Oceanside
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Caltrans has reduced by 2% the amount of water it uses on highway landscaping since 1986, despite expanding its landscaping acreage, Caltrans officials said.
California Department of Transportation officials discussed their water conservation measures in San Diego County Friday at a press conference along Interstate 5 in Oceanside. Two road signs also were unveiled to indicate the state agency’s use of reclaimed water near the intersection of Cassidy and Soto streets.
Caltrans is the state’s largest user of water for landscaping.
Reclaimed water was one of several measures that Caltrans has adopted to combat the drought that has plagued Southern California for four years, said Jesus Garcia, Caltrans’ District 11 director.
Reclaimed water is used to irrigate 50 acres along Interstate 15 north of Mission Valley and 108 acres along I-5 in Oceanside and Carlsbad.
The agency also uses drought-resistant plants, computer-controlled sprinklers, drip irrigation and mulch to conserve water.
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