Sunday, September 7, 2014

Restrictions

This week, stricter water restrictions went into effect in California.  Due to the drought, the governor called for conservation efforts early this year, hoping to reduce water usage without having to take severe action.  Unfortunately, California couldn't get it together as a whole to voluntarily conserve so a resolution was passed to establish mandatory conservation measures.  We received our letter from the water company last week.  Most of the mandates are things I never did in the first place like washing down the sidewalk or driveway (a broom works just fine), washing a car without a shut off nozzle, using decorative fountains or features that don't recirculate the water, and runoff caused by over-irrigating.  It kind of boggles my mind that this didn't happen earlier in the year when we were asked to be mindful, especially knowing the water crisis we are in.   But giving the benefit of the doubt, this was our warmest/driest winter on record so that could be why the voluntary reduction seemed for not.  Anyhow, the measures listed above didn't concern me because they're basically common sense, but in addition to those, our outdoor irrigation is being restricted beyond runoff.  We now have to comply to a watering schedule which cuts my summer watering by half.  Gah!  During the months of August - October (maybe November) my watering schedule is every day.  Even then, things get brown and dry.  Now we're limited to three times a week in summer and two times a week in the winter.
I had to adjust the timer this week to match the odd number schedule.  As I looked outside at the temperature hitting 100 this weekend I could just see the ground drying and cracking and my grass dying.  Luckily, our summer has been cooler than summers past, so this was only like the second weekend the temps have been that high.  Even so, this water situation is depressing.
Being part of a Home Owners Association, I wonder how they will react to these restrictions.  They really go after the residents for not keeping up with yards.  What's going to happen when all of our yards die?!?! 
Earlier this summer, there was a news story about a couple in Glendora who were fined by the city when their water conservation browned their lawn.  I would imagine with the restrictions in place, we'd be in the clear from any fines, but you never know.  Californians love their green lawns!

8 comments:

  1. You can get a green dye for just such an eventuality. But it really does seem nuts that the town can override the needs of the State on what amounts to a crisis that might kill people.
    On the HOA, I'd say if all are in the one boat I really don't see how they can fine you or become a pest in general. But again that green dye does work but it must be sprayed on with the street not like some people do, perpendicular to it. It doesn't stand to any examination, but driving past in a car then it looks semi OK.
    On the main issue, the pair in Glendora are the only 'sane' people. For as soon as it became clear a problem was arising the landscape restrictions should've kicked in as a matter national emergency.
    Can you imaging the costs of desalination plants, or piping billions of gallons of water from Oregon and Washington. And it's truly nuts that the channels west to LA and south are uncovered leading to an un-measurable loss.

    Did you ever price out the costs of landscaping in a desert style versus the costs of the year on year watering regimen.
    If done well, it can be a truly lovely style of landscaping. Nor is it something you couldn't do yourself. If I was designing in that vein I'd go with alternate planted and blank squares in a chess board. With just one plant in each square. But of course that would depend on the vista. It just seems nuts if not downright hubris to tip away that volume of scarce water.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. A lot of people are beginning to re-landscape in a drought friendly way. I haven't priced it out because I know it will be pricey...I'm in denial about having to do it because I too like green grass! :). There are a few other things that I need to do in addition - my big tree's roots are starting to cause some trouble and I have some hardscaping that is cracking due to shifting of the slope and the roots. There's some work to be done, and it's a little overwhelming to me. I've been hiding my head in the sand instead. But I think that'll be the direction I go in when I get it together and do something. My dreams of the blooming English garden are officially over I think.
      We have a huge fruit and vegetable industry here, and a lot of the agricultural areas have been hit the hardest with the hot dry weather. They haven't been made to conserve and I doubt they will bean anytime in the near future. The business employs a lot of people, but it rubs me the wrong way a bit that they aren't having to do their part.
      I would imagine now that the conserving is a legal requirement, we'll be ok hoa, city, county-wise. But it will be interesting to see how it all plays out as our yards start dying.

      Delete
    2. The industry has massive leeway. With relatively little investment the current methods of irrigation can be changed to a drip system.
      English ?. As in a cottage style garden a la Gertrude Jekyll ?. Oh, it could be done. There isn't a shadow of a doubt there. But you really need to devote massive treasure (not even money, uncountable amounts), unless it becomes your obsession.

      Delete
    3. Yep! a la Gertrude Jekyll (I had to look her up!). Like this... http://www.theflowersavenue.com/gallery/tips-for-a-perfect-english-garden-picture/Tips-for-a-Perfect-English-Garden.jpg
      It's so pretty, but since I have a BLACK thumb (and essentially live in the desert) I'll just have to admire from afar. I account some of my black thumbness to the fact that the flowers I like like a climate that is damper than the one I live in. So I curse when the hydrangeas or dahlias don't grow and give up. There are a lot of flowers that will grow here, it's just a matter of having the time and PATIENCE to make it work. And I don't have much of either.
      Doesn't it seem like making the changes towards a more modern/earth friendly way of doing business/doing life would be rather painless to those who have the power to do it, but they complain the most about hardship if it were to happen.

      Delete
  2. Wow. I hadn't thought of that. I mean the HOA complaining that lawns are not kept up. We were dealing with ONE SPOT of fungus that kept going brown, and we got a letter. I had so show them a record of our efforts to fix it (and eventually it was cleared). Sheesh!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Don't even get me started on the HOAs. I understand the intent behind them, but so much of it seems like power hungry board members. Mine is pretty low key in most respects, but still there are times when I just think, "What?!?" I wouldn't put it past them to send letters about brown grass when we're in water restrictions.

      Delete
  3. ah to think green grass may become a luxury.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. I knows right?!?! That's something isn't it? Mine already has a big brown streak through it, just after a week of cutting the water in half. Makes me a little but sad :(

      Delete