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HomeMy WebLinkAboutPipeline 02 - Summer 2019T H E O TAY WATER DISTRICT • P R OUDLY SERVING E A ST C OUNT Y A ND TH E S OUTH B A Y SINC E 1956 A NE WSLET TE R FOR CUSTOMER S OF T HE OTAY WATER DISTRICT SUMMER 2019 FOLLOW OTAY WATER ON... / SIGA AL DISTRITO DE AGUA DE OTAY EN... OTAY WATER DISTRICT – Board of Directors The Board of Directors meets on the first Wednesday of the month at 3:30 p.m. in the Board meeting room. The public is encouraged to attend at 2554 Sweetwater Springs Boulevard, Spring Valley, CA. PresidentMitch Thompson, Division 2mthompson@otaywater.gov Vice PresidentMark Robak, Division 5mrobak@otaywater.gov TreasurerHector Gastelum, Division 4hector@otaywater.gov Board MemberTim Smith, Division 1tsmith@otaywater.gov Board MemberGary Croucher, Division 3gcroucher@otaywater.gov Dedicated to Community Service FOR MORE INFORMATION ABOUT THE OTAY WATER DISTRICT CALL (619) 670-2222 OR GO TO OTAYWATER.GOV The Pipeline Newsletter is published quartely by the Otay Water District and can also be found online at otaywater.gov. Copywright ©2018 Otay Water District. All rights reserved. Water Quality Report Available Online In calendar year 2018, the potable water delivered by the Otay Water District met or surpassed all public health drinking water requirements and standards set by the United States Environmental Protection Agency and the State Water Resources Control Board, Division of Drinking Water. View the District’s water quality report in English and Spanish at OtayWater.gov/ConsumerConfidenceReport. To request a printed copy, email info@otaywater.gov, call (619) 670-2222, or visit the District’s office at 2554 Sweetwater Springs Blvd., Spring Valley, CA 91978. El informe sobre la calidad del agua está disponible En 2018, el agua suministrada por el Distrito cumplió o superó todos los requisitos y estándares de agua potable establecidos por la Agencia de Protección Ambiental de los Estados Unidos y la División de Agua Potable de la Junta Estatal de Control de Recursos Hídricos. El informe anual sobre la calidad de su agua está disponible en OtayWater.gov/ConsumerConfidenceReport. Para solicitar una copia, envíe un correo electrónico a info@ otaywater.gov, llame al 619-670-2222, o visite nuestras oficinas ubicadas en 2554 Sweetwater Springs Blvd., Spring Valley, CA 91978. WaterSmart Landscape Contest “Best in District” Winner Announced Water Use Decreased by Approximately 33 Percent La Mesa residents Bob and Shan Cissell have been designated the title of “Best in District” in Otay’s 2019 WaterSmart Landscape Contest. The annual competition rewards residential customers for their water- efficient landscapes from 13 participating San Diego county agencies based on overall attractiveness, design, plant selection, and efficient irrigation and maintenance. After participating in the WaterSmart Landscape Makeover Program – presented by the San Diego County Water Authority and Otay – and drawing inspiration from the Water Conservation Garden in El Cajon, the Cissells decided to turn their 2,500 square feet of irrigated grass into their own conservation garden, decreasing their water use by an average of roughly 33 percent. They started from scratch, which began with removing the sod. “The coolest thing is that it was a 100 percent makeover from irrigated lawn that took a pathetic amount of water to keep it green, and it wasn’t even green,” said Shan. “It’s the design, the technical, the labor, the creativity, and the focus on not a single drop of water being wasted that we took seriously.” They then layered cardboard, compost, and mulch, which now keeps the soil moist. As part of the design, they incorporated a recycling component and creative elements including a hand-built waterfall made from an old truck ladder rack and other solid materials that would otherwise serve no purpose. Water from a swale feeds the waterfall, then travels through microtubes up a faux bonsái tree — made of concrete and unused materials – to irrigate the flower baskets that rest at the end of each tree branch. Large tree roots that once ran through their yard between underground piping, decorate other areas of their yard. For efficient irrigation, the Cissells installed drip tubing along the top of the ground and corrugated drain piping below. The piping is used for excess water to irrigate the slopes surrounding the home. To assure that their drip system would continue to work properly, the Cissells came up with a system using a birdbath made from an old sink. When their drip system turns on, it feeds the birdbath. The water flows up into the sink and into the overflow hole and back