News Flash

Posted on: November 1, 2023

The Capistrano Dispatch: ....Celebrates Restoration of Groundwater Plant's Clearwell Tank

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It was this past January when the roof support of the clearwell water tank at San Juan Capistrano’s Groundwater Recovery Plant gave way, requiring local officials to take it offline.

“Why is that important?” asked Laura Freese...

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Posted on: August 3, 2023

Santa Margarita Water District Approves Rate Restructure for San Juan Capistrano

SJC Rate Public Hearing August 2 2023

On August 2, 2023, the Santa Margarita Water District Board of Directors voted unanimously to approve changes to the drinking water, recycled water, and wastewater rate structure for customers in San Juan Capistrano. 

“The cost of doing ...

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Posted on: July 13, 2023

San Juan Capistrano Rate Update

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On July 12, 2023, the District extended the public hearing for the San Juan Capistrano Proposition 218 rate-setting process with a vote to continue the discussion of the adjustment to the rates.  “After careful conside...

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Posted on: January 22, 2023

The Rain Helped, But We're Not Out of the Drought

Trampas

The recent storms dropped an average of over 5” of rain on the Santa Margarita Water District service area. Between January 12 and 16 alone, we received between 2 and 4.5 inches of rain across the region. SMWD’s Talega weather station ...

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Posted on: September 17, 2022

SMWD Named Recycled Water Agency of the Year

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Santa Margarita Water District was named “Recycled Water Agency of the Year,” from WateReuse California for building Orange County’s largest recycled water reservoir, Trampas. The award was presented at the annual WateReuse C...

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Posted on: September 17, 2022

Rose Award by Orange County Taxpayers Association

CarolynOCTaxRose2022forSJC

Santa Margarita Water District was awarded a Rose Award by the Orange County Taxpayers Association (OC Tax) for the San Juan Capistrano water utility annexation and the benefits it will provide to the citizens of San Juan.  The city was also hono...

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Posted on: March 4, 2022

Treatment Plant Undergoes $33 Million Improvement

Rendering

The Oso Creek Water Reclamation Plant is undergoing a multi-phase improvement project beginning March 7. The plant is located near La Paz Road and Oso Creek, tucked in behind the retail/automotive center on La Paz. 

The plant was built in 1975. No...

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Posted on: December 12, 2021

SMWD Moves on Plans for Replacing Treatment Plant in Mission Viejo

Oso Treatment Plant

 

The Santa Margarita Water District ("SMWD") has announced plans to demolish the existing 3.0 million gallon/day ("MGD") Oso Creek Water Reclamation Plant ("WRP"), existing office and warehousing buildings to make wa...

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Latest News
Posted on: November 10, 2021

We will miss our friend, Nick Salb

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It is with a heavy heart that we say goodbye to Nick Salb. He was a father, husband, son, friend,  veteran, and talented treatment plant operator here at Santa Margarita Water District. Nick and his wife Mia have a 1.5-year-old son named Hunter. ...

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Posted on: November 10, 2021

Wastewater Leak in Coto de Caza

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On Halloween-eve, SMWD customers on a quiet cul-de-sac in Coto de Caza got an untimely "trick"—a broken wastewater pipeline.  SMWD responded quickly to stave off damage to the neighborhood and surrounding creeks. An a...

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Latest News
Posted on: November 3, 2021

Employee Spotlight: Rainy & Kenny

SMWDLoveStory

Nine years ago, Rainy met her cousin, Aunt Jody, and Jody's co-worker at Santa Margarita Water District, Kenny for dinner after a mountain bike ride.

 

Rainy was excited to see her visiting cousin. She put on a cute outfit and four-inch-hi...

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Latest News
Posted on: October 4, 2021

Opinion: President Charles Gibson

Charles Gibson

Thanks to investments in facilities, storage, and water use-efficiencies including recycled water, people in Southern California can be confident that their water supply will be reliable even during a multi-year period of drought. More recently, Northern ...

