Orange County Sanitation
District Press Release		10844 Ellis Ave.
Fountain Valley, Ca  92708

12/15/2008

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
PRESS RELEASE #12152008
Subject :

Orange County Sanitation District asks residents and businesses to conserve water during current rain storms
Contact :Bret Colson, Public Information Manager    (714) 593-7120
    bcolson@ocsd.com
FOUNTAIN VALLEY, CA – December 15, 2008 – Orange County Sanitation District is encouraging residents and businesses to conserve water during the current rain storms. 

The wastewater generated in homes and businesses travels through the local sanitary sewer system to OCSD’s wastewater treatment facilities in Fountain Valley and Huntington Beach.  

During a heavy rain, and in the hours immediately following, the sewer lines carry significantly higher levels of water to the treatment plants. Rainwater can seep into the sewer lines through manholes in the streets and through cracks in the pipes.  This results in dramatic peaks of wastewater flowing to the plants and can cause potential problems in the sewer lines and at the treatment facilities.

Residents can help by deferring water-using chores until after the heavy storm has passed.  If the rain does not seem to be letting up, it is best to postpone laundry, dishwashing and other water intensive activities until after 6 p.m., the time of day when flows from homes and businesses into the sewers normally begin to decrease.      

For more information about ways to use water efficiently or wastewater treatment, please contact the Orange County Sanitation District at (714) 962-2411.

The Orange County Sanitation District is a public agency responsible for safely collecting and treating wastewater (sewage) for 2.5 million people. OCSD beneficially reuses and recycles the treated wastewater and other resources resulting from the treatment process. It is a special district established by the California State legislature and governed by a 25-member board of directors. The directors are comprised of elected representatives for each of the sewer agencies or cities within OCSD’s 471 square mile service area. For more information, visit our Web site at www.ocsd.com.

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