What is Water Based Budgeting?

Water is a precious natural resource that must be used efficiently to ensure that ample supply continues to exist. Despite all the rain we've had this past winter and spring, southern Orange County has almost no groundwater and must import nearly 100% of its supply.

In addition, state regulations require a reduction in urban water usage by 10 percent by 2015 and 20 percent by 2020. Water budgets serve as a guide and assist customers in efficiently managing their usage.

The Water Budget-Based Tiered Conservation Rate Structure uses property-specific water budgets and tiered pricing to provide customers with an economic incentive to use water efficiently. As such, tiered conservation rates are fair and equitable to all customers. They pass on the costs associated with conservation programs and the development of supplemental water sources to those who use water in less efficient ways.

Each customer’s water budget is designed to meet their individual needs. The water budget is the sum of the indoor and outdoor water budget allocations.

We believe that customers who use water efficiently find that their water budget meets their needs and allows them to purchase water at the lowest rates in our tiered structure. Only customers who are using water inefficiently pay the higher tiered rates.