1. Is this El Niño going to solve our drought?
Short answer: Probably not. Experts say we’d need 120% of normal precipitation in our key watersheds. It’s not going that way so far in the winter of 2015-16. For example, January precipitation for Monterey was just average, and February (so far) has been relatively dry. Check out the Association of California Water Agencies Fact Sheet on El Niño.
2. So what can we do about it?
Short answer: Conserve water. There are many ways to do that, but they all fall into three broad categories: You can change your habits, install water conserving fixtures/systems, or re-landscape your yard (or a combination of all three).
3. What are some examples of habit changes?
Of course, reducing your landscape irrigation goes without saying.
4. What about water-saving fixtures?
Fixtures are the best bang for the buck. Low-flow toilets, laundry machines, and shower heads will pay you back the fastest.
5. What about systems? What kind of systems are we talking about?
Rainwater, Greywater, Stormwater, and Irrigation Systems
6. Tell me about Rainwater Systems.
Well, here’s an idea that is - in many regions of the world - common place. Basically, you store the runoff from your roof in a tank, and you use it later for a variety of applications.
7. What can we do with stored rainwater?
You can irrigate your yard during the dry season and, with proper filtration, you can flush your toilets or do your laundry with it. Ask yourself this: Why are we using potable water for these things? Potable water is expensive and requires an enormous amount of energy to deliver to our homes. Rainwater is free. In Monterey, a 2,000 square foot home will capture 20,000 gallons of water with an average year of precipitation.
8. What about a Greywater System?
A Greywater system is a way to take non-food-related waste water from your home (that’s anything but kitchen sinks, dishwashers, and toilets,) and re-use it to irrigate your landscape.
9. You mean I can pump it through my sprinkler system?
No, grey water has to be released below grade and under cover. So, what we do is create mulch basins in your yard near your plantings, and greywater is delivered though the force of gravity (or with a pump when that isn’t possible). You can’t store greywater, so it’s released into your yard immediately.
10. What about Stormwater systems? Why are they important?
Nature’s design is that water falls on the Earth, soaks into the ground, and replenishes underground aquifers. Man interrupts this system when he builds houses, driveways, parking lots, and sidewalks. Water runs off these surfaces and is largely diverted to streets and, ultimately, to the ocean… bypassing our aquifers. The goal is to retain your stormwater on-site. We can do this with French Drain systems and Bioswales.
11. Are there some showcase examples of water efficient homes or businesses that I can see?
There are many, but the best one is yet to be built. When Pacific Grove approves Measure X and Project Bella (a LEED Platinum hotel,) it will establish itself as a National leader in sustainability.
12. Who are the some of the players in the local water chain?
The best resource for the public is MPWMD. Stephanie Kister is their Conservation Officer, and she administers a variety of financial incentives for water conservation in your home or business. Also, she conducts semi-annual seminars on both rainwater and greywater. In fact, Greenwise partners with MPWMD to provide this education. Our next seminars are May 14 and May 21. The seminars are held in the MPWMD Conference Room in the Ryan Ranch office.
CalAm is another one. In fact, CalAm is the financial source of the Water District incentives. Joe Dimaggio is their Conservation Officer.
Ewing Irrigation and Landscape Supply (just off Del Monte, near The Monterey Fish House,) has most everything you need in supplies, if you’re a DIY’r. Ewing also partners with us for the Water District seminar series.
Also, Check out Ecology Action. Next month, Ecology Action will offer $500 rebates for projects that lead to a Monterey Bay Friendly Landscape certification. This is in addition to Water District rebates. You’ll find more info on www.green-gardener.org/rebates.
13. So, tell me about Greenwise Water & Landscapes. What do you do?
Greenwise is a local company that specializes in the design and installation of Rainwater Systems, Greywater Systems, Stormwater Management Systems, Efficient Irrigation Systems, and Xeriscaping. We also install Hardscapes and Landscape Features. Additionally, we are actively engaged with local governments, agencies, non-profits, and suppliers. We do our best to move legislation and education toward a water conservation-friendly state.
