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~ Q~ •~~'' ..fir U .~ a 6. Design and install high efficiency irrigation systems Drip and bubbler irrigation technologies apply water accurately, to the plant root zones, at the rate that it can infltrate. Low flow sprinkler heads apply water uniformly and slowly and improve the efficiency of turf and groundcover irrigation. Both minimize overspray and evaporation and reduce runoff. Drip is often more appropriate than overhead in areas that are narrow, odd shaped, densely planted, or in parking lots and medians. ^ Be pro-active, not reactive with customers. Provide them with recommendations to improve their irrigation efficiency to achieve 70% or greater distribution uniformity in turf areas and 80% in all other landscaped areas. ^ Install a weather based, self-adjusting irrigation controller that has certifed by the Irrigation Association (www.ia.orQ), and has, at a minimum, a soil moisture or rain sensor shutoff. ^ For large commercial or municipal sites, select controllers that can detect and respond to problems like a broken sprinkler head. ^ Rediscover drip. Several types of drip systems exist: select the right system for the specific job. Using'in-line emitters' or'subsurface' drip improves efficiency. ^ Irrigate turf areas with subsurface irrigation or equipment that has a precipitation rate of I inch or less per hour as specifed by the manufacturer and use stream rotator heads instead of standard spray heads. ^ Use matched precipitation rate nozzles within each control valve and circuit. ^ Design a system based on a water use budget of no more than 70% of reference ET and have this budget and your irrigation plans reviewed by a representative of your water supplier or a trained irrigation specialist. ^ Check with your local water supplier for rebates. High efficiency systems not only limit evaporation and runoff, but also prevent disease and minimize weed growth. Water bills can be lower and water quality protected. e ., ~.,` - •„ ~ ~' ~' +~ 4 7. Install a dedicated meter to monitor landscape water use Separate irrigation meters, although they can be expensive, allow for the monitoring and evaluation of water use in the landscape. EBMUD is requiring them on all new water service for landscapes greater than 5000 square feet, with single-family residences being the only exception. ^ Specify the addition of a separate water meter for landscapes larger than 5000 sq. ft. ^ Combine with a'smart' or automatic, self adjusting irrigation controller(s) for a sophisticated understanding of water use. ^ Read the irrigation meter to check for leaks and maintain a water budget. ^ Provide detailed feedback to your customers about their water use or conservation achievements. ^ If a dedicated water meter is not possible, install a submeter to track the irrigation portion of a mixed use water meter. Monitoring the landscape water use more precisely can demonstrate and support water conservation. A separate meter can also reduce your client's sewage bill since it is based on water use in buildings. 8. Manage irrigation according to need Watering requirements will vary with soil, plant, climate, exposure and season. If the irrigation system is not timed by a weather based controller, management of the irrigation requires particular attention and expertise. ^ Become familiar with CA Irrigation Management Information System (aMls). ^ Base irrigation on: • The watering needs of the plant material, in inches per week. • How fast the water is being applied. Sprinklers apply water in inches per hour, drip in gallons per hour • The soil types and slope. Apply water slowly or intermittently on slopes or clay soils, so that it can soak into the soil. ^ If the system does not include a soil moisture sensing device, use a soil probe to check soil moisture before irrigating and watch the plants for signs that they need water. ^ Avoid watering during the warmest and windiest times of the day ^ Water deeply enough to soak the root zone. ^ If you have installed an irrigation system but will not be managing it, provide the property owner with precipitation rate for each valve zone, maximum runtimes for July 3, location of irrigation supply shut off, maintenance checklist, distribution uniformity and Internet address for watering index information. Appropriate watering moderates plant growth, promotes plant health and reduces replacement costs, as well as the need for pesticides and pruning. Your costs and your clients' water bills can be reduced. 36