Turn Those Sprinklers Down A Little

The days are getting shorter, and that means you may consider turning down your automatic sprinklers a bit.

CCWD recommends watering your lawn three days per week, shrubs and trees one to two days per week.

This is just a slight change from July and August, the months when most yards need the most water.

There may be some hot days left in this unusual summer. Unless your yard gets cooked, you probably don’t need to add more water past our recommendation for the month. With the days getting noticeably shorter, there’s a lot less sunlight.

Check here for all the details.

Lose the Lawn & Grow a Garden

Our Pilot Water-Efficient Landscape Rebate Program returns, offering rebates to customers who replace their lawns with water-saving gardens.

Rebates are up to $500 for residential customers. Multi-family and commercial customers can earn up to $5,000.

Please follow the steps to make sure you receive your rebate. Don't start on your project until you receive a "Notice to Proceed" from CCWD.

Take a look at our short video, where CCWD Conservation Supervisor Chris Dundon shows how he “lost the lawn” at his own home and grew a garden. The effort cut his water consumption in half, and his yard is beautiful.

Water Saving Classes at Ruth Bancroft Garden

There are several classes and events coming up in September at the Ruth Bancroft Garden.

Most notable is "Drought-Tolerant Edibles" Saturday, Sept. 3 and "Free Water: Utilizing Rain Water and Greywater" on Saturday, Sept. 17.

CCWD is a sponsor of both of these. Find out more.

Native Plant Symposium in September

A two-day native plant symposium will be held Sept. 17 and 18 here in the Bay Area. A variety of organizations will be running the symposium titled "Growing Natives: Inspiring & Enduring Gardens.”

Save Water & Save Money With CCWD Coupons

We have coupons for discounts at car washes that recycle their water, and at local nurseries where you can buy water-saving mulch at a discount.

Turn Your Sprinklers Up A Notch in July

It’s July, and the weather – at last – seems close to normal.

With its long and hot days, July is also when you should turn your automatic sprinklers up a notch to keep your yard green.

For your lawn, we recommend watering three or four days per week, and your trees and shrubs two to three days per week. Of course, the best time is to water in the early morning between 3 and 8 a.m. before the sun comes up. This allows the water to soak in and help your plants before it can evaporate.

If your auto system allows it, water in short cycles.

See all the details here.

Lose the Lawn & Grow a Garden

Our Pilot Water-Efficient Landscape Rebate Program returns, offering rebates to customers who replace their lawns with water-saving gardens.

Rebates are up to $500 for residential customers. Multi-family and commercial customers can earn up to $5,000.

Please follow the steps to make sure you receive your rebate. Don't start on your project until you receive a "Notice to Proceed" from CCWD.

Take a look at our short video, where CCWD Conservation Supervisor Chris Dundon shows how he “lost the lawn” at his own home and grew a garden. The effort cut his water use in half, and his yard is beautiful.

Native Plant Symposium in September

A two-day native plant symposium will be held Sept. 17 and 18 here in the Bay Area. A variety of organizations will be running the symposium titled "Growing Natives: Inspiring & Enduring Gardens" will include a number of speakers, workshops and demonstrations. CCWD is a sponsor.

Car Wash & Mulch Coupons Return!

Our very popular Smart Wash Car Wash and Mulch, Mulch, Mulch coupon programs return with money and water savings.

With the car washes, we have money-saving coupons for various car washes that recycle their water. All you need to do is print one of these coupons, and you'll get a discount on your next wash.

The mulch program is similar, with a coupon that gives you discounts on your purchases of mulch. Mulch helps save water in your garden.

We expect to add more coupons soon, so check back on both programs if there isn't a car wash or nursery near you. This is the third year we've offered these discounts, and they've become very popular with our customers.

Free Tickets To The Spring Home & Garden Show

We have free tickets available to the Spring Home and Garden Show at the Sleep Train Pavilion on April 8, 9 & 10.

These tickets are for general admission, and do not include parking.

All you need to do is print out as many tickets as you need.

