An annual autumn tradition is the Irvine Unified School District’s Ask-A-Scientist Night and Irvine Ranch Water District has answered the call since inception of the event more than 20 years ago. More than 30 students with questions about their science fair projects filed through the “Water and Earth Science” room at Rancho San Joaquin Middle School the evening of October 17.

Joining other science and engineering professionals in talking to students were Mike Hoolihan, IRWD Principal Engineer, and John Hills, IRWD’s retired Director of Water Quality.

A photo gallery of the event is below. For more information on our educational programs, please visit our website.

The California-Nevada Section of the American Water Works Association presented Irvine Ranch Water District with the Outstanding Energy Management Award for 2012 at its fall conference in San Diego on October 9. The Green House Gas Master Plan was highlighted by the award.

“This award recognizes a utility with the commitment to make the efficient use of energy a main priority,” said Chet Malewski, section awards chair for AWWA. “The criteria for this award are stringent, so very few utilities are so honored.”

IRWD embarked on an ambitious project to decrease its energy use and carbon footprint by developing an energy and greenhouse gas master plan three years ago. The IRWD Board of Directors had recommended commission of such a plan at a strategic planning session. The plan was completed this past summer.

By developing an energy and green house gas master plan, IRWD took a proactive stance to reduce energy use and complying with AB 32, the state Global Warming and Solutions Act of 2006. The bill set a target to significantly reduce green house gas emissions statewide by 2020.

IRWD staff and the consultants toured various facilities in to prepare for developing the plan. Over the years, IRWD has taken steps to be energy efficient and reducing green house gas by encouraging conservation, developing local groundwater supplies, installing nearly 700 solar panels on the roof of the Sand Canyon office building, placing 832 solar panels on the top of a drinking water reservoir, replacing equipment with high efficiency motors and placing LED lights and motion sensors in offices.

For more information on our environmental plans, please visit our website.

Broken sprinkler heads can cause significant amounts of water loss over time. Maintaining sprinkler heads in good operating condition requires a regular monitoring plan.

“Mowing the lawn, children playing and accidents are all likely causes for your sprinkler heads to get damaged,” said Irvine Ranch Water District Senior Conservation Specialist Nick Mrvos. “It’s not only the mini-geyser leaks that need to be repaired, but also those sprinklers that are turned in the wrong direction, or that sprinkler head which turns into a bubbler over night.”

Often, broken sprinklers go unnoticed because many times they are timed to operate during the early morning hours before anyone is aware of a problem. Because more than half of residential water usage comes from yards, it makes sense to periodically check sprinkler systems to identify leaks or damage.

This type of vigilance could save large quantities of water and help lower water bills. A broken sprinkler can waste close to 100 gallons of water per 10-minute cycle, which adds up to thousands of gallons of water per billing period. Broken sprinklers can also damage landscapes and property, which can also add up to significantly higher costs.

To further save money, check out the rebates offered on rotating sprays nozzles on our website.

Cheryl Clary appointed as Executive Director of Finance and Administration

Cheryl Clary has been appointed as the Irvine Ranch Water District Executive Director of Finance and Administration. As a member of the IRWD team, Clary will be responsible for overseeing IRWD finance and treasury operations, including a combined 2012/13 operating and capital budget of approximately $175 million.  She will also oversee the customer service and purchasing departments as well as information technology.

“At IRWD, we believe our employees are our best asset and Cheryl brings with her a wealth of real world experience.” said Paul Cook, IRWD General Manager. “Cheryl’s extensive background in finance, accounting, and information services will reinforce our commitment to provide our customers with a reliable and safe water supply at the highest level of service and lowest possible cost.”

Cheryl Clary has held several executive positions, most recently as the Chief Financial Officer for DPI Specialty Foods, a privately held food distribution company with $1 billion in sales.  Her experience also includes time as the Chief Financial Officer/Senior Vice President of Finance with Southwest Water Company, a publicly traded water and contract services business operating in multiple states with $225 million in sales and more than 200 million customers.

She also spent 18 years with Atlantic Richfield Company as the Chief Financial Officer for three large business units where she had full financial responsibility for all accounting and controls, strategic planning, performance analysis, contracting and procurement and information technology.

Clary is a Certified Public Accountant and a graduate of California State University Northridge with a Bachelor of Science degree in Accounting and the UCLA Executive Program at the Anderson School of Management.