Pipelines — September 2026

Pipelines is Irvine Ranch Water District's free monthly newsletter, where you'll find the latest water-saving tips and updates from IRWD on topics including District events, rebate programs, water-saving irrigation scheduling and more.

Have you seen our new website?

SEPTEMBER 2026

It’s redesigned for a smoother experience with enhanced viewing on mobile. Check it out at IRWD.com .

Elegant clarkia

Breaking wildfire’s path to your roof Wildfire doesn’t just spread across the ground. It climbs. When dry grasses touch shrubs that reach into the canopies of taller woody plants and trees, flames can surge upward until they find a roof. These plant arrangements, called “ladder fuels,” allow flames to race as if from rung to rung from the ground to your home. Firescaping focuses on designing and maintaining landscapes that slow or stop wildfire spread. A key principle is to keep clear spacing between plant layers, prune lower tree branches, and remove shrubs growing directly beneath tree canopies. Avoid or closely manage plants that retain dead material, have peeling bark, or produce heavy litter. Highly flammable species often contain volatile oils, resins, waxes or pitch that increase ignition risk. Get more information from the Orange County Fire Authority at OCFA.org/ready-set-go .

Enjoy food and hands-on fun at H 2 O Show & Tell next month

Big trucks, hands-on science and discovery, pancakes and more. Bring the family for some fun at our fourth annual H 2 O Show & Tell open house. This popular event is the perfect way to spend a Saturday morning, and it’s all FREE! On Oct. 17, 9–11 a.m. , enjoy:

Held in observance of Water Professionals Appreciation Week, the event provides opportunities to speak with IRWD staff from more than a dozen departments — from Water Operations and Construction Services to Water Quality, Engineering and Information Technology. H 2 O Show & Tell is open to all IRWD customers. To make sure we have enough pancake batter and syrup on hand, RSVP at IRWD.com/events .

• Pancake breakfast • Trucks to climb on • Science experiments • Interactive water displays

Grab your Yardtopia ® Look Book at October community events IRWD is proud to take part in festivals and celebrations throughout the community. We love to meet our customers, share information on rebates and efficient water use, and even offer landscaping advice! This fall, look for us at: • Tustin Tiller Days , Oct. 2–4 • UC South Coast Research and Extension Center Annual Open House , Oct. 3 • Irvine Global Village Festival , Oct. 10

Q: I don’t understand my water bill. Can you explain how it works? A: IRWD’s budget-based rate structure assigns each customer a water budget based on the number of people in the home, the square footage of outdoor landscaping, and the weather — adjusting for the seasonal water needs of plants. Customers who stay within their monthly water budget enjoy some of the lowest water bills in Orange County. Those who exceed their budget pay a higher rate for the water used above their budget to cover the costs of more expensive water sources and water efficiency programs needed to serve them. Your bill also includes fixed charges to cover fixed expenses of operating and maintaining IRWD’s infrastructure. For more information and help understanding your monthly bill, visit IRWD. com/rates-charges . Got a question? Email info@IRWD.com.

Pick up a free Yardtopia Look Book when you’re at our booth. Browse through 64 pages of stunning outdoor living inspiration, from fire pits and pathways

to water features and kid-friendly spaces. Then, head over to yardtopia.com to learn more about the Yardtopia Initiative, which provides guidance and resources to help you make the most of your outdoor spaces.

Q: Hi, Juan. Can you please remind me how to adjust my sprinklers for the cooler fall weather? A: The days get shorter in September, so your plants need less water. If your controller has a seasonal adjustment feature, dial it down to around 60% of your peak summer setting rather than reprogramming every zone manually. If you have a smart weather-based controller, ensure your Wi-Fi is active or on-site sensors are synced. It should handle these seasonal adjustments automatically. Send landscape questions to askjuan@IRWD.com.

California native corner Juan’s September plant: 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.

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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

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