down to the trees. No water is wasted, and mosquito larvae is prevented. If the birdbath is dry, it means that the drip system is not working properly. To maximize their viewing area, the Cissells strategically placed curved walking paths throughout their yard. “After we made the pathway, we thought we’d use brick or pavers, but the Water Authority suggested to use absorbent materials and that’s when we decided to use decomposed granite and embed stones in concrete as a pathway so that there would be a permanent border,” said Bob. To view the full story and more photos of the Cissells’ yard, visit otaywater.gov/landscape-contest-winner-2019. Se anuncia ganador del “Mejor Jardín del Distrito” del concurso WaterSmart El uso de agua se redujo un 33 por ciento aproximadamente Bob y Shan Cissell, residentes de La Mesa, ganaron el título del “Mejor Jardín del Distrito” del concurso WaterSmart 2019 de Otay. Por medio de esta competencia anual se reconoce a los clientes residenciales de las 13 agencias participantes del condado de San Diego en función del atractivo en general de su jardín, diseño, selección de plantas, sistemas de riego eficientes y mantenimiento adecuado. Después de participar en el Programa de Transformación de Jardines WaterSmart que presenta la San Diego County Water Authority y Otay, e inspirándose en el Jardín de Conservación de Agua del Cajon, los Cissell decidieron convertir su jardín de 2,500 pies cuadrados con pasto en su propio jardín de conservación logrando reducir su consumo de agua un 33 por ciento aproximadamente. Ellos comenzaron desde cero, es decir, con la eliminación del césped. “Lo mejor es que fue una transformación radical del césped que consumía grandes cantidades de agua para mantenerlo verde, y ni siquiera era verde,” mencionó Shan. “Lo que tomamos muy en serio fue el diseño, la parte técnica, el trabajo, la creatividad, y la meta de no desperdiciar ni una sola gota de agua.” Luego colocaron capas de cartón, abono y mantillo para mantener el suelo húmedo. Como parte del diseño, incorporaron un componente de reciclaje y elementos creativos, incluyendo una cascada hecha a mano construida del viejo armazón de una escalera para camiones y otros materiales sólidos que de otro modo no servirían para nada. El agua sale de una zanja para alimentar a una cascada y luego viaja a través de tubos diminutos hasta un árbol bonsái artificial (hecho de concreto y materiales que no tienen uso) para regar las canastas de flores que descansan al final de cada rama del árbol. Las grandes raíces de árboles que alguna vez pasaron por su patio entre las tuberías subterráneas ahora decoran otras áreas de su jardín. Los Cissell instalaron un sistema de riego por goteo sobre el terreno y tuberías de drenaje corrugadas en la parte de abajo. La tubería se utiliza para que el exceso de agua riegue las desniveles que rodean la casa. Para asegurarse de que su sistema de goteo funcionara correctamente, los Cissell inventaron un sistema utilizando un baño para pájaros hecho con un fregadero viejo. Cuando su sistema de goteo está prendido, alimenta el bebedero para pájaros. El agua fluye hacia el fregadero y el orificio de desbordamiento para posteriormente regresar a los árboles. No se desperdicia el agua y se previene el desarrollo de larvas de mosquitos. Si el baño para pájaros está seco, significa que el sistema de goteo no funciona correctamente. Para maximizar su área de visualización, los Cissell colocaron estratégicamente senderos con curvas para caminar a lo largo de su jardín. Estos están hechos de granito descompuesto delimitado por piedras colocadas en concreto para asegurar su estabilidad y duración. “Después de que hicimos el camino, pensamos que usaríamos ladrillos o adoquines, pero la Water Authority sugirió que utilizáramos materiales absorbentes y fue entonces cuando decidimos usar granito descompuesto y piedras incrustadas en concreto para crear un límite permanente,” mencionó Bob. “En ese momento nos sentimos muy bien con el proyecto y supimos que estábamos progresando.” Para leer toda la historia y ver más fotografías del jardín de los Cissell, por favor visite otaywater.gov/ganador-concurso-watersmart-2019. Nan Sterman is a garden expert, author, designer, and educator. Nan leads international garden tours, is the author of several books, and hosts the show A Growing Passion on KPBS TV, www.waterwisegardener.com If you’ve visited or lived in the East, Midwest, Pacific Northwest, or any other temperate climate region of the world, you may have noticed how green those regions look. Big trees and shrubs, covered in large, green leaves, thrive on warm summer rains. When winter’s cold arrives, the trees