Page 5 - The Friday Flyer • July 1, 2016

JULY 1, 2016 THE FRIDAY FLYER A-5 Community’s water-saving efforts pay off
One of the sad facts about living with drought is that common-area landscap- ing in most Southern California cities – not just Canyon Lake – has taken a hit due to state-imposed watering restric- tions. But Canyon Lake’s water conser- vation efforts come with a bright side.
The Association reports that, over the past 12 months, the CLPOA saved nearly 10 million gallons (30.6 acre feet) of water in outdoor water use through a combination of landscape monitoring, turf reduction, sprinkler system mainte- nance and improvements, and adherence to mandatory water district restrictions enacted due to the ongoing California drought. This is enough gallons of wa- ter to serve an estimated 60 homes per year, according to the California Water Foundation.
“I’m proud to say the Association is doing its part during the state’s historic drought by committing to responsible water conservation, which has not only saved our members money but also dem- onstrates our goal to practice sustainable outdoor watering practices,” says POA Operations Director Mike Morrow.
He reports that, during the past year, the Association took proactive measures to improve and repair sprinkler systems, and to balance water use restrictions and conservation with aesthetics to reduce outdoor water in common areas and avoid significant financial penalties as- sociated with being labeled as a water- wasting community.
With the easing of some water restric- tions, the Association is reviewing its outdoor water conservation measures to reduce impacts on aesthetics of common areas and parks while remaining mindful of the approaching hot summer months. The Association will continue to work
with its landscape consultants to ensure outdoor water usage is efficient in keep- ing parks and common areas green.
Stage 4a to Stage 3a
Nancy Horton, Canyon Lake’s rep- resentative on the Elsinore Valley Mu- nicipal Water District board of directors, recently expanded on the news from EVMWD that it had changed its water restrictions from Stage 4a to 3a and had removed surcharges.
Nancy reports the following:
“The Governor has removed his re- strictions and the mandatory conserva- tions efforts which compelled EVMWD to hold customers to a 28 percent reduc- tion in residential water use. The new re- quirements mean that the water district must certify its supply for a three-year period and monitor use.
“The best news is that the drought sur- charges have been removed. Some cus- tomers should see $20-30 less on their bills. This went into effect on June 1.
“Customers in Canyon Lake are to be commended for their outstanding ef- forts over the last eight to nine years to remove turf, install California-friendly plants, lay down artificial turf, and re- duce household use with recirculating hot water pumps, weather sensitive ir- rigation timers, low-flow toilets, restric- tors on shower heads, and use of hoses only when necessary.
“Customers may now water three times a week. There are no odd-even residential numbers and days of the week. The homeowner may choose the days. But the time of day remains after 6 p.m. and before 6 a.m. Wa- tering during the hours of direct sun- shine results in evaporation and loss of
This front yard on Canyon Lake Dr. South demonstrates the use of artificial grass, hard- scape and drought-tolerant plants.
moisture on the ground.
“There is still to be no watering
down of driveways, sidewalks or pa- tios. Use a broom. No runoff or spray is permitted while irrigating. You can use a hose to wash your car as long as it has a shutoff nozzle. Fountains or water features may be used as long as there is a circulating pump.
“Common sense is needed when au- tomatic sprinklers systems are timed: No watering 48 hours after a rain, and no watering on windy days. Pool owners may not fill, refill or add water to uncov- ered pools or spas.
“We must all continue to observe
conservation measures to stay within our indoor and outdoor water budgets, and not go into tiers three and four, inef- ficient and excessive use. Fines are in ef- fect for water waste: written notices for the first and second offenses, and fines of $200 for the third, $400 for the fourth, and $500 for subsequent violations. Af- ter the sixth violation, a flow restrictor may be installed at the meter.
“Maintaining water efficiency mea- sures is essential since we are still in a drought and there is no sign of an end to it. Thank you to everyone who reduced or eliminated inefficiency. We are all making a difference.”
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