Golf courses have already drastically cut back use of water from EBMUD

Rossmoor's golf courses should come through the drought a little brown on the edges and a little firmer to the touch, but otherwise all right, said Golf Course Superintendent Blake Swint.

Rossmoor has been told by the East Bay Municipal Utility District (EBMUD) that it has to reduce its dependence on EBMUD water for golf course irrigation by 30 percent.

EBMUD's water supply is only about 50 percent of normal, necessitating water rationing throughout the district, which includes Rossmoor.

“I have already met with EBMUD and developed a strategy on how to deal with the mandated reduction. We will be OK since a lot of water comes out of the creek,” said Swint, who's going through his third drought as a superintendent.

Swint said that Rossmoor had already been cutting back on EBMUD water. A new irrigation system, installation of a pump house, the elimination of eight sprinklers on the Creekside Course and other improvements on the two golf courses are among the reasons why the cutback can be done.

Swint will also look into whether it's feasible to drill a water well to reduce reliance on the water district even more.

Lower bill

The latest water bill for the courses is two-thirds of what it was for the same period last year. Water usage from mid-April to mid-May decreased from 3.4 million gallons to 1.2 million gallons. Water used per day also decreased from 117,000 gallons to 42,000.

During the six cooler months out of the year, all of the irrigation water comes from the creek and golf course lake, and during the other half of the year only 30 percent of irrigation water comes from EBMUD, Swint said.

Watering will be scaled back a bit and residents will notice the difference, Swint said. Out-of-play areas on the courses will likely turn brown and the course will feel firmer. However, he believes that Rossmoor golfers prefer it that way because the ball rolls further.

New system helps

The number one reason Rossmoor has been able to cut down on EBMUD water is because of the new irrigation system that was installed a few years ago, Swint said. In addition, a pumping station was put in so creek water can reach all of the 27 holes.

He said that an on-site weather station is also key to cutting back on water. The station measures a variety of things that go into the determination of how much water is used to irrigate the courses.

Swint is able to access this information when he's not in Rossmoor by using a laptop computer and can make adjustments to the watering schedule accordingly.

Water usage varies. For example, Swint said, at the end of May, it was 89,000 gallons a day. A week later, it was 78,000 gallons. Last Tuesday, it was 76,000 gallons and 90 percent of that water came from the creek.

“We just have to watch it,” Swint said.

What can residents do to conserve water? Plenty.

Without drastically changing everyday habits, Rossmoor residents should be able to significantly save water. And the water company can help them do it.

Golf courses have already drastically cut back use of water from EBMUD

Rossmoor's golf courses should come through the drought a little brown on the edges and a little firmer to the touch, but otherwise all right, said Golf Course Superintendent Blake Swint.

Applicants needed for new energy committee

Residents interested in serving on the Ad Hoc Alternative Energy Committee are asked to apply by June 20. Drop off applications to Paulette Jones in the GRF Board Office at Gateway or e-mail to pjones@rossmoor.com.

Board Agenda

Following are the Board agenda items for the GRF Board meeting on Thursday, June 26. Copies of the agenda are available in the Board Office at Gateway.

Candidates sought for Fourth Mutual board

There will be an election for two directors on the board of Fourth Walnut Creek Mutual, each for a three-year term. The two positions are currently held by Don Cardinal and Hans Koehler.

Democrats will hear about Iraq from war correspondent

The Democrats of Rossmoor will hear about the war in Iraq from journalist Dahr Jamail at their meeting Thursday, June 26, in the Diablo Room at Hillside. A social is at 7 p.m. and the program at 7:30.

Golf course closed to walkers on some Mondays

The Rossmoor golf courses will be closed to walkers on the following Mondays due to tournaments and holiday. If the tournament starts at noon, walkers can still use the courses until noon. If the tournament is on the Dollar Ranch Course (18 holes), walkers can still use the Creekside Course (nine holes).

Kiwanis Club donates new bench for bus stop

The Rossmoor Kiwanis Club has donated a new bench, which has been placed outside the west entrance to Gateway. The concept of giving Rossmoorians a place to rest while waiting for a bus was developed by Kiwanian Gordon Britz, who picked out and purchased the bench.

News will have early deadline due to July 4

Due to the Fourth of July holiday, the News will have an early deadline for the July 9 issue.

Nonmembers of Table Tennis Club must follow the rules in Hillside trailer

The Recreation Department reminds residents that the following rules are in effect for using the table tennis trailer at Hillside. Residents or guests who would like play are asked to follow these rules:

Recycle column

Tips for going green

Rossmoor Library changes its hours

The hours of the Rossmoor Library at Gateway will change slightly effective July 1. The new hours will be Monday, Tuesday, Thursday and Friday from noon to 4 p.m.; Wednesday from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. and Saturday from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m.

Rossmoor trash routes have changes

Changes have been made in the Rossmoor trash routes as follows:

Security Reports

The following incidents were reported to Securitas, Rossmoor's security service provider. They appear here as they were initially reported to Securitas. After investigation, details of a case may indicate a lesser or different incident description.

Staff reviews plans for budget, Creekside progress with GRF Board

In its function as an information-only meeting, the GRF Board's gathering on June 10 focused on four staff reports on the topics of budget, Creekside, historic evaluations and the formation of the Ad Hoc Alternative Energy Committee (AEC).

The Waterford to hold annual meeting, announces new board members

Walnut Creek Mutual 58, the Waterford at Rossmoor, has given notice to all of its members that, pursuant to the bylaws of the corporation, the 18th annual meeting of members will be conducted on Thursday, June 26, at 1:30 p.m. in the Waterford's main dining room.

Veterans History Project of Rossmoor to conduct interviews June 24

The Veterans History Project of Rossmoor will be conducting scheduled interviews of veterans on Tuesday, June 24. The interviews are conducted in the video studio of Acalanes Adult Education Center.