JANUARY BOARD MEETING
Hello Pine Cover’s and happy 2020! The board meeting for this month has been cancelled. The next Pine Cove Water District board meeting will be Wednesday February 12th at 10:00 am.
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Leave a Comment (0) →Closed for New Year’s Day
Pine Cove Water District would like to wish everyone a very happy new year! Next week the office will be closed Wednesday January 1st in observance of New Years Day. If you would like to make a payment while we are closed you can do so online or drop it though the office door slot. If you have a water emergency like a burst pipe or leak please call the on call emergency line (951)294-8282
Wishing everyone a very happy and safe New Year!
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Leave a Comment (0) →Happy Holidays
Pine Cove Water District would like to wish everyone a very happy holiday season. Next week the office will be closed in observance of Christmas Eve and Christmas day on Tuesday and Wednesday. If you would like to make a payment while we are closed you can do so online or drop it though the office door slot. If you have a water emergency like a burst pipe or leak please call the on call emergency line (951)294-8282
May your holidays be filled with love and laughter!
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Leave a Comment (0) →Winter is Here….
Wow, winter sure came early this year! We have already had two good snow falls, one of which was over two feet here in Pine Cove. Followed by a rain storm that lasted a few days. Our weather station has recorded 2.63 inches of rain just for this month and a total of 9.4 inches just since April when it was first installed. That doesn’t account for the massive rainfall we had in February (8 inches I believe) and all the snow storms we had in the beginning of the year. It sure is refreshing to have lots of precipitation this year especially after the years of drought and having little to no snow. Here at PCWD we appreciate when the sky brings as a bounty of water to provide to our customers. However, we always promote conservation in this District because you never know what kind of winter season next year will provide. So, it is best to conserve our precious commodity.
The winter weather and low temperatures can cause frozen, leaky or burst pipes even underground. We advise all of our customers to turn your customer valve off by the meter when you leave your mountain home. Forgetting to turn off your water during the winter season increases the risk for burst pipes and damage to your home. When water freezes in a pipe, it expands. If it expands enough, the pipe bursts, water escapes and serious, costly damage is the result. If you don’t know where your customer valve is we would be happy to send a field worker during regular office hours to come show you or if you need your customer valve shut off we can shut it off for you for a $15 service charge. In the unfortunate event that a pipe does break any and all water that is lost will be the responsibility of the homeowner. PCWD does not forgive any water usage even if it is from a burst pipe. As always feel free to contact to office for any questions or concerns regarding your water bill, usage or winterizing your home. Stay safe, warm and have happy holidays!
PCWD Office (951)659-2675 hours 9a.m.- 4p.m.
Emergency after hours line (951)294-8282
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Leave a Comment (0) →Travel Tips for Upcoming Holiday Season
Be advised that roads can close without notice if they are determined unsafe for the traveling public.
Below are some other helpful driving tips.
- Before you start your journey, check travel conditions.
- Check tires and wipers to make sure they are in good condition.
- Have a full tank of gas.
- Slow down when driving in adverse weather conditions. Reduce your speed when roadways are icy or wet and your sight of distance is affected.
- Avoid travel during heavy rain or snow events.
- Bring chains if you are traveling to the mountain areas. Weather in the mountain areas is often unpredictable. Be smart by having chains in your vehicle in case chain control is issued.
- Chains should never be put on in the road. Use a safe area to install your chains to not disrupt traffic or put anyone in danger.
- Never use turnouts or park in the middle of the roadway for snow play. Only park in designated areas and do not trespass on private property.
- For long trips bring water, warm clothing, blankets, a charged cell phone and charger, medications, snacks and other necessary items.
- Do not attempt to pass through road closure signs. Never drive through running water or flooded roadways. Remember, turn around, don’t drown.
- Be a safe and courteous driver. It only adds a few minutes to your travel time and make it a more enjoyable drive for everyone.
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Leave a Comment (0) →Thanksgiving Holiday
This time of year as the Autumn air crisps and the leaves start to turn and fall, we start to think of all we have to be thankful for. For us at Pine Cove Water District we are grateful for the clean mountain air, fresh water from the mountain top, the peaceful sound of our quiet community and the wonderful neighbors, family and friends. Next week is Thanksgiving and we hope everyone is able to feast in gratitude with their loved ones. in observance of this holiday the office will be closed on Thursday (Thanksgiving day) and Friday the 28th and 29th.
