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

New Service Will Remind You To Change Sprinkler Timers

CCWD has introduced a free new e-mail service that will remind you when to change the times on your automatic sprinklers.

At different times of the year, CCWD recommends that you change your automatic sprinkler times for plants and lawn. For example, in January, February & March, the days are relatively short and there's usually enough rain that you don't need to water your lawn or your shrubs and trees.

But in April, we recommend that you water your lawn once a week, and your shrubs, trees and ground cover twice a week.

So the new service will remind you when it's a good time change, and also how long.

You can sign up here.

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

Water Savings Still Needed, Despite Storms
CCWD to Review its Water Supply and Drought Program on April 7

Contra Costa Water District customers have been very
successful at conserving water since the District started its
Drought Management Program last May. Over the past nine
months, customers have used about 17 percent less water than
they used during the same months in 2005, 2006 and 2007. The
District applauds this strong conservation effort and encourages
customers to continue saving water.

Water levels in the state’s reservoirs fell well below normal over the
past three dry years, and even ample amounts of snow and rain this
year might not be enough to completely replenish the reservoirs. No one
can predict how much more rain and snow will fall before the dry summer
months arrive, so the District is planning for the possibility of below-normal
water supplies.

At the Board of Directors meeting on April 7, the District’s water supply status will
be reviewed and a decision will be made on whether the District needs to continue,
modify or discontinue its existing Drought Management Program.

The meeting beginsat 6:30 p.m. in the District’s Board Room at 1331 Concord Avenue, Concord. The public is invited.

Until then, CCWD's Drought Management Program remains in effect.

Learn About 'Harvesting' Rain Water

With all the rain we've had over the past week, the topic of "harvesting" or "saving" rainwater to use for irrigation in the spring and summer comes up.

While our local climate is not ideally suited to the idea, the experts will be in the Bay Area this month to discuss the topic and show you how to save rainwater for use when it's not so wet.

The classes are held by the "American Rainwater Catchment Systems Association" and you'll learn about systems that you can buy, or build.

Look here for more information.



What About Those Storms?

The recent wave of storms state-wide has brought much needed rain and snow as is normal for January, but three years of continued dry conditions have left the state’s reservoirs at a huge deficit.

2009 was the third consecutive year of drought conditions in California and water supply in reservoirs remain below normal at this point.

We are only at the half-way point of the rain/snow season, we do not know what the rest of the season will provide and we need continued, well-above-normal storms to build up the snow pack and provide run-off to reservoirs.





Free Tours of CCWD Facilities

The Contra Costa Water District has a free program that allows customers to tour its water facilities.

The bus tours are educational outings for adults that include visits to a water treatment plant, an intake facility, the Los Vaqueros Reservoir and watershed.

The dates for the spring tours are April 16 and May 14. We will also have tours in the fall, so you can be placed on a waiting list.

CCWD customers over the age of 18 are invited to sign up for this tour of District facilities to learn about water quality issues and how CCWD diverts water from the Sacramento/San Joaquin Delta, stores it in the Los Vaqueros Reservoir, and conveys it in the Contra Costa Canal to a treatment plant in the service area.

The tours depart from the Concord District Center (1331 Concord Ave., Concord).

Sign-ups are on a first-come, first-served basis.

There is no cost for CCWD customers but you must be over age 18 and sign-up individually. No group bookings, please. Lunch is included.

To sign-up send us an e-mail, and be sure to mention the tour or call (925) 688-8175