Happy International Water Day!
Archive for Rain
Spring is near!
Spring time is near! The storms have passed, and we are looking at a nice week ahead. Back to sunshine and 50 degree daytime temps. While we did get some nice rain this week, the storm did not produce a lot of snow as some may have hoped it would. We are now in March, and spring is approaching. While there is always a chance we could still get some snow, the possibility seems to be getting slimmer and slimmer as each day passes by.
Although, precipitation this winter has significantly raised the moisture level of dry and dead fuels throughout California, according to Cal Fire’s Southern Operations Unit. Live fuel moisture also has begun to rise. At the lower elevations, grass will begin to sprout soon and continue into June. This is great news, however, we never fully know if Mother Nature will provide us with adequate moisture needed, so it is better to be safe than sorry. It is always a good practice to conserve water regardless of the situation. We can never go wrong by using less water any time of the year!
Please feel free to explore our blog and our website for more ideas on how to conserve water around your mountain home, & don’t forget to set your clocks forward an hour this coming weekend!
Sandbags for Pine Cove Residents
As we prepare for the next storm, don’t forget as a Pine Cove resident we have up to 10 sandbags available per household. These bags are not pre-filled so please grab some bags from the office, and either bring your own shovel, or come borrow our scooper here.
We are open today until 4pm and will re-open Monday at 9am for any residents to come in, and get their needed sandbags.
Snow Plow Updated List
Rain and potentially more snow are on the way!
If you need any help this season clearing your road, driveway, or walkway please refer to our communities updated 2024 list, provided by Marsha Kennedy. If you do not get an answer right away, please leave a message as these individuals may be in between projects as you contact them.
Preparation for the Storm
More rain is on the way! Be prepared before the storm comes.
SANDBAG LOCATION FOR RESIDENTS:
Sandbags are available to Pine Cove Residents during office hours 9am-4pm Monday through Friday at 24917 Marion Ridge Rd.
This self service sandbag stations are for residents only. Please bring your own shovel or come to the office to conveniently borrow our scooper. Limit is 10 bags per household.
Today’s Decisions Affect Tomorrow’s Reality
The world that we live in today is a world where an ever-increasing population places larger demands on the earth’s finite resources. The manner in which we use these resources, determines the kind of world we leave to our children and future generations.
Water is a precious commodity in southern California. More than 70% of California’s total precipitation falls in the northern half of the state, however, 80% of California’s water demand is in the southern portion of the state. Southern California largely depends on water imported from northern California and from the Colorado River. Both local and imported water sources can be severely affected by drought, and imported water supplies have become increasingly uncertain as a result of demands by other regions. Currently, all mountain communities are facing water shortages that make water conservation increasingly important! Over demands have caused many residents to realize that preservation of our mountain environment and quality of life depends substantially on how we manage our limited water resources.
Conservation must become a way of life!
The situation today is crucial. The quickest, most certain way to begin to save water immediately is to conserve water at home. Less than half the water you use is used inside your home. The rest is used outdoors, mainly watering home landscaping. Most families can reduce water use by simply changing and learning to reduce water waste inside and outside our homes.
Outdoors:
- Scale back and limit landscaping
- Water your lawn only when it needs it (in the morning or late afternoon)
- Reduce or replace lawn areas with spaces like patios and walkways
- Review, repair, and retrofit irrigation systems so they are water efficient and deliver only water that is needed
- Re-landscape with plants that use less water and retrofit or install appropriate irrigation to match
- Pick up wood chips here at Pine Cove Water District; Adding a layer of mulch around trees and plants will help reduce evaporation and keep the soil cool
- Instead of a water hose, use a broom to clean driveways and sidewalks
Indoors:
- Limit your showers. Also, fill the bathtub halfway or less
- Turn off the faucet when you brush your teeth
- Install low-flow shower heads in the bathroom
- Install a water-efficient toilet
- When it’s time to replace appliances, choose a water-efficient dishwasher and washing machine
- Run ONLY full loads in the dishwasher and washing machine
- Fix leaky faucets and toilets as quickly as possible
Posted in: Around the District, Community, Company News, Compost, Conservation, Customer Infomation, Drought, Freebies, From the Office, Garden, Homesteading, Leaks, Mulch, Pine Cove Water District, Rain, Rain Water Harvesting, Re-purposing, The Garden, Uncategorized, Water Conservation, Wood chips
Leave a Comment (0) →Winter Driving Tips!
