Cyber-Rain Blog

This week’s Water District of the Week is the Moulton Niguel Water District. Located in Laguna Niguel, California, this water district actually gets the bulk of its water from Norther California, and from the Colorado River. Self-described as a district started in 1960 by “local ranchers” and local landowners who

“banded together to create the Moulton Niguel Water District (MNWD). As a water district, the ranchers were able to join other agencies in the construction of facilities necessary to import water to this area.”

The MNWD serves a wide swath of Orange County, including the cities of Aliso Viejo, Dana Point, Mission Viejo and  Laguna Niguel. According to MNWD, customers of this district “enjoy the lowest rates in Orange County.” MNWD also encourages its customers to take part in water conservation, offering incentives through a partnership with the Municipal Water District of Orange County, which offers rebates for such water-related devices as sprinkler timers. The SoCal Water$mart rebate program (through Conservation Rebates) offers residential rebates on a number of utilities, including rebates on the purchase of “smart” sprinkler controllers such as Cyber-Rain. There are rebates for weather-based irrigation controllers, such as Cyber-Rain, which can save consumers “over $700 on your water bill over its lifetime,” and can “save you from overwatering your landscape by 13,500 gallons a year and ensure optimal plant health.” According to the rebate specifications, rebates are available to start at $80 per controller for “less than 1 acre of landscape,” and for $630 per acre for “more than 1 acre of landscape.” Interested consumers can applying for their rebates online. The Cyber-Rain XCI system is certified by BeWaterWise and the Metropolitan Water District of Southern California as satisfying the criteria for smart sprinkler controller rebates.

Cyber-Rain applauds the Moulton Niguel Water District for encouraging water conservation and rebate programs for tools to conserve water. As a smart sprinkler controller, Cyber-Rain is a great way to save water and save money on the water bills. We are excited to put the spotlight on a friend in the cause for water conservation, as we proclaim the Moulton Niguel Water District our Water District of the Week.

Spotlight on Moulton Niguel Water District!

It’s that special time, when one remarkable book catches our eye. Luckily, that means it’s time for the book of the week! And this week’s selection comes just in time for the weekend, so grab a special reading spot, get a snack nearby, and prepare for some excellent reading. This week, we recommend Water Consciousness, by Tara Lohan and Tony Clarke. The full title of this book is Water Consciousness: How We All Have To Change To Protect Our Most Critical Resource. This 200 page book was published by AlterNet Books only months ago, in September 2008. This particular book was one of the first books published under the AlterNet Books banner, as AlterNet has long been known as a news and advocacy site. Interested readers can find this book on Amazon, or at various other book vendors. The authors of this book have set up a website dedicated solely to the promotion of the book, at Waterconsciousness.com. Contributor Bill McKibben’s quote sets the intriguing if somewhat melodramatic tone for the rest of the book: “The world is running dry, but only because of our folly. There is time, just, to head it off. But only if we begin.”

The book itself has inspired a water conservation program, aptly titled “Water Consciousness.” According to those behind the book,

“The idea to create Water Consciousness initially evolved from our ongoing drumbeat of environmental news on water and from conversations with many people about the growing global water crisis. We realized that in addition to our coverage of news on this issue, many diverse creative and educational projects would need to be developed if we were going to address the water challenge and its fundamental connection to our survival. We hoped to create a book that would be one bold statement in that direction, hopefully joined by many others.”

Described by Amazon reviewers as being

“designed to change the way people think about water. It explores all aspects of the water crisis and what can be done about it. Compelling contributions by… top environmental writers explain the problem and inspire readers to action, with essays on privatization and conservation, lessons from indigenous cultures, and an argument for the need for new public policy.”

Contributors to this collaborative writing effort include Tara Lohan of AlterNet, Maude Barlow (a Canadian public advocate), Tony Clarke of the Polaris Institute, Brock Dolman of the Wildlands Biodiversity Program, Wenonah Hauter (former director of the Public Citizen’s Energy and Environment Program), environmentalist Bill McKibben and Eleanor Sterling of the American Museum of Natural History. Sterling is the director of the museum’s Center for Biodiversity and Conservation. Many other talented writers, policy advocates and conservationists have contributed to this book. May their insights inspire a love of conservation in you, dear reader! From all of us at Cyber-Rain, happy reading!

