Orange water and sewer rates
Who supplies water to Orange houses, what it costs, and how the sewer charge works.
City of Orange Water Division
City of Orange; utility bills are mailed every other month (six bills a year). From January 1, 2026 a single family home pays a bi-monthly service capacity charge of $38.98 for a 5/8" or 3/4" service, and per hundred cubic feet (hcf) $3.85 for 0-23 hcf, $3.99 for 24-42 hcf and $4.18 for 43+ hcf. Homes in higher elevation zones also pay an elevation charge ($0.25 per hcf in Zone 4, $0.63 in Zone 5).
| Use a month | Price per unit (CCF, 748 gallons) |
|---|---|
| Fixed charge | $19.49 a month |
| 0 to 11.5 units | $3.85 |
| 11.5 to 21 units | $3.99 |
| 21 to more | $4.18 |
- Source
- Groundwater from 7 municipal wells drilled about 1000 feet into the Santa Ana River Aquifer, plus water imported by the Metropolitan Water District from the Colorado River and northern California, and a small amount from the Serrano Water District.
- Hardness
- Total hardness averaged 18 grains per gallon (300 ppm as CaCO3), range 8 to 22 grains, in 2025.
- Lead
- In 2024, 50 residences were tested for lead and copper at the tap: lead was detected in one sample, and none exceeded the action level. The lead and copper service line inventory was completed in 2025.
- Standards
- The 2025 report says the City's tap water met all federal and state drinking water health standards.
Sewer
The City of Orange's sanitation services charge on the bi-monthly utility bill: for a single family residence, a Sewer Maintenance flat rate of $19.21 and a Sewer Infrastructure flat rate of $8.70 per bill from January 1, 2026. OC San's sewer service fee is an annual charge on the property tax bill. The City's sanitation rate sheet lists a further step on January 1, 2027.
Ways to pay less
- Water-saving rebates through MWDOC. The Municipal Water District of Orange County offers residential rebates, including up to $2 per square foot of grass replaced, up to $80 for a smart irrigation timer, from $85 for a high efficiency clothes washer and from $40 for a premium high efficiency toilet. Rebate amounts may vary by participating agency and are based on available funding. How: The City's water rate sheet points to www.mwdoc.com for water rebates and incentives; check the program before you buy.
Dates
| When | What |
|---|---|
| Every 2 months | City water and sewer bills are generally due within 30 days of the bill date; payments after the "Delinquent after" date get a 10% penalty. |
Pay or manage it
Sources
- City of Orange water rates and charges effective January 1, 2026
- Orange Water Division fee schedule effective June 1, 2026
- City of Orange water and sewer rate study (2023)
- City of Orange Water Division
- OC San: sewer rates and claim forms
- Metropolitan Water District standby charge resolution, FY 2026/27
Checked October 22, 2026. Every number here comes from the public sources listed, matched by our checker.
Rates change every year; this page shows when it was last checked. Nothing here is legal, tax or insurance advice.