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HomeMy WebLinkAboutPipeline 01 - Winter 2015T H E O T A Y W A TER DISTRICT • P R OUDL Y SERVING E A ST C OUNT Y A ND TH E S OUTH B A Y SINC E 1956 A NE W SLE T T E R FOR CUS T O M E R S OF T HE O T AY W ATER DISTRICT FOR MORE INFORMATION ABOUT THE OTAY WATER DISTRICT CALL 619.670.2222 OR GO TO WWW.OTAYWATER.GOV The Pipeline Newsletter is published quarterly by the Otay Water District and can also be found online at www.otaywater.gov. Copyright © 2014 Otay Water District. All rights reserved. WINTER 2015 FOLLOW OTAY WATER ON... / SIGA AL DISTRITO DE AGUA DE OTAY EN... Despite Wet Weather Suppliers Warn More Precipitation is Needed REMEMBER TO TURN OFF IRRIGATION SYSTEMS FOLLOWING RAINSTORMS The arrival of several strong winter storms in December was a much welcomed start to California’s rainy season. However, with reservoir levels still well below normal, state water officials are advising that California’s multiyear drought is far from over. In fact, the state would need many more storms like this before it fully recovers from drought. January through April is the time of year when our state gets most of its precipitation and this winter it is more important than ever to take advantage of every drop that Mother Nature delivers. Residents and businesses should turn off their irrigation systems and leave them off for up to two weeks following storms that provide significant rainfall. One strong storm can provide enough water for lawns to survive for long stretches without irrigation. Additionally, these storms provide a valuable opportunity to save stored water supplies for next summer when water reserves will be even more important to help our region withstand the dry conditions. While forecasts for Southern California predict above-average precipitation this winter, forecasts for the northern part of the state and the critical Sierra snowpack are not as optimistic. The San Diego region likely will face imported water supply allocations from its largest supplier – the Metropolitan Water District of Southern California – in 2015 if conditions do not improve significantly. If that happens, Otay Water District will call on its customers to further reduce consumption by another 6 to 8 percent. Outdoor watering accounts for more than half of a typical household’s water use in California and it has become a focal point for water conservation as the drought extends into a fourth consecutive year. Many San Diego County residents and businesses are taking the opportunity afforded by cooler temperatures to replace their high-water- use grass with WaterSmart landscaping more suited to the county’s semi-arid climate. Rebates of up to $3.50 per square foot are available for qualified turf replacement projects. More information is available at www.WaterSmartSD.org. With precipitation across the state uncertain for 2015, California residents will continue to hear calls to save water and mandatory water conservation will remain in effect to lessen the possibility of allocations later in the year. Otay will continue to encourage its customers to conserve water by taking advantage of the programs and rebates we have available, including home and business water audits, rain barrel rebates and incentives to replace thirsty turf with low water use plants. We will also continue to monitor water supplies closely to ensure a stable future for the region, while helping our customers do their part to save water. Los proveedores de agua advierten que a pesar de las lluvias necesitamos más precipitaciones RECUERDE QUE ES NECESARIO APAGAR SU SISTEMA DE RIEGO DESPUÉS DE LAS TORMENTAS Las fuertes tormentas invernales que llegaron en el mes de diciembre marcaron el comienzo de la tan esperada temporada de lluvias en California. Sin embargo, los niveles de los reservorios todavía están debajo del nivel normal por lo que los funcionarios del agua a nivel estatal indicaron que la sequía que ha venido azotando a California durante varios años está lejos de terminar. De hecho, el estado necesitaría más tormentas como estas antes de recuperarse por completo de la sequía. Entre los meses de enero y abril nuestro estado recibe la mayoría de sus precipitaciones por lo que en este invierno es más importante que nunca tomar ventaja de cada gota de agua que la madre naturaleza nos brinde. Tanto residentes como negocios deben apagar sus sistemas de riego y dejarlos apagados hasta dos semanas después