Many of us walk past ponds and fenced-off reservoirs near Northwood without giving them a second thought. Yet what looks like background scenery is actually part of a system that provides the water we use every day.
The facilities closest to Northwood are used by the Irvine Ranch Water District, a public agency established in 1961, not for drinking water, but to naturally clean pollutants from urban runoff. For example, just past the fire road along Portola Parkway is a man-made wetland created in 2008 called Port Culver, which is part of a network of these natural treatment sites.
Excess water generated by activities such as washing cars and watering lawns contains lots of bacteria and pollutants. The water ultimately ends up in the ocean after flowing through gutters and drains, but first treatment sites intercept and naturally filter this urban runoff before it reaches areas like the Upper Newport Bay.
“It’s the things that you don’t see—all the chemicals and bits of microplastics—that do affect the wildlife and our environments,” IRWD wetlands ecologist Sara Ye said. “These sites are very special because it’s not something that’s everywhere … most places just let water run straight into the ocean.”
Additionally, recycled water from IRWD sources like the Rattlesnake Reservoir in Orchard Hills irrigates Northwood’s landscaping and the avocado groves around campus. IRWD also maintains an underground drinking water storage tank in the hills between Northwood and Orchard Hills Drive.
Beyond the ponds, IRWD’s work also directly impacts IUSD students through educational outreach. The agency partners with Discovery Cube to give assemblies at elementary schools and works with the nonprofit Orange County Coastkeeper to provide free field trips to local wetlands for fifth- to 12th-graders, raising awareness of water treatment and conservation.
“The primary focus of our water education programming is to teach the value of water,” IRWD spokesperson Deniene Rivenburg said. “That involves knowing how to make the most of the water we have through water-efficient appliances like sprinkler systems in our yards.”
IRWD scientists and engineers have also participated in IUSD’s Ask a Scientist Night and acted as judges for its annual science fair, honoring students who showcase innovative water-related projects at a special Board of Directors ceremony. Out of 20 participants, senior Kratika Katara was one of the top four recognized in 2023 for her soil moisture sensor.
“Making this project, I thought it would just go to the county level. So hearing that the water district liked my project, I was really honored,” Katara said. “I think it’s great that they’re recognizing students who do science for the community.”
Though the United States is not facing the same challenges of clean water that other parts of the world are experiencing, water sustainability remains a shared global issue that cannot be taken for granted locally.
With climate change causing more severe droughts across California, IRWD’s environmentally focused work, from preserving a marsh full of bulrush to educating youth, allows us to continue living without worrying about water.
“The more we can learn and understand the importance of water in our communities, the better we can prepare for a water-resilient future,” Rivenburg said.
