Weekend Weather Just Right for Conserving Water in Riverside

Riverside, Calif. – Cooler temperatures, fog, and some rain make this weekend perfect for conserving water in Riverside. The National Weather Service has forecast showers that should give a parched Inland Empire a much needed drink starting Saturday that could remain until Monday.

By now, all Riverside water users should know the drill: Turn off outdoor irrigation before, during and up to 48-hours after measurable rainfall. Additionally, winter watering restrictions in Riverside limit outdoor irrigation to just two days per week, and only between 6 p.m. to 10 a.m.

RPU also urges residents to use caution around intersections where signals may be out as a result of weather-related power outages, and to be aware of pedestrians at intersections and near schools.

If using a generator during a power outage, follow all directions for use and never use indoors or store fuels indoors. For additional tips and information on being prepared for emergencies or outages, please visit www.ReadyRiverside.com.

For more information on the drought and Riverside Public Utilities conservation mandates, please visit www.BlueRiverside.com.

Free Shade Tree Coupons from Riverside Public Utilities Arriving Soon

March is here, and that means that Riverside Public Utilities (RPU) customers are getting ready to make Riverside a greener city by planting thousands of trees as part of the utility’s annual FREE Shade Tree Coupon program.

Now in its 15th year, RPU customers can take their March 2016 paper billing statement to one of four participating Riverside nurseries and redeem it by June 30, 2016, for one qualified free shade tree (up to $25 in value). To date, more than 160,000 shade trees have been planted by residential and commercial customers through utility programs that beautify the city, offset greenhouse gas emissions, and reduce energy use.

“This program also helps provide a boost to local small businesses,” Mayor Rusty Bailey said. “I encourage everyone to take advantage of this program made possible by our locally-owned public utility.”

In addition to receiving one free shade tree each year, RPU electric customers can also receive a rebate of $25 per qualifying tree (up to $125 maximum) on the purchase of up to five additional shade trees each calendar year when they participate in RPU’s “Tree Power” shade tree rebate program (some restrictions apply).

Customers can redeem this year’s tree coupon at one of the following Riverside retailers only: Louie’s Nursery, 16310 Porter Ave.; Moon Valley Nursery, 9501 Lincoln Ave.; Parkview Nursery, 4377 Chicago Ave.; or Parkview Nursery, 3841 Jackson St.

The utility’s paperless customers will be sent free shade tree coupons via mail in mid to late March. For additional information about RPU’s Tree Power programs, visit online at www.GreenRiverside.com.