Conserve Water, Conserve Life!
Archive for Around the District
Spring is near!
Spring time is near! The storms have passed, and we are looking at a nice week ahead. Back to sunshine and 50 degree daytime temps. While we did get some nice rain this week, the storm did not produce a lot of snow as some may have hoped it would. We are now in March, and spring is approaching. While there is always a chance we could still get some snow, the possibility seems to be getting slimmer and slimmer as each day passes by.
Although, precipitation this winter has significantly raised the moisture level of dry and dead fuels throughout California, according to Cal Fire’s Southern Operations Unit. Live fuel moisture also has begun to rise. At the lower elevations, grass will begin to sprout soon and continue into June. This is great news, however, we never fully know if Mother Nature will provide us with adequate moisture needed, so it is better to be safe than sorry. It is always a good practice to conserve water regardless of the situation. We can never go wrong by using less water any time of the year!
Please feel free to explore our blog and our website for more ideas on how to conserve water around your mountain home, & don’t forget to set your clocks forward an hour this coming weekend!
Drink More Water!
Many of us associate dehydration with the summer days, however, you CAN still get dehydrated in the colder months. Winter dehydration is harder to notice, therefore, it is important to realize your body loses moisture every day through respiration, perspiration, urination, and bodily function, regardless of the temperature outside. So, it is crucial that you replenish your fluid levels by drinking water regularly throughout the day, not matter what the weather!
Sandbags for Pine Cove Residents
As we prepare for the next storm, don’t forget as a Pine Cove resident we have up to 10 sandbags available per household. These bags are not pre-filled so please grab some bags from the office, and either bring your own shovel, or come borrow our scooper here.
We are open today until 4pm and will re-open Monday at 9am for any residents to come in, and get their needed sandbags.
Snow Plow Updated List
Rain and potentially more snow are on the way!
If you need any help this season clearing your road, driveway, or walkway please refer to our communities updated 2024 list, provided by Marsha Kennedy. If you do not get an answer right away, please leave a message as these individuals may be in between projects as you contact them.
Closed for Presidents Day
In observance of Presidents Day, Pine Cove Water District will be closed Monday February 19, 2024. If you would like to make a payment while we are closed you can do so online through our webpage or drop it though the office door slot. We will return in the office Tuesday morning at 9am.
If you have a water emergency throughout this time, like a burst pipe or leak please call the on call emergency line (951) 294-8282.
February Billing
Hello Residents of Pine Cove!
February billing (due March 1, 2024) has gone out. If you get emailed bills, you should have already received yours.
The bi-monthly minimum is $80.00 for two month billing period, excluding any water usage. Water usage is billed as follows:
$8.00 per thousand gallons from 0 to 7,500 gallons
$10.00 per thousand gallons from 7,500 to 15,000 gallons
$12.00 per thousand gallons over 15,000
Water bills are mailed around the 1st of the Billing Month (even months). All bills are due and payable by the 1st of the following month (odd months). Any bill not paid by the due date will be termed delinquent and subject to a $15.00 late fee and/or termination. If shut off, a reconnect fee of $75.00 will be charged, in addition to the current amount due, to re-establish service.
There are several ways to pay your bill. ACH Auto Draft is a free service; the payment is automatically taken out of your bank account (filled out form required). You can log on to your account online, and pay with a Visa/Mastercard/Discover, or E-check. To register your account online, you will need your account number, and the Municipality Code which is PineCoveWDCA. Go to www.pcwd.org and click the “Billing” tab and the Payment option link. Next, click on the www.ub-pay.com link and register your account from there. You can come into the office and pay by check, cash, or card (one person at a time). Call with a credit/debit card (Please note that there is a convenience fee of $3.00 per hundred dollars charged if using a credit card). Drop payments thru the slot on the front door or mail a check or money order.
Preparation for the Storm
More rain is on the way! Be prepared before the storm comes.
SANDBAG LOCATION FOR RESIDENTS:
Sandbags are available to Pine Cove Residents during office hours 9am-4pm Monday through Friday at 24917 Marion Ridge Rd.
This self service sandbag stations are for residents only. Please bring your own shovel or come to the office to conveniently borrow our scooper. Limit is 10 bags per household.
Today’s Decisions Affect Tomorrow’s Reality
The world that we live in today is a world where an ever-increasing population places larger demands on the earth’s finite resources. The manner in which we use these resources, determines the kind of world we leave to our children and future generations.
Water is a precious commodity in southern California. More than 70% of California’s total precipitation falls in the northern half of the state, however, 80% of California’s water demand is in the southern portion of the state. Southern California largely depends on water imported from northern California and from the Colorado River. Both local and imported water sources can be severely affected by drought, and imported water supplies have become increasingly uncertain as a result of demands by other regions. Currently, all mountain communities are facing water shortages that make water conservation increasingly important! Over demands have caused many residents to realize that preservation of our mountain environment and quality of life depends substantially on how we manage our limited water resources.
Conservation must become a way of life!
The situation today is crucial. The quickest, most certain way to begin to save water immediately is to conserve water at home. Less than half the water you use is used inside your home. The rest is used outdoors, mainly watering home landscaping. Most families can reduce water use by simply changing and learning to reduce water waste inside and outside our homes.
Outdoors:
- Scale back and limit landscaping
- Water your lawn only when it needs it (in the morning or late afternoon)
- Reduce or replace lawn areas with spaces like patios and walkways
- Review, repair, and retrofit irrigation systems so they are water efficient and deliver only water that is needed
- Re-landscape with plants that use less water and retrofit or install appropriate irrigation to match
- Pick up wood chips here at Pine Cove Water District; Adding a layer of mulch around trees and plants will help reduce evaporation and keep the soil cool
- Instead of a water hose, use a broom to clean driveways and sidewalks
Indoors:
- Limit your showers. Also, fill the bathtub halfway or less
- Turn off the faucet when you brush your teeth
- Install low-flow shower heads in the bathroom
- Install a water-efficient toilet
- When it’s time to replace appliances, choose a water-efficient dishwasher and washing machine
- Run ONLY full loads in the dishwasher and washing machine
- Fix leaky faucets and toilets as quickly as possible
Posted in: Around the District, Community, Company News, Compost, Conservation, Customer Infomation, Drought, Freebies, From the Office, Garden, Homesteading, Leaks, Mulch, Pine Cove Water District, Rain, Rain Water Harvesting, Re-purposing, The Garden, Uncategorized, Water Conservation, Wood chips
Leave a Comment (0) →Handy Tips to Avoid Frozen Pipes this Winter
It’s all about prevention!
Frozen pipes can leave you without water in the worst of weather, and could cost a lot to repair. However, with a few simple steps, you can easily preserve both your budget and your peace of mind!
Before the cold weather sets in:
- Check sprinkler or irrigation systems. Make sure everything is turned off and drained.
- Eliminate sources of cold air near water lines. Fix drafty windows and plug drafts around doors. Identify your home’s freezing points.
- Know how to shut off your water. If you do not know how to turn off your water give us a call we’d love to help you out!
- Protect your pipes. Wrap them with insulation.
When temperatures stay below freezing:
- If pipes run through cabinets or vanities open the doors to let warmer room temperatures flow in.
- Keep water moving through the pipes by allowing a small trickle of water to run.
But if your pipes do freeze:
- Shut off the water immediately.
- Thaw pipes with warm air, with a hair dryer or space heater. Do not leave space heaters unattended and do not use kerosene heaters or open flames.
- Be careful turning water back on. Once pipes are thawed, slowly turn the water back on and check pipes and joints for any cracks.