“Is Your Irrigation an Irritation?” is the theme of the District's booth and will highlight common irrigation system problems and their solutions.

50 Gardens Featured In Bringing Back The Natives Tour

CCWD is a sponsor of the "Bringing Back The Natives Garden Tour" that will be held on Sunday, May 1.

This year, there will be 50 gardens featured in Alameda and Contra Costa counties.

It's a fun event, and a great way to see new possibilities for using native drought-resistant plants in your garden.

Take Care of Your Water Pipes During Upcoming Cold Weather

Unusually cold weather is being forecast for this weekend, so make sure you take some steps to keep your water pipes from bursting.

We have a complete guide that will help you protect your pipes, and thaw them should they freeze.

Here's all the information here:

http://www.ccwater.com/customerservice/FrozenPipes.asp

Don't Forget To Protect Your Garden Hoses As Well

Your garden hoses can also burst in the cold. So spend a moment protecting them.

If you leave the hoses outside, take off the spray nozzles and take out any kinks so there is plenty of room for the water in the hoses to expand as temperatures drop.

Make Sure Your Automatic Sprinklers Are Off

With a very wet winter, it's obvious. But, since we advise you to run them early in the morning during the dry months, maybe you wouldn't notice if they are are running. It's a good idea to check to make sure they are off.

Thinking About Watering Your Lawn?

We haven't had any measurable rain in Concord since Jan. 13, and that was just a tiny bit. While the weather has been absolutely pleasant, the soaking wet days of November and December seem like a long time ago and there is no rain in the immediate forecast.

Is it time to water your lawn or garden again, even in January?

Check First

While we've seen sunny weather, the days are -- of course-- short and very cool compared to the middle of summer.

We suggest you check your soil before unrolling the hose. Pick up a clump of dirt in your hand, and feel for moisture. Use your hand shovel to dig around a little and see if there's moisture in the soil. Check in several places.

If you've put mulch around your shrubs and trees, these areas particularly should still be moist. Especially if your yard faces toward the south, it may be getting dry.

If Needed, Go Ahead & Water Your Lawn

If the soil's moist, of course, you don't need to water.

If it's dry, you may want to hand-water with a hose or turn your sprinklers on for a short time. You will not need a lot of water, so don't turn the sprinklers on and leave them running for a long time.

Use This Time To Check Your Sprinkler System

While the sprinklers are running, it's a good time to check your entire sprinkler system. Look for clogged, mis-aimed or broken emitters or pipes. You may want to remove a sprinkler at the end of the system and flush out any dirt.

With the mild weather, you have time to fix things now without risking damage to your plants and lawn while waiting for a spare moment to make repairs.

Don't Turn Your Timers On

It may be tempting to turn on your sprinkler timers, and let them do the work for the next few weeks.

That's not a good idea. Your yard will not need a lot of water, and with rapidly-changing winter weather still ahead of us, you may end up wasting a lot of water should you forget to turn them off.

Operate the sprinklers manually. CCWD doesn't advise turning your timers back on until March, and even then, that's only one day a week for your lawn.

Starting to Plan Your Summer Garden?

The "Bringing Back the Natives" Garden tour on Sunday, May 1 will be a great way to see how local gardeners have used drought-tolerant native plants to create beautiful gardens. More than 50 gardens in Contra Costa and Alameda counties are registered.

CCWD is one of the long-time sponsors of this popular community activity. There are a limited number of booklets, so register early. It's free!

Can't wait until May? Take a look at our "Gardening in Contra Costa County" online resource. There are thousands of plants listed, along with pictures and gardening ideas.

Hurry! Web Coupons To Expire! Wash Your Car, Buy Your Mulch!

Time is quickly running out on our two web coupon programs.

Our Smart Wash Car Wash and Mulch, Mulch, Mulch programs both end on Nov. 30.

That doesn't give you much time to use these money & water-saving coupons, but you can still use them until Dec. 1.

In the Smart Car Wash program, you can save money and water by using these coupons to save money with car washes that recycle water.

Everyone knows that mulch saves water and also cuts down on weeds in your garden....so stock up on mulch tomorrow and save money!

