Posts Tagged ‘Water Use Reduction’

Water Management Planning Starts Now

Monday, December 12th, 2011

It’s never too early to start water management planning. If you’re looking to streamline usage and prevent overuse penalties this summer, now is the best time to start. Identifying and implementing the right water conservation strategies takes time. So begin today. 

What does efficient water management planning involve?

  • A water audit for a detailed assessment of your current usage and proper estimation of your requirements
  • Identifying areas of wastage
  • Recommendations on water efficiency
  • Implementing water conservation strategies and using the right equipment
  • Setting up a water budget
  • Monitoring usage after the plan is in place
  • Tweaking usage and planning to increase cost efficiency and meet goals 

Did you know that water management and conservation will soon become the single most important aspect of landscape maintenance? Not just in drought-prone California but all over the world! 

Successful water management planning stems from accurate water audits and workable low-water-use solutions. Converting to sustainable landscaping and water-efficient irrigation equipment are some proven ways of achieving your goals. 

A CLCA-certified water manager (or IA-certified water auditor) has the expertise to enhance conservation, efficiency and savings.  

Adopt customized water management planning services with CLCA certified staff to improve conservation, reduce waste and minimize related expenses.

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Santa Clara Water Rebate Program’s Attractive Incentive for Water-Efficient Landscaping

Saturday, May 7th, 2011

The Santa Clara Water Rebate Program is a strong incentive for HOAs, educational and business institutions, and other commercial properties to convert to water-efficient landscaping. The landscape conversion rebate is based on the number of square feet of qualifying high-water-use landscaping that is converted to an approved low-water use one. Irrigation upgrades qualify for an additional Irrigation Hardware Upgrade rebate.

How to qualify for the landscape conversion rebate?

-  Schedule a pre-inspection survey prior to applying for the water rebate program. A surveyor from the Santa Clara Valley Water District will determine your eligibility.

-  Submit the Request for Application Form completed by the surveyor and sent to the Water District by fax or mail.

- A Water District staff member will become your point of contact throughout the rebate process once your request is received.

-  Read the terms and conditions in the application packet sent to you by mail. This includes qualifying plant and irrigation controller lists.

-  Submit a completed application with the necessary documentation

  • 4-6 photos of your current landscape, the area you wish to convert to water-efficient landscaping and irrigation system you plan to replace
  • List of plants for the converted area including qualifying plants that will cover 50% of the area on maturity
  • A simple diagram with an application demonstrating the area and irrigation system to be converted
  • Current copy of your water bill
  • Completed and signed W-9

-  On receipt of a written Notice to Proceed you may begin your landscape conversion and irrigation upgrade according to program terms and conditions

-   Get an established water-efficient landscaping contractor  who is familiar with the requirements to work on your project. This will avoid unnecessary problems with obtaining your rebates and ensure quality work.

-  You have 90 days from the date written on the Notice to Proceed to complete your work.

-   Schedule a post inspection where Water District surveyors will verify that you have met all the criteria of the Santa Clara Water Rebate Program.

Rebates are paid on a first-come-first-served basis and are only available until funds are depleted, or June 30, 2011, whichever occurs first. Don’t miss out on your chance to implement water-efficiency. 

Contact Flora Terra Landscape Management in San Jose to help you complete this process successfully.

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Flora Terra Now Certified Landscape Auditor

Tuesday, August 24th, 2010

Certified Landscape Irrigation Auditor San Jose, San FranciscoFlora Terra Landscape Management is proud to announce that its owner, Gene Ebertowski, has become officially certified as a Certified Landscape Irrigation Auditor throughout the USA, and practicing locally here within the San Francisco Bay Area.

Certified landscape irrigation auditors are involved in the quantification of landscape irrigation water use, including the collection of site data, making maintenance recommendations and performing minor repairs, performing field measurements and observations, determining irrigation uniformity and efficiency, developing a basic irrigation schedule, and working with a water manager or property owner to manage overall irrigation water use.

Certification is issued through the Irrigation Association and must demonstrate experience in the field before being eligible.  An on-site audit is submitted for review by an Irrigation Association certified auditor, and a comprehensive written test must be passed.

Gene is one of very few Certified Landscape Auditors in the San Jose / San Francisco area.  Flora Terra has been a leader in water management and irrigation services, and is an EPA Water Sense Partner and CLCA Certified Water Manager.

For more information, contact Flora Terra Landscape Management at 408-275-1200.

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