and shrubs drop their leaves and go into dormancy — a kind of suspended animation — while the plants wait for spring’s warmth to return. Our region is not green. It is bright and sunny, with scrub-covered hills that are olive green from fall through spring, then brown through summer. They respond to our unique Mediterranean climate pattern. Rain falls during mild cool temperatures of autumn, winter, and early spring. There’s no rain during summer’s dry heat, which is nice for people, but challenging for plants. Big green trees and shrubs are rare in deserts, too. Some rain falls in winter, but the biggest rainfall occurs during muggy summer monsoons. Deserts get extremely hot, with little rainfall overall, and — other than during monsoon season — the dry air literally pulls moisture from plant leaves. Plants native to these dry regions have evolved similar survival strategies for extreme heat and limited water. Many native plants go dormant in the heat. Their leaves drop, and branches stay bare until the cool temperatures of fall when new leaves sprout, and plants resume their growth. Small leaves and narrow leaves are drought strategies, too. Plants lose moisture by evaporation from the surface of their leaves. Larger leaves, with more surface area, lose the most water. Smaller and narrower leaves have less surface area, so they lose less water to the atmosphere. While we love the feeling of fuzzy leaves, that isn’t why they are covered with fuzz. For plants, that layer of fine hairs is a vapor barrier that slows down water evaporation from leaf surfaces. The hairs shade the leaf from blistering sunlight, too, and their silver color helps deflects sunlight. All are strategies for surviving heat and drought. Leaves that don’t contain much water, don’t have much water to lose. Some dry-climate plants evolve leaves that are leathery or high in oils, rather than fleshy and water-filled. Succulence is an obvious drought strategy. In the rainy season, succulent plants absorb water and store it in their stems, roots, and leaves. In the dry season, they use up that moisture to survive. Next time you see a barrel cactus, notice how beneath the spines, the plant itself is baffled like an accordion. The baffles expand as the plants fill up with water during the rainy season. As the water gets used, the baffles shrink back down. Even spines have a drought purpose. True, they protect plants from predators, but for some cacti, spines harvest dew from the cooler evening and early morning air, then direct it right into the plant or to the roots. All plant leaves are covered in a thin layer of wax to keep them hydrated for a longer period. For some hot climate plants, the protective wax layer is so thick that it comes off when you rub the leaf. These adaptations make for gardens that look entirely different from big, broad-leaved temperate gardens, yet are no less attractive. So, next time you are looking for plants that will thrive in your garden with little or no irrigation, look for features such as succulence, spines, and leaves that are silver, fuzzy, waxy, leathery, oily, small or narrow. These characteristics are rules of thumb since, for example, silver leaved plants are native to many different climates. So, do your homework. Research plants to find those best suited to our waterwise gardens. Then, then come up with a plan before you go shopping. That’s the best part, of course! Nan StermanWaterwiseGardener Register for classes or events at thegarden.org or call (619) 660-0614x10 Nature Nights with Ms. Smarty Plants - Totally Tortoise TrekFriday, July 26 & Aug. 23, 6 – 8 p.m. Bring your flashlight and curiosity to explore the Garden at night. The FREE Family event will include animal encounters, a scavenger hunt, campfire and souvenir. All ages welcome. Registration required. To register, email MsSmartyPlants@TheGarden.org or call 619-660-0614 ext. 16. Nature Therapy Saturday, Aug. 3 & Sunday, Aug. 4, 9:30 – 11 a.m. Experience nature-healing in a practice of Japa-nese “Forest Bathing.” Engage all your senses during a slow-paced, quiet discovery of the natural benefits found in the Garden. Members: Free; Nonmembers: $10. Stretch & Connect: Garden YogaMonday, Aug. 12, 9-10 a.m. Unwind, unplug, and connect with nature during yoga at the Garden. After the class, tour the nearly 6 acres of displays at the Garden. Members: $5; Nonmembers: $8. Wags n WineWednesday, Aug. 14, 5:30 – 7:30 p.m. Spend an evening strolling along water-efficient gardens with your furry friend. Bring your wine glass and canine. Members: $5; Nonmembers: $10. Greywater Level 2Saturday, Aug. 24, 10 a.m. - 12 p.m. Dive deeper into water systems and learn how