Students awarded for water smarts IRWD recently honored dozens of students for their water-related projects in the 2025–26 Irvine Unified School District Science Fair. Nearly 40 students in the sixth to 12th grade displayed their experiments at an IRWD Board meeting, where they shared findings with family, friends, teachers, District staff and Board members before being awarded medals for their work. IRWD has partnered with the IUSD Science Fair for many years, and we are proud to see some of the brightest young minds in our service area exploring innovative ways to conserve water and benefit the environment.
Q: How can I sign up my family for emergency alerts from IRWD? A: Irvine Ranch Water District uses IRWD Alert to reach members of the community during water- related emergencies — sending real-time notifications by phone, text message and email. The alerts will summarize the situation and provide details on where to get more information. IRWD will not use the platform for other purposes. Contact information for all IRWD account holders is automatically uploaded to the platform and linked to the address associated with their accounts. If you want others in your home or business to also receive these alerts, create a personal account at IRWD.com/alert and add their contact information. Got a question? Email info@IRWD.com.
Q: I’m considering adding a garden bed and kitchen island to my yard for a farm-to-table setup. What should I keep in mind when planning an outdoor kitchen? A: The best outdoor kitchens focus on how you will use your yard, so start by thinking about how you cook and entertain. Prioritize a layout that supports easy movement between prep, cooking and seating areas. Durable materials are essential, especially for countertops and flooring that will face sun, heat and
moisture. Good lighting, shade and weather protection make the space usable year round, while ample counter space and storage improve functionality. Planning appliance placement early helps avoid costly changes later. For more ideas, check out yardtopia.com/kitchen . Send your landscape questions to askjuan@IRWD.com.
California native corner Juan’s June plant: Palmer’s Indian mallow Palmer’s Indian mallow ( Abutilon palmeri ) is a drought- tolerant shrub with velvety leaves and soft, yellow orange blooms that attract pollinators. It thrives in full sun with well- draining soil and minimal summer water, growing quickly to about eight feet. Indigenous communities traditionally used its strong, fibrous stems for cordage and crafted medicinal preparations from parts of the plant, making it both a practical and culturally significant species.
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24-Hour customer service: 949-453-5300 Email: CustomerService@IRWD.com Address: 15600 Sand Canyon Ave., Irvine, CA 92618 Website: IRWD.com
Board of Directors: Dan Ferons (Div. 4), Steve LaMar (Div. 2), Doug Reinhart (Div. 3),
Peer Swan (Div. 5), John Withers (Div. 1) General manager: Paul A. Cook, PE
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