two agencies—rather than large-scale restructuring—will be more effective.

“MWDOC appreciates LAFCO’s efforts to strengthen regional water management. However, this feasibility study does not provide evidence that consolidation would benefit Orange water suppliers or their customers,” said MWDOC General Manager Harvey De La Torre. “We recommend focusing on areas that improve service efficiencies and coordination activities that will provide far more benefits without the risks, governance issues, and consolidation costs. Over the years, MWDOC and OCWD have worked closely on initiatives that have benefitted the entire region, such as coordinating Consumer Confidence Reports (CCRs), conducting countywide demand forecasting, hosting the Orange County Water Summit, identifying grant opportunities, and participating in Metropolitan Water District’s water management efforts like the Cyclic Storage Program. Based on these partnerships, a measured approach that builds on our agencies’ strong track record and leverages existing frameworks to achieve shared water management goals is clearly the better choice moving forward.”

MWDOC looks forward to working with OCWD, the Orange County retail agencies, and key stakeholders to enhance our collaborative efforts to achieve shared goals.

###

The Municipal Water District of Orange County (MWDOC) is a wholesale water provider and resource planning agency whose efforts focus on sound planning and appropriate investments in water supply, water use efficiency and conservation, public information and outreach, legislative advocacy, water education for all ages, and emergency preparedness. MWDOC’s 27 water agencies, comprised of city water departments and water districts, provide water service to the public.