Newport Coast asked to conserve water

Greg Risling

As part of an important mutual aid system, the Irvine Ranch Water

District will provide South County communities with more than 3 million

gallons of water per day after a major pipe ruptured Monday morning.

Water district customers, which include Newport Coast residents, haven’t

been affected by the projected water shortage in South County. Residents

have been asked to use “common sense” conservation practices over the

next week, however.

“Irvine Ranch customers weren’t directly impacted, but it has become a

matter of mutual aid,” said Keith Coolidge, spokesperson for the

Metropolitan Water District, the agency that lost the use of the

reinforced concrete pipeline Monday. “Irvine Ranch has asked their

customers to voluntarily conserve, so their South County neighbors don’t

run dry.”

The pipeline that ruptured may affect as many as 700,000 residents in

South County cities for at least a week. Residents there have been asked

to ration their water in case of a major shortage.

Irvine Ranch does receive water from the Metropolitan Water District, but

its pipes weren’t affected by the break. Newport Coast residents wouldn’t

have to worry should a water pipe break because the water district has

the ability to meet demands by pumping ground water from wells.

Those wells are usually shut down during the winter months for

cost-saving measures. Due to the pipeline break, four wells have been

started to augment supplies.

Water district officials estimate they will send about 3.2 million

gallons to Santa Margarita and Los Alisos water districts per day.

The district is also considering providing the Santiago Canyon Water

District with a temporary pump.

“This is an excellent example of mutual aid among water districts,” said

Paul Jones II, the water district’s general manager. “Water agencies plan

and prepare for such situations and we are pleased that the district has

been able to join in the movement to assist other communities.”