OCWD wins legal victory upholding authority over groundwater basin management

On October 7, 2024, the California Court of Appeal upheld the Orange County Water District’s (OCWD) authority to manage the Orange County Groundwater Basin in the case Irvine Ranch Water District v. Orange County Water District et al.

This ruling ensures the continued ability of OCWD to achieve sustainable management of the basin, a vital source that provides 85% of the water for 19 cities and water districts serving 2.5 million Orange County residents.

The court’s decision reaffirms OCWD’s groundwater management practices and statutory authority, ensuring the continued equitable distribution of groundwater across north and central Orange County.

This legal validation allows OCWD to maintain its proven framework for managing basin resources while protecting water quality and local water supplies.

“In 2018, the Los Angeles Superior Court ruled in favor of the District, and now the California Court of Appeal has fully affirmed it,” said OCWD President Cathy Green in a press release. “This victory reflects the outstanding work of OCWD and the agencies we serve. We remain committed to ensuring a reliable, cost-effective water supply for the communities we’ve supported for decades.”

Since its founding in 1933, OCWD has led the way in groundwater management, employing innovative strategies that have doubled the basin’s water yield ensuring a low cost. These advancements have allowed cities and water districts to increase groundwater pumping, significantly reducing dependence on expensive imported water.

Recognized globally for its expertise, OCWD was also consulted by California’s governor and key policymakers during the creation of the 2014 Sustainable Groundwater Management Act, playing an important role in shaping the state’s framework for long-term management of groundwater supplies.