Forty-five years ago, the first residents moved into Highlands Ranch, marking the beginning of a long-term commitment by Highlands Ranch Water to serve the community. From the start, water service was designed as part of a coordinated governance model created by Mission Viejo Company to support what was then the largest master-planned community in the United States. Key partners included the Highlands Ranch Metro District and the Highlands Ranch Community Association – both of whom continue to lead the community today as we celebrate our 45th anniversary.

Mission Viejo Water and Sanitation District was established as a special district under the Special District Act to provide water and sanitation services to Highlands Ranch. Operating as an enterprise under a board–general manager form of government, the district was intentionally designed to be financially self-sustaining, relying on bond sales, connection charges and service fees rather than property taxes. That governance and funding model remains in place today, continuing to guide how we plan, invest and deliver reliable water service to a nearly built-out community.

The original Service Plan, dated March 11, 1980, outlines Mission Viejo’s plan to establish a water district that would support the development of a community that would include 30,033 dwelling units, along with development of “the water and sanitation services that must be provided to accommodate the development.”

“The organization of this district will serve a public use in ultimately providing water and sewer service facilities for the entire Highlands Ranch development and thereby promoting public health, safety and the general welfare.”

A closer review of the original Service Plan shows that water conservation has always been central to our approach to water management. The district was thoughtfully designed to respect and responsibly manage water as a precious resource, emphasizing responsible stewardship from the beginning. The plan prioritized a conjunctive use system and conservation-minded development – principles that continue to form the foundation of our water supply portfolio today.

Throughout the year, we will pause to reflect on the milestones that have shaped the story of Highlands Ranch Water. As a district built to serve a master-planned community, we were unique from the start: we knew how many residents we would serve at buildout and today, we are nearly there. What we did not know were the challenges ahead, from water availability and drought to evolving water quality regulations and other unforeseen demands. Each of these unknowns has tested our resilience and helped define who we are today.