Landscape Notes

Bill Thornton, Landscape Services Coordinator

Backflow Prevention Devices

The Santa Margarita Water District (SMWD) and all water agencies require by law that backflow devices shall be installed on domestic irrigation systems and be inspected, repaired, or replaced annually for proper operation. A backflow prevention assembly is used to protect the drinking water supply from contamination or pollution due to a backflow. In the United States, the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) holds water suppliers responsible for maintaining a certain amount of purity in potable water systems.

In potable water supply systems, water is normally maintained at a higher pressure to enable water to flow from the tap, shower, etc. When pressure

Submissions to the Courier

The Opinion Letters section of the Courier has been temporarily suspended.

Contributions to our ongoing series are encouraged: Where in the World (travel stories), Sharing Our Roots (ancestry), Remember When? (activities/items from the past), and local Restaurant Reviews. Our staff will work with residents to write and/or edit the above submissions. We’re also looking for submissions about recent, unique remodels. Please send submissions or story ideas to debrafriedman0@ gmail.com fails, or is reduced from broken SMWD mainlines, or there is an unexpectedly high demand on a water system, the pressure in the pipe may be reduced and may allow water from the ground or storage to be drawn back into the SMWD system from the HOA irrigation system without this device.

The Courier Committee meets in the Fiesta Room on the second Wednesday of the month at 9:30 a.m.

All irrigation backflows were tested in late 2022 and comply with the laws. Casta del Sol has an excellent record of maintaining these devices in full compliance with all laws for the protection of residents.

Free Paper Shredding

The City of Mission Viejo is hosting a free paper shredding event for Mission Viejo residents. The event will be held on Saturday, March 25 from 9-11 a.m. in the City Hall Parking Lot located at 200 Civic Center, Mission Viejo. Residents may bring up to 5 banker-size boxes (24” x 12” x 10”) worth of paper records for immediate shredding. Proof of residency is required.