Latest News

  1. SJC Rate Public Hearing August 2 2023

    Santa Margarita Water District Approves Rate Restructure for San Juan Capistrano

    The SMWD Board of Directors voted unanimously to approve changes to the drinking water, recycled water, and wastewater rate structure for customers in San Juan Capistrano. Read on...
  2. SJCratehearing

    San Juan Capistrano Rate Update

    The board voted to continue the discussion of the adjustment to the rates. Read on...
  3. Trampas

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

    Local recycled water storage levels increased by over 200 million gallons since January 1st. Read on...
  4. One Year Graphic
  5. SMWDWaterReuseCA2022ProjectoftheYear

    SMWD Named Recycled Water Agency of the Year

    Top Award by WaterReuse California Read on...
  6. CarolynOCTaxRose2022forSJC

    Rose Award by Orange County Taxpayers Association

    for the San Juan Capistrano water utility annexation in 2020 Read on...
  7. Rendering

    Treatment Plant Undergoes $33 Million Improvement

    The Oso Water Reclamation Plant was built in 1975. Read on...
  8. Oso Treatment Plant

    SMWD Moves on Plans for Replacing Treatment Plant in Mission Viejo

    Demolish the existing 3 million gallon/day Oso Creek Water Reclamation Plant Read on...
  9. NickSalbFamilyPhoto

    We will miss our friend, Nick Salb

    To know Nick was to love Nick. Read on...
  10. SouthRanchLSsewerleak
  11. SanJuanCapistranoMission
  12. RSM

    Recycled Water Is Coming to Rancho Santa Margarita

    RSM uses over 265 million gallons of fresh drinking water for watering common areas - we have a plan to bring local, reliable, and sustainable water to RSM. Read on...
  13. SMWDLoveStory

    Employee Spotlight: Rainy & Kenny

    A Santa Margarita Water District Love Story Nine Years in the Making Read on...
  14. Charles Gibson

    Opinion: President Charles Gibson

    "...people in Southern California can be confident that their water supply will be reliable even during a multi-year period of drought." Read on...
  15. SanJuanCapistranoMission
  16. SMWDcrewDucks

    Duckling Rescue

    SMWD crews rescue three ducklings from a storm drain. Read on...
  17. Oroville-1

    How California’s Drought Affects You

    Even though two consecutive dry years have made their mark on our landscapes and watersheds, the Santa Margarita Water District is prepared to meet the challenges of the drought, whether it lasts another year or several. Read on...
  18. Josh and Don Puckett

    SMWD is a Family Affair for these Father and Son Veterans

    Water isn’t the only family business for the father and son. Both also are military veterans: Don served in the U.S. Marines as a jet mechanic and Josh in the U.S. Army 75th Ranger Regiment as a radio operator, where he deployed to Iraq and Afghanistan. Read on...
  19. smwd.com-classes

    Landscape Virtual Classes

    Santa Margarita Water District offers free landscape classes throughout the year. Check out our new offerings for Smart Irrigation Month. Read on...
  20. Ron Johnson

    Employee Spotlight

    Ron Johnson: A Problem Solver. Last year, Ron marked a quarter century working for Santa Margarita Water District. The milestone nearly matches another significant achievement in his life—his sobriety. Read on...
  21. SMWDBoardTrampasDedication

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

    OC's largest recycled water reservoir receives its first drops of water. Read on...
  22. DanPainting

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

    Dan Ferons' latest painting illuminates the District’s historic infrastructure project, the Trampas Canyon Dam and Reservoir. Read on...
  23. FrankUrySwornIntoOffice

    Board Approves Lower Tax Rates

    Customers in Rancho Santa Margarita, Las Flores, Ladera Ranch, Esencia, and Sendero will see lower property tax bills for the coming year. Read on...
  24. SMWDpreparedphoto

    Water Service During a Power Outage

    SMWD is prepared to continue providing high-quality drinking water and wastewater services. Read on...
  25. FrankUrySwornIntoOffice

    Frank Ury Appointed to Board of Directors

    "Frank understands the value of water and the important role that SMWD plays in water supply reliability for south Orange County." Read on...
  26. Disparch City Approves MOU

    Capistrano Dispatch: City Approves Framework for Potential Water Transfer Agreement

