Charles Busslinger

The 2025 Urban Water Management Plan for the Municipal Water District of Orange County assesses present and future water supply sources and demands within its service area over a long-term horizon, with projections extending to 2050. This plan updates previous assessments on water resource needs, water use efficiency programs, and water reliability, while outlining comprehensive strategies to mitigate potential water shortage conditions, including an updated Water Shortage Contingency Plan. Key areas of focus encompass system description, water use characterization, conservation target compliance, water supply characterization, water service reliability and drought risk assessment, and demand management measures. The overarching goal is to ensure long-term water reliability and security through strategic planning, investments in water supply infrastructure, and continuous water use efficiency programs.

The Municipal Water District of Orange County's Water Shortage Contingency Plan (WSCP) serves as a strategic roadmap to prepare for and respond to water shortages. It outlines six standard water shortage levels and corresponding response actions, including supply augmentation, demand reduction, operational changes, and communication protocols. The plan details procedures for an Annual Water Supply and Demand Assessment, aiming to maintain reliable supplies, mitigate impacts of interruptions, and proactively manage water resources for the service area.

The committee meeting focused on the implementation of the Making Conservation a California Way of Life Framework, providing updates on MWDOC's technical assistance and ongoing landscape mapping efforts for member agencies. Discussion included the progress of Urban Water Use Objective (UWUO) compliance, the classification of CII customers, and long-term water efficiency projections. Action items involved the approval of a contract change order with NV5 Geospatial for landscape classification support and a resolution supporting a grant application for the WaterSMART Small-Scale Water Efficiency Projects to facilitate residential and commercial irrigation improvements.

The Board of Directors discussed a variety of operational and financial items, including the approval of a Memorandum of Understanding for membership in the Center for Demographic Research, the adoption of a resolution to restate the Money Purchase Pension Plan, and a contract change order for the Enterprise Resource Planning system. The board also received reports on WEROC's accomplishments and future planning, legislative updates at federal, state, and county levels, Metropolitan Water District budget and infrastructure concerns, and financial reports including revenue, cash receipts, and investment summaries.

The Board of Directors discussed several key agenda items, including the award of contracts for K-12 water education school program services and co-managed Information Technology services. The board held public hearings regarding director compensation and the establishment of classes and terms for water service within the district. Additionally, the board adopted resolutions to establish the biennial budget and water rates for fiscal years 2026-27 and 2027-28, approved a loan policy for the 401(a) pension plan, and appointed a special ad hoc committee to review the administrative code.