2003

DATS Project Provides Sustainable Source New Source of Water

The District’s Deep Aquifer Treatment System was honored in 2003 with the Association of California Water Agencies’ Theodore Roosevelt Environmental Award, as well as the Project Achievement Award from the American Society of Civil Engineers, Orange County. The project purifies drinking water from the lower aquifer of the Orange County Groundwater Basin. Although the water from this aquifer is very high in quality, it has previously been unusable because it has a brownish tint imparted from the remains of ancient vegetation that once populated the area.

List of 2003 Awards

• California Water Engineers Association, Engineering Award, Irvine Desalter
• Association of California Water Agencies, Theodore Roosevelt Environmental Award
  American Society of Civil Engineers, Orange County, Project Achievement Award, Deep Aquifer Treatment System
• American Planning Association, Orange County, Award of Merit, San Diego Creek Watershed Natural Treatment System
• National Institute of Governmental Purchasing, Achievement of Excellence in Purchasing Award

2002

Natural Treatment System Treats Urban Runoff

Irvine Ranch Water District’s Natural Treatment System is a cost-effective, environmentally sound method for treating dry weather runoff. It is modeled after the successful system of natural treatment ponds which remove nitrogen, phosphorus and bacteria from surface waters entering the IRWD San Joaquin Marsh. Orange County Coastkeeper in 2002 honored the District for helping to keep local waterways, wetlands and the ocean clean by removing these contaminants at our NTS sites farther upstream.

List of 2002 Awards

• Orange County Coastkeeper, National Treatment Plan for Urban Runoff
• National Institute of Governmental Purchasing, Achievement of Excellence in Purchasing Award

2001

San Joaquin Marsh Provides Critical Habitat, Cleans Urban Runoff

The San Joaquin Marsh & Wildlife Sanctuary’s Wetland Integration Project in 2001 received the Project Achievement Award from the American Society of Civil Engineers. This innovative project is a critical component of the District’s Natural Treatment System, cleaning urban runoff from San Diego Creek and helping to protect the environmentally sensitive Upper Newport Bay.

List of 2001 Awards

• American Society of Civil Engineers Project Achievement Award, San Joaquin March Wetland Integration Project
• National Institute of Governmental Purchasing, Achievement of Excellence in Purchasing Award

2000

List of 2000 Awards

• Association of California Water Agencies, Theodore Roosevelt Environmental Award
• National Institute of Governmental Purchasing, Achievement of Excellence in Purchasing Award