drought - Forum - SCOCO Network2024-03-28T11:05:46Zhttps://sustainablecoco.ning.com/forum/topics/feed/tag/droughtAre we still in a drought? And how to prepare for the future.https://sustainablecoco.ning.com/forum/topics/are-we-still-in-a-drought-and-how-to-prepare-for-the-future2023-01-29T22:47:08.000Z2023-01-29T22:47:08.000ZLiza Kirbyhttps://sustainablecoco.ning.com/members/LizaKirby<div><p><a href="{{#staticFileLink}}10951138470,original{{/staticFileLink}}"><img class="align-full" src="{{#staticFileLink}}10951138470,RESIZE_710x{{/staticFileLink}}" alt="10951138470?profile=RESIZE_710x" width="710" /></a> </p>
<p><strong>California’s recent rainstorms</strong> </p>
<p>From December 26 to January 17, the Bay Area and entire state of California have seen massive rains from <a href="https://www.washingtonpost.com/weather/2023/01/20/california-storms-statistics-damage-precipitation/">9 atmospheric rivers</a>. These storms have resulted in at least 20 deaths, 30K+ evacuations, and caused major flooding, forced evacuations, prolonged power outages, landslides, infrastructure damage and more. President Biden declared the state a national disaster on January 1th, helping channel aid to <a href="https://www.fema.gov/disaster/4683" target="_blank">hard hit areas.</a></p>
<p>Cumulative rainfall during the period ranged from 40+ inches in some Bay Area coastal regions to nearly a foot in eastern parts of the Bay Area. The good news is that water levels in California reservoirs are rising toward historical averages, and the Sierra snowpack (water equivalent) is above the seasonal average. While the recent rains moved the state out the drought red zone, 90 percent of the state is still classified in some shade of amber, a less severe drought level, at least for now. </p>
<p><a href="{{#staticFileLink}}10951139069,original{{/staticFileLink}}"><img class="align-full" src="{{#staticFileLink}}10951139069,RESIZE_710x{{/staticFileLink}}" alt="10951139069?profile=RESIZE_710x" width="710" /></a></p>
<p>So, the present drought picture is less bleak compared with three months ago, but it is hardly resolved. In fact, climate whiplash, shorthand for the radical swing from super dry to super wet, is projected to continue.</p>
<p><strong>A tale of two climates – super dry and super wet</strong></p>
<p>Wet winters and dry summers are natural characteristics of California’s climate. History over the millennia also shows a large amount of variation in weather patterns, with periods of severe drought and periods of extreme wetness. </p>
<p> When more heat is added to the Earth’s atmosphere, it further increases weather variability. Burning fossil fuels for transportation, buildings, and industry generates greenhouse gases that form a blanket around the earth, trapping air and raising temperatures. This turbocharges weather variability and intensity, <a href="https://www.usatoday.com/story/news/nation/2023/01/09/california-storms-climate-change/11017796002/">increasing the likelihood</a> of both extreme rainstorms and extreme drought conditions. </p>
<p> Atmospheric rivers are the main cause of the raging rainstorms experienced in California. They are born in the warm tropical waters of the Pacific Ocean and release large amounts of rain as the weather systems move eastward across the state. Scientific research cites evidence that human-caused climate change is increasing the severity of these storms.</p>
<p>During a drought like the one California experienced in recent years, the hardened soil is like a dry sponge and <a href="https://www.nbcbayarea.com/news/local/climate-in-crisis/recent-rain-has-significant-impact-on-california-drought/3127692/">cannot absorb water</a> as quickly as a moister sponge. So, when a quick heavy rainstorm hits, water not absorbed by the soil, <a href="https://www.latimes.com/california/story/2023-01-23/skelton-water-capture-myth-california">runs off to other places</a>. Cascading storm water runoff can cause flooding and landslides. These conditions are intensified where wildfires have recently burned down trees, dried out soil is exposed, and where buildings are in flood zones. </p>
<p><strong>Resilience for weathering the elements. </strong></p>
<p>While the recent rains and flooding may not have been quite as severe as the <a href="https://www.sfgate.com/weather/article/deadly-1862-flood-wiped-out-california-16761390.php">1862 California flood</a>, they are still a stark reminder of the powerful forces of nature. Planning and preparing for extreme environmental events needs to be the norm. Much like earthquake and fire preparedness planning, there are steps you can take to better respond to extreme weather. These measures along with supporting critical infrastructure improvements (and GHG reductions) will help increase community resilience in the face of extreme downpours and droughts going forward.</p>
<p><strong>Weatherproof your home for the remaining winter season </strong></p>
<ul>
<li>Clean debris out the gutters so that they don’t overflow in heavy rains and cause flooding in unwanted places. Cleaning gutters is also a prudent fire prevention measure.</li>
<li>Remove debris blocking water drainage pathways around your home.</li>
<li>Identify areas where intense storm water might enter your home or flood low lying areas. Protect these areas with sandbags. </li>
<li>Get help as needed with bigger projects such as tree trimming, erosion control, etc.</li>
<li>Follow weather forecasts and predictions, which are quite good, thanks to real-time sensors, monitoring, and analytics technology. Take early actions to prepare for storms. </li>
</ul>
<p><a href="{{#staticFileLink}}10951140060,RESIZE_584x{{/staticFileLink}}"><img class="align-full" src="{{#staticFileLink}}10951140060,RESIZE_584x{{/staticFileLink}}" alt="10951140060?profile=RESIZE_584x" width="450" /></a></p>
<p>Image: <a href="https://lovelygreens.com/rain-chain-ideas/">https://lovelygreens.com/rain-chain-ideas/</a> </p>
<p> <strong>Create a rain garden or start rainwater harvesting </strong></p>
<p>Rain gardens and rainwater harvesting are among the popular landscaping trends in 2023. Explore how they can be used for supplementing water use, saving money, and extending the community water supply. Here is an <a href="https://www.ccwater.com/859/Rain-Gardens-and-Rainwater-Harvesting">overview</a>, courtesy of Contra Costa Water District.</p>
<ul>
<li><strong>Rain gardens </strong>are designed to move rainwater collected from your roof or driveway to a low area in your garden allowing it time to soak into the soil. The soil beneath your garden is like a giant sponge, storing water for your plants and reducing the amount you need to run your sprinklers or drip irrigation during the summer.</li>
<li><strong>Rainwater harvesting</strong> is a technique for collecting, storing, and using rainwater for landscape irrigation and other uses. The rainwater is collected from various hard surfaces such as rooftops and/or other manmade aboveground hard surfaces in barrels or cisterns to use later for irrigation.</li>
</ul>
<p> <strong>More ways to save and use water wisely</strong></p>
<p>East Bay Municipal Utility District offers these friendly water <a href="https://www.ebmud.com/water/conservation-and-rebates/watersmart-tips">conservation reminders</a>.</p>
<p><strong>Reducing waste saves water and money </strong></p>
<ul>
<li>Run full loads of laundry and dishes.</li>
<li>Turn on the tap only when you need to rinse. Don’t let the water run unnecessarily when you brush your teeth, lather up, shave or wash dishes.</li>
<li>Take shorter showers…this also saves energy from heating the water</li>
<li>Turn off irrigation in the winter. During the growing season, irrigate early or late in the day (before 6 am or after 9 pm).</li>
<li>Examine sprinklers and adjust them so they water the plants, not the walls or sidewalk.</li>
<li>Use a broom, not a hose, to clean debris off driveways and sidewalks.</li>
<li>Wash your car using a bucket and sponge, not a hose. Better yet, use a commercial car wash that recycles their wash water.</li>
<li>Use a pool cover to reduce evaporation</li>
</ul>
<p><strong>Find and fix water leaks </strong></p>
<ul>
<li>Use dye tabs to find toilet leaks. Leaks are usually caused by worn out flapper valves, easily replaced with a trip to the hardware store.</li>
<li>Replace worn out washers in faucets to stop drips and leaks.</li>
<li>Check your outdoor irrigation equipment for leaks. Run through all the stations to look for broken or misadjusted heads.</li>
</ul>
<p> <strong>Install water efficient fixtures and appliances</strong></p>
<ul>
<li>Fixtures – faucets, showerheads, toilets</li>
<li>Appliances - dishwasher, washing machine, water heater</li>
<li>More <a href="https://www.ccwater.com/339/Water-Conservation-Devices">conservation devices</a></li>
</ul>
<p><strong>Smart technology for precision watering and monitoring</strong></p>
<ul>
<li>Install a self-adjusting irrigation controller and a drip irrigation system</li>
<li>Use digital apps for monitoring water usage and early detection of leaks</li>
</ul>
<p><strong>Smart design for outdoor areas</strong></p>
<ul>
