Media Advisory
San Diego County Water Authority
News Release: December 18, 2007 |
Contact:
John Liarakos
Office (858) 522-6703
Mobile (858) 761-2544 |
or
Jason Foster
Office (858) 522-6709
Mobile (858) 761-5950 |
Water Authority urges region to turn off landscape watering in advance of storms
Rain could last in San Diego through Friday
The San Diego County Water Authority is urging residents and businesses to help the region conserve water by turning off their outdoor watering systems today in advance of two storm systems moving into the region starting today.
National Weather Service forecasters predict light rain to begin as early as this afternoon, with beaches receiving up to a third of an inch of rain and mountain areas receiving up to 1 inch. North County areas are expected to see the largest amount of rain.
Additional showers are predicted for the county Wednesday, and another storm could bring more light rain through Friday. Water Authority officials say residents and businesses may be able to keep their landscape watering systems off for four days or longer after these storms.
Residents and businesses may be able to leave their watering systems off for an even longer period depending on the amount of rainfall received and if cooler temperatures continue. To determine when it is necessary to turn water systems on, the Water Authority recommends monitoring soil moisture. Check the top inch of soil. If it still is moist, it contains enough water to supply the plants.
The region’s water supplies have been impacted by extremely dry conditions around California over the last year, as well as by an eight-year drought in the Colorado River basin. In addition, court-ordered pumping restrictions on the State Water Project are set to begin late this month. Water officials expect these restrictions to reduce water deliveries from Northern California through 2008 and potentially beyond.
For more water conservation tips, incentives and programs, visit www.20gallonchallenge.com. To help estimate the right amount of water to give landscapes or gardens anywhere in the region, use the City of San Diego’s Landscape Watering Calculator at www.sandiego.gov/water/conservation
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The San Diego County Water Authority is a public agency serving the San Diego region as a wholesale supplier of water from the Colorado River and Northern California. The Water Authority works through its 24 member agencies to provide a safe, reliable water supply to support the region’s $150 billion economy and the quality of life of 3 million residents.
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