Keep Your Pipes From Freezing

We have all kinds of hints and tips to keep your pipes from freezing in the very cold weather. Just look here.

Cut Back Your Watering Days in October

The exceedingly hot weather of the last few days is expected to ease to comfortable temperatures by the weekend.

If you've been following our watering guide, your lawn, trees and most plants should be in great shape after the near-record heat. The only exception may be your shallow-rooted plants --like ground cover and perennials -- so check to see if they need any additional moisture.

Even though it's been sweaty-hot, do not hesitate to fall into savings and cut back your watering schedule on Oct. 1 to two days per week for lawns and one day per week for trees and shrubs.

Check our guide for the details.

Classes -- Plant Sale -- Coming Up Oct. 9

There will be class on caring for succulents, and the annual plant sale, coming up on Oct. 9 at the Ruth Bancroft Garden. Both will be held on Oct. 9

It's September, You Can Cut Back Your Sprinkler Timers

CCWD recommends cutting back watering times on your sprinklers in September.

We suggest watering your lawn three days a week, and your trees, shrubs and groundcover only one to two days per week. Look to our guide for the particulars on operating different types of sprinklers.

Even though it can still get plenty hot in Contra Costa County in September, the days are noticeably getting shorter and the sun is at a lower angle. That means less sunlight and your plants will need less water.

Remove Your Lawn Class in September

Lawn Removal, with Kat Weiss will be held at the Ruth Bancroft Garden on Saturday, Sept. 18 from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m.

Learn how to remove and replace your lawn in this informative and hands-on workshop. CCWD is a co-sponsor of these classes.

Save Water With Greywater & Drought Resistant Plants

Here are two ways to continue saving water: establish a greywater system to irrigate your garden, and plant more drought resistant plants in your yard.

A Berkeley group called "Greywater Action" is holding a class on using greywater from your shower on Saturday, Aug. 28 from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m.

The class will include a hands on demonstration that will install a greywater system at a home in Berkeley.

There is a fee, but it slides depending on your ability to pay.

Over in Richmond, the Watershed Nursery is having a large sale on a wide-variety of drought- resistant plants. The sale lasts a week and starts on Monday, Aug. 23.

August's Shorter Days Mean You Can Cut Watering For Trees & Shrubs

July and August are the times of the year of highest water demand for your plants.

But in August, the days are starting to get shorter. That means less sun on your yard, so you can use less water and still keep everything green.

For your automatic sprinklers, CCWD recommends cutting back a day on your watering schedule for trees and shrubs. But you probably want to leave your lawn sprinklers about the same during this normally-hot month.

Temperatures have been much cooler than normal so far this summer, so maybe you can cut watering even more than our recommendations.

CCWD August Sprinkler Day Recommendations

Lawn: 3-4 times per week.

Shrubs 2 days per week.

Consult our water use guide for more specific watering information.

Now We Now Have Two Options for $175 High-Efficiency Toilet Rebates

We now have an instant $175 rebate when you buy a WaterSense-labeled High-Efficiency Toilet from one of our participating vendor, or you can get a mail-in $175 rebate when you buy a WaterSense Labeled High Efficiency Toilet for the vendor you choose.

Before you do anything, make sure you pre-qualify for the rebate. We may also need to do an inspection at your home. Call CCWD at 688-8320 or look here for more information.

Drought Tolerant Gardening Class Coming Up

A class on drought-tolerant gardening will be held Saturday, Aug. 14 at the Ruth Bancroft Garden in Walnut Creek from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m.

Bobbi Feyerabend, a well-known East Bay landscape architect, will discuss the basics of low-water gardening and cover appropriate plant choices, garden design, irrigation and maintenance. She will focus on Mediterranean plants.

These classes are co-sponsored by the Contra Costa Water District.

Look here for more information.

Don't Forget Our Money Saving Coupons for Mulch & Car Washes

It's a great time to save money and water with our "Smart Car Wash" and "Mulch, Mulch, Mulch" coupon programs.

Print these coupons, and save.