<li>Convert your thirsty lawn to a sustainable landscape.</li>
<li>Select <a href="https://www.ebmud.com/index.php?cID=1216">drought-tolerant plants</a> better adapted to the local climate.</li>
<li>Use <a href="https://www.landscapingnetwork.com/paving/permeable.html" target="_blank">permeable surfaces</a> instead of hardscapes so that more water can be absorbed underground.</li>
</ul>
<p> <strong>Visit your water district website for more tips, resources, and rebates</strong></p>
<ul>
<li><a href="https://www.ccwater.com/157/Rebates-and-Coupons">Contra Costa Water District</a></li>
<li><a href="https://www.ebmud.com/water/conservation-and-rebates">East Bay Municipal Utility District</a></li>
</ul></div>Some Remedies—Including a Series of Cool Webinars— for Our Water Woes https://sustainablecoco.ning.com/forum/topics/some-remedies-including-a-series-of-cool-webinars-for-our-water-w2022-09-02T20:00:38.000Z2022-09-02T20:00:38.000ZJim Gunshinanhttps://sustainablecoco.ning.com/members/JimGunshinan<div><p> </p><p><a href="{{#staticFileLink}}10802169858,original{{/staticFileLink}}"><img class="align-left" style="padding:2px;" src="{{#staticFileLink}}10802169858,RESIZE_710x{{/staticFileLink}}" width="335" height="495" alt="10802169858?profile=RESIZE_710x" /></a>The average U.S. household uses 300 gallons of water daily, with about 30% going to lawns and gardens. In hot, dry areas like the Bay Area, the percentage of household water that is used outdoors is well over 50%. This varies widely by region and type of housing, of course. So when you ask the water-saving experts how to use less water, you may get the response, "It depends." Let them know that you want to save water and energy. And take advantage of the resources in our area, especially the Contra Costa Water District and SCOCO's Cleaner Contra Costa Challenge.</p><p>The <a href="https://www.ccwater.com/1043/Water-Efficiency">Contra Costa Water District</a> (CCWD) is here to help. With the county experiencing extreme drought over the last three years, the water district, in Stage 2 of its Water Shortage Contingency Plan, wants all of us to save at least 15% of our water use compared to 2020. As a part of its <a href="http://ccwater.com/drought">Drought Management Program</a>, after a public comment period, CCWD added a surcharge that began on July 1. To avoid paying the 15% surcharge, use less than 200 gallons daily. The charge is an incentive for the CCWD to save water individually and help the District adjust to the challenges associated with the drought.</p><p>You can get rebates of $1 per square foot of lawn you replace with a drought-tolerant landscape. CCWD will connect you with a landscape designer who will come to your home and provide a two-hour consult. You pay the designer $150, and CCWD will reimburse you the whole amount once you complete your project. For information about the rebates and a ton of helpful information on saving water, check our CCWD's "<a href="https://www.ccwater.com/1043/Water-Efficiency"><strong>Water Efficiency</strong></a>" page.</p><p>The SCOCO <a href="https://cleanercontracosta.org/">Cleaner Contra Costa Challenge</a> recommends actions to save energy, reduce emissions, and save water inside and outside the home. And SCOCO is always here to provide support and friendship through its community programs, including the Challenge, which includes water-saving measures you can do right now. <a href="https://cleanercontracosta.org/actions?filterCategory=67#allActions"><strong>Be Water Wise</strong></a>! Some measures include <a href="https://cleanercontracosta.org/action/replace-lawn">replacing your lawn</a>, drought-tolerant landscaping, getting a <a href="https://cleanercontracosta.org/action/home-energy-checkup">Home Energy Checkup</a>, and installing a greywater system. Several years ago, California made greywater systems legal in the state. The most popular greywater systems direct used clothes washer water for gardens. (To learn everything you want about greywater systems and more, check out this webinar recording from <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kheSdok0S9M&t=1803s">Sustainability LIVE, "Simple Greywater Systems</a>.")</p><p>Your yard can be drought-tolerant, beautiful, habitat-rich, and inviting. Our fall workshop series brings you three <em>free </em>webinars designed to help you take your landscape to the next level. Co-sponsored by Contra Costa Water District.</p><p>Events in this series, <strong>starting on September 9</strong>:</p><ul><li><a href="https://www.eventbrite.com/e/free-workshop-gardening-with-natives-tickets-397449130047?aff=odcleoeventsincollection"> FREE Workshop: "Gardening With Natives"</a></li></ul><p>Friday, September 9, 2022 11:00 AM PDT</p><ul><li><a href="https://www.eventbrite.com/e/free-workshop-irrigation-checkup-and-maintenance-tickets-397483623217?aff=odcleoeventsincollection"> FREE Workshop: "Irrigation Checkup and Maintenance"</a></li></ul><p>Friday, October 7, 2022, 11:00 AM PDT</p><ul><li><a href="https://www.eventbrite.com/e/free-workshop-the-beneficial-beauty-of-rain-gardens-tickets-397468187047?aff=odcleoeventsincollection">FREE Workshop: "The Beneficial Beauty of Rain Gardens"</a></li></ul><p>Friday, November 4, 2022, 11:00 AM PDT</p><p> </p><p><em>Photo by: <a href="https://unsplash.com/@cassdays?utm_source=unsplash&utm_medium=referral&utm_content=creditCopyText">Cassidy Phillips</a> on <a href="https://unsplash.com/s/photos/water-plants?utm_source=unsplash&utm_medium=referral&utm_content=creditCopyText">Unsplash</a></em></p><p> </p><p> </p></div>Plastics and Bottles Get Lifetime Employmenthttps://sustainablecoco.ning.com/forum/topics/plastics-and-bottles-get-lifetime-employment2021-11-24T00:07:26.000Z2021-11-24T00:07:26.000ZJim Gunshinanhttps://sustainablecoco.ning.com/members/JimGunshinan<div><p><a href="{{#staticFileLink}}9838478066,original{{/staticFileLink}}"><img class="align-left" style="padding:4px;" src="{{#staticFileLink}}9838478066,RESIZE_710x{{/staticFileLink}}" alt="9838478066?profile=RESIZE_710x" width="427" height="553" /></a>On September 23 of this year, California Governor Gavin Newsom signed 24 bills dedicating $15 billion to meeting the current and future challenges of Global Climate Change in California. That’s scary; that much legislation all at the same time. Imagine the small print! The state certainly cannot afford inaction. But with recent budget surpluses, the state can well afford it. The bills are ambitious to help the state create the infrastructure needed to meet the current and future challenges of a warming climate, drought, and coastal flooding. For a complete description of the legislation, <a href="https://www.gov.ca.gov/2021/09/23/governor-newsom-signs-climate-action-bills-outlines-historic-15-billion-package-to-tackle-the-climate-crisis-and-protect-vulnerable-communities/">click here</a>.</p>
<p>Following is a summary of the legislation. </p>
<p><strong>A Circular Economy</strong></p>
<p>The state will invest $270 million to support a circular economy that keeps plastics and other pollution off our streets, out of our waterways, oceans, beaches, and out of the digestive tracts of sea birds and fish. The ultimate goal is to increase the lifetime of any useful product, like food packaging and plastic bags that are otherwise dumped into a landfill. Great Pacific Garbage Patch, beware! We’re coming after you.</p>
<p>For many of us, the idea of a circular economy may be new. In short, it’s about using things over and over again—giving plastic new lifetime employment, for example.</p>
<p><a href="https://plasticoceans.org/california-circular-economy-bills-become-law/">The legislation supporting a circular economy</a> mandates that plastics and other packaging materials are labeled correctly (SB 343). The three swooshes symbol will no longer be enough. Consumers will make better choices when buying products and deciding which items go in the recycle bin, the green waste containers, or the landfill. Do you ever wonder how much of what we put in the recycling bin gets recycled? Trash transported to other countries will no longer be labeled as “re-used” (SB 881). Package producers will certify that “compostable” material will actually break down in the soil in real-life environments and not negatively impact the soil (AB 1201). Products must be approved by the Biodegradable Products Institute (BPI), the Compost Manufacturing Alliance, or another approved third-party certifying organization.</p>
<p>Another piece of legislation touches the brewing and beverage community and is hands-on for consumers (AB 962). Beer bottles and other glass beverage containers will be easier to recycle. And finally, but not least important in our daily lives, restaurants will no longer put plastic utensils in your take-out food bags unless you ask them to do so (AB 1276).</p>
<p><strong>$1.5 Billion for Wildfire and Forest Resilience</strong></p>
<p>This spending includes salary funding for close to 1,400 new firefighters and a dozen firefighting aircraft. Suppose the whole package is successful, making us better prepared for fire season in California. In that case, the extra firefighters we no longer need can train for jobs in renewable energy and energy efficiency, economic sectors expected to grow.</p>
