Moulton Niguel Water District Awarded Water Efficiency Grants by Moulton Niguel Water District May 15, 2023 Member Submitted News Last month, the U.S. Department of the Interior’s Bureau of Reclamation awarded Moulton Niguel two separate grants through its Water and Energy Efficiency Grant Program. The local projects receiving federal support aim to save as much as 600 million gallons of water annually. “We are deeply grateful to the Bureau of Reclamation for their continued financial support and recognition of our efforts to use water wisely,” said Moulton Niguel President Duane D. Cave. The two federal grants will support Moulton Niguel programs in South Orange County, including: $500,000 to help businesses and homeowner associations upgrade irrigation systems and replace grass with California native and climate-adapted plants $405,198 to replace 2,850 mechanical water meters with high-resolution, ultrasonic water meters, enabling customers to receive leak alerts. Moulton Niguel’s two projects were among 84 projects selected in 15 western states that will receive $140 million in federal funding. “As we work to address record drought and changing climate conditions throughout the West, we are bringing every resource to bear to conserve local water supplies and support the long-term stability and sustainability of the Colorado River System,” Deputy Secretary of the Interior Tommy Beaudreau stated in a press release announcing the 2023 grants. “The projects we are funding today are locally led and will support increased water conservation through innovative efficiency measures.” Since Fiscal Year 2016, Moulton Niguel has received nearly $4 million in Bureau of Reclamation grants that have helped customers upgrade water meters, install smart timers, and switch to more water-efficient landscaping. “$4 million and counting,” President Cave added. “Every dollar that we receive in federal funding is a dollar ultimately saved by our customers.” Moulton Niguel Water District provides high-quality drinking water, recycled water, and wastewater treatment services to customers in Aliso Viejo, Laguna Niguel, Laguna Hills, Mission Viejo, San Juan Capistrano, and Dana Point. A leader in environmental protection, Moulton Niguel maintains the lowest average bill in South Orange County. ###