de las tormentas que proporcionan precipitaciones importantes. Una tormenta fuerte puede proporcionar suficiente agua para que los jardines sobrevivan durante largos periodos de tiempo sin necesidad de riego. Además, estas tormentas proporcionan una valiosa oportunidad para conservar las reservas de agua para el siguiente verano ya que serán muy importantes para ayudar a nuestra región a resistir las condiciones secas. Mientras que los pronósticos para el sur de California indican precipitaciones superiores al promedio en este invierno, las predicciones para la parte norte del estado y la nieve acumulada de la Sierra no son muy optimistas. En 2015, la región de San Diego probablemente enfrentará asignaciones en el suministro del agua importada por parte de su proveedor más grande –El Distrito Metropolitano de Agua del Sur de California– si las condiciones no mejoran de manera significativa. Si esto sucede, el Distrito de Agua de Otay va a solicitar a sus clientes la reducción de su consumo de agua en un 6 a 8 por ciento. El riego de exteriores constituye más de la mitad del consumo de agua en un hogar típico en California y ha llegado a ser el punto central para la conservación de agua conforme la sequía continúa hacia su cuarto año consecutivo. Muchos residentes y negocios del Condado de San Diego están aprovechando las temperaturas frías para reemplazar su césped de alto consumo de agua por el WaterSmart, el cual se adapta mejor al clima semiárido del condado. Los reembolsos de hasta $3.50 por pie cuadrado están disponibles para los proyectos de reemplazo de césped que cumplan con los requisitos. Para mayor información consulte la página: www.WaterSmartSD.org. Dado que las precipitaciones a lo largo del estado son inciertas en 2015, los residentes de California continuarán escuchando recomendaciones para ahorrar agua y permanecerá en efecto la conservación obligatoria del vital líquido para reducir la posibilidad de futuras asignaciones este año. Otay continuará alentando a sus clientes a conservar agua aprovechando los programas y reembolsos disponibles; incluyendo auditorías para hogares y negocios; reembolsos por barriles recolectores de agua e incentivos al reemplazar el césped por plantas de bajo consumo de agua. Además, continuaremos vigilando cuidadosamente los suministros del vital líquido para asegurar un futuro estable en la región mientras ayudamos a nuestros clientes a conservar agua. LEVEL 4 - SUPPLYEMERGENCY LEVEL 2 - SUPPLYALERT LEVEL 1 - SUPPLYWATCH LEVEL 3 - SUPPLYCRITICAL Voluntary measures to stop waste. Repair leaks promptly. Wash cars with a bucket and shut-off nozzle. Mandatory water use restrictions.Irrigate no more than 3 days per week, 7 minutes per station. No washing of paved surfaces. No new construction, annexations or development. Strict limits on water used for irrigation and non-public health purposes. Stop all landscape irrigation. No new construction, annexations or development. Otay Water District SUPPLY STATUS SEQUIA – NIVEL 4ESTADO DE EMERGENCIA SEQUIA – NIVEL 2ESTADO DE ALERTA SEQUIA – NIVEL 1ESTADO DE VIGILANCIA SEQUIA – NIVEL 3ESTADO CRITICO Medidas voluntarias para detener los residuos. Reparar las fugas rapidamente. Lavar su auto con una cubeta y una manguera con boquilla de cierre automático. Restricciones obligatorias del uso del agua. El riego de jardines queda limitado a 3 días a la semana, 7 minutos por estación. No se permit e lavar las áreas pavimentadas. Ninguna construccion de anexos o desarrollos nuevos. Limites estrictos de la cantidad de agua utilizada para el riego y otros usos que no incluyen proyectos de salud pública. Alto al riego de jardines Ninguna construccion de anexos o desarrollos nuevos. Distrito de agua de OtayEstado del Suministro de Agua Otay Water District has Declared a Level 2 Supply Alert for its Service Area Otay Water District thanks its customers for conserving water, reducing waste, and their support for investments in new water supplies. DESPITE THESE EFFORTS, CONSERVATION MEASURES ARE NOW MANDATORY. El Distrito de Agua de Otay declaró en su área de servicio, Condición de Alerta de Sequía Nivel 2 por escasez en el suministro de agua. El Distrito de Agua de Otay Declaró Nivel 2 de Alerta por Falta de Suministro de Agua en su área de Servicio. A PESAR DE ESTOS ESFUERZOS, LAS MEDIDAS DE CONSERVACIÓN DE AGUA SON OBLIGATORIAS. OTAY WATER DISTRICT – Board of Directors The Board of Directors meets on the first Wednesday of the month at 