Wally's Water Wisdom - Fall Into Water-wise Season

Hello friends! As the new school year continues and the weather slowly begins to change, we bid farewell to the summer season and welcome the new fall season! Come with me as we explore why fall is a great season for both nature and our water-wise friends. 

What marks the transition to fall?

Fall is usually the transition from hot summer days to welcoming cooler temperatures. During this transition, days may feel shorter, the leaves begin to change color, and the temperature begins to decrease. Fun fact: The Earth's axial tilt, along with its movement around the sun, is responsible for the change in seasons.

Fall weather typically starts off with warmer days and cooler nights during the month of September. During October, you may notice both cooler days and nights, as well as see leaves begin to change color. (More on that in a ‘wetlands talk’ social media video, so be sure to follow us on Instagram and Facebook! 😉) Once we reach November, we typically experience colder weather alongside possible early frost and rainfall in many parts of the world.

What happens in nature during the fall?

As days become shorter and colder, many plants change from their reproductive state to their dormant state. During this time, trees and shrubs stop producing chlorophyll and instead send a form of sugar to their roots which helps them prepare for winter. As temperature and daylight decrease, other pigments in the leaves are exposed, resulting in a change of color. Look out for this change in various other plants and flowers throughout the season!

Wally’s two favorite water-wise fall tips: 

Although water may not be used as frequently as it is during the summer, being water-wise is still just as important during the autumnal season! Let’s not forget that I am a water droplet at the end of the day. 😉 

• Monitor water usage when it comes to plant care. Instead of weekly watering, the cooler weather may allow you to transition to bi-weekly watering. You may also choose to pay close attention to hand water only dry areas instead of your entire yard!
• Tidy up surfaces with a broom instead of a hose. Throughout the season, leaves tend to fall off trees due to the reduction of auxin they receive. As a result, they may form large piles on your sidewalk or driveway throughout this time of year. While it may seem easy to clear your landscape with a hose, we recommend you sweep, not spray!

Keep in mind that there are many other ways to preserve water this fall, but it’s important to remember to always monitor your water habits year-round. 

Happy fall, friends! I be-leaf you can make a difference by being water-wise.

Wally’s Water Wisdom - Participate in World Water Week 2024

Its August, which means it is time to make the most out of the last bit of summer! For most people, that means swimming in your backyard or a day by the beach; however, for my friends at IEUA, they think about August a little differently. That’s because in August, IEUA is celebrating the end of summer and World Water Week! World Water Week is a week dedicated to water conservation and responsible water usage worldwide, both today and for future generations. So, while you may be spending the 

summer soaking up the sun or playing in the water, be sure to keep acting as those great environmental stewards that I know you are!

I even created a fun way to help you keep ‘water’ on your mind. Here are a few tips that can help you save water this month and in the future:

Water your yard in the morning. By watering your yard during the cooler hours of the day, the water is more likely to be absorbed fully into the soil. Cooler temperatures can help reduce the amount of water needed to fully sustain your yard. Since the temperature usually rises throughout the day, especially in California, precious water could be lost to evaporation! This tip could also prevent overwatering your yard.

Always be sure to turn off the faucet when it’s not in use. It can be very tempting to leave the faucet on out of convenience while brushing your teeth or washing your hands. However, it is important to save as much water as possible and turn off the faucet while it is not actively in use, whether that be while you are scrubbing your teeth or scrubbing the dishes.

Take shorter showers to reduce the amount of water being used every single day. Did you know that the average showerhead releases approximately 2.5 gallons of water every minute? That’s right! This equates to about 25 gallons of water in just 10 minutes! Limit showers to five minutes or fewer for an easy way to cut down on your daily usage.

Engage with your local water agencies to learn how you can help protect our most precious resource – water. If you are within IEUA’s service area, opportunities to engage with us include participating in our Water is Life Student Art Poster Contest (Stay tuned!), signing up for a field trip through our Water Discovery Program, or visiting us at various local community events.

Hint hint: IEUA will host an outreach table and fun activities at the Waterwise Pumpkin Festival on Saturday, October 5. Follow us on social media to learn more.

Reduce, reuse, recycle – Wally always reminds his pal Owlie to practice the three R’s to help prevent pollution into our waterways. Reduce – Try to reduce your production of trash and energy. For example, turn off the lights in any room that’s not currently in use. Reuse – One easy way to reuse an item is to ditch the plastic water bottle and consider using a reusable water bottle instead! Recycle - Check out the labeling of an item before discarding it into the trash. It may be recyclable or compostable!