If you have a water emergency during the holiday thru the weekend please contact the emergency number and the on call staff member will be able to help you. (951)236-9163
For any non-emergency calls feel free to leave a message on the office line and we will get back to you on the next available business day.
Thank you & Happy Thanksgiving!
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Leave a Comment (0) →Conservation Basics
It is always helpful to keep water conservation in mind on a daily basis. Creating conservation minded household habits can preserve our precious resource and save money in the process. Here is a friendly reminder of Do’s and don’t’s of basic conservation:
Do only wash full loads of laundry and dishes 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.
Do 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
Highway 243 to Banning Update
State of California Department of Transportation PRESS RELEASE
October 30, 2019 Press Release Number: 19-424 Project ID: 08-1K520 District: 8 Riverside/San Bernardino Emergency Work Update on State Route 243 in Idyllwild RIVERSIDE – The California Department of Transportation (Caltrans) is pleased to announce that the emergency work on State Route 243 (SR-243) is now complete. The route will reopen to the public from Interstate 10 (I-10) to Idyllwild on Friday, November 1 by 6 p.m. Know before you go! To stay on top of roadwork in the Inland Empire go to Caltrans District 8 and sign up for commuter alerts.
We are so happy the the road work on highway 243 to Banning is complete!
Riverside County Emergency Reverse 911
With Fires blazing all over Southern California PCWD wants to make sure our residents are best prepared if a disaster were to strike close to home again. Getting informed of an emergency is the first step. When you have an emergency, 911 is the number to call but did you know that Riverside County offers an emergency telephone alerting system? When disasters occur that are unknown to you, REVERSE 911 calls you. The system called REVERSE 911 and works through our telephones. It uses computer technology to quickly contact many residents and businesses in a specific area to communicate information. Early Warning Notification System (EWNS) allows public safety first responders to rapidly alert and warn the general public in the event of emergencies.
The EWNS is one of a group of alert warning tools used in Riverside County. Any Business or residence in Riverside county that has traditional land line phone service (listed or unlisted) is already a part of the EWNS. Cell phones or VoIP numbers have to be registered to receive these emergency alerts. Just visit Riverside County’s secure website homepage: www.countyofriverside.us and add the number you would like to be notified by.
The EWNS can make up to 250,000 calls per hour to reach the public of Riverside County. Registered phone numbers will be notified in the event of a small, medium or large emergency. It is important for us to get the notification as soon as possible in the event of a wildfire, flood, severe weather, hazardous material warning, law enforcement incidents, etc. Having an early warning can help keep you and your loved ones safe and informed about potential dangers in our community.
Don’t forget the important parts of evacuation- The P’s of Evacuation
- People
- Pets
- Personal computer
- Prescriptions
- Papers
- Photos
- Phone (& charger)
- personal needs
- priceless items
Fall Preparation for Winter Precipitation
When the beautiful fall leaves turn and the air becomes crisp is a good time to think about how to prepare for the coming cold months. It is important to make sure your home is ready for the coming winter. Winter can cause cause costly bills. Heating costs can double if your windows are poorly insulated or if the heating system is out-of-date. Plumbing can break or burst creating extensive damage to your home and high water bills. To prevent damage, it is just as important to winterize your home even if it will be vacant for long periods of time. Making proper precautions to ensure your home is prepared for winter can save you time, money and a lot of unnecessary hassle.
- 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.
- Insulate pipes with insulation and wrap any exposed pipes.
- 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.
- 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.
- 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 if you plan to be gone for a prolonged period of time and make sure 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.
Early this year we experienced extreme low temperatures and lots of snow. Pine Cove lost of over a million gallons of water in February and March this year. This loss was a result of many leaks around the District and caused by freezing temperatures. PCWD always recommends turning your water off at the street customer valve to prevent any water disasters or leaks. Conserving water whenever possible is important to this District. Pine Covers are very aware and are cautious about conserving water as much as possible. If you aren’t sure how you can reduce your water usage, we have many water conservation tips here on the blog and on our website at pcwd.org that are useful for conserving water both inside the house as well as outside.