Water Consciousness

This week’s Water District of the Week is the El Toro Water District. Located in sunny Orange County, California, the El Toro Water District was formed in 1960. According to El Toro Water lore, in the beginning, this particular district served only 125 people, and “Approximately 750 acres was irrigated agricultural land, mainly citrus groves. Water for agricultural and domestic use was pumped from wells.”

In 1962, water was officially pumped from the Colorado River and delivered to El Toro Water District residents. However, it wasn’t till about 20 years after the beginning of the ETWD, in September of 1983, that the El Toro Water District “became a fully integrated water and sewer operation.”

After a long and rather technical history, the El Toro Water District can now boast itself as one of the largest water districts in Orange County, serving the communities of Laguna Woods, Aliso Viejo, Lake Forest, Laguna Hills and Mission Viejo. Dedicated to providing top quality service, the ETWD’s website links to recent water quality reports, a section on Fats, Oils and Grease Regulations, and an Urban Water Management Plan. Conservation is no laughing matter either for El Toro; there is an entire section dedicated to water conservation. In the sub-section titled “Outdoor Water Conservation,” consumers are encouraged to plant smart, using native plants:

“The trend toward landscaping with Native and California Friendly plants is increasing and a regional advertising campaign is boosting the aesthetic and environmental advantages of native and California Friendly plants.”

Consumers can also visit a page with other links to conservation pages. And there is great news for ETWD consumers who seek to conserve water: there are a number of rebates for indoor and outdoor devices, designed to save water. Through the “SmarTimer” rebate program, the goal of which is “to reduce outdoor water use and promote healthy and attractive landscaping by improving watering efficiency,” ETWD consumers are encouraged to purchase smart sprinkler controllers (such as Cyber-Rain), which can effectively reduce excess water usage in the garden. The Cyber-Rain smart sprinkler controller can monitor and direct the watering action of up to eight different lawn zones, and can water up to four different times every day. According to ETWD, “smart” timers offer the following benefits of saving

“money… by applying the correct amount of water to your landscape, help protect the environment by reducing urban runoff, and simplify your life by nearly eliminating the need for manual controller adjustments.”

Interested consumers can visit our old friends at BeWaterWise to confirm their eligibility. At Cyber-Rain, we applaud water districts that encourage conservation and responsible use. A great incentive for water conservation is a strong rebate program to further push the positive message of environmental conservation. Hats off to the El Toro Water District for their involvement in the conservation effort.

This week

You’ve seen them on the freeways around Southern California; you’ve probably seen them in a carefully designed landscape outside of one of your favorite haunts. When seeking to follow the principles of Xeriscape, and planting low water-use plants/trees, there are many viable and beautiful options. One such option is the Oleander — but watch out, it’s poisonous!

According to Wikipedia, oleanders are often grown in

“warm subtropical regions, where it is extensively used as an ornamental plant in landscapes, parks, and along roadsides. It is drought tolerant and will tolerate occasional light frost… It is commonly used as a decorative freeway median in California and other mild-winter states in the Continental United States because deer will not eat it due to its high toxicity, it is tolerant of a variety of poor soils, and drought tolerant. It can also be grown in cooler climates in greenhouses and conservatories, or as indoor plants that can be kept outside in the summer.”

Oleanders are known for their beauty and pleasant smell, but are also strong growers, as some of the poisonous compounds exuded from the tree/bush can be deadly to both humans and various wildlife. The International Oleander Society, an organization formed with nonprofit purposes, in appreciation of the lovely plant, lists some of its goals as

“to promote, carry on and aid in every way the development, improvement and preservation of oleanders (Nerium) of all kinds… and generally to extend the knowledge, production, use and appreciation of oleanders of any kind and in any manner.”