<p><strong>$5.2 Billion for Water and Drought Resilience</strong></p>
<p>This money ensures we have enough water in our suburbs and cities to drink, wash, and water our drought-resistance plants. Decades of pulling water out of the aquifers have caused much of the Central Valley to sink, and replenishing those water supplies might reverse that trend. With a focus on groundwater management, we may be seeing the Central Valley farming communities rise, both economically and perhaps geologically. You never know.</p>
<p><strong>$3.7 Billion for Climate Resilience </strong></p>
<p>This spending will better prepare us for extreme heat that disproportionally impacts low-income communities and the elderly, and coastal flooding.</p>
<p><strong>$1.1 Billion for Climate-Smart Agriculture</strong></p>
<p>This money is for soil management, methane reduction from the rear ends of cows—all joking aside, methane is a highly potent greenhouse gas—and investments in cleaner and leaner farming equipment.</p>
<p><strong>$3.9 Billion for Zero-Emission Vehicles</strong></p>
<p>Tesla for everyone? Not quite. Making energy-efficient and all-electric cars, busses, and trucks more affordable for everybody is the goal of this spending.</p>
<p>All of these bills will bring about significant change to the way we use precious resources, protect our environment, and dispose of things that we've used only once. But for these changes to take root and proliferate, something else has to change—us. If we don't change how we think about the things we see and handle every day, from the garbage strewn on the side of highways and the plastic bags—and now medical masks—on city and suburban streets, nothing will change. Until knowing what goes in the green can, the blue can, and the black can becomes second nature, the $15 billion or $100 billion we spend trying to create a circular economy won't make a difference.</p>
<p><em> </em></p>
<p><em>Photo by <a href="https://unsplash.com/@theblowup?utm_source=unsplash&utm_medium=referral&utm_content=creditCopyText">the blowup</a> on <a href="https://unsplash.com/s/photos/trash-truck?utm_source=unsplash&utm_medium=referral&utm_content=creditCopyText">Unsplash</a>.</em></p>
<p> </p></div>Prepare for the Drought: Lawn Be Gone!https://sustainablecoco.ning.com/forum/topics/prepare-for-the-drought-lawn-be-gone2020-03-02T00:17:57.000Z2020-03-02T00:17:57.000ZKimberly Lamhttps://sustainablecoco.ning.com/members/KimberlyLam886<div><div><span>"This past February 2020 was the first time since 1864 - when the Civil War was raging and covered wagons roamed the American West - that San Francisco had no measurable rain in February, normally one of the wettest months of the year." (<a href="https://www.mercurynews.com/2020/02/27/california-drought-nearly-a-quarter-of-california-now-in-drought-feds-say/?fbclid=IwAR3vSi_UqtEwaaEcF0gGpIjeAgF78QtsrdYx-cTIqpeuVYxTSCfDejK9eus" target="_blank">Source</a>)</span></div><div><span>With 25% of the state already declared to be in a drought, it's time to think about reducing water consumption at your home! Water is too precious to spend keeping your thirsty lawn green. </span></div><div><p><span>Learn to convert your thirsty lawn to a beautiful water-smart garden!</span></p><p></p><p><span>Join us on Saturday, March 14 for our <strong>hands-on "Replace Your Lawn with a Water-Smart Garden" workshop </strong>at the beautiful Pittsburg Living Green Garden. We will teach you the low-cost, SIMPLE method of lawn conversion, without digging up your old lawn! Garden designer Kelly Marshall </span><span>will teach you how to create a site analysis of your space, choose plants to create a picturesque drought-tolerant garden, and guide you through the step-by-step process of lawn conversion.</span></p><p></p><p><span>Additionally, you will learn techniques to keep your new garden happy and healthy, such as frost protection. We will also discuss creating your own year-round garden maintenance plan.</span></p><p><a href="https://www.eventbrite.com/e/replace-your-lawn-with-a-water-smart-garden-best-practices-for-installation-and-maintenance-tickets-89353583975" target="_blank">More info & tickets here</a>. $10 fee; Healthy snacks provided!</p><p></p></div><div>Want a little sneak-peak? </div><div>A Sustainable Contra Costa board member converted her lawn through <b>sheet-mulching</b>. Not familiar with that term? It's a layered mulch system that nurtures the soil and replaces existing lawns or weeds, eliminating the need to remove unwanted plant material (no harsh herbicides, no roto-tilling!). </div><div>1.<span> </span><b>Apply for a lawn conversion rebate BEFORE you start, </b>if you are removing a lawn and planning to replace it with drought-tolerant landscaping (such as low-water or native plants). The water district will come out to measure your lawn and confirm that you qualitfy. You may want to check if you qualify for both your local rebate and the<span> <a href="http://www.saveourwaterrebates.com/turf-replacement-rebates.html" target="_blank">State Rebate</a></span>; you could potentially get up to $2 per square foot that you convert! Then, stop watering your lawn and let it die. Before your sheet-mulching weekend, water the ground thoroughly. </div><div><a href="{{#staticFileLink}}8095762455,original{{/staticFileLink}}"><img width="750" src="{{#staticFileLink}}8095762455,original{{/staticFileLink}}" class="align-center" height="265" alt="8095762455?profile=original" /></a></div><div>3.<span> </span><b>Dig a trench around all edges<span> </span></b>of your lawn, including edges butting up against your driveway or other hardscapes. Dig at least 2 inches deep and up to a foot wide - this will create a low point along the pavement so the mulch will not spill out. You can put the dirt you dig up onto the other parts of your lawn, to incorporate the nutrients back into the earth. </div><p><img src="{{#staticFileLink}}8095762480,original{{/staticFileLink}}" width="146" class="align-right" height="146" alt="8095762480?profile=original" /></p><p><a href="{{#staticFileLink}}8095762493,original{{/staticFileLink}}"><img width="711" src="{{#staticFileLink}}8095762493,original{{/staticFileLink}}" class="align-right" height="202" alt="8095762493?profile=original" /></a></p><div>2. <b>Find and cap all of your sprinklers.</b> Dig around each sprinkler head, going 3 - 5 inches deep until you are below the connection point. Unscrew the sprinkler head and screw on a cap - I used simple PVC caps from the hardware store. Some sprinkler heads required a special tool to remove pieces if they broke and got stuck. You may want to also put a flag by each sprinkler head so you can find it again after you mulch (ex. if you are converting to a drip irrigation system). </div><p></p><div> </div><div>4.<span> </span><b>Apply a thin layer of compost</b><span> </span>(~1 inch) over the dead lawn or weeded area. You can order compost and mulch from many local facilities, and most offer delivery services. </div><div><a href="{{#staticFileLink}}8095762071,original{{/staticFileLink}}"><img width="750" src="{{#staticFileLink}}8095762071,original{{/staticFileLink}}" class="align-center" height="267" alt="8095762071?profile=original" /></a></div><div>5.<span> </span><b>Layer flat sheets of cardboard over the area, making sure to overlap</b><span> </span>the sheets by 2 inches to make sure no light can penetrate through to the grass or weeds below. I used large cardboard boxes from friends who had just moved, as well as flat pieces of cardboard I got from Costco (make sure you ask first!). Remove any tape that may be on the boxes (tape won't decompose). Helpful hint - you will need more cardboard than you think. I made 2 additional trips to get more cardboard even after I thought I had enough!</div><div>6.<span> </span><b>Water the cardboard.</b><span> </span>Wave to your neighbors as they pass by, wondering if you've gone crazy. </div><div><a href="{{#staticFileLink}}8095762668,original{{/staticFileLink}}"><img width="750" src="{{#staticFileLink}}8095762668,original{{/staticFileLink}}" class="align-center" height="249" alt="8095762668?profile=original" /></a></div><div>7.