The Climate Registry Honors IRWD With ‘Gold’ Status
Irvine Ranch Water District has been distinguished with a gold-level status from The Climate Registry for demonstrating exceptional leadership in meeting rigorous voluntary greenhouse gas reporting criteria.
The recognition was bestowed after nine years of verified greenhouse gas inventories reported through 2019. IRWD’s 2020 greenhouse gas inventory is being processed for approval and will soon qualify the District for 10 years of verified reporting.
In addition, IRWD received Water-Energy Leader Gold status for its participation in the organization’s Water-Energy Nexus Registry, a consortium of agencies that communicate the importance of tracking and reducing carbon emissions connected to California’s water systems.
“These are especially meaningful honors for IRWD, because they underscore so many of our values as a District,” said General Manager Paul Cook. “This includes environmental stewardship, transparency, accountability, and collaboration – all of which are essential to maximizing renewable resources and minimizing our impact on the environment.”
The Climate Registry oversees North America’s largest voluntary greenhouse gas registry, empowering organizations and public agencies to act on climate change by reducing their carbon emissions.
“Organizations that become Climate Registered are the leaders in a growing movement to address climate change by managing and reducing emissions at the subnational level,” said Amy Holm, executive director of The Climate Registry. “We have just over a decade to take action that will ensure we avoid the worst effects of climate change. This kind of leadership is needed now more than ever.”
IRWD’s history of sustainability began in the 1960s, when the District pioneered the reuse of an important resource: water. Today, recycled water makes up 28% of all water use in the District.
IRWD also operates several facilities to help meet the goals of its Energy and Greenhouse Gas Master Plan, which is being updated this year:
Biosolids and Energy Recovery Facility: Completed in 2021, this plant closes the loop on the recycled water process. Organic solids left over from the water recycling process are converted into a soil amendment and fuel. Biogas produced from the biosolids process generates energy to power the plant. Heat from the turbines and sludge dryer boosts efficiency.
Renewable Energy: In addition to the biogas used at the biosolids plant, IRWD uses solar power to help meet the District’s energy needs. This includes:
- A 1-MW array of 2,360 solar modules at the Baker Water Treatment Plant.
- A 100-kW solar power array at the District’s Sand Canyon Avenue headquarters, which provides 20% of the building’s energy needs.
- A 250-kW system at the District’s Zone 3 reservoir.
Energy Storage Project: IRWD boasts one of the nation’s largest networks of high-efficiency lithium batteries that store energy and provide on-site power to District operations. The batteries provide power stored during off-peak hours for operations. That energy can also be used by Southern California as a Demand Response resource to provide resilience to the energy grid during periods of high usage – reducing the need for additional power plants to meet regional energy demands.
Meeting rooms open for reservations
IRWD is pleased to announce the reopening of the Duck Club and Community Meeting Room. We are now accepting reservations for dates through Dec. 31, 2022. Due to current COVID-19 protocol, until further notice, meeting room capacities will be limited to 50%, masks will be required for unvaccinated guests, and a two-hour window will be implemented between reservations. To make a reservation, please visit IRWD.com/community/meeting-rooms.
Making the most of our energy resources
Since 1961, IRWD has demonstrated a long-standing commitment to protecting, sustaining and restoring the environment. Innovation in energy is a part of that vision.
• Our new Biosolids and Energy Recovery Facility converts organic solids into fertilizer or fuel. Biogas from the process is harnessed to generate energy for the plant.
• Our Energy Storage Project uses a network of high-efficiency batteries to store on-site power at six locations districtwide, saving money and taking demand off the grid.
• Solar power supports several of our facilities, including the Baker Water Treatment Plant, Zone 3 Reservoir, and our Sand Canyon Headquarters.
For more information on our energy programs, visit IRWD.com/doing-business/energy-saving-programs.
Public Hearing on Redistricting IRWD Board Division Boundaries
NOTICE OF PUBLIC HEARING
IRVINE RANCH WATER DISTRICT
Public Hearing on Redistricting of the Irvine Ranch Water District Board of Directors Division Boundaries
NOTICE is hereby given that the IRVINE RANCH WATER DISTRICT (IRWD) will hold a public hearing, before drawing a draft map or maps of proposed division boundaries regarding the District’s redistricting process, and the composition of divisions in accordance with Elections Code Section 22001. The purpose of the hearing will be to invite and solicit public comment on the criteria for and the composition of the redistricted divisions.
Election Code Section 22000 requires IRWD to adjust division boundaries after each federal decennial census, and using that census as a basis, adjust the boundaries of its Board of Director divisions so that the divisions are, as far as practicable, equal in population and in compliance with Section 10301 of Title 52 of the United State Code. Additional information on IRWD’s redistricting process and/or the public hearing may be obtained by contacting Leslie Bonkowski, District Secretary at (949) 453-5312 or on the IRWD Web site located at www.irwd.com/about-us/district-election-process.
The Board of Directors of IRWD will hold the hearing on Monday evening, December 13, 2021, at 5:00 p.m. or as soon thereafter as is reasonably practicable, in the Board Room of the offices of IRWD located at 15600 Sand Canyon Avenue, Irvine.
Dated: November 29, 2021
Leslie Bonkowski, District Secretary,
IRVINE RANCH WATER DISTRICT
and the Board of Directors thereof
Kitchen tips for a happy holiday
Looking forward to preparing feasts of rich foods this holiday season? Remember that fats, oils and grease should never be poured down the drain. Collectively referred to as “FOG,” these substances are a leading cause of troublesome clogs and sewage spills.
Here’s how you can help prevent a stopped-up sink from spoiling your celebration:
• Pour used cooking oil and grease into a can, let it cool, and dispose of it in the trash.
• Wipe greasy pots with a paper towel before washing.
• Put all food scraps, coffee grounds, eggshells, dairy products, pasta, rice and flour in the trash or compostable bin.
Remember, it’s not just your drain you’ll be saving! You will also be protecting your local sewer lines.