According to the society, Orleanders first showed up in Galveston, Texas in the first half of the 19th century, after being brought over from Jamaica. The International Oleander Society does confirm that though beautiful and alluring, the Oleander is indeed poisonous, though humans and animals can survive if small amount of the toxins are ingested:

“Oleanders contain a toxin called Cardenolide Glycosides. The toxin is mostly contained in the sap which is clear to slightly milky colored, and sticky. When ingested in certain quatities, this toxin can cause harm - and possibly death… Although not impossible, a person or animal would have to have a strong stomach or no sense of taste for a dose of the toxin to be fatal.”

The the Cyber-Rain smart sprinkler controller, you can save even more water by carefully planning gardens with flowers and trees that require less water. The theory behind Xeriscape is that aesthetics need not be sacrificed for water-savvy; at Cyber-Rain, we encourage any and all ways to save water in the backyard. The oleander has long been a popular choice for landscapers across the state of California. But beware - though beautiful, dazzling and drought-resistant, the oleander is also a plant with a high level of toxicity. As long as they are handled carefully, though, there is no reason not to enjoy these plants.

According to botanical-online, varieties of the Oleander come form both Europe and Asia, and have long been staples in the Mediterranean. As such, the oleander plant is “very resistant to the drought,” being used to summertime conditions with little water. It is also recommended that when planting Oleanders, “the ideal place is to place it in a sunny place, with preferable orientation toward the south.” The average height of an oleander plant is 1.5 meters, though they can grow up to 4 - 5 meters tall. Beautiful, mysterious and hardy, and with a hint of danger; welcome to the world of the oleander. Just remember to wash your hands after entering.

Beautiful, but deadly!

In a continuing series, we will visit locales all across the nation, which have highlighted the importance of water conservation on a daily basis. Today’s trip is to the Sunshine State, Florida!

Florida was an early proponent of “smart” devices which could measure (rain) water levels and could also shut off the flow of irrigation water, when rain levels hit above a threshold amount. If you are a resident of Florida and had a lawn irrigation system installed after 1991, you understand what it means to have to be water-efficient. And if you are a Florida resident with a sprinkler system installed before 1991, and are considering the installation of a new (and smart!) irrigation system, Cyber-Rain is just the ticket. In accordance with a 1991 state law, Floridians whose lawn irrigation systems were constructed after mid-1991 are bound by Florida Statute 373.62 to install devices sensitive to the amount of water on your lawn. Though this measure only specifically calls for sensors which can detect the amount of rainfall, and can thusly act to shut of sprinklers, it is a great bridge to new and improved methods of conserving water and ensuring the integrity of your lawn, as the Cyber-Rain system does. According to the the state of Florida, the statute states that

“Any person who purchases and installs an automatic lawn sprinkler system after May 1, 1991, shall install, and must maintain and operate, a rain sensor device or switch that will override the irrigation cycle of the sprinkler system when adequate rainfall has occurred.”

The Cyber-Rain smart sprinkler controller system very much satisfies these criterion, as this control system can be adjusted not only to your specific parameters, but to environmental stimuli. The Cyber-Rain controller can detect when there is already enough water, i.e. provided by rainfall (as mandated in Florida) but can also detect when extra waterings are needed. The controller can run your home sprinkler as many as four times a day, and can control the watering schedule of up to eight different lawn zones. The Cyber-Rain sprinkler controller system can save a lot of water, and can also save you a lot of money. And since it is already law in Florida, why not have some fun with it?

It’s a new week, which means it’s time to shine the spotlight on a new water district! This week’s Water District of the Week is the Mesa Consolidated Water District. Located in Costa Mesa, California and serving a wide swath of consumers in Orange County, this week’s spotlight is on Mesa Consolidated. Mesa Consolidated’s mission is to be “Dedicated to Satisfying Our Community’s Water Needs.”

According to the district, it was established in the early years of the twentieth century, in 1906. The Newport Heights Irrigation District, which later became the Mesa County Water District, was “formed to serve domestic and irrigation water” in 1918. Costa Mesa was transformed into an incorporated city in 1953, and according to Mesa Consolidated, by 1955, the city “created a municipal water system to serve the areas beyond the four existing district boundaries.” Mesa Consolidated provides water to more than 110,000 local consumers, in areas which include the city of Costa Mesa itself, in addition to unincorporated areas of Orange County and sections of Newport Beach.

