4 years in a row: Customers rank IRWD No. 1
For the fourth straight year, global data analytics company J.D. Power has awarded Irvine Ranch Water District its top honor for Customer Satisfaction.
Customers surveyed independently by J.D. Power rated IRWD the best midsize water utility in the Western United States. Nationwide, only eight water agencies earn that top honor, and IRWD received the highest customer reviews of any water agency in the nation.
“Our customers have high expectations of Irvine Ranch Water District, and this recognition reflects our commitment to exceeding our customers’ expectations,” IRWD General Manager Paul A. Cook said.
Contributing to the overall first-place finish, the customer survey ranked IRWD No. 1 in seven of eight categories: Quality/Reliability, Ease of Doing Business, People, Trust, Resolving Problems, Information Provided, and Digital Channels.
“That means a lot to us,” Cook said, “and it all starts with the people of IRWD. Every day we strive to deliver top-notch service to our customers, starting with ensuring that the safety and quality of our water is second to none. Keeping our customers well-informed is a big part of that too.”
IRWD is the only agency in the nation with four straight top awards.
According to J.D. Power’s May 7, 2025, news release, the U.S. Water Utility Residential Customer Satisfaction Study measures satisfaction among residential customers of 91 utilities that deliver water to populations of at least 400,000. Results are reported for eight geographic regions in two size categories: Midwest Large; Midwest Midsize; Northeast Large; Northeast Midsize; South Large; South Midsize; West Large; and West Midsize. Overall satisfaction is measured by examining eight core dimensions on a 6-point rating scale. Individual dimensions measured are (in order of importance): information provided; level of trust; quality and reliability; ease of doing business; total monthly costs; people; resolving problems or complaints; and digital channels.
Irvine Ranch Water District provides high-quality drinking water, reliable sewage collection and treatment, drought-proof recycled water, and environmentally sound urban runoff treatment to 445,000 residential customers. IRWD serves all of Irvine, most of Lake Forest, and parts of Newport Beach, Orange, Costa Mesa, Tustin, and unincorporated areas of Orange County.
When compared with agencies providing similar services in Orange County, IRWD’s rates are consistently among the lowest.
Science Fair winners honored during recent IRWD Board meeting
IRWD welcomed several students to a recent board meeting to present them with medals for their science projects. Every year, IUSD hosts a science fair and IRWD recognizes projects that are water- or sewer-related.
Join us in congratulating these budding scientists!
6th-8th grade student projects
|
Student name |
Student name |
Student name |
School |
Grade |
Type of project |
Project link |
|
Alex Qian |
Joe Lyu |
Bonita Canyon Elementary |
6th |
Engineering Project |
||
|
Rivan Mohile |
Ruhaan Vaid |
Aadi Patel |
Canyon View Elementary |
6th |
Engineering Project |
|
|
Elijah Gindi |
Adam Kuo |
College Park Elementary |
6th |
Inquiry Physical Science |
How does the drinking water quality in different cities compare in TDS and pH |
|
|
Rohan Dedhia |
Hudson Minsky |
Deerfield Elementary |
6th |
Inquiry Physical Science |
||
|
Rhea Rejith |
Eastshore Elementary |
6th |
Engineering Project |
|||
|
Hana Sabharwal |
Zoya Chata |
Eastwood Elementary |
6th |
Inquiry Physical Science |
||
|
Erika Mead |
Lakeside Middle School |
8th |
Inquiry: Life Science |
|||
|
Alexander Yi |
Seojoon Lee |
Loma Ridge Elementary |
6th |
Engineering Project |
||
|
Lyle Kim |
Anderson Tsai |
Abhay Prashant |
Loma Ridge Elementary |
6th |
Inquiry Physical Science |
|
|
Arian Barzegar |
Oak Creek Elementary |
6th |
Inquiry Life Science |
How the San Diego Creek Affect pollution and how can we fix it? |
||
|
Pragya Srivathsan |
Portola Springs Elementary |
6th |
Engineering Project |
|||
|
Syrah Bhatnagar |
Portola Springs Elementary |
6th |
Inquiry Life Science |
|||
|
Vivek Krishnan |
Santiago Hills Elementary |
6th |
Inquiry Life Science |
Will plants grow faster if they have green waste in their water? |
||
|
Paige Wu |
Summer Lin |
Stonegate Elementary |
6th |
Engineering Project |
||
|
Penelope Hoag |
Ryanne Haas |
Grace Zhao |
Turtle Rock Elementary |
6th |
Engineering Project |
|
|
Suin Kim |
Irene Huh |
Turtle Rock Elementary |
6th |
Inquiry Physical Science |
||
|
Aarav Sharma |
Turtle Rock Elementary |
6th |
Inquiry Physical Science |
What is in Our Water? Analyzing Chemical Quality of Various Waters and Treatments |
||
|
Varish Deshpande |
Hayden Blackburn |
Woodbury Elementary |
6th |
Inquiry Life Science |
||
|
Madison Price |
Rancho San Joaquin Middle School |
8th |
Inquiry: Physical Science |
|||
|
Muhammed Kashif Kamal |
Rancho San Joaquin Middle School |
8th |
Engineering |
|||
|
Rohan Vannadil |
Rancho San Joaquin Middle School |
7th |
Inquiry: Life Science |
Alginate Alchemy: Evaluating the role of alginate in bioplastic water absorption |
||
|
Joy Yan-Li |
Venado Middle School |
7th |
Engineering |
Encapsulating the Future: Polymorph Thermoplastic & Sodium Alginate Capsule |
||
|
Anchit Sinha |
Parth Khetan |
Venado Middle School |
7th |
Engineering |
Economic eSoil: Electrically Charged Soil Empowering Hydroponics |
High school student projects
|
Student name |
School |
Grade |
Type of project |
Project link |
|
Abhijith Sivaprakash |
Irvine High School |
9th |
Engineering |
|
|
Sharanya Rao |
Irvine High School |
9th |
Inquiry: Life Science |
|
|
Shreyan Chatterjee |
University High School |
10th |
Inquiry: Life Science |
|
|
Driti Rajkumar |
Portola High School |
11th |
Inquiry: Life Science |
Holy to Healing: Prying into the Phage Properties of River Ganges Against Pseudomonas aeruginosa |
IRWD’s WaterStar program recognizes Benny and Mary's
Congratulations to our newest WaterStar certified restaurant, Benny and Mary’s.
