Tag Archive for: Water Conservation

Student Artwork Featured in 2020 Fallbrook PUD Calendar

/in , , /by /Water News Network

Talented fourth-graders from Fallbrook area elementary schools picked up their pens, crayons, and watercolors to create the best and brightest water-conservation posters for the 2020 Fallbrook Public Utility District “Be Water Smart” calendar. Out of the 250 posters submitted, the work of 14 artists was selected.

Twelve of the winning images appear inside the calendar, one for each of the 12 months of the year. One image was chosen for the cover, and another was added for January 2021. The free calendars can be picked up at the Fallbrook Public Utility District office.

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Anahy Ambriz of Maie Ellis Elementary won first place in the 2020 Fallbrook PUD Calendar contest.

Student Artwork Featured in 2020 Fallbrook PUD Calendar

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Talented fourth-graders from Fallbrook area elementary schools picked up their pens, crayons, and watercolors to create the best and brightest water-conservation posters for the Fallbrook Public Utility District 2020 “Be Water Smart” calendar. Out of the 250 posters submitted, the work of 14 artists was selected.

Twelve of the winning images appear inside the calendar, one for each of the 12 months of the year. One image was chosen for the cover, and another was added for January 2021. The free calendars can be picked up at the Fallbrook Public Utility District office.

Vivid depiction of contest theme ‘Be Water Smart’

The students’ colorful images vividly depict the contest’s theme. Fallbrook judges scrutinized the entries to find the most eye-catching images illustrating the need for saving water.

The winning artists were recognized at the December 9 Fallbrook PUD board of directors meeting. Each student received a Walmart gift card, school supplies, and a signed certificate of commendation. The artists were also presented with a matted, framed version of their artwork. The first, second, and third place winners also received t-shirts customized with their own artwork.

The 2020 Fallbrook PUD calendar winners include:

First place: Anahy Ambriz, Maie Ellis Elementary

The artwork by first place winner Anahy Ambriz of Maie Ellis Elementary will appear on the cover of the 2020 Fallbrook PUD Calendar. Photo: FPUD 2020 Fallbrook PUD Calendar

The artwork by first-place winner Anahy Ambriz of Maie Ellis Elementary will appear on the cover of the 2020 Fallbrook PUD Calendar. Photo: Fallbrook Public Utility District

Second place: Samantha Mejia, Maie Ellis Elementary

Samantha Mejia of Maie Ellis Elementary is the second place winner. Photo: FPUD 2020 Fallbrook PUD Calendar

Samantha Mejia of Maie Ellis Elementary is the second-place winner. Photo: Fallbrook Public Utility District

Third place: Brisa Bailon, Maie Ellis Elementary

Brisa Bailon of Maie Ellis Elementary won third place. Photo: FPUD

Brisa Bailon of Maie Ellis Elementary won third place. Photo: Fallbrook Public Utility District

Additional winners include:

Leo Quick, Fallbrook STEM Academy

Work by Leo Quick of the Fallbrook STEM Academy. Photo: FPUD

Work by Leo Quick of the Fallbrook STEM Academy. Photo: FPUD

Kelly Jaimes, William H. Frazier Elementary

Kelly Jaimes, William H. Frazier Elementary 2020 Fallbrook PUD Calendar

Kelly Jaimes, William H. Frazier Elementary. Photo: Fallbrook Public Utility District

Oscar Tovar, Live Oak Elementary

2020 Fallbrook PUD Calendar

Oscar Tovar, Live Oak Elementary, Photo: Fallbrook Public Utility District

(L to R): Isabella Magana, Alexandro Rojas, Gizalle Amezquita, and Ares Miramontes of Maie Ellis Elementary

(L to R): Kayla Arango, Nya Lin Ramirez, Abigail Perez, and Jennifer Wiscott of La Paloma Elementary

The annual contest is open only to Fallbrook Public Utility District fourth-graders because they have learned about water conservation and the water cycle by the fourth grade. Students from five elementary schools submitted entries.

The contest objective is to find the most eye-catching images illustrating the need for saving water. All 14 pieces of artwork will be displayed on the Fallbrook PUD website. They will also be displayed in the Fallbrook board room for a year and will be used in the district’s social media posts on Facebook and Twitter.

See the 2019 Fallbrook PUD Conservation Calendar artwork.

Several water agencies in the San Diego region sponsor calendar contests for students throughout the year with various conservation themes including ‘Water is Life‘ and ‘Be Water Smart.’ The contests offer opportunities for students to showcase their artistic skills while also thinking and learning about water conservation.

