With more than 933 miles of sewer mains, and 14 sewage pump stations conveying millions of gallons of wastewater per day, Irvine Ranch Water District maintains a goal of zero sewer spills, and takes a proactive approach, rather than a reactive to inspection and maintenance of these facilities.

“Wastewater collections systems can be vulnerable to potential failure, with probable impacts to the environment and to public safety,” said Greg Springman, IRWD Collection Systems Manager.

IRWD’s collection system (sewer system) serves a population of 330,000 including all of the city of Irvine, Newport Coast, and portions of Tustin, Lake Forest, Orange and Costa Mesa. It’s important to point out that IRWD does not maintain storm drains, which is a separate system from sewers.

The District has 17 collection system employees who keep the sewer lines flowing, maintain lift stations, manhole covers and respond to emergencies. There is a fleet of specialized vehicles that help workers do their jobs.

Collection system employees use CCTV trucks to monitor various conditions of eight-inch to 60-inch sewer mains using closed circuit television. Employees are able to inspection these sewer mains by inserting an 80-pound brass mechanical tractor, with an attached adjustable camera which resembling a torpedo on wheels. The tractor and camera is then lowered through a manhole opening where it is controlled by an operator,  tethered on a 1,000-foot cable.

The camera travels through the sewer mains while an employee watches the images on a computer screen inside the CCTV truck. Sewer mains are checks for cracks, roots, and any other type of blockages which may occur. Employees also inspect all new sewer mains prior to being placed into service.

Collection system employees also utilize Hydro/Combination Units to cleaning all sewer mains throughout our community. This specialize piece of equipment can carry approximately 1,500 gallons of water, which is pumped through 600 feet of one-inch hose under high-pressure. The high-pressure hose is inserted into the sewer mains through the manhole opening. The high-pressure stream of water scours the pipe walls as it is propelled through the sewer main removing all accumulated debris. Employees also visually inspect the conditions of the manhole structure as well. Special attention is given to inspecting and cleaning sewer mains within shopping centers because of the potential of grease problems from food service establishments.

The collection system must answer to a host of regulatory agencies, including the Santa Ana and San Diego Regional Water Quality Control boards, the county health department, city code enforcement, and potentially, the Department of Fish and Game.

IRWD’s collection system has won the Collection System of the Year award for medium size systems in 1992, 1995, 1996, 1997, 1998 and 2000 from the Santa Ana River Basin Section of the California Water Environment Association. In 1996 and 2000, IRWD went on to win the Collection System of the Year Award for the entire state of California. The award is based on a site inspection, regulatory compliance and evaluation of preventive maintenance programs, corrective maintenance programs, safety programs and procedures, training programs and emergency procedures.

Seventh and eighth grade students interested in pursuing careers in science and engineering had the opportunity to meet with Irvine Ranch Water District professionals at the Irvine Unified School District’s annual Science Career Options Conference at the University of California, Irvine, on December 18.

Jacob Moeder, a civil engineer for IRWD and Melinda Bergen, an IRWD Water Quality supervisor, spoke to students, explaining the level of education needed to achieve their careers and gave examples of their day-to-day duties.

“Did any of you like building things with Legos, Lincoln Logs or Tinker Toys?” Moeder asked the students. “I always liked building things and taking them apart.”

He described the different engineering disciplines and how it takes a collaborative effort to see projects to fruition. And there is always a demand for engineers, he said.

“Everyone has great ideas,” he said. “It’s like playing with the best football team. It’s gratifying.”

He gave a demonstration on settlement, using two similar plates of sand. He placed equal amount of weight on each one, until one of the piles of sand collapsed under the weight. The other stayed upright. How could that be? A single sheet of toilet paper placed just underneath a layer of sand provided enough tensile strength to keep the weights upright.

Before her demonstration, Bergen handed around IRWD’s annual Water Quality Report, explaining that customers always know what is in their water and that it is safe to drink. A student volunteer assisted in a test that determines the presence of chlorine in a sample of ordinary tap water.

Both Moeder and Bergen fielded questions at the end of their presentations. The goal of the conference is to increase student interest and awareness of science-related careers. IRWD has participated in the IUSD Science Careers Options Conference for all 21 years of its existence.

More information about IRWD educational programs is available on our website.

Be Water Efficient, Rain or Shine

The Irvine Ranch Water District Always Water Smart incentives and services will help you to make your home water efficient. An Always Water Smart home:

• Saves water and energy
• Saves money on utility and landscape bills
• Reduces landscape maintenance
• Reduces water and energy waste in addition to air pollution, greenhouse gasses and green waste

No matter how much it rains in winter, it’s always smart to be water efficient. Leaks and using water excessively, both indoors and outdoors, waste water and money. Take the time this winter to evaluate your household’s water use and investigate if your home has inefficiencies in some of the following most common areas.

Start outdoors. The majority of water use for an average household is used outdoors to water plants. Nearly half of the water used outdoors is wasted through overwatering. With smart, simple choices about plants, sprinklers, and maintenance, you can reduce your water bill and have a climate-appropriate landscape – an Always Water Smart CALscape.

Create your CALscape now. If you remove your water-thirsty lawn, IRWD will pay you $1.50 per square foot of turf removed and help you create your very own Always Water Smart CALscape. Visit the CALscape Resources page at AlwaysWaterSmart.com for more information about outdoor rebates and resources, including a detailed guide to low-water-use plants and landscaping options.

Check indoors. To make the most impact in reducing your indoor water use, shorten your shower length and upgrade older and inefficient appliances and fixtures. Products marked with an EPA WaterSense label are tested to ensure performance and are typically 20 percent more water efficient than average products.

Ask for help. IRWD maintains a team of Always Water Smart experts who will come to your home to help you identify leaks and inefficiencies. These experts will also provide you with resources, tips on available rebates and incentive programs. So what are you waiting for? Your beautiful new CALscape is out there waiting for you.

Filmed at IRWD

One of public television’s most iconic figures, Huell Howser, died Sunday night at the age of 67. Huell worked a variety of public television series such as, “Visiting,” “Road Trip,” “Downtown,” and most recently, “California Gold.”

Howser produced and hosted the Association California Water Association’s popular "California's Water" series, a first-of-its kind public television series launched in 2006. A total of 26 segments of "California's Water" have aired on public television outlets throughout California, covering a variety of topics ranging from climate change to water recycling to the value of tap water.

In 2006, Huell visited IRWD for a segment on what water agencies are doing to encourage wise water use at homes, parks and businesses. Huell visited Irvine’s Windrow Park, one of five synthetic turf demonstrations ponsored by IRWD at the time throughout the service area. Synthetic turf requires no water and minimal maintenance, while helping to reduce urban runoff. Watch the episode here.

In 2007, Huell Howser visited the Irvine Ranch Water District San Joaquin Marsh and Wildlife Sanctuary as part of “California's Water” to highlight how wetlands serve as nature’s own water filtration systems.  The segment offered a first-hand look at the valuable function wetlands perform in removing pollutants from runoff while at the same time providing habitat and recreation opportunities.  Watch the segment here.

The Los Angeles Times wrote: “But though his shows were focused on points and people of interest, it was Howser who turned into the main attraction, tackling his subjects with an awestruck curiosity and relentless enthusiasm.”

The water world has lost a good friend.