Take Control of Your Controller in October
Are you aware that between September 1st and 30th we lost 30 minutes of sunshine? In October we will lose even more sunshine each day. While it’s a subtle difference, your plants do notice the change in daylight. Even though it can still be hot outside, plants start preparing for winter and, as a result, aren’t as thirsty.
Having an automatic irrigation controller does not mean that you are watering your plants efficiently. A controller is only as efficient as its schedule, which must be kept up to date. October is a critical time to change your watering times as the days become shorter and plants no longer need the amount of water they did in July and August.
When you react to the changing daylight by reducing your watering times, your plants and bank account will benefit. Visit our Take Control of Your Controller web page at www.alwayswatersmart.com for great tips and resources to help you water efficiently.
Shadetree Partnership ‘Greens’ Up Water Recycling Plant
Shadetree Partnership has donated hundreds of trees and shrubs that have been planted along a wall separating the Irvine Ranch Water District’s Michelson Water Recycling Plant and the San Joaquin Marsh.
“This is a true partnership with IRWD,” said Tom Bonkowski, General Manager for Shadetree Partnership.
A plant palette was established during construction of the floodwall behind the plant. Once the 2,000-foot wall was completed, the trees and shrubs were planted on a mulched berm along the North Loop trail in the Marsh.
The landscape adds ambience to the Marsh and will serve to screen the plant. Once mature, the trees will form an inviting canopy over the trail.
Shadetree Partnership was created in 1990 to provide public awareness and understanding about urban forestry and is committee to community involvement. Hundreds of trees are donated each year to be planted on public lands. Many of the trees and plantings are cultivated in Shadetree’s nursery at UC Irvine.
For more information about the Marsh or Shadetree Partnership, please visit our website.
IRWD Professionals Assist at Ask-A-Scientist Night
An annual autumn tradition is the Irvine Unified School District’s Ask-A-Scientist Night and Irvine Ranch Water District has answered the call since inception of the event more than 20 years ago. More than 30 students with questions about their science fair projects filed through the “Water and Earth Science” room at Rancho San Joaquin Middle School the evening of October 17.
Joining other science and engineering professionals in talking to students were Mike Hoolihan, IRWD Principal Engineer, and John Hills, IRWD’s retired Director of Water Quality.
A photo gallery of the event is below. For more information on our educational programs, please visit our website.
IRWD Receives Outstanding Energy Management Award
The California-Nevada Section of the American Water Works Association presented Irvine Ranch Water District with the Outstanding Energy Management Award for 2012 at its fall conference in San Diego on October 9. The Green House Gas Master Plan was highlighted by the award.
“This award recognizes a utility with the commitment to make the efficient use of energy a main priority,” said Chet Malewski, section awards chair for AWWA. “The criteria for this award are stringent, so very few utilities are so honored.”
IRWD embarked on an ambitious project to decrease its energy use and carbon footprint by developing an energy and greenhouse gas master plan three years ago. The IRWD Board of Directors had recommended commission of such a plan at a strategic planning session. The plan was completed this past summer.
By developing an energy and green house gas master plan, IRWD took a proactive stance to reduce energy use and complying with AB 32, the state Global Warming and Solutions Act of 2006. The bill set a target to significantly reduce green house gas emissions statewide by 2020.
IRWD staff and the consultants toured various facilities in to prepare for developing the plan. Over the years, IRWD has taken steps to be energy efficient and reducing green house gas by encouraging conservation, developing local groundwater supplies, installing nearly 700 solar panels on the roof of the Sand Canyon office building, placing 832 solar panels on the top of a drinking water reservoir, replacing equipment with high efficiency motors and placing LED lights and motion sensors in offices.
For more information on our environmental plans, please visit our website.
Maintaining Sprinkler Heads Means Saving Money
Broken sprinkler heads can cause significant amounts of water loss over time. Maintaining sprinkler heads in good operating condition requires a regular monitoring plan.
“Mowing the lawn, children playing and accidents are all likely causes for your sprinkler heads to get damaged,” said Irvine Ranch Water District Senior Conservation Specialist Nick Mrvos. “It’s not only the mini-geyser leaks that need to be repaired, but also those sprinklers that are turned in the wrong direction, or that sprinkler head which turns into a bubbler over night.”
Often, broken sprinklers go unnoticed because many times they are timed to operate during the early morning hours before anyone is aware of a problem. Because more than half of residential water usage comes from yards, it makes sense to periodically check sprinkler systems to identify leaks or damage.
This type of vigilance could save large quantities of water and help lower water bills. A broken sprinkler can waste close to 100 gallons of water per 10-minute cycle, which adds up to thousands of gallons of water per billing period. Broken sprinklers can also damage landscapes and property, which can also add up to significantly higher costs.
To further save money, check out the rebates offered on rotating sprays nozzles on our website.
