Moulton Niguel Water District’s

September 2010 WaterLines Articles

District Evaluating New Ways to Conserve

Newly proposed rate model would encourage efficiency

Every MNWD customer has unique water needs. Typically, more water is used in large homes than condos, and some businesses need more than others. That is why the District is evaluating the way we calculate water rates, and looking at new approaches to bring our customers more fairness and equity, and to encourage everyone to use water more efficiently.

MNWD’s Board of Directors has asked District staff to analyze a potential transition from the current tiered rate model to a new Efficiency-Based Rate Structure, as a way to stabilize water bills and allow MNWD customers to become part of the solution as we work together to protect our region’s limited water resources. The move to Efficiency-Based Rates would only be a change to the way rates are assessed, and in fact, customers who use water wisely would actually see equivalent or lower water bills as a result.

The Board’s request has begun what will be a lengthy process of evaluating this potential new rate structure. Our customers will have several opportunities to participate in this process, and will hear from the District numerous times in the coming months with more information before the Board considers the change in a public hearing in 2011.

What are Efficiency-Based Rates?

Efficiency-Based Rates make sure everyone receives a customized amount of water – a water budget – to meet their specific needs. This amount would be calculated based on a detailed survey MNWD is conducting of each of our customer’s water needs, based on lot size, landscaped area, the number of residents in each home and localized weather data, among other factors. Customers whose water use remains within their budgets would be billed at lower rates; customers who waste water by exceeding their budget would be billed at a higher rate. This new rate structure would reward efficiency and give customers the freedom to use their water budgets as they see fit.

Providing a Clean and Reliable Water Supply

Keeping the water flowing is a 24/7 job at MNWD

MNWD’s primary mission is to provide clean, safe drinking water to our customers. At the core of this mission is our distribution crew, a highly-trained four-member team that is in charge of transferring water from our regional wholesaler’s supply line to MNWD reservoirs, protecting water quality and maintaining District infrastructure.

Monitoring the District’s water supply is a round-the-clock job that takes an understanding of high technology and numerous pressure zones. The distribution team conducts most of its work in front of a of wall of colorful computer screens tied to our supervisory control and data acquisition (SCADA) system, which monitors supply, demand, chlorination and other critical information in real time. The distribution team can also access the system at home or in the field for constant monitoring. That becomes important because MNWD typically pumps most of our water late at night, taking advantage of off-peak power rates to keep costs to a minimum.

In addition to moving water to and from the District’s 38 domestic and recycled water reservoirs, the distribution team also monitors MNWD’s water quality. They oversee the chlorination system and perform regular tests to ensure MNWD’s water meets or exceeds strict state standards. The crew also schedules preventative maintenance to keep the District’s infrastructure running smoothly, which reduces the risk of costly and disruptive breakdowns. In order to hold this important job, crew members must complete years of rigorous training, pass numerous state exams and take part in regular continuing education to achieve and maintain the required certifications.

Our customers rely on MNWD to provide a clean and reliable source of water. The distribution crew works day in and day out behind the scenes to ensure that we continue to deliver on that promise.

Water-Wise Garden Guide

Sowing the seeds for a drought-tolerant garden

Drought-tolerant, California-Friendly gardens are a beautiful way to save water. Fall is the perfect time to start one and it is easier than you may think.

Step 1: Select a location. If you have an established garden, you can replace old or dead plants with drought-tolerant options. Group plants with the same watering needs together to avoid overwatering some while under-watering others.

Step 2: Select the right plants. Take your garden’s soil type and sun exposure and the plants’ size, water and maintenance needs into account when choosing which plants to purchase. Visit www. MNWD.com to learn about a wide variety of colorful options for all types of environments.

Step 3: Cultivate your garden. Drought-tolerant plants require regular watering at first to establish roots and promote growth. Winter rains will do most of this work for you. Once the plants are established, allow the soil to dry a few inches below the surface between waterings. Check the specific water needs of your plants as some will vary. Then sit back and enjoy.

Facts and Figures

Ever wonder what it takes to ensure a reliable supply of quality water every

time you turn on the tap?

Number of employees: 98

Population served: 167,000

Potable water reservoirs: 28

Recycled water reservoirs: 10

Miles of potable water pipelines: 700

Miles of recycled water pipelines: 140

Miles of sewer pipelines: 537

Booster stations: 37

Water connections: 54,174

Sewer connections: 50,200

Pressure zones: 9

Average daily water demand: 26,150,000 gallons

California-Friendly Plant of the Month: Dwarf Olive Tree

Whether in their native Italian countryside or in your California-Friendly garden, dwarf olive trees bring a touch of romance to water efficiency, without all the mess. Full-sized olive trees can reach 50 feet in height, making them unsuitable for many smaller gardens. The dwarf variety, however, known as Little Ollie, is much smaller, perfect for small beds, large pots or as shrubs.

Little Ollies look very similar to their larger cousins, with small aromatic dark-green leaves and light bark, but they produce no olives. They are very easy to care for once established. Pruning the lower half will help cultivate your Little Ollie into a tree, while pruning the top will keep it in shrub form. Water once or twice per week during the first year to establish the roots. After that, water deeply, but infrequently, and nature should take care of the rest.

