Directors Douglas Reinhart and Peer Swan were each re-elected to four-year terms and Director Steven LaMar was elected to a four-year term on the Irvine Ranch Water District Board of Directors in the November 2 general election.

Reinhart was appointed to the IRWD board in 2004 to fill a board vacancy and was subsequently elected to a four-year term in 2006 when he ran unopposed. Director Reinhart is a registered civil engineer with more than 30 years of experience in the private sector, directing projects in water, wastewater and other infrastructure. He currently serves as President of the board, having previously served as Vice President in 2006 and President in 2007. Swan, who currently serves as Vice President, was first elected to the board in 1979. He was elected President in 1981, a position he held until 1995 and again in 2006. Swan was re-elected without opposition in 2006. He is active in the Association of California Water Agencies, where he serves on the Executive Committee of the Board of Directors and as Chairman of Region 10. Swan is president of the San Joaquin Wildlife Sanctuary Board of Directors.

LaMar was appointed to the IRWD Board of Directors in 2009 to fill a vacancy. He currently serves on the Water Resources and Policy Committee. LaMar is a water policy and planning expert with more than 20 years of experience on statewide business and industry committees and has directly participated in many major water policy forums including serving on the 2009 California Water Plan Advisory Committee and as a member of the Delta Vision Stakeholders Coordination Group.

Customers are invited to attend IRWD Board meetings which are held on the second and fourth Monday of each month at 5 p.m. at the IRWD offices, 15600 Sand Canyon Avenue, Irvine.

Contact: Shannon Reed, Public Affairs Manager
reeds@irwd.com, (949) 453-5500

IRWD is proud to support local charities during the holiday season. This year, the District is making it easy and convenient for our customers to join us in the holiday giving spirit.

Second Harvest Food Bank collection barrels are located in the IRWD Sand Canyon Office lobby.  Customers are encouraged to drop donations off between now and the end of the year. Donation boxes for the Orangewood Children’s Foundation will also be available from November 30 thru December 15.

Public donations are accepted during IRWD’s business hours 7:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Thursday or 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Friday. Items most needed  for Second Harvest include non-perishable canned goods and dry food such as canned meats, fish, soup, fruits and vegetables; pasta, hot and cold cereal, macaroni and cheese, rice, beans and peanut butter. Personal care items such as diapers, toothpaste and toothbrushes, toilet tissue and soap are also welcome.

Orangewood Children’s Foundation is seeking items for infants and children up to age 18. Examples include new, unwrapped toys, personal items, gift cards, sheets and bedding, clothing for all ages and backpacks. Please, no stuffed animals.

IRWD also supports the United Way of Orange County year round. Members of the public interested in donating to United Way may stop by the Sand Canyon office and pick up a form.

This is the third year IRWD has taken collections for Second Harvest and Orangewood, but the 23^rd year for United Way. Over the years, IRWD employees have donated $552,416 to United Way, which assists Orange County individuals and families in crisis.

“Thanksgiving is a wonderful time of year to count our blessings and to reflect on the many things that we have to be thankful for in our lives,” said Janet Wells, IRWD’s Director of Human Resources.  “These days, it doesn't take much to see others around us who do not have family and friends to support them through these difficult economic times.  Many are wanting for the very basic needs of food, clothing, shelter and a friendly smile.  For this reason, IRWD sponsors the annual food drive to assist our community in providing these basic needs.  It is a great feeling to give back to our community and this year we would like to invite our customers to be a part of our mission.” 

As we gather with our families and friends over the holidays to enjoy the delicious food associated with this time of year, IRWD reminds our customers that grease and oils poured down the kitchen drain can have disastrous consequences.

Grease from cooking a holiday turkey, ham or roast poured down the drain is the leading cause of sewer spills. The grease sticks to the sewer pipes and over time builds up to block the entire pipe which can result in sewer ruptures and spills requiring costly clean-ups and repairs. In addition, oil making its way to the water recycling plant can disrupt treatment processes and add to the need for maintenance.

To prevent these problems, here are a few tips for getting rid of your leftover cooking grease:

• Place small amounts of oil and grease in a container with a tight-sealing lid, put the container in a trash bag, tie the bag shut and dispose of it in a trash receptacle.
• Mix cooking oils with an absorbent material, such as coffee grounds, place in a lidded container and put it in the trash.
• If you’re soaking a greasy pan, first pour off grease into a container. Then place paper towels over the drain basket to catch grease and food as you pour the soaking water down the drain.
• Deep fat fryers have become very popular over the past few years and they use a large amount of oil. If you are using one of these, solidify the grease by mixing it with an absorbent material such as cat litter. Or, soak up excess oil with newspaper then place it in the trash.

For more information on IRWD’s Fats, Oils and Grease program, go to www.irwd.com.

Described as being one of “the most respected and hardest working people in the California water conservation field,” IRWD Conservation Manager, Fiona Sanchez has received the 2010 Excellence Award from the California Urban Water Conservation Council.

Sanchez has spent more than 15 years in the water use efficiency field at the local, regional, state and national levels. Since beginning her duties at IRWD in 2003, Sanchez has spearheaded countless programs to help IRWD customers be Always Water Smart. Her efforts have also led to the implementation of many innovative water efficiency and conservation programs for all Californians.

On the state level, Sanchez helped craft the water conservation and efficiency provisions of the historic Delta/Water legislative package signed into law in 2009. This effort provides a road map that is designed to help California meet its long-term water supply needs while encouraging improved water use efficiency throughout the state.

After years managing the IRWD budget based rate structure, which provides IRWD customers with some of the lowest rates and lowest per capita water use in Orange County, Sanchez often lends her expertise to other agencies and cities who are interested in similar programs. Additionally, she has led and participated in a myriad of local and statewide water conservation and use efficiency studies, pilot programs and educational efforts, all of which help IRWD provide innovative water use efficiency programs to our customers.

The California Urban Water Conservation Council was created to increase efficient water use statewide through partnerships among urban water agencies, public interest organizations, and private entities. The CUWCC Excellence Award honors individuals who have made exceptional and inspirational contributions to the promotion and implementation of water use efficiency in California.

To learn more about IRWD’s water conservation and use efficiency programs, please visit www.alwayswatersmart.com.