Port of San Diego Tightens Taps to Conserve Water

Wednesday, 03 June 2009
Contact: John Gilmore, (619) 686-7206, Barbara Moreno (619) 686-6216

The Port of San Diego is taking an active role in conserving water in light of the mandatory water use restrictions implemented June 1 by the City of San Diego.

"We actually went to a Stage 2 water level in April. We started working on conservation efforts before the city mandated it," said John Kampe, Maintenance Supervisor for the Port of San Diego's General Services Department.

The first step was to replace Bermuda Grass at Spanish Landing Park with water-saving succulents and sage. Once the waterwise plants are established, it is estimated water use for the 6,600-square-foot area along the bay will be reduced by 80 percent. The main objective is to save water while creating attractive landscaping.

"In Embarcadero Marina Park South, all the brush and bushes have been removed and we put mulch in that area," said Kampe. "All the area where grass is not used, we've shut the water off to those and our intention is that as the grass dies, we'll take out the grass and put in mulch."

In addition, the port is taking the following steps to conserve water:

• Retrofit the Administration Building and Tenth Avenue Marine Terminal with ultra-low flow toilets
• Retrofit all public restrooms with low-flow flush kits
• "Stress-Watering" shrub areas, meaning they are only watered when visible signs of plant stress are noticed
• Install Calsense (computer controlled irrigation systems) in Tidelands Park, Cesar Chavez Park, Embarcadero Marina Parks North and South and Spanish Landing Park.

"If you use a pop-up spray head sprinkler you can only water on Monday, Wednesday and Friday for 10 minutes," said Kampe.

A resident reported a faulty sprinkler along Embarcadero Park and Kampe said that's a good thing. The area was being "stress watered" after the Red Bull Air Races damaged the grass.

"There was a main line break in one place and a sprinkler head that needs to be replaced. It was an isolated incident. But we depend on park watchers, that way we can respond quicker," Kampe said.

If you see any water-related issues, please report them 619-686-6200. The Port purchases water from three agencies: the City of San Diego Water Department, Sweetwater Authority and the California American Water Company. California has been operating under drought conditions for three years.

Citizens are encouraged to find ways to cut water usage.  For more information, read about the Water Conservation Rebate Program.