Here Comes Summer and the Need to Water Our Yards

With the warm weather upon us and the start of summer just around the corner, the ritual of watering our yards, gardens and lawns suddenly moves way up to the top of our ‘to do’ list. But wait! Maybe those of us that live here in Tuolumne County and are provided water by T.U.D. (Tuolumne Utilities District) may have an issue that involves irrigating our yards. Due to very poor decisions made in the past, T.U.D. doesn’t have any real water rights of its own and must obtain water from P.G. & E. by way of a contract and, at times, actual purchase. 95% of T.U.D.’s water comes from the water stored in Pinecrest Lake, which then feeds Lyons reservoir. The majority of the water these two reservoirs hold is from a relatively small area of Sierra snowpack, and we all know how little snow and rain we received this last winter. Actually, with the rain and snow that we did receive in March we will have enough water to get us through the season, but through a relatively new State Water Board restriction that mandates a certain level of the Pinecrest Lake for ‘recreation’ purposes, P.G. & E. and T.U.D. may not be able to access that water that they always have been able to in all the years past. As a result, we T.U.D. customers may experience what is referred to as a ‘regulatory drought’, which will force T.U.D. to invoke Phase 3 water conservation. We are in Phase 2 right now and are supposed to be conserving water already, but Phase 3 is ‘ugly’ as it calls for a mandatory 40% reduction in water use, no outside irrigation or car washing and immediate rate increase to cover the loss of revenue to T.U.D. due to the decrease in water use (income). So, any of us with yards to water may be in a big bind come the middle and end of summer. But there are some things we can do to avoid at least some of the damage to our yard foliage if we get crack’in right away. First, if you haven’t already, install drip watering systems to water your foliage. Drip irrigation systems insure that the water you do use only waters what you want to be watered. Next, mulch every plant you possibly can. Several inches thick of mulch around your bushes and trees helps cool the earth and root system, keeps the ground moist much longer, encourages growth of worms and other beneficial organisms, and, as the mulch breaks down over time, it feeds your trees and plants nutrients they need. Then look at the possibility of using ‘gray’ water from your use in the house. Water from the sinks, showers, tubs and washing machine can all provide a second good use out in the yard providing water for your trees and plants. But grey water can be unhealthy if not properly piped and used. Check with a Plumbing Contractor familiar with grey water systems or visit the Environmental Department at the County offices for instructions on how to properly install a safe grey water system. Finally, consider scrapping the lawn for a drought tolerant plant yard or specific grasses that are drought tolerant. You can learn more about this type of yard and plants by contacting the local Master Gardeners group, which usually has an open house with learning events once a month on the first Saturday of the month at the demonstration garden next to the Dome (Cassina High) in Sonora. Now, get out there and get to work before it’s too late and the water restrictions kick in!