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Latest News
Posted on: August 19, 2021

Unanimous Approval to Provide Water and Wastewater Service to San Juan Capistrano

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RANCHO SANTA MARGARITA, CA – Today the Orange County Local Agency Formation Commission (OC LAFCO) voted unanimously to approve the Santa Margarita Water District (SMWD) annexation of the San Juan Capistrano water and wastewater faciliti...

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Latest News
Posted on: June 30, 2021

Duckling Rescue

SMWDcrewDucks

SMWD crews jumped in to rescue ducklings from a storm drain after receiving calls from concerned residents in Coto de Caza and OC Animal Care. Our talented team sizzled off the bolts and climbed in to save three little ducklings.Thank you, Sam & Kenny...

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Latest News
Posted on: June 29, 2021

How California’s Drought Affects You

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As summer heats up, the news is focused on the severe drought gripping the state and much of the western United States.

 

While some northern and central California communities already face stringent water restrictions, the impact on our south Oran...

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Latest News
Posted on: June 29, 2021

SMWD is a Family Affair for these Father and Son Veterans

Josh and Don Puckett

When Josh Puckett was in middle school, he remembers riding his bike to his dad’s workplace at Santa Margarita Water District to visit. 

“Josh liked to sit at my desk,” said Don Puckett, who worked as an underground l...

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Latest News
Posted on: June 25, 2021

Landscape Virtual Classes

smwd.com-classes

Santa Margarita is always seeking out classes that will help homeowners access the DIY tools that they need to make their gardens sustainable. During Smart Irrigation Month we will be hosting 3 new virtual offerings for our customers to help them to water...

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Posted on: April 1, 2021

Employee Spotlight

Ron Johnson

Meet Ron Johnson: A Problem Solver

Last year, Ron Johnson marked a quarter century working for Santa Margarita Water District. The milestone nearly matches another significant achievement in his life—his sobriety.Those two achievements coupled with a well-...

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Latest News
Posted on: October 14, 2020

Orange County Leaders Join SMWD to Celebrate Trampas Canyon Dam and Reservoir dedication

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The dedication of Santa Margarita Water District's Trampas Canyon Dam and Reservoir on Friday, October 9, 2020 marked an important step in securing water supply resiliency for the south Orange County community. Local elected, regional, and state ...

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Posted on: October 14, 2020

In Trampas Canyon, a Vision of the Future Captured with Brush and Paint

DanPainting

Typically, engineers use tools like AutoCAD software and geographic information systems (GIS) to bring their ideas for future projects to life. But sometimes they break out a brush, paint and easels to depict their visions.Santa Margarita Water District’s...

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Latest News
Posted on: September 10, 2020

Board Approves Lower Tax Rates

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On Friday, August 21, 2020, the Santa Margarita Water District ("SMWD") Board of Directors unanimously approved new, lower tax rates for 2021. Customers in Rancho Santa Margarita, Las Flores, Ladera Ranch, Esencia, and Sendero will see lower pr...

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Latest News
Posted on: September 5, 2019

Frank Ury Appointed to Board of Directors

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For Immediate Release: September 5, 2019Contact: Nicole Stanfield, nicoless@smwd.com or (949) 459-6548

 

FRANK URY APPOINTED TO SANTA MARGARITA WATER DISTRICT BOARD OF DIRECTORS 

RANCHO SANTA MARGARITA, CA – The Board of Directors...

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Latest News
Posted on: August 23, 2019

Capistrano Dispatch: City Approves Framework for Potential Water Transfer Agreement

Disparch City Approves MOU

The Capistrano DispatchAugust 23, 2019By Shawn Raymundo

The city’s plans to annex its utilities department took another step forward Tuesday, Aug. 20, as councilmembers approved a framework that will be the basis for a potential agreement to have Santa Mar...

