New IRWD program promotes outdoor water conservation with free sprinkler nozzles

From September 1 to November 11, Irvine Ranch Water District residential and business customers are eligible to receive free water-efficient sprinklers!

Through a special limited-time program, residential customers will be eligible to receive up to 25 free Toro Precision Series Spray Nozzles. Business customers served with potable water can receive up to 100 free nozzles, while supplies last. Beginning September 1, customers can visit www.FreeSprinklerNozzles.com  to participate in the program.

“Programs like this  give our customers a sample of the conservation-friendly items available,” said Water Efficiency Manager, Fiona Sanchez. “Our hope is that once customers see how much water and money they can save, they will be more inclined to conserve.”

Customers will receive a voucher through e-mail, good for the number of nozzles they requested.  The precision nozzles are designed to irrigate more efficiently, and help customers save water.

Customers in need of specific program information or help, please call (949) 453-5581 or email Shavonne Mays. mays@irwd.com.

For more conservation tips for your home or business, visit www.alwayswatersmart.com.

Program Information: Shavonne Mays, mays@irwd.com  (949) 453-5581

10 Agricultural Customers Affected

In June, Irvine Ranch Water District agricultural customers who had been served with irrigation water from the Irvine Lake Pipeline began receiving treated recycled water. Projected recycled water demand by the converted customers is approximately 1,800 acre feet per year, replacing the imported water source serving Irvine Lake.

“Our growers have been successfully utilizing recycled water for crops and orchards for a long time, so when IRWD approached us about the conversion of more sites to recycled water, it made sense,” said Peter Changala of The Irvine Company. “We provided staff to work with IRWD and when the changeover to recycled water happened, it was seamless. Implementing this conversion will not only mean increased water reliability for our farmers, but will improve potable water supplies for the region.”

IRWD conducted more than two years of research and cooperation between the impacted customers, many departments within IRWD, and outside regulatory agencies to implement the project.  In August 2008, IRWD began working with agricultural customers and commercial nurseries located along Portola Parkway to bring their irrigation systems into compliance for recycled water use.  Up until that time, those customers were using water from the Irvine Lake Pipeline for irrigation. Irvine Lake is supplied with untreated water purchased from Metropolitan Water District of Southern California, as well as native runoff water.

Once the IRWD On-Site Systems Group was directed to proceed, the team members began the lengthy process of contacting customers and conducting system investigation. What they found when examining several customer sites was a web of underground pipes.

“A large-scale water retrofit like this is complicated because pipes have been in the ground for many years and often plans for those facilities do not exist, limiting our ability to determine with certainty where pipes are located or how they may be connected,” said Mark Tettemer of IRWD Water Resources. “Under these circumstances, IRWD makes observations, runs tests, obtains whatever plans or schematics may be available and conducts interviews with employees of the customer to determine the best possible information regarding what’s happening underground.”

IRWD found that properties served by the Irvine Lake Pipeline were vast, complex water systems that went beyond agricultural or nursery irrigation, to serving commercial buildings and even homes. Nursery irrigation systems operated differently than agricultural crop irrigation adding a layer of technical complexity to an already complex evaluation.

It was a Learning Process

The On-Site Group called on the expertise of the IRWD Cross-Connection team and Water Quality Department, the Department of Public Health, Orange County Health Care Agency and the Regional Water Quality Control Board for assistance.  Their joint conclusions determined that several properties would have to install new drinking water lines while others would need to reconfigure plumbing systems to meet compliance requirements.

As these evaluations progressed, the economy took a toll on the commercial nurseries, and they closed down and vacated some of the land which was to be converted.  This had the effect of simplifying some technical aspects with irrigation systems left unused, but added the issue of initiating contact with new customers.

As the technical and customer issues were slowly resolved, IRWD staff focused on high level priorities to ensure that no cross-connections existed. Where customers required drinking water, new lines were installed and inspected; critical plumbing changes to recycled water lines were constructed and approved.  As compliance issues were nearing completion, On-Site conducted final system tests and in-field consultations with the regulatory agencies. With conversion in sight, On-Site requested that IRWD Operations “flip the switch” to recycled water, and on June 8, the new source was successfully connected.

Please visit the IRWD website for more information about IRWD Recycled Water

Learn About The Work IRWD Does in the Community

Customers are invited to the Irvine Ranch Water District’s 50^th Anniversary Customer Appreciation Event this Saturday, September 17 from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Featured is an operational demonstration by the District’s award-winning pipe tapping team. In addition, there will also be displays in the meter shop and of the various pieces of equipment IRWD crews use in the field to do their jobs

The IRWD water pipe tapping team, the Turbo Tappers, placed first in the 2010 annual Orange County Water Association’s contest. The timed competition involves three team members who tap into a pressurized water pipe using specialized tools. Copper pipe is then connected and run to a faucet. When all connections are made, the faucet is turned on, replicating connection from a water main to a domestic water meter. Saturday’s demonstration will be slowed down so that customers can learn about the process and will be narrated by the team’s coach.

Customers can also find out about the various construction projects and facilities. IRWD’s engineering and operations staff will be on hand to answer all your questions. In addition, this event offers something for the entire family including interactive information booths, water education programs and water-related activities for the kids, tours of the water quality lab and the opportunity for customers to ask questions about their water bills.

The event will be held at the Michelson Water Recycling Plant at 3512 Michelson Dr., Irvine. Please visit the website for more information.

IRWD Partners with the University of California Cooperative Extension for Second Annual Event

Irvine Ranch Water District will host a Water Smart Landscapes event on October 1 between 9 a.m. and 2 p.m. at the South Coast Research and Extension Center, 7601 Irvine Boulevard, Irvine. Visitors may see examples of California Friendly plants, lawn alternatives and more.

“Approximately 60 percent of residential water use is on landscape,” said Fiona Sanchez, IRWD Water Resources Manager. “This event will help our customers learn to save water, lower their water bills, and have a beautiful garden.”

Vendors will be on hand to display mulch and composting materials and the latest in water landscape technology. Gardening industry professionals will be available to offer tips and advice and will offer presentations throughout the day.

The event will offer something for the whole family. Visitors may tour the UC Extension demonstration landscapes, taste unusual fruits, participate in a planting activity for the kids, have a garden tool sharpened and take part in random opportunity drawings.

For more information, or to view last year’s event, please visit http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PZBJzZVlSQ4&feature=youtu.be.