Sonoma residents use too much water

April water use for City of Sonoma residents averages 121 gallons, while the nearby Valley of the Moon Water District residents each use 59 gallons. The state-wide average is 83 gallons per person. Is that because of the more affluent residents using city water? Is it... Continue

Saving water with purple flowers

On the color wheel, purple is classified as a secondary color. Secondary colors are created by combining two primary colors. Purple is created by combining red and blue. Of course there are many shades of purple depending on the percentages of red and blue in... Continue

Free workshop: smart water use in the garden

The Sonoma Ecology Center brings conservation experts together on Saturday, June 13, for the free workshop “Managing Water When Water is Scarce,” 10 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. at Sonoma Garden Park. Experts in water management will show how to plant for conservation, and ways to... Continue

Even with increase, VOM water rates lower than Sonoma’s

Here’s another advantage to living in the Springs instead of the City of Sonoma – we pay less for water. With the exception of the small percentage of Springs’ residents who get their water directly from wells, we get our water delivered to us by... Continue

Pipeline to bring recycled water to school playing fields

The Sonoma Valley County Sanitation District plans to construct a pipeline to provide recycled water to to irrigate playing fields at Sonoma Valley High, Adele Harrison Middle and Prestwood Elementary schools. The recycled water will also be used to irrigate Sonoma Valley Oaks Park on... Continue

Get waterwise this weekend

Homeowners, hobbyists, and professionals all can learn about water-conscious gardening at the Spring Waterwise Garden Expo, a free event hosted by the Sonoma Community Center on Saturday May 9. In partnership with the Sonoma County Master Gardeners, the event takes place from 9:30 a.m. to... Continue

Replacing water-hogging plants

Sustainable landscaping? Xeriscaping? Drought-scaping? Whatever the gardening term, the days of thirsty plants are over, according to Aaron Ryan of Cottage Gardens. At the Valley of the Moon Garden Club meeting on May 7, Ryan will discuss “Switching-out ‘water-hog plants’ for ‘water-conservation’ plants.” The Bay... Continue

In Deep Water

In spite of or possibly in reaction to California's worst drought in 120 years, I suddenly find myself surrounded by neighbors building swimming pools. Five homes within 200 feet already have pools and two more even closer have completed the construction phase and have moved... Continue

VOM Water District sets conservation rules

Limiting irrigation to three days a week and water served only by request in restaurants are among the rules issued by the Valley of the Moon Water District (VOMWD) in an effort to cut overall water use by 20 percent less compared to 2013. VOMWD’s... Continue