Looking forward to preparing feasts of rich foods this holiday season? Remember that fats, oils and grease should never be poured down the drain. Collectively referred to as “FOG,” these substances are a leading cause of troublesome clogs and sewage spills.

Here’s how you can help prevent a stopped-up sink from spoiling your celebration:

• Pour used cooking oil and grease into a can, let it cool, and dispose of it in the trash.

• Wipe greasy pots with a paper towel before washing.

• Put all food scraps, coffee grounds, eggshells, dairy products, pasta, rice and flour in the trash or compostable bin.

Remember, it’s not just your drain you’ll be saving! You will also be protecting your local sewer lines.

With nearly 90% of the state in the grips of extreme drought, and Southern California now included in the state’s drought emergency, it is critical that we all work together to ensure that California has the water it needs today and into the future.

Irvine Ranch Water District is in good shape — thanks to the ongoing care of our customers to save water, and to their support for the development of innovative water resources that make our community resilient against drought. But water reliability is precariously uncertain in other regions of the state.

Water is a precious resource that should always be used wisely. That’s why we should all do our part to meet the governor’s request for 15% voluntary reductions.

Our yards are the largest source of local water waste, and that’s where even a few simple changes can have the biggest impact. Start decreasing watering times. Your plants may not need as much as you think. Visit RightScape.com/watering-guide for details.

Leaks can also waste a lot of water. Check for irrigation leaks monthly, looking for broken sprinklers or pooling water near valves or irrigation lines. Visit RightScape.com/how-do-i/how-do-i-fix-a-leak for helpful videos that show you how.

IRWD’s RightScape.com website offers resources to help you save water, including a list of our latest rebates to save you money.

Got questions? Senior Water Efficiency Specialist Juan Garcia offers advice in his ongoing column. Contact him at AskJuan@IRWD.com for help

IRWD’s Board of Directors on Sept. 27 declared a level two water shortage to help meet the governor’s call for a voluntary 15% reduction in water use throughout the state. While IRWD does not have a water shortage, and is well-positioned to weather these dry times, the declaration affirms our customers’ ongoing commitment to saving water and heightens the call for efficiency to achieve the savings goal. How can you help? Visit RightScape.com for water-saving tips and links to enhanced rebates that can help pay to make your home and yard even more water-efficient. Also, participate in IRWD’s Drought Response Sweepstakes. You could win a $100 or $500 Home Depot gift card. Visit IRWD.com to learn more.

Earthquakes can happen at any time of year – but they get special notice in October when communities all over the world participate in International ShakeOut Day drills the third Thursday of the month.

Irvine Ranch Water District is serious about safety and prepared for emergencies of all kinds, including earthquakes.

Our operations systems are designed with mechanical and energy redundancy to protect network reliability against natural and manmade risks.

We partner with other public agencies to maintain a coordinated response to whatever comes our way.

But safety doesn’t stop there. Everyone should do their part. Visit ready.gov for details on how to prepare yourself and your family, and enroll in IRWD’s CodeRED emergency alert system at IRWD.com/emergency-codered.