Pine Cove Water District: April 2009

Monday, April 20, 2009

Monday Musings~~Has Spring Finally Sprung?

The week is starting off on a warm note. The sky is blue, there is a breeze, the air smells fresh and clean and the temperature is perfect. When the weather starts to warm up, it is natural to want to get out into the yard and start cleaning up winter's mess. But before you start planting or watering anything in your yard, be sure to check your irrigation system for any wear and tear or damage that might cause leaks. Consider installing a timer so you don't forget about it and over water. Also be sure you do not irrigate when it is raining. And don't forget to mulch. A layer of mulch helps keep moisture in and slowly decomposes adding nutrients to the soil. Being water wise in the yard is everyone's job.

Friday, April 17, 2009

Friday Follies

As the week closes, we have seen an improvment in the weather. While still cool, at least the sun is shining and it feels like spring just might arrive one of these days.

Starting on Friday, April 24, we will have a picture of the week. Submit your picture via email to info@pcwd.org. It can be a picture of anything in and around Pine Cove. Think sunsets, sunrises, the garden, nature, an especially cute house or yard, trees, the fog, squirrels and so on. So get out your camera and see what wonderful images of Pine Cove you can capture.

Wednesday, April 15, 2009

Getting Ready for Spring

We ended last week with clouds and fog and a couple of inches of snow. Today isn't much better. It has been cold, cloudy and very windy. Although it is spring on the calendar, you would never know it by our weather. But we know spring will eventually come and when it does we will be all the more appreciative.

Now is the perfect time to start planning for your summer garden. We have bark mulch available for Pine Cove Water District customers free of charge. Please take advantage of this. A 3 to 4 inch layer of mulch helps retain moisture and allows you to water less. It also slowly decomposes over time creating wonderful compost which in turn enriches your soil and provides additional nutrients for your plants. It is a win win situation.

Also, carefully consider a plants water needs prior to putting in into your garden. Look for native plants and plants that tolerate drought conditions. A little planning before hand can lead to a wonderful garden later on.

Friday, April 10, 2009

Now Available

A quick reminder to let you know that we currently have blue bird houses and water saving kits available free of charge for Pine Cove Water District customers. Just stop by the district office located at 24917 Marion Ridge Dr. and pick yours up today.

Week's End

It has been a busy week here at the water district and we are ending the week with a foggy, overcast day. Perhaps we will get some precipitation later in the day. Water bills were mailed out on Monday and our monthly board meeting was held on Wednesday, April 8 at 10 a.m. You will find the minutes from the board meeting on our website, http://www.pcwd.org/. The next board meeting will be held on May 13, 2009 at 10 a.m. in the board room at the water district office on Marion Ridge Dr.

If you haven't been to our website yet, I would encourage you to take a look around it. It has lots of information regarding the water district, as well as many useful resources. Stay informed by checking our website and blog regularly. We also encourage you to ask questions or leave comments here on our blog.

Thursday, April 2, 2009

Welcome!

We are happy to announce that the Pine Cove Water District now has a blog. Please stop by often and see what is happening around the district. Check for updates, news and events. Feel free to leave a message and tell us what you think. We look forward to hearing from you.

Jerry

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FREE STUFF!

We have lots of things available for our customers, all free of charge. Stop by the district office to pick up yours today.

Saving Water Kit. These kits include a low flow shower head, a kitchen swivel aerator, 2 bathroom faucet aerators, toilet water saver, toilet leak detection tablets, flow meter bag and a water conservation wheel.

Blue bird houses made from recycled wood.

Wood chips to help retain moisture in your garden.

Here at the PCWD, we care about the environment and want to help our customers save water.

CURRENT REBATES

Effective 7/1/10, the District is offering a rebate program for the following items:

One half of the purchase price to a maximum on $100.00 per toilet, max of two toilets per household, for the purchase and installation of a 1.6 GPM or less, Low Flow Toilet.

$50.00 rebate for the purchase and installation of a High Efficiency/Front Loading washing machine.

$100.00 Rebate for the purchase and installation of an approved Hot Wter Recycling System, limit of 1 per household.

