Water Conservation from the SqCWD

Save Our Water and Our Trees

Many District customers have made water conservation a way of life. From collecting shower warm-up water and taking shorter showers, replacing thirsty turf grass with water-wise plants, to installing rainwater collection tanks and greywater systems, our customers have really made a difference! While we greatly appreciate your efforts, we also want to make sure that you give your trees the water they need to survive.

While trees are beautiful to look at and add value to our homes and neighborhoods, they also provide numerous environmental benefits such as:

• Providing shade to your landscape which in turn reduces water needs
• Reducing soil erosion and storm water runoff
• Keeping your home cooler on warm days

For some tips to keep your trees alive in a water-wise way, check out the statewide Save Our Water and Our Trees website.

Key things to remember are to:

• Deeply & slowly water mature trees 1-2 times per month during the dry season with a drip irrigation system
• Water toward the edge of the tree canopy where the roots spread out, not at the base of the tree
• Use a healthy layer of mulch to retain moisture, 4-6 inches is ideal (you can sometimes get this for free from arborists or check out Vision Recycling for affordable mulch) http://www.visionrecycling.com/recycled-products

If possible, consider installing a greywater laundry-to landscape system to irrigate your trees and landscape. The District offers a generous greywater rebate and resources to help you get started. You can also check out the Central Coast Greywater Alliance for a directory of professionals to help design your system. If you are a Do It Yourself person, attend the Saturday workshop on October 22 through Cabrillo College Extension program to get the hands on experience.

If a greywater system doesn’t work for you, use the warm-up water from your shower!