<span> </span><b>Spread ~3 inches of mulch on top</b><span> </span>of the wet cardboard. </div><div><a href="{{#staticFileLink}}8095763084,original{{/staticFileLink}}"><img width="142" src="{{#staticFileLink}}8095763084,original{{/staticFileLink}}" class="align-center" height="299" alt="8095763084?profile=original" /></a></div><div><b>8. Sit back, relax, and let the sheet mulch "cook"</b><span> </span>for a month (or more) before planting! This will allow everything to settle, and the cardboard (which acts as a weed-blocker) and dead grass/weeds will slowly decompose into the ground. If you plan soon after, you'll just need to cut holes in the cardboard where your plants will go in. </div><div><a href="{{#staticFileLink}}8095763271,original{{/staticFileLink}}"><img width="750" src="{{#staticFileLink}}8095763271,original{{/staticFileLink}}" class="align-center" height="250" alt="8095763271?profile=original" /></a></div><div><a href="{{#staticFileLink}}8095763271,original{{/staticFileLink}}"><img width="750" src="{{#staticFileLink}}8095763292,original{{/staticFileLink}}" class="align-center" height="231" alt="8095763292?profile=original" /></a></div><div>This particular front yard conversion project will be incorporating some pollinator-friendly and drougt-tolerant plants as well as two trees. Check if your water agency provides a landscape design assistance program so you can utilize a professional designer to help transform your yard from water-thirsty and boring, to drought-tolerant and beautiful. </div><div><b>Learn more about local rebate programs:</b> </div><div>Contra Costa Water District -<span> </span><span><a href="https://www.ccwater.com/159/Lawn-to-Garden-Rebate" target="_blank">Lawn to Garden Rebate Program </a></span></div><div>East Bay MUD -<span> </span><span><a href="https://www.ebmud.com/water/conservation-and-rebates/residential/rebates/lawn-conversion-irrigation-upgrade-rebates/" target="_blank">Landscape Rebate Program</a></span></div></div>Lawn Be Gone! DIY Sheet Mulchinghttps://sustainablecoco.ning.com/forum/topics/lawn-be-gone-diy-sheet-mulching2018-10-01T18:10:49.000Z2018-10-01T18:10:49.000ZKimberly Lamhttps://sustainablecoco.ning.com/members/KimberlyLam886<div><div><b>Action of the Month: DIY Sheet Mulching</b></div><div>Fall is the perfect time to<span> </span><b>sheet-mulch</b>. Not familiar with that term? It's a layered mulch system that nurtures the soil and replaces existing lawns or weeds, eliminating the need to remove unwanted plant material (no harsh herbicides, no roto-tilling!). </div><div>A SCOCO board member just sheet-mulched her front yard in Concord last month - here's how you can too!</div><div>1.<span> </span><b>Apply for a lawn conversion rebate BEFORE you start, </b>if you are removing a lawn and planning to replace it with drought-tolerant landscaping (such as low-water or native plants). The water district will come out to measure your lawn and confirm that you qualitfy. You may want to check if you qualify for both your local rebate and the<span style="text-decoration:underline;"> <a href="http://www.saveourwaterrebates.com/turf-replacement-rebates.html" target="_blank">State Rebate</a></span>; you could potentially get up to $2 per square foot that you convert! Then, stop watering your lawn and let it die. Before your sheet-mulching weekend, water the ground thoroughly. </div><div><a href="{{#staticFileLink}}8095762455,original{{/staticFileLink}}"><img width="750" src="{{#staticFileLink}}8095762455,original{{/staticFileLink}}" class="align-center" height="265" alt="8095762455?profile=original" /></a></div><div>3.<span> </span><b>Dig a trench around all edges<span> </span></b>of your lawn, including edges butting up against your driveway or other hardscapes. Dig at least 2 inches deep and up to a foot wide - this will create a low point along the pavement so the mulch will not spill out. You can put the dirt you dig up onto the other parts of your lawn, to incorporate the nutrients back into the earth. </div><p><img src="{{#staticFileLink}}8095762480,original{{/staticFileLink}}" width="146" class="align-right" height="146" style="color:#0000ee;" alt="8095762480?profile=original" /></p><p><a href="{{#staticFileLink}}8095762493,original{{/staticFileLink}}"><img width="750" src="{{#staticFileLink}}8095762493,original{{/staticFileLink}}" class="align-right" height="213" alt="8095762493?profile=original" /></a></p><div>2. <b>Find and cap all of your sprinklers.</b> Dig around each sprinkler head, going 3 - 5 inches deep until you are below the connection point. Unscrew the sprinkler head and screw on a cap - I used simple PVC caps from the hardware store. Some sprinkler heads required a special tool to remove pieces if they broke and got stuck. You may want to also put a flag by each sprinkler head so you can find it again after you mulch (ex. if you are converting to a drip irrigation system). </div><p></p><div> </div><div>4.<span> </span><b>Apply a thin layer of compost</b><span> </span>(~1 inch) over the dead lawn or weeded area. You can order compost and mulch from many local facilities, and most offer delivery services. </div><div><a href="{{#staticFileLink}}8095762071,original{{/staticFileLink}}"><img width="750" src="{{#staticFileLink}}8095762071,original{{/staticFileLink}}" class="align-center" height="267" alt="8095762071?profile=original" /></a></div><div>5.<span> </span><b>Layer flat sheets of cardboard over the area, making sure to overlap</b><span> </span>the sheets by 2 inches to make sure no light can penetrate through to the grass or weeds below. I used large cardboard boxes from friends who had just moved, as well as flat pieces of cardboard I got from Costco (make sure you ask first!). Remove any tape that may be on the boxes (tape won't decompose). Helpful hint - you will need more cardboard than you think. I made 2 additional trips to get more cardboard even after I thought I had enough!</div><div>6.<span> </span><b>Water the cardboard.</b><span> </span>Wave to your neighbors as they pass by, wondering if you've gone crazy. </div><div><a href="{{#staticFileLink}}8095762668,original{{/staticFileLink}}"><img width="750" src="{{#staticFileLink}}8095762668,original{{/staticFileLink}}" class="align-center" height="249" alt="8095762668?profile=original" /></a></div><div>7.<span> </span><b>Spread ~3 inches of mulch on top</b><span> </span>of the wet cardboard. </div><div><a href="{{#staticFileLink}}8095763084,original{{/staticFileLink}}"><img width="142" src="{{#staticFileLink}}8095763084,original{{/staticFileLink}}" class="align-center" height="299" alt="8095763084?profile=original" /></a></div><div><b>8. Sit back, relax, and let the sheet mulch "cook"</b><span> </span>for a month (or more) before planting! This will allow everything to settle, and the cardboard (which acts as a weed-blocker) and dead grass/weeds will slowly decompose into the ground. If you plan soon after, you'll just need to cut holes in the cardboard where your plants will go in. </div><div><a href="{{#staticFileLink}}8095763271,original{{/staticFileLink}}"><img width="750" src="{{#staticFileLink}}8095763271,original{{/staticFileLink}}" class="align-center" height="250" alt="8095763271?profile=original" /></a></div><div><a href="{{#staticFileLink}}8095763271,original{{/staticFileLink}}"><img width="750" src="{{#staticFileLink}}8095763292,original{{/staticFileLink}}" class="align-center" height="231" alt="8095763292?profile=original" /></a></div><div>This particular front yard conversion project will be incorporating some pollinator-friendly and drougt-tolerant plants as well as two trees in the next month or so. Check if your water agency provides a landscape design assistance program so you can utilize a professional designer to help transform your yard from water-thirsty and boring, to drought-tolerant and beautiful. </div><div><b>Learn more about local rebate programs:</b> </div><div>Contra Costa Water District -<span> </span><span style="text-decoration:underline;"><a href="https://www.ccwater.com/159/Lawn-to-Garden-Rebate" target="_blank">Lawn to Garden Rebate Program </a></span></div><div>East Bay MUD -<span> </span><span style="text-decoration:underline;"><a href="https://www.ebmud.com/water/conservation-and-rebates/residential/rebates/lawn-conversion-irrigation-upgrade-rebates/" target="_blank">Landscape Rebate Program</a></span></div></div>Save Water: Plant native, drought-tolerant plantshttps://sustainablecoco.ning.com/forum/topics/save-water-plant-native-drought-tolerant-plants2018-05-01T05:44:20.000Z2018-05-01T05:44:20.000ZKerry Rivershttps://sustainablecoco.ning.com/members/KerryRivers<div><p><a href="{{#staticFileLink}}8095762692,original{{/staticFileLink}}"><img width="750" src="{{#staticFileLink}}8095762692,original{{/staticFileLink}}" class="align-full" height="461" alt="8095762692?profile=original" /></a></p><p>Did you know that in California, we use an average of 30-60% of our water outdoors? Cutting water use in the yard or garden has the potential to make a big impact on your overall water use. For this year’s Community Resilience Challenge, consider making a pledge to save water. Choosing to plant native, drought-tolerant plants has a great return – not only will it save water once plants are established, the plants can help support local pollinator populations.</p><p> </p><p>If you’re looking for garden inspiration, check out the “Bringing Back the Natives” Garden Tour – which takes place this Sunday, May 6. The self-guided tour (registration required) provides the opportunity to view 40 private gardens that “provide habitat for wildlife, are pesticide-free, conserve water, and contain 60% or more native plants.” Native plants will even be sold at some of the gardens, in addition to sales at some local nurseries including Markham Arboretum. More information about the tour can be found <u><a href="https://www.bringingbackthenatives.net/garden-tour">here</a></u>. Markham Arboretum is also hosting a free <u><a href="http://markhamarboretum.org/events/free-talk-native-plants-as-problem-solvers/">“Native Plants as Problem Solvers” talk</a></u> on Saturday, ahead of Sunday’s tour.