Orange County Watersheds
Welcome to the website of the OC Watersheds Program!
Watersheds in Orange County link the land to the sea by carrying water from streams, channels and rivers to the Pacific Ocean. As residents of Orange County, our actions on land can have impacts on our watersheds and the ocean. We have created www.ocwatersheds.com to provide information for people to gain greater understanding of their watershed. On this site, you will find information regarding our water resources, what actions we as OC Watersheds Program take to protect water quality, and ways that you can help keep our watersheds healthy. While navigating this site, you will find information on water quality regulations, current programs and projects, and tips on how your everyday activities can positively affect water quality in Orange County.
The integrated OC Watersheds Program at the County of Orange was created in the spring of 2000 to provide a more cohesive focus on protecting and improving water resources throughout Orange County. We manage a number of compliance programs stemming from the federal Clean Water Act, including municipal National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System permits countywide and Total Maximum Daily Load regulations for individual pollutants in specific watersheds. We monitor the physical, chemical, and biological condition of our waterways, conduct special studies, and coordinate the activities of public and private sector stakeholders in each of three Watershed Management Areas. Public outreach and education are fundamental to healthy watersheds. Pollution starts with daily activities from each one of us – from the cars we drive to the way we maintain our homes and gardens. By following a few basic tips, each of us can do our part to reduce pollutants in our waterways, protect the environment, and safeguard public health.
Mission Statement: To develop regional management strategies to preserve, protect, and enhance coastal resources and surface waters throughout Orange County. A watershed approach considers the entire geographic area that a watercourse drains to address a broad range of issues:
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