Garden water & care tips for the mandatory water restrictions in Prince George’s and Montgomery counties

Prince George's County along with Montgmoery County Maryland is under a water use restriction order.
WSSC workers have removed the failing section of pipe in the 96-inch water main at Tuckerman Lane and Gainsborough Drive in Potomac. They are now preparing a new section of pipe for installation.  Work is on schedule to be complete sometime Monday, if there are no complications.

 Meanwhile, mandatory water restrictions remain in force for all WSSC customers in Prince George’s and Montgomery counties.

Customer water usage has dropped 8.5 percent, far short of the one-third reduction WSSC needs to ensure service for all customers, adequate pressure for fire protection and a reserve in case of a major break. 

Until repairs are complete, it is imperative that all business and residential customers:

Stop all outside water use – no watering lawns, gardens, flowers; no washing cars, no topping off swimming pools

Use water only as necessary – i.e., shorter showers and turn off faucets after washing hands

Limit flushing toilets (do not flush after every use)

Limit using washing machines and dishwashers (wash full loads only)

When repairs are complete, the pipe will be recharged, the water quality analyzed, service restored and restrictions lifted.  The failing pipe was detected by WSSC’s acoustic fiber optics monitoring system. It heard the “ping” of wires breaking in the 41-year old water main. Those wires provide strength for the pipe. When they begin breaking, it’s a signal the pipe is weakening.  The monitoring system was installed in the pipe three years ago, and by 2013 will be installed in all of WSSC’s large water mains. It provides WSSC advance notice of when problems are beginning and an accurate location of the problem.
link to WSSC - Washington Suburban Sanitary Commission 14501 Sweitzer Lane Laurel, Maryland 20707


Meanwhile, my garden is drying up, tomatoes are beginning to flag and my azaleas are beginning to show signs of stress.  WSSC has provided swome tips:

Draft-Tips on Keeping Your Plants Happy During Mandatory Restrictions

Contact: Kimberley Knox (301) 206-8100 kknox@wsscwater.com

WSSC’s Mandatory Restrictions require that WSSC customers NOT use WSSC water on their lawns, gardens and other landscaping. But here are some ways that your landscape can still keep green during the mandatory water restrictions:

Place one to two inches of mulch around your plants.

Use water from bathing or washing dishes. Soap will not harm plants

Use water from cooking vegetables or pasta.

Collect rainwater and use it on the plants that need the most help.

Collect water from your shower rather than letting it go down the drain.

While waiting for you shower to heat up, collect that water in a bucket for your plants.

In the kitchen, rather than letting the water run until the water is cold (or hot), collect the water and use it for your plants.

Use water collected from your dehumidifier on your plants.

In the future, drought-tolerant plants will make a lovely garden. For an example, go to WSSC’s demonstration garden at Brighton Dam Visitor’s Center’s parking lot.

Have an idea of your own? Go to WSSC’s “Friends of Brighton Dam” Facebook’s Discussion Page and share it with others.  http://www.facebook.com/group.php?gid=56844268643&v=app_2373072738&ref=ts

Suggestions Courtesy of: Wanda MacLachlan, Area Educator - Residential Landscape Management,
University of Maryland Extension

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On a lighter note, under the fun things to do heading:
Invasive species issues are the flip side of endangered and native species challenges. If we did not think our natural areas were worth saving we would not be concerned about the impacts of invasive exotic aliens. So it is important to get out and mingle with the natives and see what we are trying to protect and preserve.

Terrific Tree Tour Along the Patuxent River -- Sat., July 10, 9 a.m.-11:00 a.m.

Free and open to everyone. Learn about trees from MD DNR Forester James Eierdam. Sponsored by Washington Suburban Sanitary Commission, this tour will show mature trees that are native to the mid-Atlantic region and can add beauty to any landscape.

Pigtail Recreation Area 5500 Greenbridge Road, Dayton. 301-206-8233.

Join your neighbors in Prince George's, Montgomery and Howard counties in helping to keep the watersheds along the Patuxent a delightful home for wildlife and a wonderful place to visit. These watersheds are under the stewardship of the Washington Suburban Sanitary Commission. Brighton Dam is at 2 Brighton Dam Road, Brookeville, MD.

Have you joined our "Friends of Brighton Dam" or our "Friends of Western Branch" Facebook Pages? By becoming a fan, you'll get all of the latest information about environmental education events and cleanups around WSSC's property on the Patuxent and Western Branch. Check us out!

http://www.facebook.com/#!/group.php?gid=56844268643&ref=ts

http://www.facebook.com/event.php?eid=135296253164704

http://www.meetup.com/WSSC-Patuxent-Corps/calendar/list/