Prior water conservation efforts net campus a 30 percent reduction in water use

By Mike Taylor

Walnut – Coming on the heels of Gov. Jerry Brown’s mandatory water reduction plan, Mt. San Antonio College is in the process of initiating its own plan that could realize a reduction in water use at the college of up to 50 percent over a ten-year period. The current water conservation master plan is actually a continuation of campus efforts to reduce water use that began in 2007.
“Our programs are driven by cost savings, which are considerable, but also by the knowledge that as a large institution in the San Gabriel Valley, we must be smart and responsible in how we manage all of the earth’s valuable resources,” said Mt. SAC Administrative Services Vice President, Michael Gregoryk.
Reclaimed water use, landscaping redesign, improved irrigation systems, the use of technology, and the addition of two new wells all figure highly in Mt. SAC’s multifaceted water conservation master plan. With the plan, the college is looking at saving an additional 100 acre-feet of water per year when it is fully implemented. An acre-foot of water is 325,851 gallons.
One part of the plan will look at replacing turf areas on campus with California native landscapes, which require much less water. In some areas, artificial surfaces may be an option as well.
An extension of the campus’ computerized irrigation control system is also on the table. The system reduces water waste by adjusting irrigation times and frequency according to temperature, winds, and humidity data. The campus already uses a computerized irrigation system for the main campus areas. The system expansion would include the farm pasture and rangelands.
On the 421-acre campus, the Mt. SAC farm comprises 75 acres. Athletic fields take up 18 acres, and 22 acres are devoted to the college’s wildlife sanctuary. Another 40 acres are rangeland for grazing. All of these areas have traditionally required irrigation or other water use.
But potential partnerships with local agencies for reclaimed water to use on pasture land are expected to make a big difference as the college moves from potable water to reclaimed water sources to irrigate rangeland and athletic fields.
Mt. SAC is also looking at adding two new wells to the existing three campus wells that will result in up to 60 acre-feet of water savings per year and will be used for irrigation of farm pastures and rangeland. The addition of two new wells will have a huge impact on the conservation effort.
Other strategies to achieve the water conservation goals include drip-line irrigation and the construction of a 1 million gallon domestic storage reservoir.
Yet the ambitious plan appears even more noteworthy when one considers that Mt. SAC has already realized a 30 percent reduction in water use since 2007. Faced with drought conditions eight years ago, college officials devised a strategy that would help the campus reduce its water use.
“In 2007, Mt. SAC took the lead in water conservation,” said Gregoryk. “They didn’t have to tell us we had to do it. We just did it. The 25 percent in water savings that the governor is now requiring, Mt. SAC achieved years ago.”
Prior to 2006, the college used an average of 598 acre-feet of water per year. But by 2013, water use dropped to 412 acre-feet per year, a reduction of 30 percent potable water and 16 percent in overall water use.
One of factors for that reduction was the rehabilitation of the three existing water wells on campus. The wells produce an average 90 acre-feet of non-potable water every year, which is used for irrigation on the college’s soccer and baseball fields and pond recharge in the wildlife sanctuary.
Another factor that helped the college realize a 30 percent reduction in water use is the practice of replacing old facilities with new energy and water efficient buildings that adhere to the United States Green Building Council’s Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design program. Since 2003, 30 new facilities have been built on campus, and these have been landscape-designed for water conservation.
“As Mt. SAC continues to grow, so will our commitment to the environment,” Gregoryk said.

(Photo Courtesy: Kelli Gile)
Evergreen parent volunteer, Lynette Marantz, was awarded the Partner in Education Award (shown with family members, Principal Carolyn Wills, and Board President Larry Redinger).

By Kelli Gile

Walnut – Walnut Valley’s Board of Trustees honored stellar students and dedicated community members during the April 15 meeting.

Evergreen Elementary 5^th Grader, Amber Wang, was honored with the Super Star Student Award.

Wang won the Scary Story Contest sponsored by the San Gabriel Valley Tribune. She plays the flute and performed with an erhu, a traditional Chinese instrument, during the talent show. Wang is also a team player in the robotics program. For Famous American Day, Wang dressed up as Steve Jobs and convinced everyone to go out and buy Apple products.

Two committed community members received the school’s Partner in Education Award.

Lynette Marantz has been a dedicated Evergreen volunteer for the past 15 years. She’s filled nearly every position in Community Club, helped organize the Talent Show, Walk-a-Thon, and served as president of the Community Club the past two years.

Hailey Shi is a talented former Evergreen student who donated her time and talents to paint a “giving tree” mural to recognize generous Community Club donations. She credits her elementary teachers for recognizing and encouraging her artistic talents.  Shi is now a freshman at Diamond Bar High.

South Pointe Middle School 6^th Grader, David Perez, received the Super Star Student Award.  Although life is sometimes filled with challenges, this positive young man chooses to address adversity with a smile.

“He spreads joy wherever he goes!” Principal Susan Arzola said.

South Pointe’s Community Club Treasurer, Dr. Vivian Lu, was honored with the Partner in Education Award. Dr. Lu is also a dentist, who helped someone at the school suffering from an acutely abscessed tooth. Dr. Lu treated the infection and made school visits to ensure that her directions were followed. She provided thousands of dollars in additional dental care to ensure the person no longer suffered.

“Dr. Lu not only takes care of our students and makes sure our finances are in order, but she is generous with her time, skills and compassion,” Arzola stated.

Parent volunteer, Kelly Eazor, received the Partner in Education Award. Eazor recently lent her creativity to decorate the reception and organize a photo display for South Pointe’s 25^th anniversary party. She created the backdrops for the Little Mermaid production, saving the school thousands of dollars. Eazor even sells nachos after school to support the performing arts program.

Diamond Bar High School’s South Asian Parents Association (SAPA) co-presidents, Lubna Akbany and Archana Verma, received the Partner in Education Award.

“Lubna and Archana have been able to unite people of all races and creeds in support of our most valuable resources – our children,” Principal Catherine Real said. “The characteristics of compassion, intelligence, and vision are all wrapped up in these wonderful examples of humanity and volunteerism,” she added.

Diamond Bar High senior, Ruben Reyes, received the Super Star Senior Award.  He has been accepted at both Stanford and Harvard.

Reyes’ accolades include ten AP classes, class officer all four years, Best Buddies Club president, and a member of national organization, yearbook staff, and varsity cross country and track athlete. He is described by teachers as a humble-servant leader who always puts the needs of others first.

The DBHS Varsity Girls Golf Team and coach, Tony McCabe, were recognized for their extraordinary achievement of winning the CIF State Championship.

The DBHS Health Occupations Students of America (HOSA) Club was voted as the “Most Professional Chapter” in 2015, out of 280 chapters at the annual conference. More than 200 student delegates elected member Crystal Chang as a state officer for the 2015-2016 school year.

The DBHS Future Business Leaders of America (FBLA) Club and advisor, Ty Watkins, were honored with certificates of recognition. The chapter has grown in the last nine years from only four members to nearly 300 chapter members. The club successfully vied in numerous competitive events at the 2015 Inland Section Conference.

24 young artists were recognized as winners of the 2015 Music K-8 Magazine Cover Contest.  Music Specialist, Judy Brunelle, introduced the talented elementary students who received certificates of recognition and color prints of their artwork.

This year’s top WVUSD winner is Westhoff Elementary 5^th Grader, Madison Hsieh, 7^th Place Runner-Up.

Congratulations to all of WVUSD’s Super Stars!