Spring into Action with Green Oceanside

OCEANSIDE, CA — Green Oceanside is on a mission to protect the natural resources of our area. The range of environmental services and programs offered by the City include energy conservation, water conservation, water pollution prevention, and zero waste.

This month Green Oceanside shared tips for making the most of spring.

Spring into Action with Green Oceanside

This month, we’re gearing up to “Spring Forward”, adding another hour of daylight into our lives. With the sun shining a little longer each day, Oceanside residents can take advantage of the extra light to help conserve energy and reset with the environment in mind. Check out the ideas below to get a jumpstart on your spring cleaning.

Sunday, March 13 is the start to daylight savings time and while most devices will automatically reset themselves, be sure to add an hour to any that don’t to avoid incorrect time readings. This is also a great opportunity to get outside and enjoy the golden hour. Remember to unplug unnecessary appliances if not in use and power down to help reduce energy demand during peak hours (4PM to 9PM). Devices and other appliances continue to draw power from the outlet even when not in use and unplugging those devices will help save energy and money - a win for health, happiness, and the planet!

Odds are that you will be using a stepladder to update some of your appliances inside, so while you have it out, go ahead and check your light bulbs and fixtures to make sure that they are in good working order too. Next, head over to the top shelves of your closet or garage to go through items you no longer use. The Green Oceanside team encourages you to think before you toss! Not all items belong in the trash bin and many can be donated for a new life somewhere else or recycled in the blue bin while others (like those old light bulbs) may need to go to Waste Management’s Household Hazardous Waste Facility for proper disposal. Also, check the events page at GreenOceanside.org for upcoming quarterly community cleanups in your neighborhood, where you can donate gently used items and dispose of bulky household items.

Is inspecting your irrigation system part of your spring-cleaning ritual? Now is the perfect time to check out your sprinklers, drip-line tubing, and other irrigation equipment for breaks, leaks, or malfunctions, especially before increasing watering time since Oceanside has returned to a Level 1
Drought Watch. Leaks in your irrigation system and other parts of your home can waste about 6,300 gallons of water per month! Preventing leaks in your irrigation system can also prevent excess runoff which can cause stormwater pollution. As rain events become infrequent, overwatering can carry litter and pollutants into storm drains, eventually ending up in
rivers, creeks, and ocean.

If you need help with inspecting your irrigation system, consider registering for the WaterSmart Check-up Program to have a certified irrigation professional inspect it for you! In this program, FREE to all Oceanside Water Utilities customers, an irrigation professional will assess your landscape and help you detect any issues in the system, set your optimum irrigation schedule, and show you ways to increase your water efficiency.

Think green this spring with Green Oceanside and be sure to visit www.GreenOceanside.org to learn more about the City of Oceanside’s Environmental Programs, and how you can get involved all year round.