Looking Back and Moving Forward

MNWD will celebrate our 50th anniversary in November.

This is the first in a three-part series on the District’s service.

1960-1974

Prior to becoming one of Orange County’s most bustling coastal communities, the areas served today by MNWD were once part of two sprawling Spanish land grants: Rancho Niguel and Rancho Mission Viejo. You may be familiar with neighborhoods bearing the same names, but until the early 1960s, these lands were used primarily for ranching. Lacking a reliable water supply to maintain their herds, the area’s ranchers banded together in 1960 to create their own water agency – and the Moulton Niguel Water District was born.

At its inception, MNWD served only eight customers. But as ranch land quickly began transforming into ranch homes, local water demands dramatically changed, and the District began building reservoirs to help serve its new customers. The lure of affordable coastal living drew new families to the region in the coming years, with MNWD’s customer base doubling to more than 33,000 between 1970 and 1972.

Along with a reliable water supply, these new residents would need sewer service, so MNWD expanded its operations to provide wastewater treatment. In 1974, the District became one of the first water providers in Orange County to deliver recycled water for irrigation uses. This revolutionary program has saved billions of gallons of potable water over the years.

Next Month: 1975-2000

Moulton Niguel Water District

August 2010 WaterLines

Summertime Efficiency is Key for Year-Round Reliability

Our customers typically use the most water during the warm months of summer. But are you using more than you need? Up to 70 percent of your water use this summer will occur outdoors, so that is a great place to start. Lawns are a home’s biggest water guzzler, but did you know that it only needs 10 minutes of watering a few days per week to stay healthy and green – even during the warm summer months? In fact, three deep soaks each week actually promotes healthier root growth than watering every day for a shorter period of time. If you are watering your lawn more than that, or if you see excess water running onto the sidewalk, that is an indication that you are likely using too much water.

Your garden is also a great place to become more water efficient. Plants need differing amounts of water based on variety and soil conditions. Shrubs need more water than flowers, and native plants typically require very little irrigation at all. To make sure you are giving your garden the right amount of water, visit www.MNWD.com for a detailed listing of plant watering needs.

Our website also has information on the latest rebates available for water-efficient fixtures and appliances. You can save hundreds of dollars off the purchase of weather-based irrigation controllers, rotating sprinkler nozzles and high-efficiency clothes washers. Installing water-efficient devices helps you save money because you will be using less water.

MNWD Can Help You Save

There are lots of ways to save water, and we are here to help. Please call the District at (949) 831-2500 to set up an appointment for a conservation specialist to visit your home. We can review your outdoor watering practices, discuss your indoor use and make recommendations on easy ways to save money by becoming more efficient. Together, we can see that there is enough water to meet everyone’s needs.

Mandatory Conservation Continues

Regional water allocations remain unchanged for coming year

The Metropolitan Water District of Southern California, MNWD’s water wholesaler, determined last year the southern part of our state may not have enough water to meet our long-term needs, so it put our region on a budget – a water budget. In this historic move, it budgeted – or allocated – a specific amount of water to each local water provider for fiscal year 2009-2010 based on a variety of factors, including the number and types of customers it serves. MNWD’s allocation required our customers to use 20 percent less water than in years past, or everyone in the District would potentially face financial penalties. The

District was able to avoid those penalties last year, but our allocation remains unchanged as we begin this new fiscal year, and that means MNWD customers must continue to be as efficient as possible as we all work together to reach our water conservation goals.

Putting Customers First

Many customers recognize Megan, one of MNWD’s Customer Service Representatives, as the friendly voice on the telephone who answers questions and helps solve problems. Megan recognizes that the key to her job is being patient, helpful and knowledgeable about Moulton Niguel services and resources. Customers often comment how surprised they are to hear a "human" voice and not an automated voicemail system.

Megan says she enjoys talking to people and helping them. She feels it is important to listen carefully to customers. Sometimes they are very specific about what they need; other times they may not be sure. It is always rewarding to help a customer, especially during an emergency situation. Recently, a customer called in a panic because a hose in their laundry room had burst and water was going everywhere. Megan was able to tell her how to shut off her house valve before too much flooding occurred.

As a Customer Service Representative, Megan’s job includes many duties. She takes telephone orders to start and stop service, updates customer name and address changes, and initiates service orders for a variety of problems, including meter leaks, hydrant leaks and line breaks. The District has more than 167,000 customers and services five cities. On average, MNWD’s Customer Service Department receives more than 300 calls each day.

Megan’s attitude reflects the feeling of the entire Customer Service Department: Customer service is a top priority at Moulton Niguel.

California-Friendly Plant of the Month: Dwarf Bottle Brush

If you’re looking to add a burst of color to your garden this summer, then look no further than the Dwarf Bottle Brush. This shrub has bright red flowers that explode from its dark evergreen leaves. The blooms last through spring and summer and are a great way to liven up your garden without a lot of water or maintenance.

This plant works well as a hedge, attracts hummingbirds and has the added bonus of being fire-resistant, making it an excellent perimeter plant for our fire-prone region.

Once established, water the plant weekly through the hot months and let nature do the rest through winter. The shrub grows slowly, keeping pruning to a minimum.