2014 Water Conservation Regulations in the News
By now you have seen the news, the statewide drought is getting worse, water storage levels are dropping and it’s time for all Californians to get serious about saving water. While IRWD customers are accustomed to doing the right thing by saving water, now more than ever, everyone is encouraged to find new ways to save. Everyone can always do more.
To encourage California residents to save more water, the state of California has implemented outdoor water use prohibitions and given local water agencies the tools to implement penalties for customers who continue to waste water.
What are the new Statewide Water Restrictions?
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1. The application of potable water to outdoor landscapes in a manner that causes runoff such that water flows onto adjacent property, non-irrigated areas, private and public walkways, roadways, parking lots, or structures;
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2. The use of a hose that dispenses potable water to wash a motor vehicle, except where the hose is fitted with a shut-off nozzle or device attached to it that causes it to cease dispensing water immediately when not in use;
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3. The application of potable water to driveways and sidewalks; and
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4. The use of potable water in a fountain or other decorative water feature, except where the water is part of a recirculating system.
Will IRWD be Issuing Fines for Water Restriction Violations?
At this time, IRWD will utilize an alternative method to discourage water wasters. Customers that exceed their monthly budget will pay significantly more for their water use. The price increases will be assessed through the budget based rate structure. For example:
Will IRWD Limit Outdoor Watering to 2 Days Per Week?
No. IRWD will use the budget based rate structure to limit outdoor watering. Rather than specifying which days a customer can water their yard, IRWD will assign each customer a monthly water budget. This approach complies with the new state emergency drought regulations and promotes long term behavior changes by sending a strong price signal that something is wrong, maybe a water leak or broken sprinkler timer. Customers are able to fix these problems and understand how they cause water over use.
What if I Notice My Neighbor has a Water Leak or is Over-Watering?
IRWD encourages neighbors to work together to save water. Your neighbor may not be aware that IRWD has water use efficiency experts available to answer questions or meet with customers to help determine the best ways for them to track down water leaks. If you see inefficient water practices, please let your neighbors know that IRWD experts can be reached at 949-453-5494 or at calscape@irwd.com.
How Can Customers Further Reduce their Water Use?
There are many ways we can help customers to manage water usage to stay within monthly water budgets and keep rates low.
- Check Your Sprinklers & Adjust the Schedule: Over-budget water use is typically due to landscape over-watering or a leak. Please see the suggested monthly watering schedule. Checking your sprinkler timer is a great place to start
- Free Home Water Use Survey: IRWD water use efficiency experts are available to answer questions or to meet with you to help determine the best ways for you to save water. We can be reached at 949-453-5494 or calscape@irwd.com .
- Check for Leaks: Did you know that a silent leak in a toilet can waste 40 gallons of water per day? You can easily check your toilet by placing a dye tablet or food coloring in your toilet tank. If, after several minutes, the color begins to seep into your toilet bowl, your toilet has a leak. For more tips on checking your home for leaks, visit this page.
- Get a Rebate: IRWD offers rebates on water saving indoor and outdoor appliances. Check out the latest rebates .
- Take the Pledge! Check off the right combination of water-savings actions and pledge to reduce your water use.
Want to Know More Details about the Statewide Water Regulations?
IRWD understands the importance of preserving California's water supplies, especially in times of drought, and has taken many steps over many years to encourage water use efficiency and the wise use of water including the implementation of innovative conservation measures. A key component of the District's efforts has been the use of the budget based rate structures which discourage overuse while providing for significantly reduced outdoor water use through meaningful tiered pricing for any inefficient water use. This rate structure, implemented in 1991, in response to drought conditions, has since achieved a 25% reduction in per capita water use for residential customers. The current average residential water use per person per day is around 85 gallons - far below the state average.
The IRWD Water Shortage Contingency Plan
Budget based rate structures are the foundation of IRWD’s Water Shortage Contingency Plan, which is submitted to the state as part of the Urban Water Management Plan. The budget based rate structure allows the District to quickly respond to limited supplies through strong price signals, which subsequently result in the greatest conservation response from our customers.
The IRWD Water Shortage Contingency Plan meets State requirements and uses the budget based rate structure at all drought levels, except the most severe situation, to achieve necessary water use reductions. Only in the event of an extreme shortage, such as a system outage when supplies are only available for public health and safety needs, will IRWD use mandatory outdoor water restrictions.
How do the New California Emergency Water Conservation Regulations affect Agencies?
Recently, the State Water Resources Control Board enacted new water conservation regulations due to the ongoing drought conditions throughout the state. These new regulations are effective August 1, 2014 and prohibit certain outdoor water uses and require urban water agencies to do one of two things:
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1. Implement mandatory outdoor water use restrictions that restricts outdoor watering to two days a week or implement outdoor water restrictions as dictated by their water shortage contingency plans, OR
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2. In lieu of number 1, agencies like IRWD who have budget based rate structures may submit a plan that shows that the level of water conserved due to the rate structure is superior to that achieved by restricting outside watering to two days a week.