to implement gravity-fed or pumped systems, adjust irrigation, learn plumbing techniques, review best practices, and choose plants that prefer greywater. Must have taken an intro level harvesting class to attend. Members: $15; Nonmembers: $20. Free Docent-Led Tours Professional Landscape Design Consultations Ms. Smarty-Plants School Tours and Assembly Program UPCOMING EVENTS ONGOING EVENTS WaterWise Plants for Your GardenOtay Receives the Highest Form of Recognition for Its Financial Reporting The District’s dedicated finance staff, with the support of management, and the Board of Directors, is proud to achieve the highest form of recognition in the area of governmental accounting and financial reporting in addition to receiving four awards earlier this year. The Government Finance Officers Association (GFOA) presented the District with a Certificate of Achievement for Excellence in Financial Reporting for its Fiscal Year 2018 Comprehensive Annual Financial Report (CAFR). The CAFR met the GFOA’s high standards, including demonstrating a constructive “spirit of full disclosure” to clearly communicate its financial story and motivate potential readers to read the report. This is the District’s 13th consecutive “Achievement for Excellence” award for the CAFR. The District, its staff, and the Board ensure that the budget represents sound financial management. This is demonstrated, not only through minimizing impacts to customers’ rates, but also through awards the District received for its Fiscal Year 2019 Operating and Capital Budget. The California Society of Municipal Finance Officers (CSMFO) recognized the District with the Operating Budget Excellence Award and the GFOA presented the District with the Distinguished Budget Presentation Award. This prominent recognition in governmental budgeting represents a significant achievement by the District. CSMFO also recognized the District for its Fiscal Year 2019 Capital Improvement Program Budget with a Capital Budget Excellence Award. Visit thegarden.org for details Legislative Update Good News: No Water Tax It is very likely that the District and its water customers will not be impacted by a water tax for the safe and affordable drinking water concern. The original proposed solution through a statewide water tax for this significant issue, was able to be accomplished through a compromise that still achieves the safe drinking water objectives without a water tax. In early June, the Budget Conference Committee unanimously adopted a compromise for safe drinking water. This compromise is made up of $100 million from the Greenhouse Gas Reduction Fund (GGRF), $30 million from the General Fund, and $3.4 million from the General Fund for the State Water Resources Control Board’s administrative costs. Included also is a deal to continuously appropriate 5 percent of the GGRF revenues starting in the 2020-2021 budget year. The 5 percent is capped at $130 million per year with a General Fund backstop if the 5 percent falls below the $130 million, but not until the 2023-2024 budget year. The entire program sunsets in 2030. This is a great outcome on an issue of significant statewide concern over the course of multiple years. To know that the state’s important safe drinking water program will advance without a water tax to the District’s customers is a testament to the efforts and advocacy of the District, other water agencies, and the business community. The District and the regional coalition are proud to know our voices were heard. AB 1588: Paving the Way for Veterans and Increasing the Pool of Qualified Applicants in California’s Water Industry Aging infrastructure and workforce in the water industry, combined with more than 250,000 U.S. military members leaving military service each year, have led the Otay Water District and the San Diego County Water Authority to cosponsor a bill, AB 1588 (Gloria/Gray), ensuring that military veterans transitioning into civilian water and wastewater operator occupations receive appropriate crediting for experience and education gained during military service. Despite the availability of military resources to assist service members and veterans to reintegrate into civilian lifestyle, there continue to be missed opportunities – particularly within the water and wastewater treatment operator field – to find, educate, certify, and employ veterans transitioning to civilian employment. To learn more about this bill, visit otaywater.gov/AB-1588. Increase Water-Use Efficiency During Smart Irrigation Month July is a peak month for outdoor water use, but a great time to improve your irrigation efficiency! For tips to help you save during Smart Irrigation