June 2023
IN THIS ISSUE:
Welcome to the June issue of the Municipal Water District of Orange County’s (MWDOC) eCurrents newsletter. In this issue, we invite you to join us for a special MWDOC Water Policy Forum & Dinner on June 22, featuring keynote speaker Ed Ring, a well-respected editor, author, and California water expert. We also highlight several significant milestones and accomplishments, including the grand unveiling of a 5,011-square-foot conservation garden in partnership with MWDOC, the Wyland Foundation, Saddleback College, and the City of Westminster. Additionally, we showcase this year’s Streams of Hope campaign activities, two (2) awards recently won by our stellar staff, and five (5) things to know about the MWDOC Leak Detection Program and the incredible four-person team of technicians who hunt down hidden leaks across Orange County. And finally, we show you where Orange County residents saw Ricky RaindropSM on the run and feature a poll where you tell us how you plan to reduce your water use this summer. All of this and more in our sizzling summer issue of eCurrents!

As always, if you have any comments or suggested topics for future articles, please email us at info@mwdoc.com. Thank you for subscribing!
MWDOC is governed by a seven-member
Board of Directors. To learn more, click on the image above, or visit our website at www.mwdoc.com.
For a complete list of upcoming and archived MWDOC meetings, click on the image above,
or visit our website at www.mwdoc.com.
UPCOMING EVENTS
WATER POLICY FORUM & DINNER
Thursday, June 22, 2023
Please join us! You’re invited to attend a special MWDOC Water Policy Forum & Dinner on Thursday, June 22, 2023, featuring keynote speaker Ed Ring, contributing editor, senior fellow, co-founder, and first President of the California Policy Center. His work has appeared in the Los Angeles Times, the Wall Street Journal, the Economist, National Review, Forbes, and other media outlets. All attendees will receive a copy of Ring’s book, The Abundance Choice – Our Fight for More Water in California.

CLICK HERE to download the event invitation and register. 
IN CASE YOU MISSED IT
CAPIO EPIC AWARD
Streams of Hope Campaign
The Municipal Water District of Orange County (MWDOC) was recently awarded the California Association of Public Information Official’s (CAPIO) EPIC Award, the top award for its category, for its role in the Streams of Hope Campaign. CAPIO’s EPIC awards program recognizes effective communication efforts that make a lasting impact. This year, more than 285 entries statewide were received for consideration across all categories.

CLICK HERE to learn more about the Streams of Hope Campaign. 
STREAMS OF HOPE CAMPAIGN
2023 Earth Month Scavenger Hunt

Last year’s wildly successful Streams of Hope Campaign included 25 baby gray whale statuettes named “Stella,” designed by local artists to promote and inspire good water stewardship and pollution prevention. This year, ten (10) of the original whales popped up again in an Earth Month scavenger hunt challenge hosted by campaign partners. Residents found the whales in local parks, at a library, in front of OC businesses, and along waterway trails.

Contest winners were awarded a four-pack of Disneyland Park Hopper tickets for posting selfies with the Stellas on social media. Four (4) artworks also appeared at this year's 3-day BeachLife Festival, attended by more than 30,000 people!

CLICK HERE to learn about the Streams of Hope artists.
VICKI OSBORN, SPECIAL RECOGNITION
Outstanding Leadership
Have you heard? MWDOC’s own Vicki Osborn, Director of Emergency Management, Water Emergency Response Organization of Orange County (WEROC), was recognized for her outstanding leadership as president of the California Emergency Services Association (CESA) at its recent conference. WEROC, led and administered by MWDOC, plays an essential role in Orange County, ensuring water agencies are prepared for water-related emergencies.

CLICK HERE to learn more about WEROC. 
DID YOU KNOW?
6 INTERESTING FACTS!
About OC's Newest Conservation Garden
Tiffany Baca, Public Affairs Manager
Municipal Water District of Orange County
On June 2, MWDOC, the Wyland Foundation, Saddleback College, the City of Westminster, and supporting partners, unveiled a 5,011-square-foot conservation garden that is expected to save a quarter of a million gallons of water annually over previous use.

CLICK HERE to read more. 
5 THINGS TO KNOW!
About MWDOC's Leak Detection Program
Nate Shepherd, Public Affairs Coordinator
Municipal Water District of Orange County
A significant amount of water, time, and money can be lost to hidden leaks. The MWDOC Leak Detection Program is dedicated to working with Orange County water providers to find and stop leaks before they surface, helping residents, businesses, and local agencies save BIG.

CLICK HERE to learn more.
PROGRAM SPOTLIGHT
RICKY ON THE RUN
TCWD WATER AWARENESS DAY
Saturday, May 6, 2023
Ricky the Rambunctious RaindropSM enjoyed a day of fun at Trabuco Canyon Water District’s (TCWD) Water Awareness Day! TCWD customers participated in a BBQ, games, and hands-on learning activities, and Ricky and the MWDOC team interacted with residents of all ages about available rebates and ways to be good water stewards. Be sure to say “hi” to Ricky the next time you see him around Orange County!

CLICK HERE to learn more about Ricky Raindrop. 
WESTMINSTER PUBLIC WORKS, OPEN HOUSE
Saturday, May 20, 2023
Ricky the Rambunctious RaindropSM had a fantastic time at the City of Westminster’s Open House event! Ricky joined community members on a tour of the Public Works Yard and learned about essential services, like water, power, police, and fire, that make Westminster a great place to work and live. Where in Orange County will Ricky be seen next?

CLICK HERE to check out Ricky on YouTube.
NEWS RELEASES
MWDOC BOARD MOVES TO EASE REGIONAL DROUGHT REGULATIONS
April 20, 2023

After a record-setting wet season, and because of improved state, regional, and local water supply conditions, the Municipal Water District of Orange County has rescinded its call for voluntary 15% water savings.

CLICK HERE to read more.
MWDOC AWARDED $3 MILLION GRANT FROM U.S. BUREAU OF RECLAMATION
April 25, 2023

The United States Bureau of Reclamation awarded $3 million to the Municipal Water District of Orange County for sustainable landscape improvements to residential, commercial, and public properties in Orange County. This grant will support the rebate programs available to Orange County residents and businesses.

CLICK HERE to read more.
POLLING PLACE
Summer is almost here! How do you plan to reduce your water use this season?
Plan your water-smart garden now and save planting for fall's cooler weather.
Install drip irrigation to deliver water directly to plants. Rebates available!
Use an air blower or broom to clean your driveway rather than hosing it down.
Adjust your smart timer to water earlier or later in the day. Rebates available!
Other ideas? Share with us at PublicAffairs@mwdoc.com!
FAVORITE TWEETS AND POSTS
Did you know? MWDOC's rebate programs can save you water, time, AND money. This OC homeowner replaced their grass with California Friendly plants and is expected to save 20.9k gallons of water a year! #EveryDropCounts 
#OCisWaterSmart || See more transformations and savings: www.mwdoc.com/real-oc-transformations
-Facebook, May 21
Did you know? Approximately 50% of Orange County's water is imported from the Colorado River through the Colorado River Aqueduct and Northern California through the State Water Project. The other 50% comes from local sources like underground aquifers and recycled water. #OCisWaterSmart #WaterAwarenessMonth || Learn more: mwdoc.com/your-water
-Facebook, May 8
Just kicked off the Water Awareness Poster Contest Award Ceremony at the Shipley Nature Center in the @CityofHBPIO! #WaterAwareness #OCisWaterSmart
-Twitter, June 3
Municipal Water District of Orange County
Phone: (714) 963-3058 Fax: (714) 964-9389