Clean water. From nature.

Transcription

1 Clean water. From nature. Natural Treatment System

2 Save water. Do your part. Did you know that over watering or a broken sprinkler on your property can contribute to ocean pollution? Excess watering creates urban runoff that carries pollutants into storm drains and then to the ocean, causing an environmental problem for many communities. Our commitment Irvine Ranch Water District is committed to the prevention of urban runoff. To educate our customers on improving landscape irrigation efficiency we offer a variety of community programs such as Always Water Smart resident tours, landscape workshops, community education events, special events and programs for children. WHERE urban runoff COMES FROM You can help reduce urban runoff by being mindful of your water use so that wasted water does not flow to the curb, taking trash, fertilizers, pet waste and other pollutants into San Diego Creek and eventually into the ecologically sensitive Upper Newport Bay and the ocean. Making simple, and sometimes rebatefriendly changes, like using smart timers to water the lawn, adjusting your watering schedule, installing efficient sprinkler heads or planting water smart landscapes can make a big difference. Sprinkler overspray Irrigation system leaks Hose use over pavement Curbed runoff drains to ocean

3 Urban runoff checklist. how You can prevent urban runoff In your yard: Use fertilizers and pesticides sparingly and apply them after it rains, not before Use mulch instead of herbicides to prevent weeds from growing Select low water use or drought tolerant native plants Repair broken sprinklers immediately Regularly adjust irrigation schedule Go to an IRWD landscape workshop outdoors: Keep gutters free of leaves Check vehicles for fluid leaks Wash cars on grass where permitted and use a trigger hose nozzle Sweep up instead of hosing down your driveway In your neighborhood: Talk to your neighbors about urban runoff prevention Carry bags to pick up after your pet Pick up trash and litter in your yard and around your neighborhood Educate kids about pollution and urban runoff Report street or water/pollution issues to OC Watersheds hotline: (877) Community Resources Tips and details on upcoming events can be found in the IRWD monthly newsletter Pipelines. For more event, education and workshop info: For more information about the IRWD San Joaquin Marsh and Wildlife Sanctuary and to download a map, visit To learn more about the Sea and Sage Audubon Society, visit Read about the Newport Bay Watershed, including the San Diego Creek, at Become an expert on urban runoff at Contact Information IRWD Customer Care (949) IRWD Public Affairs (949) Have questions? For all questions related to billing or customer service: customerservice@irwd.com For all questions or comments related to our Website: webmaster@irwd.com For all questions or comments about this brochure: info@irwd.com Rotating spray nozzles like this, when used properly, increase water use efficiency and help prevent runoff.

4 Treat water. Nature s way. In 1997, IRWD began treating urban runoff by partnering with nature. Nature s wetlands use organisms, plants and soil to naturally remove bacteria, nitrogen and phosphorus from water. The wetlands at the IRWD San Joaquin Marsh and Wildlife Sanctuary in Irvine use this natural treatment process to handle urban runoff from San Diego Creek. Plants and soils in these man-made ponds take about seven to ten days to remove nitrates and other pollutants, delivering cleaner water back into the creek before it makes its way through Upper Newport Bay to the ocean. This cost-effective and environmentally sound way of treating urban runoff has been expanded to become the IRWD Natural Treatment System program. Bacterial Removal Sunlight provides ultra-violet light reducing harmful bacteria. Nitrogen Removal Water interacts with plants and soils removing 70% of nitrogen. Phosphorus Removal Phosphorus precipitates and binds to clay soils in the pond, limiting unwanted algae and other plant forms.

5 Cleaning water. A smart system. IRWD Natural Treatment System Locations More than a decade later, the IRWD San Joaquin Marsh and Wildlife Sanctuary continues to show us how nature can successfully clean urban runoff. orange tustin 261 orange county San Diego Creek watershed At IRWD, we used this smart concept to develop the Natural Treatment System, a series of more than 30 smaller wetlands being built throughout the San Diego Creek Watershed in Orange County. 55 Irvine We work with local partners to develop wetlands so runoff will travel through one or more basins for incremental cleaning before reaching the IRWD San Joaquin Marsh for final polishing. newport beach Lake forest Simply put, the Natural Treatment System works like the San Joaquin Marsh, only using smaller man-made wetlands strategically located throughout the watershed. Low-flow natural and urban runoff, as well as smaller storm flows, are diverted into man-made wetlands that naturally treat and remove certain pollutants, helping to prevent them from reaching Upper Newport Bay. Type 1 Wetland A man-made wetland constructed outside of an existing flood control channel, specially designed to naturally cleanse urban runoff before it enters the channel. Type 2 Wetland A flood control channel with an earthen bottom that has been widened or dammed up to form a man-made wetland a few feet deep to slow down the water flow and allow natural cleansing of the urban runoff within the channel. Type 3 Wetland A man-made wetland constructed within a portion of a large flood control detention basin, designed to naturally cleanse urban runoff before it continues its path down the flood control channel.

6 Enjoy water. All year round. Not only does the IRWD San Joaquin Marsh and Wildlife Sanctuary clean urban runoff and improve water quality in Upper Newport Bay, it also provides 320 acres of beautiful coastal freshwater wetlands for all to enjoy. See more than 200 bird species, gaze at colorful butterflies and take pleasure in seasonal flowers and trees. The Marsh is open to the public seven days a week from dawn to dusk.walk or jog along 12 miles of trails, observe nature, take pictures or simply admire the view from one of the many benches. The Marsh is home to the IRWD Marsh Campus, the embodiment of a commitment to lifelong water education. The Campus houses several historic and restored ranch houses from the original Irvine Ranch as well as the IRWD Visitor s Center (open daily, 8 a.m. to 4 p.m.), Learning Center, and Duck Club. The Campus is also home to the Sea & Sage Chapter of the Audubon Society where volunteers greet visitors and provide wildlife education programs for the community. Stop by for a visit today.

7 Irvine Ranch Water District Sand Canyon Avenue Irvine, California (949)