Image Up Advertising & Design

26 FOUR SEASONS BREEZE | JANUARY 2018 You may have seen your Landscape Committee regularly walking throughout certain districts with front yards that are maintained by the HOA. We do these walks in response to homeowner landscaping requests and also to ensure that all yards meet the standards we've established here at Four Seasons. During our morning walks we sometimes observe signs of overwatering and/ or malfunctioning sprinkler systems. Unfortunately, this problem exists throughout our community. When we see a resident using so much landscape water that it runs into the street and then continues down the street for some distance – it's time to take notice and take action, especially if this occurs on a regular basis. Over a year ago we reminded you that California was in its fifth year of a state- declared drought – and that Governor Brown had issued an executive order to reduce the state's urban water use by 25%. Today our situation is even more critical. The State has now declared a Stage 2 Water Emergency due to the prolonged drought conditions. Consequently, the California Department of Water Resources has adopted emergency regulations restricting water use. The following water-wasting activities are now prohibited: • ●Overwatering lawns and landscapes such that excessive runoff flows into adjacent property walkways or parking lots. • ●The application of potable (drinking) water to sidewalks and driveway. • ●The use of a hose that dispenses potable water to wash a motor vehicle, except where the hose is fitted with a shut-off nozzle. • ●The use of potable water in a fountain or other decorative water feature, except where the water is part of a recirculating system. • ●Irrigating turf on ornamental landscapes during and 48 hours after measurable precipitation. When you see any of these prohibited activities occurring in our community, there are several options you may want to consider. If you feel comfortable doing so, simply inform the homeowner politely that the above activities are now prohibited by law. Another option is to obtain a one-page summary of these emergency regulations from The Beaumont-Cherry Valley Water District and leave it at the residence. Free copies are available at the BCVWD office in Beaumont. A third option is to anonymously report violations online by going to the BCVWD website: https://bcvwd.org/report- water-waste/. The Water District has assured us that they will follow up on each report and keep the information you provide strictly confidential. Finally, we must all remember that cooler weather requires less landscape watering — so periodically check the settings on your sprinkler system and adjust accordingly. ~ Gloria Johnson Landscape Committee

• Cover