South Mesa Water Company

04/05/2026

Happy Easter from all of us at South Mesa Water Company!

As you celebrate with family and decorate eggs, here’s a simple way to practice good water conservation habits. Instead of pouring leftover egg-boiling water down the drain, let it cool and use it to water your indoor plants or garden. When eggs are boiled, small amounts of calcium and trace minerals leach into the water, and calcium plays an important role in helping plants build strong cell walls and maintain healthy growth. It can even support a soil environment that helps plants absorb nutrients more effectively.

And don’t forget about the shells! Eggshells are made up of about 95% calcium carbonate, making them a great addition to compost. When crushed and added to soil, they slowly break down and provide nutrients like calcium, potassium, and magnesium that help your garden thrive.

This Easter, celebrate the spring season by reusing water and reducing waste!

02/14/2026

This Valentine’s Day, we’re celebrating love for our community, our friends and family, and the water that makes life possible. Water connects us all- from morning breakfasts at the table to evenings in the garden with the people we care about most. And taking care of our water resources means taking care of our community!

Instead of buying cut flowers this year, consider gifting a potted native plant. Native plants are adapted to our local climate and often need little to no extra watering once established, helping conserve water and support local pollinators and wildlife.

Thank you for being part of a community that values safe and clean drinking water.. Happy Valentine’s Day from all of us!

01/03/2026

As we welcome the New Year, it’s a great moment to reflect on everyday habits that make a lasting impact. Using water wisely at home helps ensure a reliable supply for our entire community in the year ahead. Consider adding water saving goals like shaving a few minutes off of your shower or converting some of your outdoor landscape to your New Year’s resolutions!

Thank you for being thoughtful water users — we wish you a healthy, happy start to 2026 from all of us at South Mesa!

12/24/2025

The Christmas season is a time for gathering, gratitude, and celebration. Last week, South Mesa was grateful to share in the holiday cheer with our local partners the San Gorgonio Pass Water Agency, CalMutuals - The Voice of Small Water Systems and San Bernardino Valley Municipal Water District. We completed several milestone projects this year, including over 52,000 feet of pipeline installations, completing our consolidation of Hillcrest Mobile Home Park, dedicating our water reservoir to late Board President Jorritsma, and officially breaking ground on the first ever recharge basin in Calimesa. We couldn’t have done any of it without our wonderful partners!

Our offices will be closed on December 24 & 25 in observance of the holiday. If you have an emergency, please call our office at (909) 795-2401 to be connected to our after hours operators. South Mesa Water Company wishes you a safe, joyful Christmas spent with the people who matter most!

11/27/2025

Thanksgiving is a time to share gratitude and cherish our resources. This year, we’re thankful that we have clean, safe and reliable water flowing through our homes. We quite literally can’t live without it! Want to practice water conservation as a part of your festivities? After dinner, make sure to fully load your dishwasher before running it. Using your dishwasher instead of handwashing dishes can save up to 24 gallons per load!

We will be closed today, November 27, in observance of the holiday and will reopen on Friday, December 1 at 8 am. If you have an emergency, please call our office at (909) 795-2401 to be connected to our after hours operators. Wishing you and your family a wonderful holiday!

11/11/2025

This Veterans Day, we pause to honor and remember the courage and dedication of all who have served our country. At South Mesa, we’re grateful for the freedoms that veterans have defended, including the freedom to access clean, safe, and affordable water.

In observance of Veterans Day, our offices will be closed today as we reflect on the values that unite us and the sacrifices that protect them. We will reopen tomorrow, November 12 at 8 am.

10/25/2025

Hear that eerie flush in the night? Don’t worry, your house isn’t haunted… but your toilet might be!

A “ghost flush” is when your toilet refills itself without being used and is usually caused by a worn flapper or leaking valve. That silent leak can waste up to 200 gallons of water per day, which can add up to more than 6,000 gallons a month going right down the drain!

