January was dry and warm, and unfortunately the Tri-Valley’s conservation numbers showed it. We went from a conservation rate of 16% in December to -2% conservation in January. The lack of rain and increased temperatures show how big a role outdoor watering plays in our total water use. We still need the Tri-Valley to conserve 15% so here are some best practices irrigating the water-wise way:

1. Leave grass clippings on your lawn to serve as a mulch, this reduces evaporation and provides nutrients to your lawn.
2. Only water in the early morning hours to reduce evaporation.
3. Water deeply, but less frequently. This encourages plants and turf to grow deeper roots, allowing them to be more drought resistant.
4. Check your sprinklers and hose bibs to ensure there are no leaks.
5. Install a Weather-Based Irrigation Controller to ensure you’re not watering when it rains. We have rebates for those here.
6. Consider replacing your thirsty lawn with a beautiful water-wise landscape that can attract birds, bees, and butterflies. We have a rebate for that too! Find out more here.

Want to go even further? Check out the UC Master Gardener’s Drought Gardening Advice page for more great tips.

Zone 7 Water Agency is looking for community minded individuals who are interested in serving on our seven-person board. A qualified candidate is 18 years of age or older, lives within the boundaries of Zone 7 service area, and is interested in advocating on behalf of the Tri-Valley community.
 
Zone 7 Water Agency’s Board of Directors election will be held on June 7, 2022. During this election, four terms will be open for eligible candidates to run. The candidate filing period is open from February 14 to March 16, 2022. Papers can be picked up at the Alameda County Registrar of Voters Office in Oakland. All documents must be submitted to the Alameda County Registrar of Voters office in Oakland by March 16, at 5:00 PM.

Elected board members receive compensation for their attendance to meetings and conferences related to their service. The board of directors meet once a month and each member serves on at least one sub-committee. 
 
For further information on Election Information email candidate.services@acgov.org or contact:
Alameda County Registrar of Voters
1225 Fallon St., Room G-1
Oakland, CA 94612
(510) 267-8683

The Patterson Pass Water Treatment Plant has been serving the Tri-Valley since 1962, treating imported surface water from the adjacent South Bay Aqueduct using dual-media filtration and chlorine treatment techniques.

The plant has been undergoing major construction since March 2019 and will soon offer ozone treatment along with other major enhancements. The project is 90 percent complete and on track to be operational this spring.

The project is a significant milestone for Zone 7 and will improve treated water quality through the addition of state-of-the-art ozone treatment facilities, replace aging equipment, increase treated water storage capacity with the addition of a new five-million-gallon tank and will double the amount of treated water the plant can produce from 12 million gallons of water a day to 24 million gallons a day (MGD).

The plant will also provide operational redundancy which will help to ensure Zone 7 can continue to provide water to its customers in the event that an emergency or power outage occurs at the Del Valle Water Treatment Plant, which completed its upgrade to ozone in the summer of 2020. The February 16 construction progress report with photos can be viewed here.

At last week’s board meeting, the Zone 7 Board of Directors declared March 14 to March 20 Fix a Leak Week. This marks the agency’s seventh year participating in the Environmental Protection Agency’s (EPA) annual Fix-A-Leak Week. To get ready, Water Wise Wendy has 8 leak detection tips for customers!

Water leaks are the most common source of excessive water usage in the region, but luckily, one-time repairs can result in significant water savings. One way to be a water-saving wizard is by fixing sprinkler leaks. This small act can save up to 500 gallons per month, per customer.

The EPA promotes Fix-a-Leak Week to families across the country to take action and fix leaks inside their home and outside in their yards. To learn more about the EPA’s Fix a Leak Week, visit the EPA’s website.

Watch Water Wise Wendy’s Tips here:

The Livermore Water Conservation Art Contest is now accepting entries from kindergarten to 12th grade students in Livermore. This contest allows students to share their talents by creating artwork that explains the importance of water and shows the vital role water conservation plays in our daily lives. To get started, visit Zone 7 Water Agency's website to learn about water's journey to Livermore. Then create artwork inspired by what you've learned! This contest is open to all art forms - from drawings to animation to photography.

The grand prize winner will receive an iPad and finalists will have their artwork displayed in downtown Livermore this spring. This annual event is sponsored by the City of Livermore, California Water Service, and Zone 7 Water Agency. Learn full contest rules and eligibility at www.cityoflivermore.net/contests. 

California Water Service is now accepting applications for its ninth annual College Scholarship Program. Four $10,000 scholarships will be awarded, along with additional scholarships ranging from $2,500 to $5,000. Eligible applicants must plan to enroll in a full-time undergraduate study program. The application period will close on Thursday, March 31, 2022. To learn more about the scholarship program or to apply, students may visit Cal Water's scholarships page.

ACWA’s scholarship program is now accepting applications for the Arthur L. Littleworth Best Best & Krieger Diversity Scholarship. Each year ACWA, in partnership with Best Best & Krieger, awards one $10,000 scholarships to a qualified undergraduate student. The scholarship application must be submitted online by March 15. For a complete list of qualification and eligibility requirements, as well as a link to the online application system, please visit ACWA’s scholarships page.