Month, visit otaywater.gov/smart-irrigation-2019. Nan Sterman is a garden expert, author, designer, and educator. Nan leads international garden tours, is the author of several books, and hosts the show A Growing Passion on KPBS TV, www.waterwisegardener.com If you’ve visited or lived in the East, Midwest, Pacific Northwest, or any other temperate climate region of the world, you may have noticed how green those regions look. Big trees and shrubs, covered in large, green leaves, thrive on warm summer rains. When winter’s cold arrives, the trees and shrubs drop their leaves and go into dormancy — a kind of suspended animation — while the plants wait for spring’s warmth to return. Our region is not green. It is bright and sunny, with scrub-covered hills that are olive green from fall through spring, then brown through summer. They respond to our unique Mediterranean climate pattern. Rain falls during mild cool temperatures of autumn, winter, and early spring. There’s no rain during summer’s dry heat, which is nice for people, but challenging for plants. Big green trees and shrubs are rare in deserts, too. Some rain falls in winter, but the biggest rainfall occurs during muggy summer monsoons. Deserts get extremely hot, with little rainfall overall, and — other than during monsoon season — the dry air literally pulls moisture from plant leaves. Plants native to these dry regions have evolved similar survival strategies for extreme heat and limited water. Many native plants go dormant in the heat. Their leaves drop, and branches stay bare until the cool temperatures of fall when new leaves sprout, and plants resume their growth. Small leaves and narrow leaves are drought strategies, too. Plants lose moisture by evaporation from the surface of their leaves. Larger leaves, with more surface area, lose the most water. Smaller and narrower leaves have less surface area, so they lose less water to the atmosphere. While we love the feeling of fuzzy leaves, that isn’t why they are covered with fuzz. For plants, that layer of fine hairs is a vapor barrier that slows down water evaporation from leaf surfaces. The hairs shade the leaf from blistering sunlight, too, and their silver color helps deflects sunlight. All are strategies for surviving heat and drought. Leaves that don’t contain much water, don’t have much water to lose. Some dry-climate plants evolve leaves that are leathery or high in oils, rather than fleshy and water-filled. Succulence is an obvious drought strategy. In the rainy season, succulent plants absorb water and store it in their stems, roots, and leaves. In the dry season, they use up that moisture to survive. Next time you see a barrel cactus, notice how beneath the spines, the plant itself is baffled like an accordion. The baffles expand as the plants fill up with water during the rainy season. As the water gets used, the baffles shrink back down. Even spines have a drought purpose. True, they protect plants from predators, but for some cacti, spines harvest dew from the cooler evening and early morning air, then direct it right into the plant or to the roots. All plant leaves are covered in a thin layer of wax to keep them hydrated for a longer period. For some hot climate plants, the protective wax layer is so thick that it comes off when you rub the leaf. These adaptations make for gardens that look entirely different from big, broad-leaved temperate gardens, yet are no less attractive. So, next time you are looking for plants that will thrive in your garden with little or no irrigation, look for features such as succulence, spines, and leaves that are silver, fuzzy, waxy, leathery, oily, small or narrow. These characteristics are rules of thumb since, for example, silver leaved plants are native to many different climates. So, do your homework. Research plants to find those best suited to our waterwise gardens. Then, then come up with a plan before you go shopping. That’s the best part, of course! Nan StermanWaterwise Gardener Register for classes or events at thegarden.org or call (619) 660-0614x10 Nature Nights with Ms. Smarty Plants - Totally Tortoise TrekFriday, July 26 & Aug. 23, 6 – 8 p.m. Bring your flashlight and curiosity to explore the Garden at night. The FREE Family event will include animal encounters, a scavenger hunt, campfire and souvenir. All ages welcome. Registration required. To register, email MsSmartyPlants@TheGarden.org or call 619-660-0614 ext. 16. Nature Therapy Saturday, Aug. 3 & Sunday, Aug. 4, 9:30 – 11 a.m. Experience nature-healing in a practice of Japa-nese “Forest Bathing.” Engage all your senses during a slow-paced, quiet discovery of the natural benefits found in the