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Latest News
Posted on: June 24, 2019

District Approves San Juan Watershed Project EIR & Ocean Desalination

Desalination MOU Board Meeting June 21, 2019

For Immediate Release: June 24, 2019Contact: Nicole Stanfield, nicoless@smwd.com or (949) 459-6548

DISTRICT APPROVES SAN JUAN WATERSHED PROJECT EIR & TWO OCEAN DESALINATION&nbs...

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Latest News
Posted on: June 19, 2019

San Juan Watershed Project Final EIR Available

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The Final Environmental Impact Report (EIR) for the San Juan Watershed Project is available on the project website at sanjuanwatershed.com. The lead agency, Santa Margarita Water District will consider the Final EIR for certification on Friday, June 21 at...

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Posted on: April 27, 2019

OC Register: New Trampas reservoir in south O.C. overcoming hurdles; public tours offered May 4

OC Register Trampas Story 4.26.19

New Trampas reservoir in south O.C. overcoming hurdles; public tours offered May 4Construction costs have increased nearly 50 percent has water district aims to reduce need for imported water

By | mwisckol@scng.com | Orange County RegisterPU...

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Posted on: April 25, 2019

Tours of Trampas Canyon Reservoir Part of Water Festival

SC Time Water Festival Trampas Tours 2019

San Clemente TimesBy Fred Swegles 

Santa Margarita Water District invites South County residents to its annual Water Awareness Festival, a free, family-friendly event that this year will also offer public tours of the 177-acre construction site fo...

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Posted on: April 11, 2019

The Big Dig: Trampas Canyon Reservoir to Serve as South County's Largest Water Project

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The Big Dig: Trampas Canyon Reservoir to Serve as South County's Largest Water Project 

SC Times: The Big Dig: Trampas Canyon Reservoir to Serve as South County's Largest Water Project By Fred Swegles

On 177 acres situated between San Clem...

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Posted on: April 10, 2019

Director Wilson Served on OC LAFCO for Nearly Two Decades

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April 10, 2019 - FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASEContact: Nicole Stanfield(949) 459-6548 / nicoless@smwd.com

SANTA MARGARITA WATER DISTRICT DIRECTOR RESIGNS FROM ORANGE COUNTY LAFCO

RANCHO SANTA MARGARITA, CA (April 10, 2019) – Santa Margarita Water District Director,...

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Latest News
Posted on: March 27, 2019

SMWD Manager Updates Utilities Commission on Negotiations

Dispatch photo of Dan at Utililty Commission

By Capo Dispatch On                                       &am...

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Posted on: February 24, 2019

Santa Margarita Water District Selected by San Juan Capistrano as Preferred Water Provider

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Santa Margarita Water District Selected by San Juan Capistrano as Preferred Water ProviderWater supply reliability, infrastructure investment and interagency collaboration noted as key factors that set Santa Margarita Water District apart

On Tuesday, Febru...

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Posted on: February 20, 2019

City (San Juan) to Negotiate Water Transfer with Santa Margarita

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The Capistrano Dispatch: City to Negotiate Water Transfer with Santa Margarita

The city of San Juan Capistrano will begin negotiating the transfer of its water utilities with Santa Margarita Water District.

During its meeting on Tuesday, Feb. 19, the City C...

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Latest News
Posted on: February 20, 2019

Water Levels Rise by 43 Million Gallons

last 24 hours

The Valentine's Day storm brought 4.25" of rain in just 24 hours and water levels at the Upper Oso Recycled Water Reservoir increased by 43 million gallons water. 

Santa Margarita Water District owns two open air reservoirs that capture rain ...

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Latest News
Posted on: January 16, 2019

2018 Year In Review

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Latest News
Posted on: January 28, 2019

Having financial difficulties?

paying bills

We know that life can get complicated sometimes. If you’re facing financial difficulties, please contact us to discuss payment options. You may reach us Monday through Friday from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. by calling (949) 459-6420 or emailing customerca...

