Full Notification

Due to current drought conditions, citizens are urged to conserve water. Go to www.waterwisesb.org for helpful tips.

The Santa Barbara County Emergency Operations Center remains at a level two activation in support of Drought activities in the region. Details will continue to follow as they become available.

It is important to remember that during brief periods of precipitation during drought conditions roads and other hard surfaces may become particularly hazardous as buildup of oils and debris may become slick. Driving, biking, and running in these conditions should be done with extreme caution.

Specific Actions to Take to be Water Wise:
Indoors:
1.Install a high efficiency clothes washer
2.Install a high efficiency toilet
3.Test your toilet flapper for leaks by using a dye tablet
4.Make sure the water level in your toilet tank is one inch below the over-flow tube
5.Install high efficiency faucet aerators and shower heads
6.Replace reverse osmosis with filter for drinking water
7.If using a water softener, choose one that generates on-dema
nd (not on a timer)
8.Check for and fix any leaky fixtures
9.Practice water wise behaviors when washing dishes, brushing teeth,bathing, etc
10.Get water saving information online at WaterWiseSB.org
Outdoors:
11.Use online watering tools such as the landscape watering calculator and watering index on WaterWiseSB.org -determine how much and how often to water your garden, and easily change your watering schedule as the weather changes - “fall back, spring forward”
12.Install a rain shut-off sensor
13.Check that your pressure is correct for your sprinklers to eliminate misting. If needed, install a pressure regulator
14.Retrofit sprinklers to drip irrigation
15.Have the greenest gardener in your neighborhood - Send your gardener to the Green Gardener Class - learn more about it at
GreenGardener.org
16.Be the smartest on your block: know how much water your landscape needs
17. Schedule a free irrigation evaluation
18.Turn sprinklers off in rainy season
19.Remove unused lawn and replace with water wise plants and drip
irrigation
20.Install smart irrigation controller
21.Use a timer if watering by hand
22.Change the back-up battery in your sprinkler timer
23.Install a laundry to landscape gray water system
24.Add mulch 2-3 inches deep twice per year
to reduce evaporation and build the health of
your soil
25.Change pop-up sprinkler nozzles to rotating nozzles
26.Select water wise plants for your garden by using the online plant
database and virtual garden tours.

Santa Barbara County Office of Emergency Management:

OEM alerts are available by signing-up at www.nixle.com and www.twitter.com/sbcountyoem.

For additional emergency management related information subscribe to Santa Barbara County's Office of Emergency Management's Facebook page at: http://www.facebook.com/SBCountyOEM

OEM will issue emergency information as it is provided by agencies or the Incident Commander(s).

To learn more about receiving emergency information from local radio stations. Visit www.sbcoem.org and click the "Radio Ready" icon.

News Media Contact:
Duty Officer, Santa Barbara County Office of Emergency Management
(805) 681-5526
[email protected]