Archive for Water Conservation

Handy Tips to Avoid Frozen Pipes this Winter

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It’s all about prevention!

Frozen pipes can leave you without water in the worst of weather, and could cost a lot to repair. However, with a few simple steps, you can easily preserve both your budget and your peace of mind!

Before the cold weather sets in:

  • Check sprinkler or irrigation systems. Make sure everything is turned off and drained.
  • Eliminate sources of cold air near water lines. Fix drafty windows and plug drafts around doors. Identify your home’s freezing points.
  • Know how to shut off your water. If you do not know how to turn off your water give us a call we’d love to help you out!
  • Protect your pipes. Wrap them with insulation.

When temperatures stay below freezing:

  • If pipes run through cabinets or vanities open the doors to let warmer room temperatures flow in.
  • Keep water moving through the pipes by allowing a small trickle of water to run.

But if your pipes do freeze:

  • Shut off the water immediately.
  • Thaw pipes with warm air, with a hair dryer or space heater. Do not leave space heaters unattended and do not use kerosene heaters or open flames.
  • Be careful turning water back on. Once pipes are thawed, slowly turn the water back on and check pipes and joints for any cracks.
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Posted in: Around the District, Community, Conservation, From the Office, Frozen Pipes, Pine Cove Water District, Snow, Storms, Upcoming Events, Water Conservation, Weather, Winter, winterizing

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No matter your occupation, it is your obligation to save water!

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Tips for conserving inside:

  • Don’t run water while brushing. Fill a glass for rinsing.
  • Repair leaks and install a low-flow aerator.
  • Wrap hot water pipes with insulation to avoid waiting for hot water.
  • Use a partially filled sink or short blasts of water to rinse your razor.
  • An average tub holds more than 50 gallons of water. Conserve water by only partially filling the tub.
  • Install water saving shower heads. Turn off water while soaping up or shampooing. Take shorter showers.
  • Add food coloring to the water in the tank. If color appears in the bowl without flushing, there is a leak. Fix or replace toilet.
  • Keep a bottle of water in the refrigerator and use ice instead of running the tap until water is cold.
  • Run only full loads. Remodel with machines that use less water and are more energy efficient.


    Tips for conserving outside:
  • Regularly check pipes, hoses, valves, and faucets for leaks.
  • Use a pool cover to keep water clean and reduce evaporation.
  • Recycle water for use on lawn or garden.
  • Use a bucket to wash. Keep a nozzle on the hose to save water. Use a commercial car wash that recycles water.
  • Longer grass means less evaporation. Let grass grow taller in hot, dry weather. Set the mower one notch higher.
  • Drought – tolerant plants need less water. Mulch your garden to slow evaporation.
  • Deep soak weekly in the early morning or evening when the least evaporation occurs. Aerate lawn.
  • Don’t water the pavement! Position sprinklers so that the lawn and garden receive all the water.
  • Use a broom instead of a water hose to clear debris from patios, driveways, and sidewalks.
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Posted in: Around the District, Community, Conservation, Customer Infomation, From the Office, Pine Cove Water District, Water Conservation

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Winter is near – let’s winterize together!

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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!

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Posted in: Around the District, Community, Conservation, Customer Infomation, Emergencies, From the Office, Holidays, Pine Cove Water District, Rain, Snow, Storms, Upcoming Events, Water Conservation, Weather, Winter, winterizing

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Are you storm ready?

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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.

 

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Posted in: Around the District, Community, Emergencies, From the Office, Frozen Pipes, Hazardous Weather Outlook, Leaks, Pine Cove Water District, Rain, Road Conditions, Snow, Storms, Water Conservation, Weather, Winter

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December Billing and Inserts

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Hello Residents of Pine Cove!

December billing (due January 5, 2023) is going out this week. If you get emailed bills, you should have already received yours.

This months mailed billing included our Winter Newsletter, Evacuation Checklist, and Property Hardening. Click here to view those items.

The bi-monthly minimum is $77.00 for two month billing period, excluding any water usage. Water usage is billed as follows:
$7.00 per thousand gallons from 0 to 7,500 gallons
$9.00 per thousand gallons from 7,500 to 15,000 gallons
$11.00 per thousand gallons over 15,000

Water bills are mailed around the 1st of the Billing Month (even months). All bills are due and payable by the 1st of the following month (odd months). Any bill not paid by the due date will be termed delinquent and subject to a $15.00 late fee and/or termination. If shut off, a reconnect fee of $75.00 will be charged, in addition to the current amount due, to re-establish service.

There are several ways to pay your bill. ACH Auto Draft is a free service; the payment is automatically taken out of your bank account (filled out form required). You can log on to your account online, and pay with a Visa/Mastercard/Discover, or E-check. To register your account online, you will need your account number, and the Municipality Code which is PineCoveWDCA. Go to www.pcwd.org and click the “Billing” tab and the Payment option link. Next, click on the www.ub-pay.com link and register your account from there. You can come into the office and pay by check, cash, or card (one person at a time). Call with a credit/debit card (Please note that there is a convenience fee of $3.00 per hundred dollars charged if using a credit card). Drop payments thru the slot on the front door or mail a check or money order.

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Posted in: Around the District, Community, Company News, Compost, Customer Infomation, Emergencies, Fire, Freebies, From the Office, Mountain Communities Fire Safe Council, Mulch, Pets and Animals, Pine Cove Water District, Rain Barrels, Upcoming Events, Water Bills, Water Conservation, Wood chips

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DO’s and DON’Ts of Water Conservation

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Reposted from February 15, 2015

DO wash full loads of laundry and dishes ONLY to spread out wash cycles.

