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HomeMy WebLinkAboutPipeline 03 - Summer 2018T H E O TA Y 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 TER FOR CUSTOM E RS OF THE OTAY WATER DISTRICT SUMMER 2018 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. President Tim Smith, Division 1 tsmith@otaywater.gov Vice President Mitch Thompson, Division 2 mthompson@otaywater.gov Treasurer Mark Robak, Division 5 mrobak@otaywater.gov Board Member Gary Croucher, Division 3 gcroucher@otaywater.gov Board Member Hector Gastelum, Division 4 hector@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. Otay Selects Chula Vista Resident as Its 2018 WaterSmart Landscape Contest Winner As part of the countywide WaterSmart Landscape Contest, the Otay Water District has selected retired teacher and principal Rosalba Ponce from Chula Vista as the 2018 winner for “Best in District.” Otay’s contest committee determined that her landscape demonstrates overall attractiveness, a well though-out design, efficient irrigation methods, and appropriate plant selection and maintenance. In 2016, Ponce participated in two of the San Diego County Water Authority and its member agencies’ water conservation programs — the WaterSmart Landscape Makeover Program (WSLMP) four-class series and the Sustainable Landscapes Program (SLP). After attending the free WSLMP series, she hired a professional landscaper to help replace her thirsty front lawn with a Mediterranean floral garden that was both welcoming and water efficient. She installed a drip system, two rain barrels, and a detention area to collect rainwater. “Upon retiring, I thought the four-class course would be perfect for me,” says Ponce. “This course gave me the tools to learn about turf removal and opened my eyes to the joy of remodeling my yard.” In less than nine months after submitting her SLP application, Ponce had completed the full transformation of her front and back yards, receiving an incentive of $1.75 per square foot for replacing approximately 1,200 square feet of landscape. Although, the District does not have separate meters for indoor versus outdoor water use, her efforts could have potentially led to a decrease in her overall water use by an average of up to 38 percent. In July, the District’s Board of Directors honored Ponce with a certificate of recognition, gift certificate, and other promotional items. For more information on the contest, visit landscapecontest.com. Otay elige ganadora del concurso de jardines WaterSmart Como parte del concurso de Jardines WaterSmart, el Distrito de Agua de Otay ha seleccionado a una maestra y directora de escuela retirada Rosalba Ponce de Chula Vista como ganadora del “Mejor Jardín del Distrito” en este 2018. El comité del concurso de Otay determinó que el jardín de Ponce muestra un gran atractivo, cuenta con un diseño muy bien pensado, sistemas de riego eficientes, una buena selección de plantas y mantenimiento adecuado. En 2016, Ponce participó en dos de los programas de conservación de agua de la Autoridad de Agua del Condado de San Diego y sus agencias miembros incluyendo la serie de cuatro clases del Programa de Remodelación de Jardines WaterSmart (WSLMP, por sus siglas en inglés) y el Programa de Jardinería Sustentable (SLP, por sus siglas en inglés). Después de asistir a la serie de clases gratuitas del WSLMP, Ponce contrató a un especialista en paisajismo para remplazar su césped sediento de agua de su patio delantero por un jardín floral mediterráneo que es acogedor y eficiente de agua. También instaló un sistema de goteo, dos barriles recolectores de agua de lluvia y un área especial para retener el agua pluvial. “Cuando me jubilé pensé que el curso de cuatro clases sería perfecto para mí”, mencionó Ponce. “Este curso me dio las herramientas para aprender acerca de la remoción del césped y me permitió sentir la alegría de remodelar mi jardín”. En menos de nueve meses después de presentar su solicitud al SLP, Ponce terminó la transformación completa de su jardín tanto en la parte delantera como trasera. Ella recibió un incentivo de $1.75 por pie cuadrado para reemplazar aproximadamente 1,200 pies cuadrados de césped por un jardín sustentable. Aunque el distrito no tiene medidores separados para el uso de agua en interiores y exteriores, los esfuerzos de Ponce la condujeron a una disminución potencial del uso general del agua en un promedio del 38 por ciento. La junta directiva del distrito homenajeó a la ganadora quien recibió un certificado, una tarjeta de regalo y otros artículos promocionales. Para más información acerca de este concurso, visite landscapecontest.com. What the New Water-Use Efficiency Law Means for You! And Yes, You Can Shower and Do a Load of Laundry on the Same Day Without Getting Fined! On May 31, Gov. Brown signed two bills into law – Senate Bill 606 and Assembly Bill 1668 – that establish permanent water-use restrictions throughout