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8 | Four Seasons Hemet Herald | JUNE 2022 | Water Wise – Doing Your Part Did you know that this year California has had the driest January, February and March ever recorded? Warm days have melted snow faster than normal. As of April 1st, this important water source was down to 38 percent of average, and is dropping daily. All of California's 58 counties are under a drought emergency proclamation with Southern California water officials declaring a water shortage emergency. Since the Supplies of water have been dramatically reduced over the past three years, Southern California Residents are being called on to immediately reduce water usage by 20 to 30 percent. As we begin entering the summer months, one of the biggest and most common lawn and plant care issues in Four Seasons is overwatering. There are some homeowners in Four Seasons who have very little to no knowledge of their sprinkler system or how to use it effectively. The sprinkler run times are likely set by their gardeners upon start-up and never adjusted or monitored. This "set it and forget it" approach is convenient, but not efficient. Often, sprinklers can be seen operating multiple times per day, with excess water running down our streets breaking up the asphalt by seeping under the asphalt, and degrading the road base that supports the asphalt coating. It is extremely expensive to repair this kind of damage. Ultimately, you will end up paying to reconstruct your streets with potentially increased homeowner's fees. Additionally, you pay for water that is running down the streets! How You Can Help Most Irrigation Control Panels are located inside the garage and consist of these basic functions: 1) Setting the current time and date 2) Start Time – time you want the watering to begin 3) Run Time – how long you want each zone to water (typical system has at least four zones) 4) How Often – select the days of the week you want to water Verify your settings at your irrigation control panel and if needed adjust accordingly or ask your gardener to adjust it for you. Sprinklers operate most efficiently when used at night. The ideal time to water is in the pre-dawn hours when there is less wind and cooler, where the water has a chance to penetrate down to the root zone. It is recommended that run times per zone can run up to five minutes depending on the type of landscaping being watered. Check your sidewalk and curbs along with the backyard drains that have been cored into the street curb. If you have water flowing into the street gutters, there is a good chance you are overwatering. The water we use contains calcium which can clog your sprinkler heads and drip systems. Inspect to see that each are working correctly and spraying within the desired location. Special Note: Be aware that the control panel has a battery. If the battery is dead, your control panel will revert to the default mode after a power failure, which can delete your settings. By making the necessary periodic adjustments and inspections to your sprinkler system, you will not only save money but also conserve our most important resource. Thank you for your continued support in preserving the beautiful community we live in. Architectural Review Committee The EPC would like to thank the Board of Directors for the Honorary Breakfast held on May 5. It was greatly appreciated. On May 23, CERT held its First Annual CERT Meeting in the Ballroom. Jay Cregeen, the Emergency Services Coordinator for the Hemet Fire Department, was our guest. In addition, all the residents of Four Seasons, including our Street Captains and Auxiliaries, were invited to attend to learn what we do in an earthquake. Do you have the Duo Response signs in your window? It is the only reliable path to help during a disaster. Survive… get the signs from The Lodge attendant. More information is available at www.fscert.org Our Mission: The Community Emergency Response Team (CERT) Program is designed to increase individual and community preparedness and self-reliance in the event of man-made or natural disasters. The Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) has officially recognized CERT as an important part of a community's disaster preparedness readiness. Four Seasons CERT continues to need your participation. Become a Street Captain or CERT Auxiliary. We hope to have the 20-hour Basic CERT training this summer. Step up. Be a part of the best CERT in the valley, and come make a difference. For more information visit https://fscert.org/cert-volunteer Emergency Preparedness

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