Classes At Ruth Bancroft Garden in Walnut Creek

CCWD sponsors classes at the Ruth Bancroft Garden in Walnut Creek.

On Saturday, July 10, there will be "Botanical Illustrations" from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. with Dorcas Moulton, a botanical illustration instructor at Merritt College. She will show you everything you need to know about sketching your favorite plants.

Also coming up is: "Drought Tolerant Gardening 101," with Bobbi Feyerabend on Saturday, Aug. 14 and "Lawn Removal" with Kat Weiss Saturday, Sept. 11.

Contact the Garden for more information on these classes.

July is the Highest Water Month

July is often the month that our lawns and landscapes require the most water. Here are a few steps to make sure you make every drop count. A perfect time to do this is before you go on vacation.

INSPECT SPRINKLERS
Inspect each sprinkler head and look for broken, bent or blocked sprinkler heads or nozzles.
• Broken Sprinklers: Repair or replace immediately
• Bent or Sunken Sprinklers: Use a trowel to remove soil and adjust the head so it is plumb and spraying correctly. The head should pop up high enough to spray without being blocked by the plant material.
• Broken or clogged Sprinkler Nozzles: Replace these with the correct nozzle. It is a good idea to have several spare nozzles for easy replacement)

INSPECT DRIP SYSTEM
Turn on the drip system and walk through the garden looking and listening for breaks and broken emitters.
• Traditional Drip Systems: The most common repair needed for traditional half-inch poly pipe drip with pop in emitters is broken emitters. If you find one, simply use a pair of pliers to remove it and install a “goof plug”. The goof plug has two sizes so use the size that will completely fill the hole. You can then install a new emitter a few inches away from the goof plug.
• Quadra-Bubbler Drip: The most common repair needed for these types of drip systems is the spaghetti tubing comes out of the bubbler. If the tubing is brittle at the end, you may need to snip off an inch and re-insert it. Also, if the quadra-bubbler tip is broken, you will need to replace the whole quadra-bubbler.

JULY WATERING SCHEDULE
The following is the recommended schedule for central and east Contra Costa County.
• Lawns: For pop-up spray sprinklers water three cycles for 3 to 6 minutes, 3 to 4 days per week.
• Trees, Shrubs, Groundcovers: For pop-up spray sprinklers water three cycles for 3 to 6 minutes, 2 to 3 days per week

Your Plants' Watering Needs Change With the Seasons

As the seasons change, so do the needs of the plants and lawn in your yard.

During winter months, when days are short and usually wet, you don’t need to water you lawn, shrubs or trees at all.

During summer, when the days are long and there’s and not much rain, you need to water your yard. How much is enough to keep your grass green and healthy?

The Contra Costa Water District has a new handy guide appropriately called the “Lawn & Landscape Watering Schedule” that tells you exactly how much water you need. Most modern automated irrigation systems make it easy to change the settings each month, and the schedule guides you.

For example, in July water your lawn three or four days per week. If you have pop-up sprinklers, run three cycles of three to six minutes each, a few minutes longer if you have impact or rotor sprinklers. For trees, shrubs and groundcover, you need only two to three days per week. With pop-up sprinklers, run three cycles of three to six minutes each.

While your are on the page, sign up to get a water scheduling reminder through an e-mail each month.

Water Your Plants Early

What’s the best time of the day to water? Set your automatic sprinkler system to water between 3 a.m. and 8 a.m. The sun is down, the temperature is cooler and the wind is usually calm. This allows the water to do the work you want it to, soak to the roots and nourish your plants.

If you’re watering during the day, up to 30 percent of the water your spraying is lost to evaporation.

Coupons Help You Save Water & Money

CCWD has water-saving coupons online for car washes, and buying mulch.

The car washes all recycle their water, and mulch is the best way to save water in your yard and prevent weed growth.

Look for the blue “Smart Car Wash” and brown “Mulch-Mulch-Mulch” buttons on www.ccwater.com, find the deals that most appeal to you, print out the coupon and you’ll start savings water right away.


Free Home Water Surveys


Have you had one of our free home water surveys? This is a great way to start saving water immediately.

