Fire Readiness & Water System Rehabilitation in a Historic California City by Santa Margarita Water District Jul 6, 2026 Member Submitted News San Juan Capistrano is one of Orange County’s most historic communities. While its rich history is part of what makes the city so special, portions of its water and wastewater infrastructure were built decades ago and now require ongoing rehabilitation and modernization to meet today’s reliability and emergency response standards. Since assuming responsibility for San Juan Capistrano’s water and wastewater system in 2021, Santa Margarita Water District has invested more than $32.4 million in repairing, rehabilitating, and strengthening critical infrastructure throughout the community. Reservoirs have been rehabilitated, aging water and sewer pipelines have been repaired and inspected, pump stations have been upgraded, and critical monitoring systems have been modernized to improve the reliability of the services residents depend on every day. SMWD has also made significant investments in the San Juan Groundwater Treatment Plant, upgrading treatment equipment and expanding the facility’s capacity from 2.4 million gallons per day to nearly 5 million gallons per day. This modernization strengthens SMWD’s local drinking water supply, helping reduce dependence on imported water while improving long-term water reliability. With these critical improvements well underway, SMWD is now focused on the next phase: Fire Readiness & Water System Rehabilitation. As one of the oldest communities in California, San Juan Capistrano has many components of its water system that were not originally designed to meet today’s fire-flow requirements or the demands of modern emergency response. To strengthen community resilience, SMWD is evaluating and prioritizing improvements that may include upsizing aging water mains, expanding storage capacity, enhancing pressure regulating systems, upgrading pump stations, strengthening emergency backup power, and rehabilitating other critical infrastructure that supports firefighters and emergency responders when it matters most. These investments are about more than replacing aging infrastructure. They are designed to improve emergency preparedness, strengthen water system reliability, and help protect homes, businesses, and the community for generations to come. Much of this work takes place underground and behind the scenes, but its impact is felt every day. By making thoughtful, long-term investments in San Juan Capistrano’s water infrastructure, SMWD is helping preserve the city’s historic character while building a stronger, more resilient water system that is ready for the future. Learn more at SMWD.com/SJC. View the campaign artwork (posters).
