The Santa Margarita Water District provides customers with water and wastewater services. SMWD serves more than 108,000 people through 48,000 residential and commercial connections in Mission Viejo, Rancho Santa Margarita, Ladera Ranch, Las Flores and areas of San Juan Capistrano and San Clemente. It is located in the southeastern portion of Orange County and encompasses nearly 62,000 acres of territory, making it the countys second-largest water district. The district was formed in 1964.