News

Santa Margarita Water District (SMWD) proudly celebrates Nicole Stanfield, who leads the Public Affairs team. Nicole was among 25 leaders who received an award at the 5th Annual Women Making a Difference Awards ceremony, hosted by Orange County Supervisor Katrina Foley, on March 14 in Irvine.

Held in honor of Women’s History Month and this year’s theme, Leading the Change: Women Shaping a Sustainable Future, the event highlighted more than 150 women across Orange County who are advancing sustainability through leadership, innovation, and community impact.

Nicole was recognized for her values-driven leadership and commitment to building trust through accountability, transparency, and meaningful public engagement. In her role at SMWD, she leads efforts to connect the community with critical information on water quality, reliability, and long-term infrastructure investments that support water resilience.

Through her work, Nicole helps foster strong relationships between the District and the communities it serves—an essential component of advancing sustainable water management and maintaining public confidence in local government.

“Nicole leads with a strong commitment to trust, accountability, and transparency while helping keep the community informed about critical issues,” shared event organizers during the ceremony. “Her leadership ensures residents stay informed, engaged, and supported.”

SMWD congratulates Nicole and all the 2026 nominees and award recipients for their leadership and contributions to a more sustainable future. The District also extends its appreciation to Supervisor Foley for hosting the event that recognizes exemplary women leaders across the community.

Learn more about Santa Margarita Water District at SMWD.com/News. 

Something SWEET has arrived in Ladera Ranch… just in time for Spring! 

Ricco Gelato opened in the Mercantile West Shopping Center right before New Years’ and the young entrepreneurs who pulled it off couldn’t be happier with their Ladera surroundings. “We were close to signing a lease in Quail Hill (Irvine) but found this location at the last minute,” said Jay, who runs the front-of-house operations. It didn’t hurt that the space was a better value and serving an Italian desert next to Joe’s seemed like the perfect après to Italian food.

Johnny is the man behind all of that rich goodness – each flavor is his own creation with more than 32 and plans to double the offering. “I have recipes for over 64 and am working on perfecting several vegan ones as well.” he said, adding that they plan to add alcohol-infused ones in the future too. 

Unlimited tastes may help you decide but you can combine up to four flavors per cup if you can’t. Best sellers include Tiramisu, Wildberry Yogurt, Brown Butter English Toffee and Caramel Salted Peanut Butter. Ricco has a great selection of sorbets (Mango Passionfruit, Peach, Rose Lychee, Lemon, Guava), an Asian-infused palette (Matcha, Jasmine Tea, Black Sesame, Red Bean) and a few surprises like Parmesan Cheese and Tomato Apple Kombucha.

Not only are the flavors divine, but Ricco’s ingredients are next to Godly too. “We use only the best ingredients,” said Jay. Organic milk is one example. Others ingredients come all the way from Italy.

Faith is a theme with these two who are not only partners, but also brothers! Be sure to look on the bottom of each cup for a hidden message of inspiration. Jay and Johnny our also only our youngest entrepreneurs at age 25 and 29.

Ice cream and gelato are both delicious but the two are decidedly different. Ice cream is made with more cream while gelato is made with more milk. Ice cream is whipped and has more air (and fat) while gelato is smoother and denser. That’s why small amounts of gelato are as just satisfying as a double scoop of ice cream. We wouldn’t go so far as to call gelato healthy but each small cup is only around 100 calories and many flavors are gluten-free. Check out the macros on the wall for full details.

You’re going to like this place!

Santa Margarita Water District is pleased to welcome Jorianne Jernberg as our new Deputy General Manager, who will join the executive team, along with General Manager Robert Grantham and Assistant General Manager Kristine Day, in supporting the teams that deliver SMWD’s essential services every day. Jorianne has recently been focused on legislative and public affairs, where she is helping advance proposed legislation to help SMWD operate more efficiently.

Jorianne brings more than a decade of leadership in water and infrastructure finance, most recently from Washington, D.C., where she helped build the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency's (EPA) WIFIA Program from the ground up. Under her leadership, WIFIA grew into a nationally recognized government bank that delivered more than $22 billion in loans supporting nearly $50 billion in critical water infrastructure projects—including many right here in California. 

Jorianne’s work spans water reuse, desalination, stormwater, and wastewater improvements. Her experience will help guide SMWD’s future investments.

Prior to her role with the EPA, Jorianne spent a decade in the transportation sector, focusing on infrastructure finance. She also worked in local government for a County Commissioner in her home state of Ohio. 

What excites Jorianne most about joining SMWD? Helping the organization (SMWD) get results. She’s energized by collaborating with talented people and doing meaningful work—and she’s here to support the organization, strengthen partnerships, and help ensure SMWD continues delivering reliable, high-quality service to our 220,000 customers.

Outside the office, you might find her walking her dog along the beach, cooking with her husband, attending the orchestra, or learning to sail.

