Score: +4 (12/5/8)

Orange County Grand Jury • 2022-2023 • Agency Response

Response to: Historic Rain, Yet Drought Remains

Serrano Water District 18021 East Lincoln Street*

Published: August 28, 2023 5 pages

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⚠️ Translation Notice: This content has been automatically translated. The original English text is the official version. Translation may contain errors.

⚠️ Este contenido ha sido traducido automáticamente. El texto original en inglés es la versión oficial. La traducción puede contener errores.

Findings and Recommendations 12 findings

Future water supplies are impacted by climate change and current supplies will not meet future demands. Response: Serrano Water District does not have sufficient information to opine upon the accuracy of this finding. Serrano Water District is addressing future uncertainty that may 2629/007480-0001 19598920.3 a08/28/23 Honorable Maria Hernandez Presiding Judge Orange County Grand Jury August 28, 2023 be associated with climate change by improving the reliability and storage of Santiago Reservoir, the largest surface water storage reservoir in Orange County.

No recommendations for this finding

Climatologists predict future extended periods of low moisture with occasional wet years. Response: See response to Finding 1.

Related Recommendations (1)

Orange County water agencies should expedite the planning, development, and construction of desalination plants over the next five years to insure a sustainable and reliable drought-resistant source of water. Honorable Maria Hernandez Presiding Judge Orange County Grand Jury August 28, 2023 Response: Serrano Water District generally disagrees with this recommendation as applied County wide since central and northern Orange County already have a high level of water supply reliability. However, this recommendation may make more sense as to South County agencies without access to local supplies who could potentially benefit from developing and implementing desalination and other local water supply projects funded by their constituents.

Climate change is inevitable and is exacerbated by human behavior. Response: This is a question for climatologists, not water districts. However, to the extent this finding is ultimately confirmed, Serrano Water District is addressing future uncertainty as described in the response to Finding 1.

Related Recommendations (1)

The County of Orange and all Orange County cities should formulate an emergency development moratorium plan in anticipation of the Colorado River water supply being constrained. The emergency moratorium plan should be developed by the end of calendar year 2023. Response: Serrano Water District does not see a need for an emergency moratorium plan currently, at least as pertains to central and northern Orange County. Much of the new development in northern and central Orange County is anticipated to be infill and the construction of additional dwelling units (ADUs) at existing residences, which, though adding population in existing residential areas, can nevertheless be anticipated to reduce total water demand due to decreased outdoor irrigation and the implementation of mandatory state water efficiency standards in new water use that does occur.

South Orange County relies primarily on the importation of water. Response: This finding is consistent with Serrano Water District's understanding. However, Serrano Water District understands that South Orange County agencies have a number of promising local water supply projects in development (e.g., Doheny Desalination Project) that may decrease reliability on imported water supplies over the long term.

Related Recommendations (1)

Orange County water agencies should update their public communication strategies, by calendar year end 2023, to inform the public of lifestyle changes if additional water sources are not developed. Response: Serrano Water District does not agree with this recommendation. Most, if not all, OC water agencies are already very proactive in their communication strategies regarding the need for conservation and efficient water use, and as previously indicated, central and northern Orange County already have significant reliable local water supplies— particularly given the advent of mandatory state water efficiency standards. . . . . Honorable Maria Hernandez Presiding Judge Orange County Grand Jury August 28, 2023 Thank you for considering SWD's response and for the opportunity to comment upon the Grand Jury Report. Very truly yours, Brad Reese Brad Reese President, Board of Directors Serrano Water District SWD Board of Directors cc: Mr. Jerry Vilander, General Manager Mr. Jeremy N. Jungreis, General Counsel, SWD

Local water suppliers recognize that enhanced stormwater capture and storage, wastewater recycling, and infrastructure improvements will not be sufficient to address the long-term forecast of drought and its effects on supply. Response: This finding does not appear supported at least as to central and northern Orange County. The amount of local water available from projects such as the final expansion of the OCWD Groundwater Replenishment System (GWRS) has increased, thereby freeing up additional imported water supplies for purchase by southern Orange County agencies. Serrano Water District and Irvine Ranch Water District are increasing storage capacity of the Santiago Reservoir, thereby allowing the Districts in the future to capture additional stormflows and store imported water during wet years that can potentially be utilized on a regional basis during dry years.

No recommendations for this finding

There is significant water infrastructure planning, but inadequate implementation. Response: We disagree with this finding at least as to northern and central Orange County. See responses to findings 1, 4, and 5 for examples of good water planning and implementation that increase local water supply reliability. Honorable Maria Hernandez Presiding Judge Orange County Grand Jury August 28, 2023

No recommendations for this finding

The review and approval process for major water capital projects is cumbersome and overly restrictive. Response: Serrano Water District generally agrees with this finding.

No recommendations for this finding

Failing to find solutions to water shortages will have a significant impact on the Orange County economy. Response: Serrano Water District generally disagrees with this finding, at least as to central and northern Orange County. This is because, as indicated earlier, water treatment, storage and conveyance projects developed and implemented in central and northern OC have resulted in significant water reliability even during dry years.

No recommendations for this finding

Continued development in Orange County creates additional water supply needs. Response: Serrano Water District's understanding is that population growth in Orange County is not occurring at significant levels, and Serrano is confident of its own ability to continue supplying high quality local supplies to its customers for the long term.

No recommendations for this finding

F10

Conservation and efficient use of water is essential. Response: Serrano Water District generally agrees with this finding.

No recommendations for this finding

F11

Increased outreach and public education are necessary. Response: Serrano Water District generally agrees with this finding.

No recommendations for this finding

F12

Desalination has proven to be technologically and environmentally feasible and is slowly being embraced as a drought-resistant source of water. Response: Serrano Water District agrees that desalination may be technologically and environmentally feasible and an appropriate drought resistant source of supply in areas that currently do not have access to sufficient local water supplies. However, the use of desalination in northern and central Orange County may be of questionable value because of the existence of high-quality local supplies. SWD RESPONSE TO GRAND JURY RECOMMENDATIONS

No recommendations for this finding

Agency Responses 5

Government agencies' official responses to this report's findings and recommendations. Click on a response to see the structured breakdown.

. SERRANO WATER DISTRICT

August 19, 2009 • 4 pages • 7 responses • Score: -2 (+2, 1, -4) View Details ▾

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7 responses to findings and recommendations

Climatologists predict future extended periods of low moisture with occasional wet years. Response: See response to Finding 1.

Response: Disagree Score: -1

disagrees with finding F-2, insofar as SWD is concerned.

Response: Agree Score: +1

agrees with finding F.3.

Response: Implemented

Score: 0

R.3: The recommendation has been implemented by SWD.

Response: Disagree Score: -1

disagrees with finding F.4, insofar as SWD is concerned.

Response: Disagree Score: -1

disagrees with finding F.5, insofar as SWD is concerned.

Response: Disagree Score: -1

disagrees with finding F.6, insofar as SWD is concerned.

The review and approval process for major water capital projects is cumbersome and overly restrictive. Response: Serrano Water District generally agrees with this finding.

Response: Agree Score: +1

agrees with finding F.7, insofar as SWD is concerned and aware.

SERRANO WATER DISTRICT

August 14, 2012 • 3 pages • 4 responses • Score: +4 (+4, 0, 0) View Details ▾

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4 responses to findings and recommendations

Climatologists predict future extended periods of low moisture with occasional wet years. Response: See response to Finding 1.

Response: Agree Score: +1

agrees with Finding F2.

Response: Agree Score: +1

agrees with Finding F3.

Response: Agree Score: +1

agrees with Finding F4.

Response: Agree Score: +1

agrees with Finding F5.

SERRANO WATER DISTRICT

June 28, 2012 • 7 pages • 7 responses • Score: -2 (+1, 3, -3) View Details ▾

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7 responses to findings and recommendations

Response: Disagree Score: -1

disagrees with Finding F1.

Climatologists predict future extended periods of low moisture with occasional wet years. Response: See response to Finding 1.

Response: Disagree Score: -1

disagrees with Finding F2.

Response: Agree Score: +1

agrees with Grand Jury Finding F5.

Response: Disagree Partially Score: 0

partially agrees with Grand Jury Finding F6.

The review and approval process for major water capital projects is cumbersome and overly restrictive. Response: Serrano Water District generally agrees with this finding.

Response: Disagree Partially Score: 0

partially agrees with Grand Jury Finding F7.

Response: Disagree Partially Score: 0

partially agrees with the Grand Jury Finding F8.

F10

Conservation and efficient use of water is essential. Response: Serrano Water District generally agrees with this finding.

Response: Disagree Score: -1

disagrees with Finding F10.

SERRANO WATER DISTRICT

August 19, 2009 • 4 pages • 4 responses • Score: +2 (+3, 0, -1) View Details ▾

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4 responses to findings and recommendations

Climatologists predict future extended periods of low moisture with occasional wet years. Response: See response to Finding 1.

Response: Agree Score: +1

agrees with findings F.2, F.

Response: Disagree Score: -1

disagrees in whole or in part with findings F.3, F.

Response: Will Implement

Score: +1

R.3: The recommendation has not yet been implemented, but will be implemented upon request by LAFCo within the next six months.

Response: Agree Score: +1

agrees with findings F.4, F.

SERRANO WATER DISTRICT

August 12, 2008 • 3 pages • 3 responses • Score: +2 (+2, 1, 0) View Details ▾

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3 responses to findings and recommendations

Response: Agree Score: +1

Pursuant to Penal Code section 933.05(a)(1), the Serrano Water District agrees with the finding. Finding F-2: Conservation pricing, or tiered pricing, with a fair and reasonable base allotment, followed by tiers of higher rates, can be an effective tool to motivate further conservation. Response: Pursuant to Penal Code section 933.05(a)(1), the Serrano Water District agrees with the finding. Recommendation R-1: Continue to emphasize methods and availability of tools that assist customers in understanding weather-based irrigation practices by: • Providing a hotline for assisting the public with...

Climatologists predict future extended periods of low moisture with occasional wet years. Response: See response to Finding 1.

Response: Agree Score: +1

Pursuant to Penal Code section 933.05(a)(1), the Serrano Water District agrees with the finding. Recommendation R-1: Continue to emphasize methods and availability of tools that assist customers in understanding weather-based irrigation practices by: • Providing a hotline for assisting the public with landscape irrigation information. Providing a countywide soil texture map on the MWDOC website. Honorable Nancy Wieben Stock August 12, 2008 Page 2 Developing an Orange County specific water calculator on the MWDOC website. Response: Pursuant to Penal Code section 933.05(b)(2), the recommendat...

Response: Requires Analysis

Score: 0

Pursuant to Penal Code section 933.05(b)(3), the recommendation requires further analysis with respect to the financial and technical feasibility of the Serrano Water District implementing the specific recommendations, and whether the Serrano Water District has sufficient staff and/or resources budgeted in this fiscal year to implement the recommendation. It is anticipated that such analysis will be conducted within six months from the date of the Grand Jury report. Recommendation R-2-B: Develop a tiered-pricing structure with the first tier based on individual customer water allocation priced...

* This report's PDF did not contain easily extractable text and required Optical Character Recognition (OCR) for analysis. There may be minor errors in the extracted findings and recommendations due to OCR limitations with scanned documents.