Next Friday, a major water treatment plant in La Verne will shut down for upgrades, and communities from Claremont to La Crescenta (including Pasadena and most water companies in Altadena) are asked to curb water use until March 27.
The Metropolitan Water District has shared the following consumer tips for coping with the shutdown:
THINGS TO DO NOW, BEFORE FRIDAY, MARCH 18
Beginning Monday, March 14
- Do not plant new landscaping, which typically requires continual watering to establish plants, shrubs and trees. Delay new plantings until after March 28.
- Set mowers for a higher cut than normal. Longer blades of grass help reduce evaporation. Or, avoid mowing altogether.
- Avoid fertilizing lawns and plants prior to the shutdown. Fertilizer encourages growth, which requires more water.
- Have a deep collection dish at the base of house plants. Fill the dish Thursday night, March 17, so plants can draw on that water throughout the week.
- Fill large containers, like trash bins, and use that water for hand watering delicate plants during the week. Remove water from trash bins and other large containers with a bucket to distribute it to sensitive plants.
- Until Thursday, March 17, deep-water trees and shrubs by either setting out soaker hoses or watering with a regular hose on a slow trickle. Water until the soil is soaked to a depth of about 8–12 inches (deeper for trees, more shallow for shrubs). Use a soil probe or a shovel to determine the depth to which the water has percolated.
- Do all dirty laundry before Thursday night and then avoid using the clothes washer during the shutdown.
Thursday, March 17
Do a normal, thorough watering of lawns, but not more than normal because the extra water will be wasted. Hand-water “hot” or dry spots of lawns.
Friday, March 18
- Do not water landscapes or lawns. Do not wash cars.
- Set sprinkler timers to the “OFF” position Thursday night.
- Do final fill-ups of any large containers.
TIPS DURING SHUTDOWN
- Take short showers (5-minute max). Soak, turn the water off, soap up, and then turn the water on, wash off. Do not use the warm shower as a sauna.
- Also, put a bucket in the shower to collect the water before the shower warms up. Use this water for plants.
- Use collected water in trash bins or bathtubs to hand-water houseplants and sensitive outdoor plants and those areas of the lawn that may show excessive stress (the hot spots).
- Do not leave water running when washing dishes.
- Run only full loads in washing machine and dishwasher.
- Do not leave water running when brushing your teeth or shaving.
- Do not mow your lawns. Minimize the use of your lawn (i.e. playing on it, leaving vehicles on it) to reduce stress on the turf
For more water-saving tips, visit www.bewaterwise.com.
