Date: Tuesday, March 17, 2026
Time: 5:30 p.m.
Location: City Council Chambers
20 Civic Center Plaza, Santa Ana, CA 92701
The City of Santa Ana will hold a public hearing at the time, date, and location specified above to consider a proposed five-year schedule of adjustments to the City’s water, sewer, and recycled water rates and charges.
The proposed changes are based on an independent cost-of-service study that was completed in January 2026. If adopted, the proposed rate adjustments and charges will become effective on May 1, 2026.
The public hearing will be conducted per California Constitution Article XIII D, Section 6 (also known as “Proposition 218”). This notice is being sent to all owners and customers of record whose parcels receive water, sewer service, and/or recycled water from the City of Santa Ana, who would be subject to the proposed rates and charges.
All members of the public are invited to attend the public hearing. Additionally, under California State Law, owners and customers of record may submit a written protest and/or objection to the proposed rate changes. Only one protest per parcel is permitted.
Please refer to the “ How Can I Participate? ” section of this document for instructions on submitting a formal written protest or objection against the proposed action. You may also appear at the public hearing at the date and time specified above.
More information, including a rate estimator, is available online at santaanautilityrates.com or scan the QR code.
Concerning proposed changes to the City of Santa Ana’s
water, sewer, and recycled water rate structure and
adjustments to water service, recycled water service,
sewer service and consumption charges.
NOTICE OF PUBLIC HEARING
Important Information About Your Water,
Sewer, and Recycled Water Rates
CREATING A RESILIENT AND PREPARED SYSTEM
The proposed rate changes would ensure the City of Santa Ana’s water and sewer systems remain strong and reliable. Proactive maintenance and emergency preparedness allow the City of Santa Ana to manage risks before they become costly problems. Dependable water and sewer systems enable the City of Santa Ana to respond quickly to natural disasters, droughts, or regulatory changes while maintaining high-quality service.
ADDRESSING AGING INFRASTRUCTURE
As the City of Santa Ana’s complex system of pipes, pumps, and treatment facilities ages, it becomes increasingly susceptible to leaks and breaks that can disrupt service and waste valuable resources. The proposed rates would support the upgrade of these aging components before they risk failure. By modernizing infrastructure now, the City of Santa Ana would protect service quality for current and future generations.
ADVANCING CRITICAL CAPITAL IMPROVEMENTS
The City of Santa Ana’s water and sewer systems need ongoing investment to meet modern standards and serve the community effectively. The proposed rate changes would help fund critical projects that strengthen the City of Santa Ana’s ability to deliver clean, safe water and reliable sewer services. Investing now would help prevent higher costs in the future and make sure the City of Santa Ana’s infrastructure keeps pace with growth and evolving technology.
The City of Santa Ana is proposing changes to its water, recycled water, and sewer rates and charges. State law requires the City of Santa Ana to charge only what it costs to provide these services while continuing to maintain essential infrastructure.
To ensure the proposed rates meet this requirement, the City of Santa Ana hired an independent consultant to complete a detailed cost-of-service study. This study confirms that the proposed rates reflect the proportional cost of delivering reliable, high-quality water, recycled water, and sewer service to our community.
This notice has been sent to all customers who may be affected by the proposed rate changes. The full cost-of-service study is available for public review at the City of Santa Ana’s Public Works Agency and on our website at santaanautilityrates.com.
Why Have I Received This Notice?
Why Are Rate Adjustments Needed?
As a public agency, the City of Santa Ana is required to set rates based solely on the proportional cost of providing service, not to generate profit. Customers pay only what it takes to deliver reliable water and recycled water and provide sewer service to their parcel.
Did You Know?
THESE PROJECTS INCLUDE:
Water Capital Improvement Projects
• Garthe Pump Station Improvements
• Walnut Pump Station Improvements
• New Groundwater Wells
(Washington and Flower)
• Crooke Pump Station Improvements
• Citywide Water Pipeline Improvements
Sewer Capital Improvement Projects
• Washington Square Neighborhood
Sewer Main Improvements
• Santa Ana Memorial Park Neighborhood
Sewer Main Improvements
• Wright Street, and Old Grand Sewer Main Improvements
• Citywide Sewer Main Improvements
2 Fixed vs. Variable Charges
FIXED CHARGES are independent of the amount of water used. They cover non- fluctuating costs such as capital projects, transmission, distribution, meters, and services.
VARIABLE CHARGES are calculated based on the amount of water moving through a customer’s meter. These charges cover expenses such as purchased water, electricity, and treatment chemicals.
