SMWD and the City of Rancho Santa Margarita Join Together to Promote Water Conservation

Las Flores, CA (May 19, 2008) – The City of Rancho Santa Margarita, noting the need for municipalities and water agencies to forge partnerships to promote and support local water conservation efforts, recently approved a Water Conservation Proclamation presented for the city council’s consideration by new Santa Margarita Water District (SMWD) director Bill Lawson.

“Water has really become even more of a hot-button issue, and Rancho Santa Margarita is taking a significant step by setting an example of dedication to conservation for others to follow,” said Lawson, who was appearing before the city he helped establish as director of RSM’s Cityhood Committee from 1997 to 2000.

With May being Water Awareness Month, SMWD is seeking additional municipal support for the Water Conservation Proclamation, which also includes the cities of San Clemente and Mission Viejo. SMWD is making a commitment with these cities to help communicate the need for water conservation, and the tools that are available for people to achieve greater efficiency.

This year’s rainy season brought only average levels of precipitation, following a dryer than normal year in 2006. Increased conservation awareness is also needed because recent court cases have limited the amount of water flowing to Southern California from the California Delta.

About the Santa Margarita Water District
SMWD is Orange County’s second-largest water district, with a customer base of more than 155,000 residents and businesses in Mission Viejo, Rancho Santa Margarita, Coto de Caza, Las Flores and inland southern Orange County, including the communities of Ladera Ranch and Talega.

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