California. These laws require the Otay Water District and other urban water suppliers to set and comply with annual water-use targets based on three factors: • An allowance for customers of 55 gallons per person per day for indoor water use • A yet-to-be determined allowance for customers for outdoor water use • A cap on water distribution system leaks There are no immediate impacts to residents or businesses from these laws. Also, they DO NOT impose individual mandates or fines on homeowners or businesses. Fines apply to the urban water provider and not to individuals. Rumor has it that there is an immediate mandate for individuals to reduce indoor water use to 55 gallons per person per day (GPCD) and to avoid showering and doing laundry on the same day. That is not true! The 55 GPCD indoor standard will begin in 2023. The District and other water providers will work with the State Water Resources Control Board over the next several years to define how the new laws will be implemented. These laws outline an overall framework to guide urban water providers, like Otay, in setting water use targets, which must be approved by the State Water Board. However, urban water providers will determine how their service area can best achieve the new water use target. Urban water providers will set and monitor targets for their service area as a whole and will determine how to help their customers collectively reach the new targets. Urban water providers who do not meet their targets can be fined by the State Water Board. Otay customers should note that their water use may already be 55 gallons or less per person per day indoors. The average daily water use of Otay residential and multi-residential customers since January 2018 — indoor and outdoor use combined — is approximately 76 gallons per person. For important dates and more details, visit otaywater.gov/new-water- use-efficiency-law. Lo que usted debe saber sobre la nueva ley de eficiencia del uso de agua ¡Usted se puede bañar y lavar su ropa el mismo día y no recibirá ninguna multa! El 31 de mayo, el gobernador Brown firmó dos proyectos de ley —Propuesta del Senado 606 y Propuesta de la Asamblea 1668— que establecen restricciones permanentes en el uso del agua en todo California. Estas leyes requieren que el Distrito de Agua de Otay y otros proveedores de agua urbanos establezcan y cumplan con metas anuales de consumo de agua basándose en tres factores: • Una asignación para los clientes de 55 galones por persona por día para consumo de agua en interiores. • Una asignación que no se ha determinado todavía para los clientes que utilizan agua en exteriores. • Un límite en las fugas del sistema de distribución de agua. Estas leyes no tendrán un impacto inmediato en los residentes o negocios ni impondrán mandatos individuales o multas a los propietarios de viviendas o negocios. Las multas se impondrán a los proveedores de agua urbanos, no a los individuos. Existen rumores de que hay un mandato inmediato para reducir el consumo de agua a 55 galones por persona por día (GPCD, por sus siglas en inglés) en interiores, así como evitar ducharse y lavar ropa el mismo día. ¡Eso no es verdad! La norma de 55 GPCD en interiores será reforzada en 2023. El distrito y otros proveedores de agua trabajarán con la Junta Estatal de Control de Recursos de Agua durante los próximos años para definir cómo se aplicarán las nuevas leyes. Estas leyes establecen un marco general para orientar a los proveedores de agua urbanos como Otay en el establecimiento de metas de consumo de agua que deben ser aprobadas por la Junta Estatal de Agua. Sin embargo, los proveedores de agua urbanos determinarán la mejor forma en que su área de servicio podrá alcanzar las nuevas metas de consumo de agua. Los proveedores de agua urbanos establecerán y supervisarán las metas dentro de su área de servicio y determinarán la mejor forma de ayudar a sus clientes a alcanzar colectivamente los nuevos objetivos. Los proveedores de agua urbanos que no cumplan con sus metas podrán recibir una multa por parte de la Junta Estatal de Agua. Los clientes de Otay deben tomar en cuenta que su uso de agua podría ser de 55 galones o menos por persona diariamente en interiores. Desde enero de 2018, el consumo promedio de agua de los clientes residenciales y multiresidenciales de Otay (uso combinado en interiores y exteriores) es de aproximadamente 76 galones por persona. Para fechas importantes y más información, visite otaywater.gov/new- water-use-efficiency-law. 