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.
Help IRWD Save Lives at Spring 2015 Blood Drive
“Would you like a T-shirt, or a pint of Baskin Robbins Ice Cream?” will be the decision posed before those who participate in Irvine Ranch Water District’s annual spring blood drive on Wednesday, March 25, from 10:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m.
IRWD is partnering with the UC Irvine bloodmobile, which will be located in the parking lot adjacent to IRWD headquarters at 15600 Sand Canyon Avenue, Irvine. The public is invited to participate.
IRWD has held blood drives for more than 20 years. This drive will benefit Orange County’s only Level I Trauma Center.
In order to donate, donors must:
- Be 17 years of age or older and weigh more than 110 pounds
- Have a valid photo ID (driver's license, passport, employee or student ID are acceptable)
- Be in good health
- Eat a healthy meal and drink plenty of fluids prior to donation
- Finish all antibiotics prior to your donation and be symptom-free from any infection or illness
- Have had no tattoos in the past 12 months
- Have had no piercings within the last 12 months. Ear piercings with a gun are okay.
- Not have traveled to an area where malaria is endemic in the past 12 months
All prospective donors will complete a donor history questionnaire and blood work each time they donate. Appointments will take approximately 45 minutes.
Potential donors may go to here to register. Appointments are available every 15 minutes.
Wanted: Photos of You Fixing a Leak
In 2015, Fix a Leak Week is March 16-22, so Irvine Ranch Water District will observe it by hosting a contest for leak detectives. IRWD customers can win up to a $500 Home Depot gift card for their efforts.
To enter, use this checklist and be a leak detective:
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Check for broken sprinklers or overspray. Fix and adjust your sprinklers if you find these problems.
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Adjust your sprinkler controller for proper watering times using the IRWD watering schedule.
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Check your garden hose bib to make sure it’s not leaking.
Have 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 $500, $300, or $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.
First Home Depot Event This Weekend in Lake Forest
The first of two events geared toward assisting Irvine Ranch Water District customers in updating their gardens to use less water is scheduled for Saturday, March 7 from 8 a.m. to noon at the Lake Forest Home Depot store, 20021 Lake Forest Drive.
This is the third consecutive year IRWD and Home Depot have teamed up in this endeavor. The continuing drought makes this event especially important. A second event is set for March 21 at the Irvine store located at 6200 Irvine Boulevard.
Clip the coupon from our website, or present your current customer newsletter, Pipelines, at the IRWD booth at either Home Depot event and receive a special prize.
IRWD customers will:
- Learn from local experts how to plant a water-efficient landscape
- Receive special discounts on water-efficient plants
- Visit vendor displays
- Watch educational demonstrations
- Receive giveaways and more!
Please visit our website for more information on the right plants, the right equipment and the right schedule.
Save the Date for RightScape Workshop Series
The right plants, the right equipment and the right schedule can not only help you have a beautiful garden, but will help you save water and money as well.
Sign up for one or all three of these free workshops, held at the Irvine Ranch Water District offices at 15600 Sand Canyon Avenue in Irvine.
Workshops are:
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The Right Plants – Thursday, March 5, 6-8 p.m. How to choose the right plant types for your landscape.
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The Right Equipment – Wednesday, March 18, 6-8 p.m. Selecting the most productive and water-efficient tools for your garden.
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The Right Schedule – Wednesday, April 22, 6-8 p.m. Choosing the right watering schedule for your plants.
A light dinner will be provided and there will be an unsupervised movie showing for children.
Signing up for the workshops is as easy as going to www.irwd.com/events.
