WATER CONSERVATION FACTS
We build and operate our office properties in a sustainable, environmentally sensitive manner. As a master planner and long-term owner, Irvine Company projects include a comprehensive water usage and conservation plan, ensuring that adequate water resources are available.
In our landscaping, we use or are converting to state-of-the-art, high-efficiency irrigation systems that reduces water consumption through the use of:
- Smart irrigation controllers: This high-tech system controls how much water is used to irrigate our landscapes based on plant/soil type and weather conditions. The system uses real-time weather satellite data that adjusts the irrigation programming.
- Drip and low-flow irrigation: This practice allows water to be slowly applied into the soil, drastically reducing water usage and overspray onto non-landscaped areas.
- Master valves with flow sensors: This allows the system to automatically shut off the water when the flow sensor detects a leak.
Wherever possible, we irrigate our landscaping with recycled water. For instance, since the early 1980s, many office buildings in the city of Irvine use recycled water for their landscaping.
Unlike potable water, there are no drought-related restrictions on the amount of recycled water that may be used.
In our newest office buildings, we have installed duel plumbing to allow recycled water to be used for toilets and urinals.
In established office buildings, we have converted 3,500 high-flow toilets and 1,300 urinals to high-efficiency models. The new toilets use 63% less water, and the new urinals use 92% less water for a total water savings of 62 million gallons each year.
Our office properties feature water-efficient cooling towers that save 25 million gallons of water annually.
As part of its commitment to efficient water use and reuse, the Irvine Company employs a dedicated team that continually monitors water usage across its portfolio. Team members inspect water systems on a regular basis and make adjustments when needed to prevent overspray and runoff.