Weather experts have been talking about atmospheric rivers as the cause of the early January storms that have filled reservoirs and bolstered the Sierra snowpack.

During those rains, did you wonder if there was a way to catch and save all of that precious water instead of allowing it to course down the storm drains?

There is a way – install rain barrels underneath your downspouts, then use the water to irrigate your plants during dry times. Water collected from rain is good for your plants and keeps money in your pocket by reducing the amount of water you need to use from the spigot.

IRWD sweetens that pot with $75 rebates per rain barrel purchased (limit of two), and $250 to $350 per cistern (based on the storage capacity of the cistern). Visit rightscapenow.com/rebates for more details.

Another effective method for keeping water on your property instead of running off is the use of permeable surfaces. There is a way to make impermeable surfaces, such as driveways and walkways, into a permeable, water-saving surface. Just break up hard-paced surfaces for water to seep through.

On the other hand, you can remove and replace hard-paved surfaces with permeable ones. Walkways that use materials such as gravel or bark are permeable. Stepping-stones can be surrounded by gravel, mulch or plant material. Permeable pavers are available at any garden supply store.

Any of these methods allows water to soak into the soil, reducing runoff.

IRWD is repairing a leaking 36-inch recycled water main in the northbound lanes of Laguna Canyon Road this week, which makes it necessary to close a portion of the road from the intersection of the 133 Freeway to the Quail Hill roundabout.

Work is expected to continue round-the-clock for about a week, or until the repair is complete. Lanes will not reopen until final re-paving is done. Motorists who use this road will need to use alternate routes.

Questions may be directed to the IRWD Public Affairs Department during normal business hours (8:00 AM to 5:00 PM), at (949) 453-5500.  After-hour questions should be directed to IRWD’s customer service line at (949) 453-5300.

Student artists in the Irvine Ranch Water District service area are once again invited to put on their creative hats and participate in the annual “Water is Life” poster contest. Notices have gone out to kindergarten through fifth grade teachers at schools within the IRWD service area.

The deadline for students to enter their artwork is Friday, March 31. Students participating through the Irvine Unified School District may send their completed posters to Brad Van Patten’s office at the District office, 4040 Barranca Parkway, Irvine, CA 92604.

Non-IUSD students, who are in the IRWD service area, may drop their posters at the IRWD offices, 15600 Sand Canyon Avenue, Irvine, Monday-Friday, 8 a.m.-5 p.m.

Contest rules include:

• Use 12 X 18 white paper. Newsprint and larger sizes will not be accepted.
• Students must leave a one inch white border on all four sides.
• Crayons, markers, ink, poster paint, pastels, chalk, water color or cut paper or fabric may be used. Brighter colors photograph best.
• Horizontal (landscape) format only.
• Include a brief water message (be sure to check spelling!)
• Original art work only – no copyrighted material. Be creative!
• Do not put student’s name on the front of the poster.
• Back of poster must have an entry form with student’s information and signed parental release.

Students entering the “Water is Life” poster contest could have their artwork published in the Metropolitan Water District of Southern California’s 2018 calendar.

Please visit our website for contest entry forms.

You say you have been thinking about re-landscaping your yard to drought-tolerant plants in order to save water and money? Did you know that January is the best time to begin the process?

Start small by replacing water-guzzling grass at the curbside and driveway strip areas. This is also a good time to convert existing sprinkler spray heads to drip irrigation in these areas.

The next step is to consider replacing the remainder of your front yard grass with water-efficient, climate-appropriate landscaping. If 40 percent of your landscape is drought-friendly, you should be able to stay within your monthly water budget. When your neighbors see what a colorful, drought-tolerant landscape looks like, they may be inspired to follow your example.

Ideas for a drought-friendly landscape:

• Low water-use plants – drought-friendly and/or California native varieties
• Drip irrigation – puts water where it’s needed the most – at the roots of the plants
• Permeable hardscape – lets water percolate on-side, reducing runoff
• Mulch, both organic and inorganic – helps retain soil moisture and suppress weed growth

Check out RightScapeNow.com to help you get started.