I hope you take these techniques with you as you finish off the summer continuing to be water conscious!

Your friend,

Wally

 

  

Wally’s Water Wisdom – Happy Water Quality Month 2024

Hi friends! Wally here. I cannot believe it has been nearly two years since we last spoke about Water Quality Month. The time really does fly, doesn’t it? As we know, August is Water Quality Month, so what better time than now to reflect on the importance of a safe, clean water supply in our lives and for the overall health of our ecosystems. At IEUA, the staff is passionate about our water supply, including water-use efficiency and improving the quality of our invaluable water resources. This month, we are highlighting the crucial role water quality testing plays in maintaining healthy habitats for wildlife, supporting agriculture, and ensuring safe water for our communities.

Water is a finite resource, and its quality can be influenced by daily activities. From fats, oils, and greases (FOG) down a kitchen drain to the use of pesticides in your garden, everything you do can impact the water cycle!

Speaking about FOG, did you know that my scientist friends at IEUA’s award-winning Water Quality Laboratory analyze FOG as well? If you have not seen the video on social media yet, you should check it out by clicking on the image below.

Science is so a-m-a-z-i-n-g!

 

Actually, all of my friends at IEUA work to mitigate water quality effects through educational programs and hands-on conservation efforts. The Agency’s facilities, including the Chino Creek Wetlands and Educational Park, serve as a real-life testing ground! How cool is that? At our Park, visitors can learn about the natural process of water filtration, the importance of wetlands in water purification, and the steps we can all take to protect this precious limited resource.

Maintaining clean waterways is an achievable goal if everyone can collectively implement small changes to their daily lives. When you work together, seemingly small things lead to big transformations over time. Intentional choices such as not littering, picking up pet waste, using fertilizers and pesticides in recommended amounts, and disposing of FOG in the trash instead of down the drain can make a huge difference!

During Water Quality Month, I encourage everyone to visit my pal Owlie at the Chino Creek Wetlands and Educational Park to learn more about how you can contribute to water conservation and quality. Join in on IEUA’s mission to protect the region’s water supply and, by extension, our planet. 😊 Together, we can ensure that future generations have access to the clean, safe water they deserve!

That is all I have for today, friends. I will see you all soon with my next drop of water wisdom!

 

Your Friend,

Wally

Wally’s Water Wisdom – Your Guide to the Earth Day Celebration

Hi friends! While I’m sure many of you have had the opportunity to attend one of our Earth Day Celebrations over the last 15 years, there are a few who haven’t. So, I’m here today to make sure those of you who haven’t attended 1. Get excited about attending this year and 2. Know exactly what to do to make the most of your time at the event.

First, the event will take place on Thursday, April 18 from 4 pm – 7 pm at the Chino Creek Wetlands and Educational Park. There are two lots available for parking with signage and volunteers to help direct you to each. One lot is located on El Prado Road at the Chino Creek Wetlands’ main entrance, and another – with a few EV charging spaces – is located on Kimball Avenue (closest to IEUA’s headquarters). Pro tip: Parking space is limited, so I highly recommend carpooling if you can! Get into that Earth Day spirit. 😉

Once you’ve parked, make your way to one of the check-in booths located near each parking lot for exhibitor and giveaway information (Trust me, don’t skip the check-in!). Checking in is quick and easy by scanning a QR code and completing three simple questions. After that, you’re free to explore!

A few exhibitors I recommend stopping by:

• Animal encounters (because why not check “hold an iguana” off your bucket list?)
• Wastewater slime station (because slime!)
• City of Chino (meet our co-hosts!)

Once you’ve made your way through the Park, filled up on snow cones and tacos, taken in the beautiful scenery, and most importantly, spotted our hidden surprises, head back to check-in to claim your prize! I hope this can help make your first (or second, or third, or 15^th) Earth Day with us a memorable experience.

That’s all I have for today, friends. I will see you all soon with my next drop of water wisdom.

Your friend,

Wally

 

Wally’s Water Wisdom – Anyone can be an Environmental Steward

Hi friends! I am back, and I come bearing gifts (a.k.a. tips to save the earth – the best gifts of all 😉). 

In my last update, I mentioned that ANYONE can be an environmental steward, but one large question remains: HOW?! Let’s talk about it.

A common misconception when it comes to environmental stewardship is the idea that “my small action will never be enough to make a difference, so I simply won’t do it.” Philosopher Lao Tzu once said, “great acts are made up of small deeds.” Simple actions make a huge difference when it comes to scenarios like these. Turning off the water while you brush your teeth, limiting showers to five minutes or fewer, making sure trash makes its way to the proper bins, planting California natives, and turning your sprinklers off during and for 48 hours after heavy rainfall are just a few of the many ways to show your love for Mother Earth.

