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

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 ...

Celebrating One Year of Service in San Juan Capistrano

November marks one year of service in San Juan Capistrano! Santa Margarita Water District is honored to provide drinking water, recycled water, and wastewater services to the residents, businesses, and visitors to the city.   

Since Novem...

Running Dry: From Concern to Crisis

Unprecedented DroughtWhile we hope we are entering the rainy season, we fear we may be entering year four of one of the worst droughts we’ve ever faced.  The Colorado River, which is one of our two major sources of drinking water, is at...

Coastal Clean Up Day

Santa Margarita Water District hosted its first annual Coastal Clean Up on Saturday, September 17, 2022, in partnership with West Yost Associates and 100 community volunteers.   

Roughly 1,000 pounds of trash was collected in just one hou...

SMWD Named Recycled Water Agency of the Year

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...

Rose Award by Orange County Taxpayers Association

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...

What You Should Know About California’s Severe Drought

The people of California are in the grip of a historic drought that may become the most severe in state history. Conditions are especially bad in areas dependent on water from Northern California and the Colorado River.

A recent survey of Santa M...

Treatment Plant Undergoes $33 Million Improvement

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...

SMWD Moves on Plans for Replacing Treatment Plant in Mission Viejo

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...

We will miss our friend, Nick Salb

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. ...

Wastewater Leak in Coto de Caza

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...

SMWD Welcomes San Juan Capistrano to its Service Area

Recycled Water Is Coming to Rancho Santa Margarita

Employee Spotlight: Rainy & Kenny

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...

Opinion: President 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 ...

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

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...

Duckling Rescue

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...

How California’s Drought Affects You

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...

SMWD is a Family Affair for these Father and Son Veterans

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...

Landscape Virtual 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...

Employee Spotlight

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-...

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

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 ...

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

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...

Board Approves Lower Tax Rates

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...

Water Service During a Power Outage

In the event of a Public Safety Power Shutoff initiated by local power providers, Santa Margarita Water District (SMWD) is prepared to continue providing high-quality drinking water and wastewater services.

SMWD has worked hard over the last several years ...

Frank Ury Appointed to Board of Directors

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...

Capistrano Dispatch: City Approves Framework for Potential Water Transfer Agreement

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...

District Approves San Juan Watershed Project EIR & Ocean Desalination

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...

Director Wilson Served the District for 19 Years

As we celebrate Director Charley Wilson’s career and service, it is clear that he is regarded as a dynamic leader not only on the Santa Margarita Water District Board of Directors but throughout the water industry.  During his nearly two decades ...

San Juan Watershed Project Final EIR Available

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...

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

Tours of Trampas Canyon Reservoir Part of Water Festival

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...

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

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...

Director Wilson Served on OC LAFCO for Nearly Two Decades

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,...

SMWD Manager Updates Utilities Commission on Negotiations

By Capo Dispatch On March 22, 2019                                      &am...

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

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...

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

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...

Water Levels Rise by 43 Million Gallons

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 ...

2018 Year In Review

Read on...

Having financial difficulties?

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...

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

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...

World Toilet Day

On Tap Newsletter Now Available

Santa Margarita Water District's On Tap newsletter is now available. The bi-monthly newsletter keeps customers informed of the latest happenings, projects, programs, and money saving rebates. The newsletter may be viewed by clicking here or as an insert t...

Imagine a Day Without Water

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...

Meet the Faces + Places of SMWD

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...

Ready to Respond in an Emergency

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 ...

New Website & Customer Portal to Better Serve You

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...

Your Drinking Water Meets or Exceeds Cleanliness Standards

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...

Santa Margarita Water District Continues to be Recognized for Transparency

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...

District to Host Blood Drive

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.&...

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

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 ...

Santa Margarita Water District Breaks Ground on New Recycled Water Reservoir

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 ...

Bond Refunding to Save Talega Ratepayers $9 Million

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...