Municipal Water District of Orange County

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Municipal Water District of Orange County (MWDOC)

MWDOC is a public agency in Orange County, California that coordinates wholesale water supply and planning. It does not sell water directly to people. Instead, it provides water to 27 member agencies (city water departments and special districts), which then deliver retail water service to residents and businesses.

Where Orange County’s water comes from
Orange County sits in a semi‑arid region. Local sources meet about half of the region’s water needs. The rest comes from imported water, mainly:
- Colorado River water delivered through the Metropolitan Water District of Southern California (Metropolitan)
- Water from the California State Water Project (via Northern California)
The area also relies on groundwater and treated wastewater, along with some small local basins.

MWDOC’s work and services
- Partners with Metropolitan and its member agencies to secure a reliable, affordable water supply.
- Supports water education and conservation programs for residents and businesses.
- Provides information and resources about water use.
- Coordinates emergency planning and response through the Water Emergency Response Organization of Orange County (WEROC).
- Helps with water infrastructure planning and overall water reliability for the county’s 3.2 million people.

Governance and service area
MWDOC is governed by a seven‑member Board elected by the public for four‑year terms. The district is divided into seven divisions, each represented on the board. Four representatives from MWDOC also sit on Metropolitan’s Board to advocate for Orange County’s water interests.

History (in brief)
Early Orange County relied on local surface water and groundwater. To secure more reliable supply, nearby cities helped form Metropolitan in the late 1920s and early 1930s to bring Colorado River water. MWDOC was created in 1951 to coordinate Orange County’s wholesale water supply, planning, education, and conservation.

Headquarters and website
MWDOC is based in Fountain Valley, California. Website: mwdoc.com.