So, the next time you think, “is it really that easy?” The answer is yes! My friends at IEUA have some great information on water saving tips and water-use efficiency rebates & programs on their website. I highly recommend checking them out to see what “small” action you can perform, especially as we approach Earth Month. 

That’s all I have for today, friends! I’ll see you all soon with my next drop of water wisdom. 

Your friend,

Wally

Wally’s Water Wisdom – 15th Annual Earth Day Celebration

Hi friends! It sure has been a while since we last spoke, but I am back and better than ever with, of course, another exciting update.

IEUA and the city of Chino’s 15^th Annual Earth Day Celebration is right around the corner! That’s right; prepare to head back to the Chino Creek Wetlands and Educational Park for educational activities, animal encounters, giveaways, and more!

Don’t get me wrong; while it sure does make it fun, Earth Day isn’t all about celebrations. Quick backstory: Earth Day’s story begins in 1970. It may be hard to imagine that before then, a factory could spew black clouds of toxic smoke into the air or dump tons of toxic waste into a nearby stream, and that was perfectly legal. At the time, there was no such thing as the “EPA,” “Clean Air Act,” or even “Clean Water Act.” Recognizing the importance of environmental stewardship, Senator Gaylord Nelson created Earth Day to force this issue onto the national agenda. Guess what? It worked, and 20 million Americans across the U.S. joined in on the effort.

With that being said, IEUA continues to be a huge proponent for environmental stewardship. Not only is it easy to perform small actions that save our earth, ANYONE can be an environmental steward. Stay tuned for my next update to find out how. 😉

In the meantime, make sure to stay up to date with my friends at IEUA through their social media channels, @IEUAwater, for more information on their Earth Day Celebration.

That’s all I have for today, friends! I will see you all very soon with my next drop of water wisdom.

Your friend,

Wally

Wally's Water Wisdom - The Supercharged Sanctuary

Hey there, friends! Welcome to another edition of Wally's Water Wisdom. On this National Hydration Day, join IEUA and Chino Creek Wetlands as we embark on an immersive journey to explore the magnificent wonders of wetlands, their precious habitats, and how they work together for water conservation and purification processes.

Let's dive right in, shall we? Wetlands are not only vital for our hydration but also the foundation of all ecosystems. These extraordinary habitats possess a mind-blowing superpower – their natural water filtration abilities. They not only cleanse and purify our precious water sources, but they also protect us from tough environmental problems like droughts and floods.

Superpowers of Water Conservation

So, what superpowers do wetlands possess, you ask? Well, let me enlighten you. They protect us from the dangers of floods, water scarcity, and polluted water.

Did you know that according to the National Weather Service's 2023 data, flash floods have become a more common and serious threat in various regions across the United States? Fear not because wetlands are here to save the day!

Oh no, floods! Enter the 'mighty sponge' to the rescue! Wetlands have an incredible ability to absorb and hold excess water, acting as a natural buffer against heavy rains and storms. Think of them as superhero capes, coming in to save the day when raindrops turn into a heavy downpour. The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) says a wetland can typically store about three-acre feet of water…that’s ONE MILLION gallons of water! They eagerly soak up that excess water from rain and storms, storing it within their lush grounds. Now, that's what I call an impressive superpower!

Wetlands perform a valuable service by holding back rain, floods, and more. They slowly release water into the ground, replenishing underground aquifers and maintaining a steady flow in our creeks and streams, even during dry periods. It's like having a gigantic water-saving vault right in our backyard. 

Did you know that the wetlands are the ultimate superheroes of water filtration? As the water flows into the wetlands, it encounters a mighty squad of extraordinary plants, including the remarkable duckweed and cattails. These plant superheroes possess an incredible power – they absorb nutrient pollutants like nitrogen and phosphorus, using their mighty roots as sponges. Meanwhile, beneath the surface, a team of microbial heroes diligently breaks down harmful substances, transforming them into harmless compounds. With this dynamic force at work, wetlands become the unstoppable champions of pollution control, purifying our water and ensuring a cleaner, safer world.

So, let's give a big shout-out to wetlands, the unsung heroes of the great outdoors! Stay wild, keep exploring, and make sure to follow us @ieuawater and @chinocreekwetlands. We're about to make a splash with all things water education and conservation! Let's ride this wave together and show some love to our H2O heroes. Stay tuned, stay hydrated, and let's make a splash for a better, water-wise world!