Behind the Scenes at Upper Chiquita Reservoir

Santa Margarita Water District (SMWD) recently welcomed customers and community members on an exclusive bus tour to the Upper Chiquita Reservoir, offering a rare, behind-the-scenes look at the people, infrastructure, and technology it takes to deliver safe and reliable drinking water every day.

The event gave attendees a firsthand opportunity to see the scale and complexity of SMWD's operations-something most residents don't often consider when they turn on the tap.

A Guided Experience with SMWD Experts
Leading the tour was Kenny Sanatar,

Crew Chief, Water Stations/Systems at SMWD, who guided guests through the facility while highlighting the critical role it plays in ensuring local water reliability.

"The primary goal of the tour was to educate our customers on the extensive work and professional dedication required to manage our systems," Sanatar explained. "We wanted them to see the daily effort, expertise, and proactive measures that ensure they are in good hands for critical needs like fire protection and rapid emergency response."

On SMWD's infrastructure tours, guests have the opportunity to meet some of the professionals who keep SMWD's systems running 24/7. From operators to engineers, each team member plays a vital role in ensuring the community always has access to high-quality water.

Eric, who attended the Upper Chiquita tour, said he was first introduced to the District when he attended SMWD's Water Festival with his mother at the age of 12. Today he is in college completing a degree and multiple water industry certifications. He looks forward to starting his career in water.

A Hidden Giant in South Orange County
For many attendees, the most eye-opening part of the tour was the Upper Chiquita Reservoir itself. Tucked into the hills above Rancho Santa Margarita, the facility is often overlooked by drivers on the 241 Toll Road or Oso Parkway-yet it holds a staggering 244 million gallons of water, enough to supply SMWD customers for several weeks during an emergency.

Completed in 2011, Upper Chiquita Reservoir is the largest domestic water reservoir built in South Orange County in nearly 45 years. It was constructed as part of a regional partnership with neighboring cities and districts to provide long-term reliability in case of interruptions to imported water supplies.

Reservoir at a Glance

• 244 million gallons of emergency drinking water storage (750 acre-feet)
• 17.8 acres of surface area
• Provides up to 168,000 families with 200 gallons of water per day for one week
• Built as part of the South Orange County Natural Community Conservation Plan, protecting local habitat and species

Sanatar said, "Thousands of people drive past this site every day without realizing it's here. That hidden capacity is what makes it so remarkable-it's our community's safety net."

He continued, "It was fantastic seeing the customers so happy and engaged while visiting our site that afternoon," he said. "Their visible interest really highlighted why we do all this work-to consistently provide them with high-quality, reliable drinking water."

Guests left with a new appreciation for SMWD's commitment to reliability, sustainability, and innovation. Several attendees shared that they had no idea the scale of planning and effort involved in ensuring water flows to their homes every day without interruption.

Customers and members of the public may sign up for upcoming tours at SMWD.com/Events.

"Our infrastructure bus tours allow customers to see firsthand the people, systems, and infrastructure behind one of life's most essential services," said Nicole Stanfield, Director of

Communications & Customer Engagement for SMWD who organizes the tour series.