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.
Reducing Your Water Use Helps Keep Your Rates Low
There are many ways we can help you manage your water usage to stay within your monthly water allocation and keep your rates low. Irvine Ranch Water District would like to help you keep your water bill as low as possible
Check Your Sprinklers & Adjust the Schedule
Over-allocation use is typically due to a leak or you may be over-irrigating your yard. Our suggested irrigation schedule is included is available at http://www.irwd.com/save-water-money. Checking your sprinkler timer is a great place to start.
Obtain an Allocation Variance
You may also need to ask us to adjust your monthly water allocation because of a larger landscape size or the actual number of residents in the home. This is done by submitting a variance form. Variance forms are available on our website at http://www.irwd.com/request-a-variance or by calling 949-453-5300.
Free Home Water Use Survey: IRWD Water use efficiency experts are available to answer questions or 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 toilets 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 www.irwd.com.
Billing Questions: We have lots of information about your bill available online at our website. Our Customer Service experts are always here to help. Contact us at (949) 453-5300 or email customerservice@irwd.com
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.
Quick Links
- Board Meetings & Agendas
- District Election Process
- Dam Safety Program
- Equal Access to Groundwater
- Fats, Oil & Grease Program
- Log-a-Leak
- Rate Changes: Prop. 218 Notices
- Rates & Charges
- Rebates
- Recycled Water
- Request a Water Variance
- Start/Stop Service
- Syphon Reservoir Project
- Transparency & Compensation
- Urban Water Management Plan
- Water Quality Information
