Pretty Rainbow in Manteca

 It was hard to do this rainbow justice with my I-phone.  I couldn't get it all into one picture.  It in fact had a slight double rainbow reflection.  I saw this while home teaching.  This was this past Sunday.  We had rain Friday, some on Saturday and Sunday.  It really came down for a while on Sunday.  I had to sit in the car a while for it to slow down, which it did rather quickly.  With our drought situation a few more such storms are needed to fill the reservoirs.

California Drought: Redwoods at Work Holding On

These Redwoods at work have seen better days.  They finally brought in water for them.  It may be too late however.  Trees (not redwoods) on the either side of the road were taken out.

We have gotten some rain.  However it has been small storms which are still spread out.  SO the rain may also be too little too late.

Life in Manteca 126: California Drought: Drink Less Water!?

Saturday morning (7/25) I started early while the weather was still cool and Tony and I hedged the lawn with the shovel.  We cut back all the grass that is overgrowing the driveway.  Now hopefully we can stay ahead of it with the electric trimmer.  Also trimmed the bushy flower out front, mom swept and Miranda mowed.  The lawn looks better than it has since we moved in, although it has many draught caused yellow spots.  We are only allowed to water three nights a week, Sunday, Wednesday, Friday.  If you miss you night you do't get to make it up.  We are doing our part because of the draught.  I see the signs on the freeway that say “serious draught, use less water;” I always think “Drink less water.”  It is pretty serious.  

If you look at the news the effects are obvious, farmers have less land under irrigation, the central valley is sinking as more ground water is used, the reservoirs are empty, the rivers are lower.  There is worry trees will start falling over.  There is a heightened alert about wildfires.  There is pressure to remove lawns and replace them with rock gardens, or plants that don't use much water.  Lawns are yellow throughout the state.  A yellow lawn is a badge of honor.  The only people prospering are those who put in fake lawns or are painting existing lawns green.  (Some people actually do that.)  

Conserving Water: California Drought Continues

These are some notes and my reaction to an email from Jill Boone.  The idea is to find something to conserve water, we are in a world of hurt right now if something doesn't change. 

 

AT HOME

Most households can do more than 20%! Make sure that your irrigation is minimal and focused on the plants that need it. Or put in a grey water system that will use the water from your washing machine to water your landscape. Take shorter showers. Collect water that normally goes down the drain – when you wash vegetables, for instance – and use that to keep your plants alive or flush the toilet. 

I had neer heard of a grey water system, and my first thought was gray water would be toilet water.  I am glad it is not.  However we already have one of those low water washers.  However the idea of collecting sink water to use in the toilet, and shorter showers, may provide some water savings.  

 

AT WORK

If you notice overly enthusiastic sprinklers on County landscaping, please send an email to Joanne at Joanne.yee@faf.sccgov.org (This is for VMC not general public.  However you should report water waste.)  or let your facility manager know. Please be specific as to which sprinkler is broken, so we can find it. The County gardeners have reduced watering to a bare minimum, but sprinklers still can be broken or redirected and cause problems. We count on you to be our eyes at all County sites!

Also, please report any restroom fixtures that are not working properly – toilets that run on or flush independently or sinks that do not turn off easily.

Thank your custodian for using our new microfiber green cleaning equipment, which reduces water usage by 1/3 while getting bathrooms cleaner!

 

FOR YOUR DEPARTMENT – SOME FUN (always good to have fun!)

Have a potluck and share home water bills – with prizes or acknowledgement for the lowest users. (See if anyone can beat my personal 5 CCF*/month usage for a SFH and three adults!) Let the low users talk about how they have managed this. This will also give everyone a sense of what is possible, create a discussion on the drought, raise awareness for the large users (even if they don’t share) and help everyone to save money as well as water. I think you will be surprised at what a wide range of usage there is among houses. 

Any reason to have a potluck is good.  I don't think I would share my water bill however.

 

Interested? Check the Drought Watch page occasionally for updates:   http://www.valleywater.org/Drought2014/

 

Live in Manteca 88: Rain but Still a Drought in California

We are still short of water in California this year, and still facing drought conditions in spite of the recent storms.  Most of the reservoirs are about 40 percent of capacity, with some even less.  However this week our local city park had water in the flood basin, it was entirely full Saturday.  However when I went back to take a picture Sunday it had all drained.  We are still praying for more rain.

Saturday night there was water in the park

Sunday afternoon it was all gone

Tony at least enjoyed the walk to the park, and going around a few times on his scooter

Water Conservation: Email at Work

More Water Conservation Tips

The little rain we’ve seen has not really helped with the serious drought California is having. Governor Brown has declared a drought emergency and all Californians are being asked to reduce their water use. Here are some things you can do to help.

·         Turn off the faucet when you are brushing your teeth.

·         Take shorter showers. If you must take a bath, don’t fill it as high as you normally would.

·         Full loads only for your dishwasher and washing machines!

·         If you wash dishes by hand, do not leave the water running.

·         Do not leave the water running for long when you are cooking or cleaning.

 

Help save water, and thank you in advance for making a difference.

Life in Manteca: 83: Drought

While the East is suffering through too much cold and snow, here on the west coast we have a different problem.  This could actually be called life in California.  We have a high pressure which has planted itself over the ocean to our West.  It is acting like a mountain range, diverting rains to the North or South of us, but missing us pretty much all together.  The hills are normally green by this time of year, but we have missed our rainy season, which usually starts in November and lasts through March.  Something needs to change.
 http://www.csmonitor.com/layout/set/r14/USA/2014/0121/California-drought-Scientists-puzzled-by-persistence-of-blocking-ridge-video
On February 2 our church has asked us to fast and pray that this weather pattern might be tempered.  I invite everyone to join us:
FAST and PRAY for Rain
It is time for this drought to be tempered
We must put this in God's hand
Please join us in a day of fasting and prayer
February 2, 2014
I have seen this work before.

Also check out the group on Facebook:
Pray for Rain, California