Welcome to the October 2023 issue of the Municipal Water District of Orange County's (MWDOC) eCurrents newsletter! With the start of fall, we're pleased to offer simple tips to kickstart your fall garden and highlight Chapman University’s commitment to practicing sustainability year-round with a nearly 17,000 sq. ft. landscape transformation. Also, we dive deeper into the State Water Resources Control Board’s Making Conservation a California Way of Life – proposed regulation to significantly reduce urban water use by 2030.
Additionally, this season brings many exciting opportunities to get involved, from the annual OC Water Summit and H2O for HOAs workshop to STEM-based scouts clinics and more; there’s something for everyone! Finally, join us in celebrating our very own MWDOC Board Director, Larry Dick, and water professionals across the state for their dedication to delivering a safe, clean, reliable water supply. All of this and more news, events, and resources are in this October 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!
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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.
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For a complete list of upcoming and archived MWDOC meetings, click on the image above,
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CELEBRATE CA WATER PROFESSIONALS
October 7-15
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Do you or someone you know work in water? If so, it’s time to celebrate! California’s Water Professionals Appreciation Week officially kicks off on October 7 to honor hard-working water and wastewater professionals. Whether you send a quick note or host an event, take a moment to acknowledge the vital role water professionals play in ensuring our communities receive a reliable, high-quality water supply.
CLICK HERE to read a letter of appreciation from MWDOC Interim General Manager Harvey De La Torre to our staff. How do you plan to celebrate?
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ORANGE COUNTY WATER SUMMIT
Friday, October 13
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How can Orange County guarantee the future of our water supply? Find out at the OC Water Summit on Friday, October 13! Join Master of Ceremonies Fritz Coleman along with over 300 industry experts, elected representatives, scholars, and water professionals for "Finding Reliability." This must-attend event features an impressive roster of captivating speakers ranging from authors to water experts and more!
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H2O FOR HOAS
Thursday, October 26
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Dive into water-saving insights and network with industry experts at the H2O for HOAs event on October 26! Located at Norman P. Murray Community Center in Mission Viejo, this free event for HOA board members, property managers, and landscapers includes speakers, vendor booths, and opportunities to learn about available water-saving programs and resources from MWDOC and other local water providers. We can’t wait to see you there!
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SCOUTS BSA CLINIC
At Santa Margarita Water District
Curious about what happens when 62 OC Scouts BSA come together for a day of hands-on learning and fun? MWDOC and Santa Margarita Water District (SMWD) recently provided an engaging STEM-based clinic for Scouts to earn their Soil and Water Conservation Merit Badge. The group received a tour of SMWD’s Chiquita Water Reclamation Plant and engaged in six (6) interactive activities that covered topics like soil erosion, soil conservation, water pollution, the water cycle, and more! Each activity challenged the Scouts to identify how their actions can impact the local environment and ways to protect our natural resources.
CLICK HERE to learn more or register for an upcoming Scouts BSA clinic.
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GIRL SCOUTS CLINIC
At the City of Seal Beach
CLICK HERE to learn more or register for an upcoming Girl Scouts clinic.
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OC CHILDREN'S BOOK FESTIVAL
Sunday, October 1
There’s still a chance to immerse yourself in captivating water stories! Last Sunday, MWDOC participated in the Orange County Children’s Book Festival, where OC families enjoyed live performances, readings, and free books! MWDOC interacted with over 200 attendees about water’s role in our lives and highlighted two graphic novels based on water stories from Native American Tribes, compiled by the California Department of Water Resources.
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DIRECTOR DICK'S 20 YEARS OF SERVICE
Metropolitan Water District of Southern CA
Did you know? Last month, our longest-tenured Board Director, Larry Dick, received his 20-year pin for his dedicated service on the Metropolitan Water District of Southern California Board of Directors. Appointed in 2003 when the country's largest urban water supplier faced significant challenges, Director Dick was integral in several key initiatives, from adding the tunnel to the Diamond Valley Lake reservoir to upgrading the Weymouth Water Treatment Plant. Every decision made is with the understanding that it impacts a vast and diverse grouping of needs and interests. His commitment to ensuring Orange County and the greater Southern California community receive a safe, clean, reliable water supply is unmatched. We offer our sincere congratulations to Director Dick on achieving this significant milestone!
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5 QUICK TIPS!
For a Flourishing Fall Garden
Sarah Wilson, Public Affairs Specialist
Municipal Water District of Orange County
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Fall is here! Now is the perfect time to grab your gardening tools and let the promise of changing colors and cooler temperatures inspire you to transform your garden into a cozy outdoor oasis.
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6 THINGS TO KNOW!
About Making Conservation a California Way of Life
Municipal Water District of Orange County
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Discover how the State Water Resources Control Board plans to address California’s ongoing water challenges with proposed regulation to reduce urban water use by 400-thousand-acre feet by 2030.
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10 TIPS FOR DETECTING SNEAKY LEAKS
Around Your Home
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Save water, time, and money! Be a detective in your home and learn how to find sneaky leaks to increase water savings and prevent unnecessary damage. From faucets to irrigation systems, minor adjustments can make a significant difference.
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WATER ENERGY EDUCATION ALLIANCE
A One-Question Poll Determines the Path Forward
CLICK HERE to take the poll and share with others!
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REAL PEOPLE, REAL SAVINGS
City of Orange
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Discover sustainability in action! Thanks to the collaboration between Chapman University and MWDOC’s Turf Removal Rebate Program, nearly 17,000 sq. ft. of the university’s main campus has been transformed into healthy, thriving, drought-tolerant landscapes. This initiative has an estimated annual water savings of over 700,000 gallons for the entire campus!
CLICK HERE for a video interview with Jenny Kaufman, Chapman’s Energy Conservation and Sustainability Manager, highlighting project details!
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CITY OF WESTMINSTER'S FALL FESTIVAL
Sunday, September 24
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Hey OC! Did you catch Ricky the Rambunctious RaindropSM at the City of Westminster’s 2nd annual Fall Festival? The fun, family-friendly event featured water education stations, food, music, and more! Ricky made a splash with visitors of all ages and encouraged good water stewardship. Keep an eye out for Ricky’s next appearance in Orange County!
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How do you plan to show your appreciation? (Select all that apply)
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Post your appreciation on social media
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Do your part to make conservation a way of life
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Encourage others to show their support
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Other ideas? Share with us at PublicAffairs@mwdoc.com!
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FAVORITE TWEETS AND POSTS |
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When life gives you lemons, plant the Lemonade Berry! The Lemonade Berry is a California native, drought-tolerant shrub with tart-flavored fruit. Its berries are a significant food source for birds and small mammals. #OCisGardenSmart || Learn more: https://ocwatersmartparks.com/ westminster
-Twitter, September 6
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Hey OC! Have limited gardening space? Try growing sprouts, microgreens, garlic, or New Zealand spinach in your container garden! They use minimal water and produce a nutritious harvest. Look for "drought-tolerant" or "drought-resistant" labels on seed packages. #OCisGardenSmart #containergarden || Find more small space gardening tips at mwdoc.com/smallspacegardening
-Facebook, September 1
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Drought-tolerant plants are more versatile than you might think! They also provide food and create homes for our pollinators. #OCisGardenSmart || Visit https://ocwatersmartgardens.com to learn more about these plants and the benefits they hold for Southern California landscapes!
-Instagram, September 19
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Municipal Water District of Orange County
Phone: (714) 963-3058 Fax: (714) 964-9389
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