OT – Water restriction

[The-Shoveler]

[quote=flu]
It would be good if there were better reclaimed water systems… That or people can start peeing on their own lawn. Rich in nitrogen, I’m told…
[/quote]

LOL flu,

I say we just put these boats off the northern CA coast so we don’t have the rain come down here LOL (just kidding).

They are already using reclaimed water on parks and some golf courses, more could be done.

[flyer]

Also, if our brilliant scientists/meteorologists could figure out how to break down the extremely persistent ridge of high pressure that dominates our weather patterns (some say due to climate change) we might have another source of hope for this problem.

There have been lots of storms out in the Pacific over the past years–but most have been blocked–which is the primary cause of our current water dilemma.

[an]

[quote=flyer]Also, if our brilliant scientists/meteorologists could figure out how to break down the extremely persistent ridge of high pressure that dominates our weather patterns (some say due to climate change) we might have another source of hope for this problem.

There have been lots of storms out in the Pacific over the past years–but most have been blocked–which is the primary cause of our current water dilemma.[/quote]
I hope they don’t do that. I love the weather we have right now. I would hate it if we get more rain. Which is why I’m big on toilet to tap and desalination. Both do not change the weather pattern. They just give us more water.

[an]

[quote=The-Shoveler][quote=flu]
It would be good if there were better reclaimed water systems… That or people can start peeing on their own lawn. Rich in nitrogen, I’m told…
[/quote]

LOL flu,

I say we just put these boats off the northern CA coast so we don’t have the rain come down here LOL (just kidding).

They are already using reclaimed water on parks and some golf courses, more could be done.[/quote]They could use reclaim water for farms. It already sticky driving up the 99 (just kidding… sorta)

[joec]

What are people paying in water per month? Compared to power, it seems really cheap (about $50 here in water)…

[an]

What would this restriction do to the hoa areas that have perfectly green lawn? Would people in 4S/feel sur/Carmel valley/etc start to tear it their lawn?

[flyer]

I love the weather we have also–actually, when my wife and I were growing up in LJ, I think it was even more temperate–with less hot days than we have now.

That said, if given the choice of seeing the water issue become insurmountable for individuals and businesses–with a domino effect on the economy–I’d rather see more rain and snow in the state–if that’s what it takes to solve this.

The way things are going, we may not even have that choice, so, it will be interesting to see what the realities of the future brings.

[montana]

We made the decision to cut water by tearing out our turf last fall and installed artificial turf with drought resistant plants all on a drip system. The kids love the turf, no dirt, mud or bugs, and I just saved $1k a year in a gardener. If 50% of our water usage was used for landscaping previously, I have easily cut that amount in half if not further by tearing out the turf and installing an efficient drip system. I also bought a new motion sensing kitchen faucet which is awesome which has reduced a lot of previously wasted water.

Frankly I’m irritated that it has taken so long to have the governor issue the water restrictions, these should have been put in place at least a year ago. And unfortunately, most people I talk to really have no idea the situation that we are in and just feel entitled to having water. Raising water rates significantly will be the only way you really get the whole states attentions, but the actual water use rates on your water bill are only a portion of your water bill. There are so many fixed costs of sewer and pumping station charges that mask the water usage charge. Doubling water rates wouldn’t be dramatic, but doubling your total bill may catch somebody’s attention.

[flyer]

REDUCE WATER…AND CONTINUE BUILDING? HUH?

Global warming could make drought last decades
By Don Bauder, April 2, 2015

“Yesterday, Governor Jerry Brown imposed statewide mandatory water restrictions for the first time in history. He wants California’s water use slashed by 25 percent. He read off some horrifying statistics: the state’s snowpack is 5 percent of normal. In January of last year, Brown wanted water usage to drop 20 percent, but the state achieved only half that. From now on, college campuses, cemeteries, golf courses, etc. will have to use less water.

On the same day, a San Diego city councilman declared that a Mission Valley real estate development, including thousands of condos and apartments, a hotel, offices, and retailers could generate enough money to pay for a subsidized Chargers stadium. Did anybody ask if there would be enough water for the condos, apartments, hotel, offices, retailers — and stadium?

Meanwhile, the battle over One Paseo, a proposed 1.4 million-square foot Carmel Valley development (also condos, apartments, retailers, offices) — already approved by the city council — roared on. Courageous San Diegans are opposing this monstrosity — but their main argument is possible traffic jams, not water. In Los Angeles, there are plans for a huge development and football stadium in Inglewood, as well as more development downtown. Is anybody thinking about water?

Last fall, scientists from Cornell, the University of Arizona, and the United States Geological Survey published a study stating that because of global warming, the chances of the Southwestern United States experiencing a decade-long drought — are 50 percent. And the chance of a megadrought — one lasting up to 35 years — is 20 to 50 percent over the next century. And ponder this: among the most vulnerable metro areas, according to these scientists, is San Diego.

