Earlier this month, the County of Orange notified the City of Laguna Woods about a white film on the surface of ponded water at the outfall (location where stormwater exits the storm drain system) near Aliso Creek. The county believed the film to be paint but a final determination could not be made.

The county’s observation presents a good opportunity to remind residents to practice stormwater best management practices during routine household activities. By implementing best management practices, homeowners can keep common pollutants off the ground and out of storm drains. 

Water that flows into storm drains is not treated. Runoff from homes and businesses may contain pollutants that have harmful effects on downstream creeks, rivers, bays and the ocean. Unlike household sewage, this water is not treated and can negatively impact recreational use, wildlife habitat and even human health.

Many household hazardous materials and stormwater pollutants that may be used in and around residences during routine household activities include: 

• Oils 
• Paints 
• Cleaners 
• Bleaches 
• Pesticides 
• Glues 
• Solvents 

Adopt these best management practices to keep storm drains clear of polluted runoff during household activities: 

• Plan and complete household paint projects when rain is not predicted. 
• Rinse tools such as paint brushes, buckets and rags in a sink connected to the sanitary sewer. Never wash tools where washwater can drain into the street, gutter or storm drain.  
• Sweep up debris and dispose of it in the trash. 

• Do not hose down driveways or sidewalks into the street or gutter. 

• If safe, contain, clean up and properly dispose of all hazardous waste spills. If unsafe conditions exist, call 911 to activate a proper response team. 
• Household hazardous materials must be stored indoors or under cover, and in closed and labeled containers. 
• Dispose of household hazardous waste at a local household hazardous waste collection center. Laguna Woods residents may also call WM Curbside at 800-449-7587 for free door-to-door household hazardous waste collection.

• Only purchase the types and amounts of materials needed. 
• Share unused portions of products with neighbors or community programs. 

For information about preventing polluted runoff during home improvement projects, check out this brochure. 

How H2OC Helps Protect County Water Resources 

H2OC is a cooperative stormwater program that includes all 34 cities in Orange County, the County of Orange and the Orange County Flood Control District. Clean and healthy beaches, creeks, rivers, bays, wetlands, and ocean are important to Orange County. H2OC provides resources to residents and businesses to encourage personal action and prevent polluted runoff from entering our waterways.  

방문하다 h2oc.org to learn more about runoff, water pollution and how you can be the solution to runoff pollution and protect our water resources. If you witness a violation, reach out to the county’s 24-hour pollution reporting hotline: 877-89-SPILL (1-877-897-7455). 

Village에 대한 더 많은 소식을 보려면 아래의 "What's Up in the Village" 태그를 클릭하세요. 

This week, the Metropolitan Water District, which provides water to 26 agencies throughout Southern California, declared a regional drought emergency. 

The timing may seem odd given the recent rain and cold weather; however, it would take an entire winter of storms to make a dent in the drought. While the declaration has not changed existing water restrictions yet, it is a reminder that we collectively need to do all we can to reduce water consumption to avoid severe restrictions in the future.

VMS Landscaping Department staff has been working diligently with the landscape committees to reduce water usage throughout the Village. Grass is the biggest culprit in landscape water usage; United, Third and GRF have all completed projects this year to install drought tolerant plantings, with more to come in 2023.

여기를 클릭하세요 to watch a video in which El Toro Water District Board Director Vice President Kay Havens discusses, among other topics, how landscaping can be transformed from water-thirsty grass to a multicolored array of California-friendly plants that attract butterflies and beautify neighborhoods. 여기를 클릭하세요 to view a presentation Director Havens delivered at the GRF Landscape Committee on Wednesday, December 14.

Village에 대한 더 많은 소식을 보려면 아래의 "What's Up in the Village" 태그를 클릭하세요.

레크리에이션 및 특별 이벤트 부서에서는 2023년 1월에 시작되는 이벤트를 위해 클럽하우스 2호와 7호에 대한 예약을 12월 19일 월요일부터 시작한다고 발표하게 되어 기쁩니다. 두 클럽하우스 중 어느 곳이든 객실을 예약할 수 있는 가장 빠른 날짜는 1월 3일입니다. 

