Water Conservation…

Go Green or Pay Green!

Presented by:

Nora Jaeschke – Conservation Action CommitteeMayda Portillo – SD County Water Authority

Damian Esparza – Barrera and CompanyZoen Baldwin – Pacific Green Landscape

Introduction

• The Problem (Mayda Portillo)

• Tools (Nora Jaeschke)• Website Available

• Water Use Report Suggested (Damian Esparza)

• Steps for Success to Consider (Nora Jaeschke)

• Ideas from Landscape Contractor (Zoen Baldwin)

• Booklet with Helpful Info (Nora)

Thank You Keiran Purcell and Epsten, Grinell, and Howell for the CD’s

The Problem: Water Shortage Crisis

Financial Impacts

“If they go over the cap, they would get hit with fees up to five times the regular cost of water.”

• Water Shortages Are NOT Temporary

• A New Way of Life

• Temperatures Increasing, Rainfall/Snow Decreasing

A New Way of Life

Water Source: 75% Imported

Colorado River

State Water Project

Lake Mead

Lake Powell

Water Deficit

State Water Project

Governor Declares Statewide Drought

June 2008

Court Ordered Injunction on Pumping of Water Limits Water

Supply

July 2007

Lake Oroville

June 2005

February 2008

San Luis Reservoir

Local ConditionsTrees Stumped Due to Water Cutbacks

Local ConditionsDiamond Valley Lake: 60% of Capacity

Water Deficit

Water Waste Is Against The Law

Property Owner

Landscape ContractorProperty Manager

It is YOUR Team’s Responsibility

Local Conditions

Who Faces Cuts Next?

YOU

Local Conditions

No water. No landscape. No job

Water Waste

Exterior Water ConservationSteps to Success

• Step One – Complete a Water Use Report

• Step Two – Communicate with the Landscape Contractor

• Step Three – Get everyone to agree

• Step Four – These will be the fast easy things to fix – Grass is a high water user

• Step Five – Money matters both short term and long term

Exterior Water ConservationSteps to Success

• Step Six – Is money needed for upgrade worth the potential savings?

• Step Seven – An attractive design is important and changes may save water while helping to increase home values

• Step Eight – Proper working and updated irrigation system is essential

• Step Nine – Plant selection is important and it is wise to look at proposed selections

• Step Ten – Maintain efficient water use and check each year

Water Usage Report

• Part #1 of a 10-step Program

• Identifies Water Usage (Grades A-D)

• Irrigation Only

• Looks at Current and Future Costs

• “Bottom Line” Type of Report

• Made by and for HOAs

• Creates a Call-to-Action by Highlighting Potential Cost Savings

• Progress Report – Bi-Monthly

Now What????

You have the Report Card…

What Can Be Done Immediately

• Irrigation Controller Management

• Fix Immediate Irrigation Issues

• Prune or remove plants that are severely blocking spray patterns.

The Next Step

• As a Board and Management Team, meet with your Landscape Contractor and/or Water Manager.

• Regardless of your communities age access where it is today in regards to its delivery systems (irrigation sprinklers)

• Should we consider using SMART controllers?

• Should we have a separate irrigation agreement with monthly reports?

The Planting Step

• Plant palate related questions should include a meeting with your Landscape Contractor, Water Manager and a Landscape Architect.

• Should we eliminate existing plant material that blocks irrigation spray patterns?

• Should we look to redesign to a more appropriate drought tolerant palate?

• The Ultimate Question… Should we remove our Grass???

Exterior Water ConservationSteps to Success

• Step Three – Get everyone to agree

• In order to make changes and save water and related costs you may need to add to your team the following:

• Water Agency Representative

• Water Report Provider

• Landscape Architect

• Association Attorney

• Bank

• Landscape Installation Contractor

• Irrigation Supply Specialist

• Plant and Turf Provider

• Water Conservation Garden @ Cuyamaca College

Every Drop Counts!

• The 20 Gallon Challenge

• Indoor & Outdoor Tips

• WaterWiser Drip Calculator

• www.bewaterwise.com

• www.h2ouse.org

• www.20gallonchallenge.com• www.awwa.org/advocacy/learn/conserve/dripcalc.cfm

Water Conservation…

Go Green or Pay Green!

Presented by:

Nora Jaeschke – N.N. JaeschkeMayda Portillo – SD County Water Authority

Damian Esparza – SmartProperty.comZoen Baldwin – Pacific Green Landscape