ISSUE 3, VOLUME 9, SEPTEMBER 2015
Water Education Programs Greet Returning Students
Students returning to class across Orange County will learn invaluable lessons about the value of water through a Municipal Water District of Orange County CHOICE program funded by more than 20 local agencies.

The elementary-school program, which will reach 80,000 students, is again led by the Discover Science Center Foundation, the award-winning organization that operates Science Cubes in Santa Ana and Los Angeles.

And new this year is a high school program, added at the urging of MWDOC member agencies. The Orange County Department of Education and The Ecology Center teamed up to train teachers and encourage students to live more water-wise. The program's goal for the first year was participation in 10 high schools -- 20 signed up.

Here's what students can look forward to, as told by the program leads themselves:

Discovery Science Foundation
By Sean Fitzgerald, DSF

This month marks the launch of a new approach to educating Orange County's youth as to the value of water and what they and their families can do to help address our ongoing drought conditions.  Building on decades of commitment to education programming, MWDOC and its member agencies have again partnered with the Discovery Cube, though with a new and innovative approach for the coming school year.


Orange County Department of Education/
The Ecology Center
By Lori Kiesser, OCDE

The Water Effect is a student-led initiative that mobilizes teens to lead creative water conservation efforts. Students just like Katherine will be empowered, engaged, and educated on how they can take action to address local water issues, build community awareness, and lead conservation projects that create behavior change.  
 

 
OC Agencies Meeting Water Reduction Goals
Reduction mandates placed upon OC water agencies ranged from 8 percent in Seal Beach to 36 percent in larger agencies such as Trabuco Canyon and Yorba Linda water districts. And while it seemed like those to the North were skeptical OC could reach the mandates, county agencies -- and their customers -- have come through with flying colors.

A couple of OC's successful agencies agreed to share their secrets.

How Serrano Surpassed the State Mandate
By Jerry Vilander

In April we all received the Governor's decree mandating cutbacks based off 2013 usage. Serrano Water District's ultimate reduction expected to be at least 36 percent. The Board of Directors promptly responded by adopting the District's Conservation Ordinance to Level 2, adjusted water baselines for all consumers effective June 1st and initiated a penalty structure.

Read full article
 
San Clemente Uses Variety of Tools for Success
By Andrew Kanzler

San Clemente has been very successful in meeting its water conservation goals of 24 percent. Part of it has been due to luck in timing, consistent efforts from staff, collaboration between departments, and some interesting strategies to achieve those goals.
 
Despite having a staff of one to examine water resources, conservation, outreach, and legislation, the extra support provided by the entire utilities and public works staff of the city has help San Clemente push over the edge.


Newport Beach Celebrates Installation of First Synthetic Turf Fields
Officials from the City of Newport Beach, the Municipal Water District of Orange County and the Metropolitan Water District of Southern California were on hand earlier this month as Newport Beach dedicated its first synthetic-turf fields, at Bonita Creek Park. The City received a turf-removal rebate of $ 312,602 for the work.


A Message to Our Readers
September is a month of change: a change of seasons, a change for students who head back to the classroom after a summer off.
 
Water districts throughout the state are facing change, too, persuading customers to use less water and adjust to new revenue structures -- all while keeping a wary eye on El Niño forecasts.
 
The Municipal Water District of Orange County has also seen changes, with new faces and new responsibilities in our Public Affairs Department. And while eCurrents isn't new, it's been a while since one landed in your inbox. But keeping with the theme, if there's anything new you'd like to see our e-newsletter, please let us know.  

Calendar of Events
Upcoming Meetings/Events

October 2 @ 7:45 am:
Water Advisory Committee of Orange County

October 5 @ 8:30 am:
Planning & Operations 

October 7 @ 8:30 am:
Workshop Board Meeting  

October 14 @ 8:30 am:
Administration & Finance Committee Meeting
 
October 19 @ 8:30 am:
Public Affairs & Legislation
Committee Meeting
 

October 21 @ 8:30 am:  
Board Meeting  

October 22 @ 8:30 am:
Executive Committee Meeting 

October 29 @ 11:30 a.m.
Independent Special District of OC (ISDOC) Luncheon 

All meetings are at MWDOC, 18700 Ward Ave., Fountain Valley.  For information on MWDOC meetings and events, please click on the calendar icon above.

Kudos
Have something to share? Let us know!
Mesa Water Featured in ACWA Presentation
Mesa Water's "Let's All Be Mesa Water Savers" was included in an ACWA presentation highlighting outreach efforts during California's historic drought.

La Palma, Irvine Ranch Students in MWD Calendar
Artwork by Jana Ibrahim, a student in the Irvine Ranch Water District, and Sujit Karthikeyan, a La Palma student, will be featured in the 2016 "Water is Life" calendar published by Metropolitan Water District of Southern California.

Read Full Article

News You Can Use
The Association of California Water Agencies (ACWA) has a toolkit of "Fix it for Good" outreach materials available to members. 
Save the Date: The Elected Officials Meeting will be 6 p.m. on November 5 at MWDOC offices. The first phase of the OC Water Reliability Study will be presented. 
State Mandates: The State Water Resources Control Board on October 1 will release the August conservation report.See http://www.waterboards.ca.gov/