Customers encouraged to continue to conserve
Helix Water District's board of directors rescinded Drought Response Level 2 water conditions--which were enacted in 2009--eliminating mandatory watering restrictions for the District's residents.

"This year's near record snowpack and abundant local rainfall has allowed us to drop restrictions," General Manager Mark Weston said. "In spite of abundant supplies, about 90 percent of our water is imported from northern California or the Colorado River. Therefore, reducing water demands and enhancing local supplies remains a top priority for the District."

Through conservation, Helix's customers have reduced the District's water use by over 14 percent since July 1, 2009, when Level 2 restrictions were instituted. "The Gallons per Capita per Day (GCPD) dropped from 126 in July 2009 to 108 in March 2011. That is an impressive reduction," said Joe Young, Helix's systems operations manager .

Helix is eager to have its customers sustain the gain in water conservation by continuing to monitor their usage carefully.

"Our customers have done an outstanding job in conserving water over the past two years, and we encourage them to continue to conserve," Weston said. "The largest reduction in water usage is achieved by converting landscaping from high water use, such as turf, to low water use designs."

Helix offers free home or business landscape surveys to help owners find the most efficient ways to water their landscaping. Free professionally designed landscape plans are also available on the website at: http://www.hwd.com/news/landscapeplans.htm.

The District is also a founding partner of the Water Conservation Garden, located on the grounds of Cuyamaca College, and encourages home and business owners to visit the Garden and consider making landscaping changes that will be more water efficient.