If that headline has you scratching your head, you are not alone. Many of us don’t know enough about how the El Toro Water District (ETWD) works, and assume that the best way to conserve water during the drought is to not water turf and landscape. In fact, not watering in certain areas of the Village actually wastes water.

ETWD owns and operates its own water reclamation plant with the capacity to process 3.7 MGD (millions of gallons per day). Efficient operation of the plant depends on this water returning to the community for irrigation and industrial uses. With limited storage capacity, any reclaimed water that doesn’t get used must be released into the ocean. If use of and demand for this large water volume decreases, that water ends up wasted.

With reclaimed water irrigation systems in gates 5, 6, 7, 8, 9 and 10, the Village is one of ETWD’s biggest users. Additionally, use of reclaimed water is not affected by most drought restrictions.

Conversely, gates 1, 2, 3, 4, 11 and 14 are currently irrigated with potable water. To date, ETWD has declared a Level 2 water shortage which calls for a voluntary 15% reduction in water usage. Usage within the district has declined and if it continues to do so the district does not anticipate the imminent need for moving to Level 3.

For more information you can listen to ETWD Board President Kathryn Freshley’s July 6 update on “This Day,” or visit the El Toro Water District website. 

Saving as much water as possible and following the ETWD’s Permanent Water Conservation Requirements is vital. Learning more can help prevent unintended outcomes. For more water-wise conversation tips, click here. For more information on water conservation, click here.

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The paving crew recently completed the cracks sealing program for Third Mutual and United Mutual. The VMS Department of General Services anticipates it will complete the cracks seal program for GRF by Friday, July 15.

Other paving projects include the GRF asphalt paving and sealcoat programs and concrete repairs and asphalt paving programs in specified areas throughout the Village. All affected residents in each respective area of work have been notified and provided with a description of work, as well as the paving schedule for their respective area. To access the project logs, click here and scroll down to Maintenance Project Logs. 

For more Village news, click on the tag “What’s Up in the Village” below.

The United Laguna Woods Mutual and Third Laguna Hills Mutual annual election board candidates for 2022 have been confirmed. 

United Mutual will have a normal annual election process. The “Meet the Candidates” forum will be held in the Community Center Board Room on Friday, August 19. Confirmed United Mutual board candidates are Thomas Tuning, Mary Simon, Kambuzia Amini and Diane Casey. Click the orange button below to download the election schedule. 

Third Mutual will not have a normal annual election process. After the close of the candidate application deadline, the number of applications received was less than the number of available board seats. Those who applied will be voted onto the board by acclamation by non-candidate board members at the Third Mutual annual meeting in October 2022. Confirmed Third Mutual board candidates are Cris Prince, Cusrow Bhada and Ralph Engdahl.  

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The Equestrian Center, Laguna Woods Art Association and Village Community Fund are hosting the second Help the Herd art auction to benefit the horses on Thursday, July 14, from 5:30 to 7:30 p.m. 

Horse portraits, landscapes and paintings will be on display in the Equestrian Center courtyard, and a tour of the facility will be included in the evening’s program. Wine, beer and a charcuterie grazing table will be provided.  

Donations of $20 payable via cash or check are welcome. Closed-toed shoes are required. Space is limited to 75 attendees, so please register by July 9 via email to albrechtnl@hotmail.com.  

For more Village news, click on the tag “What’s Up in the Village” below.