Garden. Members: Free; Nonmembers: $10. Stretch & Connect: Garden Yoga Monday, Aug. 12, 9-10 a.m. Unwind, unplug, and connect with nature during yoga at the Garden. After the class, tour the nearly 6 acres of displays at the Garden. Members: $5; Nonmembers: $8. Wags n WineWednesday, Aug. 14, 5:30 – 7:30 p.m. Spend an evening strolling along water-efficient gardens with your furry friend. Bring your wine glass and canine. Members: $5; Nonmembers: $10. Greywater Level 2 Saturday, Aug. 24, 10 a.m. - 12 p.m. Dive deeper into water systems and learn how to implement gravity-fed or pumped systems, adjust irrigation, learn plumbing techniques, review best practices, and choose plants that prefer greywater. Must have taken an intro level harvesting class to attend. Members: $15; Nonmembers: $20. Free Docent-Led Tours Professional Landscape Design Consultations Ms. Smarty-Plants School Tours and Assembly Program UPCOMING EVENTS ONGOING EVENTS WaterWise Plants for Your GardenOtay Receives the Highest Form of Recognition for Its Financial Reporting The District’s dedicated finance staff, with the support of management, and the Board of Directors, is proud to achieve the highest form of recognition in the area of governmental accounting and financial reporting in addition to receiving four awards earlier this year. The Government Finance Officers Association (GFOA) presented the District with a Certificate of Achievement for Excellence in Financial Reporting for its Fiscal Year 2018 Comprehensive Annual Financial Report (CAFR). The CAFR met the GFOA’s high standards, including demonstrating a constructive “spirit of full disclosure” to clearly communicate its financial story and motivate potential readers to read the report. This is the District’s 13th consecutive “Achievement for Excellence” award for the CAFR. The District, its staff, and the Board ensure that the budget represents sound financial management. This is demonstrated, not only through minimizing impacts to customers’ rates, but also through awards the District received for its Fiscal Year 2019 Operating and Capital Budget. The California Society of Municipal Finance Officers (CSMFO) recognized the District with the Operating Budget Excellence Award and the GFOA presented the District with the Distinguished Budget Presentation Award. This prominent recognition in governmental budgeting represents a significant achievement by the District. CSMFO also recognized the District for its Fiscal Year 2019 Capital Improvement Program Budget with a Capital Budget Excellence Award. Visit thegarden.org for details Legislative Update Good News: No Water Tax It is very likely that the District and its water customers will not be impacted by a water tax for the safe and affordable drinking water concern. The original proposed solution through a statewide water tax for this significant issue, was able to be accomplished through a compromise that still achieves the safe drinking water objectives without a water tax. In early June, the Budget Conference Committee unanimously adopted a compromise for safe drinking water. This compromise is made up of $100 million from the Greenhouse Gas Reduction Fund (GGRF), $30 million from the General Fund, and $3.4 million from the General Fund for the State Water Resources Control Board’s administrative costs. Included also is a deal to continuously appropriate 5 percent of the GGRF revenues starting in the 2020-2021 budget year. The 5 percent is capped at $130 million per year with a General Fund backstop if the 5 percent falls below the $130 million, but not until the 2023-2024 budget year. The entire program sunsets in 2030. This is a great outcome on an issue of significant statewide concern over the course of multiple years. To know that the state’s important safe drinking water program will advance without a water tax to the District’s customers is a testament to the efforts and advocacy of the District, other water agencies, and the business community. The District and the regional coalition are proud to know our voices were heard. AB 1588: Paving the Way for Veterans and Increasing the Pool of Qualified Applicants in California’s Water Industry Aging infrastructure and workforce in the water industry, combined with more than 250,000 U.S. military members leaving military service each year, have led the Otay Water District and the San Diego County Water Authority to cosponsor a bill, AB 1588 (Gloria/Gray), ensuring that military veterans transitioning into civilian water and wastewater operator occupations receive appropriate crediting for experience and education gained during military service. Despite the availability of military resources to