Imperial Valley Conservation Efforts Benefit San Diego, Southwest

/in , , /by /WaterNewsNetwork Mentioned: San Diego County Water Authority

The San Diego County Water Authority’s Board of Directors visited the Imperial Valley January 30 for a day-long tour that highlighted areas critical to the agency’s Regional Conveyance System Study. Board members approved a study in July 2019, to evaluate a new regional water conveyance system that would deliver water from the Colorado River to San Diego County and provide multiple benefits across the Southwest. The Board will hear results from the first phase of the study this spring before deciding whether to move ahead with Phase B. The tour started in southwestern Imperial County, where the All-American Canal meets the Westside Main Canal, an historic location where, starting in 1919, water from a canal system in Mexico first flowed into the western half of the Imperial Valley. 

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Water Use Drops Nearly 32% Per Capita in Manteca Copy

/in , /by /Manteca / Ripon Bulletin (Calif.)by Dennis Wyatt

Manteca’s daily per capita use of water in 2019 was down 31.8 percent compared to 2013.

That means Manteca is now exceeding the water conservation goal of 30 percent established by the state at the height of the drought. Mantecans used 195.5 gallons per capita in 2013 compared to 133.3 gallons in 2019.

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Water Use Drops Nearly 32% Per Capita in Manteca

/in , /by /Manteca / Ripon Bulletin (Calif.)by Dennis Wyatt

Manteca’s daily per capita use of water in 2019 was down 31.8 percent compared to 2013.

That means Manteca is now exceeding the water conservation goal of 30 percent established by the state at the height of the drought. Mantecans used 195.5 gallons per capita in 2013 compared to 133.3 gallons in 2019.

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Award-Winning Student Artwork Inspires 2020 Water Conservation Calendar

/in , /by /Water News Network

The City of San Diego’s colorful 2020 Water Conservation Calendar features winning artwork from 19 students throughout San Diego. This is the 20th year the calendar has been produced by the City’s Public Utilities Department. The theme was water conservation.

“The children’s artwork in these calendars is fantastic, and helps present the importance of reducing water use,” said Shauna Lorance, director of the Public Utilities Department.

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Award-Winning Student Artwork Inspires 2020 Water Conservation Calendar

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The City of San Diego’s colorful 2020 Water Conservation Calendar features winning artwork from 19 students throughout San Diego.

This is the 20th year the calendar has been produced by the City’s Public Utilities Department. The theme was water conservation.

“The children’s artwork in these calendars is fantastic, and helps present the importance of reducing water use,” said Shauna Lorance, director of the Public Utilities Department. “I encourage San Diegans to pick up a calendar and learn about water conservation all year.”

More than 100 San Diego children entered the 2020 Water Conservation Calendar Kids’ Poster Contest.

Second-grade student Isabella Chen of Solana Ranch Elementary School in Carmel Valley is a two-time winner. She placed second in 2019 as a first-grader, and is the first place winner for her grade this year.

There were five winners from Solana Ranch Elementary, the most for any single school.

The complete list of winning student artists:

First Place winner, First Grade: Sophia Shuwen Hu, Monterey Ridge Elementary, 4S Ranch 2020 Water Conservation Calendar

First Place winner, First Grade: Sophia Shuwen Hu, Monterey Ridge Elementary, 4S Ranch

First Grade  

  • First Place: Sophia Shuwen Hu, Monterey Ridge Elementary, 4S Ranch
  • Second Place: Victoria Wang, Canyon View Elementary, Rancho Bernardo
  • Third Place: Isabella Yang, Solana Ranch Elementary, Carmel Valley
First Place, Second Grade: Isabella Chen, Solana Ranch Elementary, Carmel Valley 2020 Water Conservation Calendar

First Place winner, Second Grade: Isabella Chen, Solana Ranch Elementary, Carmel Valley

Second Grade         

  • First Place: Isabella Chen, Solana Ranch Elementary, Carmel Valley
  • Second Place: Amber Liu, Solana Ranch Elementary, Carmel Valley
  • Third Place: Kenzie Shaaban, Jerabek Elementary, Scripps Ranch
First Place, Third Grade: Derick Chi, Sage Canyon Elementary, Carmel Valley 2020 Water Conservation Calendar

First Place winner, Third Grade: Derick Chi, Sage Canyon Elementary, Carmel Valley

Third Grade 

  • First Place: Derick Chi, Sage Canyon Elementary, Carmel Valley
  • Second Place: Claire Wang, Stone Ranch Elementary, 4S Ranch
  • Third Place: Rosabel Wang, Ocean Air Elementary, Carmel Valley
First Place winner, Fourth Grade: Veronica Yu, Del Mar Pines Elementary, Carmel Valley 2020 Water Conservation Calendar