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 Trees and shrubs across the region are under siege. Along every major street and in every neighborhood there are dead trees, browning trees, trees that are stressed and in decline. Much of this can be attributed to drought, whether directly or because drought-weakened trees are susceptible to pests, in particular to tiny beetles known collectively as “borers.” INVASIVE SHOT HOLE BORER, AKA AMBROSIA BEETLES These tiny, flying Asian beetles – no bigger than a sesame seed - cause big problems for more than 300 kinds of fruiting and ornamental trees and shrubs throughout the region. According to County of San Diego Entomologist Tracy Ellis, there are several kinds of shot hole borers, all lumped into a group referred to as “ambrosia beetles.” What they do: Pregnant female beetles burrow through the tree or shrub’s bark and into its sapwood as they carve out tiny tunnels (known as “galleries”) to lay their eggs. Each beetle inoculates her tunnels with spores of a fungus that the developing larvae will feed on once they hatch from the eggs (all other stages of the beetles eat the fungus too). Once the fungal colonies begin to grow, the female returns to lay up to 10 eggs per tunnel. You might expect a female beetle to bore one or two tunnels in a tree; but those females are prolific! They can drill enough tunnels to girdle a plant, even enough to make a tree collapse! In the meantime, the tunnels interfere with the tree’s ability to move water and nutrients through its tissues, which spells death for a tree. And while the fungus is food for the beetles, it too is deadly for the tree. One way or another, the tree’s chances for survival are slim. What to look for: An infected plant may look like it sprung a leak. Sometimes the plant tries to plug leaks by exuding crystal-like sugars to form, “sugar volcanoes,” large enough for you to see. Infected sycamore trees look as if they were shot with BBs. On some plants, branches develop dry or wet and oily, dark stains at the beetles’ entry points. Wood and leaves can become discolored and entire branches wilt, then die back. Ambrosia beetles infect at least three hundred kinds of trees and shrubs, including avocado, California sycamore, willows, several kinds of oaks, Camellia, Acacia, kentia and king palms, Jacaranda, and many more. Gold Spotted Oak Borers are very similar to ambrosia beetles but only attack oak trees whose trunks are eight inches or more in diameter. Diagnosis: If you think you have a tree or shrub infected by borers, submit a photo or a sample of the plant to the San Diego County Plant Pathology Laboratory for free diagnosis (see below). Prevention: Healthy, well-hydrated plants are more resistant to infection, while under-watered or otherwise stressed woody trees and shrubs are more vulnerable. This is another reason to deep water trees and shrubs, even during drought. Beetles travel on freshly cut wood so be very careful that any wood you bring onto your property does not have beetles: • If you bring in firewood, BE SURE the firewood has been aged (“seasoned”) long enough that the bark is dry and falls off. • If you bring in wood chips for mulch or any other reason, BE SURE the woodchips are no larger than an inch across and have dried for several months. BETTER YET, avoid the issue altogether by using aged mulch rather than fresh wood chips. Treatment: There is no cure for badly infected plants; have them removed by a professional arborist who is trained to work with ambrosia-infected trees. Have the wood chipped to particles no larger than an inch; that appears to kill the borers. Have the entire rootball removed. WEBSITES RESOURCES: • San Diego County Plant Pathology Lab, offices in San Diego and San Marcos: sandiegocounty.gov/content/sdc/awm/plant_pathology.html • Find out if shot hole borers are in your area by checking out the University of California Agriculture and Natural Resources interactive Invasive Shot Hole Border map: ucanr.edu/sites/pshb/Map/ • Polyphagous shot hole borer: ucanr.edu/sites/socaloakpests/Polyphagous_Shot_Hole_Borer/ Beware the Tree Borers...Nan StermanWaterwise Gardener For additional classes or events, visit thegarden.org Free Docent-Led Tours First Saturday of the month, 10 a.m. Be inspired to create a water-wise landscape of your own while enjoying an informative walk through the Garden with a docent tour guide. Visit thegarden.org for special themed tours. Professional Landscape Design Consultations The Garden offers 45-minute landscape consulta-tions for residents looking to make changes to their landscape with water-wise plants. Call (619) 660-0614 ext. 10 to schedule. Cost: $60 for members; $75 for nonmembers. Ms. Smarty-Plants School Tours and Assembly Program Become a Ms. Smarty-Plants Earth Hero. Join Ms. Smarty-Plants as she takes you on a magical, fun, and interactive journey through plant adaptations, the water cycle, conservation, and more. To book an educational tour of the Garden or a school assembly program, call (619) 660-0615 ext. 16. Autumn Fest & Plant Sale | Saturday, Nov. 3, 10 a.m. – 3 p.m. Join the Otay Water District at the Garden’s annual Autumn Fest for live entertainment, craft vendors, food trucks, plant sales, kids’ activities, and landscape consultations. Water agencies will provide giveaway items and information