One of our water conservation experts will do everything from measure how much water your sprinklers are using, to check for leaks in your toilet and tell you about our water saving rebates for washers and toilets.

It’s absolutely free, and you’ll start saving water before our expert leaves your home.

New Page Is Resource For Grey Water, Rain Water Uses

We just put up a new resource page in the Conservation section of the CCWD web site that has resources for alternative ways to save water.

Many people are taking a second look at collecting grey water -- which is water from your washing machine or shower -- and using what is normally waste water to irrigate your yard.

In addition, though the Contra Costa climate is not ideal for it, many are also looking at "harvesting" rain water for their irrigation needs. If you collect rain water, you can use the water for your garden when skies are clear.

CCWD offers the new page only as a resource, and offers no rebates or incentives for these water-saving alternatives. But if you can manage these resources carefully, and watch your expenses, you can save some money and some water.

Home Water Surveys Are Free!

CCWD's free home water surveys will help you save water immediately.

Our trained water conservation experts will come to your home, and work with you inside and outside your house to show you how to save water.

They'll check your toilets for leaks, install water-saving devices on your kitchen sink, tell you how much water your irrigation system uses and tune the system so that your lawn, trees and plants will stay green...and a lot more.

Sign up online.

We'll Remind You To Change Your Sprinkler Timers

We have a new service that will send you an e-mail reminder each month on how much you should be watering your lawn, trees and shrubs.

For example, in June, we recommend:

Lawns & High Water Use Plants – 3 to 4 days per week

Trees, Shrubs, and Ground Covers - 2 days per week

This is the same schedule professional landscapers use to keep water and costs under control.

Sign up online.

See 47 Different Drought Tolerant Plants at CCWD's Garden

You can now identify 47 different types of drought-tolerant plants living and growing in CCWD's Demonstration Garden

Completed in 1991 and undergoing the final stages of a much-needed upgrade, CCWD's water-efficient District Center Garden is one of 78 Demonstration Gardens in California recognized by the Water Education Foundation, The Bureau of Reclamation and the California Urban Water Conservation Council.

Most recently, we've added labels and tags for all the plants found in the garden. In addition, there's a list of the plants on the signboard next to the entrance to the building. So if you like a particular type of plant, just check it off the list and take it to your nursery.

The garden is designed to show homeowners and businesses that by planting wisely, they can continue to have a beautiful landscape that uses very little water. You can see everything from the "Torch Lilly" to "Catherine's Lace" and "Bottlebrush Little John."

A path winds through the garden of natives, exotic shrubs and perennials. Plants were selected for their suitability to the local climate, soil and for low maintenance.

The garden is about an acre in size, and uses about half of the water of the expansive lawn it replaced in 1991....and doesn't need to be mowed every week!

The garden is located at 1331 Concord Ave. in Concord near Buchanan Field.

Want to know more about native plants, look at our online guide to "Gardening in Contra Costa County."

Increase Sprinkler Days As Temps Go Up

It's hard to believe we are still receiving rain in late May, so turn on your sprinkler system once the rains have stopped. When you do turn your system on, program it for the following number of days per week during June:

• Lawns & High Water Use Plants – 3 to 4 days per week
  
  
• Trees, Shrubs, and Groundcovers - 2 days per week

For lawns and high water use plants, start out the month with 3 days per week once the soil isn’t saturated from recent rains. Increase from 3 days to 4 days per week if required as temperatures increase later in the month.

For more information on irrigation scheduling and water conservation programs, visit www.ccwater.com/conserv

Time to Think About Restarting Your Home Irrigation System

The late spring rains have kept the hills in Contra Costa County green, and have also been a blessing for home and business owners.

But the storms are finally tapering off and the long spring days mean it's time to look at restarting your automatic irrigation systems.

Before you do anything, check to make sure your system is working as it should and there no leaks, broken or plugged emitters. Also, make sure the emitters are all pointing in the right direction. Run them all briefly to make sure all is working correctly.

