Race Held at Lake Skinner May 13-15

The Irvine Ranch Water District-supported Solar Cup team at El Toro High School was busy putting finishing touches on its solar boat this week. The race will be held at Lake Skinner in Riverside County.

The interesting paint job is called "Zombie Apocalypse" and was designed by the school's Art Club.

Southern California Edison (SCE) and IRWD have enjoyed a long history of creative collaboration in energy efficiency and financial incentives. 

On May 9, 2011, in commemoration of IRWD's 50th Anniversary, the IRWD Board of Directors and General Manager honored Southern California Edison as a key "Partner in Service" for SCE's many years of support, guidance and commitment to excellenct in service to the community.

Contact: Shannon Reed, Public Affairs Manager
reeds@irwd.com, (949) 453-5500

IRWD  Commitment to Energy Efficiency is Rewarded

Irvine Ranch Water District has flipped the switch on its 832 solar panels on the roof of its East Irvine Zone 3 drinking water reservoir which is expected to produce 32,270 kilowatt hours of energy per month, or, 365,000 kWh per year. This effort was rewarded by Southern California Edison presenting IRWD with a California Solar Initiative Infrastructure program incentive check for $492,583 at its May 9 board meeting

“This system will produce more than half of the energy needed to operate the facility and is a good demonstration of what you can do with unused space,” said Tom Bonkowski, project manager for IRWD. ”This cost savings directly benefits customers, as it reduces the cost of water.”

Installation of the panels took place in February and construction of supporting infrastructure was recently completed. The solar arrays were energized and interconnected to the Edison grid on April 27.

”Dedication to energy efficiency by IRWD is commendable, setting a great example for other public agencies,” said James Pasmore of Southern California Edison.

The seven million gallon circular reservoir was chosen for this project because of its remote location north of Irvine Boulevard on Magazine Road. The panels face south for maximum solar exposure and are tilted at a 10-degree angle.

Last year, this facility imported 711,081 kWh of energy from Edison for its operation. Currently, more than 1,400 kWh is being produced daily. The greenhouse gas reduction is approximately the same as taking 45 passenger vehicles off the roads for a year.

Contact: Shannon Reed, Public Affairs Manager
reeds@irwd.com, (949) 453-5500

The Orange County Water District (OCWD) and IRWD have successfully collaborated throughout the years on many regional issues and environmental projects. In the late 1970s, IRWD developed the original Dyer Road Well Field wells in cooperation with OCWD. The two agencies also partnered on the colored water treatment research leading to the Deep Aquifer Treatment (DATS) Project that went online in 2002.

On April 25, 2011, in commemoration of IRWD's 50th Anniversary, IRWD presented OCWD with a certificate of commendation honoring the agency as a key "Partner in Service" for their many years of support, guidance and commitment to excellence in service to the community.

Shown in the adjacent photo are, from left, IRWD General Manager Paul Jones, IRWD  Directors John Withers and Douglas Reinhart, OCWD Director Philip Anthony, IRWD Board President Steven LaMar, IRWD Board Vice President Mary Aileen Matheis and IRWD Director Peer Swan.