BOARD OF DIRECTORS Glen Acosta, Vice President Matt Disston, Director Mike Safranski, Director Jim Haselton, Director GENERAL MANAGER Don Chadd

ON TAP

May is Water Awareness Month

What is the source of TCWD’s water?

Imported Water Supply

A large portion of your drinking water is surface water imported by the Metropolitan Water District of Southern California. Metropolitan’s imported water source is mostly Colorado River, with augmentation by the State Water Project from Northern California.

Local Water Supply

During years when measurable rainfall occurs, TCWD is able to operate the two wells it owns. These wells, known as the Rose Canyon Well and Lang Well, are located in the core of Trabuco Canyon. When there is plentiful rainfall, District-wide demand for domestic water decreases. This is particularly true during the colder months due to reduced residential landscaping demands. During these times, TCWD’s wells can supply most of the domestic water demands. Also in these times, TCWD is usually able to purchase water from neighboring Santiago County Water District; this district is able to collect rain water and treat it for domestic use at their Harding Canyon Treatment Plant.

What is done locally, by TCWD, to decrease your dependency on imported water?

One strategy that has been very effective locally is the use of reclaimed water. TCWD owns and operates a wastewater treatment facility at the northern portion of Dove Canyon. This facility processes all the sewage produced by the communities that surround it (Dove Canyon, Robinson Ranch, Trabuco Highlands, Rancho Cielo, Walden, etc.). The wastewater treatment facility can produce an average of 800,000 gallons of highly treated reclaimed water daily. This reclaimed water is then used to irrigate common area slopes for local homeowner associations and the golf course located in Dove Canyon. The recent Plano Median project on Plano Trabuco Road included an expansion of the reclaimed water line which will permit TCWD to supply reclaimed water to the communities of Rancho Cielo and Walden for irrigation of their common area slopes. The communities of Robinson Ranch, Dove Canyon, and Trabuco Highlands already use reclaimed water to irrigate much of their common areas. Dove Canyon and Trabuco Highlands are currently attempting to expand their use of reclaimed water to all of the common area slopes.

In addition to reducing the demand for imported water, the use of reclaimed water benefits both the communities and TCWD. How? The cost of reclaimed water in TCWD is less than 80% of the domestic water landscape irrigation rate. This permits local homeowner associations to provide lower rates in their respective homeowner dues’ structure. TCWD benefits because the reclaimed water is dispersed, allowing the wastewater treatment facility to function without concern of overflowing its reclaimed water reservoir.

What can the local residential customer do to be water wise?

Most houses were planned and built with the expectation that the residents would use one Equivalent Dwelling Unit (EDU) of water each month. This is 13,464 gallons of water. In many instances throughout the District, homes use two to three times that amount. This is usually due to excessive landscape irrigation. During the warm months, a good portion of water is used for landscape irrigation. Regular inspection by homeowners of their irrigation system and their landscape can help conserve water, particularly in cases where water is flowing over the sidewalk and down the street. Over watering is a very wasteful and expensive practice.

In some portions of the District, customers can apply to be part of the Smart Timer Program offered by TCWD in cooperation with the City of Lake Forest and Municipal Water District of Orange County. This allows customers to have a satellite controlled irrigation timer that is programmed to irrigate according to current weather patterns. Currently, only residents of Portola Hills are eligible for this program and there is a cost involved to customers. Please call (949) 858-0277 for more information and reference Smart Timer.

Landscaping or Re-landscaping?

If homeowners have the opportunity or desire to re-landscape their property, they should be aware that many nurseries offer plant selections that are California Native Friendly. These plants are drought tolerant, seasonally colorful, and do well in our local environment.

TCWD’s Board of Directors and staff recognize the importance of water management. Join us in conserving and protecting this most valuable resource—not just during Water Awareness Month, but throughout the year.

PUBLIC MEETING ROOM - AMENDED USE POLICY

In response to the community’s needs and the volume of requests received, Trabuco Canyon Water District’s Board of Directors amended its Public Meeting Room Use Policy. The District’s Public Meeting Room will be made available for private parties, events, and meetings. Information concerning permitted uses and fees is available on our website.

If you are interested in using the Public Meeting Room, please contact Teresa Teichman at (949) 858-0277.

The Regular Board Meeting is held on the third Wednesday of each month at 7:00 p.m. at the District Office located at 32003 Dove Canyon Drive, Trabuco Canyon. The public is encouraged to attend.

Board Highlights

• April 19, 2006 – Received the resignation of the Board President who is leaving the Board due to family reasons.
• Received a presentation relating to the Dry Season Water Runoff Recovery Project.
• Amended the Public Meeting Room Use Policy.
• Approved an Agreement for Services for a California-Friendly Landscape Design at the Administrative Facility.
• Approved the purchase of a vactor truck.
• Authorized the General Manager an expenditure for property review.
• Conducted Closed Sessions.

Address Change

In order to save staff time traveling to the post office in the core of Trabuco Canyon, the District has cancelled its post office box. All mail and utility billing payments should be directed to:

Trabuco Canyon Water District
32003 Dove Canyon Drive
Trabuco Canyon, CA 92679