As we are heading into our winter season, here are some helpful driving tips to keep you safe during your travels:
- Take your time and slow down!
- Download Quickmap for road conditions.
- Check your oil and tire pressure.
- Make sure your phone is fully charged.
- Make sure you have a full tank of gas or your EV is fully charged.
- Make sure those windshield wipers are in good condition.
- If you have your windshield wipers on, turn on your headlights but not your high beams.
- Try not to travel during inclement weather, if able!
- If you see the roads being plowed, stay away from the trucks. They are working on clearing the roadway to keep you safe!
- If you are traveling up to the mountains, BRING YOUR CHAINS – If instructed you will need to put them on at chain installation locations. Also, do not use your emergency flashers – this causes confusion to other drivers and emergency responders.
Free Sandbags
Pine Cove residents can pick up free sandbags during office hours. There is a limit of 10 bags per household, as we want to ensure there are enough bags for everyone. The sandbags DO NOT come pre-filled, so please bring a shovel, or come to the office to conveniently borrow our scooper!
If you have any questions, please contact the office at 951-659-2675
Winter is near – let’s winterize together!
Winterize your home now and you’ll not only stay cozy all winter long, but you’ll also save on energy costs and slash your heating bill. Making proper precautions to ensure your home is prepared for winter can save you time, money and a lot of unnecessary hassle!
- To prevent damage, it is just as important to winterize your vacant home. Learn how to properly shut off your water valve (in case a pipe bursts) and turn your water off every time you leave your mountain home.
- Unplug appliances such as microwaves and toasters to prevent faulty switches.
- Insulate pipes with insulation or newspapers and plastic and allow faucets to drip a little during cold weather to avoid freezing. Running water, even at a trickle, helps prevent pipes from freezing.
- Clean your gutters; make sure water can flow freely through your gutters to avoid icicles and ice dams.
- Change your ceiling fans clockwise to force hot air at the ceiling towards the floor.
- Replacing the filters in your forced heating unit improves the efficiency of your unit.
- Window insulation film can help keep heat from escaping out your windows. Winterize your home to extend the life of your fuel supply by insulating walls and attics, caulking and weather-stripping doors and windows, and installing storm windows or covering windows with plastic.
- The simple act of installing a storm door can increase energy efficiency by 45%, by sealing drafts and reducing air flow
- Placing a rolled towel at the bottom of your exterior door or a draft guard prevents heat from leaking out.
- Maintain heating equipment and chimneys by having them cleaned and inspected every year. Your chimney doesn’t necessarily need to be swept every single year, but it does need an annual inspection. Wood stoves, however, should be swept more often — as soon as they’ve accumulated a quarter of an inch of creosote.
- Trim tree branches near your windows, roof, or parking areas before the weight of winter ice and snow can cause them to snap.
- Inspect your home for any openings where animals could use to get inside. Make sure your fireplace flue or damper is closed, as bats, birds and squirrels are known to get inside this way.
- Winterize your house, barn, shed or any other structure that may provide shelter for your family, neighbors, livestock or equipment. Clear rain gutters; repair roof leaks and cut away tree branches that could fall on a house or other structure during a storm.
- Keep fire extinguishers on hand, and make sure everyone in your house knows how to use them. House fires pose an additional risk, as more people turn to alternate heating sources without taking the necessary safety precautions.
- It is wise to communicate with a trusted friend or neighbor that your will be gone for a prolonged period of time and they have your contact information. Taking these steps can help protect your home from theft, water damage, and heating or electrical system issues while you are away for an extended period of time.
Bundle the house up for winter!
Are you storm ready?
RivCo Ready on Instagram posted a very important Storm Preparedness checklist. Are you ready? It’s coming back for us.
Remember to turn your customer valve off if leaving your property for an extended amount of time.