Try this spooky-simple test:
Add a few drops of food coloring to your toilet tank and wait 10–30 minutes. If the color shows up in the bowl, you’ve got a leak.

Most ghost flushes are caused by a flapper that’s no longer sealing tightly. Replacing it is quick, inexpensive, and can save thousands of gallons every year. To go even further, consider upgrading to a WaterSense-labeled toilet that can reduce flushing water use by 20–60%, saving an average household around 13,000 gallons per year.

10/18/2025

South Mesa Water District is proud to partner with regional water districts to improve water reliability and affordability for our communities. General Manager Dave Armstrong spoke at the San Gorgonio Pass Water Agency's groundbreaking event on Tuesday celebrating the beginning of construction on a new water recharge basin in Calimesa. This project is a collaborative effort between the Pass Agency, San Bernardino Valley Municipal Water District, and Supervisor Yxstian Gutierrez . It will allow the water agencies to bring in additional water supplies and use them to help replenish our groundwater basins.

Earlier this year, South Mesa celebrated the completion of 24,000 feet of pipeline upgrades along County Line Road. This pipeline upgrade contributes to these efforts by helping bring in imported water supplies and adds to the overall sustainability of our region. We are so grateful to have amazing partners in the Pass Agency, Riverside county and Valley Water!

09/20/2025

Did you know that native plants can save you up to 50% on your water bill compared to traditional landscapes? Unlike water-hungry grass, native plants are adapted to our climate and need far less water to thrive, making them perfect for drought-tolerant gardens. Plus, they require fewer fertilizers and pesticides and attract native pollinators, which is great for the environment!

Fall is the perfect time to start your native plant garden! Cooler weather helps new plants establish deep roots for a sustainable future. Check out the UCR Botanic Garden’s pop up shop this weekend and grab your water-wise, native plants.

When: September 21st, 10 AM - 2 PM
Where: UCR Botanic Gardens
1 Botanic Gardens Dr
Riverside, CA 92507
Click here for more information:

The UCR Botanic Gardens hosts plant sales throughout the year offering plants propagated from our own unique collection. We sell horticultural and native plants, cacti and succulents, patio and house plants, water-efficient plants, colorful landscape trees, and numerous pollinator-attracting species...

09/15/2025

Did you know that even mild dehydration can make it harder for kids to concentrate, remember lessons, or stay in a good mood? Research shows that just being 1–2% dehydrated can affect attention and short-term memory. For kids who are learning all day, that makes a big difference.

One of the easiest ways to help: send them to school with a reusable water bottle filled with refreshing South Mesa water. Not only does it remind them to sip throughout the day, but it’s also better for the planet (and your wallet) compared to disposable bottles.

Encourage your child to take a few sips between classes or during breaks. Those small, steady habits add up to sharper focus, better moods, and more energy for learning and play!

09/07/2025

When disaster strikes, being prepared can make all the difference. This National Emergency Preparedness month, here’s how to ensure you and your family have enough water and essentials:
- Keep a three-day supply of water—about 1.5 gallons per person per day. For a family of two, that’s 9 gallons!
- To maintain the quality of your stored water, rotate your stock every six months. Always use clean, food-grade containers.

Plan ahead and stay safe! Being informed and creating a well-stocked emergency kit can save lives. For more emergency preparation tips, check out https://ors.od.nih.gov/ser/dem/emergencyPrep/Pages/Disaster-Preparedness-Tips.aspx

07/30/2025

Did you know that up to 50% of outdoor water is wasted due to overwatering, runoff, and outdated systems? This July is Smart Irrigation Month, making it a perfect time to upgrade your watering habits and systems! Switching to smart irrigation has a multitude of benefits, including:

- Automatically adjusting watering schedules based on weather, soil moisture, and plant needs
- Reducing overwatering and improving landscape health
- Cutting outdoor water use by 20–50%
- Saving you money on your water bill

Find helpful info about smart controllers at:
https://www.epa.gov/watersense/irrigation-controllers