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SCV DROUGHT NEWSLETTER - SEPTEMBER 2023 |
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Making Conservation a
CA Way of Life, While Always Being
“Drought Ready”
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Drought Ready … it’s more than a state of mind. It is a level of awareness and preparedness we all need to have, because we know that we are always one dry season away from the next drought.
- Awareness is paying attention to our local climate and noticing the current season we’re in, whether it is dry or wet. It’s also looking ahead and anticipating a change or continuation in those conditions, so you know how to take action.
- Preparedness is for you and the efforts you’re taking to use water more effectively and efficiently in your life, specifically at home and in your landscapes.
So, when you see information on being “drought ready” when we may not currently be in a drought, there are still lots of things we can do!
SCV Water offers our customers many programs, rebates and incentives, and resources to help residents switch to long-term water-efficiency practices that will ensure a sustainable future.
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While rain and snow provided significant relief throughout the state and the SCV early in 2023, consecutive, multi-year drought and existing impacts on our groundwater supplies mean that it will take time to build back and grow our banked reserves for future dry years.
We must all continue to do our part to save water and reduce water waste for future droughts. Long-term conservation actions will stretch supplies during future shortages, achieve community sustainability and support and enhance the fantastic quality of life we enjoy in the SCV.
And as we continue working towards “making conservation, a California way of life”, we will always need to be “drought ready”.
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WHAT THIS MEANS FOR OUR CUSTOMERS |
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SCV Water has deactivated its Water Shortage Contingency Plan and Water Conservation and Water Supply Shortage Ordinance. We thank our customers for conserving 4.1 billion gallons of water from May 2022 to June 2023.
What this means for our customers is that while we have returned to our normal water conservation and water use efficiency conditions, we still need to do our part to make water conservation a California way of life.
SCV Water is still offering our customers educational workshops as well as water-saving rebate programs and incentives to replace water-thirsty lawns with more sustainable landscapes.
Now is the perfect opportunity for customers to work towards creating their own sustainable landscapes. By establishing a drought-resilient landscape now, customers will be better prepared to handle any future droughts or drastic shifts in climate or water supply.
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ACTION NEEDED TO BANK WATER FOR OUR FUTURE |
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Although SCV Water has moved toward hitting our planned yearly conservation targets, our banked water supplies need to be replenished. During the last drought, we relied heavily on our banked water supplies in Kern County, using up 45% of those dry-year reserves. SCV Water’s normal conservation program targets a 2-to-3% reduction annually in gallons used per person per day, and we ask that customers continue conserving to replenish our banked water supply for future years. |
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STATEWIDE WATER WASTE RESTRICTIONS |
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With the Governor’s statewide drought emergency declaration still in effect, the State Water Resources Control Board has continued emergency regulations that restrict water waste activities. Though SCV Water is in a No Shortage Stage, the public is reminded that the following activities remain prohibited:
RESTRICTED WATER USE
- Allowing runoff when watering with potable water.
- Using potable water to wash sidewalks and driveways, except for health or safety reasons.
- Using hoses with no shutoff nozzles to wash cars.
- Watering outdoors during and within 48 hours following measurable rainfall.
- Using potable water in decorative water features that do not recirculate the water.
- Using potable water to irrigate non-functional turf at commercial, industrial, and institutional sites, and homeowner associations and common interest developments. Potable water is not prohibited to the extent necessary to ensure the health of trees and other perennial non-turf plantings or for health and safety needs. This does not apply to residential customers.
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TIPS, PROGRAMS AND REBATES TO HELP YOU SAVE THIS FALL |
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LAWN REPLACEMENT: Spruce up your garden with a gorgeous, sustainable landscape. SCV Water’s Lawn Replacement Program makes saving water simple when you convert your lawn to a water-wise landscape that thrives in SoCal.
UPDATE YOUR WATERING SCHEDULE: Water in the early morning hours between 2 and 6 a.m. and no more than three times per week.Your landscape will thank you for using water wisely today for the future.
REBATES: Choose from a variety of irrigation and efficiency product rebates to stretch your water savings.
WORKSHOPS AND MORE: Our workshops and programs will teach you how to use water wisely indoors and outdoors.
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GET INSPIRED!
VISIT THE BRIDGEPORT PARK SUSTAINABLE LANDSCAPE DEMONSTRATION GARDEN
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SCV Water, in partnership with the City of Santa Clarita and local collaborators, celebrated a significant achievement with the opening of the Bridgeport Park Sustainable Landscape Demonstration Garden. It is located strategically at Bridgeport Park. The garden comprises four unique sections showcasing sustainable elements like California Native and low-water-use plants, efficient irrigation methods, rain gardens, and permeable concrete maintenance pads.
Visitors can explore these gardens to learn about native plants, water-efficient landscaping, and the appeal of non-traditional grass lawns. Benches provide a place for contemplation, while the fresh urban air surrounds them, and mini-ecosystems filled with bees, butterflies, and native species add to the experience.
The Bridgeport Park Sustainable Landscape Demonstration Garden is now open to the public, offering inspiration for sustainable landscaping in their own yards. You can visit it during park hours, located along Bridgeport Lane between Bridgeport Elementary School and Bridgeport Park.
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WATCH THE RECAP VIDEO OF THE BRIDGEPORT PARK SUSTAINABLE LANDSCAPE DEMONSTRATION GARDEN RIBBON-CUTTING EVENT |
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GROWING GREEN: WATER-EFFICIENT EDUCATION, REBATES, AND INITIATIVES IN FULL BLOOM |
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Embrace the beauty of sustainable gardening! Dive into SCV Water's FREE landscape and garden workshops, designed to help you master water-saving techniques. Discover Santa Clarita Valley-friendly insights and valuable resources during our monthly Saturday sessions, held from 9 to 11 a.m. Virtual classes welcome participants from all corners, while in-person sessions cater exclusively to SCV Water customers.
At SCV Water, we pride ourselves on housing an array of programs, rebates, and resources to foster water-wise living.
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27234 Bouquet Canyon Rd
Santa Clarita, CA 91350
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