Flow Exchange and GAP Flows Agreements

The Flow Exchange and GAP Flows Agreements involve a long-term partnership between the Orange County Sanitation District, the Irvine Ranch Water District, and the Orange County Water District. This project consists of the execution of a Flow Exchange Agreement and the Green Acres Project (GAP) Flows Agreement, both of which are set for a 20-year term. The primary objectives of these inter-agency agreements are to simplify accounting processes, provide operational flexibility, establish recycled water discharge options, and extend existing flow agreements to ensure continued service and environmental benefits. The project is located within Orange County, California, with performance areas spanning multiple cities including Fountain Valley, Huntington Beach, Newport Beach, Costa Mesa, Irvine, Santa Ana, Los Alisos, Villa Park, and Tustin. A Notice of Exemption has been filed under CEQA Guidelines section 15320, as the agreements represent changes in local government agency agreements that do not alter geographical areas. The Orange County Sanitation District serves as the lead agency, with Engineering Supervisor Andrew Brown acting as the primary point of contact for the administration of these agreements.