</p><p> </p><p>Don’t forget – both the <u><a href="http://www.ccwater.com/159/Lawn-to-Garden-Rebate">Contra Costa Water District</a></u> and <u><a href="http://www.ebmud.com/water-and-drought/conservation-and-rebates/residential/rebates/lawn-conversion-irrigation-upgrade-rebates/">East Bay Municipal Utility District</a></u> offer lawn-to-garden rebate programs. The <u><a href="http://www.saveourwaterrebates.com/turf-replacement-rebates.html">California Department of Water Resources</a></u> also has a lawn conversion rebate program. Check their websites for information on eligibility.</p><p> </p><p>Additional Resources:</p><p> </p><p><a href="http://saveourwater.com/conservation-lifestyle/around-the-yard/">SaveOurWater.com</a></p><p></p></div>Climate Change & Fire Riskhttps://sustainablecoco.ning.com/forum/topics/climate-change-fire-risk2017-10-31T06:16:28.000Z2017-10-31T06:16:28.000ZKerry Rivershttps://sustainablecoco.ning.com/members/KerryRivers<div><p><a href="{{#staticFileLink}}8095751697,original{{/staticFileLink}}"><img width="381" src="{{#staticFileLink}}8095751697,original{{/staticFileLink}}" class="align-left" alt="8095751697?profile=original" /></a></p><p>Last month we witnessed the devastating impacts of fire that was fueled by years of drought and a recent welcomed (but dangerous) rainy season. It seems counter-intuitive that we’d see an increased fire danger after a rainy 2016-2017, but there’s a reason for it. First, the dead and dry vegetation from the drought years remain. Then, the rains brought an explosion of new growth, which was then met by a series of intense heat waves over the summer to dry it out. Old, dry vegetation mixed with a lot of newer, dry vegetation = fuel for fire.</p><p> </p><p>As the climate changes, we continue to experience more extreme environmental conditions such as intense droughts that may be followed by major rainy seasons. Sudden oak death and bark beetle infestations are becoming more prevalent in the changing climate, contributing to tree mortality. Bark beetles, for example, thrive living in stressed trees, which is common during drought conditions. All of these factors contribute to the intensity of the wildfire season in California.</p><p> </p><p>Image Source: <a href="https://earthobservatory.nasa.gov/NaturalHazards/view.php?id=91103&src=twitter-nh">NASA Earth Observatory</a></p><p>NY Times Article on <a href="https://www.nytimes.com/2016/08/30/science/california-dead-trees-forest-fires.html">Dead Trees in California</a></p><p>Bark Beetle Information: <a href="https://www.fs.usda.gov/Internet/FSE_DOCUMENTS/stelprdb5384837.pdf">USDA</a></p><p></p></div>Lawn Conversion: It’s easier than you think!https://sustainablecoco.ning.com/forum/topics/lawn-conversion-it-s-easier-than-you-think2017-07-03T05:18:10.000Z2017-07-03T05:18:10.000ZKerry Rivershttps://sustainablecoco.ning.com/members/KerryRivers<div><p>By converting your lawn into a garden, you’ll save water and can create a beautiful habitat. Plus, there are rebate programs available to help with the process! Most lawn rebate programs require an application before starting the lawn conversion process, so be sure check on program requirements before the project is underway.</p><p> </p><p><b>Rebate Information</b></p><p><b> </b></p><p>Eligible Contra Costa Waster District (CCWD) customers can apply for the District’s “Lawn to Garden Rebate Program” for up to $1 per square foot of lawn removed and replaced (up to a maximum of $1,000 per household). Participants can also receive landscape design assistance for $150 to develop a basic plan for the site. Once the lawn conversion is complete and the finished project approved, CCWD offers reimbursement for the design consultation fee in addition to the rebate check. Find out more: <a href="http://www.ccwater.com/159/Lawn-to-Garden-Rebate">http://www.ccwater.com/159/Lawn-to-Garden-Rebate</a></p><p> </p><p>East Bay Municipal Utility District customers may also apply for a lawn conversion rebate for up to $2,500. EBMUD’s website has project resources including lists of qualifying plants and coupons for local nurseries. Find out more: <a href="http://www.ebmud.com/water-and-drought/conservation-and-rebates/residential/rebates/lawn-conversion-irrigation-upgrade-rebates/">http://www.ebmud.com/water-and-drought/conservation-and-rebates/residential/rebates/lawn-conversion-irrigation-upgrade-rebates/</a></p><p> </p><p>The state also offers a “Turf Replacement Rebate” for up to $2 per square foot of converted lawn. Read more: <a href="http://www.saveourwaterrebates.com/turf-replacement-rebates.html">http://www.saveourwaterrebates.com/turf-replacement-rebates.html</a></p><p> </p><p><b>Converting Your Lawn</b></p><p> </p><p>Sheet mulching is a great way to remove one’s lawn naturally, without extensive physical labor. There are various resources and tutorials online, but here’s a basic overview of the sheet-mulching process:</p><p> </p><p>-First, mow the grass so it’s level and short, and then water the ground to moisten the top layer of soil beneath the grass.</p><p>-Next, evenly distribute a ~1 inch layer of compost across the grass. Note: check CCWD’s website for coupons to purchase compost from a local store.</p><p>-Then lay cardboard over the entire area (this acts as a weed barrier). You can seek old cardboard boxes from friends and family (or check at local stores), and flatten it before laying it out over the area, or you can purchase recycled cardboard in large rolls. When you install the cardboard, overlap the pieces so light can’t sneak through to the grass. You can wet the cardboard as you go to keep it from moving out of place.</p><p>-Finally, cover the cardboard with a layer of mulch (~3 inches). Some sites recommend adding another layer of compost over the cardboard before the mulch. Once again, before purchasing the mulch be sure to check CCWD’s site for coupons.</p><p>-You can then leave it to decompose for about a month (or more) before moving on to planting or can get started right away by cutting holes through the cardboard. </p><p> </p><p>If you recently completed a lawn conversion and have any tips, please let us know in the comments!</p></div>Action of the Month: Replant it Right!https://sustainablecoco.ning.com/forum/topics/action-of-the-month-replant-it-right2017-01-28T00:43:06.000Z2017-01-28T00:43:06.000ZKimberly Lamhttps://sustainablecoco.ning.com/members/KimberlyLam886<div><p><a href="{{#staticFileLink}}8095749270,original{{/staticFileLink}}"><img width="750" height="498" class="align-right" style="width:369px;height:248px;" src="{{#staticFileLink}}8095749270,original{{/staticFileLink}}" alt="8095749270?profile=original" /></a></p><p>Spring is on the horizon! Was this winter particularly ravaging on your landscaping? Did you add "replace dead plants or grass" to your to-do list?</p><p></p><div>As you're considering plant and landscaping options to revive your yard this spring, make smart choices! Native and drought-tolerant plants are adapted to our climate and more likely to survive and thrive in the growing conditions in Contra Costa County (yes, even the occasional heavy rains during the winter!). Check out <span style="color:#3366ff;"><a href="http://www.ccwater.com/684/Where-to-Buy" target="_blank"><span style="color:#3366ff;"><font color="#1155CC">these local nurseries</font></span></a></span>, including ones specializing in California native plants. Get ideas from the <a href="http://www.bringingbackthenatives.net/" target="_blank"><font color="#1155CC"><span style="color:#3366ff;">Bringing Back the Natives Plant Tour</span></font></a> coming up this spring!</div><div>Got a lawn? Although your grass may have been revived with the winter rains (or perhaps the grass-like weeds have come back), grass requires a lot of water year-round, which isn't suitable in our Mediterranean climate. The local water agencies provide generous rebates to homeowners who replace their lawns with gardens, in addition to providing landscape design assistance, plant selection recommendations, and more. The state also has a rebate program that you can apply for on top of the local agency's rebates!</div><div>Info on <span style="color:#3366ff;"><a href="http://www.ccwater.com/159/Lawn-to-Garden" target="_blank"><span style="color:#3366ff;"><font color="#1155CC">CCWD Lawn to Garden program</font></span></a></span> & <span style="color:#3366ff;"><a href="http://www.ebmud.com/water-and-drought/conservation-and-rebates/watersmart-gardener/" target="_blank"><span style="color:#3366ff;"><font color="#1155CC">EBMUD WaterSmart Gardener programs</font></span></a></span>.