Source:[12] Throughout history, people have influenced and depended on water to grow food, raise animals, manufacture and transport resources, and ensure optimal health.
[15] Indigenous peoples of California such as the Kizh (Gabrieleño), Acjachemen (Juaneño), and Payómkawichum (Luiseño) thrived on the land now known as Orange County territory for thousands of years.
[30][31][32][33] The remaining water demand is met by a large underground aquifer located in the northern part of the county, recycled wastewater, and several small groundwater basins.
[34] The primary purpose of MWDOC is to provide a reliable supply of high-quality water for Orange County residents, businesses, and industry at an equitable and economical cost, both today and long into the future.
[35][36] To do this, MWDOC works closely with Metropolitan and its 27 member agencies, to identify, study, and evaluate opportunities to improve and secure Orange County’s overall water reliability.
WEROC provides training, mutual aid planning assistance, and emergency response coordination for all Orange County water and wastewater agencies[40][41]