3:30 pm in the Board meeting room. The public is encouraged to attend at 2554 Sweetwater Springs Boulevard, Spring Valley, CA. PresidentJose Lopez, Division 4jlopez@otaywater.gov Vice PresidentMitch Thompson, Division 2mthompson@otaywater.gov TreasurerMark Robak, Division 5OtayWater@cox.net Board MemberTim Smith, Division 1tsmith@otaywater.gov Board MemberGary Croucher, Division 3gcroucher@otaywater.gov For more class information and prices visit www.thegarden.org February 7, 2015 — 10:00 am - 12 noon Hillside Gardening Yes, you CAN have a lovely garden on a hillside! Professional landscape designer Connie Beck teaches you the tricks of planting on a slope. Members FREE, $10 Non-Members February 28, 2015 — 10:00 am - 12:00 noon: Garden Design Not sure where to start? Landscape Designer Connie Beck shares her process for creating a landscape design from the ground up. Learn about design, irrigation, plant selection, and maintenance. Members FREE, $10 Non-Members March 14, 2015 — 9:00 am - 3:00 pm TOMATOMANIA! Join California’s largest tomato seedling sale featuring hundreds of heirloom and hybrid tomato varieties, expert advice, and the accessories you’ll want to grow great-tasting tomatoes in your own backyard. It’s a crazy celebration of America’s favorite garden vegetable! Free admission to the event with a nominal charge for presentations: $5 Garden Members; $10 Non-Members. March 28, 2015 — 9:00 am - 3:00 pm The Protea Species: Exotic Options for Drought-Tolerant Gardens Walter Parkola, owner of Blossom Valley Protea, will take you on a morning tour that showcases the protea and grevillea species on display at The Garden. A limited number of beautiful, high- quality plants will be available for purchase after class. Members FREE, $10 Non-Members ON GOING EVENTS Free Docent Led Tours: Saturdays at 10:30 am Enjoy an informative walk through with one of our knowledgeable docents, and be inspired to create a water-wise landscape of your own. Special Access: Every Third Sunday at 9:30 am Explore the Garden from the comfort of the Verbeck Shuttle with one of the Garden’s staff members. This tour seats 4-5 people. Reservations are required; please call 619-660-6841. FREE. Rain Barrel REBATES During the recent rains, did you watch a river of rainwater run down your driveway into the street and wish you could capture some of that water? Because of the drought, we can’t afford to waste any water and incentives are in place to make collecting rainwater and re-using it for your lawn and garden even easier. As a customer of the Otay Water District, you qualify for a rain barrel rebate of $75 per barrel for up to four rain barrels. Rain barrels provide a free water source for irrigation. Collecting and re-using rainwater from gutters and downspouts for lawns and gardens minimizes the amount of water flowing into our storm drains, sewer systems and local waterways. Plants prefer rainwater because it is naturally “soft” and free of salts or chemicals, and combining the use of rain barrels with appropriate plant selection and mulching promotes water conservation. To learn more about rain barrels or apply for your rebate, visit www.socalwatersmart.com/index.php/ qualifyingproducts/rainbarrels Rain barrels are available from most area big-box stores. Based on storage capacity, the rebate may cover the entire cost of your rain barrel purchase. Checking Soil Moisture Appropriate moisture is critical for growing plants successfully. For most plants, too much water is more dangerous than not enough. The key to minimizing water use and maximizing plant health is to learn how to gauge soil moisture effectively, and to water plants only when they need it, and not necessarily on a set schedule. There are numerous ways to check soil moisture. When it comes to testing soil moisture, the feel of the soil is the best guide. This can be done by sticking a finger in the soil to test for moisture. It can also be done using a wooden dowel. Insert the dowel into the soil. If the dowel comes out clean, the soil is dry. Damp soil will cling to the dowel. Soil moisture monitoring can also be achieved with specific tools like a soil probe. A variety of simple, inexpensive soil moisture meters are available at local garden centers and nurseries. The meters will tell you if the soil is wet, moist, or dry at the root level. The need for water also varies widely depending on the plant. For turf grass this winter, do not begin watering again until the