By Rick Hansen, - General Manager
Three Valleys Municipal Water District
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As drinking water suppliers, we are charged with providing safe, clean water for nearly 600,000 people in eastern Los Angeles County. This has never proven to be a problem. Three Valleys has always met or exceeded water quality requirements and demand. However, we must look to the future and plan for future growth and development. As many of us know, the population in this area continues to expand. To meet ever-increasing demand, we are seeking additional water sources and supplies, but we also encourage conservation of existing supplies. Water conservation is one of the least expensive methods we can ALL use to ensure long-term sustainability of supply. What can each of us do to insure water supplies are used to their utmost benefit? Adjust your automatic sprinklers for seasonal changes. Water your grass and plants only when needed and preferably in the early morning when the evaporation is much lower. Also make sure your sprinklers are not running on sidewalks, driveways and roads. |
You can landscape with beautiful native and “California Friendly” plants, which use up to two-thirds LESS water. You are not limited to cacti, succulents, or narrow leafed evergreens when selecting plants adapted to low moisture requirements. Many varieties of beautiful plants may be used that do well locally in southern California where rainfall is limited for months at a time. A good time to put in native and drought tolerant plants is in the fall—October and November. Look for plants that are well-suited to regional and local conditions. When selecting and installing landscaping, group those plants together that require the same amounts of water for healthy combinations and efficient irrigation. Trickle irrigation and drip irrigation systems help reduce water use and meet the needs of plants. With these methods, very small amounts of water are supplied to the base of the plants. Since the water is applied directly to the soil, rather than onto the plant, evaporation from leaf surfaces is reduced. The water is also placed where it will do the most good, rather than sprayed over the entire garden, thus limiting weeds. Our water supply reliability is dependent on the further enhancement of regional and supplemental imported water sources. Your local water agencies have developed a blueprint for water supply reliability through the development of diversified sources and economic soundness. For more tips on setting your sprinklers and in choosing “California Friendly” landscaping and plants, we recommend that you utilize the website www.bewaterwise. com. |