on water use and services. Cost: $5 for ages 12 and over; $3 for ages 3-11; free for members and ages 2 and under. ONGOING EVENTS UPCOMING EVENTS Citizens Water Academy to be Held in South County The San Diego County Water Authority has opened the nomination process for its award- winning, no-cost Citizens Water Academy fall session in South County. The three-weekday program provides a behind-the-scenes look into the region’s water supply, drought- response efforts, and operations. The program is offered to community influencers who are willing to serve as outreach ambassadors on water-related issues. For details, visit sdcwa.org/citizens-water-academy or pick up a form at the District office, 2554 Sweetwater Springs Blvd, Spring Valley, 91978. Nominations are due Sept. 10. HOW TO DECREASE YOUR WATER USE DURING SUMMER MONTHS Did you know that the average household water consumption nearly doubles during the summer months? But with just a few simple measures, you can reduce water use in your home or business, both indoors and outdoors. Here are 10 water-saving tips for the season: WATER AT THE RIGHT TIME. Avoid watering on windy days and midday; instead schedule your irrigation for the early morning or late evening. This will help keep water in the soil and prevent water from evaporating quickly due to heat. TEST TOILETS FOR SILENT LEAKS. Place a few drops of food coloring or dye tablets in the toilet tank. If the color shows in the bowl within 15 minutes, you have a leak and could be wasting about 200 gallons or more of water per day. SHORTEN SHOWERS. For every minute you cut back from your shower time, you save 2.5 gallons of water. Place a bucket in the shower to collect water while you wait for it to warm up. Use it later to water your plants. COVER YOUR POOL/SPA. Consider covering your pool or spa, even in summer, to reduce evaporation and save up to 30 gallons of water per day. COOL TAP WATER IN THE FRIDGE. Fill up a large reusable bottle with tap water and keep it in the fridge for a cool drink on a hot summer day. You can avoid running the tap while waiting for cold water to drink. MOW HIGHER. Keep the length of your grass to at least 3 inches high. Longer grass allows the growth of longer roots, which reach down for moisture on hot, dry days. Leave the grass clippings on the lawn to shade the soil and minimize evaporation. APPLY MULCH AS A TOPPING. Add a 3-inch layer of mulch to your plant beds, but away from tree trunks and the crown of plants, to help protect the soil from evaporation, reduce runoff, and control weeds. UPGRADE WASHING MACHINE. When almost 15 percent of indoor water use goes to doing laundry, you may consider upgrading your washing machine to a high-efficiency washer and save 20 to 30 gallons of water per load. Visit otaywater.gov for rebates. PATRONIZE CAR WASHES THAT RECYCLE. Car wash facilities that have reclamation systems achieve greater water-use efficiency when cleaning vehicles. Use car washes that recycle water and save up to 32 gallons each time. REUSE WATER TO BATHE YOUR PET. If you bathe your pet outside, use a large basin and place it an area of the lawn that needs water. Not only will you be reusing the water, but their coat shake will serve as a quick sprinkler too. New Landscape Transformation Program Incentive Available! Otay residential customers can receive an extra $1.75 per square foot for replacing existing turf with sustainable landscaping features as part of the new Landscape Transformation Program. So that is a total of $2.75 per square foot! Commercial customers can receive $1 per square foot. For more information, visit otaywater.gov/landscape-transformation-program. Annual Water Quality Report Meets or Exceeds all State and Federal Water Quality Standards Every year, the United Environmental Protection Agency and State Water Resources Control Board, Division of Drinking Water set regulations that limit the amount of contaminants that may be present in drinking water provided by the Otay Water District. Once again, the District is proud to have met all state and federal water quality standards for calendar year 2017. The District’s annual Consumer Confidence Report provides details on the results and other valuable information about the water supplied by the District. Customers can learn more about where their water comes from, what it is tested for, and how the results compare to state standards. The report also lists the levels of common elements that may be detected in the water. District staff is committed to performing continuous water quality testing and vigilantly safeguards its water supplies to ensure reliable drinking water for its customers. The PDF report is available in English and Spanish at otaywater.gov/ConsumerConfidence. To request a printed copy, visit the District’s office, call (619) 670-2222, or email info@otaywater.gov. Consumer Confidence Report for Calendar Year 2017 (PUBLISHED 