Check Sprinkler Timer After Power Outages
If your electricity went out in the recent Southern California Edison power outage, check your sprinkler timer today. If your timer doesn’t have a working backup battery, your programming may have been erased, which could cause you to use much more water than necessary.
Many timers without a backup battery will revert to a standard factory default setting — causing your sprinklers to operate for 10 minutes at each station every day until reprogrammed.
Look to see if the days and times on your timer are incorrect or flashing. If you are unsure about how to reprogram your timer, most user manuals can be found online or by contacting the manufacturer.
Change the timer’s backup battery every year to prepare for future power outages. Stay informed of planned and unplanned power outages in your area by visiting the SCE Outage Center.
Check your sprinkler timer’s watering schedule and compare it to IRWD’s suggested watering schedule. Start with the schedule below and increase the times only if your plants show signs of stress. If stress occurs in isolated areas, check your irrigation system for leaks or coverage gaps before increasing watering times.
|
Month |
Turfgrass |
Drought tolerant trees, shrubs and groundcover |
|
August |
4 days, 3 cycles of 3 minutes |
2 days, 3 cycles of 4 minutes |
|
September |
4 days, 2 cycles of 3 minutes |
2 days, 2 cycles of 4 minutes |
|
October |
3 days, 2 cycles of 3 minutes |
2 days, 2 cycles of 3 minutes |
Visit RightScapeNow.com/watering-guide to view:
- Spray head irrigation schedules for the full year, including percentage options
- Drip irrigation schedules
- Printable irrigation schedules in English and Spanish
- More tips on how to save water outdoors (and save money while doing it)
Inspire Your Garden with Succulents
If you’ve ever thought about saving water by planting a colorful drought-tolerant landscape, IRWD has some new inspiration for you. Stop by our Sand Canyon Avenue office and check out our brand new succulent demonstration garden.
The idea for the garden was first broached by customers. It was planted in May and features myriad succulents such as:
- Coral Aloe – Used for bold textural accents in planting locations from full sun to partial shade, this plant has bright colored coral orange flower spikes during late winter and early spring.
- Emerald Empress – Considered one of the easiest plants to grow, the Emerald Empress tolerates heat and drought and will flourish in locations such as rooftop gardens and container gardens.
- Royal Ruby – Ideal for the rocky soil of rock gardens or planters, this succulent has rosettes ranging from ruby red to smoky grey-red and thrives with little care
Create your own succulent garden at home.
- Explore the demo gardens at RightScapeNow.com/demo-garden.
- To discover the many shapes, sizes and colors of succulents you can plant, visit RightScapeResources.com/search.php and click “Succulents.”
- If you replace all or part of your lawn with succulents, you might be eligible for a turf removal rebate. Learn more at RightScapeNow.com/rebates.
IRWD’s Succulent Demonstration Garden, irrigated with recycled water, is adjacent to the parking area at 15600 Sand Canyon Ave., Irvine.
Recycled Water 101: Keeping Green
Drought-proof beauty
Purple pipe distinguishes IRWD’s recycled water system, but the concept behind it all is green.
- Recycling provides an environmentally sustainable and drought-proof source of water for landscape irrigation, agriculture and business—treating and reusing a precious resource.
- Recycled water keeps our urban landscape lush throughout the year.
- And it saves on irrigation costs for homeowners associations, parks, medians, schools and golf courses
In short, recycled water is what distinguishes our neighborhoods from others that depend on costly imported drinking water to irrigate public parkways and common areas.
Since 1963, Irvine Ranch Water District has been implementing a vision to integrate recycled water into the design of our community. Today, more than 80% of all public and commercial landscape areas in the District are irrigated with recycled water.
More than just sprinklers
Besides landscaping, IRWD promotes many other commercial uses for recycled water to reduce demand on our drinking water sources. It is used in cooling towers, for toilet-fl ushing in commercial buildings, and for industrial applications such as concrete production and composting.
Every gallon of recycled water used for these purposes saves a gallon of drinking water. It’s all about the right water for the right use.
IRWD Prepares for Wildfires, and You Should Too
Summer marks the official start of fire season: a time when heat, dry brush and whipping winds create an incendiary threat to nature, homes and humans.
Irvine Ranch Water District keeps watch to respond to fires and any corresponding loss of power in our service area, patrolling canyon areas and monitoring remote operations. It’s our job to ensure that facilities are protected and that water continues to be delivered to your tap and made available to firefighters battling blazes.
- Pump stations are equipped with automatic backup generators and fuel tanks to keep our water flowing.
- Brush is cleared around remote facilities to protect them from fire.
- IRWD participates in emergency drills with the Water Emergency Response Organization of Orange County.
- We provide immediate emergency alerts to customers via CodeRED, a service available via voice mail, email or text.
IRWD customers living in the foothill and canyon areas can help to protect their homes by taking the following actions:
- Create a safety zone around your home by removing dead or dying vegetation.
- Plant drought-tolerant and fire-resistant plants that can serve as a firebreak near your home (monkeyflower, California lilac, autumn sage, common yarrow, French lavender).
- Prepare an emergency escape plan with your family that includes how to respond to any evacuation order.
- Visit ready.gov/wildfires for more tips and precautions.
Sign Up for CodeRED
To receive emergency alerts from IRWD, please sign up for CodeRED at irwd.com/emergency-codered or call 949-453-5300.
IRWD Celebrates Asian American and Pacific Islander Month
May is Asian American and Pacific Islander Heritage Month, which celebrates the achievements and contributions of Asian Americans and Pacific Islanders in the U.S. — including more than 6.3 million in California.
Irvine Ranch Water District is honored to recognize how this diversity has enriched Irvine and cities throughout our service area.
Recently, IRWD met with leaders of multicultural organizations for a community breakfast. IRWD General Manager Paul Cook provided an overview of IRWD and its contributions, including recycled water. Leaders at the breakfast represented the Filipino American Chamber of Commerce, the Asian American Senior Citizens Service Center, the Chinese Chamber of Commerce, the Chinese Lions Club, the Chinese Cultural Center and the Asian Business Association.
IRWD looks forward to more opportunities to interact with local community groups.
