Thursday, June 04, 2009
Saving and cleaning San Diego's water
Outdoor watering counts for 60 percent of water use in California. San Diego is mandating a water restriction from June 1- Oct. 31. The city’s regulations include reducing individual home water use by 13 percent and following the following guidelines when irrigating outside:
* Homes with odd-numbered addresses can water: Sunday, Tuesday & Thursday
* Homes with even-numbered addresses can water: Saturday, Monday & Wednesday
* Apartments, Condos and Businesses can water: Monday, Wednesday & Friday
A provision to the city of Los Angeles’s summer water restrictions that is not enforced by San Diego is the prohibition of watering hard surfaces like sidewalks, driveways and parking areas. This mandate not only saves water, it helps curb urban run off, pollutants and garbage that flow from the city’s unfiltered storm drains into the ocean. Storm drains carry thousands of gallons of chemicals, oils, and litter into the Pacific each year.
The cigarette butt, is San Diego’s number one piece of litter and is easily washed into the ocean. Contrary to popular thought about a cigarette’s materials, a cigarette’s filter is made of plastic, and therefore stays on earth forever. (Earlier this week, The New York Times reported on the misconception that throwing cigarette butts on the ground is acceptable rather than a violation of no littering policies.)
In addition, urban runoff creates increased health risks to swimmers toxicity to aquatic life, according to the City of Santa Monica. Santa Monica also reports that clogged storm drains can lead to area flooding when it rains, traffic problems and unsanitary conditions.
San Diego can protect its beaches from pollutants and garbage (such as the tiny but toxic cigarette) by demanding that citizens employ more responsible water usage like refraining from watering hard surfaces.
* Homes with odd-numbered addresses can water: Sunday, Tuesday & Thursday
* Homes with even-numbered addresses can water: Saturday, Monday & Wednesday
* Apartments, Condos and Businesses can water: Monday, Wednesday & Friday
A provision to the city of Los Angeles’s summer water restrictions that is not enforced by San Diego is the prohibition of watering hard surfaces like sidewalks, driveways and parking areas. This mandate not only saves water, it helps curb urban run off, pollutants and garbage that flow from the city’s unfiltered storm drains into the ocean. Storm drains carry thousands of gallons of chemicals, oils, and litter into the Pacific each year.
The cigarette butt, is San Diego’s number one piece of litter and is easily washed into the ocean. Contrary to popular thought about a cigarette’s materials, a cigarette’s filter is made of plastic, and therefore stays on earth forever. (Earlier this week, The New York Times reported on the misconception that throwing cigarette butts on the ground is acceptable rather than a violation of no littering policies.)
In addition, urban runoff creates increased health risks to swimmers toxicity to aquatic life, according to the City of Santa Monica. Santa Monica also reports that clogged storm drains can lead to area flooding when it rains, traffic problems and unsanitary conditions.
San Diego can protect its beaches from pollutants and garbage (such as the tiny but toxic cigarette) by demanding that citizens employ more responsible water usage like refraining from watering hard surfaces.
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