2018) Dedicated to Community Service 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 Trees and shrubs across the region are under siege. Along every major street and in every neighborhood there are dead trees, browning trees, trees that are stressed and in decline. Much of this can be attributed to drought, whether directly or because drought-weakened trees are susceptible to pests, in particular to tiny beetles known collectively as “borers.” INVASIVE SHOT HOLE BORER, AKA AMBROSIA BEETLES These tiny, flying Asian beetles – no bigger than a sesame seed - cause big problems for more than 300 kinds of fruiting and ornamental trees and shrubs throughout the region. According to County of San Diego Entomologist Tracy Ellis, there are several kinds of shot hole borers, all lumped into a group referred to as “ambrosia beetles.” What they do: Pregnant female beetles burrow through the tree or shrub’s bark and into its sapwood as they carve out tiny tunnels (known as “galleries”) to lay their eggs. Each beetle inoculates her tunnels with spores of a fungus that the developing larvae will feed on once they hatch from the eggs (all other stages of the beetles eat the fungus too). Once the fungal colonies begin to grow, the female returns to lay up to 10 eggs per tunnel. You might expect a female beetle to bore one or two tunnels in a tree; but those females are prolific! They can drill enough tunnels to girdle a plant, even enough to make a tree collapse! In the meantime, the tunnels interfere with the tree’s ability to move water and nutrients through its tissues, which spells death for a tree. And while the fungus is food for the beetles, it too is deadly for the tree. One way or another, the tree’s chances for survival are slim. What to look for: An infected plant may look like it sprung a leak. Sometimes the plant tries to plug leaks by exuding crystal-like sugars to form, “sugar volcanoes,” large enough for you to see. Infected sycamore trees look as if they were shot with BBs. On some plants, branches develop dry or wet and oily, dark stains at the beetles’ entry points. Wood and leaves can become discolored and entire branches wilt, then die back. Ambrosia beetles infect at least three hundred kinds of trees and shrubs, including avocado, California sycamore, willows, several kinds of oaks, Camellia, Acacia, kentia and king palms, Jacaranda, and many more. Gold Spotted Oak Borers are very similar to ambrosia beetles but only attack oak trees whose trunks are eight inches or more in diameter. Diagnosis: If you think you have a tree or shrub infected by borers, submit a photo or a sample of the plant to the San Diego County Plant Pathology Laboratory for free diagnosis (see below). Prevention: Healthy, well-hydrated plants are more resistant to infection, while under-watered or otherwise stressed woody trees and shrubs are more vulnerable. This is another reason to deep water trees and shrubs, even during drought. Beetles travel on freshly cut wood so be very careful that any wood you bring onto your property does not have beetles: • If you bring in firewood, BE SURE the firewood has been aged (“seasoned”) long enough that the bark is dry and falls off. • If you bring in wood chips for mulch or any other reason, BE SURE the woodchips are no larger than an inch across and have dried for several months. BETTER YET, avoid the issue altogether by using aged mulch rather than fresh wood chips. Treatment: There is no cure for badly infected plants; have them removed by a professional arborist who is trained to work with ambrosia-infected trees. Have the wood chipped to particles no larger than an inch; that appears to kill the borers. Have the entire rootball removed. WEBSITES RESOURCES: • San Diego County Plant Pathology Lab, offices in San Diego and San Marcos: sandiegocounty.gov/content/sdc/awm/plant_pathology.html • Find out if shot hole borers are in your area by checking out the University of California Agriculture and Natural Resources interactive Invasive Shot Hole Border map: ucanr.edu/sites/pshb/Map/ • Polyphagous shot hole borer: ucanr.edu/sites/socaloakpests/Polyphagous_Shot_Hole_Borer/ Beware the Tree Borers...Nan StermanWaterwise Gardener For additional classes or events, visit thegarden.org Free Docent-Led Tours First Saturday of the month, 10 a.m. Be inspired to create a water-wise landscape of your own while enjoying an informative walk through the Garden with a docent tour guide. Visit thegarden.org for special themed tours. Professional Landscape Design Consultations The Garden offers 45-minute landscape consulta-tions for residents looking to make changes to their landscape with water-wise plants. Call (619) 660-0614 ext. 10 to schedule. Cost: $60 for members; $75 for nonmembers. Ms. Smarty-Plants School Tours and Assembly Program Become a Ms. Smarty-Plants Earth Hero. Join Ms. Smarty-Plants as she takes you on a magical, fun, and interactive journey