In response to our demand and the state’s limited resources, California has established higher consernvation standards than that of the federal government. For instance, toilet manufacturers/retailers in California hoping to label their products as "high-efficiency" must meet a 1.28 gallon per flush requirement, as opposed to the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency’s (EPA) 1.6 gallon limit. California’s commitment to water conservation extends beyond manufacturers. The Santa Ana Regional Water Quality Control Board, in accordance with California Code, Title 23, and the State Water Resource Control Board, encourage all its cities and their citizens to reduce water consumption by 20% by the year 2020.
The City of Orange has voluntarily signed the Memorandum of Understanding regarding Urban Water Conservation in California through its participation in the California Urban Water Conservation Council (CUWCC), and has committed to a good faith effort in implementing 14 identified Best Management Practices to conserve water.
As of January 1, 2010, the City of Orange instituted the Water Efficient Landscapes: Guidelines to promote the use of water conserving landscaping and irrigation in new and rehabilitated landscapes through conservation in design, installation and maintenance. This State mandated requirement applies to new landscape areas equal to or greater than 2,500 square feet for:
Private, non-residential (commercial/industrial) projects and
Residential developers and property managers of single-family and multi-family projects or complexes.
In addition, they apply to new landscape areas equal to or greater than 5,000 square feet for installations by:
Individual homeowners of single-family or multi-family residential lots.
The new standards also direct rehabilitation projects greater than 2,500 square feet, representing at least 50% of the total landscape area, and planned to occur within one year. If your property has been registered a local, state or federal historic site (either inside or outside Old Towne Orange), it is not subject to the new guidelines. For more infomration, review the guidleines at the link above or contact the Planning Department.
The City has also begun addressing water efficiency at its own facilities with projects like retrofitting City Hall with waterless urinals, installing water efficient landscaping at the new Grijalva Park facility, and installing a smart "moisture sensing" irrigation system at El Camino Park. In addition, the City is revamping its landscape code to allow for the installation of high quality artificial turf.
Basic water rates for the City of Orange are based on two charges: a fixed connection fee and a tiered rate structure usage fee. The tiered rate structure usage fee encourages City of Orange residents to conserve water by offering lower water rates to households that use less. Below are the 2008 and 2009 rate structures for each (excluding exception pricing, penalty fees and late service fees). Please visit the City’s Water Rates page for more rate information.
This is a fixed, bi-monthly charge based on the size of the water connection. City of Orange, June 2008.
Through a cooperative effort with Municipal Water District of Orange County (MWDOC) and local agency conservation programs over the past several years, the City of Orange has successfully supported and participated in the following water saving rebate programs. Visit ourResidentsand Businesspage for more information about current rebate and incentive programs.
Municipal Water District of Orange County, as of October 15, 2008.
The City works vigorously to prevent pollution and public health risks and protect the sustainability of our natural environments through a number of water quality programs and measures. Every time it rains, everything that comes into with the rainwater has the potential to be carried into the storm drain system. And unlike wastewater from our homes, storm water is not treated and flows directly into our creeks and ultimately the ocean. That is why it is important that we all do what we can to prevent trash, debris, oil, grease and other pollutants that result from human activities such as mowing, car washing, washing sidewalks, and leaking vehicles from being carried into storm drains. The City has a strong storm drain program that is required to comply with the federal Clean Water Act and state regulations.
Here are a few of the community’s critical storm water management programs, which help protect the region’s water quality and natural wildlife habitats.
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The Street Sweeping and Channel Maintenance Program minimizes pollution in our regional water bodies by removing trash and debris build-up from City maintained waterways.
Routine Sewer Cleaning and Catch Basin Inspection and Cleaning are conducted to prevent overflows of public sewage thus eliminating potential nuisance and health hazards for residents.
The City also educates and encourages community support for clean water through its Storm Drain Stenciling and Household Hazardous Waste (HHW) Program which aim to prevent illegal dumping and harmful toxins from polluting our community’s water resources.
To ensure your health and protect our community’s water resources, the Orange enforces the Water Quality Ordinance and conducts Commercial, Industrial and Construction Inspections. It also enforces the Restaurant FOG Program guaranteeing the restaurants using fats, oil and grease do not cause sewer overflows. Failure to comply with these programs results in penalties and citations.
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For more information or to learn how you can help, visit the City’s Storm Water Program site. To report water quality problems, please call Orange’s 24-hour hotline at (714) 532-6480.
The availability and protection of fresh water is critical to the continued health and progress of California. The City of Orange pledges to be a responsible California partner in the on-going water conservation and water quality efforts. Do your part for Orange and for California…BE WATER WISE!
Basic water rates for the City of Orange are based on two charges: a fixed connection fee and a tiered rate structure usage fee. The tiered rate structure usage fee encourages City of Orange residents to conserve water by offering lower water rates to households that use less. Below are the 2008 and 2009 rate structures for each (excluding exception pricing, penalty fees and late service fees). Please visit the City’s 
The City works vigorously to prevent pollution and public health risks and protect the sustainability of our natural environments through a number of water quality programs and measures. Every time it rains, everything that comes into with the rainwater has the potential to be carried into the storm drain system. And unlike wastewater from our homes, storm water is not treated and flows directly into our creeks and ultimately the ocean. That is why it is important that we all do what we can to prevent trash, debris, oil, grease and other pollutants that result from human activities such as mowing, car washing, washing sidewalks, and leaking vehicles from being carried into storm drains. The City has a strong storm drain program that is required to comply with the federal Clean Water Act and state regulations.
The availability and protection of fresh water is critical to the continued health and progress of California. The City of Orange pledges to be a responsible California partner in the on-going water conservation and water quality efforts. Do your part for Orange and for California…BE WATER WISE!
