SAVE WATER: TURN OFF IRRIGATION AFTER RAINS

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Source: County News Service

December 14, 2014 (San Diego)--It’s the time of year when San Diego County gets most of its rainfall – and this winter it’s more important than ever to take advantage of every drop that Mother Nature delivers to us.

The County is asking residents and businesses to turn off your irrigation systems and leave them off for up to two weeks after storms that provide significant rainfall. A few rainy days can provide enough water for lawns to survive for long stretches without irrigation, and they provide a valuable chance to save stored water supplies for next summer when water reserves will be even more important to help our region withstand drought conditions.

After three straight dry years, the San Diego County Water Authority has declared a Drought Alert condition, and mandatory water conservation measures are in place countywide. For details about restrictions in different communities, go to WhenInDrought.org.

Mark Weston, chair of the Water Authority’s Board of Directors, says, “Widespread efforts to decrease irrigation following storms can save large volumes of water and help minimize the impact of any water supply reductions in 2015.”

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.

Jeff Stephenson, a principal water resources specialist for the Water Authority, says  that after a storm, “do not begin watering again until the top one to two inches of soil are dry. Lawns that lose their lush green luster will rejuvenate with the next rain.”


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