RATE STRUCTURE
The proposed rate structure would replace the current tiered rates with an updated structure designed to provide stable and predictable revenue. This change would align water, sewer, and recycled water rates with the cost of providing service and maintaining system infrastructure. The new structure would support system resilience, modernization, and planned capital improvements.
MONTHLY BILLING
With new meter technology, the City of Santa Ana can begin issuing bills monthly instead of bimonthly. Monthly billing would provide customers with more frequent water use information and support more regular household budgeting.
This change would also improve the City of Santa Ana’s ability to monitor and manage system performance.
WATER RATES: $4.18 MONTHLY IMPACT TO TYPICAL CUSTOMER
For a typical single-family residential customer, proposed water rates would increase by an average of $4.18 per month. The proposed rate change would fund system reliability, maintenance, and improvement of the water system to meet service and regulatory requirements.
SEWER RATES: $2.94 MONTHLY IMPACT TO TYPICAL CUSTOMER
For a typical single-family residential customer, proposed sewer rates would increase by an average of $2.94 per month. The proposed rate change would fund continued operation, maintenance, and capital improvements to the sewer system to maintain compliance and service reliability.
What Would Change?
For More Information
To review the cost-of-service study, estimate how the proposed changes may affect your bill, and learn more about the proposed rate changes, visit santaanautilityrates.com.
If the proposed rate changes are approved by the City of Santa Ana, all water, sewer, and recycled water services will be billed at the rates outlined in the tables on the following pages.
3 Meter Size Single
Family
Non-
Residential
Multi-
Family
5/8" x 3/4" 21 ccf 62 ccf
17 CCF
per
Dwelling
Unit
3/4" 32 ccf 93 ccf
1" 52 ccf 155 ccf
1 1/2" 105 ccf 310 ccf
2" 168 ccf 496 ccf
3" 368 ccf 1,085 ccf
4" 662 ccf 1,953 ccf
6" 1,365 ccf 4,030 ccf
8" 2,520 ccf 7,440 ccf
Current and Proposed Water Rates
Bi-Monthly Current
Water Rate Structure
Meter Size All
Customers
5/8" x 3/4" 21 ccf
3/4" 32 ccf
1" 53 ccf
1 1/2" 105 ccf
2" 168 ccf
3" 396 ccf
4" 663 ccf
6" 1,369 ccf
8" 2,527 ccf
Monthly Proposed
Water Rate Structure
Meter
Size
All
Customers
5/8" x
3/4" $48.62
3/4" $72.94
1" $121.56
1 1/2" $243.10
2" $388.96
3" $850.88
4" $1,531.56
6" $3,160.36
8" $5,834.50
Bi-Monthly
Current Retail
Fixed Charges
Meter
Size
Effective
May 1,
2026
Effective
July 1,
2027
Effective
July 1,
2028
Effective
July 1,
2029
Effective
July 1,
2030
5/8"x
3/4" $26.71 $29.11 $31.73 $34.59 $37.36
3/4" $39.10 $42.62 $46.45 $50.63 $54.68
1" $63.87 $69.62 $75.89 $82.72 $89.33
1 1/2" $125.81 $137.13 $149.48 $162.93 $175.96
2" $200.14 $218.15 $237.78 $259.18 $279.92
3" $435.50 $474.70 $517.42 $563.99 $609.11
4" $782.36 $852.77 $929.52 $1,013.18 $1,094.23
6" $1,612.34 $1,757.45 $1,915.62 $2,088.02 $2,255.07
8" $2,974.99 $3,242.74 $3,534.58 $3,852.69 $4,160.91
10" $5,204.78 $5,673.21 $6,183.79 $6,740.34 $7,279.56
Monthly
Proposed Retail
Fixed Charges
The proposed variable water rates would be billed based on total water used, per hundred cubic foot of use (ccf or 748 gallons). The Tier 1 width is designed to consider the available groundwater supply, which constitutes 85% of the City of Santa Ana’s water.
The base monthly allocation for 5/8” x 3/4” customers, 21 ccf, would be adjusted for larger meter sizes based on the capacity ratios of those meters relative to the base meter. The proposed variable water rates and tier widths would be applied to all customers, regardless of customer class, based on that customer’s meter size.
Fixed water rates recover the costs necessary to operate and maintain a safe and reliable water system. These charges support ongoing maintenance, repair, and replacement of water pipes, pumps, and related facilities; water quality testing; meter reading; and customer service functions. These costs are incurred regardless of the volume of water a customer uses.
