About South Coast Water District
South Coast Water District is an independent special district dedicated to providing the highest quality water, recycled water and sanitary service to our customers, in an environmentally sensitive and financially responsible manner.
| Document Contents: |
 Recycled Water Reservoir in Aliso Canyon |
History
For decades, the "south coast area" has been well served by three water and sanitary agencies: South Coast Water District, Capistrano Beach Water District and Dana Point Sanitary District. As of January 1, 1999, these three agencies consolidated to form the "expanded" South Coast Water District.
The "original" South Coast Water District (SCWD) was created in 1932 under the County Water District Act. At that time the District covered an area of 5 square miles along the southern Orange County coastline (see map below).
In 1947, a separate organization, the South Laguna Sanitary District, was formed to develop a publicly owned sewage collection, treatment and disposal system. From the beginning, the Sanitary District shared office space and some personnel with SCWD. In the interest of economy and efficiency, the South Laguna Sanitary District and South Coast Water District consolidated in July 1976. At that time, all of the assets and personnel of the Sanitary District were absorbed by SCWD, and SCWD began providing both water and sanitary services.
The "former" Capistrano Beach Water District (CBWD) was created in February 1995 through a reorganization of its two predecessor agencies: Capistrano Beach Sanitary District and Capistrano Beach County Water District. At that time, the CBWD covered an area of 3.1 square miles, providing both water and sanitary services to a portion of the City of Dana Point and the community of Capistrano Beach (see map below).
The "former" Dana Point Sanitary District (DPSD) was formed in 1956 under the provision of the Sanitary District Act of 1923. DPSD covered an area of 2.5 square miles, providing sanitation services to a portion of the City of Dana Point.
Governance
South Coast Water District is a public agency, formed by popular vote and owned by the people it serves. We are a "special district," operating under state law, completely independent of county government.
A Board of Directors, elected by the voters of the District, has the power to establish policies, fix rates, construct and maintain facilities and perform any other act necessary to provide water and sanitation service for present and future consumers. Day-to-day operations are administered by a general manager who is appointed by the Board of Directors.
The Board conducts business in regular board and committee meetings, which are open to the public. Please see the Schedule of Public Meetings page for more information.
Board of Directors
At the time of consolidation, an eleven member, interim board of directors was seated from board members of the three consolidated districts: four from Capistrano Beach Water District, three from Dana Point Sanitary District, and four from South Coast Water District.
In November of 2002, the board voted to reduce the number of directors from seven to five, in conjunction with the November 2002 elections. The directors are no longer voted by division but at-large. Board members serve four-year terms.
The current Board is:
- Wayne Rayfield - President
- Richard Gardner - Vice President
- Richard Dietmeier
- Ingrid McGuire
- Robert Moore
Water Supply
At this time the District services approximately 12,300 water and 17,800 sewer accounts, with an estimated population of 40,000 residents and two million visitors a year.
All of the millions of gallons of water needed to supply the District comes from the Colorado River and from Northern California. Water from these two sources is treated, filtered and blended for distribution to southern Orange County. The District purchases this water from the Metropolitan Water District through the wholesale agency of Municipal Water District of Orange County.
Water purchased from these agencies is carried into the distribution network through several large transmission mains. Due to the District's hilly terrain, much of the water must be pumped and stored in reservoirs to maintain constant pressure. The District's total water storage capacity of approximately 22 million gallons is maintained in 15 reservoirs. Water is moved to upper elevations through approximately 147 miles of local mains using a system of 9 pump stations.
As an additional safeguard to assure the water supply, the District maintains a series of "interties" with neighboring water districts which can be activated in an emergency.
Recycled Water Supply
Treatment plants produce a wastewater which meets the quality requirements of the Federal Clean Water Act for discharge into the ocean. Complete disposal of this wastewater, however, is not necessary. Additional treatment, filtration and disinfection can be performed to meet State health criteria so that "recycled water" can be used for irrigation.
Using recycled water for landscaping irrigation frees up imported drinking water for other uses. With a large percentage of the District's water being used for landscape irrigation, it makes sense to produce recycled water. Water recycling and reuse has proven to be a safe, reliable, and long term, cost-effective approach to water resource management.
 Advanced Wastewater Treatment Plant |
To help solve the demands of the District's customers, the District has developed an efficient water treatment plant (shown at left), pumping stations, storage tanks, and an extensive network of recycled water distribution system pipelines to provide this valuable source of water. |
Recycled water customers have access to a high-quality, reliable product. However, there are certain responsibilities involved with recycled water use. Signs are posted, valves and sprinkler heads are marked and recycled water pipes and devices are purple in color.
The District and the County Health Department conduct annual inspections of all users to insure that all regulations are strictly followed. The District provides training for all users to become knowledgeable in the responsibilities of using recycled water.
Sanitary Sewer Service
| Wastewater Collection: South Coast Water District delivers approximately 7 million gallons of potable water to customers' homes and businesses daily and removes approximately 4 million gallons of wastewater per day for treatment. Zero sewer spills is our standard and spill prevention is backed through ongoing planning, maintenance, repair and capital improvements to facilities. The District has 140 miles of sewer main lines ranging from 6 inches to 24 inches in diameter, 14 sewer lift stations, 3 miles of force mains and more than 3,400 manholes leading down into the system. |
 Coastal Treatment Plant in Aliso Canyon |
|
South Coast Water District collects the wastewater from homes and businesses and pumps it through miles of sewer mains using a series of lift stations. Wastewater Treatment: The collected wastewater is pumped to one of two treatment plants owned and operated by the South Orange County Wastewater Authority (SOCWA). In 2001, South Coast Water District and nine other agencies and cities formed SOCWA to treat and dispose of wastewater on a regional basis: Cities
The two SOCWA wastewater treatment plants are:
With additional treatment, filtration and disinfection, SOCWA produces recycled water for the District at the Advanced Wastewater Treatment plant in Aliso Canyon. The recycled water meets health standards for irrigation use and, importantly, reduces demand for potable water by approximately 10% per year. |
|
Contract Operations
In addition to the services provided to its residents, South Coast performs several levels of contract operations. In July of 1997, approximately 400 residential units in the communities of Laguna Sur and Monarch Point were transferred to the Moulton Niguel Water District. South Coast continues to provide wastewater collection to these communities under contract with Moulton Niguel Water.
In July of 1999, South Coast transferred the services within the South Laguna area to the City of Laguna Beach. The South Laguna area begins at the community of Three Arch Bay and continues north to Nyes Place. South Coast continues to provide potable water, recycled water and wastewater collection to this area under contract with the City of Laguna Beach.
In April of 2000, South Coast accepted the responsibility for operations and maintenance of the former Tri-Cities Municipal Water District. The former Tri-Cities system is now identified as the "Joint Regional Water Supply System" or JRWSS for short. The JRWSS provides water transmission over a 26 mile service area to approximately 200,000 residents.
[Back to Top]