Welcome to the winter issue of the Municipal Water District of Orange County’s (MWDOC) eCurrents newsletter. Whether in drought or not, there’s never been a better time to plan your water-smart landscape transformation. In this issue, we offer practical tips and benefits for creating a sustainable, water-efficient garden that will help you save water, time, and money all year long! Additionally, we highlight some exciting member agency projects that support a reliable, local, and drought-proof water supply for residents and businesses. And, finally, mark your 2023 calendar! We’re excited to welcome Adán Ortega, Chairman-elect of The Metropolitan Water District of Southern California Board of Directors, as the keynote speaker for the February 9 MWDOC Water Policy Forum & Dinner. All of this and more valuable resources, information, and announcements are in the latest issue of eCurrents!
If you have any comments or suggested topics for future articles, please send us an email at info@mwdoc.com. Thanks for subscribing!
|
|
MWDOC is governed by a seven-member
Board of Directors. To learn more, click on the image above, or visit our website at www.mwdoc.com.
|
For a complete list of upcoming and archived MWDOC meetings, click on the image above,
|
|
|
|
MWDOC WATER POLICY FORUM & DINNER
Thursday, February 9, 5:30 p.m. – 8:00 p.m.
|
Save the date! MWDOC invites you to attend a very special Water Policy Forum & Dinner on Thursday, February 9, 2023. Our keynote speaker is Adán Ortega, the newly elected Chairman of The Metropolitan Water District of Southern California, the largest supplier of treated water in nation. Join us for Chairman Ortega’s inaugural address and hear firsthand what he hopes to accomplish as he assumes leadership of the Board.
CLICK HERE to download the event invitation and register.
|
|
MWDOC WATER AWARENESS POSTER CONTEST
Deadline: March 8, 2023
|
Calling all OC student artists! MWDOC’s annual Water Awareness Poster Contest is open now through March 8. Orange County K-12 students are invited to submit original artwork that reflects the theme: When in Drought, Every Drop Counts to compete for the top spot in their grade band. Forty winners will be selected, and four Grand Prize winners will receive an iPad! The Contest’s goal is to engage Orange County students, teachers, and families in conversations about our most precious natural resource – water – and why access to clean, safe drinking water is vital to our daily lives.
|
|
|
|
|
GIRL SCOUTS STEM EXPO
October 22, 2022
|
MWDOC recently hosted an interactive water supply activity at the annual Girl Scouts of Orange County STEM Expo. With nearly 200 OC Girl Scouts in attendance, participants were challenged to design, build, and test a water delivery system that demonstrates how water travels from Northern California to Orange County. This engaging activity sparked meaningful conversations with the girls and their families on the current drought situation, potential careers in water, and the challenges water providers face to deliver a clean, safe, reliable water supply to our region.
CLICK HERE to access this activity and many others that can be completed at home or in the classroom!
|
|
6 THINGS TO KNOW!
About Transforming Your Landscape
Tiffany Baca, Public Affairs Manager, MWDOC
|
Did you know? Whether in drought or not, a Southern California lifestyle includes using water efficiently every day, and now is a great time to plan your long-term water-smart yard transformation. From gathering inspiration and plotting specific use areas to selecting drought-tolerant plants and exploring rebates, you can design a beautiful, water-efficient oasis that uses less water, requires less maintenance, and saves money!
CLICK HERE to begin your water-smart landscape transformation.
|
|
|
|
|
5 KEY BENEFITS!
Of Cultivating a Water-Smart Garden
Alana Salas-Yoshii, Public Affairs Intern, MWDOC
|
Did you know? Making the change to a water-smart landscape comes with a variety of benefits. From saving water to supporting the local environment, learn how one Orange County family has transformed their front yard into a sustainable, water-efficient model for the community.
|
|
COMMUNITY PARTNERING PROGRAM
A Water Education Grant Opportunity
|
Hey OC educators! The Metropolitan Water District of Southern California’s (Metropolitan) Community Partnering Program is up and running. Community-based organizations like nonprofits, educational institutions, and public agencies can receive a grant of up to $2,000 for water-related educational outreach activities. Are you an educator passionate about teaching others about the importance of water? Water-centric workshops, forums, and K-12 curriculum all qualify!
|
|
|
DOHENY OCEAN DESALINATION PROJECT
South Coast Water District
The Doheny Ocean Desalination Project would create a new, reliable, local, and drought-proof water supply that would also provide emergency water supplies should the delivery of imported water be disrupted due to earthquakes or other natural disasters.
The 5MGD facility would be built on land that SCWD owns alongside existing regional water transmission lines reducing the amount of infrastructure needed to be built.
In October, the Project received unanimous approval from the Coastal Commission as the first desalination project in the State of California to be fully compliant with the California Ocean Plan. Source water will come from subsurface slant wells proposed at Doheny State Beach, which are the environmentally preferred technology because they are fully buried beneath the ocean floor to ensure the protection of marine life.
The Project goes to California State Lands Commission for its final major permit on Friday, December 9th.
|
|
NEW WATER FILTRATION PLANT BREAKS GROUND
Santa Margarita Water District (SMWD)
|
In its ongoing effort to develop a sustainable and reliable local water supply, SMWD broke ground on its first drinking water treatment plant. The Ranch Water Filtration Plant will supply 1.6 billion gallons of drinking water annually to more than 170,000 residents in south Orange County. The plant will help to diversify the region’s water supply by using groundwater from the San Juan Basin. It will also ensure that residents can access safe, reliable drinking water in the event of an emergency.
|
|
|
MWDOC ELECTS NEW DIRECTOR, DIVISION 5
December 6, 2022
|
Policy Professor Randall Crane, Ph.D., brings decades of public policy experience with him as he takes his seat on the Board of Directors at the Municipal Water District of Orange County, Division 5.
Two additional Directors won their reelections and will continue serving on the MWDOC board, Director Larry Dick, Division 2, and Director Al Nederhood, Division 1.
|
|
Did you know? When in drought, every drop counts, and there are plenty of ways to save water in winter! How do you plan to reduce your use during the cooler months? |
|
|
Ensure your weather-based irrigation timer works properly
|
|
|
|
|
Other ideas? Tell us at PublicAffairs@mwdoc.com
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
FAVORITE TWEETS AND POSTS |
|
Hey OC Teachers! Did you know? The Education and Environment Initiative (EEI) Curriculum is FREE to download, use, and share.
|| EEI Curriculum:
-Twitter, November 20
|
|
Did you know? Fall is a great time to plant cool-weather vegetables like beets, broccoli, cabbage, carrots, and more! Be sure to use smart-irrigation techniques like drip for strong, healthy plants that continue to thrive throughout the season. #OCisGardenSmart #OCisWaterSmart
-Facebook, November 18
|
|
Municipal Water District of Orange County
Phone: (714) 963-3058 Fax: (714) 964-9389
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
