Wally’s Water Wisdom – Five Ways to be an Excellent Host to the Earth & Guests

Hi friends! December feels like it came by so quickly. The weather is getting chilly, lights are everywhere and the leaves are falling. While this season can be full of cheer, consider this a time to be mindful of water habits, too. 

If you’re a fan of this blog, you know I like to share a few water-wise reminders before the end of the year. If you’re new to the blog, I am happy to have you here and would love to encourage you to take these reminders into the holiday season. This year’s focus will be on being an excellent host to guests and a friend to the earth for upcoming get-togethers. By following these tips, you are one step closer to being a good environmental steward. You may be asking, “But Wally, what’s environmental stewardship?” In summary, environmental stewardship means you are responsibly protecting the natural environment. What’s my favorite resource to talk about? That’s right—WATER! Let’s talk about how you can be the best host in your home and our home (earth). 

Tip #1: Defrost meat in the refrigerator. 

Defrosting your turkey or chicken? Consider putting the meat in the refrigerator rather than running in under water. This small tip can help you save water when you host family or friends.

Tip #2: No “hosing” down the driveway.

Want to impress your guests with a clean driveway? I bet you do! Consider sweeping your driveway, instead of hosing it down. This small change can make a big difference in water usage and make you feel ready to host.

Tip #3: Run the dishwasher when you have a full load of dishes. 

After preparing a yummy meal for your guests, collect all plates at the end of the evening to run a full load of dishes. Running a full load of dishes instead of handwashing reduces water usage and can even reduce your time spent cleaning up after.

Tip #4: Rinse veggies and fruits in a pan.

When prepping your next meal, use a small pan of cold water to clean your favorite vegetables or fruits rather than letting water run over them. Then, collect the water you used for rinsing and reuse it for house plants. Your guests will enjoy your delicious meal, and your plants will thank you later.

Tip #5: Compost food scraps.

Are you planning on making a loaf of yummy banana bread or delicious eggnog for your friends and family to enjoy? Collect eggshells, bananas or other food scraps to make compost. Did you know that compost can be used as an alternative to fertilizer? That’s right! Even better, if you make your own compost, you will be reducing stormwater runoff of fertilizer and prevent water pollution.

With these five tips, I hope you can practice being a good environmental steward and friendly host during this cheerful season. As always, small actions can make a difference in saving water. See you all next year with more drops of water wisdom and happy holidays!

Your friend,

Wally

Wally’s Water Wisdom - Celebrating National STEAM Day

Hi, friends! Just dropping in because today is an extraordinary day. Did you know that today is National STEM/STEAM Day? This day is important for my friends at IEUA because the agency depends on brilliant staff and their sharp STEAM skills to operate our most precious resource, WATER!

Let’s swim back to the beginning—do you know what STEM and STEAM stand for? I know what may first come to mind – hot STEAM, like what happens when you take a 5-minute shower. While that’s a good guess, the word we are learning today does not only refer to steaming water. STEAM is an acronym that represents Science, Technology, Engineering, Arts, and Mathematics. It is important to remember that the ‘A’ for Arts was later added to the first term, STEM.

Speedy History Lesson: The STEM term was created in the early 2000s by Dr. Judith Ramaley during her time at the National Science Foundation (NSF). The term took an exciting wave to arrive where it is now: STEM was initially referred to as SMET. According to Britannica, it has been reported that the NSF would use the term SMET when referring to the cool jobs and learning objectives of what we now know as Science, Math, Engineering, and Technology. Now, you’ll hear teachers, parents, and friends use the term STEM and STEAM instead of SMET.

STEAM Careers: According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, the demand for employees skilled in STEAM fields is continuously growing. There are multiple pathways into the STEAM workforce nowadays. IEUA staff use one, two, or all STEAM skills in their day-to-day roles. Their skills are so important because if you look at what they are doing – each one of them plays a part in ensuring their service area (that’s what they call the friends they supply water to) gets a reliable, high-quality water supply. All of my friend’s roles at IEUA are like fun puzzle pieces, and we need them to complete the picture.

You may be asking yourself: What type of careers can you obtain in the field of STEAM? Stay tuned as we explore later real-life experiences and STEAM career examples by talking one-on-one with our friends at IEUA in another blog post.

Water Discovery Field Trip: STEAM isn’t just for the staff at a water agency like IEUA; all ages can explore STEAM, and I encourage you to celebrate STEAM beyond today. If you’re reading this blog, you’re already ahead of the game. I enjoy sharing with you new and exciting water-wise tips, but there’s always more to explore. Don’t know where to start? My friends at IEUA invite you to visit the neighboring Chino Creek Wetlands and Educational Park for a Water Discovery Field Trip. Activities will teach students about many water resources, water use efficiency methods, the environment, and more. These water-wise activities align with California State Curriculum Standards; Science, Technology, Engineering, Arts and Mathematics (STEAM); and Next Generation Science Standards (NGSS). For more information, visit my c(HOO)ool friend, Owlie, and learn more about the Chino Creek Wetlands and Education Park at www.ieua.org/chino-creek-wetlands-educational-park/.

