Greener Davis Facebook

Nov 14
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GreenerDavis
Got cartons? Starting in December, there will be a drop-off location in Davis where people can bring empty and rinsed cartons for recycling. More information coming soon!
Nov 14
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GreenerDavis
When water flows down the street gutter and into a storm drain, it enters a series of underground pipes that carry the water away from properties and streets. This storm drain system is designed to protect the City from flooding by conveying stormwater to detention ponds, drainage channels and lift stations, then out to local waterways and the ocean. In portions of Davis north of I-80, most stormwater flows directly from the streets to local ponds (West Area Pond, Evergreen Pond, Julie Partansky Pond, Sutter Davis Hospital Pond, the Cannery Pond and the Core Area Pond), then through drainage channels to the Willow Slough Bypass, then out to the Yolo Bypass, the Sacramento River and the ocean. In portions of Davis south of I-80, the stormwater flows through various drainage channels and then is pumped into the Yolo Bypass. Unlike wastewater that goes down the drains inside a home (via sinks, showers, toilets, etc.), stormwater is not treated and is one of the leading causes of water pollution in the United States. When stormwater carries pollutants (such as dirt, trash, animal waste, oil, gas, fertilizers, pesticides, metals, etc.) to our local water bodies, it not only harms aquatic plants and animals, but can also cause adverse effects on our use of water for swimming, fishing, drinking and agriculture. Because of these factors, it’s important to remember that only rain belongs in a storm drain. https://www.cityofdavis.org/city-hall/public-works-utilities-and-operations/stormwater/pollution-prevention-at-home
Nov 12
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GreenerDavis
If you start to see large flocks of turkeys around town, it's not because the wild turkey population has grown excessively. It's just that time of the year when local wild turkeys form large foraging groups (instead of roaming around alone or in smaller groups) and meander around wider sections of town. It can be quite a sight to see a large flock of 40 turkeys in your neighborhood! Turkeys can be fun to watch, and they help to keep pests like slugs, snails, and cockroaches out of the garden, but they can also behave aggressively, tear up landscaping in search of food, leave a mess on sidewalks, and pose a traffic hazard when crossing busy streets. To encourage peaceful coexistence with our large, feathered neighbors, please do not feed the turkeys. Turkeys are able to find appropriate food on their own. Statewide, the wild turkey population is healthy and thriving. Here are some other ways that you can help to reduce conflict with wild turkeys in your neighborhood and around town: • If you use a bird feeder, keep the area below the feeder clear of fallen seed. • If turkeys begin feeding under your bird feeders, remove the feeders until the turkeys stop visiting the site. This may take several days to weeks. • If turkeys are causing problems in your yard, consider installing motion-detecting sprinklers. • If your dog has free roam of your yard, you’ve got a built-in deterrent. Wild turkeys typically will not enter yards with dogs. • If confronted by a wild turkey that has lost its fear of humans, an open umbrella or walking stick may help steer it out of your path. Turkeys rarely make aggressive physical contact with humans. Be assertive and dominant. Let that turkey know you're in control. • Avoid sudden stops or swerves when encountering turkeys in the roadway. If safe to do so, slow down to 10 mph and proceed. The turkeys will move out of the way. Find more tips on the Living with Wildlife webpage: https://www.cityofdavis.org/city-hall/public-works-utilities-and-operations/urban-wildlife/tips-for-living-with-wildlife

Irrigation

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Adjust Your Sprinklers

Inspect your system for clogged, broken or missing sprinkler heads.
Connect. Examine points where the sprinkler heads connect to pipes or hoses. If water pools in your yard or you have large wet areas, you could have a leak in your system.
Direct sprinklers away from your driveway, house, or sidewalk in order to apply water only to your landscape.
Select a seasonally appropriate watering schedule that meets your landscape's minimum needs.

Irrigation Controllers

Programming

You should change the programming on your irrigation timer at least seasonally and check the back-up battery.

Spring: As the weather warms up and the soil starts to dry out, turn your irrigation timer back on but only water as much as needed for your landscape and the current weather conditions. Check your irrigation system and fix broken sprinkler heads or other problems.
Summer: Once it starts getting really warm outside, you can turn up your watering a bit. Remember to turn off the sprinklers for 30 minutes halfway through your complete watering time to allow the soil to absorb the water and prevent water run-off.
Fall: As the weather cools down, adjust your timer to water less.
Winter: When the weather cools and it begins to rain, turn your timer off.

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Irrigation Controllers for the Homeowner (DWR PDF)

Weather-Based Controllers

Weather-Based Irrigation Controllers (WBICs) automatically update your irrigation system based upon local weather and landscape conditions. Look for the WaterSense label on controllers for those certified through the USA EPA WaterSense Program. In order to earn the WaterSense label, irrigation controllers must be able to adequately meet the watering needs of a landscape without overwatering. View the WaterSense Labeled Irrigation Controllers Fact Sheet.

Soil moisture-based irrigation controllers are another water efficient controller option. Soil moisture-based controllers use a probe buried in the soil at the root zone and are programmed to shut off an irrigation system when the ground is already wet, preventing overwatering.

EPA WaterSense Labeled Irrigation Controllers

Irrigation Association Testing for Weather-Based Controllers, Soil Moisture-Based Controllers and Rain Sensors

Rain Sensors

Rain sensors are switching devices activated by rainfall. Most rain sensors use an absorbent disk that swells when wet and turns off the irrigation system during a rainfall event. Once the disk dries out, the rain sensor turns the system turns back on. Learn more about Rain Sensors.

Convert to Drip

Advantages

Can be more water efficient if used properly
Minimizes evaporation
Promotes a good soil/water environment

Disadvantages

Emitters may clog
Not as easy to see when not working properly
Can be damaged by animals, insects and humans

Save Our Water Drip Irrigation Conversion Videos

How to Convert Sprinklers to Drip (Regional Water Authority Video)

Efficient Lawn Watering

sprinkler Following the irrigation tips above and adjusting the programing on your irrigation controller will help with efficient lawn watering. Two online irrigation calculators that can help in determining lawn watering needs are: