Orange County Grand Jury • 2003-2004

The GroundWater Replenishment System 02/17/04, 782k

Published: February 17, 2004 24 pages
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Findings and Recommendations 8 findings

F1
Increased urbanization in the upper Santa Ana River basin will increase the amount of Santa Ana River water available for capture in the Anaheim recharge facilities.
Related Recommendations (1)
R1
Orange County Water District continue to explore opportunities to increase recharge capacity in the Anaheim recharge facilities including plans to increase the capacity of pipelines that transport water to the deep-basin system. (Findings 1 and 2)
F2
Using Kraemer Basin to recharge purified wastewater will reduce capacity to capture Santa Ana River floodwater and result in the loss of some floodwater during abnormally wet years.
No recommendations for this finding
F3
Increased rates of recharge in the Anaheim recharge facilities will cause local groundwater levels to rise.
Related Recommendations (1)
R2
Orange County Water District develop inland well fields to increase the rate of groundwater withdrawals near the recharge facilities. (Finding 3)
F4
Depressed groundwater levels near the coast have exacerbated the inland advance of saline water.
Related Recommendations (1)
R3
Orange County Water District curtail groundwater withdrawals from deep wells and obtain blending water for the Talbert Gap seawater- intrusion barrier from other sources. (Finding 4)
F5
Seasonal increases in groundwater withdrawal rates place added stress on the aquifer.
Related Recommendations (1)
R4
Orange County Water District discourage seasonal increases in rates of groundwater withdrawals to minimize stress on the aquifer. (Finding 5)
F6
Saline water is migrating around the eastern end on the Talbert Gap seawater-intrusion barrier.
Related Recommendations (1)
R5
Orange County Water District initiate data-collection programs to define the lateral and vertical extent of permeable zones on the east side of the Santa Ana River to facilitate easterly extension of the Talbert Gap seawater-intrusion barrier. (Finding 6)
F7
There are physical limits on the aquifer’s capacity to transport water from areas of recharge to areas of withdrawal.
Related Recommendations (1)
R6
Orange County Water District expedite planning, data-collection and analysis efforts to secure necessary permits for a mid-basin injection program. (Findings 7 and 8)
F8
Changes in groundwater management strategies will be required to increase the current rate of groundwater withdrawals to satisfy future water needs. A response to each finding is required from the Board of Directors of the Orange County Water District. 21
Related Recommendations (1)
R7
Orange County Water District seek waivers from regulatory agencies to expedite mid-basin injection based on laboratory and field investigations, which demonstrate that purified wastewater from the Groundwater Replenishment System will pose no risk to public health. (Finding 8) A response to each recommendation is required from the Board of Directors of the Orange County Water District. COMMENDATION The 2003-2004 Grand Jury commends the staff of Orange County Water District for their foresight, expertise and dedication in managing the County’s precious groundwater resources and planning for the decades ahead. The Groundwater Replenishment System is only one of many innovative programs implemented by Orange County Water District to enhance groundwater production for current users while preserving the resource for future generations. Orange County Water District efforts to capture and recharge floodwater have been particularly noteworthy. The average of 70,000 acre-feet of storm flows captured each flood season saves Orange County water users more than $17 million per year.

Agency Responses 1

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