4 Customer
Class
Variable
Rate
Potable
TIER 1 $2.60
TIER 2 $5.87
RECYCLED
WATER $2.55
Tier
Effective
May 1,
2026
Effective
July 1,
2027
Effective
July 1,
2028
Effective
July 1,
2029
Effective
July 1,
2030
TIER 1 $3.16 $3.44 $3.75 $4.09 $4.42
TIER 2 $5.12 $5.58 $6.08 $6.63 $7.16
RECYCLED
WATER $3.60 $3.92 $4.28 $4.66 $5.03
Bi-Monthly Current
Commodity Charges
per CCF
Monthly Proposed Commodity Charges per CCF
Pass-Through Adjustment Policy
The City of Santa Ana is considering an update to the Pass-Through Adjustment Policy to permit additional increases in City Water Usage Charges, beginning in 2026, to offset any future increases in wholesale water rates charged by Orange County Water District and/or Metropolitan Water District to the City of Santa Ana.
Ratepayers would be notified by mail at least 30 days prior to an adjustment.
An adjustment to Tier 1 rates would be based on any approved increase in the wholesale rate charged by Orange County Water District to the City of Santa Ana (in $/CCF) for purchasing wholesale groundwater. An adjustment to Tier 2 rates would be based on any approved increase in the wholesale rate charged by Metropolitan Water District to the City of Santa Ana. Pass-through adjustments may be implemented only if future increases in wholesale water rates surpass projections, and in no event shall the pass-through adjustment exceed 15% in any given year.
For customers with a private fire service connection, this fixed fee covers the cost of providing and maintaining fire flow capacity in the water system.
Meter
Size
Current
Rate
2" $21.00
3" $21.00
4" $27.00
6" $41.50
8" $48.00
10" $57.00
12" $66.00
Bi-Monthly
Current
Fire Line Fixed
Charges
Meter
Size
Effective
May 1,
2026
Effective
July 1,
2027
Effective
July 1,
2028
Effective
July 1,
2029
Effective
July 1,
2030
2" $3.90 $4.25 $4.63 $5.05 $5.45
3" $7.63 $8.32 $9.07 $9.88 $10.67
4" $14.07 $15.34 $16.72 $18.23 $19.69
6" $37.20 $40.55 $44.20 $48.17 $52.03
8" $77.08 $84.02 $91.58 $99.83 $107.81
10" $137.08 $149.42 $162.87 $177.52 $191.72
12" $220.23 $240.05 $261.66 $285.21 $308.02
Monthly Proposed Fire Line Fixed Charges
5 Unit Effective
May 1, 2026
Effective
July 1, 2027
Effective
July 1, 2028
Effective
July 1, 2029
Effective
July 1, 2030
Per Charge $88.28 $100.20 $110.22 $121.25 $133.37
Monthly Proposed FOG Charges
Bi-Monthly Current FOG Charges
Meter Size Effective
May 1, 2026
Effective
July 1, 2027
Effective
July 1, 2028
Effective
July 1, 2029
Effective
July 1, 2030
5/8" X 3/4" $10.56 $11.98 $13.18 $14.50 $15.95
3/4" $10.56 $11.98 $13.18 $14.50 $15.95
1" $16.47 $18.69 $20.56 $22.61 $24.88
1 1/2" $36.16 $41.04 $45.15 $49.66 $54.63
2" $79.49 $90.22 $99.25 $109.17 $120.09
3" $280.39 $318.24 $350.06 $385.07 $423.58
4" $494.09 $560.79 $616.87 $678.55 $746.41
6" $1,088.89 $1,235.89 $1,359.48 $1,495.43 $1,644.98
8" $1,088.89 $1,235.89 $1,359.48 $1,495.43 $1,644.98
10" $1,088.89 $1,235.89 $1,359.48 $1,495.43 $1,644.98
Monthly Proposed Sewer Fixed Charges
Meter
Size
Single
Family
Multi-
Family
Non-
Residential
5/8" x 3/4" $15.24 $22.82 $25.38
3/4" $21.58 $32.98 $36.78
1" $34.24 $53.24 $59.58
1 1/2" $65.90 $103.88 $116.52
2" $103.88 $164.68 $184.92
3" $224.16 $357.14 $401.46
4" $401.46 $640.82 $720.58
6" $825.68 $1,319.56 $1,484.16
8" $1,522.16 $2,433.92 $2,737.88
10" $2,408.60 $3,852.24 $4,333.42
Bi-Monthly Current Sewer Fixed Charges
FOG Rate
Fats, Oils, and Grease (FOG) Customers $111.32
Current and Proposed Sewer Service Charges
Current and Proposed FOG Charges
The proposed sewer rates are based on customer meter size, regardless of customer class, and are developed by comparing the ratio of historical winter water use between each meter size.