    The city’s plans to annex its utilities department took another step forward Read on...
  27. Desalination MOU Board Meeting June 21, 2019

    District Approves San Juan Watershed Project EIR & Ocean Desalination

    SMWD continues to focus on diversifying its water supply portfolio Read on...
  28. San Juan Creek-CMF-2168-resized

    San Juan Watershed Project Final EIR Available

    The Project has the capacity to provide 5.6 billion gallons of local, reliable water to South Orange County residents Read on...
  29. OC Register Trampas Story 4.26.19

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

    Long-term savings to be gleaned by reducing the need for imported water Read on...
  30. SC Time Water Festival Trampas Tours 2019
  31. SCTIMES_LOGO

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

    The 1.6 billion gallon recycled water reservoir will be the largest of its kind in Orange County. Read on...
  32. Charley_Wilson-01

    Director Wilson Served on OC LAFCO for Nearly Two Decades

    Santa Margarita Water District Director, Charley Wilson, today announced his resignation from the Orange County Local Agency Formation Commission (“OCLAFCO”). Director Wilson has served on the Commission since 2000. Read on...
  33. Dispatch photo of Dan at Utililty Commission

    SMWD Manager Updates Utilities Commission on Negotiations

    Assuming negotiations with the city go well, Santa Margarita Water District is looking to become San Juan Capistrano’s official water service provider in roughly a year from now, said General Manager Dan Ferons. Read on...
  34. Slide1

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

    Water supply reliability, infrastructure investment and interagency collaboration noted as key factors that set Santa Margarita Water District apart Read on...
  35. dispatch logo

    City (San Juan) 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. Read on...
  36. last 24 hours

    Water Levels Rise by 43 Million Gallons

    In just 24 hours, the service area received 4.25" of rain Read on...
  37. 2018 Year In Review

    A year investing in infrastructure and building on the foundation of our water reliability programs. Read on...
  38. paying bills

    Having financial difficulties?

    We know that life can get complicated sometimes. We're here to help. Read on...
  39. OC Register op-ed

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

    Opinion Editorial by Carolyn Cavecche, President and CEO of the Orange County Taxpayers Association. Read on...
  40. World-Toilet-Day_ss_505630750

    World Toilet Day

    When nature calls...we need a toilet. Read on...
  41. Nov Dec On Tap cover

    On Tap Newsletter Now Available

    Sign up the eNewsletter by entering your email in the footer of our website Read on...
  42. ImagineADayWithoutWater

    Imagine a Day Without Water

    If you’ve never experienced it before, it’s hard to imagine a day without water. Read on...
  43. WaterProfessionalsAppreciationWeek

    Meet the Faces + Places of SMWD

    It takes a complex system and cadre of water professionals to deliver safe drinking water to your tap. Read on...
  44. Upper Chiquita Reservoir

    Ready to Respond in an Emergency

    SMWD's preparedness efforts include multifaceted plants, projects, tasks, trainings, and planning. Read on...
  45. New Customer Portal Bill InsertFINAL_Page_1

    New Website & Customer Portal to Better Serve You

    Returning customer portal users will be prompted to update the account password at first login to ensure the security of the account. Read on...
  46. Lab (16)

    Your Drinking Water Meets or Exceeds Cleanliness Standards

    Delivering safe drinking water is at the heart of the District's mission; it's drinking water continues to meet or exceed all standards set by the state and federal governments. Read on...
  47. Transparency Certificate 2018
  48. BloodDrive7-18-18

    District to Host Blood Drive

    Schedule your appointment today by visiting redcrossblood.org use sponsor code: SMWD. Read on...
  49. LakeMissionViejo

    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 Read on...
  50. Trampus Canyon Groundbreaking-February2018

    Santa Margarita Water District Breaks Ground on New Recycled Water Reservoir

    The 1.6 billion gallon (5,000 AF) reservoir will enhance water reliability and storage capacity in south Orange County. Read on...
  51. Orange wildflowers

    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. Read on...

On Tap Newsletter

To share timely information with our customers, the District produces On Tap, a bi-monthly newsletter. On Tap offers information on District programs and services, as well as water-use efficiency resources and California friendly plant recommendations. In between issues of the newsletter, customers receive a bill insert with District updates and news.

Browse our newsletter archives.