While the visible impacts of rain—like fallen branches, clogged gutters, or puddles in the street—are easy to see, impacts on the sewer system often go unnoticed until problems arise. During a storm, extra water can make its way into the sewer system through small cracks and openings, creating extra strain that can lead to messy backups and overflows.  Though it may not seem like a lot, this extra water can quickly add up. On a typical day, OC San collects, treats, and recycles about 185 million gallons of wastewater. During a storm, this amount of wastewater can double!

So, what can you do? By waiting until after the storm passes to do water-using chores like dishes or laundry, you can reduce strain on the sewer system. If the rain doesn’t seem to let up, try holding off on laundry or running the dishwasher until after 6:00 p.m., when wastewater flows are lower.

By taking these small steps, you can help our system running smoothly this rainy season.