Orange County Utilities (OCU) Water Division began the process of analyzing their customer
base, production flows and water conservation program options in April 2003 as a component of
the utility's Integrated Water Resources Project. This project includes assessment of baseline
water use characteristics from the utility's billing records, accounts mapped through its
Geographic Information System (GIS), property values and lot sizes using information from the
Orange County Property Appraiser. The data provide a comprehensive "snapshot" of water
consumption practices and have allowed Orange County to plan water conservation programs,
which are tailored for maximum impact. Several examples of existing programs are discussed.
Includes tables, figures.