Irvine Ranch Water District

IRWD and General Manager Paul Cook were recently honored with the Arnold O. Beckman Award by the Discovery Cube Orange County.

This prestigious award recognizes individuals and organizations that demonstrate outstanding leadership, generosity and vision to educate children in science, technology and math. The District and General Manager Cook were recognized for their partnership with the Discovery Cube. IRWD and the Cube have had a 19-year partnership educating children about the importance of water while making science learning fun. Together, IRWD and the Cube have reached 135,000 students in innovative ways that range from in-classroom workshops to the creation of educational video games.

Learn more about IRWD water education programs, which offer free assemblies, field trips and watershed education opportunities for grades K–12, at https://www.irwd.com/community/water-education-for-schools.

Big trucks, hands-on science and discovery, pancakes and more! Bring the family for some fun at our fourth annual H2O Show & Tell open house in October.

On Oct. 17, 9-11 a.m., enjoy:
🥞 Pancake breakfast
🚚 Trucks to climb on
🔬 Science experiments
💦 Interactive water displays

Guests can speak with IRWD staff from more than a dozen departments — from Water Operations and Construction Services to Water Quality, Engineering and Information Technology. And the event is completely free!

Help us have enough pancakes on hand by RSVPing at https://www.irwd.com/community/events/h2o-show-and-tell/.

OC Coastkeeper, in recent years, has teamed up with 19 local restaurants to collect their used shells, taking them to an Irvine Ranch Water District property where they are cleaned and cured, then reused for bays or estuaries facing erosion or for infrastructure like roads. https://www.ocregister.com/2026/08/29/oysterpalooza-in-sunset-beach-serves-up-a-spotlight-on-delicious-delicacy/?share=8irraydooonid0ueow2s #

Oysterpalooza in Sunset Beach serves up a spotlight on delicious delicacy The event showcased how oysters and their shells can be used in many ways, from filtering water to combating erosion.

We are seeking a few more volunteers for THIS SATURDAY. Join us and be part of California Coastal Commission's annual cleanup day!

Volunteer Opportunity: Watershed Cleanup Day - Irvine Ranch Water District Join us for our annual Watershed Cleanup Day on Saturday, September 19, 9-11 a.m. The event will be included in this year’s statewide tally for California Coastal Cleanup Day. Volunteers are needed to clear trash from San Diego Creek before it reaches the ocean. California Coastal Cleanup Day brin...

Give in to your next dim sum craving at our latest WaterStar Certified restaurant: Tim Ho Wan in Irvine!

Tim Ho Wan offers Hong Kong-style dim sum in a freshly renovated space,. Not only does this Diamond Jamboree Plaza eatery offer high-quality, handmade signature dishes to the community — it also gives back by ensuring its daily operations are water efficient.

Tim Ho Wan saves water by using high-efficient, low-flow equipment, including toilets, faucets, dishwashers, ice machines and pre-rinse spray valves. Thank you to Tim Ho Wan for its commitment to efficient use of water every day.

Learn more about the WaterStar Business Recognition Program at https://www.irwd.com/get-help/waterstar-business-recognition.

IRWD is participating in the state-wide Coastal Cleanup Day again this year! Join us in Irvine to help clear trash from San Diego Creek before it reaches the ocean.

We are an official site participating in the event. Sign up at https://www.irwd.com/community/events/california-coastal-cleanup-day/

Orange County Coastkeeper

Check out our September plant of the month: California fuschia!

California fuschia is celebrated for its brilliant orange red blooms and soft, herbaceous growth that stays low and manageable. Thriving in well-drained soil with minimal summer water, it delivers late season color while supporting hummingbirds and native pollinators. Its non-woody stems, high moisture content, and low litter production make it especially valuable in firescaping, reducing fuel loads and ignition risk.

This resilient species adds beauty, ecological benefit and fire-wise structure perfectly suited to California’s dry, fire-prone summers.

Read more and learn other seasonal tips for your yard in this month's issue of Pipelines at IRWD.com/pipelines.

A little bit of heat paled in comparison to the gorgeous sunset colors on full display during our recent Photo Walk at the Marsh!

We loved connecting with our customers to share information on IRWD's San Joaquin Marsh, how it naturally treats urban runoff, and its importance as a wildlife sanctuary for more than 300 bird species.

The Marsh is open for self-guided access dawn to dusk daily, with more than 12 miles of trails to explore. Whether you're a birdwatcher, photographer, or someone just looking for scenic views in Orange County, make sure to check out this hidden gem.

Learn more at https://www.irwd.com/what-we-do/san-joaquin-marsh/.

Creativity wasn’t boxed in during IRWD’s first Yardtopia® Botanical Bento Box Workshop!

We loved seeing customers come together to learn about the Yardtopia® Initiative and take the first step in creating the outdoor space of their dreams. Guests designed their own Botanical Bento Boxes featuring water-efficient plants while having questions answered by our Water Efficiency staff.

Interested in making your Botanical Bento Box at home? Find tutorials and inspiration at yardtopia.com/bento.

For many years, IRWD and Orange County Fire Authority have held regular meetings to keep lines of communication open, coordinate response plans, and ensure field staff and firefighters are aware of the conditions unique to each community.

One example of that collaboration took place last week during an annual meeting at Modjeska Fire Station 16, where IRWD water operations staff met with firefighters stationed throughout the canyon communities, as well as Portola Hills.

Discussions included:
- Disaster preparedness and coordinated response between the two agencies
- Implementation of water service measures to aid in firefighting
- The construction of temporary helopods to aid in rapid fire response in the canyons during the construction of the Santiago Creek Dam Improvement Project
- Details on other water infrastructure improvements currently in place or planned for the future

Water agencies maintain the reservoirs, pumps, pipelines and hydrants that aid in firefighting. Fire agencies share their knowledge about fire behavior to help in coordinated planning for both emergencies and long-term planning needs of our community.

IRWD and OCFA will continue to together to make our communities safer and more resilient.