Short answer: Probably not. Experts say we’d need 120% of normal precipitation in our key watersheds. It’s not going that way so far in the winter of 2015-16. For example, January precipitation for Monterey was just average, and February (so far) has been relatively dry. Check out the Association of California Water Agencies Fact Sheet on El Niño.
2. So what can we do about it?
Short answer: Conserve water. There are many ways to do that, but they all fall into three broad categories: You can change your habits, install water conserving fixtures/systems, or re-landscape your yard (or a combination of all three).
3. What are some examples of habit changes?
- Don’t flush your toilet every time. A crude way to remind yourself is, “If it’s Yellow, let it mellow. If it’s Brown, flush it down.
- Don’t run the water while you brush your teeth or shave. Only turn it on when you need it.
- Another good one is to be frugal about the water you use to rinse your dishes before loading the dishwasher.
Of course, reducing your landscape irrigation goes without saying.
4. What about water-saving fixtures?
Fixtures are the best bang for the buck. Low-flow toilets, laundry machines, and shower heads will pay you back the fastest.
5. What about systems? What kind of systems are we talking about?
Rainwater, Greywater, Stormwater, and Irrigation Systems
6. Tell me about Rainwater Systems.
Well, here’s an idea that is - in many regions of the world - common place. Basically, you store the runoff from your roof in a tank, and you use it later for a variety of applications.
7. What can we do with stored rainwater?
You can irrigate your yard during the dry season and, with proper filtration, you can flush your toilets or do your laundry with it. Ask yourself this: Why are we using potable water for these things? Potable water is expensive and requires an enormous amount of energy to deliver to our homes. Rainwater is free. In Monterey, a 2,000 square foot home will capture 20,000 gallons of water with an average year of precipitation.
8. What about a Greywater System?
A Greywater system is a way to take non-food-related waste water from your home (that’s anything but kitchen sinks, dishwashers, and toilets,) and re-use it to irrigate your landscape.
9. You mean I can pump it through my sprinkler system?
No, grey water has to be released below grade and under cover. So, what we do is create mulch basins in your yard near your plantings, and greywater is delivered though the force of gravity (or with a pump when that isn’t possible). You can’t store greywater, so it’s released into your yard immediately.
10. What about Stormwater systems? Why are they important?
Nature’s design is that water falls on the Earth, soaks into the ground, and replenishes underground aquifers. Man interrupts this system when he builds houses, driveways, parking lots, and sidewalks. Water runs off these surfaces and is largely diverted to streets and, ultimately, to the ocean… bypassing our aquifers. The goal is to retain your stormwater on-site. We can do this with French Drain systems and Bioswales.
11. Are there some showcase examples of water efficient homes or businesses that I can see?
There are many, but the best one is yet to be built. When Pacific Grove approves Measure X and Project Bella (a LEED Platinum hotel,) it will establish itself as a National leader in sustainability.
12. Who are the some of the players in the local water chain?
The best resource for the public is MPWMD. Stephanie Kister is their Conservation Officer, and she administers a variety of financial incentives for water conservation in your home or business. Also, she conducts semi-annual seminars on both rainwater and greywater. In fact, Greenwise partners with MPWMD to provide this education. Our next seminars are May 14 and May 21. The seminars are held in the MPWMD Conference Room in the Ryan Ranch office.
CalAm is another one. In fact, CalAm is the financial source of the Water District incentives. Joe Dimaggio is their Conservation Officer.
Ewing Irrigation and Landscape Supply (just off Del Monte, near The Monterey Fish House,) has most everything you need in supplies, if you’re a DIY’r. Ewing also partners with us for the Water District seminar series.
Also, Check out Ecology Action. Next month, Ecology Action will offer $500 rebates for projects that lead to a Monterey Bay Friendly Landscape certification. This is in addition to Water District rebates. You’ll find more info on www.green-gardener.org/rebates.
13. So, tell me about Greenwise Water & Landscapes. What do you do?
Greenwise is a local company that specializes in the design and installation of Rainwater Systems, Greywater Systems, Stormwater Management Systems, Efficient Irrigation Systems, and Xeriscaping. We also install Hardscapes and Landscape Features. Additionally, we are actively engaged with local governments, agencies, non-profits, and suppliers. We do our best to move legislation and education toward a water conservation-friendly state.
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