With her blend of water industry expertise, focus on collaboration, and approachable leadership style, Jorianne is a strong addition to the SMWD team—and another reason customers can feel confident that the industry’s best professionals are working on their behalf.

There's nothing better than starting off the morning with some Coffee, Connections and Community!  Members joined a full house Thursday, November 20th at Selma's to hear Brandon Fieldsted explain how members can mitigate risk, particularly relating to ADA lawsuits. Big thanks to Brandon and Mike Phillips, owner of Selma's, whose restaurant was absolutely decorated to the nines for the upcoming holiday!

Santa Margarita Water District’s 2025 Water Festival made a big splash on Saturday, June 7, drawing more than 2,700 customers, families, and community partners to a fun-filled, educational celebration of our most precious resource—water. 

From hands-on activities to behind-the-scenes infrastructure tours, the event brought neighbors and friends together to learn, explore, and connect with community organizations and SMWD, their water provider. 

Rod, who lives in Rancho Santa Margarita, attended the Water Festival for the first time along with his grandchildren. “What a fun experience! It was great to learn about what SMWD does behind the scenes,” he said.

Rod signed up for two infrastructure bus tours led by SMWD’s chief engineer and a senior operations leader. He was also thrilled to speak with the technicians and see the pumps and equipment that keep water flowing up close and personal. “I may have had more fun than the kids,” he said.

From holding reptiles to touring the WaterWorks Garden, a Monarch butterfly habitat featuring five blooming landscape styles, and enjoying complimentary pizza and shaved ice, the event was bustling with activity and life.

Throughout the event, the video The Journey of Water: From River to Tap played on large-screen monitors. The award-winning video tells the story of how water travels from hundreds of miles away and how SMWD delivers local, sustainable, and reliable drinking water and wastewater services to over 210,000 customers in southern Orange County. 

For those who attended the Water Festival, it was a memorable day full of discovery.

“Water is something we all depend on but rarely think about. When neighbors come together to learn, ask questions, and explore what we do—it’s powerful. That connection is what this event is all about,” said Nicole Stanfield, SMWD Director of Communications and Customer Engagement, who organizes the annual event. 

Save the Date: 2026 Water Festival Saturday May 16, 2026

Water Festival

Saturday, June 7
10:00 AM – 1:00 PM

Santa Margarita Water Festival Headquarters
26111 Antonio Parkway, RSM, CA 92688

Enjoy a fun day learning about H2O and getting to know your water provider. Enjoy food and children’s activities, experience a living tide pool, explore the WaterWorks Garden, and speak with garden pros and water district experts. Be sure to plan on viewing the movie, The Journey of Water, and signing up for an Infrastructure Tour.

Family Activities

- Infrastructure Tours: Sign-ups will be available on the day of the event
- Live caterpillars/butterflies, ladybugs, or praying mantis
- Water testing experiment
- Build a worm composting box
- Inflatable zipline and bee maze
- Live reptiles
- Water education
- Aquarium experience: Birds of prey: owls and hawks by OC Bird of Prey Center
- Observe pollinators: Bats and moths; take a quiz, and ask questions
- Puppet show
- Read books with the RSM Library
- Touch Rosie the snake with Rancho Mission Viejo Reserve
- Stroll through the WaterWorks Garden and converse with garden experts, amidst beautiful California-friendly plants.

Visit SMWD.com/Festival

See our link on the homepage to download

Margaret Novak was elected to the Santa Margarita Water District (SMWD) Board of Directors in 2024 and represents Division 5, which includes Rancho Mission Viejo, Ladera Ranch, and a portion of San Clemente.

Ms. Novak is a long-time resident of south Orange County and has over 25 years of experience in the community development and infrastructure realm. Her strong understanding of Division 5 – including the unincorporated areas – comes from serving on the Santa Margarita Water District (SMWD) Ratepayer Advisory Committee, Ladera Ranch Maintenance Corporation (LARMAC) Board, Ladera Ranch Civic Council (LRCC), and South Orange County Economic Coalition (SOCEC). She also has served on the Orange County Transportation Authority (OCTA) Citizens Advisory Committee and Women’s Transportation Seminar of Orange County (WTS-OC) Board, in addition to participating in the Orange County Business Council’s (OCBC) Governmental Affairs and Infrastructure Action Committees.

As a results-oriented leader, Ms. Novak is committed to maintaining SMWD’s high standard of service and delivery of clean, reliable, and cost-effective water to ratepayers. She will continue safeguarding our District through sound policies and fiscal responsibility in support of expanded local water supply options and reduced energy-related costs.

Ms. Novak has a Bachelor of Science degree in Urban and Regional Planning from Cal Poly Pomona and is passionate about making a meaningful difference in her community.

Sign up for updates from Santa Margarita Water District at SMWD.com/News.