Welcome to the December 2023 issue of the Municipal Water District of Orange County’s (MWDOC) eCurrents newsletter, where we’re excited to share a range of updates and tips to kick off the winter season! In this latest edition, we shed light on the 2023-24 water year, detailing five (5) crucial issues you need to know as we navigate the future of our water supply. For gardening enthusiasts, we’ve included invaluable tips and inspiration to help you create your own water-saving winter wonderland. Additionally, we share some exciting news about the Coronet Watersmart Conservation Garden, which has been nominated for an Orange County Business Council award and featured in California Special Districts Association Magazine. Finally, we recap several of our community activities and announce upcoming events, including the January 2024 MWDOC Water Policy Forum & Dinner and the eagerly anticipated launch of our annual Water Awareness Poster Contest—all of this and more in our latest issue of eCurrents.
As always, if you have any comments or suggested topics for future articles, please email us at info@mwdoc.com. Thank you for subscribing!
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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.
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For a complete list of upcoming and archived MWDOC meetings, click on the image above,
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MWDOC WATER POLICY FORUM & DINNER
Wednesday, January 31, 2024
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Save the Date! You’re invited to attend a special MWDOC Water Policy Forum & Dinner on Wednesday, January 31, 2024. This event will feature several newly appointed water general managers across Southern California sharing their insights, strategies, and visions for sustainable water management.
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WATER AWARENESS POSTER CONTEST
Submission Deadline: March 6, 2024
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Hey, Orange County student artists! The MWDOC annual Water Awareness Poster Contest is now open until March 6. All K-12 Orange County students are invited to submit original artwork reflecting the 2024 theme: ‘Save Blue. Live Green.’ From the submitted entries, 40 winners will be chosen, and one (1) grand prize recipient from each grade band – K-2, 3-5, 6-8, and 9-12 – will be awarded an iPad!
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SCOUTS BSA SOIL AND WATER CONSERVATION MERIT BADGE CLINIC
December 9, 2023
After a successful turnout in August, MWDOC will conduct an additional Soil and Water Conservation Merit Badge Clinic for 75 Orange County Scouts BSA. This upcoming clinic, hosted in partnership with El Toro Water District, will engage Scouts BSA in interactive STEM-based activities, innovative lessons, and a guided tour highlighting the importance of preserving and protecting our natural resources. Stay tuned for more opportunities, as future clinic dates will be announced next year!
CLICK HERE to learn more about MWDOC’s Scouts BSA Program.
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GIRL SCOUTS STEM EXPO AND PATCH CLINIC
October 21, 2023 and November 4, 2023
Orange County Girl Scouts are on a journey toward good water stewardship! In October, MWDOC hosted an interactive water supply activity for nearly 100 Girl Scouts at the annual STEM Expo, and soon after, partnered with El Toro Water District to host a STEM-based clinic where 50 Girl Scouts received their MWDOC Water Resources & Conservation Patch. Through engaging water lessons and hands-on activities, Girl Scouts gained a deeper understanding of the everyday challenges water providers face and the importance of safeguarding our limited fresh water supply.
CLICK HERE to learn more about MWDOC’s Girl Scouts Program.
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CORONET WATERSMART CONSERVATION GARDEN
@OCFeed Instagram Highlight
Discover the beauty of living landscapes! In case you missed it, the Coronet Watersmart Conservation Garden was featured by Instagram content creator @OCFeed, highlighting its innovative, sustainable landscaping strategies and beautiful drought-tolerant landscape that serve as a living example for OC residents. A must-watch on your Instagram feed for future outdoor space inspiration!
CLICK HERE to learn more about the demonstration garden.
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5 THINGS TO KNOW!
About Water Year 2023-24
Kevin Hostert, Senior Water Resources Analyst
Municipal Water District of Orange County
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Discover five (5) leading issues that will shape the future of Orange County water in the upcoming year, from improved water storage levels to declining water usage and the potential impact of El Niño.
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5 WATER-SAVING TIPS!
For A Water-Smart Winter Wonderland
Nate Shepherd, Public Affairs Coordinator Municipal Water District of Orange County
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Experience the joy of year-round gardening, where Orange County’s mild climate offers endless opportunities to create and tend to your water-saving winter wonderland.
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RICKY RAINDROP WATER EDUCATION BOOKLET
Now Available in Spanish
¡Hola Condado de Orange! ¿Sabías que? MWDOC’s Ricky RaindropSM water education booklets are now available in Spanish! These activity books, provided to elementary students following an in-class water lesson, feature sections on water footprint, the water cycle, pollution prevention, water filtration, and more! To better engage multilingual families in good water stewardship and meet the demands of OC’s population, MWDOC is prioritizing accessible water education materials for residents of all ages.
CLICK HERE to learn more about MWDOC’s FREE in-class school programs.
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REAL PEOPLE, REAL SAVINGS
City of Huntington Beach
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Discover the secret to transforming your outdoor space into a stunning garden retreat! This OC resident traded 875 sq. ft. of thirsty grass for a front yard brimming with vibrant flowers, lush greenery, and hidden nooks for the ultimate outdoor oasis.
CLICK HERE to see the remarkable transformation and gather inspiration for your own landscape makeover!
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R.H. DANA ELEMENTARY SCHOOL ANNUAL
JOG-A-THON
October 20, 2023
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OC’s favorite water droplet, Ricky RaindropSM, made a splash at R.H. Dana Elementary School’s Jog-a-thon. Ricky partnered with South Coast Water District to encourage the runners to stay hydrated and be water-smart, providing the perfect blend of fitness, fun, and learning!
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ANNOUNCEMENTS AND ARTICLES |
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OCBC NOMINATION
Turning Red Tape into Red Carpet
Did you know? The City of Westminster’s Coronet WaterSmart Conservation Garden has been nominated for Orange County Business Council’s (OCBC) 13th Annual Turning Red Tape into Red Carpet Awards! Developed in partnership with MWDOC, the Wyland Foundation, the City of Westminster, Saddleback College, and others, the 5,011 sq. ft. water-smart garden provides a replicable model for sustainable landscaping that is educational, inspirational, and motivational.
CLICK HERE to learn more about this award-worthy project!
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CSDA COMMUNITY CONNECTIONS
November-December 2023 Issue
California Special Districts Association (CSDA) has featured the Coronet Watersmart Conservation Garden in the winter issue of their magazine. The article “Educational Oasis: Westminster Park’s Transformation for a Water-Smart Future,” highlights the water-saving landscape features that make the park sustainable, educational, and replicable, as well as the successful public-private partnerships that serve as a testament to what can be achieved when organizations unite for a common cause.
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How do you plan to prepare your landscape with anticipated winter storms on the way?
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Insulate gardens with mulch to retain moisture and protect from extreme temps.
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Install rain barrels to capture storm runoff: mwdoc.com/rebates.
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Evaluate your watering schedule. Remember to turn off irrigation when it rains.
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Use a soil moisture sensor to determine if plants need water: mwdoc.com/rebates.
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Other ideas? Share with us at PublicAffairs@mwdoc.com!
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Hey OC! Do you want to transform your grass into a drought-tolerant landscape but don't know where to start? Here are three valuable tips to consider when planning your transformation! #OCisWaterSmart || Learn more: https://mwdoc.com/turf
-X, November 27
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Did you know? 80% of ocean pollution comes from the land, with one of the biggest sources being runoff. A few ways to reduce runoff from your property include planting a rain garden or trees, installing permeable pavers, and ensuring that your sprinklers are watering plants and not the sidewalk.
-Instagram, October 23
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Municipal Water District of Orange County
Phone: (714) 963-3058 Fax: (714) 964-9389
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