Press & Articles

Water Restrictions

New water restrictions are headed our way. The Sonoma County Agency asked the state for permission to lower the flow in the Russian River to make sure there is enough water flow for the fall fish runs. The state replied, no problem, but you have to cut water use 25% accross the board and no watering of commercial lawns. The reply from the county and cities within the county was "HUH?". The state, in my estimation and those of the county and city officials I have spoken to, has reacted without knowing all of the facts.

We are currently in a "stage 1" drought. This means voluntary rationing and utilizing many tools available from the county and local cities to help achieve this. Sonoma County and the cities within have contingency plans for lowering water use further if necessary with out banning lawn watering or the watering of our landscapes. The state has bypassed these plans and is forcing the hand of the county by there latest actions.

Stage 2 drought on the way? I am not sure, but the possibility is there because of the states actions. According to the county, there is enough water, even at reduced flows to hold us in a stage 1 drought and not move to a stage 2. Look for water news in your local paper.

The fact is we as a society use way too much water. The average water consumption of an American is 165 gallons per day. This includes washing dishes, washing clothes, sanitation and our landscapes. We can save water very easily inside the home and a large amount outside in our landscapes.

Enough with the doom and gloom! Let's focus on a few things we can do outside.

1. In our experience, lawns are over watered and the sprinkler systems are not set up correctly. If you have spray heads, we can help you save water just by switching to what is called an MP Rotator head. MP Rotators are a new technology that can reduce the amount of water used by spray heads and be applied to your lawn at a much higher distribution uniformity.
2. Drip irrigation, as with all irrigation, is not an install and forget item. On a new plant, Sweetwater Landscape and other professionals supply water to the plant that is needed to get that particular plant growing and then established. Depending on the plant, the amount of water can be reduced some what after the first year by either reprograming the controller or by adjusting the emitters.

3. Cycle and Soak is a newer term being used. The idea is not to over water with long run times. Cycle and Soak works great on hills and even on flat ground. Most timers will allow several start times to work with. An example of a cycle and soak setting would be to take a drip or a lawn station that is set to run for 10 minuets and split it into to or three waterings about a half hour to an hour apart. This will keep the water in the root zone where the plant or turf can use the water. If we over water, water soaks to deep or just runs off doing absolutely no good for the plant.
4. Hoses should always have a nozzle that you can shut off when not in use.
5. Fix leaking hoses and hose bibs (faucets). The water wasted is unmeasurable and can cost the county and rate payers tens of thousands of dollars a year.
6. Go an extra week or so before you wash your car. Stretch the times between washing, or use a car wash that uses recycled water or recycles the wash water.
7. Smart Irrigation Controllers are a must for your landscape. A smart controller uses either an onsite weather station or receives online daily updates via wireless signal to help you manage your irrigation needs daily. If you have a Hunter PRO C we installed, it can be upgraded very easily with a Hunter Solar Sync that makes your system about 15%-20% more efficient. Rebates are available in some areas that cover most of the equipment costs for these controllers and add-ons.
8. Saving water pays for itself. There is a fairly quick return on investment when updating your irrigation system. You can save water and save dollars, it is very easy.

If we all pitch in, we all win. Our water rates will be going up so if we use less we may be able to keep the costs pretty close to where they are now by simply conserving.