As always, I hope you are doing your part to be water-wise. Remember, by simply picking up after your pets, not overwatering your plants, or turning off the faucet when brushing your teeth, you are making a difference. I will see you all soon with the next drop of water wisdom!

Your friend,

Wally

Wally’s Water Wisdom- Happy National Water Quality Month!

Hi friends! Can you believe Water Quality Month is here again? It seems like just yesterday I talked to all of you about IEUA’s Water Quality Laboratory in honor of Water Quality Month last year (if you missed that blog post, scroll back to September of 2021).

In case you forgot what National Water Quality Month is all about, let’s recap!  In 2005, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency with the support of the United Nations founded August as Water Quality Month to raise awareness of water-use efficiency and the importance of clean water on individual health, collective agricultural needs, and the needs of our environment. IEUA employs over 300 individuals who help assure that these needs are met on a daily basis. I’ve enlisted the help of a few of them to talk to you about their role and how it contributes to water resiliency and reliability for the residents in IEUA’s service area.

First up, Operations Supervisor Ivan Cheng:

“I am proud to be a part of a team who plays a role in our regional water recycling plants, where we treat wastewater into high-quality recycled water for our community to use in irrigation and groundwater replenishment."

Next, we have Environmental Resources Planner II Branden Hodges:

"Working in the Pretreatment and Source Control Department as a permit writer helps ensure that the wastewater received by our Agency is within certain specifications, ensuring that the recycled water product delivered to our Member Agencies is of the highest quality.”

And finally, we have Laboratory Assistant Milena Martinez: 

"As a Lab Assistant, I wear many hats and work with various departments on new and exciting projects. Working at the IEUA Water Quality Laboratory allows me to work with a team of scientists to provide high quality and reliable analytical support to our regional treatment facilities. Our analytical support not only ensures our treatment facilities are operating smoothly but also ensures the water distributed throughout the region is of the highest quality."

It takes a village (literally!) to make sure that the residents in our area have continuous access to a high-quality water supply, and that is all thanks to individuals like Ivan, Branden, and Milena, in addition to many, many others, who help us to do so during Water Quality Month and year-round.

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- Learn About Water With IEUA

Hi friends! With the new school year slowly approaching, I wanted to remind you of some of the FREE educational resources available to you, courtesy of IEUA! Not only are these resources engaging and customizable for all ages, but they are also FUN!

Field trips: Schedule an in-person or virtual field trip! In-person field trips take place at IEUA’s neighboring Chino Creek Wetlands and Educational Park, or sit back and relax in your classroom with a virtual field trip featuring the same activities and educational lessons in a virtual format.

Field Trip with Sunshine Montessori in July 2022.

 Wally’s Water Conservation Camp: Enroll in Wally’s Water Conservation Camp- a 20 day, at-home activity guide suited for kids of all ages. Inspired by IEUA’s mission and Water Discovery Field Trips, each activity will teach kids and families about our water resources, sustainability, and environmental stewardship.

Water Scout Badge Program: Earn your Fun Badge by completing our Water Scout Badge Program! The program will teach Boy Scouts, Girl Scouts, or anyone looking to learn about water resources, native plants and sustainability while going on a scavenger hunt of the Chino Creek Wetlands and Educational Park.

At-Home Activity Series: The Water Discovery At-Home Activity Guide incorporates hands-on educational activities from our Water Discovery Field Trip Program for grades K-12th. The activities will teach students about water resources, water use efficiency methods, and the environment while aligning with California State Curriculum Standards; Science, Technology, Engineering, Arts and Mathematics (STEAM); and Next Generation Science Standards (NGSS). For even more learning, check out each activity’s corresponding videos on our YouTube channel, IEUAWater.

I’m sure you’ll love these resources as much as I do, so be sure to check them out at www.ieua.org/learn-about-water/.

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 – Summer Water Saving Tips

Hi friends! Happy summer! If you’ve been keeping up with my blog posts for a while, then you’ll know that a new season means new watering tips to adjust to the change in weather. Before we get started, it’s important to note that while these are referred to as “summer water saving tips,” they can work year-round as well! So, make sure you are always doing what you can to be water wise as every drop counts! 

1. Water your yard in the morning or evening. Water evaporates quickly when the sun is high, so getting your lawn watered before sunrise or after sunset will help your lawn retain more moisture, longer. (Be sure to adhere to any water restrictions put in place by your city or local water provider!)
2. If you have a pool, cover it when it’s not in use. Similar to the previous tip, higher temperatures cause water to evaporate quicker. Covering your pool allows the water to stay in place for the next time you use it!
3. Shorten your showers. While I’m sure we all love a nice cool shower to refresh from the summer heat, make sure to limit your showers to five minutes or fewer.
4. Fruit salad, anyone? Rinse fruits and veggies in a bowl instead of holding them under running water. Once you’re done, repurpose the water for the plants in your garden!
5. Thaw your frozen foods on the counter or in the fridge. Let the summer heat help you prep your meals instead of using our precious water. 

That’s all I have for today, friends. Here’s to a water-wise summer and I’ll see you soon with my next drop of water wisdom.