Which Option will IRWD Implement?
IRWD will be implementing Option 2. Due to hard work by IRWD customers and the implementation of a budget based rate structure in 1991, IRWD per capita water use has declined 25% since 1991. IRWD can demonstrate that the IRWD budget based rate structure achieves excellent water saving results with an average residential water use per person per day around 85 gallons – far below the state average. IRWD will not be implementing option 1.
How Can Customers Further Reduce their Water Use?
There are many ways we can help customers to manage water usage to stay within monthly water allocations and keep rates low.
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If It’s Summer, It’s Time for Camp
A true recipe for summertime fun and learning is the Irvine Ranch Water District San Joaquin Marsh - weather in the 70s, a host of volunteers to share their knowledge and a room full of youngsters ages nine through 12 eagerly soaking it all up.
Welcome to Sea and Sage Audubon Society’s Marsh Bird Camp. This is the 22nd year for Audubon’s summer camps. One day recently, the campers were learning why birds have feathers and what purpose they have and later on, they would be dissecting owl pellets. The next day, they painted bird baths.
“Any leader would love to have these kids, with their high interest level,” said Audubon volunteer Bobbie Miller. “A great summer camp has been put together.”
Indeed, many camp alumni assist at the camps as junior naturalists. And even further back, some campers have gone onto college to study biology, marine biology and environmental law. Many are sending their own children to experience what they did so many years ago.
Trude Hurd, project director of education for Sea and Sage, has overseen the programs for 22 years.
“The kids say they wish they could be here all summer,” she said. “They are always sad on the last day.”
Marsh Bird Camp is just one of the nature camps offered by Sea and Sage. The others are Fledgling Camp for seven and eight-year-olds and Bugs, Birds and Blossoms Camp and Advanced Bird Camp are for participants 11 years and older. Camps are very popular and have no problem filling up.
In the Discovery Room at the Learning Center, campers from the Discovery Science Center’s Summer Smiles camp are about to make their own slime. This lesson demonstrates why frogs and toads have slime on their bodies for protection.
Each camper is given a plastic bag filled with a special concoction, that when manipulated, firms up to slime. A bit of green food coloring adds to the authenticity.
Summer Smiles Camp caters to the five and six-year-olds, while Project Discovery Camp is for the youngsters aged seven through 10.
For more information on IRWD programs at the Marsh, please visit our website.
Learn About Sprinklers and Other Cool Landscaping Tips
Are you constantly flummoxed when it comes time to program your sprinklers for maximum effect? Is the instruction manual for your system hard to comprehend?
We have the answers! Attend a landscaping workshop at the Irvine Ranch Water District headquarters office at 15600 Sand Canyon Avenue, Irvine, on Saturday, August 9 from 9 a.m. to noon. Learn from the experts about basic programming concepts and landscape techniques that will help you save water and money. Explore popular weather-based sprinkler controllers on the market, discuss the pros and cons and receive hands-on training.
All participants will be entered for a chance to win a $100 Home depot gift card.
For information and to sign up for the workshop, please visit our website.
IRWD Turns off Water Feature for the Summer
The iconic flowing stream that greets visitors to the Irvine Ranch Water District headquarters office on Sand Canyon Avenue has been temporarily converted to a riparian creek bed for the summer.
IRWD decided to turn off and drain the water feature in response to the drought. A sign explains, “During times of drought, we are all looking for more ways to reduce water use. This water feature has been turned off for the summer as another way for IRWD to reduce its water usage.”
IRWD is at the forefront of water use efficiency, with its conservation-based rate system, use of recycled water for toilet flushing in commercial buildings, and residential rebates inside and outside of the home.
Visit our website for more information on how to save money and water.
Online Resources to Help You Understand and Pay Your Bill
IRWD has information about your bill and how to pay it right at your fingertips. Just go to the IRWD website if you would like to see an example of an actual bill with helpful explanations.
There are many options for paying your water bill:
- IRWD eBill – this method is paperless and free and good for the environment. If you sign up for eBill, you will receive an email when your bill is ready to view and pay online.
- CHECK mobile app – CHECK allows you to pay from your smart phone and provides you with payment alerts.
- Bill Matrix – this allows you to make one time payments over the telephone or by computer with a credit card, debit card,or electronic check. A $3.25 service fee is applied.
- Traditional – you may still pay a bill by putting a check in the mail, or drop by our Sand Canyon office to pay in person during business hours of 8 a.m. to 5 p.m., Monday through Friday. Our office is located at 15600 Sand Canyon Avenue, Irvine.
- Automatic Payment Program – this option allows you to receive a paper bill in the mail and have your charges paid automatically from your checking account. Contact Customer Service at 949-453-5300 to sign up for the automatic payment program. Have your nine-digit routing number and checking account number available.
If you would like more information about the IRWD rate structure and how residential rates are calculated, please visit our website.