The next thing to do is to look at your soil and determine if it really needs water. Unless you know your yard very well, there is no easy to tell. The obvious is to look for muddy or wet spots on your lawn. If you have wet spots, you probably don't need to resume watering just yet.

One method many people have used for years is called the "screwdriver test" where you plunge a large screwdriver into your lawn. Depending on how much resistance you have, you'll know if you need to start watering again. If the screwdriver slides in pretty easily, you don't need to water. But if it's difficult, you should look into watering.

Of course, different types of plants and soil -- and how much sun your yard gets - will change the results of the test, so you'll have to use a lot of discretion. Even though it's not precise, this easy test will give you a clue as to how badly your yard needs water.

CCWD Water Conservation Specialist Bob Eagle said the water for irrigating the small lawns on the District's own Demonstration Garden was turned on for the first time this year last week, and this week the water will be turned on for the trees and some of the shrubs. He said he doesn't expect to need to turn on the sprinklers in some areas of the nearly one-acre garden until late June or even July.

In most cases, he said, it should be time to start irrigating most yards, especially those facing south.

When you do water, please follow our newly-updated guide. If you're one of those people who wants even more detail than we provide in our guide, look here and our "Gardening in Contra Costa County" site

In addition, sign up for our new e-mail watering reminder. Every month we'll remind you that its time to adjust your automatic sprinklers.

Cash For Appliances Still Going Strong

The state's "Cash for Appliances" program is generating a lot of interest in buying new washing machines....and there is still money available.

If you pick a high-efficiency washer that is on the state's approved list and CCWD's approved list, you can get both the CCWD Clothes Washer Rebate and the state rebate.

The new washer will help you save a lot of water.

Your salesperson can help you apply for both rebates, but you can check which machines qualify for the CCWD program here.

Here's the state's list.

Earn Additional Savings If You're Buying A Clothes Washer

The state's "Cash for Appliances" program is generating a lot of interest in buying new washing machines.

If you pick a high-efficiency washer that is on the state's approved list and CCWD's approved list, you can get both the CCWD Clothes Washer Rebate and the state rebate.

That will result in a significant savings in money and water.

Your salesperson can help you apply for both rebates, but you can check which machines qualify for the CCWD program here.

Here's the state's list.

Save the Date, Garden Tour Set for May 2

Unsure how you want to make your yard or garden drought tolerant? Sunday, May 2 is the date of the "Bringing Back The Natives" garden tour in Contra Costa and Alameda counties.

The free tour is a showcase of beautiful East Bay gardens. CCWD is a sponsor of this award-winning program.

Here's all the information

CCWD's New Water Conservation Program Begins May 1

CCWD's new 2010 Water Conservation Program will begin on May 1.

While the District encourages customers to continue to work to save water, the new program is less stringent than the Drought Management Program it replaces. Here's a guide to the program, which will penalize only the largest water wasters.

If you were approved for an exception during the past year, the exception is still in place.

Have a question? Send us an e-mail or call us at: (925) 688-8044.

Don't Forget Our Money Saving Coupons for Mulch & Car Washes

With spring weather arriving this weekend, it's a great time to save money and water with our "Smart Car Wash" and "Mulch, Mulch, Mulch" coupon programs.

Print out these coupons, and save.

CCWD Board Ends Drought Management Program

On April 7, the Contra Costa Water District (CCWD) Board of Directors held a public hearing and ended the 2009 Drought Management Program due to improved water supply conditions.

The program was replaced with the 2010 Conservation Program that will begin on May 1.

For CCWD customers, this means the water budgets and program goals are no longer in effect. The 2010 Conservation Program does not raise rates and eliminates the four-times Excess Use Charge.


“Though our water supply this year is sufficient to meet reasonable demand, issues in the Delta make delivery of our water supply less than certain. This new program encourages customers to use water efficiently and discourages wasteful use.” said CCWD General Manager, Walter J. Bishop.


