Irvine Ranch Water District’s Rideshare Program Honored
Eighty Cars Removed From the Road
The Irvine Ranch Water District’s rideshare program received the highest honor, the Blue Diamond Award, for corporate rideshare leadership at the 15 Annual Rideshare Diamond Awards event May 22. The awards are sponsored jointly by the Orange County Transportation Authority, Los Angeles Metropolitan Transportation Authority Commute Services and Ventura County Transportation Commission. The IRWD rideshare coordinators were honored at the June 24 Board of Directors meeting.
“We need to be resourceful and utilize every opportunity to spread the word of rideshare,” said Jane Shafer, IRWD rideshare coordinator.
IRWD received a Diamond Award in 2011 for its rideshare program. The Diamond Awards recognize the significant achievements of corporate rideshare programs in the region and their contribution toward decreasing gasoline consumption, air pollution and commuter costs as well as improving mobility.
A shortage of parking spots during the IRWD Michelson Water Recycling Plant expansion, plus a focus on marketing the program to newly hired employees, helped boost the numbers of the rideshare program. The van pool portion of the program has expanded to 20 vans, 18 of them at the Michelson location and nine of them are equipped with bicycle racks. Many employees commute from the traffic-choked Inland Empire, so this allows them to arrive to work on time and refreshed. The numbers of IRWD employees using the program equates to removing 80 cars from the road.
Additionally, there are 18 employees actively participating in the bike to work program. Others use public transportation. For more information on IRWD, please visit our website.
Pay Your Irvine Ranch Water District Bill the Easy Way
Mobile App Now Available
Irvine Ranch Water District has made it easier for you to pay your water bill with a new mobile app. Pay your bill from the convenience of your smart phone or tablet.
Download the Check mobile app from your app store. Then, see your bill, get alerts about the due dates, and pay. All you need is a copy of your bill to start the process. You can pay with any bank account or credit card.
Go to https://check/me/irwd for information.
Replace Water-Guzzling Toilets – Save Money
IRWD Rebates Available
Did you know that your toilet is one of the biggest water users in your home? Replace that water-guzzler with a new high-efficiency toilet and not only save money on your water bill, but receive a rebate at the same time.
Toilet flushing accounts for nearly 30 percent of water use inside the home. With a high-efficiency toilet, you could save more than 8,000 gallons of water per year. Rebates start at $50 for qualifying toilets.
Please visit www.socalwatersmart.com for rebate information.
Look For Your IRWD Water Quality Report
Available Online
Wonder if your water is safe? Wonder no longer – your Irvine Ranch Water District Water Quality Report will spell it out for you and ensure that your water meets and exceeds all state and federal guidelines.
“IRWD prepares this informative report for our customer each June,” said Shannon Reed, Public Affairs Manager. “We are advising our customers that we are now providing the reports online to reduce costs and be environmentally friendly.”
But if you would like a hard copy, we are happy to mail one to you. Just send us a message at info@irwd.com with the subject line, “Water Quality Report.” You may also request a report by calling (949) 453-5500.
The Water Quality Report, also known as a Consumer Confidence Report, is available year-round online for your convenience. Visit www.irwd.com/water-report to view online.
The Water Quality Report provides information on where water comes from, water testing results, and how water quality compares with regulatory standards. Additionally, the report answers commonly asked questions about water quality.
Six IRWD-Area Students Poster Contest Winners
Contest Sponsored by MWDOC
Six IRWD service area student artists, along with 24 others from around the county, were honored May 29 at the Discovery Science Center as winners in the Municipal Water District of Orange County’s 2013 Poster and Slogan; Photography and Digital 
Arts Contest.
“We had nearly 800 students in grades kindergarten through 12 submit original posters and slogans reflecting the 2013 contest theme, ‘The Value of Water,’” said Jessica Ouwekerk of MWDOC. “We appreciate all of the students who participated.”
IRWD had the largest number of winners. Of the six IRWD entries, four won for their posters, one for a slogan and one in the digital category.
Of all the entries, 15 posters, five slogans and 10 digital photos/digital artwork pieces were selected as winners. All students were presented with their framed artwork, as well as a trophy, certificate and custom t-shirt or tote bag imprinted with their winning artwork.
Grand prize winners in grades kindergarten through second grade received a Nintendo DS. One grand prize winner in grades 3-5, 6-8 and 9-12 received an iPad Mini. Jasmine Coultrip, an eighth grader at Sierra Vista Middle School in Irvine was a grand prize winner for her digital artwork.
Other IRWD winners were:
- Al Ledesma, second grade, La Madera Elementary School for his slogan, “Save water every week by repairing your leaks."
- Claire Borges, third grade, Alderwood Elementary School, poster.
- Evan Chien, fourth grade, Northwood Elementary School, poster.
- Brendan Chang, second grade, Northwood Elementary School, poster.
- Ceclia Mou, third grade, Stonegate Elementary School, poster.
In addition, Evan, Bendan and Cecilia will have their posters go on to regional competition at the Metropolitan Water District’s “Water is Life” poster contest. Results of that contest will be available in the fall.
Please visit our website for information about our education programs.
