How water works in Orange County
North and central O.C.
The Orange County Water District (OCWD), servicing 2.5 million residents in north and central Orange County, manages the Orange County Groundwater Basin and refills it with many different water supplies: water from the Santa Ana River, which includes rainfall, snowmelt and treated wastewater from upstream water users, local rainfall, imported water from the Colorado River and northern California, and purified wastewater from the Groundwater Replenishment System (GWRS). Orange County’s groundwater is less expensive and more reliable than imported water.
Thanks to OCWD’s innovative water management programs, including the GWRS, regional groundwater banking, stormwater capture behind Prado Dam and more, 19 cities and retail water agencies can pump about 85% of their water demands from the basin. They get the remaining 15% from imported supplies brought in by the Metropolitan Water District of Southern California (MWD) and served through its local subsidiary member agency, the Municipal Water District of Orange County (MWDOC).
South O.C.
Approximately 600,000 people in the southern part of Orange County receive most of their water supply from imported sources: the Colorado River and northern California via the State Water Project. These communities do not reside within the boundaries of the Orange County Groundwater Basin.
Cost of water
Local water suppliers establish the price of water delivered to customers. The rate charged for water is impacted by multiple factors, including the cost of groundwater; the cost of imported water from northern California and the Colorado River; the cost to construct, operate and maintain pipelines, reservoirs and pumps to deliver water to homes or businesses; and the administrative cost of operating a retail water system. Suppliers’ rates can vary depending upon the age of the water system, how much groundwater is used versus more expensive imported water and other factors. For this reason, OCWD attempts to maximize the amount of groundwater available to retail agencies, while sustainably managing the basin.
Who is my water provider?
Your water provider is determined by the city and geographic boundaries that you live in. The Orange County Water District is a wholesale water agency that provides groundwater to 19 cities and retail water districts in north and central Orange County. Water retailers issue water bills and offer many programs and resources to maintain a water-efficient lifestyle. For questions about rebates, your water bill or home/business water service, contact your local water supplier.