Approximately five-percent of CCWD’s residential, irrigation and agricultural customers represent large water users that use in excess of 1,000 gallons per day. The new 2010 Conservation Program focuses on encouraging these large water users to become more efficient. Large water users will be subject to a two-times Excess Use Charge on increased usage over their historical water use. This charge applies to customers using over 1,000 gallons per day that increase their water use. The two-times charge is based on the cost of purchasing supplemental water to meet additional demand.


Under the 2009 program, CCWD customers responded by cutting their water use by 20-percent and are applauded for their commitment to conservation. For more details on the program, look to www.ccwater.com or call (925) 688-8041.

CCWD Co-Sponsors Classes At Ruth Bancroft Garden

CCWD is co-sponsoring a series of classes at the Ruth Bancroft Garden in Walnut Creek, starting Saturday with "Composting 101".

These are outstanding classes that will help you in the garden, and help you save water.

Free Passes to Home and Garden Show

The Home and Garden Show will be held April 9, 10 & 11, and you get in free by printing out these free passes. Be sure to stop by the CCWD booth to learn about ways to save water.

Don't Forget Our Water-Saving Coupons

Our popular "Smart Wash Car Wash" and "Mulch, Mulch, Mulch" coupons return.

All of the car washes recycle water, and mulch is the easiest way to save water in your garden.

Contact Us!

You can visit us on the web at www.ccwater.com or give us a call at 925 688-8044.

Car Wash and Mulch Coupons Save Money & Water

Water & Money Saving Coupons Return

Two of CCWD's popular water and money saving programs from last year have returned.

The Smart Wash Car Wash program -- which gives discounts at car washes that recycle water -- returns with coupons for 11 local car washes. Print the coupons, get your car washed, save money and water.

Our "Mulch, Mulch, Mulch" program also returns with coupons for garden centers throughout the East Bay. Mulch is the easiest way to save water in your garden, it also keeps weeds down.

It's all pretty easy.

Keep Sprinklers Turned Off Until Rains Pass

There's been no need to irrigate your yards the past few weeks, with continuing rain storms in the area.

So keep them off until the rain passess. In April, we recommend watering your lawns & high water use plants to days per week.

Trees, shrubs and groundcover only needs one day per week.
Trees, Shrubs, and Groundcovers - 1 day per week

Conservation Tip - This is a perfect time to inspect your sprinkler system for problems... and get them fixed.

CCWD Board To Consider 2010 Water Conservation Program

Please Continue to Conserve to Ensure Efficient Water Use

Good News! Precipitation from this season’s storms has replenished most reservoirs in the state and produced a snowpack that is slightly above average. The District expects an adequate supply of water to meet the reasonable needs of its customers.

While the state appears to be coming out of a three-year drought cycle, changing regulatory conditions make for uncertainty in Delta water supplies and delivery of water through the Delta system. Water conservation is still a priority.

At its March 17 meeting, the CCWD Board of Directors will review a proposed 2010 Water Conservation Program that is substantially relaxed compared to 2009. It could supersede the District’s 2009 Drought Management Program.

The goal of the proposed program is to encourage customers to continue using water efficiently and discourage waste.

For residential, irrigation and agricultural customers, this proposal will:

• Encourage customers to continue conserving and not increase water use beyond their historical use (based on water use in the years 2005, ’06 and ’07).
• Maintain an Excess Use Charge for customers using an unreasonable and wasteful amount of water.
• Customers historically using 1,000 gallons per day or less will be subject to an Excess Use Charge should they increase their water use to more than 1,000 gallons per day.
• Customers historically using more than 1,000 gallons of water per day will be subject to an Excess Use Charge for water use higher than their historical use.
• The Excess Use Charge applies only to excess water used and will be billed at two times the quantity charge. See an example of water charges under the proposal.
• If customers have a change in circumstances since the 2005-2007 historical base period (such as adding more people to their household), they may apply for an exception. Any exceptions to the program granted during 2009 or 2010, would remain in place under the proposed program.

Following the reading of the 2010 Water Conservation Program, the Board is expected to vote on the proposal at its April 7 meeting. If approved, the program would go into effect on May 1.

The existing Drought Management Program remains in effect.

If you have questions, please send an email or call (925) 688-8175