Third Year of Drought Leads to State Water Shortages 

While California did receive some rain in October through December, Yolo County is still in a severe drought. Continued water conservation efforts are still needed to reduce water demands. Together we can help ensure that resources are being used as efficiently as possible, and prepare the community for the impacts from drought conditions. 

There are many ways to conserve water, however conserving water outdoors can make the biggest difference of all. As much as 50% of urban water use is used for landscape irrigation. Voluntary measures to conserve water outdoors include:

• Reducing irrigation to 3 times per week.
• Cut back 1-2 minutes for each irrigation cycle while continuing to water your trees.
• Water lawns before 10 am and after 6 pm to reduce losses from evaporation and when temperatures and wind speed are at their lowest.
• Turn off sprinklers during rain (and at least for 48 hours).
• Don’t allow sprinklers to create water runoff from your street, driveway, or sidewalk. 

Organics Recycling is Expanding

No matter where you live or work within the City of Woodland, you will now have access to organics recycling! State law SB 1383 requires that all residential, multi-family properties, and businesses have organics recycling. Waste Management is automatically rolling out organics carts soon to any residents or businesses that do not already have these services.

If you would like to learn more about organics recycling visit CityofWoodland.org/SB1383 or search for specific items on the Waste Wizard to see where they can be recycled. 

The Honey Festival is Back!

The City of Woodland has been designated as an official Bee City since 2019 and is proud to welcome back the California Honey Festival in celebration of the hardworking bees that are vital to agriculture, the economy, and our daily lives. Join the City on May 7th from 10:00 am  - 5:00 pm as we welcome back educators, demonstrators, and vendors from around the state to raise awareness about the importance of bees, the threats facing them, and how we can protect them for future generations.

Be sure to stop by the Environmental Services booth at the festival to find out information about our conservation programs and pick up some zero waste and water conservation goodies!

Plus, join the California Honey Fest’s 30 Mile Cycle led by Blue Note Brewing’s cycling team, the Cycle Paths. Wear your favorite yellow helmet, jersey, or even bee costume to mimic a swarm of bees during the ride. Afterwards, riders are invited to park their bike at the bike valet and enjoy the Honey Festival. Register for this FREE ride here.  

Time to Spruce-Up Your Sprinklers 

Spring has sprung which means outdoor water use is going to be on the rise. This is the perfect time to walk around your yard to see if there are any changes that need to be made. 

• Inspect for breaks and leaks. Missing or broken sprinkler heads can be hard to find because most irrigation systems run overnight or early in the morning.
• Connect sprinklers, pipes, and valves. Leaks can occur at the joints between sprinklers and the piping. Leaking joints can also be a sign of too much water pressure or particles in the water.  
• Direct sprinklers for best water coverage. Any sprinklers that are spraying onto driveways, sidewalks, or walls should be adjusted towards the landscape. 
• Select a smart weather-based irrigation controller (WBIC). A WBIC uses local weather data or monitors the level of moisture in the soil to automatically adjust your irrigation schedule.

Free Compost at the Yolo County Landfill!

The Yolo County Central Landfill is offering free compost to all Yolo County residents – excluding businesses and landscapers –  from April 1 – 30. No appointment is needed; however, they require proof of residency such as a driver's license or utility bill.

Yolo County Central Landfill is located at 44090 County Rd 28H. Hours of operation are Monday – Saturday, from 6:30 am to 4 pm, and on Sundays from 8 am – 4 pm. Please bring a shovel and bags to load the compost yourself. For more info, visit YoloCounty.org/Landfill.