IRWD is dedicated to protecting the environment through effective water and resource management. We have a long and respected history of innovative programs that promote sustainable practices and operations.
IRWD is a national leader in recycled water. We meet about a quarter of our service area’s water demands with this renewable resource. Recycled water extends our drinking water supplies, reduces the need for additional drinking water facilities, reduces the amount of treated sewage discharged into the ocean, reduces our reliance on expensive imported water, and increases our water supply reliability.
IRWD’s San Joaquin Marsh is a 300-acre wetland that is home to more than 300 species of birds. The wetlands are a critical component of IRWD’s Natural Treatment System. They naturally clean urban runoff from San Diego Creek and help to protect the environmentally sensitive Upper Newport Bay.
Modeled after the San Joaquin Marsh, IRWD’s Natural Treatment System is a series of smaller, reconstructed wetlands throughout our service area. These wetlands naturally remove contaminants from the water that flows from gutters and streets, protecting the environment through the treatment of dry-weather runoff.
Beyond significant renewable energy sources such as solar and biogas, IRWD’s commitment to developing local water sources reduces the need to import water from far distances, dramatically reducing the District’s energy use and carbon footprint.
IRWD customers are among the most water-efficient in the state. That reduces demand for water, which also significantly reduces the need for energy to treat and transport that water. The District’s ongoing community workshops, water education programming for students, and other outreach help reinforce this legacy, now and into the future.
Ensuring a reliable supply of local water sources for our customers is a key focus of IRWD. To accomplish this, the District has created one of the most diverse water supply portfolios in Southern California with investments in groundwater wells, treated groundwater systems, imported water, local runoff capture in Irvine Lake, and one of the most extensive water recycling systems in the nation.
Water Banking provides another important tool to augment imported water reliability and safeguard IRWD customers from imported water shortages. This is accomplished by capturing low-cost water for underground storage during wet periods and recovering this water for later use and importation into the IRWD service area during dry periods or emergencies. during critical shortage conditions while maintaining reasonable rates.
Learn the fundamentals of sustainable landscaping.
