YLWD Open House Offers a Behind-the-Scenes Look at the People and Work Behind the Water

PLACENTIA, Calif. – Despite record-breaking temperatures, more than 500 customers and community members gathered Saturday, October 3, for Yorba Linda Water District’s (YLWD) annual Open House, the District’s largest community event of the year. Children and adults enjoyed everything from touring the District’s state-of-the-art water treatment plant to playing games, enjoying shave ice, and dancing to live music. This year’s Open House provided families a fun and engaging look at the people, facilities and work that keep water flowing to the community.

The event offered something for everyone, with interactive department demonstrations, equipment and vehicle displays, hands-on activities, giveaways, face painting and a balloon artist. But at the heart of the event were the people who make YLWD’s operations possible. Half of the District’s workforce teamed up to work at the event, giving customers an opportunity to meet the water professionals behind the services they rely on every day. Staff showcased everything from hydrant maintenance, leak detection and valve operations to wastewater collection, GIS, customer service, cross-connection and more. Employees also led activities and games that gave children and families a fun way to learn about water meters, water use efficiency programs and the many different jobs that go into delivering safe and reliable water.

“I am incredibly proud of the talented and dedicated team of water professionals who make YLWD such a special place,” said Mark Toy, YLWD General Manager. “Open House is always a great opportunity to showcase the work our employees do every day, but this year was especially meaningful because it marked the beginning of Water Professionals Appreciation Week. I am so proud to call YLWD my place of work and to work alongside a team that cares so deeply about our customers and our community.”

YLWD Board President Gene Hernandez also attended the event with his family. “I always enjoy coming to this event, and it makes me proud to bring my family every year to see our employees show off what they do for the community,” Hernandez said. “Open House is a wonderful opportunity for our customers to meet the people behind the services they receive and see firsthand the dedication our employees bring to their work.”

The event also featured several community partners who added another layer of fun and education. Representatives from the Metropolitan Water District of Southern California (MWD), Municipal Water District of Orange County (MWDOC), Orange County Water District, SoCalGas, Richard Nixon Foundation, Santiago Canyon College and Orange County Sheriff’s Department Yorba Linda Police Services joined YLWD with educational information, trivia wheels, giveaways and interactive displays. MWDOC also brought along its popular mascot, Ricky the Rambunctious Raindrop, who quickly became a favorite among children and families in attendance.

New this year, YLWD welcomed the School of Rock House Band, an energetic group of 11 talented middle and high school students, ages 12 to 18, who brought their rock star energy to the event. The band performed two 45-minute sets of classic ‘80s and ‘90s tunes that had attendees, and even Ricky Raindrop, dancing throughout the morning. A roaming photo booth also made its way through the event, capturing the buzz, family fun and smiles throughout Open House.

Attendees also had the opportunity to participate in a Garden Design Seminar, sponsored by MWD, and led by instructor and gardening enthusiast Debby Dunn, who walked participants through the process of designing beautiful landscapes that capture rainwater, conserve resources and thrive in local conditions. The seminar captured the interest of dozens of attendees and concluded with a raffle featuring three prizes, including succulent arrangements and a Home Depot gift card.

The District’s Public Affairs team also used the event as an opportunity to gather customer feedback about Open House. Attendees who completed an event survey received an exclusive YLWD mini tote, inspired by the popular reusable tote trend. The District received overwhelmingly positive feedback, with 97.9% of respondents rating their overall Open House experience as “very satisfied.” When asked what they enjoyed most, attendees highlighted the water treatment plant tours, shave ice, activities for children, variety of information, employee teamwork and camaraderie, and the event’s overall organization and atmosphere. Several attendees specifically praised YLWD employees for being friendly and welcoming.

When asked what they enjoyed least, the most common responses were simple: the heat and that the event wasn’t long enough! Additional comments included, “friendly staff,” “keep up the Open House,” “great environment and fun atmosphere,” and “We always come to Open House every year and have a great time!”

The positive feedback is a reflection of the hard work and enthusiasm of YLWD employees who helped make this Open House one for the books.

“Open House is my favorite event at YLWD because it gives our employees the opportunity to step away from their everyday roles and connect directly with the people we serve,” said Joanna Gonzalez, Public Affairs Officer. “Seeing our team share their knowledge, have fun with families, and showcase the work they’re passionate about is what makes this event so special.”

YLWD extends its appreciation to its community partners, customers, and everyone who attended the event. A big thank you also goes to our incredible YLWD teammates who volunteered their time, energy and creativity to make this year’s event better than ever. To learn more about YLWD’s Open House, upcoming events, and future tours, email pio@ylwd.com or follow the District on social media.