top one to two inches of soil are dry. It’s okay to let lawns show signs of stress in the midst of this extended drought. Lawns that lose their green luster will rejuvenate with the next irrigation cycle or rain. Succulents and drought tolerant plants, on the other hand, require dry soil and won’t need water for a month or even months after the rain. The first basic irrigation scheduling rule for drought tolerant plants is never water if the soil is still wet. For established drought tolerant plants, this is the worst possible thing to do. Plants wilt for any number of reasons other than needing water. Wilting in established drought tolerant plants is often the first sign of too much water. The roots die from too much water, then the plant wilts from lack of water uptake by the roots. Some drought tolerant plants also fold their leaves on hot afternoons to conserve water, which can be mistaken for wilting. So never assume a plants needs to be watered because it looks wilted. Check to see if the soil is wet first. NEEDED: 11 TRILLION GALLONS TO REPLENISH CALIFORNIA DROUGHT It will take about 11 trillion gallons of water (42 cubic kilometers) – around 1.5 times the maximum volume of the largest U.S. reservoir – to recover from California’s continuing drought, according to a new analysis of NASA satellite data. The finding was part of a sobering update on the state’s drought made possible by space and airborne measurements and presented by NASA scientists Dec. 16 at the American Geophysical Union meeting in San Francisco. Such data are giving scientists an unprecedented ability to identify key features of droughts, data that can be used to inform water management decisions. A team of scientists led by Jay Famiglietti of NASA’s Jet Propulsion Laboratory in Pasadena, California used data from NASA’s Gravity Recovery and Climate Experiment (GRACE) satellites to develop the first-ever calculation of this kind – the volume of water required to end an episode of drought. Earlier this year, at the peak of California’s current three-year drought, the team found that water storage in the state’s Sacramento and San Joaquin river basins was 11 trillion gallons below normal seasonal levels. Data collected since the launch of GRACE in 2002 shows this deficit has increased steadily. “Spaceborne and airborne measurements of Earth’s changing shape, surface height and gravity field now allow us to measure and analyze key features of droughts better than ever before, including determining precisely when they begin and end and what their magnitude is at any moment in time,” Famiglietti said. “That’s an incredible advance and something that would be impossible using only ground-based observations.” GRACE data reveal that, since 2011, the Sacramento and San Joaquin river basins decreased in volume by four trillion gallons of water each year (15 cubic kilometers). That’s more water than California’s 38 million residents use each year for domestic and municipal purposes. About two- thirds of the loss is due to depletion of groundwater beneath California’s Central Valley. In related results, early 2014 data from NASA’s Airborne Snow Observatory indicate that snowpack in California’s Sierra Nevada range was only half of previous estimates. The observatory is providing the first-ever high-resolution observations of snow water volume in the Tuolumne River, Merced, Kings and Lakes basins of the Sierra Nevada and Uncompahgre watershed in the Upper Colorado River Basin. To develop these calculations, the observatory measures how much water is in the snowpack and how much sunlight the snow absorbs, which influences how fast the snow melts. These data enable accurate estimates of how much water will flow out of a basin when the snow melts, which helps guide decision about reservoir filling and water allocation. “The 2014 snowpack was one of the three lowest on record and the worst since 1977, when California’s population was half what it is now,” said Airborne Snow Observatory principal investigator Tom Painter of JPL. “Besides resulting in less snow water, the dramatic reduction in snow extent contributes to warming our climate by allowing the ground to absorb more sunlight. This reduces soil moisture, which makes it harder to get water from the snow into reservoirs once it does start snowing again.” Article provided by NASA THE ENTERPRISE BRIDGE, OROVILLE, CALIFORNIA Ca l i f o r n i a D e p a r t m e n t o f W a t e r R e s o u r c e s / G e t t y I m a g e s August 19, 2014July 20, 2011 OTAY WATER DISTRICT – Board of Directors The Board of Directors meets on the first Wednesday of the month at 3:30 pm in the Board meeting room. The public is encouraged to attend at 2554 Sweetwater Springs Boulevard, Spring Valley, CA. PresidentJose Lopez, Division 4jlopez@otaywater.gov Vice PresidentMitch Thompson, Division 2mthompson@otaywater.gov TreasurerMark Robak, Division 5OtayWater@cox.net Board MemberTim Smith, Division 1tsmith@otaywater.gov Board MemberGary Croucher, Division 3gcroucher@otaywater.gov For more class information and prices visit www.thegarden.org February 7, 2015 — 10:00 am - 12 noon Hillside Gardening Yes, you CAN have a lovely garden on a hillside! Professional landscape designer Connie Beck teaches you the tricks of planting on a slope. Members FREE, $10 Non-Members February 28, 2015 — 10:00 am - 12:00 noon: Garden Design Not sure where to start? Landscape Designer Connie Beck shares her process for creating a landscape design from the ground up. Learn about design, irrigation, plant selection, and maintenance. Members FREE, $10 Non-Members March 14, 2015 — 9:00 am - 3:00 pm TOMATOMANIA! Join California’s largest tomato seedling sale featuring hundreds of heirloom and hybrid tomato varieties, expert advice, and the accessories you’ll want to grow great-tasting tomatoes in your own backyard. It’s a crazy celebration of America’s favorite garden vegetable! Free admission to the event with a nominal charge for presentations: $5 Garden Members; $10 Non-Members. March 28, 2015 — 9:00 am - 3:00 pm The Protea Species: Exotic Options for Drought-Tolerant Gardens Walter Parkola, owner of Blossom Valley Protea, will take you on a morning tour that showcases the protea and grevillea species on display at The Garden. A limited number of beautiful, high- quality plants will be available for purchase after class. Members FREE, $10 Non-Members ON GOING EVENTS Free Docent Led Tours: Saturdays at 10:30 am Enjoy an informative walk through with one of our knowledgeable docents, and be inspired to create a water-wise landscape of your own. Special Access: Every Third Sunday at 9:30 am Explore the Garden from the comfort of the Verbeck Shuttle with one of the Garden’s staff members. This tour seats 4-5 people. Reservations are required; please call 619-660-6841. FREE. Rain Barrel REBATES During the recent rains, did you watch a river of rainwater run down your driveway into the street and wish you could capture some of that water? Because of the drought, we can’t afford to waste any water and incentives are in place to make collecting rainwater and re-using it for your lawn and garden even easier. As a customer of the Otay Water District, you qualify for a rain barrel rebate of $75 per barrel for up to four rain barrels. Rain barrels provide a free water source for irrigation. Collecting and re-using rainwater from gutters and downspouts for lawns and gardens minimizes the amount of water flowing into our storm drains, sewer systems and local waterways. Plants prefer rainwater because it is naturally “soft” and free of salts or chemicals, and combining the use of rain barrels with appropriate plant selection and mulching promotes water conservation. To learn more about rain barrels or apply for your rebate, visit www.socalwatersmart.com/index.php/ qualifyingproducts/rainbarrels Rain barrels are available from most area big-box stores. Based on storage capacity, the rebate may cover the entire cost of your rain barrel purchase. Checking Soil Moisture Appropriate moisture is critical for growing plants successfully. For most plants, too much water is more dangerous than not enough. The key to minimizing water use and maximizing plant health is to learn how to gauge soil moisture effectively, and to water plants only when they need it, and not necessarily on a set schedule. There are numerous ways to check soil moisture. When it comes to testing soil moisture, the feel of the soil is the best guide. This can be done by sticking a finger in the soil to test for moisture. It can also be done using a wooden dowel. Insert the dowel into the soil. If the dowel comes out clean, the soil is dry. Damp soil will cling to the dowel. Soil moisture monitoring can also be achieved with specific tools like a soil probe. A variety of simple, inexpensive soil moisture meters are available at local garden centers and nurseries. The meters will tell you if the soil is