Smart Water Systems on outside watering an drip stystems, maximum of $150.00, decided on a case by case basis.

Rain Water Collection Systems, maximum of $150.00 decided on a case by case basis.

All rebates must be approved by the General manager and must include proof of purchase and installation and there will be no repeat rebates allowed for a minimum of 5 years. Within any fiscal year, the maximum total rebates is $250.00 per property.

Rebates for any commercial or multi-family units will be decided on a case by case basis and must be approved by the Board of Directors.

Please stop in the office to fill out the necessary paper work to receive your rebate.

Winterizing Tips

Every winter season, homeowners in mountain communities are at risk of the damage and expense caused by frozen pipes. However, just a few precatuions can greatly reduce your risk and may even help with your winter heating efficiency.

Disconnect and Drain-detaching hoses from outdoor faucets allows water to drain from the pipe.

Insulate-if you have pipelines in an unheated garage or cold crawl spaced under the house, wrap the water pipes before temperatures plummet. You can also puchase insulated covers for your outdoor faucets as well.

Turn off Water-turning your water off when you leave you mountain home is the most important thing you can do to prevent a leak or break.

Seal Off Vents, Cracks and Doors-winter winds whistling through overlooked openings can quickly freeze exposed water pipes.

By following these simple steps, you will be protecting yourself from a possible leak or broken pipe due to freezing.

Remember, all water that passes through the meter is the homeowner's responsibility, even if it is due to frozen or broken pipes.

Riverside County Local Hazard Mitigation Plan

The Pine Cove Water District is participating in Riverside County's Local Hazard Mitigation Plan. They are currently in the process of updating it and we have been trying to do our part. We have been nominated as a possible site for an Emergency Operations Center should a diaster befall us. We will be making updates here on the blog and our website so that we can keep the public informed as to our progress and plans. It is our hope that our preparations are never put to the test, but we want to be prepared, just in case.

Pine Cove Water District Welcomes You!

It is our mission to provide ample amounts of potable water at a reasonable price to all constituents within the Pine Cove area.

As a water district in a small community, we here at the Pine Cove Water District feel a special connection with our customers. We want our customers to be informed and in addition to our website and our semi annual newsletters, we have created this blog to keep everyone up to date on the latest happenings here at the Pine Cove Water District.

We hope you will check in often and feel free to leave your comments and suggestions.

Rules for Watering your Landscape

1. Get to know your plants signal for water: All plants and trees have different water requirements. The time to water is when the plants need it. Adjust your watering schedule and automatic timers for cooler, wetter or windy weather.

2. Split your watering time and prevent runoff: If water runs off instead of soaking in, split the water time into two sessions to allow the soil to absorb the water. Amend your soil to improve the water holding capacity of your soil.Watering half the time, twice as often will help water stay in the root zone.

3. Train your plants to develop deep roots: Water thoroughly, but infrequently. Make sure that plants are deep watered in the spring so they will develop deep roots and need less water in the summer. Deeper roots allow plants to use moisture deep in the ground. Plants will be healthier and stronger.

4. Avoid watering on windy days: When you water on windy days (a breeze stronger than 5 to 7 miles per hour), much of the water evaporates or blows away.

5. Avoid watering in the middle of the day: Morning is the best time to water because it helps prevent the growth of fungus. Also by watering in the cool part of the day, more water soaks in instead of evaporating.

6. Turn off your irrigation system when it rains: Don't waste water by watering plants in the rain. Rain sensors are available if you aren't home to to turn them off.

7. Mulch around trees and shrubs: Mulching discourages weeds and slows evaporation when you water your plants.

8. Keep your soil in shape: Soil amendments such as compost can benefit your plants both by providing nutrients and by changing the composition of the soil so it holds water better. Improving your soil needs to be done regularly, including the areas around existing plants and shrubs.

9. Maintain your watering system: Broken sprinkler heads spew water that doesn't benefit your plants. Replace old or worn irrigation fixtures. Hoses, couplings, valves and fauceets that leak not only create large puddles, but waste water and your money.

10. Choose the right plants: Take a plants water and sun needs into consideration before adding it to you landscape. Look for drought tolerant plants with low water needs.