Make Your Garden Part of 'Bringing Back The Natives' Tour

If you have a garden or yard that has more than 50 percent native plants, you may want to be part of next year's "Bringing Back The Natives Garden Tour."

The tour is set for Saturday, May 2, 2010 and includes gardens in both Alameda and Contra Costa County. More than 50 gardens are featured, and yours could be included as well.

CCWD has long been a sponsor of the award-winning tour since drought-tolerant native plants are featured in the gardens.

Lawns Are Water Guzzlers

We've heard from customers that keeping lawns healthy during the drought is one of their biggest challenges in saving water. We have a good guide to keeping your lawn going even with less water. It's called Drought Survival 101, and you can see it online.

The Santa Clara Water Agency estimates that by cutting your watering times by one minute, you'll save 20 gallons of water per day.



Mulch & Car Wash Coupon Programs Continue To Do The Job

CCWD’s “Mulch, Mulch, Mulch” and “Smart Wash Car Wash” programs have been very successful.

There’s no limit on how often you use the coupons. So print some coupons, then stop by the nursery and throw some bags of mulch in the trunk, then detour to the car wash and save some water there.

Water Matters Gets Additional Air Dates

Water Matters, a half-hour show on local water issues, has been given six additional air dates on NBC Channel 11

The show has segments on three water districts, including CCWD.

The District segment features Assistant General Manager Greg Gartrell and Water Conservation Supervisor Chris Dundon, along with customers who are saving water in their drought-resistant yards.

Here's the schedule for the show, sponsored in part by CCWD. The web page devoted to the program is here.

Saturday, Aug.8 noon

Sunday, Aug. 16 10am

Saturday, Aug. 29 3pm

Sunday, Sept. 6 10am

Sunday Sept. 13 9pm (post NFL)

Saturday Sept. 26 10:30am


Huell Howser To Feature CCWD

Speaking of television shows, TV personality Huell Howser interviewed Greg Gartrell earlier this week for a future feature on his California Water series titled “Tap Water: The Drink of Choice”.

Greg and Huell discussed the water quality benefits that Los Vaqueros provides for Contra Costa Water District customers. They also discussed the watershed’s beneficial habitat and recreation opportunities.

Filming is underway and the segment is schedule to be available this fall.

CCWD To Stop Filling Los Vaqueros on Aug. 1

The Contra Costa Water District will stop filling Los Vaqueros on Aug. 1. The reservoir will be about 88 percent filled at that time.

Water quality in the Delta is dropping, so the District will most-likely soon be using water stored at Los Vaqueros, meaning the reservoir water level will start heading down.