July has been designated as Smart Irrigation Month because this is the month that traditionally has the highest demand. During July, and especially in this time of California drought, water agencies such as Irvine Ranch Water District, will:

• Educate homeowners, businesses, growers and other users about simple ways to save money and water.
• Encourage industry firms and professionals to promote smart irrigation practices and technologies to customers.
• Reinforce the role efficient irrigation plays in providing real solutions to today’s water challenges.

Did you know that landscape irrigation accounts for 50 percent of the average household water use? Reducing your outdoor water use can help save the environment, water and money.

One might think March would be better suited as Smart Irrigation Month, as spring is when we check our irrigation systems for and get them tuned up for the season. The early-year inspection may even include plans for revamping an inefficient irrigation system from spray to drip. Still, July is also a logical choice as it is:

• one of our hottest months;
• the peak of evapotranspiration for the year;
• the time our plants require the most water; and
• time to recheck the system if you don’t inspect its performance monthly.

Of course the bottom line is that hopefully you are irrigating “smart” all season long.

Smart Irrigation Month was launched in 2005 by the National Irrigation Association to raise awareness of smart irrigation products—and practices—that can increase the efficiency of your irrigation system. After all, efficient does not always equal effective. You can have the most efficiently designed irrigation system and let it run three times longer than your plants require. That would not be effective.

Interest in water savings and efficiency should be at a peak this year because of the extreme heat and drought that most of the nation has been going through since June or even earlier. The Irrigation Association notes that July is traditionally the month of peak water demand in North America. But July will have to be extremely severe drought weather for water demand to be higher than June.

We all know that water is our most valuable resource. Not only could we not survive without it, but nor could our luscious lawns and gardens. However, what you may not know is that many of our lawns could survive with less water during certain times

Homeowners typically overwater lawns and landscapes by up to 30 percent. By selecting and planting carefully, watering wisely, and maintaining and upgrading automated irrigation systems, consumers can save money, save water and see better results. Check out our website for further tips on smart irrigation, plants and rebates on sprinkler nozzles, smart timers, and more.

Contact: Shannon Reed, Public Affairs Manager
reeds@irwd.com, (949) 453-5500

Each year, the IRWD Board of Directors adopts an annual operating budget that goes into effect on July 1. Part of that process is setting water and sewer rates. One of IRWD’s critical business objectives is to keep costs, and therefore rates, as low as possible for all our customers. IRWD provides the highest level of service to our customers at the lowest possible rates.

The 2014–2015 fiscal year began on July 1, putting in place a new budget approved by the
Board of Directors at its April 28 meeting. This year’s budget, which totals $130.6 million, represents a $13.6 million increase when compared to the prior year’s budget.

The operating budget provides the funding roadmap to provide drinking water, recycled water and sewer service to IRWD customers. Increases in rates and charges for these services took effect on July 1, with an overall increase to the average residential customer of $3.21 per month, for sewer and water service combined. For full information on all new rates and charges, please visit the IRWD website.

Why are Rate Changes Necessary?

The main reasons for the change are due to uncontrollable cost increases from:

• The need to purchase more expensive imported water as a result of drier conditions
• 12% increase in electricity costs for pumping and treating water
• 3.8 % increase in the charges for imported water provided from the Metropolitan Water District of Southern California (MWD) for imported water purchases through our regional wholesaler the Municipal Water District of Orange County (MWDOC)
• 6.5% increase in pumping charges from the Orange County Water District (OCWD) for local groundwater.

Residential Rate Structue Changes

Effective July 1, 2014 you may notice changes in your water bill. Your monthly water budget has changed, slightly reducing your indoor water allocation from 55 to 50 gallons per day per person. The outdoor portion of the allocation is unchanged. We have also adjusted the tiered rate structure to reduce the Inefficient, Excessive and Wasteful tiers.