자세한 내용은 949-597-4273으로 전화하거나 recreation@vmsinc.org로 레크리에이션 및 특별 이벤트 부서에 문의하세요.   

Village에 대한 더 많은 소식을 보려면 아래의 "What's Up in the Village" 태그를 클릭하세요.

The VMS Landscaping Department recently finished a beautification project at Gate 1 and found one of its notification signs “vandalized” in the nicest possible way. Thank you to the resident who took the time to write the note. It made for a happy day for the team that did the work. Bonus points for even using damage-free tape on the sign!

Village에 대한 더 많은 소식을 보려면 아래의 "What's Up in the Village" 태그를 클릭하세요.

Resident Services is always ready to assist you, but staff receive the most phone calls from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m.—and especially Mondays. If you can, please consider calling during off-peak hours, which are from 1 to 4 p.m., and during mid-week versus Monday morning, when call volume is the highest.

또한 언제든지 주민 서비스와 약속을 예약하거나 질문을 이메일로 보낼 수 있습니다. 레지던트서비스@vmsinc.org. 

How the Resident Portal Helps 

Did you know that many things offered by Resident Services can be done from the convenience of your own home? Avoid lines, save gas and time, and go online for the following:

• DwellingLive에서 24시간 연중무휴로 일일 패스 및 야간 주차 허가증을 등록하세요. 라구나우드빌리지닷컴/패스 또는 Google Play나 App Store에서 앱을 다운로드하세요. 
• 신용 카드 결제 처리, 서비스 요청 제출, 계좌 잔액 확인, 계좌 명세서 인쇄, 비상 연락처 업데이트, 거주자 및 차량 정보 검토 포털.라구나우드빌리지닷컴. 여기를 클릭하세요 거주자 포털을 사용하는 방법에 대한 단계별 튜토리얼을 확인하세요. 

근무시간 이후에는 누구에게 전화해야 하나요?

If you experience an issue at your manor (leak, backup, etc.) during normal business hours from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Friday, call Resident Services at 949-597-4600. However, if you’re experiencing an issue after hours or on a weekend or holiday, please call the Department of Security Services at 949-580-1400—staff will assign the right resources to address your issue. 

Laguna Woods Village에서 자주 전화하는 전화번호를 찾아보세요. lagunawoodsvillage.com/contact.

Village에 대한 더 많은 소식을 보려면 아래의 "What's Up in the Village" 태그를 클릭하세요.

Demand for higher levels of internet speed in the Village has grown 21.75% from October 2021 to October 2022. During the same period, subscribers to the lowest tier of service fell 6.73%. Recognizing the need to supply faster tiers of speed, the GRF board is working with its outside vendor, West Coast Internet (WCI), to increase internet speeds and adjust internet rates for the first time since 2014. 

As more residents use an increasing number of Wi-Fi-enabled devices (smart TVs, smart speakers, smartphones, tablets, laptops, watches, medical devices, video doorbells, security systems, etc.), as well as content streaming services such as Netflix and Hulu, bandwidth demand has grown exponentially.

Working with WCI, GRF has been able to provide internet services to Village residents for substantially less cost than suppliers in other communities. GRF is committed to continuing to provide excellent value to residents. 

The GRF board will consider a new internet rate structure to support increased speeds at the December 6 open meeting. If approved, the proposed internet rate structure will undergo a 28-day comment period, and the board would consider the rate structure at the January 3 open board meeting.

Find the December 6 open board meeting agenda packet, complete with a full staff report regarding this matter, at lagunawoodsvillage.com > Calendars > Golden Rain Foundation. Find the December 6 GRF Board Meeting for 9:30 a.m., and click Agenda to view/download the agenda packet. 

Village에 대한 더 많은 소식을 보려면 아래의 "What's Up in the Village" 태그를 클릭하세요.