Rain in San Diego – Conserving Water is Important
Posted by Donna Niksich | Visited 490 times, 1 so far today | Leave A Comment »
Thought we should all be aware of the upcoming rains, which don’t happen too often in San Diego. We need to keep abreast when our water districts provide information for homeowners to turn sprinklers off to conserve water, which is always a concern for our area. Please adhere to the following message:
Rainstorms provide opportunity for everyone to help conserve water.
National Weather Service forecasters predict rainfall for the San Diego region beginning Saturday, December 13 through Wednesday, December 17. The Olivenhain Municipal Water District is urging residents, businesses and public agencies to immediately shut off landscape watering systems to conserve water. Irrigation systems can be turned off for several days following storms bringing measurable amounts of rain, and up to a week or more following heavy or prolonged storms.
Water officials estimate a voluntary one-week hiatus from using landscape watering systems across the region could save 2,000 acre-feet of water. To determine when it is necessary to turn water systems back on, you can monitor soil moisture and plant stress. Check soil moisture by sticking a shovel or your finger into the dirt.
When the soil is dry one to two inches deep, it is time to water.
The region’s water supplies have been impacted by extremely dry conditions around California over the last two years, as well as by extensive drought conditions in the Colorado River basin. In addition, court-ordered pumping restrictions on the State Water Project have significantly cut water deliveries from Northern California this year and are expected to continue through 2009.
Other water conservation tips, incentives and programs are available at: www.omwd.com/drought