wet, moist, or dry at the root level. The need for water also varies widely depending on the plant. For turf grass this winter, do not begin watering again until the top one to two inches of soil are dry. It’s okay to let lawns show signs of stress in the midst of this extended drought. Lawns that lose their green luster will rejuvenate with the next irrigation cycle or rain. Succulents and drought tolerant plants, on the other hand, require dry soil and won’t need water for a month or even months after the rain. The first basic irrigation scheduling rule for drought tolerant plants is never water if the soil is still wet. For established drought tolerant plants, this is the worst possible thing to do. Plants wilt for any number of reasons other than needing water. Wilting in established drought tolerant plants is often the first sign of too much water. The roots die from too much water, then the plant wilts from lack of water uptake by the roots. Some drought tolerant plants also fold their leaves on hot afternoons to conserve water, which can be mistaken for wilting. So never assume a plants needs to be watered because it looks wilted. Check to see if the soil is wet first. NEEDED: 11 TRILLION GALLONS TO REPLENISH CALIFORNIA DROUGHT It will take about 11 trillion gallons of water (42 cubic kilometers) – around 1.5 times the maximum volume of the largest U.S. reservoir – to recover from California’s continuing drought, according to a new analysis of NASA satellite data. The finding was part of a sobering update on the state’s drought made possible by space and airborne measurements and presented by NASA scientists Dec. 16 at the American Geophysical Union meeting in San Francisco. Such data are giving scientists an unprecedented ability to identify key features of droughts, data that can be used to inform water management decisions. A team of scientists led by Jay Famiglietti of NASA’s Jet Propulsion Laboratory in Pasadena, California used data from NASA’s Gravity Recovery and Climate Experiment (GRACE) satellites to develop the first-ever calculation of this kind – the volume of water required to end an episode of drought. Earlier this year, at the peak of California’s current three-year drought, the team found that water storage in the state’s Sacramento and San Joaquin river basins was 11 trillion gallons below normal seasonal levels. Data collected since the launch of GRACE in 2002 shows this deficit has increased steadily. “Spaceborne and airborne measurements of Earth’s changing shape, surface height and gravity field now allow us to measure and analyze key features of droughts better than ever before, including determining precisely when they begin and end and what their magnitude is at any moment in time,” Famiglietti said. “That’s an incredible advance and something that would be impossible using only ground-based observations.” GRACE data reveal that, since 2011, the Sacramento and San Joaquin river basins decreased in volume by four trillion gallons of water each year (15 cubic kilometers). That’s more water than California’s 38 million residents use each year for domestic and municipal purposes. About two- thirds of the loss is due to depletion of groundwater beneath California’s Central Valley. In related results, early 2014 data from NASA’s Airborne Snow Observatory indicate that snowpack in California’s Sierra Nevada range was only half of previous estimates. The observatory is providing the first-ever high-resolution observations of snow water volume in the Tuolumne River, Merced, Kings and Lakes basins of the Sierra Nevada and Uncompahgre watershed in the Upper Colorado River Basin. To develop these calculations, the observatory measures how much water is in the snowpack and how much sunlight the snow absorbs, which influences how fast the snow melts. These data enable accurate estimates of how much water will flow out of a basin when the snow melts, which helps guide decision about reservoir filling and water allocation. “The 2014 snowpack was one of the three lowest on record and the worst since 1977, when California’s population was half what it is now,” said Airborne Snow Observatory principal investigator Tom Painter of JPL. “Besides resulting in less snow water, the dramatic reduction in snow extent contributes to warming our climate by allowing the ground to absorb more sunlight. This reduces soil moisture, which makes it harder to get water from the snow into reservoirs once it does