Because we live in a semi-arid area that is essentially a desert, water conservation is important both in wet years and dry. Irvine Ranch Water District has an ascending block rate structure, which means that the rate structure rewards conservation and penalizes water waste. Customers who use water wisely pay rates that are among the lowest in Orange County.

Above rates effective July 1, 2008; *One ccf =748 gallons

Penalties and How to Avoid Them
Customers can accrue penalties on their water bill if their water use exceeds their water allocation. Landscape allocations are based on the actual water needs of turfgrass according to current weather conditions.

Customers who use more water than their allocation enter into the three penalty tiers, which charge progressively more as water waste increases. Penalties are paid only on the amount of water that exceeds the allocation, not on total usage.

Saving Water Keeps Rates Low
When IRWD customers are efficient with their water use, IRWD can minimize purchases of expensive imported water from the Colorado River and Northern California. Avoiding these water purchases helps IRWD keep rates low. Currently, IRWD's water rates are among the lowest in Orange County.

What Happens to Penalty Dollars?
All penalties paid for excessive water use are kept separate from other District funding. Therefore, IRWD does not use this money to fund its day-to-day operations. Penalty money is used to fund conservation programs to help those receiving penalties become more efficient.

If You Receive a Penalty
If you receive a penalty on your water bill, PLEASE call IRWD at (949) 453-5324. Irvine Ranch Water District is ready to provide you with free services, education and the tools you need to use water wisely and to avoid penalties.