Access
Publication Rights
Preferred Citation
Acquisition Information
Custodial History
Processing History
Biography
Biographical/Historical note
Collection Scope and Content Summary
Collection Arrangement
Bibliography
Contributing Institution:
Special Collections and Archives, University of California, Irvine
Libraries
Title: Santa Margarita Water District records
Creator:
Santa Margarita Water District (Calif.)
Identifier/Call Number: MS.R.083
Physical Description:
5 Linear Feet
(5 boxes)
Date (inclusive): 1970-1982
Date (bulk): 1978-1981
Abstract: Established in 1964, the Santa
Margarita Water District (SMWD), serves Mission Viejo, Rancho Santa Margarita, Coto de Caza,
Las Flores, Ladera Ranch, Talega, and Rancho Mission Viejo in Orange County, California. The
collection documents SMWD's research and services. It contains analyses and reports on
wastewater disposal, water reclamation, water importation, facility regulations, and
environmental impacts related to SMWD projects. It also includes correspondence, proposals,
agreements, and minutes of board of directors' meetings.
Language of Material:
English .
Access
The collection is open for research.
Publication Rights
Property rights reside with the University of California. Literary rights are retained by
the creators of the records and their heirs. For permissions to reproduce or to publish,
please contact the Head of Special Collections and Archives.
Preferred Citation
Santa Margarita Water District records. MS-R083. Special Collections and Archives, The UC
Irvine Libraries, Irvine, California. Date accessed.
For the benefit of current and future researchers, please cite any additional information
about sources consulted in this collection, including permanent URLs, item or folder
descriptions, and box/folder locations.
Acquisition Information
Transferred to Special Collections and Archives from UCI Libraries Government Information
Center in 2001.
Custodial History
Evidence within the collection indicates these materials were received and collected by
Robert Monroe, a board director of the SMWD.
Processing History
Processed by Cyndi Shein, 2007.
Biography
The Santa Margarita Water District (SMWD), Orange County's second largest water district,
is located in southern Orange County, California. It was formed in 1964, prior to the
construction of the first residential neighborhood in the area, when the region was
dominated by the 52,000-acre Rancho Mission Viejo. As of 2007, it serves the communities of
Mission Viejo, Rancho Santa Margarita, Coto de Caza, Las Flores, Ladera Ranch, Talega, and
the remaining 23,000-acres of Rancho Mission Viejo. The SMWD is governed by a five-member
board of directors that is elected by residents within the district's boundaries.
Biographical/Historical note
Chronology
1964 |
SMWD established by a group of local landowners to supply water to their ranches.
|
1965 |
First SMWD Board of Directors meeting held. |
1970 |
Began strategic planning to supply water to future communities scheduled to be
built within the district.
|
1974 |
Established more than 800 connections, including to the newly constructed
communities of Mission Viejo and Coto de Caza.
|
1981 |
Constructed the O'Neill Reservoir, the district's largest water storage
facility.
|
1985 |
Began construction on Chiquita Water Reclamation Plant to provide sewage
treatment for the neighborhoods of Coto de Caza, Rancho Santa Margarita, and part of
the Trabuco Canyon Water District.
|
1990 |
Spearheaded construction of the South County Pipeline from Lake Forest to San
Clemente.
|
1993 |
Completed South County Pipeline, the district's primary source of water. |
2001 |
Expanded Chiquita Water Reclamation Plant. |
2005 |
Began construction on two subterranean reservoirs intended to serve Ladera
Ranch.
|
Collection Scope and Content Summary
The collection comprises materials documenting Santa Margarita Water District's (SMWD)
research and activities in the development and delivery of the its water service. It
includes meeting booklets documenting monthly SMWD Board of Directors' meetings, including
agendas, minutes, and reports from the treasurer, general manager, engineers, and legal
counsel. The collection also includes analyses and reports on wastewater disposal, water
reclamation, water importation, facility regulations, and environmental impacts related to
SMWD projects. It also includes some related correspondence, proposals, and agreements.
Collection Arrangement
This collection is arranged in three series.
- Series 1. Board of directors meeting materials, 1978-1982. 2.8 linear feet
- Series 2. Project proposals, plans, and reports, 1970-1981. 2 linear feet
- Series 3. Agreements and correspondence, 1977-1981. 0.2 linear feet
Santa Margarita Water District. "40 Years of Service and Excellence."
http://www.smwd.com/ (accessed September 13, 2007).Rancho Mission Viejo.
"A Legacy of Ranching." Rancho Mission Viejo.
http://www.ranchomissionviejo.com/history/history.php#1960 (accessed September 21,
2007).
Subjects and Indexing Terms
Environmental impact statements -- California -- Orange County -- 20th
century.
Water districts -- California -- Orange County -- History --
Sources.
Sewage disposal -- California -- Orange County -- History --
Sources
Water supply -- California -- Orange County -- History --
Sources
Santa Margarita Water District (Calif.) -- Archives