</div><div><em>(Photo is of a completed Lawn Conversion project in Walnut Creek, from CCWD website)</em></div></div>Summer Water-Saving Practiceshttps://sustainablecoco.ning.com/forum/topics/summer-water-saving-practices2016-07-04T04:52:30.000Z2016-07-04T04:52:30.000ZKerry Rivershttps://sustainablecoco.ning.com/members/KerryRivers<div><p><a href="{{#staticFileLink}}8095747885,original{{/staticFileLink}}"><img width="284" src="{{#staticFileLink}}8095747885,original{{/staticFileLink}}" class="align-left" alt="8095747885?profile=original" /></a>California’s mandatory drought restrictions have been lifted, but that doesn’t mean it’s time to stop water conservation efforts. According to the <a href="http://www.drought.ca.gov/topstory/top-story-61.html">State Water Board</a>, approximately 60% of California still remains in a severe drought. Continuing conservation practices, especially in dry summer months, will help make our water future more secure. Much of California has already demonstrated a commitment to saving water in the uncertain drought climate; water use was reduced by about 24% from June 2015 to April 2016, compared to the same months in 2013. Let’s keep it up!</p><p> </p><p>What can you do to continue to conserve water now and into the future?</p><p> </p><ul><li>Don’t water outdoor landscaping between 9am and 5pm</li><li>Avoid washing driveways, parking areas, etc. (unless it’s a health hazard)</li><li>Convert your lawn – the <a href="http://www.saveourwaterrebates.com/turf-replacement-rebates.html">Department of Water Resources</a>, <a href="http://www.ebmud.com/water-and-drought/conservation-and-rebates/residential/rebates/lawn-conversion-irrigation-upgrade-rebates/">East Bay Municipal Utility District</a>, and <a href="http://www.ccwater.com/159/Lawn-to-Garden">Contra Costa Water District</a> offer lawn conversion rebates for up to $2,000</li><li> Plant a drought tolerant garden (consider selecting <a href="http://www.cnps.org/cnps/grownative/getstarted/starting_a_garden.php">CA native plants</a>)</li><li>Upgrade to high-efficiency toilets (rebates available through water districts and <a href="http://www.saveourwaterrebates.com/toilet-rebates.html">Dept. of Water Resources</a>)</li><li>Learn great household tips at our upcoming <a href="http://sustainablecoco.org/workshops">Water-Smart Living workshop</a></li><li>Add mulch around your trees and plants in the garden to help retain water (<a href="http://www.ebmud.com/water-and-drought/conservation-and-rebates/watersmart-gardener/magic-mulch/">EBMUD</a>)</li><li>Get <a href="http://centralsan.org/index.cfm?navid=1348">free recycled water</a> from Central Sanitary District to hand-water lawns, gardens, and landscaping (offered to communities within the service area)</li></ul></div>Want to capture rainwater for your plants?https://sustainablecoco.ning.com/forum/topics/want-to-capture-rainwater-for-your-plants2015-11-30T20:35:22.000Z2015-11-30T20:35:22.000ZTina King Neuhauselhttps://sustainablecoco.ning.com/members/TinaKingNeuhausel<div><p>Come to our Hands-on Rainwater Harvesting Workshop on December 12th!</p>
<p>Save water by capturing the rain that falls on your own roof! Participants will learn by installing a rain barrel system in a Walnut Creek backyard. You'll get info about sizing your system, parts, different types of set-ups, and much more. Healthy lunch provided. Find out more about this and the Sustainable Living Workshop Series at <strong><a href="http://www.sustainablecoco.org/workshops" target="_blank">sustainablecoco.org/workshops</a></strong></p>
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<p><a href="{{#staticFileLink}}8095753699,original{{/staticFileLink}}"><img width="750" src="{{#staticFileLink}}8095753699,original{{/staticFileLink}}" class="align-full" height="377" alt="8095753699?profile=original" /></a></p>
<p></p></div>Lose A Lawn, Gain A Garden: Sheetmulching 101https://sustainablecoco.ning.com/forum/topics/from-garbage-to-garden-sheetmulching-1012015-10-30T17:57:25.000Z2015-10-30T17:57:25.000ZHeather Carreonhttps://sustainablecoco.ning.com/members/HeatherCarreon<div><p>Sheet mulching is one of the easiest and most affordable ways to convert your lawn or underwhelming yard into a beautiful, nutrient-dense, no-hassle garden bed without digging up your yard. Even better? You probably already have enough to get started! You will need a suitable site, cardboard scraps, manure/compost or lawn clippings, dried leaves or mulch, topsoil and access to a water source, THAT’S IT! If you would like to learn how to transform your yard along with the pros, SCOCO is hosting a low-cost, hands-on workshop with Bay-Friendly Certified landscaper, Patrice Hanlon on November 14<sup>th</sup>. In addition to learning how to do a site analysis of your space, you will learn how to choose plants and maintain your new drought-tolerant garden. Step-by-step guides and sample maintenance templates will be given to each participant along with complementary healthy snacks. To sign up for this workshop please visit out Sustainable Living Workshop Series on sustainablecoco.org We can't wait to see you there!</p><p></p><p class="Default"><b>Date:</b> Saturday, November 14th, 2015 (9 a.m.-12 p.m.)</p><p class="Default"><b>Location:</b> Library Conference Room, Pittsburg City Hall</p><p class="Default">65 Civic Avenue, Pittsburg, CA 94565</p><p class="Default"><b>Instructor:</b> Patrice Hanlon, Bay Friendly Certified Landscaper</p><p><b>Register Online @</b> <b> </b><a href="http://www.sustainablecoco.org/workshops" target="_blank"><b>www.sustainablecoco.org/workshops</b></a></p><p class="attachment"><a href="{{#staticFileLink}}8095746669,original{{/staticFileLink}}" target="_blank">Water smart front yard.jpg</a></p></div>Superbly Sensible Fall Workshops!https://sustainablecoco.ning.com/forum/topics/superbly-sensible-fall-workshops2015-10-01T21:47:45.000Z2015-10-01T21:47:45.000ZHeather Carreonhttps://sustainablecoco.ning.com/members/HeatherCarreon<div><p>Ahhhh, the smell of much-needed rain, the crunching of leaves beneath our feet and cozying up with our loved ones- Fall is fast approaching us here in Contra Costa County! Take advantage of our sustainable living workshops, dedicated to arming you with the best strategies to keep your home and your loved ones smart and thriving this season.<br /> <br /> Healing From The Garden: Simple Herbal Remedies<br /> October 15: 10am - 12 noon, Rodgers Ranch - $20<br /> <br /> Learn about herbal remedies that may ease and shorten cold symptoms for children and adults, which "folk remedies" work, and learn how to strengthen your immune system.<br /> <br /> Sheet Mulching: Lose Your Lawn, Gain A Garden!<br /> October 17: 10am - 2pm, Pittsburg Library Community Center - $20<br /> <br /> The low-cost, SIMPLE method of lawn conversion, without digging up your old lawn! This hands-on class will guide you through the step-by-step process and discuss what types of plants to choose to create a picturesque drought-tolerant garden.<br /> <br /> Rain Barrels: Installing A Home Rainwater Catchment System<br /> November Date TBA - Private home in Walnut Creek - $35-100 sliding scale<br /> <br /> Save hundreds of gallons of water by capturing the rain that falls on your own roof! In this hands-on workshop you will learn by doing, as a rain barrel system is installed in a Walnut Creek backyard. You'll get all the info about sizing your system, parts, different types of set-ups, and much more.<br /> <br /> Sign up today online to reserve your spot, space is limited! <a href="http://www.sustainablecontracosta.org">http://www.sustainablecontracosta.org</a></p><p class="attachment"><a href="{{#staticFileLink}}8095741054,original{{/staticFileLink}}" target="_blank">image.jpg</a></p><p class="attachment"><a href="{{#staticFileLink}}8095741092,original{{/staticFileLink}}" target="_blank">homemade-body-lotion3.jpg</a></p><p class="attachment"><a href="{{#staticFileLink}}8095740879,original{{/staticFileLink}}" target="_blank">Sheet mulching.jpg</a></p></div>Easy Water-Saving Tipshttps://sustainablecoco.ning.com/forum/topics/easy-water-saving-tips2015-07-02T22:23:07.000Z2015-07-02T22:23:07.000ZEllen Grecohttps://sustainablecoco.ning.com/members/EllenGreco<div><p dir="ltr"><span> </span></p><p><span><span><br /> <a href="https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/nR5-OHUKPgoxMSAJqJBVenltpK8U6ib6OhhLMSsDWfjqg0mScOj0JlmAYKvGYkKBYV-u-uaoIKAz_2Z8Pw-wMoV03FdKNmR3HKuefflc2fpNInHb66AslU8V40-jhPmHAv5f9C8" target="_blank"><img src="https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/nR5-OHUKPgoxMSAJqJBVenltpK8U6ib6OhhLMSsDWfjqg0mScOj0JlmAYKvGYkKBYV-u-uaoIKAz_2Z8Pw-wMoV03FdKNmR3HKuefflc2fpNInHb66AslU8V40-jhPmHAv5f9C8?width=311" width="311" class="align-left" alt="nR5-OHUKPgoxMSAJqJBVenltpK8U6ib6OhhLMSsDWfjqg0mScOj0JlmAYKvGYkKBYV-u-uaoIKAz_2Z8Pw-wMoV03FdKNmR3HKuefflc2fpNInHb66AslU8V40-jhPmHAv5f9C8?width=311" /></a></span></span></p><p dir="ltr"><span>The hottest months of the year are upon us! With recent increases on water costs due to the severity of the drought, every little drop you save counts. While there are larger water-saving projects you can take on this summer, such as setting up rainwater catchment barrels or installing a greywater recycling system, there are several easy changes you can make to reduce your water consumption. We’ve put together a quick list of tips to help get you started.</span></p><p><span><span><br /> <br /> <br /></span></span></p><p dir="ltr"><strong><span class="font-size-3">In the Kitchen</span></strong></p><p><span><span> </span></span></p><ol><li dir="ltr"><p dir="ltr"><span>For food scraps,</span> <strong>skip the kitchen sink grinder</strong> <span><strong>and instead opt for the compost bin</strong> (or your garbage can if you don’t compost at home or if your city doesn’t provide organics pick-up yet). A significant amount of water is often required to get the gunk down the drain. Plus, composting helps create a new resource out of the trash!