First Place winner, Fourth Grade: Veronica Yu, Del Mar Pines Elementary, Carmel Valley

Fourth Grade          

  • First Place: Veronica Yu, Del Mar Pines Elementary, Carmel Valley
  • Second Place: Katherine Chen, Monterey Ridge Elementary, 4S Ranch
  • Third Place: Alice Li, Monterey Ridge Elementary, 4S Ranch
First Place winner, Fifth Grade: Joshua Lee, Marie Curie Elementary, University City

First Place winner, Fifth Grade: Joshua Lee, Marie Curie Elementary, University City

Fifth Grade  

  • First Place: Joshua Lee, Marie Curie Elementary, University City
  • Second Place: Lily Saganich, Solana Pacific Elementary, Carmel Valley
  • Third Place: Teodora Matic, Solana Pacific Elementary, Carmel Valley
First Place winner, Sixth Grade: Sarah Huang, Solana Ranch Elementary, Carmel Valley

First Place winner, Sixth Grade: Sarah Huang, Solana Ranch Elementary, Carmel Valley

Sixth Grade 

  • First Place: Sierra Huang, Solana Ranch Elementary, Carmel Valley
  • Second Place: Patrick Jang, Solana Ranch Elementary, Carmel Valley
  • Third Place: Sarah Lehman, Muirlands Middle, La Jolla

Recycled Water Winner: Mia Banerjee, John Spreckels Elementary, University City (Third Grade)

Recycled Water Winner    

  • Mia Banerjee, John Spreckels Elementary, University City (Third Grade)

Copies of the 2020 Kids’ Poster Contest Calendar are available for free at all City of San Diego Public Library branches and Recreation Centers. For water conservation tips, rebates and other information, go to www.wastenowater.org.

Rocks and small boulders are both aesthetically pleasing and useful in your landscape. Photo: Otay Water District

Contour Your Landscape

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When planning your landscape, look first at the terrain you’re working with. You can use the contours of your existing land – depressions and slopes – for guidance when planning your landscape grading. If your yard is flat, you’ll need to move soil and features around to create more rain-holding contour areas.

A soil percolation test can be very helpful in preparing your soil. You want to make it as much of a water-retaining sponge as possible before getting to work on rainwater capture plans.

NOTE: If you have existing hillsides, it’s best to get professional advice before grading or other significant changes. Before any digging, call Dig Alert 8-1-1 or visit digalert.org to be sure you won’t hit any underground utility lines.

Move water with gravity

Basins and swales are shallow depressions or channels no more than 24 inches deep on gently sloped or nearly flat landscapes. Basins and swales move water over short distances. With these contours, gravity will move water around to where you want it.

Small, shallow depressions work best in clay soil areas, while sandy soils may accommodate deeper depressions up to two feet. Channels can be planted or lined with rocks and small boulders to resemble natural creek beds.

Use rainwater to your advantage

By planning your landscape so that you don’t have low spots with no plants, you prevent wasting rainwater through runoff. You can also avoid fungus and rot from standing water. Plants in and around the depressions capture and sink small volumes of surface water so that all the rainwater you capture can be used.

Berms are mounds of raised soil, usually planted, that can border basins and swales or be used alone. They help contain and move water around, increasing the holding capacity of basins and swales.

Boulders can add points of interest and slow down water runoff in your landscaping. Boulders also are useful to retain small berms or the edges of swales.

The San Diego County Water Authority and its partners also offer other great resources for landscaping upgrades, including free WaterSmart classes at WaterSmartSD.org.

Thais Asked to Shower Less as Drought Worsens

/in , , /by /Reutersby Panarat Thepgumpanat and Patpicha Tanakasempipat

BANGKOK (Reuters) – Thai Prime Minister Prayuth Chan-ocha on Tuesday urged people to turn off taps and shower less to cope with a drought afflicting northern and central Thailand.

Last week, Bangkok’s water authority said the capital’s tap water was becoming saline as seawater pushed up the depleted Chao Phraya river, a source of much of central Thailand’s water.

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Opinion: Colorado River Basin States Need to Cut Water Use

/in , /by /The San Diego Union-Tribune

A longtime water conservation advocate says Arizona and the other Lower Colorado River Basin states need to cut their water use more and faster.

Sustainable Waters president Brian Richter says Arizona, California, and Nevada need to slash total water use by 18% from their 2000-2018 average to bring Lakes Mead and Powell into a long-term state of balance, the Arizona Daily Star reports. He says the decrease would push the river’s falling reservoirs into sustainability.

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