through plant adaptations, the water cycle, conservation, and more. To book an educational tour of the Garden or a school assembly program, call (619) 660-0615 ext. 16. Autumn Fest & Plant Sale | Saturday, Nov. 3, 10 a.m. – 3 p.m. Join the Otay Water District at the Garden’s annual Autumn Fest for live entertainment, craft vendors, food trucks, plant sales, kids’ activities, and landscape consultations. Water agencies will provide giveaway items and information on water use and services. Cost: $5 for ages 12 and over; $3 for ages 3-11; free for members and ages 2 and under. ONGOING EVENTS UPCOMING EVENTS Citizens Water Academy to be Held in South County The San Diego County Water Authority has opened the nomination process for its award- winning, no-cost Citizens Water Academy fall session in South County. The three-weekday program provides a behind-the-scenes look into the region’s water supply, drought- response efforts, and operations. The program is offered to community influencers who are willing to serve as outreach ambassadors on water-related issues. For details, visit sdcwa.org/citizens-water-academy or pick up a form at the District office, 2554 Sweetwater Springs Blvd, Spring Valley, 91978. Nominations are due Sept. 10. HOW TO DECREASE YOUR WATER USE DURING SUMMER MONTHS Did you know that the average household water consumption nearly doubles during the summer months? But with just a few simple measures, you can reduce water use in your home or business, both indoors and outdoors. Here are 10 water-saving tips for the season: WATER AT THE RIGHT TIME. Avoid watering on windy days and midday; instead schedule your irrigation for the early morning or late evening. This will help keep water in the soil and prevent water from evaporating quickly due to heat. TEST TOILETS FOR SILENT LEAKS. Place a few drops of food coloring or dye tablets in the toilet tank. If the color shows in the bowl within 15 minutes, you have a leak and could be wasting about 200 gallons or more of water per day. SHORTEN SHOWERS. For every minute you cut back from your shower time, you save 2.5 gallons of water. Place a bucket in the shower to collect water while you wait for it to warm up. Use it later to water your plants. COVER YOUR POOL/SPA. Consider covering your pool or spa, even in summer, to reduce evaporation and save up to 30 gallons of water per day. COOL TAP WATER IN THE FRIDGE. Fill up a large reusable bottle with tap water and keep it in the fridge for a cool drink on a hot summer day. You can avoid running the tap while waiting for cold water to drink. MOW HIGHER. Keep the length of your grass to at least 3 inches high. Longer grass allows the growth of longer roots, which reach down for moisture on hot, dry days. Leave the grass clippings on the lawn to shade the soil and minimize evaporation. APPLY MULCH AS A TOPPING. Add a 3-inch layer of mulch to your plant beds, but away from tree trunks and the crown of plants, to help protect the soil from evaporation, reduce runoff, and control weeds. UPGRADE WASHING MACHINE. When almost 15 percent of indoor water use goes to doing laundry, you may consider upgrading your washing machine to a high-efficiency washer and save 20 to 30 gallons of water per load. Visit otaywater.gov for rebates. PATRONIZE CAR WASHES THAT RECYCLE. Car wash facilities that have reclamation systems achieve greater water-use efficiency when cleaning vehicles. Use car washes that recycle water and save up to 32 gallons each time. REUSE WATER TO BATHE YOUR PET. If you bathe your pet outside, use a large basin and place it an area of the lawn that needs water. Not only will you be reusing the water, but their coat shake will serve as a quick sprinkler too. New Landscape Transformation Program Incentive Available! Otay residential customers can receive an extra $1.75 per square foot for replacing existing turf with sustainable landscaping features as part of the new Landscape Transformation Program. So that is a total of $2.75 per square foot! Commercial customers can receive $1 per square foot. For more information, visit otaywater.gov/landscape-transformation-program. Annual Water Quality Report Meets or Exceeds all State and Federal Water Quality Standards Every year, the United Environmental Protection Agency and State Water Resources Control Board, Division of Drinking Water set regulations that limit the amount of contaminants that may be present in drinking water provided by the Otay Water District. Once again, the District is proud to have met all state and federal water quality standards for calendar year 2017. The District’s annual Consumer Confidence Report provides details on the results and other valuable information about the water supplied by the District. Customers can learn more about where their water comes from, what it is tested for, and how the results compare to state standards. The report also lists the levels of common elements that