High Desert Area

Mojave

Messenger

MWA E-Newsletter

May 2012

In This Issue
Water Awareness Month is Back!
Spring Conservation Fair Blazes
Stop that Aphid Invasion!
Integrated Regional Plan Update
Social Media
ABC's of Water
 
"How Public Water 
Systems Protect the Community from Emergencies and Support the Economy"

Tuesday,

May 22, 2012

5:30 p.m. - 7:00 p.m.

 

MWA Boardroom

13846 Conference

Center Drive, AV 

 

RSVP by May 21, 2012

to (760) 946-7001 or

ggolike@mojavewater.org

 

For more information,

click on flier.

Cash for Grass Workshop
 
Saturday,

June 16, 2012

9:00 a.m. - 12:00 p.m.

 

Adelanto City Hall

Council Chambers

11600 Air Expressway

Adelanto, CA

 

There are a variety of plants that do well in the High Desert. Learn how to plan and succeed at desert-smart gardening by attending this workshop.

 

Also, after the workshop you can attend the Adelanto Conservation Festival at the same location for more conservation informaiton.

 

For more information or to RSVP, contact Nancy at (760) 946-7055.

Quick Links
 
New Bldg Photo
MWA Website

Find us on Facebook
Water Awareness Month is Back!

 

High Desert residents are hoping that May will be full of flowering desert plants and mild temperatures. It's also Water Awareness Month - time to think about using water wisely and responsibly in the coming months of hotter temperatures and higher irrigation needs.

 

One of the best ways to prepare for saving water in the summer is to be sure your irrigation system is in top working condition. If you have broken drip lines or clogged emitters, your plants may not get the water they need - resulting in wasted water and unhealthy plants.

 

It's important to set your irrigation timers for slow, deep watering in the early morning or nighttime. Shorter watering times, staggered over several hours will help plant roots grow deep and healthy enough to survive the hot, dry summer months.

 

Conservation Website PageThe dry air brings more dust, leading to dirtier cars and pools/spas. Consider washing your car at a commercial location - many car washing businesses have onsite water recycling systems. Covering pools keeps them clean and can prevent the evaporation and loss of up to 100 gallons of water per day. Visit our website

conservation section for tips on saving water indoors and out, as well as other water conservation information. You can also visit our AWAC booth at the upcoming Spring Conservation Fair (see article below for details).

 
Spring Conservation Fair Blazes
Water Efficient Trail in Apple Valley

     

 Mother's Day weekend is a great time to bring your mom - or for moms to bring their kids - to the Spring Conservation Fair. Apple Valley Ranchos Water Company will be co-hosting with Mojave Water Agency in its first springtime event focused on water conservation and awareness on May 12 at their Headquarters office in Apple Valley.

 

Take a desert smart garden tour, see the super tall fire truck ladder, or enjoy an iced coffee when you join us between 9am and 3pm at the MWA Headquarters (see map). Several local water companies, utilities, and other businesses will be out enjoying a day in the High Desert with Preston Stone and music from Y-102 and a variety of food and beverage vendors.

 

Those who attend will have a chance to vote for their favorite desertMWA Landscape landscape between Town residents who converted lawns through the Cash for Grass Program. Come on out and cast your ballot for a winning example of a beautiful, water saving landscape.

 

Click here for more information and we'll see you there!

 
Stop that Aphid Invasion!
 
Homeowners may be seeing a rash of aphids invading their desert landscape blooms this year. Here in our demonstration garden, MWA has been dealing with this same pest concern. We used a natural treatment to successfully eradicate the aphid invasion.

 

Using a spray bottle and a few household ingredients, aphids can be a memory in only a couple of days when treated with this eco-friendly recipe:

  • 2 parts white vinegar, 1 part water and 1/100 part dish soap
  • Lightly mix in a spray bottle to avoid excessive foaming
  • Spray liberally on aphid-affected blooms early in the day while it is cooler
  • A second treatment may be applied in the evening on infested areas
  • Use a hose with a control nozzle to spray off dying and dead aphids 
Aphid Before
Plant Before
Aphid After
Plant After
 
Integrated Regional Plan Update Moving Forward

   

In order to adequately plan for long-term water supply stability in the High Desert, MWA has begun the process for updating its Integrated Regional Water Management Plan (IRWMP). In cooperation with stakeholders and other water agencies within our 4,900 square mile service area, this will be the blueprint for prioritizing decision-making over the next ten to twenty years.

 

Working on the heels of the 2010 Urban Water Management Plan (UWMP), this stakeholder driven process will include close cooperation with the Technical Advisory Committee (TAC). The TAC is an independent, voluntary group of water purveyors, pumpers, and other interested parties located within Agency boundaries, meeting in a public forum to discuss common concerns and objectives.

  

This IRWMP process will likely chart a new course for our community and will:

  • Review and possibly refine overall objectives
  • Refresh past priorities
  • Include broader stakeholder perspectives, and
  • Add new potential projects, programs and policies to consider.

A Request for Proposals was circulated to generate bids to draft the plan with the response period ending the first week of May. Received bids will now be reviewed for completeness and scope with a recommendation to the MWA Board expected by the end of the summer. For more information on the IRWMP, please join us at the TAC, which meets the first Thursday of even months at 10 a.m.

 
Social Media--It's More than Just Being Sociable

 

Have opinions to share about the water world? Don't want to wait for the E-Newsletter to keep up to date on water-related issues? Visit the MWA Facebook page at www.facebook.org/mojavewater. Our Facebook page is a good way to use one source to learn about some of the timely issues facing the water community locally, regionally, or statewide, and have the chance to provide your perspective on the issues.