IRWD’s WaterStar program recognizes local businesses and restaurants for their sustainable practices and responsible water use that betters our community.
Benny and Mary’s is an Irvine-based restaurant known for its eclectic menu celebrating global adventure and refined taste. Its high-end yet unique décor speaks to the rich tapestry of diverse culinary and cultural influences that Benny and Mary have curated from their world travels.
This upscale eatery boasts vibrant energy and whimsical sophistication, all while perfecting the art of water efficiency as well! Fixtures in the restaurant’s kitchen and restrooms are EPA WaterSense and EnergyStar certified, meaning they’re at least 20% more water efficient than standard models — saving water on a daily basis.
Benny and Mary’s is an Irvine-based restaurant known for its eclectic menu celebrating global adventure and refined taste. Its high-end yet unique décor speaks to the rich tapestry of diverse culinary and cultural influences that Benny and Mary have curated from their world travels.
We love Benny and Mary’s commitment to efficient use of water and caring about the community it is a part of!
Benny and Mary’s is open daily 11 a.m.–9 p.m. Monday–Thursday, 11 a.m.–10 p.m. Friday, 10 a.m.–10 p.m. Saturday and 10 a.m.–9 p.m. Sunday. It is located at 18420 Von Karman Ave., #100, in Irvine. Enjoy weekend brunch, lunch, dinner, dessert, cocktails and daily happy hour. Learn more at bennyandmarys.com.
If you’d like to learn how your business or restaurant can get WaterStar certified, visit IRWD.com/waterstar.
IRWD’s WaterStar program recognizes MP Biomedicals
Congratulations to our newest WaterStar certified business, MP Biomedicals.
IRWD’s WaterStar program recognizes local businesses and restaurants for their sustainable practices and responsible water use that betters our community.
MP Biomedicals is a global life science company with headquarters in California and regional offices across the globe. The company offers a diverse portfolio of life science products, fine chemicals and diagnostics used in industries ranging from basic research to clinical diagnostics and pharmaceuticals. Over the past 50 years, MP Biomedicals has provided quality tools and expert services to assist its customers in making breakthrough discoveries and achieving scientific excellence.
MP Biomedicals’ indoor fixtures use water-efficient plumping products, including EPA Water Sense-certified toilets, faucets and showerheads that use less water and perform better than older models — saving water every single use. MP Biomedicals also irrigates its outdoor landscape with recycled water, which supports wide-ranging water conservation efforts. We applaud MP Biomedicals for its commitment to efficient use of water and caring about the community it is a part of!
Learn more about MP Biomedicals at mpbio.com/us.
If you’d like to learn how your business or restaurant can get WaterStar certified, visit IRWD.com/waterstar.
IRWD’s WaterStar program recognizes Moo Moo Hotpot
Congratulations to our newest WaterStar certified business, Moo Moo Hotpot.
IRWD’s WaterStar program recognizes local businesses and restaurants for their sustainable practices and responsible water use that betters our community.
Moo Moo Hotpot is an all-you-can-eat, highly customizable hotpot experience in Irvine that blends modern elegance with traditional Chinese elements — all while using water efficient equipment as part of its daily operations. Its kitchen includes EPA EnergyStar-certified dishwashers and ice-making machines, as well as low-flow spray valves. The restaurant’s toilets are also EPA Water Sense certified, meaning they use significantly less water per flush than standard, older models.
We applaud Moo Moo Hotpot for its commitment to efficient use of water and caring about the community it is a part of!
Moo Moo Hotpot is open daily 11 a.m.–11 p.m. and is located at 3967 Irvine Blvd., in Irvine. Enjoy daily lunch specials or unlimited all-you-can-eat dinners featuring tender wagyu beef, fresh seafood, and a wide selection of vegetables and condiments. Learn more at moomoohotpotoc.com.
If you’d like to learn how your business or restaurant can get WaterStar certified, visit IRWD.com/waterstar.