start snowing again.” Article provided by NASA THE ENTERPRISE BRIDGE, OROVILLE, CALIFORNIA Ca l i f o r n i a D e p a r t m e n t o f W a t e r R e s o u r c e s / G e t t y I m a g e s August 19, 2014July 20, 2011 T H E O T AY W A TER DISTRICT • P R OUDL Y SERVING E A ST C OUNT Y A ND TH E S OUTH B AY SINC E 1956 A NE W SLE T T E R FOR CUS T O M E R S OF T HE O TAY WATER DISTRICT FOR MORE INFORMATION ABOUT THE OTAY WATER DISTRICT CALL 619.670.2222 OR GO TO WWW.OTAYWATER.GOV The Pipeline Newsletter is published quarterly by the Otay Water District and can also be found online at www.otaywater.gov. Copyright © 2014 Otay Water District. All rights reserved. WINTER 2015 FOLLOW OTAY WATER ON... / SIGA AL DISTRITO DE AGUA DE OTAY EN... Despite Wet Weather Suppliers Warn More Precipitation is Needed REMEMBER TO TURN OFF IRRIGATION SYSTEMS FOLLOWING RAINSTORMS The arrival of several strong winter storms in December was a much welcomed start to California’s rainy season. However, with reservoir levels still well below normal, state water officials are advising that California’s multiyear drought is far from over. In fact, the state would need many more storms like this before it fully recovers from drought. January through April is the time of year when our state gets most of its precipitation and this winter it is more important than ever to take advantage of every drop that Mother Nature delivers. Residents and businesses should turn off their irrigation systems and leave them off for up to two weeks following storms that provide significant rainfall. One strong storm can provide enough water for lawns to survive for long stretches without irrigation. Additionally, these storms provide a valuable opportunity to save stored water supplies for next summer when water reserves will be even more important to help our region withstand the dry conditions. While forecasts for Southern California predict above-average precipitation this winter, forecasts for the northern part of the state and the critical Sierra snowpack are not as optimistic. The San Diego region likely will face imported water supply allocations from its largest supplier – the Metropolitan Water District of Southern California – in 2015 if conditions do not improve significantly. If that happens, Otay Water District will call on its customers to further reduce consumption by another 6 to 8 percent. Outdoor watering accounts for more than half of a typical household’s water use in California and it has become a focal point for water conservation as the drought extends into a fourth consecutive year. Many San Diego County residents and businesses are taking the opportunity afforded by cooler temperatures to replace their high-water- use grass with WaterSmart landscaping more suited to the county’s semi-arid climate. Rebates of up to $3.50 per square foot are available for qualified turf replacement projects. More information is available at www.WaterSmartSD.org. With precipitation across the state uncertain for 2015, California residents will continue to hear calls to save water and mandatory water conservation will remain in effect to lessen the possibility of allocations later in the year. Otay will continue to encourage its customers to conserve water by taking advantage of the programs and rebates we have available, including home and business water audits, rain barrel rebates and incentives to replace thirsty turf with low water use plants. We will also continue to monitor water supplies closely to ensure a stable future for the region, while helping our customers do their part to save water. Los proveedores de agua advierten que a pesar de las lluvias necesitamos más precipitaciones RECUERDE QUE ES NECESARIO APAGAR SU SISTEMA DE RIEGO DESPUÉS DE LAS TORMENTAS Las fuertes tormentas invernales que llegaron en el mes de diciembre marcaron el comienzo de la tan esperada temporada de lluvias en California. Sin embargo, los niveles de los reservorios todavía están debajo del nivel normal por lo que los funcionarios del agua a nivel estatal indicaron que la sequía que ha venido azotando a California durante varios años está lejos de terminar. De hecho, el estado necesitaría más tormentas como estas antes de recuperarse por completo de la sequía. Entre los meses de enero y abril nuestro estado recibe la mayoría de sus precipitaciones por lo que en este invierno es más importante que nunca tomar ventaja de cada gota de agua que la madre naturaleza nos brinde. Tanto