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As we head into the fall season, grab a warm drink and cozy up with your favorite blanket as you explore this latest edition of the Municipal Water District of Orange County’s (MWDOC) eCurrents newsletter. Fall is the perfect time to refresh your garden, and we’ve got you covered with water-smart gardening tips and resources to help you make the most of the season, saving water, time, and money all year long.
Additionally, we’ve included a recap of our latest activities, upcoming events, and ways to get involved in your community. We also have exciting opportunities to prepare students, teachers, and the next-generation workforce, and essential updates on the valuable efforts of local water providers to enhance water efficiency across the region.
All of this and more can be found in this October edition of eCurrents. We hope you enjoy the content, and as always, if you have any comments or suggested topics for future issues, please feel free to 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,
or visit our website at www.mwdoc.com.
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YORBA LINDA WATER DISTRICT OPEN HOUSE
Saturday, October 12
Save the date and join us at Yorba Linda Water District’s Open House on Saturday, October 12. Ricky the Rambunctious Raindrop℠ will be stopping by for his first public appearance since he unveiled his new look! Stop by for FREE demonstrations, vehicle displays, a tour of the nation’s largest PFAS Water Treatment Plant, and more. Let’s enjoy a day of family-friendly, water-smart fun together!
CLICK HERE for more information.
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WEEA LEADERSHIP ROUNDTABLE #19
Thursday, October 24
Did you know? While 30-50% of the current water workforce will retire in the next 10 years, less than 10% of today's high school students express interest in water careers. The Water Energy Education Alliance (WEEA), administered and led by MWDOC, invites you to join us for our next Leadership Roundtable meeting on Thursday, October 24, 2024, from 9:00 AM to 12:00 PM, where we will welcome Dr. Matthew Tessier with the San Diego County Office of Education’s (SDCOE) Linda Vista Innovation Center as our featured guest speaker. Hear from Dr. Tessier about SDCOE's partnerships with Southern California water agencies to bring quality career exploration to students as young as 3rd grade. Registration is required to attend.
CLICK HERE to view and share the invitation flyer.
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OC GRAND JURY INSPECTION TRIP
Monday, August 26
Educating Orange County about water is our top priority! On August 26, the Orange County Grand Jury embarked on a local inspection trip with MWDOC Directors Karl Seckel, P.E. and Randall Crane, Ph.D. and The Metropolitan Water District of Southern California. The day kicked off with presentations highlighting MWDOC’s resources and support for local water providers. The group then toured two (2) essential sites: the Robert B. Diemer Water Treatment Plant and the R2 Reservoir at El Toro Water District. These critical facilities ensure OC residents have access to clean, safe, and reliable drinking water.
CLICK HERE to learn more about your water.
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OCWA INAUGURAL WOMEN IN WATER EVENT
Thursday, August 29
Celebrating women leaders in water! MWDOC proudly participated in the Orange County Water Association’s (OCWA) inaugural Women in Water event. MWDOC Assistant General Manager Melissa Baum-Haley joined an impressive panel of inspiring voices featuring Iris Lee, Director of Public Works for the City of Seal Beach, and Sandy Scott-Roberts, One Water Program Manager at Brown and Caldwell. The discussion tackled the critical balance between career success and personal well-being, with these trailblazers sharing real-world insights and advice.
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CALIFORNIA COASTAL CLEANUP DAY
Saturday, September 21
From Styrofoam to silicon packets, food wrappers, and more, we left no trace behind! In celebration of the 40th anniversary of California Coastal Cleanup Day, MWDOC co-hosted a volunteer beach cleanup with the Wyland Foundation at the iconic Victoria Beach. Our day focused on sifting sand and collecting microplastics that can affect ocean wildlife. A special thank you to the California Coastal Commission, OC Coastkeeper, Inside the Outdoors, and Laguna Beach County Water District for helping make this day both fun and impactful!
CLICK HERE to see photos from the cleanup.
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ORANGE COUNTY WATER SUMMIT
Friday, September 27
“We’re gathered here to explore innovative solutions and tackle some of the most important issues facing water infrastructure in Southern California and beyond,” said Fritz Coleman, event master of ceremonies. Over 300 water leaders, elected officials, academics, and business professionals gathered for last Friday's 2024 OC Water Summit. The event, ‘Liquid Logic—The Fusion of Finance, Tech, and Water,’ featured engaging sessions on topics ranging from cyber defense to climate issues and included meaningful conversations about innovations, sustainability, and policy concerning our most vital resource – water.
Visit OCWaterSummit.com on October 7 for links to the video recap and event photos!
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5 HELPFUL TIPS!
To Create an Edible Fall Garden
Katie Vincent, Public Affairs Coordinator, MWDOC
Did you know? Fall is the best time to start your water-smart, edible garden! Whether you have a large or small space, check out these five (5) helpful tips to plant fresh flavors and lock in moisture during the cooler months.
CLICK HERE to get started.
