How to Prepare Your Emergency Water Supply When Zombies Attack
As zombies crawled the streets of Orange County early Tuesday morning, IRWD took this time to remind customers on how to take precautionary measures with their water supplies.
“The first 72 hours following an emergency are critical,” said a top IRWD official. “We are urging customers to always be prepared with their water should zombies invade the water supply.”
Here are the top ways to prepare your water supply in case of an emergency:
- You should store about one gallon of water per person per day. Three gallons is a decent starting point.
- Water should be stored in carefully cleaned, non-corrosive, tightly covered containers.
- All stored water should be clearly labeled and replenished every six months.
- Water may be polluted after an earthquake or zombie attack. Water that is boiled for five minutes will usually be safe from contamination.
- If boiling is not an option, strain the water through paper towels, paper coffee filters, or several layers of clean cloth to remove any sediment. Treat the water with household liquid chlorine bleach. Add eight drops of bleach per one gallon of clear water, or 16 drops if the water is cloudy. Allow water and bleach to stand for 30 minutes. Purify only enough water at a time to last a maximum of 48 hours.
- You should also learn how to shut off gas, water, and electricity meters.
For more information on how to prepare in case of an emergency and to sign up for emergency notifications, visit irwd.com/emergency-codered.
Photo Credit: AMC Media
Irvine Ranch Water District Board Member Added to Wall of Recognition
Irvine Ranch Water District Board Member John Withers will have his name added to the City of Irvine’s Wall of Recognition located in Col. Bill Barber Marine Corps Memorial Park behind City Hall.
“I’m honored to be recognized and I believe this speaks to the cooperative spirit that exists between the City of Irvine and the District,” Withers said.
The Wall of Recognition contains hundreds of names of community leaders who have helped to shape the city’s beginnings and those who continue to build upon the foundation for the future.
Criteria for nominees to the Wall of Recognition include people who have demonstrated creativity and initiative in providing service to the community, made unique contributions marked by excellence and worthy of honor and showed exceptional determination, character, commitment and leadership.
Withers’ nomination cites his leadership in developing and preserving the San Joaquin Marsh, annexing the El Toro Marine Corps Air Station into the City of Irvine, and his ability to work with political leaders from both sides of the aisle. He and the 25 other nominees will be presented with certificates at the May 13 city council meeting.
Withers is a 29-year resident of Irvine and has been a vital member of the IRWD Board of Directors for 24 years. He served as Board Vice President in 2012 and President in 2004. He is currently a member of the Engineering and Operations Committee and Asset Management Committee, as well as various ad hoc committees.
More information about the Irvine Ranch Water District Board of Directors may be found on our website.
Contact: Shannon Reed, Public Affairs Manager
reeds@irwd.com, (949) 453-5500
Visit the IRWD Water Recycling Plant and More
There is still plenty of room on the Irvine Ranch Water District Water Awareness Tours, so now is the time to sign up.
Especially featured in the 2014 tours is a walk around the newly expanded Michelson Water Recycling Plant, which has been under massive expansion since the fall of 2009. See a demonstration from our state-of-the –art Water Quality Laboratory professionals on the steps in the water recycling process.
Hop on the bus for a tour of the scenic San Joaquin Reservoir, before heading to the San Joaquin Marsh and Wildlife Sanctuary for a tour and lunch.
Tours are available to those who live or work within the IRWD service area. We are unable to accommodate anyone under the age of 16.
The tours are an excellent opportunity to become educated about your source of water, What happens to your water after it goes down the drain, recycled water use and conservation tips.
Tours begin promptly at 9 a.m. at the Michelson Water Recycling Plant and conclude approximately 1 p.m. at the marsh. Included is a continental breakfast and lunch. Comfortable walking shoes are suggested.
Tour dates are:
- Friday, May 30
- Saturday, May 31
- Saturday, June 7
- Friday, September 12
- Saturday, September 13.
The tours fill up quickly and are first-come, first-served based on the date we receive your reservation. Customers may register online at our website. Questions: (949) 453-5500.
Irvine Ranch Water District Assists School with Drought News
Eleven sixth grade students from College Park Elementary School brainstormed on subjects to feature on their College Park News video and decided the California drought was a hot topic.
That’s when they called on Irvine Ranch Water District to shed some light on the matter. The students drafted 10 questions and convened in the school library with their video cameras, a green screen, director’s chair and a representative from IRWD.
“We started doing this about six years ago,” said Julie Hicks, the school’s librarian. “The students talked about the drought and how it affects them.”
Hicks works with Nancy Dusenbury from the computer lab and groups of sixth graders are cycled through the program, so everyone gets a chance to participate. Filming takes place twice a month and the finished product is shown to the entire student body.
On this particular day, students Beth, Michael, Mikey, Ansel, Maximillian, Yuta, Mandy, Kiley, Deanna, Matthew and Nina were ready with their questions.
“Quiet on the set,” Director Mikey called, and gave the five-second countdown. “Action!”
“How much water does an average person need or use per day?” Deana asked.
“Why should we conserve water?” Beth asked.
“How else does our city get water?” Matthew asked.
And so on.
Everyone takes their turn operating the cameras, or sitting in the director’s chair. The script is projected onto a screen while another technician scrolls through it on the computer while the interview is being conducted. The next step is to edit the video for presentation.
Who knows, maybe there are some budding television journalists among the bunch. Hicks said one of her former students is now in high school in Taiwan and is doing a similar video program at his school.
More information on IRWD education programs and the drought is available on our website.
Home Depot Event This Weekend in Irvine
Interested in updating your garden and saving money on your water bill? Visit the Irvine Home Depot on Saturday, 9 a.m. to 1 p.m., located at 6200 Irvine Boulevard.
Don’t forget to bring your current Irvine Ranch Water District customer newsletter, Pipelines, to the IRWD booth to receive a special prize.
The Irvine Home Depot is located at 6200 Irvine Boulevard. This marks the second year IRWD and Home Depot have teamed up to help customers save money while beautifying their gardens.
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 to learn gardening tips and to view a gallery of water-friendly plants.