may be detected in the water. District staff is committed to performing continuous water quality testing and vigilantly safeguards its water supplies to ensure reliable drinking water for its customers. The PDF report is available in English and Spanish at otaywater.gov/ConsumerConfidence. To request a printed copy, visit the District’s office, call (619) 670-2222, or email info@otaywater.gov. Consumer Confidence Report for Calendar Year 2017 (PUBLISHED 2018) Dedicated to Community Service T H E O T AY W A TER DISTRICT • P R OUDLY SERVING E A ST C OUNT Y A ND TH E S OUTH B A Y SINC E 1956 A NEW SLETTER FOR CUS T OMERS OF THE OTAY WATER DISTRICT SUMMER 2018 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. PresidentTim Smith, Division 1tsmith@otaywater.gov Vice PresidentMitch Thompson, Division 2mthompson@otaywater.gov TreasurerMark Robak, Division 5mrobak@otaywater.gov Board MemberGary Croucher, Division 3gcroucher@otaywater.gov Board MemberHector Gastelum, Division 4hector@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. Otay Selects Chula Vista Resident as Its 2018 WaterSmart Landscape Contest Winner As part of the countywide WaterSmart Landscape Contest, the Otay Water District has selected retired teacher and principal Rosalba Ponce from Chula Vista as the 2018 winner for “Best in District.” Otay’s contest committee determined that her landscape demonstrates overall attractiveness, a well though-out design, efficient irrigation methods, and appropriate plant selection and maintenance. In 2016, Ponce participated in two of the San Diego County Water Authority and its member agencies’ water conservation programs — the WaterSmart Landscape Makeover Program (WSLMP) four-class series and the Sustainable Landscapes Program (SLP). After attending the free WSLMP series, she hired a professional landscaper to help replace her thirsty front lawn with a Mediterranean floral garden that was both welcoming and water efficient. She installed a drip system, two rain barrels, and a detention area to collect rainwater. “Upon retiring, I thought the four-class course would be perfect for me,” says Ponce. “This course gave me the tools to learn about turf removal and opened my eyes to the joy of remodeling my yard.” In less than nine months after submitting her SLP application, Ponce had completed the full transformation of her front and back yards, receiving an incentive of $1.75 per square foot for replacing approximately 1,200 square feet of landscape. Although, the District does not have separate meters for indoor versus outdoor water use, her efforts could have potentially led to a decrease in her overall water use by an average of up to 38 percent. In July, the District’s Board of Directors honored Ponce with a certificate of recognition, gift certificate, and other promotional items. For more information on the contest, visit landscapecontest.com. Otay elige ganadora del concurso de jardines WaterSmart Como parte del concurso de Jardines WaterSmart, el Distrito de Agua de Otay ha seleccionado a una maestra y directora de escuela retirada Rosalba Ponce de Chula Vista como ganadora del “Mejor Jardín del Distrito” en este 2018. El comité del concurso de Otay determinó que el jardín de Ponce muestra un gran atractivo, cuenta con un diseño muy bien pensado, sistemas de riego eficientes, una buena selección de plantas y mantenimiento adecuado. En 2016, Ponce participó en dos de los programas de conservación de agua de la Autoridad de Agua del Condado de San Diego y sus agencias miembros incluyendo la serie de cuatro clases del Programa de Remodelación de Jardines WaterSmart (WSLMP, por sus siglas en inglés) y el Programa de Jardinería Sustentable (SLP, por sus siglas en inglés). Después de asistir a la serie de clases gratuitas del WSLMP, Ponce contrató a un especialista en paisajismo para remplazar su césped sediento de agua de su patio delantero por un jardín floral mediterráneo que es acogedor y eficiente de agua. También instaló un sistema de goteo, dos barriles recolectores de agua de lluvia y un área especial para retener el agua pluvial. “Cuando me jubilé pensé que el curso de cuatro clases sería perfecto para mí”, mencionó Ponce. “Este curso me dio las herramientas para aprender acerca de la remoción del césped y me permitió sentir la alegría de remodelar mi jardín”. En menos de nueve meses después de presentar su solicitud al SLP, Ponce terminó la transformación completa de su jardín tanto en la parte delantera como trasera. Ella recibió un incentivo de $1.75 por pie cuadrado para reemplazar aproximadamente 1,200 pies cuadrados de césped por un jardín sustentable. Aunque el distrito no tiene medidores separados para el uso de agua en interiores y exteriores, los esfuerzos de Ponce la condujeron a una disminución potencial del uso general del agua en un promedio del 38 por ciento. La junta directiva del distrito homenajeó a la ganadora quien recibió un