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5 THINGS TO KNOW!
About the MJHMP Update
Gabby Landeros, WEROC Specialist, MWDOC
Did you know? OC is updating its strategy to better protect our community from disasters. This approach identifies local vulnerabilities and outlines measures to enhance safety and resilience, ensuring we're prepared for future emergencies.
CLICK HERE to learn more.
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EDUCATING THE NEXT GENERATION OF WATER STEWARDS
MWDOC K-12 School Choice Program
With the school year in full swing, now is the perfect time to dive into quality water education for Orange County K-12 students! MWDOC and participating local water providers across the region are excited to offer students and teachers FREE water education programs that inspire our youngest water users to become champions of good water stewardship. Through participation, students and teachers receive standards-aligned, hands-on lessons, resources, and activities that explore the challenges faced by Orange County water providers, the importance of using water wisely, and so much more.
CLICK HERE to find out if your school qualifies for this fun and educational opportunity!
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TURF REPLACEMENT TRANSFORMATION
City of Fountain Valley
Spotlight on savings! Through participation in MWDOC’s commercial rebate program, the City of Fountain Valley replaced 3,143 square feet of nonfunctional grass in front of its main gates with 440 OC garden-friendly plants. This transformation is expected to save over 138,000 gallons of water annually while beautifying the space and helping protect OC's waterways from pollution!
CLICK HERE to learn more.
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REAL PEOPLE, REAL SAVINGS
City of Orange
Hey OC! Did you know? By replacing thirsty grass with a beautiful, California-Friendly plant palette, you can reduce your water usage by 50-70 percent. A recent participant in our Turf Replacement Program is saving BIG with an estimated 46,300 gallons of water saved per year! Discover more sustainable tips and resources for your next garden project.
CLICK HERE to learn more about this Real OC Transformation and get inspiration on how to revamp your water-smart garden!
CLICK HERE to start saving with water-smart rebates!
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MWDOC AWARDS OVER $363,000 IN REFUNDS TO MEMBER AGENCIES FOR DEDICATED IRRIGATION METER AREA MEASUREMENTS PROJECT
August 15, 2024
MWDOC is proudly refunding $363,038.40 to 13 member agencies for their participation in the Dedicated Irrigation Meter Area Measurements Project. This initiative, supported by funding from The Metropolitan Water District of Southern California and grant funding from the Santa Ana River Watershed Authority, is part of MWDOC's ongoing efforts to support compliance with state-mandated water efficiency standards.
CLICK HERE to learn more.
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MWDOC RECEIVES $100,000 GRANT FOR WATER EFFICIENCY IN THE COMMERCIAL SECTOR
August 21, 2024
The United States Bureau of Reclamation has awarded MWDOC a $100,000 grant to enhance water efficiency across Orange County in the Commercial, Industrial, and Institutional sector. This critical initiative allows MWDOC to help local water providers meet state conservation requirements while supporting sustainable water use in our community.
CLICK HERE to learn more.
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MWDOC’S RICKY RAINDROPSM CELEBRATES 50 YEARS OF WATER STEWARDSHIP
September 18, 2024
MWDOC celebrated the 50th anniversary of its beloved mascot, Ricky the Rambunctious RaindropSM, with a special ceremony at its headquarters! The celebration showcased the introduction of Ricky's new appearance, personal accounts of his impact on water education and the community, and the presentation of legislative certificates commemorating this significant milestone.
CLICK HERE to learn more.
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Have you heard? October 5-13 is Water Professionals Appreciation Week! Join the statewide celebration to show support for the people who work tirelessly to ensure safe, clean, and reliable water for our communities. | |
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Ricky is on the run! This year marks a significant milestone for Orange County's beloved water drop, as Ricky the Rambunctions Raindropsm celebrates 50 years of water education! Over the next couple of weeks, Ricky will be working towards a transformation for his 50th - eating right, working out and getting outside! Come celebrate Ricky's 50th with us on Wednesday, September 18th - Starting at 9:30 a.m.! For More Information, Please Visit: https://www.rickyis50.com
-Facebook, Sept. 3
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Did you know? The Water Emergency Response Organization of Orange County (WEROC), administered by MWDOC, supports and manages countywide emergency preparedness, planning, response, and recovery efforts among Orange County water and wastewater utilities. #NationalPreparednessMonth #water #safety #emergencypreparedness || Learn more about WEROC. www.mwdoc.com/weroc
-Facebook, Sept. 4
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Trabuco Canyon Water District is a small, but complex, water district with a diversified portfolio of water resource management solutions and practices for the customers in its service area. MWDOC's partnership with TCWD allows them to focus on their mission of providing safe and reliable water and wastewater services to their customers. #TCWD #MWDOC. CLICK HERE to view the video.
-Instagram, Aug. 8
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Municipal Water District of Orange County
Phone: (714) 963-3058 Fax: (714) 964-9389
mwdoc.com
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