How IRWD Helps Clean Up Urban Runoff
Irvine Ranch Water District recycles water that goes down the drains and into sewers for reuse in the community, but what happens to the water that flows through gutters and into storm drains?
That water is called urban runoff, caused by any water that flows into storm drains. Inefficient watering of landscape, washing vehicles, or hosing down of sidewalks are contributors. Urban runoff carries with it fertilizers, oils, trash, pet waste, and other contaminants, contributing to ocean pollution when it travels through waterways like the San Diego Creek.
In 1997, IRWD constructed the San Joaquin Marsh, which takes water from San Diego Creek and cycles it though a system of ponds that use plants and soils to naturally clean urban runoff before it flows to the ecologically-sensitive Upper Newport Bay. When the cleaner water returns to the creek, it contains up to 70 percent less nitrates and both sediment and phosphorus have also been reduced.
IRWD has taken the success of the San Joaquin Marsh and expanded the concept to a watershed-wide system of wetlands called the Natural Treatment System. Of the 45 targeted sites, 23 have been built. The NTS sites are anywhere from a quarter-acre to four acres in size and can be viewed from adjacent public areas, such as parks, bike trails and greenbelts.
To find out more, visit our website.
Celebrate Earth Day with IRWD
The third in a series of RightScape workshops is scheduled for Wednesday, April 22 – Earth Day.
Come to the Irvine Ranch Water District’s Sand Canyon office from 6-8 p.m. and learn about the right plants, the right equipment, and the right schedule for your landscape.
A light dinner will be provided. Don’t know what to do about the kids? Bring them along! There will be an unsupervised moving showing for children.
You can RSVP on our website.
You, Too, Can be a Superhero and Save the Earth
The world will observe the 45th anniversary of Earth Day on April 22. We all celebrate Earth Day differently and Irvine Ranch Water District’s spokesdog, Roger, has some advice for all water users: Do one more thing to cut your water use!
One more thing can have a huge benefit to your household, neighborhood, community, state, country and the Earth. It’s so easy!
Think about your one more thing to save water: Adjust your water timers to make sure you are watering before 8 a.m. Replace leaky sprinklers or lines. Make sure you are watering your landscape, not sidewalks and driveways. Change out a few thirsty plants for drought tolerant plants. Get a spray nozzle for your hose. Install drip lines.
Take care of the Earth and the Earth will take care of you. Learn more at http://www.irwd.com/save-water-money/rightscape.
Here are Roger’s top 10 ways to be a superhero:
- Check your sprinklers for leaks.
- Water before 8 a.m. to reduce overspray caused by wind.
- Plant water-efficient plants.
- Replace your lawn.
- Check your sprinkler timer settings.
- Buy a weather-based irrigation controller.
- Watch your sprinklers for overspray.
- Use a rain barrel to water your plants.
- Install a drip-irrigation system.
- Take advantage of IRWD rebates to save water and money.
Information about rebates on water-efficient devices is available at www.irwd.com/rebates.
Four Science Fair Winners Chosen
Since the inception of the Irvine Unified School District’s science fair more than 30 years ago, Irvine Ranch Water District professionals have assisted, whether it’s advising during Ask-a-Scientist Night, or judging the water-related science fair projects. This year was no exception and four winners were selected for honors during the science fair on February 24.
Of the several hundred entries, 30 were water-related. Many of the students must have had the drought on their minds, if the subjects were any indication. Some examined the use of gray water, others desalination, some conducted water quality and pollution experiments and some dealt with water chemistry.
The students will be honored at the June 8 IRWD Board of Directors meeting. Judging this year were Melinda Bergen, a supervisor in the chemistry section of the IRWD Water Quality Laboratory, and Jacob Broderick, Water Quality Scientist.
Students whose projects were selected are:
- Hari Garg, grade 11 and Anita Garg, grade 9, University High School, “Pathogen Detection in Southern California Water Using a Particle Counter
- Annie Chang and Daisy Chen, grade 10, Woodbridge High School, “Multi-method Analysis and Spatial Modeling of Bacterial Dynamics in Newport Bay
- Sofia Abolfathi, grade 8, Vista Verde, “Seawater can be Used to Replenish Inland Aquifers”
- Pranathi Kollolli, grade 6, Alderwood, “Solar Powered Water Desalination”
For more information on the IRWD educational programs, please visit our website.
What the NEW March 2015 Water Restrictions Mean for IRWD Customers
On March 17, 2015, the California State Water Resources Control Board issued further regulations that will impact the way you use water. Irvine Ranch Water District customers are now prohibited from:
• Irrigating turf or ornamental landscapes during and 48 hours following measurable rain events
• Restaurants and other food establishments can only serve water to customers on request
• Operators of hotels and motels must provide guests with the option of choosing not to have towels and linens laundered daily and prominently display notice of this option
These new restrictions are in addition to previous restrictions adopted by the State Water Resources Control Board in July of 2014 that include the following prohibitions:
• Washing down sidewalks and driveways
• Watering outdoor landscapes in a manner that causes excess runoff
• Washing a motor vehicle with a hose, unless the hose is fitted with a shut-off nozzle
• Operating a fountain or decorative water feature, unless the water is part of a recirculating system
Irvine Ranch Water District customers are not limited in the number of days per week they can irrigate outdoors because the California State Water Resources Control Board has previously approved IRWD’s alternate water conservation plan for compliance with the State Board’s Emergency Water Conservation Regulations. IRWD provides watering guidelines for our customers that are available on the irwd.com website as well as the monthly IRWD customer newsletter.
On August 15, IRWD submitted an alternative plan for implementation of the Emergency Regulations to the State Board to demonstrate that the District’s allocation-based conservation rate structure and conservation programs provide a level of conservation superior to that achieved by implementing the limitations contained in the Emergency Regulations. Since July of 2014, IRWD residential customers have reduced their water use by 28% from 96 gallons per person per day in July 2014 to 69 gallons per person per day in January 2015. To see a copy of the IRWD official comment letter on the proposed drought related emergency regulations click here.
In addition to the allocation based conservation rate structure, IRWD offers customers many options on ways to save water and money. IRWD has kicked off an extensive outreach campaign aimed at reducing water use outdoors, which can be up to 60 percent of a residential home water use. RightScape offers an easy three step program to help customers reduce their outdoor water use.