certificado, una tarjeta de regalo y otros artículos promocionales. Para más información acerca de este concurso, visite landscapecontest.com. What the New Water-Use Efficiency Law Means for You! And Yes, You Can Shower and Do a Load of Laundry on the Same Day Without Getting Fined! On May 31, Gov. Brown signed two bills into law – Senate Bill 606 and Assembly Bill 1668 – that establish permanent water-use restrictions throughout California. These laws require the Otay Water District and other urban water suppliers to set and comply with annual water-use targets based on three factors: • An allowance for customers of 55 gallons per person per day for indoor water use • A yet-to-be determined allowance for customers for outdoor water use • A cap on water distribution system leaks There are no immediate impacts to residents or businesses from these laws. Also, they DO NOT impose individual mandates or fines on homeowners or businesses. Fines apply to the urban water provider and not to individuals. Rumor has it that there is an immediate mandate for individuals to reduce indoor water use to 55 gallons per person per day (GPCD) and to avoid showering and doing laundry on the same day. That is not true! The 55 GPCD indoor standard will begin in 2023. The District and other water providers will work with the State Water Resources Control Board over the next several years to define how the new laws will be implemented. These laws outline an overall framework to guide urban water providers, like Otay, in setting water use targets, which must be approved by the State Water Board. However, urban water providers will determine how their service area can best achieve the new water use target. Urban water providers will set and monitor targets for their service area as a whole and will determine how to help their customers collectively reach the new targets. Urban water providers who do not meet their targets can be fined by the State Water Board. Otay customers should note that their water use may already be 55 gallons or less per person per day indoors. The average daily water use of Otay residential and multi-residential customers since January 2018 — indoor and outdoor use combined — is approximately 76 gallons per person. For important dates and more details, visit otaywater.gov/new-water- use-efficiency-law. Lo que usted debe saber sobre la nueva ley de eficiencia del uso de agua ¡Usted se puede bañar y lavar su ropa el mismo día y no recibirá ninguna multa! El 31 de mayo, el gobernador Brown firmó dos proyectos de ley —Propuesta del Senado 606 y Propuesta de la Asamblea 1668— que establecen restricciones permanentes en el uso del agua en todo California. Estas leyes requieren que el Distrito de Agua de Otay y otros proveedores de agua urbanos establezcan y cumplan con metas anuales de consumo de agua basándose en tres factores: • Una asignación para los clientes de 55 galones por persona por día para consumo de agua en interiores.• Una asignación que no se ha determinado todavía para los clientes que utilizan agua en exteriores. • Un límite en las fugas del sistema de distribución de agua. Estas leyes no tendrán un impacto inmediato en los residentes o negocios ni impondrán mandatos individuales o multas a los propietarios de viviendas o negocios. Las multas se impondrán a los proveedores de agua urbanos, no a los individuos. Existen rumores de que hay un mandato inmediato para reducir el consumo de agua a 55 galones por persona por día (GPCD, por sus siglas en inglés) en interiores, así como evitar ducharse y lavar ropa el mismo día. ¡Eso no es verdad! La norma de 55 GPCD en interiores será reforzada en 2023. El distrito y otros proveedores de agua trabajarán con la Junta Estatal de Control de Recursos de Agua durante los próximos años para definir cómo se aplicarán las nuevas leyes. Estas leyes establecen un marco general para orientar a los proveedores de agua urbanos como Otay en el establecimiento de metas de consumo de agua que deben ser aprobadas por la Junta Estatal de Agua. Sin embargo, los proveedores de agua urbanos determinarán la mejor forma en que su área de servicio podrá alcanzar las nuevas metas de consumo de agua. Los proveedores de agua urbanos establecerán y supervisarán las metas dentro de su área de servicio y determinarán la mejor forma de ayudar a sus clientes a alcanzar colectivamente los nuevos objetivos. Los proveedores de agua urbanos que no cumplan con sus metas podrán recibir una multa por parte de la Junta Estatal de Agua. Los clientes de Otay deben tomar en cuenta que su uso de agua podría ser de 55 galones o menos por persona diariamente en interiores. Desde enero de 2018, el consumo promedio de agua de los clientes residenciales y multiresidenciales de Otay (uso combinado en interiores y exteriores) es de aproximadamente 76 galones por persona. Para fechas importantes y más información, visite otaywater.gov/new- water-use-efficiency-law.