NEWS

New water regulations for Visalia to kick off New Year

Luis Hernandez
lfhernan@visaliatimesdelta.com
  • New water regulations for Visalia residents
  • “California will need about 150 percent of normal rainfall this winter to end the drought.”
  • “ ... we can’t afford to let our attention drift away from carefully managing our water supply.”

The New Year will bring new water regulations to Visalia residents, who are advised there’s no unattended outdoor watering during January and February.

Residents, however, can water outside shrubs, trees or vegetables with a watering can or a hose fitted with a shut-off nozzle. The hose cannot be left unattended and watering of lawns outside of the watering schedule is prohibited, city officials said.

As before, washing down sidewalks or driveways, unless needed for public health or safety, remains outlawed. City officials recommend using a broom or a rake.

There’s good news, however, for Visalia motorists who are interested in keeping a clean car during the year’s first two months. A revision of the ordinance allows for weekend car washing. Residents living in a home with an odd number can wash cars on Saturday, while those with an even number address can wash vehicles on Sunday.

Visalia city officials are issuing additional water-minded warnings.

• Excessive runoff is prohibited.

• Leaks must be repaired within 48 hours of discovery.

• Swimming pools and spas cannot be drained more than once every three years. A city-issued permit is required.

For more water tips, log on to www.gogreenvisalia.com.

Information: 713-4531.

Water news spreads via social media

Bay Area-based University of California Ag & Natural Resources is using social media to remind Californians about the state’s current drought despite the recent winter storms.

“California will need about 150 percent of normal rainfall this winter to end the drought,” said Doug Parker, director of UC California Institute of Water Resources. “Although rains have come, we can’t afford to let our attention drift away from carefully managing our water supply.”

“Insights: Water and Drought Online Seminar Series,” accessible by computer or mobile device, is a compilation of recorded presentations by UC system scientists on water management and drought.

UC Davis Cooperative Extension Specialist Daniele Zaccaria said the online seminars permit scientists to share water knowledge with a web-savvy audience.

“Farmers, landscape professionals, land managers, irrigation consultants, resource managers from water districts and others can view the half-hour video presentations on YouTube whenever it is convenient for them,” Zaccaria said, “obtaining science-based information that stems from applied research conducted by several scientists over the last 10 to 15 years.”

Topics the recorded presentations addressed include drought impacts on natural resources, drought preparedness and water management in urban landscapes, among others.

Presently, there are 39 videos addressing drought and water management. More videos will soon be added, officials said.

The recorded presentations have developed something of a following. A video about groundwater and surface water interactions under water shortage has been viewed about 1,400 times, while a recorded presentation on climate changes and paleoclimatology has been viewed more than 800 times.

Videos are available at http://ucanr.edu/insights or https://www.youtube.com/UCANR.

Waterwise is a news and notes column Reporter Luis Hernandez compiles. Send Waterwise items, ideas and suggestions to the reporter on twitter@lfhernanvtd.

Online

www.gogreenvisalia.com.

www.ucanr.edu/insights

www.youtube.com/UCANR.