The moulton niguel water DISTRICT (DISTRICT) in laguna nigel, california, is partnering with orange county public works to develop a strategy to divert urban runoff and stormwater within the aliso…

The Moulton Niguel Water District (MNWD) in Laguna Niguel, California was awarded a $472,835 Project Grant from the U.S. Department of the Interior's Bureau of Reclamation under the WaterSMART (Sustain and Manage America's Resources for Tomorrow) program (CFDA 15.507). The grant will enable MNWD to partner with Orange County Public Works to develop a strategy to divert urban runoff and stormwater within the Aliso Creek watershed. The goal is to improve downstream water quality and increase local water supplies, which are increasingly limited due to drought and climate change. The project will investigate using Laguna Niguel Lake to store runoff and provide a drought-resilient, local potable water supply, as well as implementing nature-based treatment systems to remove sediment and contaminants from urban runoff. The grant also supports efforts to restore riparian and floodplain habitat in Aliso Creek to benefit fish and reduce erosion and flood risk. MNWD will engage with cities, local water districts, disadvantaged communities, environmental groups, and other stakeholders throughout this planning and implementation process.

The moulton niguel water DISTRICT (DISTRICT) in laguna nigel, california, is partnering with orange county public works to develop a strategy to divert urban runoff and stormwater within the aliso creek watershed to improve downstream water quality and increase water supplies. More intense and frequent drought has impaired water quality and caused erosion and flooding. The DISTRICT is also 100% dependent on imported water to meet its potable water demands and imported water is becoming more limited due to climate change conditions. Through this planning effort, the DISTRICT will investigate use of laguna niguel lake to store runoff to provide a drought resilient, local, potable water supply, and to reduce discharges of urban runoff to aliso creek. The DISTRICT will investigate use of a nature-based treatment system using the natural ecosystem to remove sediment and contaminants from urban runoff, and will identify opportunities to restore riparian and floodplain habitat in aliso creek benefit fish and reduce erosion and flood risk. The DISTRICT will engage cities and local water districts, disadvantaged communities, environmental groups, and other stakeholders.