</span></p></li><li dir="ltr"><p dir="ltr"><span>When doing the dishes,</span> <strong>fill up one pot with enough soapy water to scrub all your dishes.</strong> <span>A soap brush or sponge can go a long way, and you don’t need new, clean water to do the scrubbing!</span></p></li><li dir="ltr"><p dir="ltr"><span><strong>If you have a dish drying rack, place it inside a large tub to catch the water</strong> that drips off clean dishes.</span> <span>You can use this to water plants.</span></p></li><li dir="ltr"><p dir="ltr"><strong>Dump used water from boiling, straining, or from dishes (if you have the right soap) in a bucket and carry it out to the garden to water your plants.</strong> <span>This takes some patience, but it’s exercise, and you’re saving a ton of water that usually gets lost to the drain.</span></p></li><li dir="ltr"><p dir="ltr"><strong>Use leftover water or ice cubes from get-togethers to water indoor or outdoor plants.</strong> <span>A great way to prevent over-watering your orchids is by putting ice cubes in their pots, which melt slowly enough to properly hydrate the roots.</span></p></li><li dir="ltr"><p dir="ltr"><span>Sometimes,</span> <strong>fruit or citrus water</strong> <span>is a byproduct of cooking or making a natural product at home, so</span> <strong>use this water to make flavored or colored ice cubes</strong><span><strong>.</strong> They’ll keep you cool when it’s hot, and they’ll add some pizzazz to your drink. Lemon water is great for your liver!</span></p></li><li dir="ltr"><p dir="ltr"><strong>Run your dishwasher only for full loads.</strong></p></li><li dir="ltr"><p dir="ltr"><strong>Experiment with the amount of water necessary for cooking different pastas and grains on the stove.</strong> <span>You often don’t need as much as you use. A great example is boiling a huge pot of water to cook a pound or less of pasta. Though it’ll take some trial and error,</span> <span style="text-decoration:underline;"><span style="color:#3366ff;text-decoration:underline;"><a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Zkz4ef53YjA"><span style="color:#3366ff;text-decoration:underline;">this video</span></a></span></span> <span>shows how to use minimal water to cook spaghetti.</span></p></li></ol><p><span><span> </span></span></p><p dir="ltr"><strong><span class="font-size-3">In the Bathroom</span></strong></p><p><span><span> </span></span></p><ol><li dir="ltr"><p dir="ltr"><strong>Install water-saving appliances.</strong> <span>Go to your local hardware store and ask for advice if you are unsure which fixtures will work best in your place. You can also get rebates from</span> <span style="text-decoration:underline;"><span style="color:#3366ff;"><a href="https://www.ebmud.com/water-and-drought/conservation-and-rebates/"><span style="color:#3366ff;text-decoration:underline;">EBMUD</span></a></span></span> <span>and</span> <span style="text-decoration:underline;"><span style="color:#3366ff;"><a href="http://www.ccwater.com/157/Rebates"><span style="color:#3366ff;text-decoration:underline;">Contra Costa Water District</span></a></span></span> <span>for making the switch.</span></p></li><li dir="ltr"><p dir="ltr"><strong>Don’t leave the water running</strong> <span>while brushing your teeth, washing your hands or face, or cleaning. This is a tip many of us have heard our whole lives, but if you consciously pay attention to it, you might be surprised how often you still do it.</span></p></li><li dir="ltr"><p dir="ltr"><span>To help with this,</span> <strong>keep a cup in your bathroom cupboard for rinsing after brushing</strong><span><strong>.</strong> You can fill it up with the exact amount you need to swish your mouth after a good clean.</span><a href="https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/M7kenJcyJrP7a4wloWIwVGE7HMvpKJbTzbD5ePEJnCr_ABTd0VJoVD4FXt4dNlxBQSwcswFmscE9mnJbinXdDn_rnJ6CGLxfb-0ks3G4nYZyHjo4jzXCJb8aL0L0FrekXgxOVtc" target="_blank"><img src="https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/M7kenJcyJrP7a4wloWIwVGE7HMvpKJbTzbD5ePEJnCr_ABTd0VJoVD4FXt4dNlxBQSwcswFmscE9mnJbinXdDn_rnJ6CGLxfb-0ks3G4nYZyHjo4jzXCJb8aL0L0FrekXgxOVtc?width=236" width="236" class="align-right" alt="M7kenJcyJrP7a4wloWIwVGE7HMvpKJbTzbD5ePEJnCr_ABTd0VJoVD4FXt4dNlxBQSwcswFmscE9mnJbinXdDn_rnJ6CGLxfb-0ks3G4nYZyHjo4jzXCJb8aL0L0FrekXgxOVtc?width=236" /></a></p></li><li dir="ltr"><p dir="ltr"><strong>Use the trash can to dispose of waste rather than the toilet.</strong> <span>Why waste a flush?</span></p></li><li dir="ltr"><p dir="ltr"><span>In the same vein is the old idea that</span> <strong>“If it’s yellow, let it mellow.”</strong> <span>Although this may seem disturbing, it’s truly an effective way to save several flushes.</span></p></li><li dir="ltr"><p dir="ltr"><span>F<strong>ill up a bucket to water your plants while waiting for your shower to warm up.</strong></span> <span>You can do this anywhere else in the house if you have the right bins and if you think ahead.</span></p></li></ol><p><span><span> </span></span></p><p dir="ltr"><strong><span class="font-size-3">Around the House</span></strong></p><p><span><span> </span></span></p><ol><li dir="ltr"><p dir="ltr"><strong>Water your houseplants only when the soil is dry to the touch or when they start to wilt.</strong> <span>You don’t have to water them as often as you might think! My favorite water-saving, low-light plants are snake plants and “ZZ” plants. When you do water, make sure it’s water collected from the shower or other activities where water usually might have run down the drain.</span></p></li><li dir="ltr"><p dir="ltr"><strong>Wash only full loads</strong> <span>when cleaning clothes, towels, and other linens.</span></p></li><li dir="ltr"><p dir="ltr"><strong>Adopt the “smell test” into your laundry routine.</strong> <span>After wearing a shirt out, smell the pits of the shirt to determine whether or not it really needs a washing. It’s tougher to get by this in the summer, but you often don’t need to wash your shirts if you’ve only worn them a short period of time one day.</span></p></li><li dir="ltr"><p dir="ltr"><strong>Make it a habit to sweep more often around the house.</strong> <span>Though mopping is still inevitable at some point to clean what a broom can’t, cleaning up crumbs and other droppings more often helps reduce the amount of gunk that builds up over time. And when that gunk gets bad, it often takes more water to clean!</span></p></li></ol><p><span><span> </span></span></p><p dir="ltr"><strong><span class="font-size-3">Outdoors</span></strong></p><p><span><span> </span></span></p><ol><li dir="ltr"><p dir="ltr"><strong>Stop washing your car so often.</strong> <span>Because we aren’t getting rain, there’s really no need for this, anyway. It’s okay to have a slightly dirty car sometimes (just ask anyone from a place where it snows!)</span></p></li><li dir="ltr"><p dir="ltr"><strong>Opt for drought-tolerant plants.</strong> <span>This is an easy tip, because so many nurseries are now making it obvious which plants save water which signs and stickers.</span></p></li><li dir="ltr"><p dir="ltr"><strong>Group “thirsty” plants together - and away from more drought tolerant plants.</strong> <span>This way, you won’t be over-watering hardy plants, and the water that isn’t sucked up by a thirsty plant can more easily get to another.</span><a href="https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/IPOb5JFqFm7dlHNd9VRsFV4PjDRmIA3j-3F4a3GB4hqOs5mqN47VScAdnoUJAHUXaRLUCScw1LOa04hGn4btaraSkap-qVz1jkzpUvbjUSxyR-Hu42_MHv-Dq8Ixe4pwE8n8S8M" target="_blank"><img src="https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/IPOb5JFqFm7dlHNd9VRsFV4PjDRmIA3j-3F4a3GB4hqOs5mqN47VScAdnoUJAHUXaRLUCScw1LOa04hGn4btaraSkap-qVz1jkzpUvbjUSxyR-Hu42_MHv-Dq8Ixe4pwE8n8S8M?width=316" width="316" class="align-right" alt="IPOb5JFqFm7dlHNd9VRsFV4PjDRmIA3j-3F4a3GB4hqOs5mqN47VScAdnoUJAHUXaRLUCScw1LOa04hGn4btaraSkap-qVz1jkzpUvbjUSxyR-Hu42_MHv-Dq8Ixe4pwE8n8S8M?width=316" /></a></p></li><li dir="ltr"><p dir="ltr"><strong>If you still have a lawn, aerate it.</strong> <span>This helps water more easily access the roots, therefore decreasing water waste.</span></p></li><li dir="ltr"><p dir="ltr"><span>You can also</span> <strong>save water with a lawn by fertilizing it only in the spring and fall</strong><span><strong>.</strong> The grass won’t grow as quickly and therefore won’t be as thirsty for water.</span></p></li><li dir="ltr"><p dir="ltr"><strong>Start a home compost bin!</strong> <span>Mixing humus (what’s leftover from composting) into your garden ups the ratio of organic matter in the soil. <strong>This helps keep the soil well aerated, thus improving the soil’s ability to retain water.</strong></span></p></li><li dir="ltr"><p dir="ltr"><strong>Sweep your driveway, deck, and other walkways with a broom rather than hosing it down.</strong></p></li><li dir="ltr"><p dir="ltr"><strong>Scale back watering your lawn as often, and cut down watering time by just two or three minutes.