Landscape irrigation rates

The following at-a-glance rates are for customers who have a dedicated landscape irrigation meter. Complete water rate information is available in the IRWD Rates and Charges document. Since the water budget changes weekly, the most effective way to avoid overuse charges is to monitor the usage weekly (using the meter/water budget log sheet) and compare it to the weekly water budget.

Budget information can also be found at ET Hotline, updated on Monday mornings:
English:  949-453-5451
Spanish: 949-453-5452

If you have any questions or need to discuss your landscape irrigation account, please call 949-453-5581 or email WaterEfficiency@IRWD.com

Water budget formula

ET x Kc x 1.25 x LA = landscape potable water budget in acre-inches.
ET x Kc x 1.33 x LA = landscape recycled water budget in acre-inches.

To convert CCF, multiply by 36.3. CCF stands for “hundred cubic feet.” One CCF equals approximately 748 gallons.

The four factors used to determine a budget for a particular landscape area:

  1. ET (evapotranspiration) – from IRWD weather stations located in coastal, central, or foothill zones.
  2. Kc (crop coefficient) – is the relative amount of water drought-tolerant plants need at various times of the year. A crop coefficient of 0.6 for drought-tolerant landscapes is applied for potable irrigation, and a crop coefficient averaging 0.65 for warm-season turf is applied to recycled water irrigation.
  3. No irrigation system is 100% efficient. IRWD assumes an irrigation efficiency level based on spray head and drip irrigation systems and includes this extra water in the outdoor budget. An irrigation efficiency of 80% is applied to potable water and 75% to recycled water. In the formula, this is calculated as = 1/0.80 = 1.25 applied to potable customers and 1/0.75 = 1.33 applied to recycled water.
  4. LA  = landscape acreage
Landscape irrigation potable and recycled water rates beginning July 1, 2024
Tier% of monthly water budgetRates per CCF
Low Volume0-40%

$1.99 (potable)
$1.43 (recycled)

Base41-100%

$2.65 (potable)
$2.47 (recycled)

Inefficient101%-140%

$6.55 (potable)
$5.27 (recycled)

Wasteful141%+

$16.46 (potable)
$9.27 (recycled)

 *1 CCF = 748 gallons

See all rates and charges

View the full list of IRWD water rates, service charges, and fees on our main Rates and Charges page.

View Rates and Charges

Pumping surcharge

  • A pumping surcharge is added for customers in locations that cause IRWD to incur additional pumping costs to supply their water.
  • The surcharge is based on the actual prevailing energy costs and varies depending on the cost to pump water to the area served.
  • In 2023, IRWD completed a pumping surcharge cost-of-service study, resulting in changes to pumping surcharge areas and costs for some customers.
  • If you live in an area affected by a pumping surcharge, it is itemized on your monthly water bill.
  • Click these links to see pumping surcharge maps with associated charges for drinking water (potable) and recycled water (non-potable).

Related links

Usage rates
Water budget formula
Sewer rates
Recycled water rates
Agricultural and Other Rates