Yesterday’s New York Times quoted Michael Oppenheimer, a climate scientist at Princeton. Said he, commenting on the California drought: “The drought is made up of two components: not enough rain and too much heat. The rain deficit isn’t clearly connected to climate change, but the planetary warming has made it more likely that the weather will be hotter in California.”

Said the Times, “Warmer temperatures worsen drought by causing more evaporation from reservoirs, rivers, and soil. Scientists say that the warming trend makes it highly likely that California and other parts of the Western United States will have more severe droughts in the future.”

Yet, California’s state bird remains the High-Rise Crane. Development is going on everywhere. Governor Brown’s father, Gov. Pat Brown, wanted to attract people to California. Does his son feel that way? Still? How much scientific evidence does California need? How much evidence do the vulnerable cities, such as San Diego and Phoenix, need?

Isn’t it time for some long-term thinking? It’s nice to limit how much water one can get in a restaurant. But that is the proverbial drop in the bucket.”

Of course, the positions taken in this article may or may not prove to be true. Only time will tell, but the phrase, “Proceed at your own risk” does come to mind.

[livinincali]

[quote=FlyerInHi]
As far a food, we can import what we need. Give the business to Chile, Argentina, Mexico, Brazil. the water is better used in tech research and manufacturing.
[/quote]

We already spend billions of dollars militarily to protect our oil/energy interests in the middle east because of our poor energy policy. Now we want to offshore another strategic interest because some tech workers in San Diego, LA, and San Fran want to keep their lawns green and can afford too.

I’ll all for desalination and toilet to tap. They are building desalination in Carlsbad despite all the environmentalist howls. At the same time we live in a desert do we really need a bunch of green grass around as a quality of life. I can certainly live without a green grass lawn especially when the alternative is to install a bunch of military presence in Chile or wherever to prevent some military coup that will interrupt our supply of fruits and vegetables.

[Coronita]

[quote=AN]What would this restriction do to the hoa areas that have perfectly green lawn? Would people in 4S/feel sur/Carmel valley/etc start to tear it their lawn?[/quote]

Funny you should mention that. I just got an hoa letter that said

“Dear Homeowner, due to the water restrictions, using synthetic lawn is now permitted in the front yard. Please submit your changes to architecture change board.”

One of my neighbors got fed up with her lawn being brown, despite watering it all the time, so she ended up taking out the lawn and went for a desert landscape, succulent look. I just use a can of green spray paint.

Actually, I do try to recycle my water. When we wash vegetables, we wash in a pail, and then I empty it out onto the plants and lawn. I went with a rinseless car wash every 2 months now, and when I do wash, it’s over my lawn with a 3 gallon bucket. I take really quick showers, and don’t let the water run waiting for it to warm up, and folks in my family end up doing the same.

A showerhead flows at worst 2.5 gallons per minute. 10 minute showers end up being 25 gallons of water. More efficient showerheads are 1.5-1.75 gallons/minute. So a 10 minute shower is like 15-17.5 gallons of water.

I was thinking more about reclaiming water for other things. For example: laundry, dishwaster, and even shower. Water from those sources aren’t *that* dirty, and are perfect for watering plants, grass as long as it’s not for stuff meant to be eaten. I looked into how one could build a simple system, but to retrofit it into your existing plumbing would be difficult i think.

My water usage charges are around $40-50… But my entire bill ends up being close to $200 every two month. There’s a lot of fixed item charges and sewage charges.
I’m wondering more how this will affect people with pools and golf courses.

[outtamojo]

Given that we piggs like to..ahem.. hedge our household budgets, TTEK or other water plays anyone?

[fun4vnay2]

IN Socal, Keeping green grass is completely unethical…
I think these days are coming to an end now..

[an]

[quote=rockingtime]IN Socal, Keeping green grass is completely unethical…
I think these days are coming to an end now..[/quote]Not all grass are the same. My yard is green and I’m only watering it 5 minutes a week.

[SD Squatter]

Pretty much all the water used for washing (sinks, showers, washing machine) is perfectly fine for landscaping with no treatment. Right now it’s all mixed up with toilet and down the sever it goes (to the ocean).

Why is the reclaimed water usage for on-property landscaping not mandatory yet? Why are still new houses being build with no mandatory graywater reclamation systems build-in? Why does the government make it so difficult to retro-fit existing on-property sever lines for graywater reclamation? (I tried once, but gave up after seeing all ridiculous regulations and permit hoop jumping required.)

What about rainwater from your roof?

Some questions to ask our local goverment.

[Author]

Posts