Mesa Consolidated Water District’s website has many helpful tips on how to save water on a daily basis, including a section titled “Ten ways that will save the most.” The number one tip listed is one which Cyber-Rain has encouraged before:

“Water your lawn only when it needs it. Step on your grass. If it springs back when you lift your foot, it doesn’t need water. So set your sprinklers for more days in between watering. Saves 750 to 1,500 gallons a month. Better yet, especially in times of drought, water with a hose.”

Residential rebates are available for residents served by Mesa Consolidated, through BeWaterWise and SoCal Water$mart. Residential rebates include rebates on the purchase of “smart” sprinkler controllers, such as Cyber-Rain. There are rebates for “weather-based irrigation controllers,” which according to SoCal Water$mart, can save ” over $700 on your water bill over its lifetime,” and can ” save you from overwatering your landscape by 13,500 gallons a year and ensure optimal plant health.” Cyber-Rain applauds the Mesa Consolidated Water District for encouraging water conservation and rebate programs for tools to conserve water. As a smart sprinkler controller, Cyber-Rain is a great way to save water and save money on the water bills. We are proud to call the Mesa Consolidated Water District our Water District of the Week.

This week's spotlight is on Mesa Consolidated Water District.

It’s a bright, brand new week, which means it’s time for a brand new Book of the Week! This week’s spotlight is on Success With Water-Saving Gardens, by Graham Clarke. Published by the Guild of Master Craftsman (GMC Publications) in March of 2008, this book is being billed as THE premiere guide to gardening without water woes.

One editorial review on Amazon.com describes how even though in California and many other locations, a paucity of readily available water is of tantamount importance in the way we live our lives and design our gardens, that it is still possible for gardening aficionados, “with a little planning,” to

“ease the problem and still achieve a fabulous display of color, form, and fragrance. These tips for the water-saving garden offer a variety of great ways to choose and use plants that thrive in an arid environment. Filled with magnificent illustrations, it details design ideas, soil-enhancing possibilities, and hints on watering wisely.”

At Cyber-Rain, we encourage any and all positive ways to save water in the garden. The Cyber-Rain smart sprinkler controller is a great tool to partner with various water-saving gardening strategies. Various water districts and organizations have lauded Cyber-Rain’s ability to save thousands of gallons of water per year, as the Cyber-Rain system easily adjusts to current temperatures, humidity and your watering specifications. We celebrate fellow proponents of water conservation, such as Mr. Clarke, who has written what may be a greatly popular book on how to save even more water in the garden, without sacrificing aesthetics.

This book, ISBN number 978-1861084842, can be found in a variety of convenient locations. Available on Amazon and at other bookseller locations, Success With Water-Saving Gardens is available for purchase, and may also be borrowed from the local public library. Members of the County of Los Angeles County Public Library can find this landscaping book easily on a simple online catalog search. Happy reading!

Gardening and landscaping aficionado, this is for you!

There are so many ways to save water, and great ways for how to do so, are right at your fingertips! Not a day goes by that a television program or newscast doesn’t have at least one way in which consumers can do something, small or large, or conserve water. Water conservation is important in any location, but in California, there is a special need, right now, to “tighten the water belt,” as our friend Huell Howser put it, in a recent television special. And there is a great new (really, old!) resource to help you become a little more water efficient, and maybe even a little greener. And the best news is, you don’t even have to leave your home to learn more. What is this magical tool, you may ask? The Public Library system, of course!

One of the most extensive library systems in California, the County of Los Angeles Public Library system is the gateway to many various Los Angeles-branch public libraries. The catalog for the COLA public library system is available online at http://www.colapublib.org/. It is very easy for Los Angeles residents to obtain library cards, and it is free as well. Citizens of various other counties may also easily register to be members of their local public libraries. On the COLA library site, users can search for a huge variety of book. For example, when inputting the search term “water conservation,” just some of the conservation and “green” books that come up include Landscaping with Native Plans of Southern California, and Success with Water-Saving Gardens and True Green: 100 Everyday Ways You Can Contribute to a Healthier Planet.

