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.

Other groundwater article:

• AgNet West Radio Network: California groundwater levels show improvement, but challenges remain