Since the inception of the Irvine Unified School District’s science fair more than 30 years ago, Irvine Ranch Water District professionals have assisted, whether it’s advising during Ask-a-Scientist Night, or judging the water-related science fair projects. This year was no exception and four winners were selected for honors during the science fair on February 24.

Of the several hundred entries, 30 were water-related. Many of the students must have had the drought on their minds, if the subjects were any indication. Some examined the use of gray water, others desalination, some conducted water quality and pollution experiments and some dealt with water chemistry.

The students will be honored at the June 8 IRWD Board of Directors meeting. Judging this year were Melinda Bergen, a supervisor in the chemistry section of the IRWD Water Quality Laboratory, and Jacob Broderick, Water Quality Scientist.

Students whose projects were selected are:

• Hari Garg, grade 11 and Anita Garg, grade 9, University High School, “Pathogen Detection in Southern California Water Using a Particle Counter
• Annie Chang and Daisy Chen, grade 10, Woodbridge High School, “Multi-method Analysis and Spatial Modeling of Bacterial Dynamics in Newport Bay
• Sofia Abolfathi, grade 8, Vista Verde, “Seawater can be Used to Replenish Inland Aquifers”
• Pranathi Kollolli, grade 6, Alderwood, “Solar Powered Water Desalination”

For more information on the IRWD educational programs, please visit our website.

On March 17, 2015, the California State Water Resources Control Board issued further regulations that will impact the way you use water. Irvine Ranch Water District customers are now prohibited from:

•    Irrigating turf or ornamental landscapes during and 48 hours following measurable rain events
•    Restaurants and other food establishments can only serve water to customers on request
•    Operators of hotels and motels must provide guests with the option of choosing not to have towels and linens laundered daily and prominently display notice of this option

These new restrictions are in addition to previous restrictions adopted by the State Water Resources Control Board in July of 2014 that include the following prohibitions:

•    Washing down sidewalks and driveways
•    Watering outdoor landscapes in a manner that causes excess runoff
•    Washing a motor vehicle with a hose, unless the hose is fitted with a shut-off nozzle
•    Operating a fountain or decorative water feature, unless the water is part of a recirculating system

Irvine Ranch Water District customers are not limited in the number of days per week they can irrigate outdoors because the California State Water Resources Control Board has previously approved IRWD’s alternate water conservation plan for compliance with the State Board’s Emergency Water Conservation Regulations.  IRWD provides watering guidelines for our customers that are available on the irwd.com website as well as the monthly IRWD customer newsletter.

On August 15, IRWD submitted an alternative plan for implementation of the Emergency Regulations to the State Board to demonstrate that the District’s allocation-based conservation rate structure and conservation programs provide a level of conservation superior to that achieved by implementing the limitations contained in the Emergency Regulations. Since July of 2014, IRWD residential customers have reduced their water use by 28% from 96 gallons per person per day in July 2014 to 69 gallons per person per day in January 2015. To see a copy of the IRWD official comment letter on the proposed drought related emergency regulations click here.

In addition to the allocation based conservation rate structure, IRWD offers customers many options on ways to save water and money. IRWD has kicked off an extensive outreach campaign aimed at reducing water use outdoors, which can be up to 60 percent of a residential home water use.  RightScape  offers an easy three step program to help customers reduce their outdoor water use.

“Would you like a T-shirt, or a pint of Baskin Robbins Ice Cream?” will be the decision posed before those who participate in Irvine Ranch Water District’s annual spring blood drive on Wednesday, March 25, from 10:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m.

IRWD is partnering with the UC Irvine bloodmobile, which will be located in the parking lot adjacent to IRWD headquarters at 15600 Sand Canyon Avenue, Irvine. The public is invited to participate.

IRWD has held blood drives for more than 20 years. This drive will benefit Orange County’s only Level I Trauma Center.

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
• Finish all antibiotics prior to your donation and be symptom-free from any infection or illness
• Have had no tattoos in the past 12 months
• Have had no piercings within the last 12 months. Ear piercings with a gun are okay.
• Not have traveled to an area where malaria is endemic in the past 12 months

All prospective donors will complete a donor history questionnaire and blood work each time they donate. Appointments will take approximately 45 minutes.

Potential donors may go to here to register. Appointments are available every 15 minutes.

In 2015, Fix a Leak Week is March 16-22, so Irvine Ranch Water District will observe it by hosting a contest for leak detectives. IRWD customers can win up to a $500 Home Depot gift card for their efforts.

To enter, use this checklist and be a leak detective:

1. Check for broken sprinklers or overspray. Fix and adjust your sprinklers if you find these problems.

2. Adjust your sprinkler controller for proper watering times using the IRWD watering schedule.

3. Check your garden hose bib to make sure it’s not leaking.

Have a photo taken of you doing any of these leak detecting activities and submit the photos online through March 31, at irwd.com/fixaleak. For each photo submitted, participants will receive an entry to win a $500, $300, or $100 gift card to Home Depot. All participants will receive a coupon in the mail good for $5 at Home Depot (one per household, while supplies last. Allow 6-8 weeks for delivery).

Fix a Leak Week is sponsored in conjunction with the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency’s WaterSense program. Full contest details are available at irwd.com/fixaleak.