assist service members and veterans to reintegrate into civilian lifestyle, there continue to be missed opportunities – particularly within the water and wastewater treatment operator field – to find, educate, certify, and employ veterans transitioning to civilian employment. To learn more about this bill, visit otaywater.gov/AB-1588. Increase Water-Use Efficiency During Smart Irrigation Month July is a peak month for outdoor water use, but a great time to improve your irrigation efficiency! For tips to help you save during Smart Irrigation Month, visit otaywater.gov/smart-irrigation-2019. T H E O TAY WATER DISTRICT • P R OUDLY SERVING E A ST C OUNT Y A ND TH E S OUTH B A Y SINC E 1956 A NE WSLET TE R FOR CUSTOMER S OF T HE OTAY WATER DISTRICT SUMMER 2019 FOLLOW OTAY WATER ON... / SIGA AL DISTRITO DE AGUA DE OTAY EN... OTAY WATER DISTRICT – Board of Directors The Board of Directors meets on the first Wednesday of the month at 3:30 p.m. in the Board meeting room. The public is encouraged to attend at 2554 Sweetwater Springs Boulevard, Spring Valley, CA. PresidentMitch Thompson, Division 2mthompson@otaywater.gov Vice PresidentMark Robak, Division 5mrobak@otaywater.gov TreasurerHector Gastelum, Division 4hector@otaywater.gov Board MemberTim Smith, Division 1tsmith@otaywater.gov Board MemberGary Croucher, Division 3gcroucher@otaywater.gov Dedicated to Community Service FOR MORE INFORMATION ABOUT THE OTAY WATER DISTRICT CALL (619) 670-2222 OR GO TO OTAYWATER.GOV The Pipeline Newsletter is published quartely by the Otay Water District and can also be found online at otaywater.gov. Copywright ©2018 Otay Water District. All rights reserved. Water Quality Report Available Online In calendar year 2018, the potable water delivered by the Otay Water District met or surpassed all public health drinking water requirements and standards set by the United States Environmental Protection Agency and the State Water Resources Control Board, Division of Drinking Water. View the District’s water quality report in English and Spanish at OtayWater.gov/ConsumerConfidenceReport. To request a printed copy, email info@otaywater.gov, call (619) 670-2222, or visit the District’s office at 2554 Sweetwater Springs Blvd., Spring Valley, CA 91978. El informe sobre la calidad del agua está disponible En 2018, el agua suministrada por el Distrito cumplió o superó todos los requisitos y estándares de agua potable establecidos por la Agencia de Protección Ambiental de los Estados Unidos y la División de Agua Potable de la Junta Estatal de Control de Recursos Hídricos. El informe anual sobre la calidad de su agua está disponible en OtayWater.gov/ConsumerConfidenceReport. Para solicitar una copia, envíe un correo electrónico a info@ otaywater.gov, llame al 619-670-2222, o visite nuestras oficinas ubicadas en 2554 Sweetwater Springs Blvd., Spring Valley, CA 91978. WaterSmart Landscape Contest “Best in District” Winner Announced Water Use Decreased by Approximately 33 Percent La Mesa residents Bob and Shan Cissell have been designated the title of “Best in District” in Otay’s 2019 WaterSmart Landscape Contest. The annual competition rewards residential customers for their water-efficient landscapes from 13 participating San Diego county agencies based on overall attractiveness, design, plant selection, and efficient irrigation and maintenance. After participating in the WaterSmart Landscape Makeover Program – presented by the San Diego County Water Authority and Otay – and drawing inspiration from the Water Conservation Garden in El Cajon, the Cissells decided to turn their 2,500 square feet of irrigated grass into their own conservation garden, decreasing their water use by an average of roughly 33 percent. They started from scratch, which began with removing the sod. “The coolest thing is that it was a 100 percent makeover from irrigated lawn that took a pathetic amount of water to keep it green, and it wasn’t even green,” said Shan. “It’s the design, the technical, the labor, the creativity, and the focus on not a single drop of water being wasted that we took seriously.” They then layered cardboard, compost, and mulch, which now keeps the soil moist. As part of the design, they incorporated a recycling component and creative elements including a hand-built waterfall made from an old truck ladder rack and other solid materials that would otherwise serve no purpose. Water from a swale feeds the waterfall, then travels through microtubes up a faux bonsái tree — made of concrete and unused materials – to irrigate the flower baskets that rest at the end of each tree branch. Large tree roots that once ran through their yard between underground piping, decorate