Heatwave? No Problem, Thanks to Recycled Water
Hot August nights—and days—can take their toll on landscapes, increasing moisture loss in plants and prompting many communities to let public areas go brown during this taxing time of year.
But not here. IRWD’s recycled water system means streetscapes, parks and common areas can stay green without dipping into our drinking water supply. As long as people continue to take showers, do their laundry and wash dishes, recycled water will remain a plentiful and sustainable resource for the community.
Irrigation is the primary use for recycled water, serving 80% of public and common areas in Irvine Ranch Water District territory. There are many other uses for it as well. To learn more, visit IRWD.com/recycledwater.
Water Tips: Before and After a Quake
Last month’s 6.4- and 7.1-magnitude earthquakes in Ridgecrest were a wake-up call for Orange County—a reminder that we all should be prepared.
IRWD has many safeguards in place to protect the reliability and quality of your drinking water. Our employees are trained in emergency response, and committed to restore services quickly. But in extreme situations, it’s smart to be ready for disruptions. The first 72 hours after any major emergency are critical times for self-sufficiency.
Here are three ways to make sure water isn’t a worry during this period:
1. Store it. Keep one gallon of water per person per day for three days—in clean, noncorrosive, tightly covered containers. You can use commercially bottled water or store tap water in heavy, opaque plastic containers with screw-on lids. Label the containers and replenish the water every six months.
2. Boil it. After a disaster, tap water may be tainted. Boil it for at least five minutes before drinking. Otherwise, strain it to remove sediment and treat it with household chlorine bleach at eight drops per gallon for clear water, 16 drops if the water is cloudy.
3. Find it. Your home already contains emergency water sources. You can drink the water from your toilet tank—not the bowl—unless cleaning chemicals have been added. Your water heater is another good source. (Cut the power to it, close the supply valve at the top, let it cool, turn on any hot water tap in your house to let air flow into your tank, then open the faucet at the bottom of the tank to drain the water.) For details and ideas, visit IRWD.com/services/emergency-faq and ready.gov/water.
EMERGENCY ALERTS: Sign up for IRWD’s emergency notification system, CodeRED, at IRWD.com/emergency-codered. The District also posts local alerts on Nextdoor.com, a social network for you and your neighbors
Check Sprinkler Timer After Power Outages
If your electricity went out in the recent Southern California Edison power outage, check your sprinkler timer today. If your timer doesn’t have a working backup battery, your programming may have been erased, which could cause you to use much more water than necessary.
Many timers without a backup battery will revert to a standard factory default setting — causing your sprinklers to operate for 10 minutes at each station every day until reprogrammed.
Look to see if the days and times on your timer are incorrect or flashing. If you are unsure about how to reprogram your timer, most user manuals can be found online or by contacting the manufacturer.
Change the timer’s backup battery every year to prepare for future power outages. Stay informed of planned and unplanned power outages in your area by visiting the SCE Outage Center.
Check your sprinkler timer’s watering schedule and compare it to IRWD’s suggested watering schedule. Start with the schedule below and increase the times only if your plants show signs of stress. If stress occurs in isolated areas, check your irrigation system for leaks or coverage gaps before increasing watering times.
|
Month |
Turfgrass |
Drought tolerant trees, shrubs and groundcover |
|
August |
4 days, 3 cycles of 3 minutes |
2 days, 3 cycles of 4 minutes |
|
September |
4 days, 2 cycles of 3 minutes |
2 days, 2 cycles of 4 minutes |
|
October |
3 days, 2 cycles of 3 minutes |
2 days, 2 cycles of 3 minutes |
Visit RightScapeNow.com/watering-guide to view:
- Spray head irrigation schedules for the full year, including percentage options
- Drip irrigation schedules
- Printable irrigation schedules in English and Spanish
- More tips on how to save water outdoors (and save money while doing it)
Fall 2019 Resident Tours
Customers who live or work in the IRWD service area are invited to tour our facilities and San Joaquin Marsh while learning about what we do. Light breakfast and lunch provided. Must be 16 or older.
Friday, Oct. 11, and Saturday, Oct. 12
9 a.m. – 2 p.m.
IRWD Operations Center
3512 Michelson Dr., Irvine
Sign-up required: IRWD.com/learning/request-a-resident-tour
Inspire Your Garden with Succulents
If you’ve ever thought about saving water by planting a colorful drought-tolerant landscape, IRWD has some new inspiration for you. Stop by our Sand Canyon Avenue office and check out our brand new succulent demonstration garden.
The idea for the garden was first broached by customers. It was planted in May and features myriad succulents such as:
- Coral Aloe – Used for bold textural accents in planting locations from full sun to partial shade, this plant has bright colored coral orange flower spikes during late winter and early spring.
- Emerald Empress – Considered one of the easiest plants to grow, the Emerald Empress tolerates heat and drought and will flourish in locations such as rooftop gardens and container gardens.
- Royal Ruby – Ideal for the rocky soil of rock gardens or planters, this succulent has rosettes ranging from ruby red to smoky grey-red and thrives with little care
Create your own succulent garden at home.
- Explore the demo gardens at RightScapeNow.com/demo-garden.
- To discover the many shapes, sizes and colors of succulents you can plant, visit RightScapeResources.com/search.php and click “Succulents.”
- If you replace all or part of your lawn with succulents, you might be eligible for a turf removal rebate. Learn more at RightScapeNow.com/rebates.
IRWD’s Succulent Demonstration Garden, irrigated with recycled water, is adjacent to the parking area at 15600 Sand Canyon Ave., Irvine.
