IRWD Local Hazard Mitigation Plan available for public comment
Irvine Ranch Water District has initiated development of a Local Hazard Mitigation Plan (LHMP). The LHMP will provide a framework for IRWD to reduce its vulnerability to the impacts of natural and human-induced events such as earthquakes, flooding, and spills. The plan will identify opportunities for IRWD to make its water and sewer infrastructure even more resilient to hazards in the future.
Draft Documents Available for Review
Starting July 27, 2021, the LHMP was available for a two-week public review period. The comment period closed at 6 p.m. Aug.10. Please see the following draft document: IRWD LHMP Public Review with Appendix.
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
What is a Hazard Mitigation Plan?
A Hazard Mitigation Plan is a framework that guides decision making and policy development to reduce or eliminate risks in our community. The plan identifies the types of hazards that may exist, evaluates our community’s vulnerability to those threats, and outlines a strategy to reduce or eliminate the risk.
Why is the LHMP important?
The Federal Disaster Mitigation Act of 2000 requires state and local governments, including special districts, to have an approved Hazard Mitigation Plan to be eligible to apply for and receive hazard mitigation funds from the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA). IRWD is committed to reducing impacts and maintaining eligibility for FEMA funds for implementation of mitigation programs.
How is a Local Hazard Mitigation Plan developed?
The goal of an LHMP is to identify and address hazards specific to the IRWD service area, identify mitigation actions to reduce the severity and impact of each hazard, and achieve certification by FEMA for mitigation funding. The LHMP primarily consists of three components:
- • Hazard profiles: type, location, extent, previous occurrences, probability of future events.
- • Vulnerability assessment: impacts of hazards, vulnerability to each hazard, repetitive loss, potential dollar losses.
- • Mitigation strategies: overarching goals, specific actions, and prioritization.
The LHMP is developed through a process-oriented approach, using the experience of IRWD community partners such as the Orange County Sheriff’s Department, the Orange County Fire Authority, service-area cities, and the Water Emergency Response Organization of Orange County. The IRWD community partners provide key stakeholder input on the hazard profiles, vulnerability assessment and mitigation strategies. This participation is documented and incorporated into the LHMP. Additionally, the LHMP will identify how the plan will be monitored, evaluated, and updated within a five-year cycle.
Once completed, the LHMP is submitted to the California Governor’s Office of Emergency Services (Cal OES) and FEMA for review and comment. Once conditional approval is received from Cal OES and FEMA, the LHMP will be submitted for approval locally by the IRWD Board of Directors.
How can the public become involved in the Hazard Mitigation Planning process?
Public participation is important because it helps raise awareness of potential hazards and any actions to mitigate those hazards. By participating in the process, you will be taking time to consider the priority those actions should take. That will help IRWD reduce risk exposure, thereby reducing the need to expend resources on recovery from hazards. IRWD will consider your comments, questions, ideas, and concerns and integrate your input into the plan where appropriate.
CONTACT IRWD
- • The two-week comment period closed Aug. 10. If you have questions, please email IRWD at Info@IRWD.com. Use “Local Hazard Mitigation Plan” as the subject line.
This article was updated on Aug. 10, 2021, to reflect the fact that the comment period has closed.
Time takes outreach from paper to digital
IRWD uses a variety of communication tools to build relationships with our customers and keep them informed. It started in the 1970s, with a one-page newsletter mailed with billing statements to keep customers updated on District news and events.
In the 1990s, a seasonal water education newsletter was born. Local teachers used it to share information with their students about poster contests, science fairs and fun facts about water. Also in the ’90s, water efficiency was a hot topic due to growing concerns of drought, and IRWD revamped its one-page newsletter to include information on water saving ideas, resources and rebates – a precursor to what is now our monthly Pipelines newsletter.
A special legislative issue of Pipelines in 2006 earned celebrity status with a story on synthetic turf that was part of the PBS video series, “California’s Water” with Huell Howser.
Today, much of IRWD’s outreach is digital: with the District websites IRWD.com and RightScape.com, Facebook, Twitter, Nextdoor, Instagram, videos on YouTube and Vimeo, and customer emails.
In our everchanging world, IRWD has made it a practice to ensure District news and information makes it way to you, our customers. To access our Pipelines archive, visit IRWD.com/learning/newsletters.
Photo: Huell Howser with IRWD staff during a taping of “California’s Water” in 2006.
2021 Water Quality Report
IRWD water meets all the exacting quality standards set by the state and federal government. Visit IRWD.com/water-report to read or request a copy of the new annual Water Quality Report, released this month.
Check out the video "Journey of a Water Sample: How We Safeguard Your Water."
IRWD’s purple reign began in 1960s
One of the proudest achievements in IRWD’s 60-year history has been the leadership role the District has played in the use of recycled water. It started in 1963, when the Board of Directors implemented a vision to integrate water recycling into the design of our community.
Four years later, the Michelson Water Recycling Plant was completed, distributing recycled water to customers through a network that has grown to include two treatment plants, four recycled water reservoirs, 570 miles of pipeline, 6,000 metered connections, more than 125 dual-plumbed buildings, and the production of more than 25 million gallons of recycled water per day.
IRWD pioneered the use of purple pipe in the 1980s to distinguish recycled water from drinking water pipeline, and now “Irvine Purple” is the universal symbol for recycled water.
Recycled water meets about 27% of IRWD’s total water demands. About 85% of the public and commercial irrigated landscape in our service area—parks, medians, golf courses and community association properties—is watered with recycled water.
Recycled water is also used for toilet flushing and cooling towers in commercial buildings. Hyatt House Irvine was the first dual-plumbed hotel in California to use recycled water for flushing toilets in guest rooms. IRWD recycled water is also used to make the ice at the Great Park Ice and FivePoint Arena.
Water is too precious to use once. By recycling it, our community saves billions of gallons of drinking water annually. Watch our video and learn more at IRWD.com/RecycledWater.
Sea & Sage offers limited marsh programs this summer
IRWD’s San Joaquin Marsh and Wildlife Sanctuary is open every day for people to enjoy on their own. For those wanting a more structured experience, Sea & Sage Audubon is offering several educational programs there on a limited basis this summer. A plan has been developed following state and CDC guidelines for health safety that includes mask wearing, daily health screenings, physical distancing, vaccines for staff, no shared use of equipment, and limited group sizes.
Nature walks will be offered to people of all ages at three levels of engagement. In the first, a nature display table will share tips of what to watch for at the marsh for self-guided exploration. A second tier will have naturalists providing information at various points in the marsh. A third level of a public nature walk would be limited to 10 people, with pre-registration required.
Nature day camps for children ages 10 to 15 will be offered as half-day week-long programs. Three camps provide opportunities for children to learn more about the riparian habitat, shorebirds, and bird groups at the marsh.
For more information on these and other opportunities, visit SeaAndSageAudubon.org or contact Project Director Trude Hurd at seaandsage@sbcglobal.net.
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