other areas of their yard. For efficient irrigation, the Cissells installed drip tubing along the top of the ground and corrugated drain piping below. The piping is used for excess water to irrigate the slopes surrounding the home. To assure that their drip system would continue to work properly, the Cissells came up with a system using a birdbath made from an old sink. When their drip system turns on, it feeds the birdbath. The water flows up into the sink and into the overflow hole and back down to the trees. No water is wasted, and mosquito larvae is prevented. If the birdbath is dry, it means that the drip system is not working properly. To maximize their viewing area, the Cissells strategically placed curved walking paths throughout their yard. “After we made the pathway, we thought we’d use brick or pavers, but the Water Authority suggested to use absorbent materials and that’s when we decided to use decomposed granite and embed stones in concrete as a pathway so that there would be a permanent border,” said Bob. To view the full story and more photos of the Cissells’ yard, visit otaywater.gov/landscape-contest-winner-2019. Se anuncia ganador del “Mejor Jardín del Distrito” del concurso WaterSmart El uso de agua se redujo un 33 por ciento aproximadamente Bob y Shan Cissell, residentes de La Mesa, ganaron el título del “Mejor Jardín del Distrito” del concurso WaterSmart 2019 de Otay. Por medio de esta competencia anual se reconoce a los clientes residenciales de las 13 agencias participantes del condado de San Diego en función del atractivo en general de su jardín, diseño, selección de plantas, sistemas de riego eficientes y mantenimiento adecuado. Después de participar en el Programa de Transformación de Jardines WaterSmart que presenta la San Diego County Water Authority y Otay, e inspirándose en el Jardín de Conservación de Agua del Cajon, los Cissell decidieron convertir su jardín de 2,500 pies cuadrados con pasto en su propio jardín de conservación logrando reducir su consumo de agua un 33 por ciento aproximadamente. Ellos comenzaron desde cero, es decir, con la eliminación del césped. “Lo mejor es que fue una transformación radical del césped que consumía grandes cantidades de agua para mantenerlo verde, y ni siquiera era verde,” mencionó Shan. “Lo que tomamos muy en serio fue el diseño, la parte técnica, el trabajo, la creatividad, y la meta de no desperdiciar ni una sola gota de agua.” Luego colocaron capas de cartón, abono y mantillo para mantener el suelo húmedo. Como parte del diseño, incorporaron un componente de reciclaje y elementos creativos, incluyendo una cascada hecha a mano construida del viejo armazón de una escalera para camiones y otros materiales sólidos que de otro modo no servirían para nada. El agua sale de una zanja para alimentar a una cascada y luego viaja a través de tubos diminutos hasta un árbol bonsái artificial (hecho de concreto y materiales que no tienen uso) para regar las canastas de flores que descansan al final de cada rama del árbol. Las grandes raíces de árboles que alguna vez pasaron por su patio entre las tuberías subterráneas ahora decoran otras áreas de su jardín. Los Cissell instalaron un sistema de riego por goteo sobre el terreno y tuberías de drenaje corrugadas en la parte de abajo. La tubería se utiliza para que el exceso de agua riegue las desniveles que rodean la casa. Para asegurarse de que su sistema de goteo funcionara correctamente, los Cissell inventaron un sistema utilizando un baño para pájaros hecho con un fregadero viejo. Cuando su sistema de goteo está prendido, alimenta el bebedero para pájaros. El agua fluye hacia el fregadero y el orificio de desbordamiento para posteriormente regresar a los árboles. No se desperdicia el agua y se previene el desarrollo de larvas de mosquitos. Si el baño para pájaros está seco, significa que el sistema de goteo no funciona correctamente. Para maximizar su área de visualización, los Cissell colocaron estratégicamente senderos con curvas para caminar a lo largo de su jardín. Estos están hechos de granito descompuesto delimitado por piedras colocadas en concreto para asegurar su estabilidad y duración. “Después de que hicimos el camino, pensamos que usaríamos ladrillos o adoquines, pero la Water Authority sugirió que utilizáramos materiales absorbentes y fue entonces cuando decidimos usar granito descompuesto y piedras incrustadas en concreto para crear un límite permanente,” mencionó Bob. “En ese momento nos sentimos muy bien con el proyecto y supimos que estábamos progresando.” Para leer toda la historia y ver más fotografías del jardín de los Cissell, por favor visite otaywater.gov/ganador-concurso-watersmart-2019.