[Water_news] 5. DWR'S CALIFORNIA WATER NEWS: AGENCIES, PROGRAMS, PEOPLE - 7/15/08

Department of Water Resources

California Water News

A daily compilation of significant news articles and comment

 

July 15, 2008

 

5. Agencies, Programs, People –

 

 

Get at the root of the task to remove a lawn

The Sacramento Bee- 7/12/08

 

Water service shut off in Point Loma Heights

San Diego Union Tribune- 7/15/08

 

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Get at the root of the task to remove a lawn

The Sacramento Bee- 7/12/08

By Pat Rubin

 

 It's the roots that really matter when getting rid of a lawn, says landscape designer and author Nan Sterman.

 

"Either you have grass with fine roots or fat roots."

 

Fine-rooted grasses include the fescues commonly planted in the Sacramento area. Ones with fat roots include Bermuda grass. They send rhizomes far and deep and can be difficult to kill. Many lawns have both.

 

Fine rooted grasses can be killed a number of ways. "There's what I call the smother and cover method. Layer the lawn with newspaper, cardboard or mulch, and once the top growth is gone, so is the bottom. Or you can dig it out, or use a sod cutter if you have a bit of skill. Or cover it with clear plastic, a method called solarization."

 

Finally, she says, there are organic sprays like horticultural vinegar or the citrus oil-based Nature's Avenger.

 

Grasses with fat roots, such as Bermuda grass, are more difficult.

 

"The only product that gets rid of this type of grass within a reasonable amount of time is a chemical product with glysophate in it – and that can take as long as six weeks. And it takes persistence and patience. Any tiny bit of rhizome left alive in the soil will grow back. It's impossible to dig them all out."

 

Sterman says even after spraying you have to be watchful for about two years. "Any bits that grow back will have to be sprayed again."

 

After the lawn is out, what are you going to plant to replace the grass?

 

"It's like any other landscape project. Ask yourself what you want," says Sterman. It could be a deck or patio, a walkway, more shade, a fire pit, an orchard. "Even an orchard is more water efficient than lawn. You deep water it every two weeks and that's it," Sterman says.

 

Homeowner Rick Soehren, who replaced his lawn in Land Park, enlisted the help of a landscape architect and a contractor to build the landscape. Do-it-yourselfers Tina Cannon Leahy and Brian Leahy of Arden Park drew up their own plan and did the work themselves.

 

Sterman suggests carrying along a camera so when you see something you like, you can take a photo. When you have several, lay them out and you'll discover a common theme or look developing in them.

 

"Even if you decide not to do the work yourself, you'll have the photos to show someone who will help you," she says.

 

In Sacramento, you must have something living

Water-efficient landscapes are OK in the front yard. So are vegetable gardens.

 

But there is a caveat.

 

The yards have to be maintained, be composed of mostly plants, and kept green. On edges of driveways and on parts of corner lots, vegetation can't be more than 3 1/2 feet high for visibility.

 

"Basically you have to have something planted in the front yard," says Ron O'Connor. He's the operations manager for the city of Sacramento's Code Enforcement Department. "The yard can't be left to die. It has to be maintained. No all-rock, no all-fake stuff. You can have gravel or mulch between plants, but it has to be mostly living vegetation. We don't only recommend grass."#

http://www.sacbee.com/107/story/1075286.html

 

 

 

Water service shut off in Point Loma Heights

San Diego Union Tribune- 7/15/08

 

SAN DIEGO: A blown waterline beneath Catalina Boulevard in Point Loma Heights caused repair crews to cut water service to many residents late last night.

 

Workers planned to shut off a 20-inch water main and work all night to restore service by this morning, Arian Collins of the city Water Department said.

 

The cutoff was expected to affect residents along a 1½-mile stretch of Catalina Boulevard between Santa Barbara and Voltaire streets, and possibly additional side streets, Collins said.

 

The problem began in the early evening when a small service line burst beneath the roadway. Collins said complications with a “T” connection of one waterline to another led to plans for shutting off the larger main. Crews were expected to dig a large hole in the street, make repairs and backfill the hole. Street repair workers would typically repave that section of the road in a few days.

 

Water was flowing down the street for a time but did not flood any property, Collins said. –P.R#

http://www.signonsandiego.com/news/metro/20080715-0719-1bo15wateroff.html

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

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