Swan Re-Elected as Vice-Chair of ACWA Region 10 Board

ACWA Region 10 provides a local forum for water agencies to meet and discuss water priorities as well as legislative and regulatory issues confronting the water industry. “Peer Swan provides excellent leadership for the members of ACWA Region 10 which includes local water agencies in both Orange and San Diego counties,” said IRWD President Steve LaMar, “We congratulate him on his re-election to this position.”

ACWA is the largest statewide coalition of public water agencies in the country. Its nearly 450 public agency members collectively are responsible for 90 percent of the water delivered to cities, farms and businesses in California. This month, ACWA Region 10 held an informational program for members to discuss water supply reliability issues and techniques which will help agencies diversity their water portfolio and become more self-reliant. For more information on this meeting and on the Association of California Water Agencies, please visit ACWA.com.

Peer Swan was elected to the IRWD Board of Directors in 1979 where he currently serves as Chair of the Finance and Personnel Committee.

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

Long History of Collaboration Between WVA and IRWD

The Irvine Ranch Water District Board of Directors honored the Woodbridge Village Association as a key partner in service at its October 24 meeting. WVA was formed in 1976 and is the largest homeowners association within the IRWD Service Area.

“Over the years we have worked with many homeowners’ associations – but, by far, we have had the closest collaboration with the Woodbridge Village Association,” said IRWD General Manager Paul Cook.

The Association encompasses 1,700 acres and features approximately 40 parks and pools as well as two landmark lakes and swimming lagoons. Woodbridge was the first HOA to comprehensively plan for recycled water. They successfully implemented this plan by incorporating recycled water everywhere possible within the award-winning community.

In the early days, Woodbridge used potable water for irrigation around the pools and lakes. Over the years, they worked closely with IRWD and the Health Department to expand their use of recycled water by retrofitting these irrigation systems to use recycled water. Woodbridge was among the first in the IRWD service area to have a building duel-plumbed with both drinking and recycled water in the District at the Echo Run Park restroom in the early 1990s.

Over the years, Woodbridge has been very supportive of IRWD water conservation programs. In the 1980s the Association was one of the first areas within the IRWD service area to convert from warm season grass to more water efficient grass such as tall fescue. 

WVA was honored for its many years of support, guidance and commitment of excellence in service to the community.

Please visit our website for more information about the IRWD 50th Anniversary Partner Commendations.

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

Participation in Ask-a-Scientist Nights Dates Back Many Years

Irvine Ranch Water District scientists and engineers have participated in the Irvine Unified School District’s Ask-A-Scientist Night since its inception more than 20 years ago. This year, 48 students were assisted with their science fair project questions by IRWD Director of Water Quality John Hills and engineers Michael Hoolihan and Christian Kessler, along with scientists from UC Irvine. Ask-a-Scientist Night was held on October 19 at Rancho San Joaquin Middle School. The district science fair is scheduled for February 29, 2012.

Below is a photo gallery of the evening. Please visit www.irwd.com for more information about IRWD education programs.

There’s a difference between having a gold standard and being gold-plated.

The gold standard at the Irvine Ranch Water District is more than just a color – it’s a tangible asset, one that provides our customers with a reliable and safe water supply at the lowest possible cost. This does not happen by accident. It is the result of careful planning, prudent use of resources and the solid creative leadership that is the hallmark of the Irvine Ranch Water District.

Creating and living up to a “gold” standard of excellence should not be confused with “gold-plating,” which implies wasteful business practices.  Our gold standard for reliability, customer service and low rates often invites questions from our customers, the media and other government agencies.  Some are interested in learning about our innovative approach to water use efficiency or our ability to find and implement new water supply sources for our customers.  Others are curious to learn how IRWD maintains its strong financial position, despite the prolonged economic downturn.  And, there are those who just don’t understand that we can do this, and more, and still provide our customers with the lowest rates in Orange County.

There is a simple answer to those questions. At IRWD we don’t live for the present, we plan for the future. Long-range water resource planning has allowed IRWD to develop a diverse water supply, ensuring reliability even when conditions change or systems fail.  Long-range financial planning, similar to a family that regularly sets aside money for a child’s college education, allows IRWD to fund infrastructure replacement projects without dramatic increases in customer rates.  Through our long-range environmental stewardship programs, IRWD operates and maintains state-of-the-art water recycling and urban runoff treatment facilities to protect the communities we serve.

Planning for the future gives our customers today’s gold standard in service and reliability. Our core belief is that we serve the public, which is why we are committed to providing the highest value to our customers in the form of the lowest possible costs on their bill, not just today, but over the long term.

We welcome the questions and are honored to provide our customers with a high level of transparency and easy access to information.  To learn more about the IRWD gold standard of excellence in service visit our website at www.irwd.com.

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