irrigation management

Our irrigation management services encompass ongoing maintenance, repair and renovation, climate matching controller adjustments, and real-time system monitoring. We proactively respond to your irrigation needs.

We review irrigation management strategies specific to your landscape and deliver an updated approach to best meet the needs of your landscape.

MWELO – Model Water Efficient Landscape Ordinance

On April 1, 2015, California Governor Jerry Brown issued Executive Order B-29-15 mandating statewide water reductions to make the state more resilient to drought. The order focuses on saving water, increasing enforcement to prevent water waste, streamlining the state’s drought response and investing in new technologies.

All projects that require a building or landscape permit, plan check or design review and are 1) a new development project with aggregate landscape area ≥ 500 sq. ft. or 2) a rehabilitated landscape with aggregate landscape area ≥ 2,500 sq. ft. must comply with MWELO.

MWELO has been adopted throughout California to enforce a new normal of highly efficient landscapes throughout the state. This new ordinance will have to be followed and ensures California has climate appropriate plant material and water conserving irrigation systems. Our highly skilled team of water managers and sustainability officers are here to help navigate you through the complexities and the compliance of this new mandate.

irrigation management strategies

Irrigation controllers have evolved from simple mechanical clocks into complex, computer driven systems to control water resources in our landscapes. In addition to using new irrigation controller technology, Gachina Landscape Management offers an Irrigation Water Audit service. Our staff participates in the Irrigation Association’s Certified Landscape Irrigation Auditor (CLIA) program, and landscape irrigation auditors perform regular audits to define, measure and quantify water use across our landscapes. Audits enable more efficient control over programmed irrigation controllers and pinpoint system deficiencies, enabling reductions in metered water usage of 30 to 60 percent. Gachina supports the Irrigation Association’s initiative Smart Irrigation Month to promote the social, economic and environmental benefits of efficient irrigation technologies, products and services in landscape, turf and agricultural irrigation. Strategies include:

• Programming your irrigation controllers in accordance with current day and time restrictions.
• Upgrading your irrigation controllers to weather based “smart” controllers.
• Converting overhead spray nozzles to drip irrigation.
• Upgrading inefficient spray nozzles to water saving rotating nozzles.
• Repairing irrigation problems quickly to avoid new fines for runoff and broken equipment.
• Creating a monthly budget and reporting of landscape water usage that tracks against savings goals.
• American Water Works Association certified testers on staff to help maintain and inspect your backflow prevention devices.

To learn more about irrigation management, contact us at (650) 853-0400.