Last month I signed up for the Irvine Water District Tour offered free to residents. Kids under 16 are not allowed, so D and I considered it our “date morning”–haha.
Upon sign-in we were greeted with a free conservation kit (shower timer, low-flow showerhead, etc.) They also had Einstein bagels/cream cheese, coffee and juice. The morning started with a presentation explaining the history and politics of IRWD. Next we hopped on a charter bus and went to a nearby desalinization plant.
Three cheers for reverse osmosis!
Our last stop was the San Joaquin Wildlife Sanctuary. We saw a presentation on how waste water is recycled to be used in the “purple pipes” that water golf courses, parks, etc. The most interesting part was looking at the micro-organisms that help clean the water. They are active little critters!
After a short walk around the sanctuary, it was lunchtime. 
During lunch someone spoke to us about conservation and how to keep our water bills low. At the end we took a survey and received a reuseable bag.
I thought it was nice that they offer this tour to residents. It was pretty interesting to think about the processes that we take for granted. And it is pretty amazing that our access to water is so plentiful and cheap. The tour also pointed out various water tanks and facilities that we drive by all the time in Irvine and pay absolutely no attention to. D and I want to go on the CR&R tour next. j/k; I’m pretty sure they don’t have one, but you know we would go if they did!
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cool post. I had a prof who, for summer vacations, would take their kids on tours of factories, mfg plants, etc. Not fun for kids, but the parents loved it.