Four students who participated in the Irvine Unified School District’s science fair on February 23 were selected for honors by Irvine Ranch Water District for their water-related science fair projects.

IRWD has been involved in the science fair since its inception more than 30 years ago. District professionals have assisted, whether it’s advising during Ask-a-Scientist Night, or judging the water-related science fair projects.

Of the several hundred entries, more than 30 were water-related. The drought must have been on the minds of many of the students, based on the nature of their projects. Some examined various methods of desalination, some looked at irrigation controllers and others conducted experiments on the best types of dirt for retaining water.

The students will be honored at the June 13 IRWD Board of Directors meeting. Judging this year were Melinda Bergen, a supervisor in the chemistry section of the IRWD Water Quality Laboratory, and Michele Drzymkowski, IRWD Water Quality Laboratory Quality Assurance/Quality Control.

Students whose projects were selected are:

• Harrison Ku, grade 11, University High School, “Seawater Desalination Using a Microfluidic Electrodialytic Cell Based on Laminary Flow
• Ainesh Arumugan, grade 9, University High School, “Smart Irrigation Controller”
• Ryan Takiguchi, grade 7, South Lake Middle School, “Life Sustaining Dirt: Which Soil Base Sustains Life the Longest Without Water?”
• Emily Nguyen, grade 6, Stonegate Elementary, “You Can Help Solve the Drought Problem”

For more information on the IRWD educational programs, please visit our website.

While El Nino storms were widely predicted for this season, many of you might be shaking your heads and asking – so where is El Nino?

Well, the season is far from over and there has been some rain recently. This is your opportunity to give your sprinklers a break and take advantage of what Mother Nature has to offer – and at no cost to you!

Additionally, the time is right to purchase a rain barrel so you can capture some of that rain for use during dry times. IRWD offers a $75 rebate toward the purchase of a rain barrel. Check out our website for information on rain barrel – and other – rebates.

You can also check out both of IRWD’s turf removal programs, which will help you to achieve a beautiful, drought-friendly landscape. The Do-It-Yourself and Turnkey programs offer funding to IRWD customers to turn their new landscaping dreams into reality. Visit our website for details.

In January, IRWD customers used 5.2 percent less water compared to January 2013. Since June 1st, customers have saved nearly 2.3 billion gallons of water, which is 93 percent of the overall savings needed by the end of February to meet the state-mandated water use reduction target for the IRWD service area. 

IRWD is asking its customers to continue using less water in order to help the District meet its 16 percent water reduction goal for the month of February. Thanks to the rainstorm that passed through the area earlier this week, customers can completely turn off their irrigation systems for the next week and not have to worry about watering their landscapes. For the eight-month period of June 2015-January 2016, water use in the IRWD service area is down 16.2 percent from the same eight-month period in 2013, which is just above its mandatory target of 16 percent. 

The state of California recently extended statewide water use regulations through October 2016. It's expected that updated mandatory water use reduction figures for individual water districts and cities will be released soon. With the extension of these regulations, IRWD is committed to working closely with its customers during the spring and summer to find simple and effective ways to use less water.  

While January provided several decent rainstorms, February has proven to be especially dry in the Orange County region. It remains to be seen if El Niño will have much, if any, impact during the remainder of the winter. If it does remain relatively dry, a fifth straight year of drought becomes more likely and makes it even more important to conserve water. 

IRWD offers many valuable resources and tips to help customers use less water. Here are some to keep in mind during the remainder of this winter:

• Keep sprinklers turned off - rain or shine

• Replace grass with drought friendly landscape - IRWD Turf Removal Programs

• Take advantage of other water-saving rebates - Available IRWD Rebates

• Attend our FREE landscape and water saving workshops. Sign up on the Rightscape Events Page

• Fix a leak and get the chance to win $100! Enter at irwd.com/fixaleak

• Perform your own home water check up. Learn online at the IRWD Online Training Center

The 2016 Fix a Leak Week is March 20-26, so Irvine Ranch Water District will observe it by hosting a contest for leak detectives. IRWD customers can win one of five $100 Home Depot gift card for their efforts.

To enter, use this checklist and be a leak detective:

• Check for broken sprinklers or overspray. Fix and adjust your sprinklers if you find these problems.
• Check your sprinkler controller to ensure it has been adjusted for seasonal low-water use.
• Check for toilet flapper leaks by dropping leak tablets or food coloring into your tank. If water in the bowl becomes colored, you have a leak.

Other places you might find leaks in your home are hose bibs, irrigation valves and lines, faucets, showerheads, bathtub/shower diverters, water heaters and swimming pools and spas.

Submit a photo taken of you doing any of these leak detecting activities and submit the photos online through March 31, at irwd.com/fixaleak. For each photo submitted, participants will receive an entry to win a $100 gift card to Home Depot. All participants will receive a coupon in the mail good for $5 at Home Depot (one per household, while supplies last. Allow 6-8 weeks for delivery).

Fix a Leak Week is sponsored in conjunction with the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency’s WaterSense program. Full contest details are available at irwd.com/fixaleak.