Mascot. Conservationist. Proud (unofficial) founding member of one of California’s oldest duck clubs.

Providing reliable water to a community like Laguna Beach might seem simple. You turn on the tap, and clean water flows out—steady, dependable, effortless. But behind that ease is a lot of work.

In fact, it’s a lot like watching a duck glide across a calm lake. On the surface, everything looks smooth. But below the waterline? That duck is paddling like mad.

That’s what the Laguna Beach County Water District has done every day since 1925. Beneath the surface, District staff is constantly at work, designing and maintaining infrastructure, investing in sustainable water supplies, promoting conservation, managing finances, and preparing for emergencies, all so that you don’t have to think twice about where your water comes from.

And that duck? He’s not just a metaphor. He’s a mascot with a mission.

Meet Dewey, the District’s water-wise ambassador. He’s here to remind us that behind the calm of every faucet is a legacy of ingenuity—and a little feathered fun. Dewey’s roots run deep, all the way back to the District’s origin story, when five clever founders posed as duck hunters to secure water-rich land in Huntington Beach. They weren’t after birds, they were after a future.

When you signed up for water service, you unknowingly became part of that same club, one of the oldest “Duck Clubs” in California. But let’s be clear: while our founders may have claimed they were starting a duck hunting club back in 1925, the ducks were just a decoy. These days, the only thing we’re aiming for is conservation, not camouflage.

So it’s only fitting that Dewey waddles into the picture today, connecting the District’s quirky, clever past to its forward-thinking, water-saving present. He’s here to teach kids (and adults) how to save water, spread smiles, and show Laguna that behind every drop is a lot of heart, hustle, and yes, one hard-paddling duck.

So, you’d better get your ducks in a row because Dewey is here to quack down on water waste!