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Posted on: January 9, 2019

Santa Margarita Water District is the best fit for San Juan Capistrano - Orange County Register

OC Register op-ed

The Orange County Register published an opinion editorial stating that the Santa Margarita Water District is the best fit for taking over the City of San Juan Capistrano's water utility.  The District has a long-standing, positive relationship wi...

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Posted on: November 19, 2018

World Toilet Day

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When nature calls…we need a toilet. But an estimated 4.5 billion people worldwide live without a toilet or sewer system. This means human feces are not being captured or treated – contaminating the water and soil. On World Toilet Day,...
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Posted on: October 10, 2018

Imagine a Day Without Water

ImagineADayWithoutWater

Imagine: No water to drink, or even to make coffee with. No water to shower, flush the toilet, or do laundry. Hospitals would close without water. Firefighters couldn't put out fires and farmers couldn't water their crops.

Some communities in America alrea...

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Latest News
Posted on: October 6, 2018

Meet the Faces + Places of SMWD

WaterProfessionalsAppreciationWeek

Over the next several months, the Santa Margarita Water District will introduce followers on social media to its complex water system and cadre of water professionals, each bringing specialized education, training and skills to deliver safe drinking water...

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Latest News
Posted on: September 13, 2018

Ready to Respond in an Emergency

Upper Chiquita Reservoir

One of the Santa Margarita Water District’s primary responsibilities is to deliver safe drinking water to its 165,000 residents each day of the year. With 100% of the area’s drinking water being imported from hundreds of miles away, extra precautions are ...

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Latest News
Posted on: July 8, 2018

New Website & Customer Portal to Better Serve You

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Santa Margarita Water District has launched a new website and customer portal to better serve its customers. The new customer portal provides a more secure gateway to your account, including bill payment, easy autopay setup, water usage and service call h...

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Posted on: June 26, 2018

Your Drinking Water Meets or Exceeds Cleanliness Standards

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Delivering safe drinking water is at the heart of the Santa Margarita Water District’s mission; it’s drinking water continues to meet or exceed all standards set by the state and federal governments. 100% of the District’s dr...

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Posted on: March 28, 2018

Santa Margarita Water District Continues to be Recognized for Transparency

Transparency Certificate 2018

Rancho Santa Margarita, CA – The Santa Margarita Water District is honored to receive the “District Transparency Certificate of Excellence” by the Special District Leadership Foundation of California in recognition o...

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Latest News
Posted on: July 10, 2018

District to Host Blood Drive

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Santa Margarita Water District Partners with American Red Cross to Host Community Blood DriveWednesday, July 18 from 7 a.m. to 1 p.m.

The District will host a community blood drive with the American Red Cross on Wednesday, July 18 from 7 a.m. to 1 p.m.&...

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Latest News
Posted on: April 18, 2018

SMWD's Lake Mission Viejo Advanced Treated Water Facility Receives Award from Green Technology

LakeMissionViejo

First Lake in California to Use Advanced Treated Water for Lake Refill 

The Lake Mission Viejo Advanced Treatment Water Project received another recognition this year; this time from Green Technology, for its innovative public-private partnership ...

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Latest News
Posted on: April 22, 2018

Santa Margarita Water District Breaks Ground on New Recycled Water Reservoir

Trampus Canyon Groundbreaking-February2018

SANTA MARGARITA WATER DISTRICT BREAKS GROUND ONNEW RECYCLED WATER RESERVOIR

RANCHO SANTA MARGARITA, CALIF. (February 22, 2017) – The Santa Margarita Water District (“SMWD”) hosted a groundbreaking for its new 5,000 acre foot ...

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Posted on: August 24, 2017

Bond Refunding to Save Talega Ratepayers $9 Million

Orange wildflowers

Santa Margarita Water District is refunding its 2007 Community Facilities District (CFD 99-1) bond for the Talega area of San Clemente. The refunding will save the District and its Talega customers $9 million in debt payments over the next 13 years, resul...

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