Welcome to SOCWA
Our Mission
The mission of the South Orange County Wastewater Authority (SOCWA) is to collect, treat, beneficially reuse, and dispose of wastewater in an effective and economical manner that respects the environment, maintains the public's health and meets or exceeds all local, state and federal regulations to the mutual benefit of SOCWA's ten member agencies and the general public in South Orange County. SOCWA provides, at a minimum, full secondary treatment at all of its regional wastewater facilities, and also has active water recycling, industrial waste (pretreatment), biosolids management and ocean/shoreline monitoring programs to meet the needs of its members and the requirements of the applicable National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System (NPDES) permits.

The South Orange County Wastewater Authority (SOCWA) was created on July 1, 2001 as a Joint Powers Authority with no taxing authority. SOCWA is the legal successor to the Aliso Water Management Agency (AWMA) (1972), South East Regional Reclamation Authority (SERRA) (1970) and South Orange County Reclamation Authority (SOCRA) (1991).
SOCWA’s Purpose
Plan for, acquire, construct, maintain, repair, manage, operate and control facilities for the collection, transmission, treatment and disposal of wastewater, the reclamation and use of wastewater for beneficial purposes, and the production, transmission, storage and distribution of non-domestic water.
Cities Served
beautiful palm tree

Aliso Viejo
Ladera
Laguna BeacH
Lake Forest
Coto de Caza
Laguna Woods
Las Flores
San Juan Capistrano
Laguna Niguel
Rancho Santa Margarita
San Clemente
Mission Viejo
Trabuco Canyon
Emerald Bay
Talega
Dana Point
Laguna Hills

Agency Boundry Map

Area map
1
service area

The Aliso Creek, Salt Creek, Laguna Canyon Creek and San Juan Creek Watersheds
(approximately 220 sq. mi)
Population: (approximately 500,000)