'Cleaning Water the Natural Way' Premieres June 29th.

14(th) Episode of 'California's Water' Series

SACRAMENTO, Calif. -- 'Cleaning Water the Natural Way,' the 14th episode of the "California's Water" public television series produced by Huell Howser, is set to air June 29 at 7:30 p.m. on KCET. It will then be available to air statewide on PBS and public access stations. Check your local listings for details.

Huell Howser takes viewers to a man-made wetland in Irvine to see how urban runoff water is cleaned by native plants through a natural cleaning process. The Irvine Ranch Water District (IRWD) constructed a 320-acre wetland adjacent to the San Diego Creek to carry and clean urban runoff before the flow is returned to the ecologically sensitive Newport Bay. Water flows through eight ponds over a seven to ten day period allowing time for native plants to filter nitrates, sediment and phosphorus levels.

"We really tried to mimic natural wetlands," said Norris Brandt, environmental quality manager, IRWD. "We have planted only native plants."

In Howser's latest adventure viewers learn about alternative ways to clean water. This innovative project looks very much like a natural wetland with over 300 species of birds, fish and animals, 12 miles of hiking trails, an abundant array of native plants, trees and grasses, but to scientists and water quality experts it provides a 70 percent reduction of water pollutants.

"Isn't it interesting that with all of the technology, chemicals that we have today, with all of the infrared processes, that this really goes back to nature," said Huell Howser.

Howser interviewed IRWD General Manager Paul Jones II, IRWD Environmental Quality Manager Norris Brandt and Trude Hurd of the National Audubon Society.

ACWA is a statewide association of public agencies whose 450 members are responsible for about 90% of the water delivered in California. For more information, visit www.acwa.com.