Solar Panels on IRWD Reservoir Producing Power
IRWD Commitment to Energy Efficiency is Rewarded
Irvine Ranch Water District has flipped the switch on its 832 solar panels on the roof of its East Irvine Zone 3 drinking water reservoir which is expected to produce 32,270 kilowatt hours of energy per month, or, 365,000 kWh per year. This effort was rewarded by Southern California Edison presenting IRWD with a California Solar Initiative Infrastructure program incentive check for $492,583 at its May 9 board meeting
“This system will produce more than half of the energy needed to operate the facility and is a good demonstration of what you can do with unused space,” said Tom Bonkowski, project manager for IRWD. ”This cost savings directly benefits customers, as it reduces the cost of water.”
Installation of the panels took place in February and construction of supporting infrastructure was recently completed. The solar arrays were energized and interconnected to the Edison grid on April 27.
”Dedication to energy efficiency by IRWD is commendable, setting a great example for other public agencies,” said James Pasmore of Southern California Edison.
The seven million gallon circular reservoir was chosen for this project because of its remote location north of Irvine Boulevard on Magazine Road. The panels face south for maximum solar exposure and are tilted at a 10-degree angle.
Last year, this facility imported 711,081 kWh of energy from Edison for its operation. Currently, more than 1,400 kWh is being produced daily. The greenhouse gas reduction is approximately the same as taking 45 passenger vehicles off the roads for a year.
Contact: Shannon Reed, Public Affairs Manager
reeds@irwd.com, (949) 453-5500
Orange County Water District Honored as IRWD Partner
The Orange County Water District (OCWD) and IRWD have successfully collaborated throughout the years on many regional issues and environmental projects. In the late 1970s, IRWD developed the original Dyer Road Well Field wells in cooperation with OCWD. The two agencies also partnered on the colored water treatment research leading to the Deep Aquifer Treatment (DATS) Project that went online in 2002.
On April 25, 2011, in commemoration of IRWD's 50th Anniversary, IRWD presented OCWD with a certificate of commendation honoring the agency as a key "Partner in Service" for their many years of support, guidance and commitment to excellence in service to the community.
Shown in the adjacent photo are, from left, IRWD General Manager Paul Jones, IRWD Directors John Withers and Douglas Reinhart, OCWD Director Philip Anthony, IRWD Board President Steven LaMar, IRWD Board Vice President Mary Aileen Matheis and IRWD Director Peer Swan.
Orange County Sanitation District Honored as IRWD Partner
Orange County Sanitation District (OCSD) and IRWD work together to meet our regional needs by collaborating on key waste water and environmental projects as well as by providing cost-effective wastewater service for customers.
On April 25, 2011, in commemoration of IRWD's 50th Anniversary, IRWD presented OCSD with a certificate of commendation honoring the agency as a key "Partner in Service" for their many years of support, guidance and commitment to excellence in service to the community.
Shown in the above photo are, from left, IRWD General Manager Paul Jones, IRWD Directors John Withers and Douglas Reinhart, OCSD Director of Engineering Jim Herberg, OCSD Board Chair Larry Crandall, IRWD Board President Steven LaMar, IRWD Board Vice President Mary AIleen Matheis and IRWD Director Peer Swan.
IRWD Establishes Graffiti Hotline
Call To Report Graffiti on IRWD Facilities
Irvine Ranch Water District invites you to help keep IRWD-owned facilities graffiti free. The district has established a hotline to report graffiti - (949) 453-5535.
“Our goal is to remove graffiti on IRWD-owned property or facilities within 24 to 48 hours of the report,” said David Pedersen, Director of Water Operations. “By reporting graffiti, you’re helping to keep the community clean and discourage those who deface property.”
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Upon calling, there’s a brief recorded message describing what information is needed. After leaving the specific information, the message will automatically be forwarded to the graffiti abatement contractor.
Here are a few tips when calling the IRWD Graffiti Hotline:
- Give us the location of the graffiti - street, intersection and address, if possible.
- Give us a description of the type of surface the graffiti is on - a block wall, pipe, fence, etc.
- Give us a description of the type of graffiti - is it spray paint, magic marker, or etching?
- Give us your name and phone number so we can call you back if the crew is unable to locate the graffiti or has follow-up questions.
Please visit our website for more information.
IRWD Solar Cup Team Struck By Bad Luck
Real World Experience – Things Don’t Always Go as Planned
Friday the 13th proved to be a bit unlucky for the Irvine Ranch Water District Solar Cup team from El Toro High School. The students entered the best-built boat in the school’s six-year history of competing in the event, but during a qualifying run, the brand new motor seized up and died.
“We were dead in the water,” said team adviser and teacher Doug Ford. “The skipper had to paddle in the rest of the way.”
The Annual Solar Cup race, sponsored by Metropolitan Water District of Southern California, was held the weekend of May 13-15 at Lake Skinner in Riverside County. Qualifying was held on Friday and the boat passed all of its inspections “with flying colors,” Ford said.
“We had the most unique-looking boat, our electrical and mechanical systems were outstanding,” he said. “The motor failed us.”
The eight-member team – many of them seniors – was disappointed, but their spirit was undaunted and returning students are eager to compete next year. Team members and their advisers gathered for a wrap-up barbecue behind the high school’s auto shop Wednesday, May 18. They handed out certificates to the team members with such titles as “Rubber Boot Wader Award,” “Geico Crash Award” and “Best Mechanic Award.”
Each Solar Cup team designs a boat that runs on solar power to compete in two races - a sprint event and an endurance event. The different events test teams’ ability to design their solar boats for maximum energy efficiency as well as speed. The event encourages students who might be thinking about careers in engineering or science. It also gives them valuable real-world experience, demonstrating, as happened with the El Toro boat, to expect the unexpected.
For more information on the IRWD student education programs, please visit our website. For more information on the Annual Solar Cup competition, please visit the Metropolitan Water District of Southern California website.
