Tiered Rate Structure

Like many water districts across southern Orange County, El Toro Water District imports nearly 100% of its water supply. The reliability of our imported supply is at risk due to a confluence of issues including two straight years of below-average rainfall; very low snowmelt runoff and the largest court-ordered water transfer restrictions in state history. As a result, our water supplier, Metropolitan Water District of Southern California, reduced our water allocation, and forced ETWD to follow suit and implement a water allocation plan in April 2009.

In an ongoing effort to encourage water efficiency and promote fairness, ETWD has implemented a tiered rate structure which went into effect in July 2010. The Water Budget-Based Tiered Conservation Rate Structure rewards customers who use water efficiently and discourages waste.

Similar to the allocation program, the Water Budget-Based Tiered Conservation Rate Structure acknowledges that not all water uses are equal in their benefits to the community. The first priority for water use is for health, safety and sanitary purposes.
Indoor water use budgets are calculated based on the number of residents in the home and an average use per day, per person. Outdoor water use budgets are calculated based on the size of the property's estimated irrigated area, County parcel data (lot size), GIS information (house footprint, garage area and driveway) and real time weather data.

Actual budgets vary based on special needs. Customers may apply for a variance to their water budget to adjust the number people in the household, irrigation area or to address a special circumstance.

What is Water Based Budgeting?

How Are Water Budgets Determined?

Tiered Rate Pricing Schedule

Water Budget-Based Tiered Conservation Rate Frequently Asked Questions

Understanding Your Bill

Water Budget and Monthly Bill Calculator

Variance/Adjustment Request Form

Raftelis Nexus Report

2005-2006 Revenue and Rate Eng Report

2011-2012 Budget