residentes como negocios deben apagar sus sistemas de riego y dejarlos apagados hasta dos semanas después de las tormentas que proporcionan precipitaciones importantes. Una tormenta fuerte puede proporcionar suficiente agua para que los jardines sobrevivan durante largos periodos de tiempo sin necesidad de riego. Además, estas tormentas proporcionan una valiosa oportunidad para conservar las reservas de agua para el siguiente verano ya que serán muy importantes para ayudar a nuestra región a resistir las condiciones secas. Mientras que los pronósticos para el sur de California indican precipitaciones superiores al promedio en este invierno, las predicciones para la parte norte del estado y la nieve acumulada de la Sierra no son muy optimistas. En 2015, la región de San Diego probablemente enfrentará asignaciones en el suministro del agua importada por parte de su proveedor más grande –El Distrito Metropolitano de Agua del Sur de California– si las condiciones no mejoran de manera significativa. Si esto sucede, el Distrito de Agua de Otay va a solicitar a sus clientes la reducción de su consumo de agua en un 6 a 8 por ciento. El riego de exteriores constituye más de la mitad del consumo de agua en un hogar típico en California y ha llegado a ser el punto central para la conservación de agua conforme la sequía continúa hacia su cuarto año consecutivo. Muchos residentes y negocios del Condado de San Diego están aprovechando las temperaturas frías para reemplazar su césped de alto consumo de agua por el WaterSmart, el cual se adapta mejor al clima semiárido del condado. Los reembolsos de hasta $3.50 por pie cuadrado están disponibles para los proyectos de reemplazo de césped que cumplan con los requisitos. Para mayor información consulte la página: www.WaterSmartSD.org. Dado que las precipitaciones a lo largo del estado son inciertas en 2015, los residentes de California continuarán escuchando recomendaciones para ahorrar agua y permanecerá en efecto la conservación obligatoria del vital líquido para reducir la posibilidad de futuras asignaciones este año. Otay continuará alentando a sus clientes a conservar agua aprovechando los programas y reembolsos disponibles; incluyendo auditorías para hogares y negocios; reembolsos por barriles recolectores de agua e incentivos al reemplazar el césped por plantas de bajo consumo de agua. Además, continuaremos vigilando cuidadosamente los suministros del vital líquido para asegurar un futuro estable en la región mientras ayudamos a nuestros clientes a conservar agua. LEVEL 4 - SUPPLYEMERGENCY LEVEL 2 - SUPPLYALERT LEVEL 1 - SUPPLYWATCH LEVEL 3 - SUPPLYCRITICAL Voluntary measures to stop waste. Repair leaks promptly. Wash cars with a bucket and shut-off nozzle. Mandatory water use restrictions.Irrigate no more than 3 days per week, 7 minutes per station. No washing of paved surfaces. No new construction, annexations or development. Strict limits on water used for irrigation and non-public health purposes. Stop all landscape irrigation. No new construction, annexations or development. Otay Water District SUPPLY STATUS SEQUIA – NIVEL 4ESTADO DE EMERGENCIA SEQUIA – NIVEL 2ESTADO DE ALERTA SEQUIA – NIVEL 1ESTADO DE VIGILANCIA SEQUIA – NIVEL 3ESTADO CRITICO Medidas voluntarias para detener los residuos. Reparar las fugas rapidamente. Lavar su auto con una cubeta y una manguera con boquilla de cierre automático. Restricciones obligatorias del uso del agua. El riego de jardines queda limitado a 3 días a la semana, 7 minutos por estación. No se permit e lavar las áreas pavimentadas. Ninguna construccion de anexos o desarrollos nuevos. Limites estrictos de la cantidad de agua utilizada para el riego y otros usos que no incluyen proyectos de salud pública. Alto al riego de jardines Ninguna construccion de anexos o desarrollos nuevos. Distrito de agua de OtayEstado del Suministro de Agua Otay Water District has Declared a Level 2 Supply Alert for its Service Area Otay Water District thanks its customers for conserving water, reducing waste, and their support for investments in new water supplies. DESPITE THESE EFFORTS, CONSERVATION MEASURES ARE NOW MANDATORY. El Distrito de Agua de Otay declaró en su área de servicio, Condición de Alerta de Sequía Nivel 2 por escasez en el suministro de agua. El Distrito de Agua de Otay Declaró Nivel 2 de Alerta por Falta de Suministro de Agua en su área de Servicio. A PESAR DE ESTOS ESFUERZOS, LAS MEDIDAS DE CONSERVACIÓN DE AGUA SON OBLIGATORIAS.