Contest Sponsored by MWDOC

Six IRWD service area student artists, along with 24 others from around the county, were honored May 29 at the Discovery Science Center as winners in the Municipal Water District of Orange County’s 2013 Poster and Slogan; Photography and Digital Arts Contest.

“We had nearly 800 students in grades kindergarten through 12 submit original posters and slogans reflecting the 2013 contest theme, ‘The Value of Water,’” said Jessica Ouwekerk of MWDOC. “We appreciate all of the students who participated.”

IRWD had the largest number of winners. Of the six IRWD entries, four won for their posters, one for a slogan and one in the digital category.

Of all the entries, 15 posters, five slogans and 10 digital photos/digital artwork pieces were selected as winners. All students were presented with their framed artwork, as well as a trophy, certificate and custom t-shirt or tote bag imprinted with their winning artwork.

Grand prize winners in grades kindergarten through second grade received a Nintendo DS. One grand prize winner in grades 3-5, 6-8 and 9-12 received an iPad Mini. Jasmine Coultrip, an eighth grader at Sierra Vista Middle School in Irvine was a grand prize winner for her digital artwork.

Other IRWD winners were:

• Al Ledesma, second grade, La Madera Elementary School for his slogan, “Save water every week by repairing your leaks."
• Claire Borges, third grade, Alderwood Elementary School, poster.
• Evan Chien, fourth grade, Northwood Elementary School, poster.
• Brendan Chang, second grade, Northwood Elementary School, poster.
• Ceclia Mou, third grade, Stonegate Elementary School, poster.

In addition, Evan, Bendan and Cecilia will have their posters go on to regional competition at the Metropolitan Water District’s “Water is Life” poster contest. Results of that contest will be available in the fall.

Please visit our website for information about our education programs.

New Headworks Goes Online

For the first time, raw wastewater was diverted into the newly constructed North Influent Interceptor, the new headworks and the new primary sedimentation tanks at the Michelson Water Recycling Plant.

Construction to expand the plant from treating 18 million gallons of wastewater per day to 28 million gallons of wastewater per day began nearly four years ago.

The connection took place on May 15. But for this to be successful, several things happened at once. During construction of the tie-in, all sewer flow was routed from a line along Michelson Drive at Harvard Avenue in order to inspect the lines. Collection Systems staff performed closed circuit TV inspections and cleaning of the influent sewer between MWRP and the 405 Freeway, including the sewer siphon under the San Diego Creek at Michelson. The shutdown took place over a 24-hour period.

Meanwhile, a 54-inch sewer plug was inserted in the existing pipe near the entrance to MWRP and a custom fiberglass insert was installed into the north influent interceptor structure.

Flow from the north now flows to the new headworks, which is the first stop for the treatment of raw wastewater.  Construction will continue on the South Influent Interceptor and eventually, the old headworks will be demolished.

The project is anticipated to be completed later this year. More information on the Michelson plant expansion is located on our website.

UCI Bloodmobile

Irvine Ranch Water District will be holding its annual spring blood drive on Tuesday, March 19, 2013, from 10:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m.

The UC Irvine bloodmobile will be located at the rear of the IRWD parking lot at 15600 Sand Canyon Avenue, Irvine, near the Waterworks Way entrance. The public is invited to participate. IRWD has held blood drives for the past 20 years.

This drive will benefit Orange County’s only Level I Trauma Center. All donors will receive their choice of a t-shirt or a pint of Baskin Robbins ice cream.

In order to donate, donors must:

 Be 17 years of age or older and weigh more than 110 pounds, have a valid photo ID (driver's license, passport, employee or student ID are acceptable), be in good health, eat a healthy meal and drink plenty of fluids prior to donation and finish all antibiotics prior to your donation and be symptom-free from any infection or illness

All prospective donors will complete a donor history questionnaire and blood work each time they donate. They must not have had a tattoo within the past year and provide a list of specific destinations and time periods they have traveled outside of the United State in the previous year.

Potential donors may go to  https://www.healthcare.uci.edu/blooddrive/Default.aspx?id=irwd to register. Appointments are available every 15 minutes.

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

IRWD Partners with Lake Forest Home Depot for Garden-Friendly Water Conservation Plant Event

Location:

Home Depot - Lake Forest
20021 Lake Forest Drive
March 9, 8 a.m. – 12 p.m.

• Learn how to plant a water-efficient landscape
• Special discounts on select varieties of attractive water-efficient plants
• Local expert gardeners on hand to answer all your questions
• Certified Home Depot Nursery consultants can assist you with your selections
• IRWD staff will showcase incentive programs and services
• Vendor displays, educational demonstrations, giveaways and more

*Print and present this calendar page at the IRWD booth at the Home Depot events for a special prize*