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CLCA EDUCATION

CLCA EDUCATION. Our Water*Our Future CLCA Landscape Contractor Responsibilities and Strategies for Water Conservation. Purpose of this program is to provide the CLCA Landscape Contractor with information to: Understand the problem

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CLCA EDUCATION

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  1. CLCA EDUCATION Our Water*Our Future CLCA Landscape Contractor Responsibilities and Strategies for Water Conservation

  2. Purpose of this program is to provide the CLCA Landscape Contractor with information to: • Understand the problem • Identify services needed that could be provided by the Landscape Contractor • Identify a team • Make suggestions on a path to be followed to work together • Identify tools available for use by the Landscape Contractor 2

  3. SECTION ONEThe Problem

  4. Problem: The Big Picture 85% of our water is imported Two Sources: Colorado River and State Project Shared Resources (Colorado River –7 States) Multi-Year Drought (Colorado River -8 Years) Decreasing Storage Court Ordered Restrictions

  5. Problem: The Big Picture 7 States Share Colorado River Water

  6. Problem: The Big Picture 85% Imported • State Project • Colorado River

  7. Problem: The Big Picture Colorado River: Long-Term Drought • Eight Year Drought • Reservoir Levels < 50% • Lake Mead • Lake Powell 7

  8. Problem: The Big Picture Lake Mead below 50% reservoir levels

  9. Problem: The Big Picture Lake Powell below 50% reservoir levels Water Deficit

  10. Problem: The Big Picture State Water Project Governor Declares Statewide Drought June 2008 Court Ordered Injunction on Pumping of Water Limits Water Supply July 2007

  11. Problem: The Big Picture Lake Oroville 1/3 of Capacity or Less June 2005 February 2008 November 2008

  12. Problem: The Big Picture San Luis Reservoir 1/3 of Capacity or Less

  13. Problem: Local Perspective Water Cuts to Agriculture Diamond Valley Lake: 60% of Capacity Decreasing Storage Current Voluntary Reduction Cuts to Landscape Irrigation

  14. Problem: Local Perspective Trees Stumped Due to Water Cutbacks

  15. Problem: Local Perspective Diamond Valley Lake: 60% of Capacity

  16. Problem: What’s Next Mandatory 20% Reduction Allocation Limits Increased Rates Penalties Litigation Risk Water will be considered a very valuable commodity

  17. SECTION TWOThe TeamRole of the Landscape Contractor

  18. The Process: Team Community Association Board Members Property Owners Community Manager Attorney City (Water Department), Water Agency or Private Auditor Banker Water Report Provider Landscape Contractor Landscape Architect Irrigation Specialist and Supply Company Plant Supply Company The Conservation Garden @Cuyamaca College

  19. Your Role: Opportunities Your Role Tools Opportunities

  20. Landscape Contractor Role Insure all your personnel are watering efficiently Make client’s aware of anything needing to be repaired and work with the property manager to gain approval for repairs Make suggestions for water savings and provide estimates if additional work is suggested

  21. Your Role: Tools Water Report Card Resource guide for HOA (SDCW) The Conservation Garden “Water Smart” grower display areas Irrigation firms display areas

  22. Your Role: Opportunity #1 Assign a person to physically determine what meters are at the project Areas covered by each meter and estimated water use for each metered area “Goal ~ Know what is located at each client’s property”

  23. Your Role: Opportunity #2 Certified water management made available at contractors current site Certified water management service offered at sites not maintained by the contractor Know that each client’s system you have is working to its maximum efficiency and consider the following:

  24. Your Role: Opportunity #3 Old impacts to stream rotors Old spray systems to MP rotators Old controllers to Weather Based controllers Old spray systems to drip irrigation Splitting old ineffective systems due to plant material or sun exposure to new matched systems Converting potable irrigation systems to reclaimed water Retro-fits may need to be suggested. Consideration may be given to the following changes:

  25. Your Role: Opportunity #4 Re-contour sites to group high water usage plants in lowered bio-swales Removal or reduction of grass to shrubs to reduce ET demands Elimination of ground covers to reduce site water needs Changing of plant materials from water thirsty to drought tolerant Switch from chemical based fertilizers to organics to reduce thirst fleshy growth Landscape renovations may be suggested and consideration may be given to the following:

  26. Your Role: Opportunity #5 Specialty firms may be set up to help communities/properties seek out and implement incentive programs There are 24 member agencies and most have a different plan Hiring someone to do research, fill out the forms and communicate with agencies may be a valuable service Compensation might be based on a % of value attained Water Agency Incentives may be available

  27. Your Role: Opportunity #6 Meter reading is time consuming but a way of keeping control of water use. You might consider establishing a meter reader person, a report method and a communication system for reporting results.

