Oso Barrier Water Treatment Plant — Santa Margarita Water District

Re-Elect · Division 4

Proven Water Leadership for South Orange County.

Laura Freese — Board President of the Santa Margarita Water District — delivering reliable water, modern infrastructure, and transparent governance for the families and businesses we serve.

$750K

Federal grant secured for the Oso Barrier project

Since 2022

Serving Division 4 on the SMWD Board

Board President

Elected December 2025

Priorities

A water-secure future, built on results.

Five focus areas guiding Laura's work on the Board — practical, regional, and grounded in two decades of local public service.

Reliable Local Water

Expanding stormwater capture and local supply projects to reduce reliance on imported water.

Modern Infrastructure

Smart, cost-effective investments in treatment, storage, and system upgrades.

Emergency Preparedness

Expanded drinking water storage and reserves for droughts, wildfires, and crises.

Transparency

Leading the Strategic Communication Committee to give residents a strong voice.

Fiscal Responsibility

Securing grants, partnerships, and fair rates that protect ratepayers.

Read the full platform

All Issues

Join the campaign.

Whether you can donate, volunteer, or simply spread the word — every action helps keep South Orange County's water future in capable, experienced hands.

On the Ground

Laura in the community.

Laura Freese at the H2O for HOAs community forum
Engaging residents at the H₂O for HOAs community forum
Laura Freese speaking at a public meeting
Addressing constituents at a public SMWD meeting
Laura Freese observing SMWD crew repairing a water main break, January 2026
On-site during a water main break repair — January 2026