Your friend,

Wally

Wally’s Water Wisdom – The Time is Now to Save Water

Hi friends! I am here today to discuss some very important news. Did you know California is in a drought? By now, you probably do. In fact, California just endured the driest January, February, and March in recorded history! Normally, these are the State’s wettest months.

The word “drought” may seem scary but, luckily, there are easy steps each of us can take at home to ensure we are making the most of our water resources so that the drought stays under control.

1. Wash full loads of laundry and dishes.
2. Limit showers to five minutes or fewer. One of my favorite ways to do this is by playing my favorite song while I shower and making sure I am finished by the time the song ends!
3. Adhere to your city or local water agency’s watering schedule. If needed, use a hose with a shutoff nozzle to hand water your plants or dry areas of your lawn. And don’t forget to only water in the morning before sunrise or at night after sunset to reduce evaporation!
4. Plant California natives for a drought resilient garden.
5. If you need to wash your car, take it to an automatic car wash instead of washing it at home. 

By following these simple steps, we can ensure that California’s water is stretched and access to a clean, reliable water supply is guaranteed. Remember, the time is NOW to save water!

For more information on the drought and water saving tips that you can share with family and friends, be sure to check out the drought status page on IEUA’s website!

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- Celebrating IEUA’s Engineers

Hi friends! The new year is passing quickly! Can you believe we’ve already made it halfway through February? This week is also significant because it is Engineers Week! Engineers are at the forefront of some of the most integral projects to better care for our region. For today’s blog post, I’ve enlisted the help of some of IEUA’s engineers. Let’s learn a little bit more about the work that they do. 

First, let’s check in with Adham Almasri, one of IEUA’s Principal Engineers.

“As a Principal Engineer, I oversee half of IEUA’s Capital Improvement Program, which equates to around $200 million. I supervise three engineering teams. Each team has three to four engineers, including the lead Senior Engineer/ Senior Project Manager. I also oversee a total of 5 construction inspectors. I am part of what’s called the Project Management Office (PMO) and heavily participate in long range planning for the Engineering and Construction Management department. This includes project planning, allocating resources, managing staff, overseeing the budget, and conducting training. I am also involved with each of the teams’ projects and counted on as the prime responsible for quality control and quality assurance.

Finally, I am also responsible for optimizing the partnership relationship with design consultant and collaborate relationship with the internal clients (including but not limited to the Operations and Maintenance).”

Next, let’s hear from Victoria Salazar, IEUA’s Associate Engineer.

“One of the projects I am working on is the RP-1 Aeration Basin Membrane Replacement. For this project, we are replacing over 800 aeration membranes in the RP-1 aeration basins. In this part of the wastewater treatment process, bacteria decompose the ammonia and other contaminants found in the wastewater through a metabolic process that requires oxygen. The new membranes are expected to improve the rate of oxygen transfer and the overall efficiency of the aeration process, helping reduce operational cost and improving reliability.”

You can learn more about Victoria’s role as an Associate Engineer by checking out her Day in the Life video on our YouTube channel!

Finally, let’s check in with Megan Trott, another one of IEUA’s Associate Engineers.

“The Preserve Lift Station was constructed in 2017 to pump wastewater from a new residential tract of homes to the existing Chino Interceptor Sewer at Kimball Avenue in Chino, CA. The facility is owned by the City of Chino and operated and maintained by IEUA under a contract with the City. The lift station currently consists of two submersible pumps operated through Variable Frequency Drives (VFDs), and the facility is designed to consist of four pumps at full buildout over the next 20 years. This project will install a third pump and VFD as flow rates begin to increase with residential development in the area. IEUA’s goal is to have increased capacity, increased redundancy reliability, and reduced rag build-up.”

You can learn more about the projects these engineers are involved in by visiting IEUA’s social media channels @IEUAwater.

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 - IEUA's FREE Education Programs

Hi friends! Did you know International Day of Education is January 24? If you’re a longtime reader of me and my friend Owlie’s blogs, you probably know all about IEUA’s free education programs. But, if you’re a new reader or interested in learning more, allow me to recap!

IEUA offers free education programs to students in grades K-12. These programs include Water Discovery field trips* to the Chino Creek Wetlands and Educational Park, “Water is Life” poster contest, Owlie’s Virtual Adventures, Solar Cup™, National Theatre for Children, and more! Each of these programs include lessons on water use efficiency methods, origination and sustainability of water resources, and water-saving techniques.
*Due to the current pandemic, in-person Water Discovery tours are not offered at this time.

 If you’re a teacher, you may be thinking, “Wally, I’m not sure if I’ll have time to take advantage of all of these wonderful resources.” Well, you’re in luck! Through our newest award-winning program, Owlie’s Virtual Adventures, you can schedule a virtual field trip with one of our staff members who will do the teaching for you in just an hour and a half!

For more information of each of our programs, check out the video below or head to ieua.org/learn-about-water/.

Happy learning, everyone! I’ll see you all soon with my next drop of water wisdom! In the meantime, maybe you can catch up on some water wisdom too. 😉

Your friend,

Wally