IRWD water bills are based on a monthly water budget established for customers based on typical living conditions and water needs for their dwelling type. We base these calculations on: (1) a default number of residents in a home, (2) an estimated square feet of landscape area, and (3) the amount of water needed seasonally to irrigate the yard. (See graphic for details.)

If your living situation exceeds the standard monthly allowance, we encourage you to apply for a variance, which can increase your water budget to account for circumstances such as additional people living in the home, special medical needs, and larger landscaped areas. Variances must be renewed annually. To apply, visit irwd.com/services/request-a-water-variance or call 949-453-5300.

In April, Prudential Overall Supply celebrated its 86th year and was recognized as an IRWD WaterStar. The Irvine-based company, with more than 70 employees locally, focuses on commercial and industrial uniform supply and laundry services. Its water-saving measures include plant automation and water-efficient washer and fixture upgrades. Prudential sought to become a WaterStar to save resources, assist the community and take a step toward its commitment to clean, green sustainability. Learn more about IRWD’s WaterStar Business Recognition Program at rightscapenow.com/programs/ waterstar-business-recognition.

Bottled water last year surpassed soda as America’s most popular beverage. It’s a $16-billion-a-year industry, marketing a product that—when purchased one bottle at a time—costs about $6 per gallon, compared to two-tenths of a cent for a gallon of Irvine Ranch Water District tap.

Since both bottled and tap water meet regulatory standards, the choice is a matter of lifestyle, not health.

Here are some facts to consider:

• Tap water is economical and accessible, particularly with a travel bottle.
• 25% of all bottled water is packaged tap water.
• Plastic bottles produce waste: 85 million bottles are manufactured in the U.S. each day.
• Plastic bottles are made from petroleum—1.5 billion barrels every year— and the production and shipping of them burns fossil fuels.

Make the most of your tap water:

• Drink it from a reusable glass or stainless steel travel bottle to reduce waste.
• Keep it in a pitcher in the fridge to chill it and let it breathe.
• Infuse it with slices of cucumber, lemon or berries for a healthy punch.
• If you use a filter, be sure to change it regularly. Carbon-based fi lters are breeding grounds for bacteria.

How clean is our water? Irvine Ranch Water District meets all quality standards set by the state and federal government. Visit irwd.com/water-report to read our annual Water Quality Report, released this month.

At the May 29 board meeting, IRWD staff and board members recognized a group of young students for their top water-related projects in the 2018 Irvine Unified School District Science Fair. Students were awarded certificates and their projects were displayed at the IRWD Sand Canyon office. Read on to learn about the scientific achievements of each of the students.

“Will it Melt?”

By Beverlyn Tsai and Jane Jeon, sixth-graders at Beacon Elementary School

Beverlyn Tsai and Jane Jeon performed research on how salt added to purified water affects the rate at which it melts. They froze and tested five different saturations of salt and timed the rate at which each one melted. Their experiment found that the more salt that was added to water, the faster it would melt. They concluded that useful applications for this finding would be to use salt in defrosting freezer foods and to clear icy roads in winter.

“Nitrate Uptake by Algae”

By Krystal Tran, seventh-grader at South Lake Middle School

As a tropical fish owner, Krystal Tran knew that algae could be harmful to her fish, but she also wondered if it might also provide some healthful qualities to aquatic life. Her research looked into the benefits of algae in removing from water various nitrates (including ammonia) that can harm fish. She tested three types of algae, and measured and tracked nitrate levels in the water to determine that Nannochloropsis oculata — a fast-growing single-celled saltwater algae — removed the highest quantities of ammonia and nitrates from the water. Tran believes the Nannochloropsis oculata algae could be used effectively in treating wastewater.

“The Study of How the Concentration of Acetic Acid in Water Affects Plant Growth in Drought Conditions”

By Chamidu Sagara, freshman at University High School

Chamidu Sagara used pinto bean seeds to test how acetic acid — a substance that triggers a drought response in plants — can be used to help crops tolerate periods of drought. In his experiment, he planted five seeds, and watered them with a solutions containing various concentrations of 0%, 25%, 50%, 75%, and 100% acetic acid. Tracking the plants’ growth over 14 days, his research revealed that the 25% concentration performed best under simulated drought conditions — measuring more than three times the height of the control plant at 11.5 centimeters tall. Sagara believes acetic acid could offer a revolutionary approach to aiding crops during drought. But at this time, he noted, the cost of acetic acid is prohibitively high to be used for that purpose.

“Determining the Minimum Quantity of Moringa oleifera Seed Required to Reduce the Turbidity of Non-Potable Water”

By Jenna Schindele, junior at University High School

Jenna Schindele’s experiment set out to determine the minimum quantity of Moringa oleifera seed powder required to reduce turbidity of non-potable water. The Moringa oleifera is a tree native to northern India, which is also abundant in Southeast Asia, Africa, the Arabian Peninsula, South America and the Pacific and Caribbean islands. It contains a protein that binds with bacteria to flocculate impurities through the process of neutralization and absorption, followed by sedimentation.

Schindele created 15 test samples, each with different levels of the Moringa oleifera seed powder, and tested each sample for turbidity over time. Her conclusion was that lesser quantities of the seed powder were most effective at improving the turbidity of non-potable water. Recognizing that contaminated water causes more than 500,000 diarrheal deaths each year, Schindele believes the Moringa oleifera stands as a viable option of water treatment to developing countries unable to afford more costly treatments such as reverse-osmosis or chlorination.