These rates apply to restaurants and other food-related businesses subject to the City of Santa Ana’s Fats, Oils, and Grease (FOG) Control Program, which reduces the number of local sewer line blockages and sewage overflows. Certain limited food preparation facilities may be exempt.
6 The City of Santa Ana welcomes your participation and input throughout the process as it considers the proposed rate changes explained in this Notice. If you have questions or comments about the proposed rates, you can:
CALL OR VISIT. For questions, please visit us at City Hall, 20 Civic Center Plaza, Santa Ana or call: 714-647-3320. The cost-of-service study and other information on the proposed adjustments are available for review at the City of Santa Ana’s Public Works Agency and on our website: santaanautilityrates.com.
WRITE. Written protests may be mailed to The City of Santa Ana, Attention: City Clerk, P.O. Box 1988, M30, Santa Ana, CA 92701, or delivered in person to City Hall located at 20 Civic Center Plaza, Santa Ana. Written protests shall include the name, property address and signature of the person submitting the protest. Only one written protest per parcel will be counted. Oral protests and protests submitted by email or other electronic means do not count as formal written protests.
SUBMIT A LEGAL OBJECTION. Owners of properties affected by the proposed rate changes, as well as tenants who will be directly responsible for paying the charges, may file a legal objection against the proposed adjustments.
Written legal objections must include the following information to be valid:
• Your name, parcel number and/or service address and signature • Indicate that the submission is a legal objection
• Specify the rate or charge for which the objection is being submitted • Specify the grounds for alleging the City of Santa Ana’s noncompliance with Proposition 218 or other legal requirements. Please note that the specified grounds must be sufficiently detailed to allow the City of Santa Ana to determine whether alterations to the proposed rates are needed. By way of example, an objection stating a proposed rate change violates Proposition 218, without explaining the basis for this claim, is insufficient for the purpose of exhaustion of administrative remedies.
Written objections may be mailed to The City of Santa Ana, Attention: City Clerk, P.O. Box 1988, M-30, Santa Ana, CA 92701, or delivered in person to City Hall at 20 Civic Center Plaza. Objections submitted by email or other electronic means will not be accepted as formal written objections. The written basis supporting the proposed rates can be found at the following website: santaanautilityrates.com . Additionally, any property owner may request a mailed copy of the written basis by contacting the City Clerk’s office at (714) 647-6520.
In order to be valid, a written objection must be received by the City Clerk before 5 p.m., March 10, 2026. Failure to submit an objection on time will bar any right to challenge the water and/or sewer charges through a legal proceeding.
Additionally, there is a 120-day statute of limitations for challenging all water, sewer, and recycled water charges should the proposed rate changes be adopted, which commences the day the proposed rates are adopted.
ATTEND THE PUBLIC HEARING. Written protests may also be submitted at the Public Hearing on Tuesday, March 17, 2026 at 5:30 p.m., or thereafter in the City Council Chambers at 20 Civic Center Plaza, Santa Ana, CA 92701. All members of the public will have an opportunity to speak and give testimony regarding the proposed water, sewer, and recycled water rate changes at the Public Hearing; however, only written protests will count toward a majority protest. Written protests must be received before the conclusion of the Public Hearing.
PUBLIC HEARING PROCESS: At the time of the Public Hearing, the City Council will hear and consider all protests and objections to the proposed adjustments. Protests submitted by email or other electronic means do not count as formal written protests; oral comments do not qualify as a formal protest unless accompanied by a written protest. Upon conclusion of the hearing, the City Council will evaluate the protests and objections and consider the adoption of the proposed rates and charges. The City Council is authorized to adopt proposed rates and charges if written protests against the proposed rates and charges, as outlined above, do not represent at least a majority of identified parcels subject to the proposed rates and charges. If adopted as proposed, the adjusted rates and charges will become effective on May 1, 2026.
How Can I Participate?
7 The City of Santa Ana
20 Civic Center Plaza
Santa Ana, CA 92701
Date: Tuesday, March 17, 2026
Time: 5:30 p.m.
Location: City Council Chambers
20 Civic Center Plaza, Santa Ana, CA 92701
Concerning proposed changes to the City of Santa Ana’s
water, sewer, and recycled water rate structure and adjustments to water service, recycled water service, sewer service and consumption charges.
NOTICE OF PUBLIC HEARING