Contra Costa Water District customers reduced their water consumption this summer by 18 percent, handily beating the goal of 15 percent savings.
“Our customers are showing how committed they are to water conservation,” said General Manager Walter J. Bishop.
"Our customers are being extremely responsive to the reality that the state is in a third year of drought and may face more dry years ahead,” Bishop said. “Water conserved now will be supply insurance for next year should conditions remain dry."
Through August, 85 percent of the District’s treated-water customers maintained water use within their budgets, saving water and money. Only about 15 percent either increased water usage relative to historical use or failed to live within their requested water budget.
Fall Means Cutting Back On Your Sprinkler Timers
There’s less sun on your yard and garden, and that means you can cut your timers for your sprinklers right now and save water immediately.
You know what works best in your yard, but in the fall months CCWD recommends watering your lawn one or two days a week, and only one day for your trees and shrubs.
In November, you can stop watering your shrubs, and your lawn only once a week. Once it starts raining – let’s hope! -- don’t forget to turn off your irrigation system completely.
District Honors Water Savers
The Contra Costa Water District Board of Directors honored four of its customers this month for saving water.
Board President Joseph L. Campbell said CCWD customers have been saving water, "and we thought we'd recognize some people who are doing it well."
Concord Mayor Laura Hoffmeister, Concord's Director of Public Works Alex Pascual and Public Works Horticulture Advisor Scott Vasquez represented the city at the ceremony. The city began to plan early for the potential of the drought, used CCWD rebates to upgrade central irrigation controls and has saved more than 9.7 million gallons of water during the summer months of July and August. Mayor Hoffmeister said the city's water-saving efforts have "gone much smoother than we expected," and lauded the city staff's efforts to find creative solutions to the problems presented by having less water available.
Roy and Rosadelia Detwiler of Concord were recognized for their water saving efforts in their landscaping at their home. They have converted both their front and back yards into beautiful drought-tolerant landscapes. They reduced their water use by more than 30 percent and are saving an average of 160 gallons of water per day. They have been featured on the television program 'Water Matters' and their house is also a stop on the "Bringing Back the Natives" garden tour that CCWD sponsors.
The David Deutscher Company in Pleasant Hill was honored for a project in which it has removed more than a third of an acre of turf grass and updated its existing sprinkler system with a modern drip system. The company expects to cut 50 percent of its water use with the changes.
Also honored were James and Stacey Morikawa of Concord who have been featured on a CCWD web video for saving more than 1,600 gallons of water per day following a CCWD Home Water Use Survey.
Mulch and Car Wash Coupons Save Money, Water
Don’t forget to use our Mulch and Car Wash coupons. We can save you money when buying mulch at 29 local nurseries, which saves water in the garden, and at local car washes that recycle their water.
Water Saving Classes Coming Up
There are all kinds of classes and events featuring drought tolerant gardens. Here are just a few:
Oct 1
An Evening are Margario House in Oakland
5 to 7 p.m.
Margario House in Oakland
Oct. 3
Composting for Families
10 a.m. -12
Presenter: Karen Gardner
Ruth Bancroft Garden
Oct. 10
Dish Gardening
Noon-1:30 p.m.
Presenter: Hank Jenkins
Ruth Bancroft Garden
Oct. 17
Herb Walk
10 a.m. - 12
Presenter: Kara Sigler
Ruth Bancroft Garden
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