March 2025

Strike Gold by Fixing Leaks

Hidden leaks in your home could be draining your wallet while wasting precious water. Santa Margarita Water District (SMWD) is here to help you track down pesky leaks and keep your water bill in check.

• Toilets are the #1 cause of household leaks
• Finding and fixing leaks is easier than you think
• March is ‘Fix a Leak Month’ - let’s all do our part

Save water and help our environment while keeping more gold in your pocket. Learn how to participate in Fix a Leak Month, which expands on the EPA's WaterSense campaign.

The Case of the Mysterious Leak: A Sherlock Holmes-Style Investigation

Attention, detectives! A silent water-waster may be lurking in your home, and it’s time to uncover the truth. The biggest culprit? Your toilet!

A single-running toilet can waste hundreds of gallons of water every day, draining both our water supply and your hard-earned money!

Santa Margarita Water District has just the tool you need to crack the case—a FREE Leak Detection Kit.

How to Conduct Your Leak Investigation:

Step 1: Pick up your FREE Leak Detection Kit. Find a location.

Step 2: Drop a dye tablet into your toilet tank and wait 10 minutes.

Step 3: If color appears in the bowl, you’ve found a leak!

Don’t let a hidden leak keep running away with your money! Pick up your free kit today.

February Rains Helped; Conservation Remains a Priority

California received some much-needed rainfall mid-February thanks to a series of storms known as Atmospheric Rivers.

The Coto de Caza weather station recorded 4.06 inches of rainfall during the three-day storm from February 12-14. Year-to-date, a total of 5.28 inches of rain has been measured through the first two months of 2025.

Despite the heavy rainfall, we remain in a drought. Water conservation is a way of life in southern Orange County.

Here are 5 Ways to Conserve Water:

1) Fix leaks in your home - leaking toilets waste 1000s of gallons of water

2) Shorten your shower time and turn off the water when sudding

3) Turn off your sprinklers during a rain or windy day; turn down timers

4) Contact our water efficiency team to discuss ways you can save water

5) Switch to new technology and smart devices; see SMWD.com/Rebates

Survey: Help Shape the Future of Water Use

Complete the survey and be entered to win an iPad

Join SMWD and the Water Research Foundation in a national study to better understand how residential customers use water in their homes and gain insights into your perceptions of water demand. Your input will help shape smart water management strategies for a sustainable future.

When you submit your survey, you'll be automatically entered for a chance to win an iPad!

Join Our Crew - Dive into a Rewarding Career with SMWD

At SMWD, our dedicated team powers our progress and drives innovation to deliver top-quality water and wastewater services to 220,000 customers. Our people-first culture values teamwork, fosters genuine camaraderie, and creates a sense of purpose every day.

If you’re ready to dive into work that matters, apply today!

Smart Home Leak Prevention with Flo by Moen

Tuesday, March 11 | 6:30 – 7:30 p.m.

Virtual Class

With a smart flow monitoring device, you don't need luck to catch hidden leaks. Real-time alerts help you to stop water waste before it costs you! Join our FREE webinar to learn more about one of the rebate-eligible devices:

• Flo by Moen product features
• Insurance policy updates
• Overview of the $100 rebate

Sharing a Passion for Gardening

On Saturday, February 22, customers came together for a morning of learning and connection over a common interest – their gardens at the Love Your Garden event. SMWD’s water efficiency team organized the event and led engaging presentations by experts on pruning, drip irrigation, and pest control.

Attendees enjoyed the succulent exchange, free bags of compost, refreshments, and of course, sharing useful information to get their gardens ready for spring.

Register for classes and workshops at SMWD.com/Classes

Meet Kristine Day, SMWD's Assistant General Manager

We are thrilled to welcome Kristine Day as the new Assistant General Manager at Santa Margarita Water District. In her role, Kristine oversees the District’s daily operations, managing our talented team, and ensuring customer satisfaction. She plays a vital role in budgeting, compliance, and strategic planning—all while acting as the bridge between our departments to keep operations running smoothly.

Kristine brings over 25 years of experience in local government, having served as an Assistant City Manager in both Texas and California. Her impressive background and deep expertise have perfectly positioned her to contribute to SMWD’s mission of delivering high-quality water and wastewater services.

What drew Kristine to SMWD is our unwavering commitment to customer service and our forward-thinking leadership. She’s inspired by SMWD’s proactive approach to innovation and community enhancement, and she is excited to be part of a team that makes a positive impact beyond business objectives.

Fun Fact: Many are surprised to learn that Kristine’s journey in local government started at the young age of 16 as a lifeguard—a role that sparked her interest in utilities and gave her early insights into systems that parallel modern wastewater management.

Outside of work, Kristine enjoys traveling with her husband and cherishes time at home with their 180-pound Great Dane, Reese, and two adorable Frenchies, Moose and Sophie.

Bites of Insight: Engineering Projects & Overview

On February 20, Tricia Butler, SMWD’s Chief Engineer, was the presenter at Bites of Insight, a series of learning sessions for District staff. Attendees learned about the engineering marvel and planning required to build and maintain the District’s $3 billion infrastructure, which includes 250 facilities.

SMWD manages a uniquely dynamic service area. Redevelopment areas include the addition of luxury hotel units, high-density residential housing, a 154-acre mixed-use residential and commercial property and a large equestrian property.

Facility planning projects such as the Chiquita Water Reclamation Plant, and capital projects such as domestic water, wastewater treatment, and recycled water production facilities were of interest to those who attended.

Above: Tricia Butler (center) with her highly esteemed team of engineers.

CustomerCare@smwd.com

(949) 459-6420