California Water Summary

Reducing water usage 20% is going to be tough. Here is a look at where we are.

http://www.edf.org/documents/4033_hetchhetchyrestored_Chap03.pdf

Monarch Monthly Newsletter

Dear Friends,

This week's publication is dedicated to all things 2011. Learn about new tax laws, hot home improvement trends, eagerly anticipated album releases, and much more.

www.clientappreciationprogramweb.com/01-11_Monarch_News.pdf <http://www.clientappreciationprogramweb.com/01-11_Monarch_News.pdf>

Winter Landscape Tips

During the winter, sprinkler irrigation is limited to one assigned day per week. Make sure you water on your assigned watering day.

Watering restrictions also apply to drip irrigation. Sunday is not an optional watering day.

Water in the midmorning to avoid the afternoon winds that keep your sprinklers from hitting their grass target. You also will reduce the risk of icing that can occur if you water during early morning or evening.

Check your sprinklers

Turn on your sprinklers after you mow and scan for broken or misaligned heads, as well as broken pipes. A twisted head could water your sidewalk instead of your grass.

Daylight saving time ends

Don't forget to reset your irrigation clock when daylight saving time ends on the first Sunday in November. When you're changing your indoor clocks, make sure you also change the time on your irrigation clock. This also is a great time to check your clock's batteries.

Protect new plants

February is usually mild enough to allow you to plant petunias, pansies, snapdragons and other cool-season annuals in a well-drained, highly enriched soil. Adding a protective mulch on the soil around your plants will conserve water so you don't have to water as often. Remember to stake new plants and water them deeply to prevent damage from winds and burning young leaves.

Revive roses

Fertilize established rose bushes now to encourage spring blooms and put down a 3-inch layer of mulch around each plant. Always water before and after applying fertilizer.

Fertilize fruit plants

Peak blooming season is in the spring, and the best time to fertilize fruit trees and grapes is the six weeks before and after they bloom. Fertilize in late winter for the finest fruit.

Protect pipes and hoses

There are several steps you can take to protect the pipes and hoses in your home and landscape from cold weather:

Disconnect and drain garden hoses when they are not being used.
Insulate your irrigation backflow device by draping a towel over it and cover with a bucket or other protective cover that touches the ground.
Wrap exposed irrigation pipes with pipe insulation, insulated "faucet socks," an old towel or duct tape.
Set heat to 55 degrees when you're away to protect pipes and houseplants.
Turn off the water valves to your washing machine to avoid flooding from burst hoses.
Don't leave interior or exterior pipes dripping. Valley temperatures generally don't drop low enough for a long enough period of time to warrant it.
Locate your water shut-off valve and learn how to turn off water at its source, so you can ward off damage from leaks or burst lines. Know how to turn off your irrigation backflow device as well.

Leave damaged plants alone

If you notice frost or a freeze has damaged a plant, leave it alone until warmer weather arrives and new growth appears. Pruning or transplanting a damaged plant during winter months can hurt or even kill it.

Pruning

The ideal time to prune trees and shrubs is in late winter, when plants are mostly dormant. Finish heavy pruning by mid-February, before buds show evidence of swelling. Don't prune more than one-quarter of the living tissue during the year.

Southern Nevada Water Authority

Are we out of this drought yet?

Although it seems that the rains we have had in Southern California would be more than enough to get us out of a drought- this may not be true. While some reservoirs are able to capture and hold the rain water most of it is not able to be absorbed by the soil after reaching field capacity. Once the saturation point is reached the water simply sheets off down the drains and out to the ocean. Rainwater that precipitates in January is not available in July. Simply stated that water is consumed. To end the drought two major factors need to occur: 1. Rain sporadically all year long 2. Population growth will have to come to a complete stop. Since neither of these is likely we will have to continue to worker smarter to make each drop of water go farther.

New Rebate Info

IMPORTANT: PLEASE forward this notice to all appropriate sales and customer service personnel.

November 2010 News

ONLINE APPLICATION

Account or Parcel Numbers Are Optional

We simplified the online application process by making customers' water account number (and/or parcel number) optional.

If customers have questions about any aspect of the rebate process, please refer them to www.socalwatersmart.com or (888) 376-3314.

DON'T WAIT

Two-Step Rebate Application

Be sure to remind your customers to complete the online application as soon as possible and to mail the following required documents within 60 days of their online application.

Copy of sales receipt/invoice.
Copy of water bill.
Copy of the online confirmation page.

Online applications are cancelled after 60 days if hard copy documents are not received. Any application documents received that do not correspond to a valid online application are returned to customers, which means they have to repeat the process.
Please note: Old hard copy application forms expired May 31, 2010 and cannot be accepted. For customer convenience, please recycle any old application forms you have on hand.

WE CAN HELP!

Quick Links to Program Resources


Example
Qualifying weather-based irrigation controller	$195
SoCal Water$mart rebate	-80
Customer cost after rebate	$115

Replace Your
Product Rebate Labels

The baseline rebate amount is now $85 for high-efficiency clothes washers. For new product labels or to schedule a program training session for your store location, please contact us.

The Water Cycle

MWDOC gives Monarch a great press release

Municipal Water District of Orange County put out the following Press Release.
http://www.mwdoc.com/newsletter/July_2010/Oso_Valley.pdf

Monarch Monthly Newsletter

Save Money, Water get more out of your contractor and receive a monthly newsletter. Pretty sweet deal.

www.clientappreciationprogramweb.com/Monarch_Automate.pdf <http://www.clientappreciationprogramweb.com/Monarch_Automate.pdf>

What are you waiting for. Be a hero TODAY.

Monarch Monthly Mailer

Not just another Landscape newsletter.
In this week's newsletter, you will find an important update about the home buyer tax credit, creative ideas for taking your BBQ's to the next level, 3 iPhone apps for a better summer, and much more.

www.clientappreciationprogramweb.com/07-10_Monarch_News.pdf

First blog from 30,000 feet

WiFi in a plane is very cool. Might want to check out this link for the hot summer. IRWDnews

Hot! Hot! Hot! Hope you're weekend plans include using water wisely. Visit www.alwayswatersmart.com for more information.about 8 hours ago

Monarch's Client Receiving Award

Monarch has been working with Oso Valley Greenbelt since 2008. Since 2008, Oso Valley has made some incredible changes and improvements which have resulted in over $250,000 saved in water consumption. Incredible!!! Monarch works with the team in place to establish planning, review contracts, manage water and so much more. The results are money saved, better looking landscapes and increased property values. The City of Mission Viejo is making a proclamation about the efforts and incredible savings made at Oso Valley. Well done board, Harvest Landscape, PCM and Monarch. Tens of thousands more were saved- contact Monarch to find out how.

Check out the article. . .