Published: Oct 09, 2020 | 14:10 PM

IRWD Receives Prestigious Utility of the Future Designation

Irvine Ranch Water District has been recognized by water professionals and organizations around the nation as a Utility of the Future Today — a formal designation given to agencies that have demonstrated forward-thinking, innovative approaches to trends in the industry today.

This is IRWD’s first UoTF award, granted in recognition of the District’s recycled water programs and infrastructure. Judging for the award is done by members of a selection committee consisting of peer utility general managers and executives.

The District is a national leader in water reuse — with a history of achievements dating to 1963, when our Board of Directors implemented a vision to integrate water recycling into the design of the surrounding community. IRWD’s highly skilled staff using state-of-the-art technologies and processes mean IRWD’s recycled water consistently meets the California Water Resources Control Board’s stringent water quality criteria for water reuse.

Today, nearly all of the public and commercial irrigated landscape in our service area — including parks, medians, golf courses and community association property — is irrigated with recycled water. It is also used for toilet and urinal flushing in commercial buildings, for cooling towers, construction activities such as dust control, grading and compaction, and industrial processes such as concrete production and composting. IRWD delivers about 28 million gallons of recycled water daily to more than 6,200 metered customer connections.

“We are extremely proud to have received this honor,” General Manager Paul Cook said. “This is one of the highest distinctions in the industry, carrying the added significance of being judged by peers.”

This year’s award was announced at the Water Environment Federation’s Technical Exhibition and Conference on Oct. 9.

The award is sponsored by the National Association of Clean Water Agencies, Water Environment Federation, Water Research Foundation, and WateReuse, with support from the United States Environmental Protection Agency.