  28. SECTION THREEThe Team –Additional Roles

  29. Additional Roles The Board Community Manager Attorney Water Report Provider Banker Water Agency Landscape Architect Plant Providers/Growers and Irrigation Suppliers The Conservation Garden @ Cuyamaca College

  30. Additional Roles: The Board Realize that there is a water shortage Develop a system to inform owners of problem, actions proposed and related costs Engage someone to do a classification of the landscape to see where the association is If agreed upon consider upgrades Work to develop a way of paying for the upgrades needed and consider an analysis of how the associations Return on Investment Keep track with a quarterly report of use Suggested Action for Board of Directors

  31. Additional Roles: Manager Coordinate meetings Distribute information Keep Board of Directors informed Keep records as progress is made towards improved water efficiency Support where needed Serve as liaison

  32. Additional Roles: Attorney Advise the Board of Directors on where funds may be available if major costs are needed to improve water efficiency at the project Assist with bank loan if appropriate after a Return On Investment analysis is made

  33. Prepare a water use report Provide a Return on Investment analysis if requested on major landscape upgrades Report quarterly on actual water use and give a comparison to last years use by units and dollars Additional Roles: Water Report Provider

  34. Additional Roles: Banker Be prepared to make loans to associations for drought tolerant landscape upgrades Have a prepared set of requirements in place that associations can easily use if a loan is being considered

  35. Additional Roles: Water Agency Promote available incentives Encourage efficient water use Keep the public aware of issues Assist industry groups where appropriate

  36. Additional Roles: Landscape Architect Encourage water efficiency When requested make simple overview reports to the Board of Directors so that they will have a general idea of a phased plan that can be implemented for conservation Develop a phased program of improving effective water use if requested

  37. Additional Roles: Plant Providers/Growers and Irrigation Suppliers Signs or banner the facility so that buyers know water smart plants and irrigation equipment are available for sale and on display Cluster and sign water smart inventory so it is easy to find and identify If appropriate have information promoting water smart usage on site

  38. Additional Roles: The Conservation Garden @ Cuyamaca College • Suggest the Board of Directors and owners visit the Garden • Identify plants at the Garden that could be used at the development • Take classes if appropriate • Seek advise from experts at the Garden

  39. Section FourThe Guide

  40. The Guide: Step 1 Have an evaluation performed at your development to determine your current water use Grade of A through D based upon gallons used per square foot and zone classification Shows amount paid per acre and potential savings based on water use reduction Complete the report as requested Complete a Water Use Report Resource Expert: Water Report Provider

  41. The Guide: Step 1 Sample Report

  42. The Guide: Step 2 Say “I want to conserve!” Check irrigation system; ensure it is operating at top efficiency Approval should be given to repair lines, valves, and replace sprinkler heads where needed Water bills should be reviewed and the contractor should be aware of water used for irrigation Water District Incentives reviewed Complete Water Report Card to see if grade has improved after these changes Communicate with the Landscape Contractor Resource Experts: Landscape Contractors

  43. The Guide: Step 3 Get everyone on board (attorney – best ally) Goal: Reduce water and water related costs Discuss current water usage and the BENEFIT of water reductions CORE management team: Board of Directors Property Manager Landscape Contractor Owners Get Everyone to Agree Resource Experts: Water Agency RepresentativeLandscape ArchitectsLandscape ContractorsWater Report Provider AttorneysBanksIrrigation Supply CompaniesPlant Supply CompaniesConservation Garden

  44. The Guide: Step 4 A new design may be necessary (water report card) Develop a water smart plan or design (landscape architect) Visit the Conservation Garden at Cuyamaca College Consider preliminary report of property for easy water saving changes (landscape architect) After implementing recommendations, plant use and irrigation may be required (higher cost factor) Visit a nursery where water smart plants are sold and a facility where irrigation supplies are provided Prepare Water Report Card, have you moved up? These will be the fast easy things to fix - Grass is a high water user Resource Experts: Landscape ArchitectsLandscape ContractorsWater Report ProviderConservation GardenNurseriesIrrigation Supply FirmsWater Resource Manager

  45. The Guide: Step 5 Determine if funds are available Attorney can advise you if funds available can be used for upgrading landscaping If funds are not available you may consider asking for a bank loan If a bank loan is required it may be wise to have a return on investment analysis made (best ally-reserve analyst) Money matters both short and long term Resource Experts:AttorneysBanks

  46. The Guide: Step 6 After it has been determined that funds are available and owners are in agreement that change is needed the next steps are: Design Irrigation Plants Money may be needed to make necessary changes…so don't be surprised It is not where you are……it is where you are going that counts Is money needed for upgrade worth the potential savings? Resource Experts: Water Report Provider

  47. The Guide: Step 7 Design is a HUGE factor in landscape upgrades Phased Approach Communicate with Owners An attractivedesign may save water while saving $$$ Resource Experts: Landscape ArchitectsLandscape Contractors

  48. The Guide: Step 8 Irrigation upgrades are key Water agencies frequently have incentive programs Have you prepared an update water report card lately? Proper working and updated irrigation system is essential Resource Experts: Landscape ArchitectsLandscape Contractors Irrigation Supply Co.’s

  49. The Guide: Step 9 Make sure plants are "WATER SMART" Visit the "Water Conservation Garden" to see plants that qualify as "WATER SMART” or your local nursery Soon identification will be given to plants in supply places that will help identify water smart varieties Plant selection is important Resource Experts: Landscape ArchitectsLandscape ContractorsPlant Supply CompaniesConservation Garden

  50. The Guide: Step 10 Maintain the new upgraded landscape that has been installed Prepare the water report card quarterly to insure that your upgraded property is still maintaining its "WATER SMART" category Maintain efficient water use and check quarterly Resource Experts: Landscape ContractorsWater Report Provider

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