DON’T hand wash your car.  Instead, take it to a car wash, where recycled water is used.

DO look for leaky faucets and running toilets.  Repairing a dripping faucet can save up to 150 gallons of water a week.

DON’T leave the sink running while brushing your teeth.  Install a bathroom sink aerator to slow the flow of water.

DO purchase water saving shower heads.  Or come into our District office, and we will give you a conservation kit for free!

DON’T take long showers.  Keeping showers under 5 minutes can save up to 1000 gallons of water per month.

DO store water in the refrigerator instead of letting the tap run for cool water.

DON’T use the toilet as a waste basket!

DO collect water used to rinse fruit or vegetables, and use to to water your plants, both inside and out. 🙂

DON’T keep water conservation tips to yourself!  Share, share, share!

DO aim to do at least one thing per day to conserve water.

 

And ALWAYS turn your customer valve off when leaving your mountain home.

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Posted in: Around the District, Community, Conservation, Customer Infomation, Freebies, From the Office, Garden, Pine Cove Water District, Water Conservation

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Updates from The Office

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We’re into the second month of the new year and so much has happened. Here are a few highlights.

Office re-opened to foot traffic:
Due to illnesses in the office, we had temporarily closed the office to foot traffic. We are happy to announce that we are fully open once again. We ask that you wear a mask when in the building and if someone is already at our counter that you respectfully wait outside to limit the number of people inside.

Stage II Water Conservation:
As of Tuesday, February 1, 2022 Pine Cove entered into Stage II of Water Conservation.

Stage II is mandatory compliance.
Customers are required to limit irrigation of outdoor plants and gardens to the period between 6pm and 8am daily and stop all water runoff. Customers cannot fill or refill swimming pools except the small amount needed to replace evaporation in already filled pools. Vehicles can only be washed using a bucket and a hose with a shut-off nozzle. Immediate repairs must be made to any and all leaking water lines and faucets in household plumbing and yard piping. Customers must also cease watering native vegetation and unplanted areas for dust control. Restaurants shall only provide drinking water to patrons upon specific request.

If you have any questions or concerns, you may talk to General Manager Jeremy Potter 951-659-2675 or email at jpotter@pcwd.org.
Thank you for your understanding and ongoing efforts to help conserve water.

Billing Charges increased:
Effective 2/1/2022, the bi-monthly minimum will be $77.00 for two month billing period, excluding any water usage. Water usage will be billed as follows:
$7.00 per thousand gallons from 0 to 7,500 gallons
$9.00 per thousand gallons from 7,500 to 15,000 gallons
$11.00 per thousand gallons over 15,000

Special Rates and Charges (Resolution #561)
Normal Customer Requested Turn On or Off; changed from $15 to $20
After Hours customer Requested Turn On or Off; changed from a minimum of $40 to a minimum of $50
Delinquent Turn On/Off; changed from $75 to $90
Transfer Fee; changed from $45 to $60
Where more than one (1) Premises exists or is located on a Parcel, a unit charge of $20.00 will be assessed for each separate Premises in addition to normal water use charges for the Parcel, as prescribed in the Rates Schedule.

Personnel change:
General Manager Jerry Holldber has retired as of 12/31/2021
Jeremy Potter has taken the position as our new General Manager as of 1/1/2022
Chris Dumas has been promoted to Leadman
Jensen Beri has been put on full time / permanent status
Gracie, our official Mouse Patroller has a new home with Kat Garver
And we have welcomed our newest office pet – Mousekewitz; a little chihuahua-mix dog

 

We hope all is well with you and as always, we are here for any questions or concerns.

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Posted in: Around the District, Board Meetings, Community, Company News, Customer Infomation, From the Office, Pets and Animals, Pine Cove Water District, Water Bills, Water Conservation

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Water Conservation Stage II

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Hello Pine Cove Residents.
As of Tuesday, February 1, 2022 Pine Cove will enter into Stage II of Water Conservation.

Stage II is mandatory compliance.
Customers are required to limit irrigation of outdoor plants and gardens to the period between 6pm and 8am daily and stop all water runoff. Customers cannot fill or refill swimming pools except the small amount needed to replace evaporation in already filled pools. Vehicles can only be washed using a bucket and a hose with a shut-off nozzle. Immediate repairs must be made to any and all leaking water lines and faucets in household plumbing and yard piping. Customers must also cease watering native vegetation and unplanted areas for dust control. Restaurants shall only provide drinking water to patrons upon specific request.

If you have any questions or concerns, you may talk to General Manager Jeremy Potter 951-659-2675 or email at jpotter@pcwd.org.
Thank you for your understanding and ongoing efforts to help conserve water.

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Posted in: Around the District, Community, Conservation, Drought, From the Office, Pine Cove Water District, Water Conservation

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Rain Barrels

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We are excited to bring back the rain barrels. We have had enough interest to get an initial order started.

If you are still interested in purchasing a rain barrel, please let us know as soon as possible.

The “Ivy” rain barrel is available in black with all components included to start collecting and reusing your rainwater! Price is $76.00 and you will be sent an invoice.

Made in the USA
Dimensions: 42.5”(h) x 22”(w) x 18”(l)
50 gallons
50% recycled plastic
Locking lid
Linking capacity
2 overflow ports
Meets EPA safety standards
Opaque HDPE material – screened inlet

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Posted in: Community, Conservation, gardening, Rain Barrels, Rain Water Harvesting, Water Conservation

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