With helpful and incredibly accessibly resources such as the County of Los Angeles Public Library system, it’s easier than ever to go green! And remember - checking out a book doesn’t cost anything - unless you return it late - so enjoy those books, but remember your due dates! And don’t worry, most of these excellent books can be renewed. Happy reading!

This week’s book of the week is just up our alley! Originally published in 1992, it is an oldie, but a goodie. The book spoken of, of course, is Xeriscape Gardening: Water Conservation for the American Landscape, by authors Connie Lockhart Ellefson, Thomas L. Stephens and Douglas F. Welsh. We have encouraged users to look into the water-saving practice of Xeriscape, a system devised to create beauty in the garden, but not at the expense of superfluous water. Xeriscape is defined by the Merriam Webster dictionary as “a landscaping method developed especially for arid and semiarid climates that utilizes water-conserving techniques (as the use of drought-tolerant plants, mulch, and efficient irrigation).” This practice has been widely encouraged, especially in drier, hotter climates. The term was coined by Denver water authorities in the 1970s.

A smart sprinkler controller that can save many gallons of water per year (13,500 gallons per year, according to our friends at BeWaterWise and ConservationRebates), Cyber-Rain is an excellent partner in any garden. Coupled with Xeriscape, the Cyber-Rain smart sprinkler controller can save both water, and can save you on that monthly water bill!

Publisher’s Weekly describes this informative book with a glowing review:

“Garden writer Ellefson, landscape architect Stephens and water management expert Welsh take the reader firmly by the hand and concisely explain how to conceive, design and install a Xeriscape home landscape anywhere in the country. It’s all here, from a comparison of mulch materials to what irrigation system to use–and how to set it up–to mind-boggling lists of perennials, shrubs, trees and annuals rated according to water needs for a score of geoclimatic regions in the U.S. (including Hawaii)”

Published by Macmillan, interested readers can find a vendor with which to purchase this book through Amazon.com and other book retailers. Perhaps this is just the book to read, if you’ve been looking for an interesting and informative how-to on how best to design a climate-appropriate garden, without sacrificing aesthetics. Happy reading!

Book of the Week

Because the Cyber-Rain smart sprinkler controller helps conserve water by using internet data to adjust the amount of water that gets used on our lawns and gardens, the savings in terms of both water and money can be quite substantial.

To give you an idea, we thought we’d put together a an example of how Orange County homeowners could save over 25 billion gallons of water in one year.   The math is pretty simple:

• Average OC household uses 169,725 gallons per year (OC Register for water amount, Dataplaces for household info)
• There are approximately 612,096 single family households in Orange County (dataplaces)
• American Water Works Association estimates that 58.7% of residential water is used outdoors (source)

So, the annual water used for landscaping in OC is approximately 60,982,252,243 gallons (or 169,725 gallons/year/HH * 612,096 HH * 58.7%)

Because the average water savings with a Cyber-Rain controller is 42%, the potential water savings for Orange County Residents is 25,612,545,942 gallons (or 60,982,252,243 gallons * 42%)

That’s right!  Over 25 billion gallons of water could be saved if residents simply installed a smart sprinkler controller that is currently FREE for most home owners thanks to a generous rebate from the local water district!

Kinda makes you wonder why we’ve been focusing on low-flow toilets, low-flow shower heads and the like when more water could be saved by simply installing cyber-rain sprinkler systems than if ALL Orange County residents stopped taking showers & flushing the toilet for the entire year! (based on the same data source, total showers & toilets add up to approximately 10.7 billion gallons! Or not even half of what could be saved with Cyber-Rain units!)

Did we mention that thanks to drought conditions in many parts of the county, many water districts are offering ridiculously generous rebates on Cyber-Rain controllers???  Call us to find out how much your water district will give you for installing a device that will improve your lawn & save you money: 877-888-1452.