IRWD customer recognized for water efficient garden

Irvine Ranch Water District customer, Heather Swaim, was named a winner in the fifth annual Roger’s Gardens California Friendly Garden Contest. Swaim won “Best Do-it-Yourself” for her water-use efficient garden and was awarded $250 for her efforts.

Several Orange County homeowners entered their gardens into the popular competition. The gardens were judged on-site by a panel of water and landscape experts and through on-line voting. California friendly gardens feature colorful and water efficient plants. They also conserve and protect our limited natural resources.

“I love the California Friendly Garden for its low maintenance,” Heather Swaim said. “I started a California Friendly garden because I wanted to use less water and not use pesticides and fertilizers. I’ve watched my water bill go down by about half.”

For her diligent efforts, Swaim was chosen as IRWD’s first Customer of the Month. IRWD recognizes customers who are water efficient and taking proactive measures to reduce excessive water use.  IRWD Customer’s of the Month will be featured in their own YouTube video, as well as on the IRWD website and in the Pipelines billing insert.  

The Rodger’s Gardens California Friendly^® Garden Contest is the result of a partnership of 14 private, public and non-profit organizations, including the Irvine Ranch Water District, that are committed to efficient and sustainable residential landscaping.

For more information on California Friendly plants, visit IRWD’s YouTube series, “California Friendly Plants of the Month” and the IRWD conservation website: www.alwayswatersmart.com.

Irvine Ranch Water District wins Award of Excellence for Innovative Website

The Orange County Chapter of the Public Relations Society of America recognized the Irvine Ranch Water District with an Award of Excellence for its website design and implementation at the 36^th Annual Protos Awards, held at the Balboa Bay Club and Resort in Newport Beach June 24th. IRWD’s website, www.IRWD.com, debuted with a complete re-design in July of 2010 aimed at creating an informative and easy to navigate website.

“We are honored to be recognized for our hard work and dedication in creating a user-friendly website that best meets the needs of our customers,” said Paul Jones, IRWD General Manager. “IRWD’s commitment to high quality customer service shines through via the new site -- enabling customers to enjoy site visits, whether to pay their bill, learn more about where water comes from or tips to help conserve.”

Approximately 100 submissions were reviewed by judges from a PRSA chapter in a different region of the country. Entries were comprised of supporting materials, such as program plans, photos, scripts, and media clips, and were judged based on four categories: research, planning, implementation and evaluation.

 To learn more about IRWD and see the award-winning website, please visit www.irwd.com.

The Irvine Ranch Water District Board of Directors has announced the appointment of Paul A. Cook as Interim IRWD General Manager effective July 16, 2011. Current IRWD General Manager Paul D. Jones will leave IRWD at that time to become General Manager at Eastern Municipal Water District.

The District will immediately begin a nationwide search for a new General Manager. “We are committed to finding the same kind of creative and visionary leadership provided by Paul Jones and will conduct a thorough and exhaustive internal and external search for qualified candidates,” said IRWD Board President Steve LaMar.

The Irvine Ranch Water District is known as a national leader among water and wastewater agencies for innovative water supply projects, creative water management solutions and ground-breaking water conservation programs. “Paul Cook has a proven track record as a professional manager and is an expert in engineering and operations. The board has great confidence he will keep IRWD on track,” said Board President LaMar.

Paul Cook, 46, joined IRWD in 2004 as the Assistant General Manager and is a former Orange County Water District board member.  Prior to IRWD he served as the Manager of Engineering for the Central and West Basin Municipal Water Districts in Los Angeles County where he was responsible for the design and construction of major water recycling, advanced treatment and regional distribution systems. Cook is a Registered Professional Civil Engineer.

IRWD has retained Norm Roberts of Roberts Consulting Group, an executive search firm who will begin immediately. It is anticipated that the selection process will be concluded in approximately four to six months.

To learn more about IRWD please visit www.irwd.com.

Contact: info@irwd.com, (949) 453-5500

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Located in central Orange County in California, IRWD provides water, wastewater, recycled water and urban runoff management services to a population of 340,000 in Irvine, Tustin Ranch, Portola Hills, Foothills Ranch, Santa Ana Heights, Orange Park Acres and portions of Lake Forest, Newport Beach, Costa Mesa, Orange and unincorporated Orange County.

IRWD Customers enjoy low water rates and a reliable water supply

Irvine Ranch Water District provided OCBC Infrastructure Committee members with an update yesterday on state and local water supply projects and programs designed to improve water supply reliability for local residents during water shortages.

“IRWD’s efforts over the past 20 years have paid off and our customers will benefit from a highly reliable water supply, even during drought conditions,” said newly appointed IRWD Interim General Manager Paul Cook. “IRWD customers have the water they need at some of the lowest rates in Orange County.”

This did not happen by accident, but rather from excellent long range planning and timely execution of new groundwater storage and production, recycled water and water use efficiency projects.

“At IRWD we are all about planning for the future and finding new and exciting opportunities to provide both water reliability and water rate stability to our customers” said IRWD Board President Steven LaMar, an OCBC Infrastructure Committee member.

A good example of these planning efforts is IRWD’s water banking program. The goal of this program is to meet 15% of IRWD water needs over a three-year period under water shortage conditions.

IRWD has a diversified water supply portfolio of local groundwater, imported water, and recycled water as well as a nationally-recognized water conservation program designed to further reduce the need for importing water.  To find out more about IRWD water supply programs please visit www.IRWD.com.