Water Authority Offers Free Events, Water-Saving Resources During Water Awareness Month
April 24, 2012
May is Water Awareness Month, and the San Diego County Water Authority is providing an array of free events and…
May is Water Awareness Month, and the San Diego County Water Authority is providing an array of free events and resources to help water users increase their knowledge of important water supply issues and how to use our region’s precious water resources efficiently.
Activities during Water Awareness Month include:
“Water Talks – The Colorado River and its Future,” Tuesday, May 1 – This free community forum, featuring speakers from the Bureau of Reclamation and the Water Authority, will discuss the importance of the Colorado River to the San Diego region’s water supply, challenges facing the river, and steps the Water Authority is taking to secure reliable, long-term water deliveries from the river. The event is from 5 p.m. to 7 p.m. at the Ronald Reagan Community Center, 195 E. Douglas Ave. in El Cajon, and light refreshments will be served. The event is co-hosted by the San Diego East County Economic Development Council and San Diego Law Library. For more information and to RSVP, visit www.sdcwa.org/water-talks.
San Diego County Garden Friendly Plant Fair, Saturday, May 5 – The final San Diego County Garden Friendly Plant Fair for this spring, co-hosted by the city of San Diego, takes place from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. at The Home Depot at 25920 Fairmount Ave., San Diego. Residents interested in making their yards and gardens more attractive and water efficient will have an opportunity to get information from gardening experts and save up to 50 percent on select varieties of low-water-use plants. More information is available at www.watersmartsd.org.
WaterSmart Landscape Makeover Workshops, May 19 – June 23 – A limited number of spots are still available for a new, free series of landscape makeover workshops sponsored by the Water Authority in partnership with the San Diego Botanic Garden and Mira Costa College. Participants gain hands-on experience with three key competencies necessary for a successful landscape retrofit – getting rid of your grass, picking appropriate plants and installing an efficient irrigation system. Participants will also receive two free 45-minute coaching sessions with a landscape professional. Applicants must meet eligibility requirements. To learn more and to apply, visit www.sdbgarden.org/classes. Submit applications to mkinney@sdbgarden.org or fax to (760) 632-0917, Attn: Michelle Kinney.
WaterSmart Checkups – Owners or managers of commercial, multifamily, industrial, public or single-family properties can apply today for a free WaterSmart Checkup. A WaterSmart Checkup provides site-specific, no-obligation landscape water-saving recommendations from a certified irrigation professional. (Single-family home checkups also include recommendations to increase indoor water use efficiency.)Several different checkup services are available, and the program will match your property to the best available option. Funding is limited, and certain eligibility requirements apply. To find out more or to apply, visit www.watersmartcheckup.org.
“A Homeowner’s Guide to a WaterSmart Landscape” Giveaways – The Water Authority will be giving away copies of this 44-page guidebook, which provides step-by-step instructions on how to transform your yard into a beautiful and more water-efficient landscape, at two upcoming events. You can pick up a free copy at the Water Conservation Garden in El Cajon at its Spring Garden Festival on Saturday, April 28 – more information on the festival is available at www.thegarden.org. Or, pick up a free copy at the San Diego Botanic Garden in Encinitas on Friday, May 11, as part of its celebration of National Public Gardens Day. More information on the Botanic Garden is available at www.sdbgarden.org. Guidebooks will be given away on a first-come, first-served basis at both events while supplies last. The guidebook also is available for free as an online flipbook at www.sdcwa.org/landscape-guide.
Connect with the Water Authority – People can enhance their awareness of important water issues year-round by downloading our free “Water News” smartphone app (available for iPhone, Android and BlackBerry), liking the Water Authority on Facebook, or following the Water Authority on Twitter.
To download the Water News smartphone app: www.sdcwa.org/mobile-news-app.
Like us on Facebook: www.facebook.com/SanDiegoCountyWaterAuthority.
Follow us on Twitter: @sdcwa.