</strong> <span>Over time, this can produce significant savings.</span></p></li><li dir="ltr"><p dir="ltr"><strong>Cover outdoor pools and spas.</strong> EBMUD says you can save 90% of the water you would have lost if you let the sun evaporate it!</p></li></ol></div>California Water Restrictionshttps://sustainablecoco.ning.com/forum/topics/california-water-restrictions2015-07-02T05:16:51.000Z2015-07-02T05:16:51.000ZKerry Rivershttps://sustainablecoco.ning.com/members/KerryRivers<div><p><a href="{{#staticFileLink}}8095754682,original{{/staticFileLink}}"><img src="{{#staticFileLink}}8095754682,original{{/staticFileLink}}" width="182" class="align-right" height="246" alt="8095754682?profile=original" /></a>The drought situation in California is at the forefront of many minds – snowpack levels are at record lows, you’ve probably seen pictures of greatly diminished reservoirs, and if you haven’t got a brown lawn yourself, at least someone on your block does. In an effort to conserve California’s dwindling water supplies, Gov. Brown issued an executive order requiring a 25% reduction in urban water use (compared to 2013 levels). </p><p> </p><p>The 25% reduction is the statewide target, while the actual reduction target can vary based on a water district’s previous conservation efforts. For example, reduction requirements throughout California can range from 4% to 36%. (LA Times, 2015).</p><p> </p><p>If you are a residential customer of Contra Costa Water District (CCWD), you must meet the 25% reduction requirement. There is a temporary pricing adjustment for households that use more than an average of 200 gallons per day. As noted on CCWD’s website, the pricing adjustment would temporarily increase the unit cost of treated water by 50 cents (1 unit=748 gallons). If you are using less than the 200 gallons per day average, you will not be subject to the pricing adjustment and will ultimately lower your water bill. On the other hand, violators of water use prohibitions could be subject to up to $500 in fines. </p><p> </p><p><a href="https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/c/cc/Water_drop_impact_on_a_water-surface_-_%281%29.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/c/cc/Water_drop_impact_on_a_water-surface_-_%281%29.jpg?width=200" width="226" class="align-left" height="146" alt="Water_drop_impact_on_a_water-surface_-_%281%29.jpg?width=200" /></a>East Bay Municipal Utility District (EBMUD) customers must reduce water use by 20%. EBMUD adopted new rate increases and there will be a temporary drought surcharge of up to 25%, both of which will go into effect on July 1<sup>st</sup>. Households using an average of 246 gallons per day will see a billing increase of $11.65, which will be removed if drought conditions improve. Households with excessive water use, those averaging more than 1,000 gallons per day, will be subject to fines. Residential customers exceeding 80 units per billing period will face a $2 penalty on each unit over the 80-unit threshold.</p><p> </p><p>Although the restrictions may be daunting, the Bay Area is already among the top water-savers in the California. The State Water Resources Control Board recently provided data that showed that there was a statewide 29% reduction in water use for the month of May. Let’s keep that water-saving momentum going!</p><p></p><p>For additional information visit:</p><p><a href="https://www.ebmud.com/water-and-drought/drought/" target="_blank">EBMUD's Drought Page</a></p><p><a href="http://www.ccwater.com/529/State-Mandated-2015-Drought-Emergency-Pl" target="_blank">CCWD's 2015 Drought Emergency Plan</a></p><p><a href="http://www.latimes.com/local/lanow/la-me-ln-may-water-conservation-20150701-story.html#page=1" target="_blank">LA Times Article</a></p><p></p><p></p><p><span class="font-size-1">Water Droplet Image Source: David Restivo, Wikimedia Commons</span></p></div>July's Action of the Month: Know Your Home Water Usehttps://sustainablecoco.ning.com/forum/topics/july-s-action-of-the-month-know-your-home-water-use2015-06-30T04:22:31.000Z2015-06-30T04:22:31.000ZJessica Zischkehttps://sustainablecoco.ning.com/members/JessicaZischke<div><p><b>July's Action of the Month: Know Your Home Water Use</b></p><p><b> </b></p><p><b><a href="http://www.home-water-works.org/sites/default/files/img/svng-tips/toothbrush.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://www.home-water-works.org/sites/default/files/img/svng-tips/toothbrush.jpg" class="align-left" width="289" height="177" alt="toothbrush.jpg" /></a></b></p><p>All this talk about drought and water conservation can often feel abstract. Suggestions include taking shorter showers, not washing your car, and so on. But if you really want to cut back on water use, the first step is learning how much you actually use. Although <a href="http://www.ppic.org/main/publication_show.asp?i=1108">residential water use only counts for about 10% of California’s overall water use</a>, that’s no excuse to slack on the conservation efforts on your property. In hopes of easing your water woes, we’ve crafted a handy guide on how to do a home water audit and read your water meter!</p><p> </p><p>The primary goal of a water audit is to identify and quantify the uses and losses of water from a system, <a href="http://water.epa.gov/type/drink/pws/smallsystems/upload/epa816f13002.pdf">according to the US Environmental Protection Agency</a>. The easiest way to learn how much water your home uses is by actually taking the time to look at your water bill, which gives a good sense of month-to-month usage.</p><p> </p><p>However, if you’re really looking to get to know your usage, checking your home’s water meter (if you live in a single-family home) on a nearly daily basis is the route to take. <a href="http://www.greenhome.com/blog/how-to-do-a-home-water-audit">GreenHome</a> points out that you can even read this throughout the day in order to learn how much water is used through daily tasks, like doing a load of laundry or washing the dishes.</p><p> </p><p>Of course, this means that you also have to know how to read your water meter. Thankfully, <a href="http://www.ccwater.com/files/MeterReading.pdf">Contra Costa Water District (CCWD) has this handy guide all ready for you</a>. After taking steps to find your water meter and understand how to read it, take the time to work on monitoring your use by checking the odometer (which measures total water use similar to your car’s odometer for miles) periodically and writing down the complete number.</p><p> </p><p>CCWD suggests doing so about once a week; you can subtract the first reading from the second (to get water use in cubic feet), multiply that by 7.48 (to get water use in gallons), and divide by the number of days between readings, which will ultimately give you the average daily usage in gallons during that period. Don’t miss <a href="http://www.ccwater.com/conserve/water_calculator.asp">CCWD’s water use calculator</a> for an easy online tool to do so.</p><p> </p><p>To really break this down and make this an easy solution, here’s a recap of the main action steps for a home audit:</p><p> </p><ol><li><b>Examine your water bill</b> to get a better idea of monthly usage patterns.</li><li>Take the time to <b>monitor your water meter</b> (if applicable), learning how much water different tasks take and understanding your average usage. (Read back over the article to get details on how to do this.)</li><li><b>Keep an eye out for leaks</b> on your property and address all of them immediately. If the low flow indicator of your water meter moves, this indicates a possible leak.</li><li><b>Assess your personal water use habits</b> and work to form more conservation-friendly ones, such as not leaving the water running while washing dishes or only doing laundry in full loads.</li><li>Don’t forget to follow through and <b>take steps to change your household’s water usage</b>! Look for rebates from <a href="http://www.ccwater.com/conserve/rebates.asp">CCWD</a>, <a href="http://www.ebmud.com/water-and-drought/conservation-and-rebates/residential/rebates/">East Bay Municipal Utility District (EBMUD)</a>, and Sustainable Contra Costa’s Action Guides to lead you on your conservation journey. LINKS</li></ol><p> </p><p>For additional resources, check out <a href="http://ca-contracostawaterdistrict.civicplus.com/233/Home-Water-Use-Survey" target="_blank">CCWD's home water use survey</a> and <a href="https://www.ebmud.com/water-and-drought/conservation-and-rebates/">EBMUD's online WaterSmart Center</a> (complete with rebates, tips, and <a href="https://www.ebmud.com/water-and-drought/conservation-and-rebates/residential/services-tools/watersmart-home-survey-kit/">a home survey kit</a>).</p><p> </p><p>Don’t miss our related <a href="http://69.89.31.211/~sustaja6/actions">Action Guides</a>, including how to complete a <a href="http://69.89.31.211/~sustaja6/node/129">home water survey</a>, <a href="http://69.89.31.211/~sustaja6/node/93">convert your lawn and sprinklers</a>, and <a href="http://69.89.31.211/~sustaja6/node/92">add sheet mulching to your garden</a>.</p></div>