Orange County Water District

Rely on us for high-quality groundwater

OCWD is committed to ensuring a safe and reliable supply of groundwater for today and for future generations. Learn more about the District.
Making the most of what we have

OCWD takes the limited water supply found in nature and supplements it to provide water for more than 2.5 million people in Orange County, California. Learn more about What We Do.
Protecting the public's interest

OCWD is committed to Transparency and strives to be clear about its motivations, policy decisions and investments.
Agency Brochure

Learn even more about the Orange County Water District
How Water Works in Orange County

Learn more about Orange County's water cycle

OC GROUNDWATER BASIN (through end of May 2018)
OCWD is one of the few groundwater management agencies able to track the groundwater basin’s “water budget” on a monthly basis. This information allows the District to make more informed management decisions about future water supplies and pumping.

Groundwater storage level

43% full 219,671 ac-ft

Compared to same time last year: +35.0%

Groundwater recharge

258,648 ac-ft Water year to date

Compared to same time last year: -20.2%

Groundwater pumping

212,766 ac-ft Water year to date

Compared to same time last year: -22.1%

OCWD provides water to 19 retail agencies in north and central Orange County. For more information about your water bill and service, please contact your local provider.

Taking Pride in the Past, Preparing for the Future

Since its beginning in 1933, OCWD has grown far more extensively and rapidly than its founders could possibly have anticipated. Throughout the decades, the District has developed and introduced new technologies to manage water supplies, and is now a world leader in groundwater recharge.

See the OCWD History Timeline

Advanced Water Quality Assurance Laboratory

OCWD’s Advanced Water Quality Assurance Laboratory (Lab) is world-class lab and performs more than 400,000 analyses of approximately 20,000 water samples each year.

Advanced Water Quality Assurance Lab

GWRS