mcwd_bd_11-19.jpgWhen the Mammoth Community Water District Board recently met, the Board members voted to keep in effect a resolution that declares a threat of a water shortage and Level 1 water restrictions.

In a press release from the District, officials said they considered aquifer conditions, weather forecasts and other water resource demands and “determined the community would be best served by protecting our water supply resources by maintaining Level 1 restrictions until conditions improve.”

Level 1 restrictions are in effect for all Mammoth Community Water District customers. The release says the Board and staff are requesting that all customers voluntarily reduce their normal water use by 10%.

The Water District’s website explains that Level 1 Restrictions say that new irrigation variances will not be granted, washing of hard surfaces is prohibited, and no new turf or reseeding over 5% of existing lawn. Regulations that are always in place include even numbered addresses irrigating on even numbered days, odd numbered addresses water on odd numbered days and no outdoor watering between the hours of 10am and 5pm.

The Water District says indoor reduction of water use by 10% can be accomplished with small changes in how you use water. Take shorter showers, run the dishwasher and clothes washer with full loads, and fix leaky faucets and toilets. Use the District’s rebate program for installation of high-efficiency toilets, clothes washers and showerheads. You can check out the District’s website – mcwd.dst.ca.us.

Waking up your lawn after winter dormancy

  • Mow turf low (first mowing only!) or rake grass to remove dead material and allow sunlight and warmth to reach the soil.
  • Wait to irrigate until soil temperatures are at least 55-65 °F.
  • Irrigate deep into the root zone and only water 2-3 times a week to encourage deep rooting.
  • Learn how long it takes to wet the entire root zone (use a shovel to check the moisture depth and eliminate runoff by cycling the irrigation).

Ongoing lawn maintenance:

  • Maintain deep rooting by timing irrigation to penetrate the root zone and irrigate infrequently.  There’s no need to irrigate if you step on your grass and it springs back,
  • Adjust irrigation timing though the season; water less as the days get shorter.
  • Only water between 5 pm and10 am and on odd or even days to match your address.
  • Make sure all the parts of your irrigation system are functioning properly including the pressure reducing valve (check out our PRV rebate program).
  • Keep the mower height high (2 ½ to 3 inches).
  • Only mow when necessary, when grass is around 3 ¾ to 4 ½ inches high (growth slows in the summer so you can reduce your mowing frequency!).
  • Allow clippings to return nutrients to the soil and serve as mulch by keeping them on the ground.
  • Do not apply more fertilizer than manufacturer recommendations and only apply in the spring and fall. Sweep up any fertilizer that falls on hard surfaces.  Fertilizers contain nitrates and phosphorous compounds which can runoff and pollute streams and lakes, harm aquatic life, and lead to algae blooms.

 

Indoor reductions of 10% can be met with small changes in how you use water.  For example, only run the dishwasher and clothes washer with full loads, refrain from using the toilet as a wastebasket, make sure you fix leaky faucets and toilet flappers (use food coloring drops to check for leaking toilets), and take advantage of the District’s rebate programs for installing high-efficiency toilets, clothes washers, and showerheads.

Other Level 1 water restrictions, water demand management tips, and rebate applications are available on our website, www.mcwd.dst.ca.us.   The District Board and staff would like to thank the community for their efforts in conserving our water resources and reducing their water use this summer.

Discover more from Sierra Wave: Eastern Sierra News

Subscribe now to keep reading and get access to the full archive.

Continue reading