Three homeowners in the Vista Irrigation District won recognition recently from the VID board of directors in its 2021 WaterSmart Landscape Contest.
The annual contest recognizes outstanding water-wise residential landscapes based on overall attractiveness, appropriate plant selection, design, appropriate maintenance, and efficient irrigation methods.
It takes time to learn about the concepts behind the watershed approach to creating a healthy and sustainable landscape. Once you have these concepts mastered, the most important step of all comes next. Consider the goals you want to achieve in your garden for landscaping success.
It might be difficult to know where to start. Many people accept an ocean of green but thirsty lawn and never give much thought to landscaping goals. Consider one of these worthy objectives.
San Diego leaders highlighted some major projects and programs Wednesday that will receive millions of dollars from California’s $262.6 billion budget, which Gov. Gavin Newsom signed last week.
“The dollars that San Diego is receiving from the state will upgrade critical infrastructure, help us fight homelessness, ensure a reliable supply of clean water, enhance our arts and culture and much more,” Mayor Todd Gloria said at a news conference held at Ocean Beach pier.
Ramona Municipal Water District directors will review the 2021-22 budget over the next month to decide, among other things, if the district should hire more staff and follow through on sewer rate increases.
Although the water district directors approved the budget in June 2020 as part of a two-year budget package, they will consider making updates based on staffing impacts from General Manager David Barnum’s retirement earlier this year and the decision to phase out the untreated water system to save the district $42 million in deferred maintenance costs and $1.2 million in annual maintenance costs.
Sewer rates for San Diegans in single-family homes would increase nearly 17 percent next year and a total of 31 percent over the next four years under a revised rate hike proposal scheduled for a Sept. 21 City Council vote.
The proposal would reduce sewer rates for most businesses, condos and apartments based on two comprehensive studies showing those customers have been paying too much, while single-family homes haven’t been paying enough.
The Padre Dam Municipal Water District Board of Directors, which last week reinstated late fees and water shutoffs, plans to put tax liens on 73 delinquent accounts.
The item is on the consent calendar of the board’s meeting on Wednesday.
The district, which had given customers a grace period during the pandemic, said it is owed more than $280,000.
The San Vicente Energy Storage Facility received $18 million from the state budget signed this week by Gov. Gavin Newsom, the San Diego County Water Authority announced on Friday. The money is enough to advance the large-scale renewable energy project through the initial design, environmental reviews and the federal licensing process. The project is an effort by the City of San Diego and the water authority.
Frank Edward’s Santee home is bursting with bright colors and textures. Vibrant yellow, orange, red, green, and purple flowers, and drought-tolerant, native plants spring to life where there was once just dry and patchy grass.
“It was a lot of hard work but it was also a lot of fun,” said Edward. “It was great to see all of my labor come to fruition.”
The transformation from high maintenance lawn to vibrant design is the winner of the 2021 Padre Dam Municipal Water District Landscape Makeover Contest.
While much of the western US is experiencing drought conditions, California is one of the hardest hit. As of June 22, 100 percent of the State is experiencing some degree of drought. About 33 percent of the State has been categorized under exceptional drought — the most intense drought classification. But water access varies greatly by region, according to a recent article by CalMatters.
Governor Gavin Newsom expanded two earlier drought emergency declarations on July 8, to cover 50 of the State’s 58 counties. He signed an executive order calling on all Californians to voluntarily reduce water use by 15 percent. The governor’s emergency proclamation did not impose water conservation mandates. Instead, Newsom is leaving water conservation to each region.
Palm Springs was visited by early morning thunderstorms Sunday. The scattered showers delivered 0.08 inches of rain between about 3 a.m. and 6 a.m., according to the National Weather Service, with additional rain possible Sunday afternoon.
Rainfall varied throughout the rest of the Coachella Valley, ranging from a relatively low 0.04 inches in Palm Desert and Indio to 0.27 inches in Cathedral City.
